Bell Laboratories, Inc.

Malcolm G Stack

L Dawn Brown

Richard J Ray

Cisse W Spragins

An integrally molded plastic rodenticide dispenser has a base with a floor from which exterior sidewalls extend upwardly. A lid is joined to the base by an integral hinge. The lid is pivotal about the hinge to selectively cover and uncover the base. A passageway for pests, in particular rodents such as rats, is formed within the interior volume of the covered base by two converging barriers, the ends of which are spaced from one another to define a rodent feeding trough. Each barrier is comprised of two segments: a base barrier segment which is integrally formed with the base and extends upwardly from the base floor a distance less than the height of the base sidewalls, and a lid barrier segment which is integrally formed with the lid and which protrudes from the lid. The lid barrier segment is aligned with the base barrier segment when the lid covers the base to define a barrier across a portion of the base to block the passage of pests through the barrier. Pairs of prongs extend upwardly from the base barrier segment in spaced opposed relation, such that the lid barrier segment when it covers the base is engaged between the prongs to thereby restrict displacement of the lid barrier segment. Two spaced pockets are formed within the base which have ledges which receive lid protrusions. The locks so formed are inaccessible to tamperers, yet are conveniently opened by those provided with a two-tabbed key.

Reinforced rodent bait station

A multi-edged rodent bait unit is disclosed having a quantity of rodent meal and rodenticide formed into an extended article having planar front and rear faces. The article has a substantially constant cross section along its length and has four sides perpendicular to the front and rear faces. At least one side has portions defining a V-shaped groove. The walls of the groove meet the faces of the side at angle of less than 150 degrees to form linear edges which are easily gnawed by a rodent. A preferred form of the bait unit has a single groove on each side of the bait unit. A second preferred form has two grooves on each side, and a third preferred form has alternating grooves and ribs. The bait unit of this invention is formed by mixing a rodenticide with rotent meal at room temperature and adding liquid paraffin at approximately 145 degrees Fahrenheit to the mixture and blending the paraffin into the mixture to form a die homogeneous mass. The mass is then extruded through a die at high pressures wherein the die has portions to form V-shaped grooves in the sides of the extruded mass. The extruded mass is then cut to desired lengths. The bait unit according to this invention has an increased number of gnawing edges for a rodent to feed upon and is advantageously able to withstand weathering.

Multi-edged rodent bait

A bait station (10) used in the reduction of pest populations is polygonal, having a first wall (14) that is straight and adapted to fit against a room wall, a second wall (16) with two portions at right angles adapted to fit in a room corner, two threshold portions (20,22) extending between the first wall (14) and the second wall (16), and third wall portions (18) oriented in a direction parallel to adjacent portions of the second wall (16) to define a right-angle passageway (34) between the second wall (16) and the third wall portions (18) and a bait containment chamber (40) between the first wall (14) and the third wall portions (18). The threshold portions (20,22) have pest access entrances (36,38) leading to passageway (34). An opening (40) to the bait containment chamber (32) is formed at the bend in the passageway (34). The passageway (34) makes the pest comfortable by providing a sense of easy access and retreat. The threshold portions (20,22) are angled to allow the pest equally facilitated access whether the bait station (10) is positioned against a corner created by the intersection of two walls or against a straight segment of wall.

Growing community of inventors

Madison, WI, United States of America

Malcolm G Stack