| Claims 1. An insect barrier comprising polyhedral synthetic granular graded rubber particles having a size in the range 0.1-5.0mm, 2. The insect barrier of Claim 1 , wherein the polyhedral synthetic granultsed graded rubber size-graded in the range 0.1 -3.0mm. 3. The insect barrier of Claim 2, wherein the polyhedral synthetic granulised graded rubber particles are recycled rubber particles, harvested from used vehicle tyres, providing a new means of disposal for used vehicle tyres. 4. The insect barrier of Claim 1 , which specifically excludes the presence of a chemical pesticide, fungicide, termiticide and/or insecticide, or can have added chemicals to increase effectiveness. 5. An installed termite barrier substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. |
Rubber Termite Barrier
Field of the invention
THIS INVENTION relates to a barrier and/or a method of installing a barrier for minimising or preventing entry of insects such as termites or ants into a building structure.
Background of the invention
Undesirable insects such as ants, termites and the like are readily able to enter buildings through building slabs and/or small and sometimes unnoticed gaps in cavities formed between building slabs and penetrations into or through the slab {eg. walls, plumbing, electrical conduits, gaps between adjacent slabs, and the like).
In particular, termites and ants are well known for their ability to enter and damage buildings.
Termites tend to be ground-dwelling or subterranean. Therefore, ground based structures such as concrete slabs, sub-slabs, ant caps and steel mesh barriers are often used to deter subterranean termites from entering buildings thereupon, or at least provide warning that a termite attack is underway.
These physical barriers have been used alone or in combination with chemical termiticide treatments and/or biological deterrents.
Recent changes to building regulations in many countries to restrict the use of chemical ternrtiticides, and a general world wide concern about the
environmental effects of chemical termiticides ( particularly organophosphates and organochlorins), make physical termite barriers increasingly popular. For example, United States Patent 5, 094, 045 describes use of graded sand, gravel rocks or basalt as a barrier between the ground and a building slab. A variation of this approach is provided by Australian Patents 686054 and 673894 which each describe use of graded aggregate (i.e particle size- selected crushed rock) for producing a termite barrier between the ground and a building slab.
However, these types of barriers are not always effective. For example, termites and ants can build nests and tunnels within sand, rock and/or stone termite barriers.
Furthermore, graded sand and aggregate is a non-renewable, natural source that must be quarried or mined from diminishing sources of rock and stone, Also, sand, rock and stone are not as chemically inert as generally believed. Some sand, rock and stone contain radon, which over a period of time, may pose health risks to tradesman and to the occupants of the buildings incorporating such materials in termite barriers.
Reference is made to United States Patent 5,159,778 which discloses a termite barrier comprising a mixture of size-graded, sharp-edged particles (such as glass splinters) and spherical beads arranged in or around an article to be protected from termite infestation. The barrier may also have chemical insecticides, pesticides and/or fungicides present. United State Patent 5,159,778 proposes that the size-graded, sharp edged particles have frictional properties due to their sharp edged surfaces, which create a tightly wedged barrier that cannot be breached by termites. The above products are non- absorbent and cannot absorb chemicals for any effective length of time to be effective.
Object of the Invention
The present invention uses a non-biodegradable waste product being used vehicle tyres in a form application in structures new or existing to prevent hidden ingress of ants and termites, in particular subterranean termites. The present invention provides a means of disposing of re-used vehicle tyres. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an insect barrier and/or method of installing same which alleviates one or more of the deficiencies of the prior art or at least provides a commercially useful alterative. The invention uses rubber harvested from vehicle tyres which is a worldwide problem with disposal in land fill because of being non-biodegradable.
Summary of the Invention
Accordingly, in one form the present invention is broadly directed to use of a relatively inert, synthetic particulate material, such as size-graded rubber granulised particles, as an insect barrier that is relatively inexpensive and safe to install, and provides a means of disposal for the worlds problem with disposal of tyres from vehicles.
In a first aspect, the invention provides a method of installing an insect barrier including the step of forming granulised graded rubber particles having a size in the range 0.1-3.0mm into said insect barrier at a location which obstructs entry of insects into a building structure. See Figure 1.
Preferably, the granulised graded rubber particles are size-graded in the range 0.1-3.0.
A preferred particle is a rubber particle.
Preferably, the rubber particle is recycled vehicle tyre rubber.
However, other synthetic materials contemplated by the invention include size graded from any source of rubber.
It will also be appreciated that in the present context, the terms "polyhedral" and "polyhedron" relate to a solid object having at least four faces.
In a preferred embodiment, the polyhedral synthetic particle is a "cuboidal" synthetic particle. By this is means having six faces and, preferable, at least resembling or approximating the form of a cube, but may also be circular. It will therefore be appreciated that the synthetic particles are not perfect polyhedrons or cubes or objects and can have imperfections or irregularities in shape while retaining a generally polyhedral or cuboidal or circular shape, It is proposed that such polyhedral, cuboidal or circular synthetic rubber particles are a means of providing a any or termite barrier in new or existing structures when installed between non-resistant materials and the ground. Suitably, the insect barrier may be a barrier to any ground-dwelling or subterranean insect such as a termite or ant.
The termite barrier of the invention may be used to resist, prevent, delay, inhibit or otherwise obstruct entry of an insect into a building structure.
The building structure may be a house, shed, patio, pergola, garage, or any other building structure that engages ground or is otherwise potentially prone to entry, infestation and/or damage be a ground dwelling or subterranean insect such as a termite or ant.
In particular non-limiting embodiment, the insect barrier of the invention may be installed:
i. between a concrete slab and a sub slab;
ii. between a concrete slab or sub slab and ground;
iii. in one or more cavities associated with a concrete slab;
iv. between ground or suspended floor;
v. between internal and external walls; and/or
vi. surrounding the outer edge of a concrete slab or wall.
According to the invention, the one or more cavities associated with said concrete slab may include cavities formed between the slab and one or more walls, penetrations into or through the slab such as surrounding plumbing, electrical, conduits, insulation and the like, gaps or spaces formed between adjacent or abutting slabs, saw joints and/or expansion joints, although without limitation thereto.
in particular embodiments, said insect barrier may be formed to a depth in the range 4-10cm, depending on the location where the insect barrier is to be installed.
Preferably, the insect barrier of the invention is installed in the absence of, or specifically excluding, chemical pesticides, fungicides, termiticides and/or insecticides, but because of its absorbent texture these control agents can be applied to the invention.
Throughout this specification, unless otherwise indicated, "comprise", "comprises" and "comprising" are used inclusively rather than exclusively, so that a stated integer or group of integers may include one or more other non- stated integers or group or integers.
Brief description of the drawings
To further assist in the understanding of the present invention, particularly preferred embodiments are described herein with respect to the
accompanying drawing wherein:
Figure 1. Is an embodiment of a termite barrier installed in a building structure having a slab; and
Figure 2. is an embodiment of a termite barrier located between a suspended floor and ground.
Detailed description of the invention
Referring to an embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a termite barrier 10 comprises a plurality of recycled granular graded particles 11 located in cavities 12A, 12B and 12C. Cavity 12A is defined by slab 13, ground 14 and electrical conduit 15. Cavity 12C is defined by slab 13, ground 15 and wail 17.
Termite barrier 10 is preferably installed directly over ground 14 to a depth not greater than 100mm and preferably to a depth no greater than about 40- 75mm in cavities 12A, 12 B and 12C.
Concrete or plastic cap 21 may also be provided to give a smooth finish to barrier 11 in cavities 12A and 12B, for example.
Again referring to FIG 1, indicator 19 may be installed in wall 17. This provides an externally-visible indication of the level of the installed termite barrier 10 for later inspection. In the case of externally-rendered buildings, indicator 19 may provide a visible line in the render work for determining ground fill levels. Indicator 19 is preferably a UPVC "L" section with a "Shore D" hardness of not less 70 or preferably greater than 80,
It will also be appreciated from FIG 1 that termite barrier 10 may be installed in space 18 between slab 13 and ground 14 to provide a termite barrier therein or in trench 22 surround slab 13 to prevent entry of termites into slab 13. A preferred depth is at least 75mm over compacted fill or at least 100mm over non-compacted ground.
Referring to an embodiment shown in FIG 2, termite barrier 110 is in the form of cuboidai glass particles, preferably 75-100mm in depth located between ground 114 and floor 130. In this embodiment, floor 130 is suspended on floor bearer 131 and outer wall 117 while supporting wall bearer 151 and internal wall 150. Outer wall 117 is built on footing 140. It will also be appreciated that granulised rubber particles may be located in cavity 161 between interior wall 150 and external wall 117 to prevent termite entry.
Preferably, each granulised graded rubber particles is about 0,1 -3.0mm in size, although it is contemplated that any size in the range 1.0-5.0 could be used.
Although according to a preferred from, the invention provides and insect barrier formed of granulised graded rubber particles, it will be appreciated that the rubber particles may be of any polyhedral shape or comprise a mixture if different polyhedral shapes.
It will also be understood that other synthetic particulate materials may be derived or harvested from recycled vehicle tyres which are a new use for problematic non-biodegradable commodity.
It will therefore be appreciated that the present invention provides a relatively inexpensive, easy to install, durable, safe, environmentally-friendly and recyciable termite barrier. There are no chemical contamination problems with rubber as they do not contain dust, pollutants, radon or other potentially hazardous contaminants. Furthermore, the rubber particles lock together more so than graded aggregate, rock or sand and require minimal preparation as the rubber particles are self-setting without the need for agitation. Although chemicals can be added to the rubber particles for added benefit if required. Furthermore, in a particularly preferred from there are no potentially harmful chemical pesticides, fungicides, termiticides and/or insecticides used in association with the physical barrier, for environmentally friendly installations. Throughout this specification, the aim has been to described to the preferred embodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described and illustrated herein without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention. All patent literature referred to in this specification is incorporates herein by reference in its entirety.