Methods For Dispensing Methyl Antrhanilate

Abstract

A method of deterring avian pests from a space includes adding an amount of methyl anthranilate to an evaporator disposed in a space. The evaporator can be passively or actively operated to increase or decrease the off-gassing of methyl anthranilate.

Claims

1. A method of deterring avian pests from entering a space, comprising: placing an evaporator in the space, the evaporator configured to release a substance into the atmosphere; adding an amount of methyl anthranilate to the evaporator; and operating the evaporator to release the methyl anthranilate into the atmosphere in a substantially gaseous form.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least 90 weight percent (wt %) of the methyl anthranilate leaves the device as a gas.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the evaporator is selected from the group consisting of: a heat-based evaporator, and an ultrasonic evaporator.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the active evaporator comprises a fan and a cartridge, wherein the cartridge contains the methyl anthranilate in a liquid state.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein evaporator is a passive evaporator, which dispenses the methyl anthranilate into the atmosphere gas without using external heat, external agitation, or external pressure.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein operating the passive evaporator further comprises performing a mechanical operation to reveal an opening, wherein the opening exposes the methyl anthranilate to air.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the space is an open space.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of adding the amount of the methyl anthranilate to the evaporator comprises adding an amount of liquid methyl anthranilate to a solution previously disposed in the evaporator.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein adding the amount of the methyl anthranilate to the evaporator further comprises coupling a cartridge containing the methyl anthranilate to the evaporator.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the avian pests are selected from the group consisting of: starlings, gulls, blackbirds, grackles, rock doves, pigeons, cliff swallows, house sparrows, house finches, American crows, geese, mute swans, and coots.

11. A method of assisting in deterring avian pests, comprising: marketing an evaporator; and marketing a cartridge that cooperates with the evaporator to dispense a gas, wherein the cartridge includes an amount of methyl anthranilate; and providing instructions for using the evaporator for deterring the avian pests.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 depicts an evaporator comprising a fan and a cartridge containing methyl anthranilate.

[0021] FIG. 2 depicts an ultrasonic evaporator comprising a reservoir adapted to contain and receive methyl anthranilate.

[0022] FIG. 3 depicts a heat-based evaporator comprising a heat source and a cartridge containing methyl anthranilate.

[0023] FIG. 4 depicts a passive evaporator comprising a cartridge containing methyl anthranilate, wherein the methyl anthranilate is evaporates into the air without using external heat, external agitation, and external pressure.

[0024] FIG. 5 depicts a passive evaporator comprising a material infused with a solution comprising methyl anthranilate that is exposed to air.

[0025] FIG. 6 depicts a substantially enclosed warehouse with multiple evaporators containing methyl anthranilate placed in each corner of the enclosed warehouse and the entrance.

[0026] FIG. 7 depicts a porch with multiple evaporators containing methyl anthranilate placed in two corners of the semi-enclosed space.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Throughout the following discussion, numerous references will be made regarding servers, services, interfaces, portals, platforms, or other systems formed from computing devices. It should be appreciated that the use of such terms is deemed to represent one or more computing devices having at least one processor configured to execute software instructions stored on a computer readable tangible, non-transitory medium. For example, a server can include one or more computers operating as a web server, database server, or other type of computer server in a manner to fulfill described roles, responsibilities, or functions.

[0028] The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

[0029] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term coupled to is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms coupled to and coupled with are used synonymously.

[0030] FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of evaporator 100 comprising fan 110 and cartridge 120 containing methyl anthranilate (MA).

[0031] Cartridge 120 is configured to expose the MA in the lumen of cartridge 120 to air. Cartridge 120 can have an opening at one end of the lumen. Cartridge 120 can also comprise a wick with one portion of the wick contacting the MA in the lumen of cartridge 120 and another portion of the wick contacting the air outside of the lumen, such that liquid MA is exposed to the air by capillary action.

[0032] Fan 110 is coupled to cartridge 120 and is configured to accelerate the offgassing of MA by increasing airflow around cartridge 120. In a preferred embodiment, fan 110 is a cross-flow fan comprising an impeller with forward curved blades that moves air transversely across the impeller. It is contemplated that fan 110 can be any means of increasing air circulation, such as a centrifugal fan, an axial-flow fan, a bellow, a convective fan, and an electrostatic fan. Evaporator 100 can also comprise a timer that selectively activates fan 110 based on a preset schedule. For example, a user can set evaporator 100 to activate fan 110 between the hours of 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM when customers dine on the patio and deactivate from 6:00 PM to 5:00 AM when the restaurant is typically closed. In other embodiments, evaporator 100 can also be connected to a variety of sensors, such as light sensors, movement sensors, and sound sensors. Evaporator 100 can employ one or more of these sensors to selectively activate fan 110 if certain conditions are met.

[0033] In alternative embodiments, evaporator 100 does not include fan 110. For example, evaporator 100 may allow MA to off-gas passively and/or enhance the off-gassing of MA without substantially increasing airflow around the cartridge, such as by increasing surface area of MA contacting air. Off-gassing is the release of chemicals in gaseous form from a material.

[0034] FIG. 2 depicts ultrasonic evaporator 200 comprising reservoir 220 adapted to receive and contain methyl anthranilate 210.

[0035] In the depicted embodiment, ultrasonic evaporator 200 comprises a diaphragm that can vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency using a piezoelectric transducer to create a high frequency mechanical oscillation in a film of a liquid. The high frequency mechanical oscillation causes the liquid to eject an extremely fine mist of droplets which is quickly evaporated into the air flow. It is contemplated that the droplets are about one micron in diameter.

[0036] Ultrasonic evaporator 200 can also comprise a timer that selectively activates the piezoelectric transducer based on a preset schedule. For example, a user can set ultrasonic evaporator 200 to activate between the hours of 5:00 AM and 6:00 PM when birds are most active and to deactivate from 6:00 PM to 5:00 AM when birds typically roost. In other embodiments, ultrasonic evaporator 200 can also be connected to a variety of sensors, such as light sensors, movement sensors, and sound sensors. Ultrasonic evaporator 200 can employ one or more of these sensors to selectively activate the piezoelectric transducer if certain conditions are met.

[0037] MA 210 is liquid methyl anthranilate. MA 210 can comprise a mixture of MA and other liquids, such as water or alcohols, to be ejected as an extremely fine mist of droplets.

[0038] Reservoir 220 can be any physical structure adapted to receive and contain MA 210. In a preferred embodiment, reservoir 220 is a cup shaped structure coupled to ultrasonic evaporator 200. Reservoir 220 can also be a closeable container, such as a cup with a lid. In preferred embodiments, MA 210 is ejected as a fine mist directly from reservoir 220. However, reservoir 220 can be as a temporary holding structure that holds MA prior to ultrasonic evaporation at a different location. For example, reservoir 220 may be coupled to ultrasonic evaporator 200 by a conduit through which MA and other liquids can flow for high frequency mechanical oscillation at a separate site.

[0039] FIG. 3 depicts heat-based evaporator 300 comprising a heat source 310, a power conduit 320, and cartridge 330 containing MA.

[0040] In the depicted embodiment, heat source 310 can be an electrical element configured to convert electric current to heat. For example, heat source 310 can comprise an electrical resistor that works on the principle of Joule heating to convert electrical energy into heat energy. In a preferred embodiment, the heat intensity of heat source 310 is adjustable to control the amount of MA off-gassing. It is contemplated that heat source 310 can use any mechanism that can introduce heat into heat-based evaporator 300, such as mechanisms that use combustion, chemical, convection, radiation, and/or induction.

[0041] Power conduit 320 is preferably an outlet plug that draws a current from a line power source. Alternatively, heat-based evaporator 310 may not comprise power conduit 320. For example, heat-based evaporator 300 can use a combustion based heat source, such as a candle to provide heat to heat-based evaporator 300. In another example, heat-based evaporator 300 can use an activated exothermic chemical reaction to introduce heat to the system.

[0042] Heat-based evaporator 300 can also comprise a timer that selectively activates the heat source 310 based on a preset schedule. For example, a user can set heat-based evaporator 300 to activate between the hours of 5:00 AM and 6:00 PM when birds are most active and to deactivate from 6:00 PM to 5:00 AM when birds typically roost. In other embodiments, heat-based evaporator 300 can also be connected to a variety of sensors, such as light sensors, movement sensors, and sound sensors. Heat-based evaporator 300 can employ one or more of these sensors to selectively heat source 310 if certain conditions are met.

[0043] Cartridge 330 contains MA. Cartridge 330 could have an opening at one end of the lumen. Cartridge 330 could also comprise a wick with one portion of the wick contacting the MA in the lumen of cartridge 330 and another portion of the wick contacting the air outside of the lumen, such that liquid MA is exposed to the air by capillary action.

[0044] FIG. 4 depicts passive evaporator 400 comprising a cartridge 420 containing MA that evaporates into the air without using external heat, external agitation, and/or external pressure.

[0045] Passive evaporator 400 can preferably be switched between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In some embodiments, passive evaporator 400 could use a screw type mechanism that switches between open and closed configuration when passive evaporator 400 is twisted in a particular direction. Passive evaporator 400 could also use a friction based mechanism that allows a user to switch from a closed to an open configuration by exerting force on passive evaporator 400. For example, a user may pull apart two slidably coupled ends of passive evaporator 400 to expose the internal MA to air.

[0046] Preferably, cartridge 420 comprises an absorbent material infused with MA. For example, cartridge 420 can be an MA impregnated gel, wax, paper, sponge, and/or wood that releases MA by off-gassing. Cartridge 420 can store MA in a lumen with an opening at one end of the lumen that allows for off-gassing. Cartridge 420 could also comprise a wick with one portion of the wick contacting the MA in the lumen of cartridge 420 and another portion of the wick contacting the air outside of the lumen, such that liquid MA is exposed to the air by capillary action.

[0047] FIG. 5 depicts passive evaporator 500 comprising an infusible material 510 that is substantially contains a solution comprising MA and exposes the surface area of infusible material 510 to air.

[0048] It is contemplated that infusible material 510 would preferably comprise materials such as papers and gels. For example, infusible material 510 could be a highly absorbent cardboard soaked in an MA solution. In another example, infusible material 510 could be an agarose-based gel impregnated with an MA solution.

[0049] It is also preferred that infusible material 510 is configured to maximize the surface area of passive evaporator 500, which consequently increases off-gassing of the MA solution into the air. In some embodiments, the physical configuration of passive evaporator 500 and the type of infusible material used can be tailored to control the off-gassing of MA to an amount appropriate for the space. For example, a passive evaporator for a small space, such as a shed, can be smaller and expose less surface area to air than a passive evaporator for a larger space, such as a garage.

[0050] FIG. 6 depicts a substantially enclosed warehouse 600 with evaporators 610 containing MA placed in each corner of the warehouse 600 and the entrance of warehouse 600.

[0051] It is contemplated that evaporators 610 used in the depicted embodiment are preferably active evaporators with more effective off-gassing capabilities, such as fan-based, ultrasonic, and/or heat-based evaporators. For example, warehouse 600 can be fitted with heat-based evaporators that are plugged into electrical outlets and convert electrical energy to heat energy using a resistor. It is contemplated that any combination of active evaporators and passive evaporators can be used based on the particular requirements of a substantially enclosed space.

[0052] FIG. 7 depicts a semi-enclosed space 700 with evaporators 710 containing MA placed in two corners of the semi-enclosed space.

[0053] It is contemplated that evaporators 710 used in semi-enclosed or open environments can be passive or active evaporators based on whether or not a power source is available. For example, semi-enclosed space 700 can be fitted with passive evaporators that are placed in the corners of the semi-enclosed space where power sources are not readily available. Porch 700 can also be fitted with active evaporators, such as electrically power evaporators, where there is access to a power source, such as electrical outlet.

[0054] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms comprises and comprising should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.