Biodegradable transport sphere

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a biodegradable transportation device used to contain and deliver either liquids or solids to a predetermined or targeted location, in certain configurations, the sphere could be similar to a traditional 68 mm paintball.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the manner and/or method used to deliver either solids or fluids to specific targeted locations for any purpose.

This concept helps to resolve challenges associated with many problems including, but not limited to:

• • The difficulty of applying ant killer below the surface of the ant hill or within the mound itself
  • The requirement for an individual to be relatively close to the location requiring the liquid or solid to be applied
  • The requirement to dig a hole prior to the planting of seeds
  • The challenge of delivering a pesticide (e.g. bee or wasp killer) to a second story eave of a dwelling
  • The difficulty in delivering a pesticide up into a tall tree that has been infested with caterpillar nests
  • The disruption of any nest caused by the application of a foreign agent
  • The danger of approaching a swarming bee hive with a spray can of pesticide
  • The risks and effort to erect scaffolding or use tall ladders to access vertical distances that are beyond the reach of traditional spray equipment or aerosol cans
  • The dangers associated with cleaning roofs, cleaning windows on a second or third story, or applying cleaning agents at elevations that can not be reached without the use of ladders, scaffolding, bucket truck, hi-reach, or other specialty equipment
  • The dangers of caustic agents, pesticides, or other materials that require special protection and care to prevent absorption through the skin

There are currently available several methods or solutions for the dispensing or delivery of both liquids and solids.

Liquids are typically dispensed and/or delivered by:

• • Manually operated spray bottle, triggered by squeezing with your hand
  • Pouring of the fluid directly on the desired location (if it is on the ground and accessible)
  • An aerosol can containing the agent wishing to be dispensed
  • A refillable can that is equipped to have compressed air added to propel the liquid out of the canister
  • A manually pumped spray applicator
  • A fluid reservoir that attaches to the end of a hose that combines the fluid with the water dispensed from the hose
  • A sprinkle can

Solids are typically dispensed and/or delivered by:

• • Manually dispensing directly from a container or cup onto the desired location (if it is on the ground and accessible)
  • Using a shake canister
  • Using a manually operated spreader device
  • Using a spoon or measuring device to manually apply the proper volume
  • Digging a hole to plant seeds or apply fertilizer subterraneously

Special protection and care is typically provided by wearing gloves or using containers that are imperious to the materials being dispensed

Most of these solutions are covered under or contained within a variety of patents for dispensing device or for the material being dispensed. An extensive search of the patent database reveals that only 1 patent exists that even touches on the containment and transport of an application-specific material contained within a gelatin shell. U.S. Pat. No. 6,306,913, titled “Container for 4-allylanisole and analog pesticides” identifies that the repellent contained within may be applied by containing this specific pesticide within a paintball allowing it to be applied to the site by loading it into a paintball gun and shooting it.

Shortcomings include:

• • Manual application can target locations at 10 feet or less
  • Pneumatically powered pump or aerosol systems can target up to 20 feet (with diminishing accuracy as the distance increases)
  • Safety risk associated with ladders and scaffolding to increase these distances
  • Accuracy diminishes as the distances increase
  • Lack of a protective barrier between the consumer and the liquid or solid
  • The requirement to prepare the ground prior to planting seeds or to apply fertilizer subterraneously

Great example of the benefits that this invention provides includes:

• • Ability to target and shoot at distances of up to 50 feet accurately using a traditional paintball gun.
  • Ability to deliver pesticides or other agents subterraneously.
  • Ability to target and apply pesticides onto nests or ant hills at a distance.
  • Ability to target and apply pesticides to a variety of locations safely from a distance, with improved accuracy, and without the use of ladders or scaffolding. This can include, but not be limited to bee hives, wasp nests, caterpillar nests, dirty windows, mildewed roofs, etc.
  • Ability to drop or place a self-contained sphere into a nest or location that will minimally disturb the nest and will rupture at a point in time in the future, when the insect least expects it.

With reference to U.S. Pat. No. 6,306,913, titled “Container for 4-allylanisole and analog pesticides”, this patent only covers the described liquid pesticide contained within a paintball shell. It is the intent of this patent to be able to package any liquids or solids within spheres of various sizes and to allow both manual application as well as application with powered projectile devices.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide the user the ability to deliver either liquids or solids subterraneously. This is beneficial for a number of uses, most notably to deliver pesticides into a pest's dwelling instead of on top or to plant seeds without the use of a shovel.

It is another object of the invention to provides the user the opportunity to use traditional paintball guns to directly target and deliver either solids or liquids at a distance that is significantly greater than current methods allow.

It is another object of this invention to provide an entirely new market for application-specific air powered guns (or projectile devices) that have been sized to be capable of delivering a sphere of virtually any size. This embodiment could include a small sphere containing a seed or seeds that would be projected at a high velocity to “plant” at a specific depth. This embodiment could also include a sphere larger than a traditional paintball to deliver application-specific pesticides or cleaning agents. Another embodiment could also include a low velocity launch device capable of projecting softball-sized or watermelon-sized spheres.

It is another object of the invention to provide a protective barrier to protect the consumer from the dangers of caustic agents, pesticides, or other materials that require special protection and care to prevent absorption through the skin.

It is another object of the invention to provide an increased level of safety by either eliminating the need for ladders or scaffolding or by providing a greater separation or distance between a targeted pest and the user.

It is another object of the invention to provide the user the ability to drop or place a self-contained sphere into a nest or location that will minimally disturb the nest and will rupture at a point in time in the future, when the residents of the nest least expect it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a means to contain and deliver either liquids or solids to a predefined or targeted location. This invention allows the user to target locations that are either above the ground or are below the surface of the ground and deliver either a liquid or a solid to that location. The sphere also provides a protective barrier that allows the user to safely handle the materials without the dangers associated with absorption through the skin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective sectional view of a biodegradable transport sphere sized to be similar to a paintball (68 mm) with a fluid filling;

FIG. 2 is a perspective sectional view of a biodegradable transport sphere sized to be similar to a paintball (68 mm) with a granular or solid filling;

FIG. 3 is a perspective sectional view of a biodegradable transport sphere sized to be specific to the application with a fluid filling; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective sectional view of a biodegradable transport sphere sized to be specific to the application with a granular or solid filling.

For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a perspective sectional view of a biodegradable transport sphere sized to be similar to a paintball with a fluid filling. In one envisioned configuration, the outer shell, similar in size to a paintball 10 would be 68 mm in diameter and be able to be propelled significant distances using a traditional or standard paintball gun. The fluid contents 12 would be prepackaged within the shells and could include, but not be limited to: pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, cleaning agents, chemicals, antibacterials, algaecides, disinfectants, fertilizer, etc . . .

An alternate configuration would be to size the outer shell such that it is not the same size as a paintball and then market a device specifically for the purpose of delivering these shells. The device would be similar to a traditional or standard paintball gun with the exception that it would be sized for a diameter other than 68 mm (either larger or smaller).

FIG. 2 is a perspective sectional view of a biodegradable transport sphere sized to be similar to a paintball with a granular or solid filling. In one envisioned configuration, the outer shell, similar in size to a paintball 10 would be 68 mm in diameter and be able to be propelled significant distances using a traditional or standard paintball gun. The solid contents 14 would be prepackaged within the shells and could include, but not be limited to solids or granular solids including: pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, cleaning agents, chemicals, antibacterials, algaecides, disinfectants, fertilizer, seeds, etc . . .

An alternate configuration would be to size the outer shell such that it is not the same size as a paintball and then market a device specifically for the purpose of delivering these shells. The device would be similar to a traditional or standard paintball gun with the exception that it would be sized for a diameter other than 68 mm (either larger or smaller). One example of a specific motivator for moving to a size other than 68 mm would be for the specific application of delivering seeds or fertilizers in a subterranean manner. A bb-sized shell containing seeds would be able to be “planted” without the need for digging.

FIG. 3 is a perspective sectional view of a biodegradable transport sphere sized to be specific to the application with a fluid filling. The outer shell, sized for the application 16 can actually be of any size or shape. The fluid contents 12 would be prepackaged within the shells and could include, but not be limited to: pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, cleaning agents, chemicals, antibacterials, algaecides, disinfectants, fertilizer, etc . . . The intent would be that these shells would be applied in any of a number of manners, including, but limited to: by hand, by machine, by tube, by slingshot, by trebuchet, etc . . . These shells could either be dropped onto the target without losing containment, or by projecting with a force sufficient to rupture the outer shell, sized for the application 16. In the case without losing containment, the biodegradable shell would eventually rupture distributing the contents in a controlled manner. The biodegradable shell would disintegrate over time.

FIG. 4 is a perspective sectional view of a biodegradable transport sphere sized to be specific to the application with a granular or solid filling. The outer shell, sized for the application 16 can actually be of any size or shape. The solid contents 14 would be prepackaged within the shells and could include, but not be limited to: pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, cleaning agents, chemicals, antibacterials, algaecides, disinfectants, fertilizer, seeds, etc . . . The intent would be that these shells would be applied in any of a number of manners, including, but limited to: by hand, by machine, by tube, by slingshot, by trebuchet, etc . . . These shells could either be dropped onto the target without losing containment, or by projecting with a force sufficient to rupture the outer shell, sized for the application 16. In the case without losing containment, the biodegradable shell would eventually rupture distributing the contents in a controlled manner. The biodegradable shell would disintegrate over time.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.