BIRD REPELLANT WITH SEALANT PROPERTIES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention generally relates to compositions for repelling birds as well as for caulking and sealing, and to methods for accomplishing the same.

[002] Bird repellants are a fast growing segment of the building improvement industry. Likewise, sealing products are a large, established segment of the building improvement industry. Many parts of the exterior of a building that require frequent sealing or caulking are also the same parts of the building that birds frequently rest and nest on.

[003] However, birds are carriers of communicable diseases, and thus preventing them from resting or nesting on buildings and other exterior structures is particularly important because of health and sanitation concerns. Therefore, bird repellants that can also be used as a sealant are of great practical convenience and economic advantage to the building industry. [004] A composition for addressing the above needs is difficult to ascertain. If the composition has a strong repellant odor, it can actually keep birds a distance away from the composition, thus reducing the probability that the composition will come in contact with birds and which contact is needed to repel the birds. If the repellant component is too weak or insufficiently dispersed in the composition, the composition will not be sufficiently effective. In addition, a bird repellant composition must provide long-lasting adhesion to a bird's feet. If a composition does not remain adhered to a bird's feet after initial contact, the repellant in the composition may not take full effect.

[005] There are a number of existing products that seek to repel birds. In U.S. Patent Publication No. 20050025796, multiple repellant agents are used in a bird repellant composition. Capsaicin and menthol are used in one embodiment, in addition to carbomer gel, grease, and water for thickening,

filling and dispersing, respectively. However, menthol can actually keep birds away from the composition itself. This prevents birds from making contact with the repellant which, as described above can prevent a strong and lasting repelling effect. If the repellant contacts the birds but comes off quickly, the repellant agent capsaicin may not fully take effect. The burning sensation of capsaicin is enhanced the longer it stays in direct physical contact with the target. Thus, the addition of menthol to the composition may actually reduce the overall repelling qualities of the composition. [006] Another existing composition for repelling birds is Tanglefoot Bird Repellant™ made by The Tanglefoot Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is composed of one repelling agent and one combined thickening, filling and dispersing agent. But the composition lacks sufficient dispersion of the repelling agent because it has insufficient types of dispersal agents in the composition to provide maximum dispersal of the repellant. It also lacks sufficient tackifying qualities to sufficiently adhere the composition to the bird.

[007] As can be seen, there is a need for an improved bird repellant that can also be used as a sealant. There is a further need for an improved method of repelling birds and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[008] In one aspect of the invention, a bird repellant comprises natural capsaicin in the absence of menthol, and fumed silica.

[009] In another aspect of the invention, a bird repellant composition comprises a repellant at about 0.025 to 0.075 parts by weight; and a thickener at about 5.0 to 12.0 parts by weight.

[0010] In a further aspect of the invention, a sealant and bird repellant composition comprises a carrier agent, an activator agent, a repellant, a thickener, and a tackifying agent.

[0011] In an additional aspect of the invention, a method of repelling a bird comprises applying to a surface a composition having natural capsaicin and hydrophobic fumed silica; and enabling the bird to contact the composition. [0012] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawing, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a flow chart depicting a method of repelling a bird according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. [0015] Broadly, the present invention provides a bird repellant and/or sealing composition for use on exterior surfaces of a structure, such as homes and office buildings. As an example, the present invention may find application as a sealant for gaps and openings in or around a surface. Alternatively, or in combination, the present invention may be used to prevent birds, such as pigeons and crows, from resting on or nesting on a structure that may also need to be sealed.

[0016] In contrast to the prior art, the present invention does not include the commonly found repellant, menthol, which can reduce the effectiveness of the bird repellant composition because it prevents birds from making actual contact

with the composition. Instead, according to an embodiment of the present invention, capsaicin can be the sole repellant.

[0017] In further contrast to the prior art, the present invention may contain silica gel. Silica gel may increase the adhesiveness of the composition. Strong adhesive qualities are important to the functionality of a contact repellant because it increases the time of contact between the composition and the target of interest.

[0018] In still further contrast to the prior art, the present invention may contain polymers. The addition of polymers may add to the viscosity and also to the adhesive qualities of the composition so that the composition can be applied to both horizontal and vertical surfaces. The ability to apply the composition to vertical surfaces enhances its utility because this increases the potential number of surfaces on which the composition may be used. [0019] According to the present invention, an exemplary embodiment of the composition may be comprised of one or more of the following: a carrier agent, an activator agent, a repellant, a thickener, and a tackifying agent. In some embodiments, the activator agent, the carrier agent, and/or the tackifying agent may be omitted from the composition. Useful carrier agents include white oils. Useful activator agents include denatured ethanol. Useful repellants include natural capsaicin. Useful thickeners include hydrophobic fumed silica. Useful tackifying agents include polymers.

[0020] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the composition may include a white oil such as USP™ Technical Grade white oil. In that event, the white oil may be present at about 78.0 to 88.0 parts by weight, and more desirably at about 83.9 parts by weight.

[0021] In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the composition may include fumed silica such as Aerosil 972™ made by Degussa Corporation of Orange, California and Cabosil TS720™ made by Cabot Corporation of Boston, Massachusetts. When using Aerosil 972™, it may be present at about 5.0 to 12.0 parts by weight, and more desirably at about 10.0

parts by weight. When using Cabosil TS720™, it too may be present at about 5.0 to 12.0 parts by weight, and more desirably at about 10.0 parts by weight. [0022] In an additional exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the composition may include one or more polymers that are selected from the group consisting of an olefin copolymer, polybutene, and polymetracrylate. When using any one or more of the foregoing, they may be present in total at 5.0 to 10.0 parts by weight, and more desirably at about 5.0 parts by weight. [0023] In a still further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the composition may include an activator agent such as denatured ethanol. When using denatured ethanol, it may be present at 1.0 to 2.0 parts by weight, and more desirably at about 1.0 part by weight.

[0024] In yet an additional exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the composition may include a repellant such as natural capsaicin. However, menthol is not used. When using natural capsaicin, it may be present at about 0.025 to 0.075 parts by weight, and more desirably at about 0.075 parts by weight.

EXAMPLES

[0025] Table 1 below lists different exemplary formulations for the bird repellant and sealant composition disclosed by the present invention. Column "Raw Material" lists exemplary ingredients for the composition. Column Optimal Mass %" lists desirable parts by weight of the ingredients in the composition. Column "Range Mass%" lists exemplary parts by weight of the ingredients.

[0026] Although the composition of the present invention may be made by various methods, the following is an exemplary method. In a first step, the full amount of Technical grade white oil may be added to a mixer. In a next step, denatured ethanol and fumed silica can be sequentially or concurrently added to the white oil while mixing. Next, the foregoing mixture can be heated up to about 120T. The mixture can be maintained at this temperature while mixing

until the fumed silica is completely or nearly completely dispersed and the mixture is clear. Thereafter, the polymer(s) may be added while mixing and maintaining the mixture at about 120T. Mixing at about 120°F may continue until the polymer is completely or nearly completely dissolved and the mixed product is clear. Then, the capsaicin is completely mixed in, and the product is cooled down to about 8O ⁰ F.

[0027] Figure 1 schematically represents a series of steps involved in a method 100 according to one embodiment of the invention. Step 110 may involve locating a portion of the structure where birds may rest or nest. Step 120 may involve applying the composition of the present invention to a location identified in step 110. Step 130 may involve allowing birds to make contact with the composition in step 120. The composition may be that as described above. [0028] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.