FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for destruction of rodent, in particular rats. In one embodiment, the device comprising rodent destruction zone, a tubular connection having a rodent entry. A rodent detector is preferably arranged to detect presence of a rodent in the rodent destruction zone and activate a destruction device. A destructed rodent receptacle may be arranged below the rodent destruction zone. An activatable trapdoor may be arranged to close a downwardly facing through-going opening provided between the rodent destruction zone and an inner volume of the destructed rodent receptacle so that upon activating the trapdoor to open, a rodent recently destructed in the rodent destruction zone may fall under gravity action into the inner volume of the destructed rodent receptacle. In another embodiments, the device comprising a rodent destruction zone and a destruction device. A rodent detector may preferably be arranged to detect presence of a rodent in the rodent destruction zone and activate the destruction device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Rodents, and in particular rats are becoming an increasingly larger problem when living close to human populations. As is well known, rodents easily adapt to new environments and may even become immune to poison designed to destruct the rodents. Further, rodents often live in areas difficult to access for humans and/or tools.

The rodents have also been found to be able to carry and spread diseases affecting human beings.

Today a number of different devices for destruction of rodents are readily available. However, is has been found that while the available devices are capable of destructing rodents, they often suffer from being less effective for destructing rodents in larger number and require often maintenance to operate efficiently.

Hence, an improved device for destruction of rodents would be advantageous, and in particular a more efficient and/or reliable device would be advantageous. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an alternative to the prior art.

In particular, it may be seen as an object of the present invention to provide a device for destructions of rodents that potentially may be applicable to destruct rodent fast and efficient without an intensive need for maintenance of the device. It may be seen as a further object of the present invention to provide a device for destruction of rodents that are easily emptied for destructed rodents or even self emptying in terms of getting rid of destructed rodents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, the above described object and several other objected are intended to be obtained in various aspects of the invention.

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a device for destruction of rodents, in particular rats, the device may comprise · a structure configured to guide a rodent to a correctly destruction position;

• a rodent detector configured to detect a presence of a rodent in the destruction position;

• an activatable, such as reactivatable destruction device comprising a destruction element, the activatable destruction device may be configured to be activated to destruct a rodent by going from a first position to a second position, as a response to the rodent detector detecting the rodent, where the destruction element in the first position is positioned in a non destruction position and is activatable by the rodent detector, and where the destruction element in the second position is positioned in a destruction position, preferably the destruction element may further be configured to return from the second position to the first as a response to destructing the rodent, thereby being reactivatable; and wherein the destruction device and the rodent detector are positioned, preferably in the structure, accordingly, so as to be able to destruct a rodent, by providing a spinal fracture to the rodent without splitting the rodent into two or more pieces. In some aspects and embodiments, said structure may be a tubular rodent destruction zone forming a dead end at one end and preferably delimited by a one way exit gate at an opposite end.

A non-destruction position is preferably a position in which the rodent cannot be destructed by the destruction element, preferably due to the destruction element being positioned at position allowing a rodent to move around. A destruction position is preferably a position in which the rodent is destructed by the destruction element, preferable due to the destruction element being positioned at a position where the rodent is restrained by the element in the structure in manner so that a spinal fracture occurs. Preferably, in embodiments where the destruction element is moved towards a surface on which the rodent is, the second position is elevated from the surface.

Preferably, the destruction element in the second position may stay in the second position for a preselected period of time, such as at least 0 seconds, such as at least 5 seconds, in order to secure that the rodent is destructed. In some cases, the second position may even be kept for as long as 30 seconds or even 45 seconds, before the destruction element returns to the first position again.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a collection element for collecting rodents to be destructed, and wherein the collection element may be connected to the structure, to a connecting element or to a rodent entry of a device for destruction rodent as disclosed herein via an exit.

In a third aspect, the invention relates to a device for destruction of rodents, in particular rats, the device may comprise

• a tubular rodent destruction zone forming a dead end at one end and preferably delimited by a one way exit gate at an opposite end,

• a tubular connection having a rodent entry preferably comprising a one way entry gate, preferably the tubular connection forming a passage between the one way entry gate and the rodent destruction zone preventing a rodent to leave the tubular section at other positions than at the rodent destruction zone when the one way entry gate is closed, and being adapted to allow a rodent to move by its own motion from the rodent entry and to the rodent destruction zone;

• a rodent detector arranged to detect presence of a rodent in the rodent destruction zone;

• an activatable, such as an reactivatable destruction device configured to destructing a rodent positioned in the rodent destruction zone in response to the rodent detector detects a rodent in the rodent destruction zone;

• a destructed rodent receptacle arranged below the rodent destruction zone, said destructed rodent receptacle preferably being adapted to contain fluid, such as an aqueous solution saturated with salt (NaCI), such as a disinfectant to prevent microbial growth, and a plurality of destructed rodents;

• an activatable trapdoor or activatable sliding door mechanism arranged to close a downwardly facing through-going opening provided between the rodent destruction zone and an inner volume of the destructed rodent receptacle so that upon activating the trapdoor to open, a rodent recently destructed in the rodent destruction zone falls under gravity action into the inner volume of the destructed rodent receptacle, said activatable trapdoor may be delayed activated, relatively to activating the destruction device, in response to the rodent detector detects a rodent in rodent destruction zone or may be activated substantially non-delayed, and

• a scent source device adapted to introduced a scent into the rodent destruction zone, through the tubular connection and out through the rodent entry to attract rodent to enter into the device through the rodent entry.

By this, a device for destruction of rodents is provided which is found to effectively destroy rodents without the need for frequently maintenance. Further, since the rodents are kept in a receptacle, until being disposed the risk of dead rodents lying around in the environment is at least limited.

The invention relates in a fourth aspect to a rodent guiding device comprising a delimiting wall section defining a concave volume as seen from the interior of said volume, the extends in a longitudinal direction and has at both ends connections adapted to connect the rodent guiding device with pipes, such as pipes forming part of a downpipe arrangement, the rodent guiding device comprising opposite to the delimiting wall section a rodent exit passage said passage extends meandering with a first section of the passage extending oblique away and upward from the concave volume and with a second section extending in downward direction and being configured to prevent a rodent from turning around and going upward through the second section, wherein first section comprising one or more gripping element for a rodent to engage for moving through the first section. Embodiments according to the third aspect may be used in connection with a device for destruction of rodent as disclosed herein.

The invention relates in a fifth aspect to a gate device, the gate device comprising a gate comprising a flap, a hinge at an upper end of the flap configured to connect the flap rotatably to a pipe to rotate between a first position where the flap is orientated vertically to close a passage and a second position where the flap is orientated horizontally to open a passage, a counter balance weight rigidly connected to the flap, said counter balance weight comprising an element extend outside a vertical plane defined by the flap being positioned vertically to bias by gravity forces the flap into its vertical position, said counter balance weight is adapted to allow a rodent to push on the flap when in closing position to bring the flap at least towards its open position. Embodiments according to the fourth aspect may be used in connection with a device for destruction of rodent as disclosed herein.

The invention relates in a sixth aspect to a device for destruction of rodents, in particular rats, wherein the device may comprise

• a tubular rodent destruction zone, such as a structure, forming a dead end at one end and delimited by an entrance at an opposite end,

• a sensing device configured to detect presence of a rodent in the rodent destruction zone; and

• an activatable, such as a reactivatable destruction device configured to destruct a rodent positioned in the rodent destruction zone in response to the sensing device detecting a rodent, preferably by touching the sensing device in the rodent destruction zone, and wherein the rodent destruction zone has a length at least equal to a length of a rodent, such as a rat. In some aspects and embodiments, "sensing device" is used to reference a "rodent detector".

The invention relates in a seventh aspect to a device for destruction of rodents, in particular rats, the device may comprise · a tubular rodent destruction zone forming a dead end at one end and delimited by an entrance at an opposite end,

• a sensing device configured to detect presence of a rodent in the rodent destruction zone,

• an activatable, such as a reactivatable destruction device configured to destruct a rodent positioned in the rodent destruction zone in response to the sensing device detecting a rodent, preferably by touching the sensing device in the rodent destruction zone; and

• an activatable trapdoor or activatable sliding door mechanism arranged to close a downwardly facing through-going opening provided between the rodent destruction zone, so that upon activating the trapdoor or sliding door mechanism to open, a rodent recently destructed in the rodent destruction zone falls under gravity action out of the rodent destruction zone, said activatable trapdoor or sliding door mechanism being preferably delayed activated, relatively to activating the destruction device in response to the rodent sensing device detects a rodent in rodent destruction zone.

The invention relates in an eighth aspect to a device for destruction of rodents, in particular rats, the device may comprise · a tubular rodent destruction zone forming a dead end at one end and delimited by an entrance at an opposite end,

• a sensing device configured to detect presence of a rodent in the rodent destruction zone,

• an activatable destruction device configured to destruct a rodent positioned in the rodent destruction zone in response to the sensing device (203) detecting a rodent touching the sensing device (203) in the rodent destruction zone; and

• an activatable rodent restraining device, said rodent restraining device comprises a concave element arranged to reciprocate up and down and configured to in its further most down position to restrain a rodent between the floor of the rodent destruction zone and the interior cavity of the concave element and/or an activatable claw, wherein the rodent restraining device is activated in response to the rodent sensing device detecting a rodent in the rodent destruction zone.

The sensing device disclosed herein may be an electromechanical sensing device, a mechanical sensing device, an electrical sensing device. Such a device is typically configured to provide a mechanical, electrical signal or a combination thereof, which either directly or indirectly may activate the destruction device. Electromechanical may typically refer to a sensing device in which a mechanical input, e.g. provided by a rodent touching the sensing device, is transformed into an electrical signal, where said signal through a connection is directed to the activable destruction device.

In some preferred embodiments, the destruction device is a pneumatic activated device. In such embodiments, the sensing device may comprise a valve, which is activated by the rodent touching a mechanical actuator activating the valve whereby a fluid (gas or liquid), preferably air, such as pressurized air is fed to the destruction device. Such an actuator may be a mechanical and/or electrical actuator. In case of a mechanical actuator, the actuator may comprise a leverage mechanism, such a rod, for the rodent to push or pull to activate the valve. A scent used to lure the rodent to the actuator may be provided on the actuator such as on the leverage mechanism.

One or more, such as all of the passages a rodent is passing through or into in a device according to the present invention may be perforated, such as being made from a wire netting to allow for the rodent to have visual access to the surroundings. It is particularly advantageous to include a scent source, when rodents are to be tempted in to the rodent destruction zone by using a scent, which is attracting to rodents.

A knife as disclosed herein may has a rounded tip and/or serrated tip configured to break the neck of a rodent when activated. This is particularly, but not exclusively advantageous to destruct rodents by breaking their neck or spine without doing any skin damage, which consequently could lead to blood loss and thereby make the device filthy.

In some embodiments, the destruction device may be powered by hydraulic pressure, electric current or pneumatic pressure, when activated by the sensing device.

Various embodiments of a device according to the invention are preferably an assembly of elements or parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention and in particular preferred embodiments according to the invention will now be described in more detail with regard to the accompanying figures. The figures show ways of implementing the present invention and are not to be construed as being limiting to other possible embodiments falling within the scope of the attached claim set.

Figure 1 schematically illustrates in a cross sectional view a construction of a device according to one aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 schematically illustrates a preferred embodiment of a device for destruction of rodents; fig 2A illustrates the device seen from one end, fig 2B illustrates a side view of the device, fig 2C illustrates the device from a top view, fig 2D illustrates one embodiment of a tilting detector 15;

Figure 3 is a photograph illustrating a handling device according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 schematically illustrates in a cross sectional view a construction of a device according to another aspect of the invention;

Figure 5 schematically illustrates in a cross sectional view a construction of a device with an activatable trap door according to another aspect of the invention;

Figure 6 schematically illustrates in a cross sectional view a construction of a device with a restraining device according to a further aspect of the invention;

Figure 7 schematically illustrates in a cross sectional view a construction of a device with a handle according to a further embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 schematically illustrates in a cross sectional view a device for destruction of rodents with an activatable destruction device with a rounded tip according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 schematically illustrates in a cross sectional view a construction of a device combining multiple aspects of the invention in a further embodiment;

Figure 10 schematically illustrates in a cross sectional view an embodiment in which the device is covered at least partly by a housing.

Figure 11 schematically illustrates in a cross sectional view another embodiment of a device for destruction of rodents;

Figure 12 schematically illustrates in a cross sectional view details of a further embodiment of a device for destruction of rodents;

Figure 13 schematically illustrates in a cross sectional view details of a further embodiment of a device for destruction of rodents;

Figure 14 schematically illustrates in a cross sectional view a sprinkling device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, fig. 14a illustrates the sprinkling device in a cross sectional view in a plane along the height of the destructed rodent receptacle and fig. 14b illustrates the sprinkling device in a top- view along cut-line A-A;

Figure 15 schematically illustrates in a cross sectional view a cleaning device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Fig. 15a is a side view of the destructed rodent receptacle and fig. 15b is a cross sectional view along the cut-line A-A shown in fig. 15a;

Figure 16 schematically illustrates in a cross sectional view (ordinary hatching has been left out) a rodent guiding way according to another aspect of the invention;

Figure 17 schematically illustrates one way gates according to preferred embodiments of the invention;

Figure 18 schematically illustrates an embodiment in which the device is connected to an underground passage, such as a sewer (ground level is labelled 145), only part of the device is shown;

Figure 19 schematically illustrates an embodiment in which the device is connected to an elevated position (ground level is labelled 145). Only part of the device is shown;

Figure 20 schematically illustrates an embodiment in which the device comprising a double entrance device; The device for destruction of rodents is shown from above;

Figure 21 schematically illustrates an embodiment according to the invention, which surplus fluid surplus fluid receptacle left out;

Figure 22 schematically illustrates other embodiments according to which surplus fluid surplus fluid receptacle left out.

Figures 23A-C are photographs illustrating a destructed rodent receptacle containing a bag. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

Reference is made to fig. 1 illustrating a device for destruction of rodents. The device shown is intended for destruction of rats and the dimensions are chosen accordingly. The structure can be adapted to fit other types of rodents to be destructed, wherein especially the structure will be changed accordingly.

According to the present invention, the device for destruction of rodents comprises a structure 1, configured to guide a rodent to a correctly destruction position and a rodent detector 2, configured to detect a presence of a rodent in the destruction position.

The device further comprises a reactivatable destruction device 3 comprising a destruction housing 4 and a destruction element 5 connected to the destruction housing 4, the reactivatable destruction device 3 configured to be activated to destruct a rodent by going from a first position to a second position, as a response to the rodent detector 2 detecting the rodent, where the destruction element 5 in the first position is positioned essentially within the destruction housing 4 and is activatable by the rodent detector 2, and where the destruction element 5 in the second position is positioned at least partly outside the destruction housing 4, preferably 50% outside the destruction housing 4, the destruction element 5 is further configured to return from the second position to the first as a response to destructing the rodent, thereby being reactivatable.

The reactivatable destruction device 3 and the rodent detector 2 are in general positioned in the structure accordingly, so as to be able to destruct a rodent, by providing a spinal fracture to the rodent without splitting the rodent into two or more pieces.

Typically, a rodent, such as a rat, enters the structure 1 and is detected by the rodent detector 2, which activates the reactivatable destruction device 3, wherein the destruction element moves from a first position to a second position. The destruction element in the second position may stay in the second position for a preselected period of time, such as at least 0 seconds, such as at least 5 seconds, in order to secure that the rodent is destructed. In some cases, the second position may even be kept for as long as 30 seconds or even 45 seconds, before the destruction element returns to the first position again. In preferred embodiments, the destruction element is configured to operate around a transversal axis sometimes also referred to as a lateral axis, whereas in other embodiments, the destruction element is configured to operate in a longitudinal plane.

Typically, the device for destruction of rats further comprises a scent source arranged so as to attract a rodent. In some embodiments, the rodent detector 2 comprises a scent source, so as to attract a rodent to the rodent detector.

The reactivatable destruction device is positioned in the structure, such that when it is activated it provides a spinal fracture to the rodent in the correctly destruction position, whereby the spinal fracture kills the rodent. A correctly destruction position is a position, whereby a spinal fracture upon activation of the reactivatable destruction device can be ensured. In one embodiment, the rodent is positioned in the structure 1, so that the destruction element 5 hits the animal at a position on the spine being below/behind the ears. In another embodiment, the rodent is positioned in the structure 1, so that the destruction element 5 hits the animal at a position on the spine being below/behind the neck. In a further embodiment, the rodent is positioned in the structure 1, so that the destruction element 5 hits the animal at a position on the spine being above/in front of the shoulders.

In one embodiment, the device for destruction of rodents further comprises a tubular connection 6 configured for guiding a rodent to the rodent detector 2. The tubular connection 6 may in some embodiments be at least partly perforated, such as by having apertures throughout the surface, such as by having apertures at predetermined positions in the tubular connection, such as by being made by wire netting, whereby it to some degree will be possible to see through the tubular connection 6. In other embodiments, the tubular connection 6 is made of multiple connectable elements, such as being easily to reassemble and disassemble, such as to individually fit to specific conditions. In other embodiments, the device for destruction of rodents may be placed on a socket or similar, for elevating the device from the ground. In these embodiments, it is preferably to have a tubular connection 6, which is at least partly inclined. In some embodiments, the shape of the tubular connection 6 is cylindrically or rectangular shaped, but in other embodiments, the tubular connection 6 is semi circular shaped.

In another embodiment, the tubular connection 6 further comprises a door element configured to close the entrance to the tubular connection 6 when receiving either an electrical or a mechanical signal from the device for destruction of rodents.

In preferred embodiments, the structure 1 has an opening in one end and delimited by a wall in an opposite end.

In some embodiments, the structure 1 has a size reasonably to fit at least partly a rodent, such as a rat. The structure 1 may further comprise apertures 7 provided within said structure 1. The apertures 7 within the structure 1 may be configured to be used for positioning the rodent in the correctly position, such as by inserting longitudinally elements, thereby limiting the three-dimensional space within the structure.

With respect to fig. 2, another embodiment of the invention is illustrated. This embodiment has some features in common with the embodiment shown in fig. 11. Herein, it is disclosed a device for destruction of rodents further comprising an activatable push device 8 for pushing a rodent to the correctly destruction position in the structure 1, as a response to the rodent being detected by a/said rodent detector 2, arranged at a predefined position in the structure 1 or in the tubular connection 6. The push device 8 is typically arranged horizontally and in connection with the tubular connection 6. In some embodiments, the push device 8 is inclined to follow the tubular connection. As illustrated, the destruction device 5 comprising four knives each having an actuator. The four knives can be activated substantially simultaneously or in a sequence. Other number of knives can be provided and the aim is typically to increase the likelihood that a rodent is destructed by activating the knives. A destruction device 5 comprising more than one knife, such as two, three, four or more knives can be applied to other embodiments of the invention. The activatable push device 8 is in one embodiment, activated by a rodent detector in the form of a tilting detector 15, preferably arranged at a predefined position between the push device and the reactivatable destruction device(s). One example of such a tilting detector 15 is illustrated in fig. 2D.

The push device comprising a piston, which is advanced by an actuator to push the rodent into the rodent destruction zone. The tilting detector is arranged in front of the piston, when retracted, and when a rodent steps onto the tilting detector 15, the piston is advanced by the actuator in response to a signal produced by the tilting detector. The destruction device is activated once or after the push device has completed its action. Either a rodent detector is arranged in the rodent destruction zone to activate the destruction device, the destruction device is delayed activated to match the time it take to advance the piston, or the push device generates a signal to the destruction device when fully advanced.

With reference to fig. 3, a rodent could enter the device through a handling device 10, into the collection element 13, being guided through the exit 14 of the collection element 13 and enter the tubular connection 6. At a predetermined point in the tubular connection the rodent will be detected by the rodent detector 2 and being pushed to a correctly destruction position, being the position, wherein the reactivatable destruction device(s) provides a destruction of the rodent, by providing a spinal fracture, and thereby killing the rodent.

In fig. 2 it is further illustrated, that in one specific embodiment of the invention, the device for destruction of rodents further comprises an activatable discharge element 9 for removing destructed rodents from the destruction position. The discharge element 9 preferably acts as a sliding door mechanism, but other mechanisms resulting in discharge of the rodent from the destruction zone may also be used.

With respect to fig. 3, illustrating another embodiment of the invention, the device for destruction of rodents further comprising a handling device 10 comprising a restraining element 11 for restraining an animal, such as a rodent within the handling device 10 and allow identification of animals, such as rodents before entering the structure. In some embodiments, the restraining element 11 is configured to be operated manually, whereas in other embodiments, the handling device is electrical operated by one or more sensor(s) detecting the presence of a rodent, preferably detecting the presence of a rat.

The handling device may be at least partly transparent, such as by using threaded walls, such as by using transparent plastic.

In order to keep the rodent within the handling device until further actions, the handling device often further comprises closing elements 12, for locking a rodent within the handling device. The closing element may be a door or gate, such as a spring operated trapdoor, and further may be operated mechanically.

Reference is made to fig. 11 schematically illustrating a device for destruction of rodent. The device is illustrated in a cross sectional view in longitudinal extending plane mid-way between width of the device. The device shown is intended for destruction of rats and the dimensioning of the device is chosen accordingly. If other types of rodents are to be destructed, e.g. mice, the passage in the device through which the rodents move can be scaled accordingly.

In general, the passages formed in the device are typically dimensions so that the rodent can only move in one direction that is the dimensions are sufficiently small so that a rodent cannot turn around.

The device shown has tubular rodent destruction zone 105 forming a dead end at one end and delimited by a one way exit gate 106 at an opposite end. The one way exit gate 106 is a gate or door hinged at an upper end to allow it to swing open into the destruction zone 105. At a lower end, a stop is arranged which prevent the gate or door to swing backward. The gate or door may be biased by a spring toward its closing position, obviously biased to an extend that allow the rodent to push the gate or door open, so as to assure that the gate is kept closed when not opened by a rodent.

The device also has a tubular connection 113 having a rodent entry 102 with a one way entry gate 103. The one way entry gate 103 is similar or even identical in function as the one way exit gate 106. The tubular connection 113 provides a passage between the one way entry gate 103 and the rodent destruction zone 105 and is formed to prevent a rodent to leave the tubular section 103 at other positions than at the rodent destruction zone 105 when the one way entry gate 103 is closed. This is typically provided by the tubular connection 113 being free of larger openings in wall elements of the tubular connection. By larger openings is meant openings allowing rodent to pass through. In some embodiments, no openings are provided in the tubular connection 113. The tubular connection 113 is further adapted to allow a rodent to move by its own motion from the rodent entry 102 and to the rodent destruction zone 105 by not having obstacles preventing the rodent to move and in case of the tubular connection 113 having a pitch, that the pitch is sufficiently low to allow the rodent to move such as climb.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 11, the tubular connection 113 is shown as having a principal axis being vertical along at least a section thereof. However, the tubular section 113 may be provided with a principal axis being different from vertical, e.g. being inclined 45 degrees relative to vertical. It is noted, that the design of the tubular section should be designed so as to allow the rodent to move towards the rodent destruction zone 105.

Further, while fig. 11 illustrates that the rodent entry 102 faces opposite (by 180 degrees) to the longitudinal extension of device for destructing rodents, the invention is not limited to this configuration, the rodent entry 102 may essentially faces in any desired direction. One such example is shown in fig. 20 where the rodent entry 102 faces a direction being 90 degrees to the longitudinal extension of the device for destructing rodents.

The dimension of the tubular connection as well as the rodent entry is preferably made in accordance with regulations, which for the case of rats e.g. stipulates that a diameter may not exceed 55 mm. However, in some cases, the dimension can be selected as desired as long as the dimension of the rodent entry is dimensioned as required. In order to easily adapt the device to different regulations and/or different rodents, the device may further comprise a restrictor 140. The restrictor 140 as shown in fig. 11 is designed to fit outside the rodent entry 102, typically in a snug-fit or secured thereto. As shown the entry opening in the restrictor is smaller than the rodent entry 102 whereby the restrictor is the element defining the size of the animal that can enter. The restrictor 140 may alternatively be a tubular element fitted inside the rodent entry 102.

A rodent detector 114 is arrange arranged to detect presence of a rodent in the rodent destruction zone 105. Such a detector 114, as also used in other embodiments of the invention using rodent detector, may be a weight sensor providing a readout in response to a rodent passing and standing on the sensor, it may be an optical sensor detecting, motion sensor and/or a thermos sensor sensing body temperature of a rodent. The purpose of the rodent detector is to detect a rodent in the destruction zone 105 and in response to a positive detection activate a number of actions to be carried out by the device.

One such action is to destruct the rodent. To this, the device comprising an activable destruction device 107 configured to destruct a rodent positioned in the rodent destruction zone 105 in response to the rodent detector 114 detects a rodent in the rodent destruction zone 105. When a rodent enters into the destruction zone 105 and the detector 114 detects this, this readout from the detector is send to a control unit 120, which activates the destruction device 107. The destruction device is typically kept activated for a pre-determined time period to make sure that the rodent is destructed.

When the rodent has been destructed, the destruction zone 105 is cleared to be made ready for destruction of another rodent. As shown in fig. 11. a destructed rodent receptacle 108 is arranged below the rodent destruction zone 105 and is arranged for receiving a destructed rodent And is being adapted to contain fluid and a plurality of destructed rodents.

Access to the destructed rodent receptacle 108 from the destruction zone is provided by an activable trapdoor 115. The trapdoor 115 is arranged to close a downwardly facing through-going opening (as seen from the destruction zone 105) provided between the rodent destruction zone 105 and an inner volume of the destructed rodent receptacle 108 so that upon activating the trapdoor 115 to open, a rodent recently destructed in the rodent destruction zone 105 falls under gravity action into the inner volume of the destructed rodent receptacle 108. The activatable trapdoor is activated delayed, relatively to activating the destruction device 107, in response to the rodent detector detects a rodent in rodent destruction zone 106 to assure that only destructed rodents falls into the destructed rodent receptacle 108. The activating of the trapdoor 115 and the delaying thereof is typically handled by the control unit 120. The trapdoor 115 is equipped with an actuator, such as a electro-mechanical actuator, such as a solenoid to close it. This actuator can also be responsible for the openings of the trapdoor 115. Alternatively, the trapdoor 115 can be maintained in its closing position by an electromagnetic force which can be shut-off by the control unit 120.

A scent source device 101 is provided and this scent source device 101 is adapted to introduce a scent into the rodent destruction zone 105, through the tubular connection 113 and out through the rodent entry 102 to attract rodent to enter into the device through the rodent entry 102. As illustrated in fig. 11, the scent source device 101 may be in the form of a chamber in which a material, typically a biological material releasing a rodent attractive scent as a scent source, can be arranged. The scent source device contains an opening (not shown in fig. 11) for introducing the material into the chamber. The scent source 101 is fluidicly connected with the destruction zone to allow the scent to enter into the destruction zone. In fig. 11, this connection is in the form of a plurality of scent transferring openings 121. While the scent can spread all the way to and out of the rodent entry 102, a fan, ventilator or the like (not shown) can be provided in the device to force the scent to and out of the rodent entry 102. While only one scent source is disclosed, further scent sources can be provided.

The scent source may also be provided by arranging a pressurized canister containing and attractive scent in the scent source device 101. In such an embodiment, the control unit 120 is configured to control a valve connected to the canister to release scent at predefined intervals or constantly release scent.

While the control unit 120 disclosed above it disclosed as a single unit, the control unit 120 may be divided into separate elements each controlling one of the actions. Such elements are connected to each other to share data about action to allow e.g. the trapdoor 120 to open when the destruction device 107 has ended its operation. The one way entry gate 103 and/or the one way exit gate 106 is (are) in some embodiments trapdoor(s) biased towards its (their) closing position by an amount allowing a rodent to push the trapdoor(s) open. The biasing is typically provided by a mechanical spring.

In the shown embodiment, the activatable destruction device 114 comprising a first knife arranged on a first reciprocating actuator. This first knife arranged to reciprocate up and down at a position configured to hit the neck of a rodent. In another embodiment (not illustrated), the activatable destruction device 107 may be an electrical conductive material arranged at the floor of the rodent destruction zone 105. As detailed above, the rodent detector 114 detects a rodent and actives the activatable destruction device 114 in response to such detection, that is activates the actuator to move the knife down and subsequently up either behead the rodent or break the neck of the rodent, or power the electrical conductive material to electrocute the rodent.

As can be realized from fig. 11, the device may advantageously be equipped with two rodent detectors 114a and 114b in the rodent destruction zone 105. As illustrated, one detector 114a, a 1 ^st rodent sensor, may be arranged at the end most away from the one way exit gate 106 and this detector 114 detects that a rodent is in a favourable position for destruction by detecting a rodent being positioned at this end. At the other end of the destruction zone 106 another detector 114b, 2 ^nd rodent sensor, may be arranged. This sensor 114b can be used to determining if the rodent is fully contained in the destruction zone 106. By this, a signal can also be generated to close the one way exit gate 106 upon detection of no rodent or a part there of is detected at the sensing position of rodent sensor 114b. It is preferred to keep the exit gate 106 closed until it can assured that the destructed rodent is in the receptacle 108, which can be detected by the sensor 114a do not detects any rodent.

As also illustrated, a rodent sensor, 3 ^rd rodent sensor, can be arranged at the rodent entry 102. This sensor is typically used to control whether or not to allow opening of the one way entry gate 103. In some embodiments opening is only allowed upon a free passage, that is the passage in which the rodent enters do not contain any other rodents.

The rodent sensors 114a, 114b, and 114c are typically infrared sensors where by body heat from a rodent is measured by detecting infra-red radiation irradiated from a rodent.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 11, two gates are shown namely entry gate 103 and exit gate 106. Preferred embodiments of the present invention may comprise a number of further gates arranged in the rodent direction way 104. In such embodiments, the further gates are preferably arranged with such distance between them so that only a single rodent can be present in the space between two gates. By opening and closing the gates in sequence, rodents can line up in the direction passage 104. As an example, first the exit gate 106 is opened and when the rodent waiting behind has entered the destruction zone 105, the exit gate 106 is closed and subsequently the gate behind the exit gate 106 is opened to allow a rodent to enter into the space behind the exit gate 106 where after the gate behind the exit gate is closed. This cascading of opening and closing is continued until the entry gate is opened and closed. Rodent sensors may be arranged in space between gates similar to the sensors arranged in the destruction zone to detect presence of rodents.

It is noted that the gates disclosed herein are configured to allow scent to pass. This could e.g. be done by providing openings in the gate to allow scent but not rodent to pass through and/or by leaving a gap between the rim of the gate and the adjacent wall.

It is often preferred to destruct the rodent by breaking the neck of the rodent and in such cases, the knife may advantageously has a rounded tip configured to cut or brake the neck of a rodent when activated. Further, the travel of the knife towards the floor of the destruction zone 105 is often limited to leave a gap between the edge of the knife and the flor to prevent beheading.

To make it even more certain that the rodent is destructed fast and efficient, the activatable destruction device may comprise a second knife 117 arranged on a second reciprocating activator. This is illustrated in fig. 12 wherein the second knife 117 is shown as arranged to reciprocate up and down in front of the first knife at a position configured to hit the spine of a rodent. By "in front of" is referred to the direction, which the rodent moves, and with its nose pointing towards the first knife 107.

The actuators for the first and the second knife may both be solenoids activated by the control unit 120. As disclosed herein such actuators may be electrical, pneumatic and/or hydraulic actuators.

The tubular connection comprises a rodent direction way 104 is shown as having vertical pitch. By this is meant that the rodent moves upward from the rodent entry 102 and to the rodent destruction zone 105. It is noted that vertical pitch does not as such refers to a structured not proceeding also in a horizontal plane. Such a vertical pitch is shown in fig. 11, there the rodent direction way 104 is in the form of a tubular spiral. In other embodiments the rodent direction way 104 may comprising a staircase and/or a tubular spiral and/or helix or even combinations thereof. However, it is preferred, as otherwise outlined herein that the rodent cannot escape from the rodent direction way 104 at other positions that at the one way exit gate 106.

The rodent direction way 104 may advantageously be configured for extending down to an underground passage 115 such as a flow line of a sewer system, with the rodent inlet 102 arranged to allow a rodent present in the underground passage 115 to enter into the rodent direction way 104. By this, a device is provided in which a rodent is attracted by the scent to leave the flow line and ending up in the destruction zone 105 for destruction. In such embodiment, it is preferred to have the destruction at ground level with the rodent entry 102 and entry grate 103 in the underground passage and the rodent direction way 104 thereby leads the rodent upward. However, the rodent direction way 104 may alternatively be configured to lead the rodent downward if desired.

In order to increase the likelihood that a rodent is properly positioned for destruction in the destruction zone, the device may further have an activable rodent restraining device 118. One such restraining device 118 is illustrated in fig.13 where the rodent restraining device comprises a concave element arranged to reciprocate up and down and configured to in its further most down position to restrain a rodent between the floor of the rodent destruction zone 105 and the interior cavity of the concave element. The rodent restraining device 118 is activated by the control unit and the reciprocating action may be provided by a solenoid as disclosed in connection with the knife(s). As an alternative to the concave element an activatable claw can be fitted. The rodent restraining device 18 is activated in response to the rodent detector 114 detects a rodent in the rodent destruction zone 105.

As apparent from the disclosure herein, rodents destructed by the device end up in the destructed rodent receptacle 108 and as the device typically is designed for continuously use over many weeks or even months, there is often a need for emptying the destructed rodent receptacle 108. To this, the device may further comprises a connection for emptying the destructed rodent receptacle 111 for fluid and destructed rodents (the vertical dotted lines in fig. 11 indicates that the connection extends outside the receptacle 109, however it may extend inside the receptacle). While this may be a hatch or other suitable closable openings into the rodent destruction receptacle 108, the particular preferred embodiment shown in fig. 11 comprises a tubular channel having a connection for emptying the destructed rodent receptacle 108. As shown, the tubular channel extends vertically above the upper end of the receptacle 108. This kind to tubular channel is particular advantageously in embodiments where the destructed rodent receptacle 108 contains a fluid, typically a fluid to preserve or at least preventing to some extends the rodents from decomposing. In such embodiments, the destructed rodent receptacle 108 can be emptied by suction, e.g. by a gully emptier sucking fluid together with destructed rodents out of the receptacle.

When the receptacle 108 has been emptied, fluid is reintroduced into the receptacle. This way of emptying the receptacle 108 is advantageously in the sense that the destructed rodents can be handled without the need for handling by human hands thereby at least mitigating the risk of spreading contamination and/or infecting a human emptying the receptacle 108 with e.g. rodent carried diseases. Further, the destructed rodents can be emptied at a dump facility in a manner at least minimizing the risk of spreading contamination and/or rodent carried diseases and eventually, if that is the aim, be safely disposed e.g. by incineration.

Since destructed rodents introduced into the destructed rodent receptacle 108 represent and addition of volume the fluid in the receptacle 108 may have a possibility to flow out of receptacle. To allow for this, the device may further have a surplus fluid receptacle 109 and an overflow connection 112 fluidicly connecting the inner volume 109. As illustrated in fig. 11, the overflow connection 112 being arranged in the destructed rodent receptacle 108 at position be distant from a lower most position of the interior volume of the destructed rodent receptacle 108.

As for the destructed rodent receptacle 108, the device may further have a connection for emptying the surplus fluid receptacle 110 for fluid (the vertical dotted lines in fig. 11 indicates that the connection extends outside the receptacle 108, however it may extend inside the receptacle). This connection may be in shape and function as the one disclosed for the destructed rodent receptacle 108.

In a particular preferred embodiment, the destructed rodent receptacle 108 and when equipped the surplus fluid receptacle 109 is/are adapted to contain brine without essentially being exposed to corrosion. This could be provided by e.g. manufacturing the various parts in stainless steel or by a suitable surface coating.

Reference is made to fig. 14 illustrating a sprinkling device 122 arranged inside a destructed rodent receptacle 108. The sprinkling device comprising one or more sprinklers 123 arranged at an upper end of the destructed rodent receptacle 108 to sprinkle fluid downwardly into the destructed rodent receptacle 108. The one or more sprinklers 123 are in the preferred embodiment being in fluidic connection (not shown) with the surplus fluid receptacle 109 through a pump to pump fluid contained in the surplus fluid receptacle 109 out through the one or more sprinklers 123.

The sprinklers are arranged so as to sprinkle the fluid onto rodents located in the destructed rodent receptacle, that is in a direction having at least a downward component. In fig. 14, the sprinkling of fluid is shown the dotted line coming from each sprinkler 123. In fig. 14a the sprinkling is shown downward and in fig. 14b, the sprinkling is shown inwardly to illustrate that the sprinkling may be centred if desired. Typically, the sprinklers 123 are arranged so as to sprinkle rodents potentially not fully submerged. Thus, to allow for such adjustment, the sprinklers may be rotatably arranged so as to allow for changing their sprinkling direction.

The sprinklers are typically operated each time a rodent enters into the destructed rodent receptacle 108 by the control unit receives a signal preferably from the rodent detector 114a and in some embodiments preferably also from rodent detector 114b that a rodent has been destructed and placed in the destructed rodent receptacle 108. Upon receipt of such a signal, the control unit activates the pump which results in that fluid present in the surplus fluid receptacle is pump out through the sprinklers 123 towards the rodent(s) located in the destructed rodent receptacle 108.

If no surplus fluid receptacle is present, fluid is typically contained in a container from where the fluid is pump towards and through the sprinklers 123.

The purpose of sprinkling the rodent with a fluid and preferably also maintain the rodent at least partially submerged in such a fluid is to avoid or at least mitigate rotting of the rodents. If has been found that brine, such as an aqueous solution saturated with salt (NaCI) is a good option. Other fluidic solutions can be used and even fluidic solutions destroying bacteria and/or virus can be used. Thus, the fluid may in general be a preserving fluid.

When a rodent enters into the destructed rodent receptacle 108 and a preserving fluid is present in that receptacle about two-third of the rodent will not be submerged. This, of course depends on the density of fluid and the rodent. Thus, a larger volume of the rodent will be exposed condition not containing the preserving fluid and to prevent or mitigate rotting the rodent is sprinkled with the preserving fluid.

Upon emptying of the destructed rodent receptacle 108 it may be desired to clean the inner surface of the receptacle 108. To this, a cleaning device 126 as shown in fig. 15 can be used. The cleaning device 126 has one or more cleaner fluid outlets 128 (in fig. 14, only one is illustrated) arranged at an upper end of the destructed rodent receptacle 108. Each outlet 128 is arranged to outlet cleaner fluid in a direction having a horizontal direction (the direction may also be horizontal). By having a horizontal direction is meant the flow direction is angled slightly, such as between 5 and 10 degrees, or even such as between 5 and 20 degrees downward relatively to horizontal.

As also shown each cleaner fluid outlets 128 is arranged to apply cleaner fluid to the inner side of vertical extending walls of the destructed rodent receptacle 108. In this shown embodiment, the cleaner fluid is applied in tangential direction of said inner side of the vertical extending walls.

By this, a downwardly swirling flow is provided along the inner walls of the destructed rodent receptacle 108 which swirling motion cleans the surface. The thereby introduced fluid is emptied out through the connection for emptying destructed rodent receptacle 108.

The each of the cleaner fluid outlets 128 is fluidic connected to a cleaner fluid inlet

129 arranged accessible from outside of the rodent destruction device. In the shown embodiment, the cleaning device 126 is provided by connecting a line to the wall of the destructed rodent receptacle 108 and providing a bore essentially tangentially with the wall of the receptacle 108, which bore is connected with the line.

To guide the cleaning fluid upon entry into the destructed rodent receptacle 108 the cleaning device 126 may further have a deflector device 127 arranged at said upper end of the destructed rodent receptacle 108 and having a surface facing said one or more cleaner fluid outlets 128 to deflect cleaner fluid from flowing in an inward direction. Thus, in case the cleaning fluid enters the receptacle 108 with a flow component facing inward, the flow impinges the deflector device 127 and is thereby turned into a direction aligned with the surface of the deflector device. In the shown embodiment, the deflector device 127 is a tubular structure mimicking the course of the inner surface of the destructed rodent receptacle 108. Such a configuration has the potential to turn flow in a direction parallel with the course of the destructed rodent receptacle 108. The shape of the destructed rodent receptacle 108 and the surplus fluid receptacle 109 may be selected among a variety of different shapes. However, from a practical point of view, the receptacle may often be box-shaped, triangular, polygonal or cylindrically shaped. In case of cylindrically shaped, the longitudinal direction may be vertical, but can also be orientated differently such as horizontal or even slanted.

The individual elements of an embodiment of the invention may be physically, functionally and logically implemented in any suitable way such as in a single unit, in a plurality of units or as part of separate functional units. The invention may be implemented in a single unit, or be both physically and functionally distributed between different units and processors. It is noted that the destructed rodent receptacle 108 and the surplus fluid receptacle 109 may both be made fluidicly tight.

The actuators disclosed herein may be electrical, pneumatic and/or hydraulic actuators.

As can be readily understood from the description presented herein, the device may in many embodiments be power consuming. It is preferred the power used is electrical power and such electrical power may be provided by connecting the device to the mains. Alternatively or in combination therewith, the power may be provided by solar panels in which case it is preferred to equip the device with an electrical storage, such as a battery, for the solar cells to charge and for providing electrical power to the various power consuming parts of the device.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a rodent guiding device 130. An embodiment of such a guiding device is shown in fig. 16 and comprises a delimiting wall section defining a concave volume 131 as seen from the interior of said volume. The concave volume 131 is designed to prevent rodent to move further up along the wall section defining the concave volume. The concave volume 131 extends in a longitudinal direction and has at both ends connections 134 adapted to connect the rodent guiding device 130 with pipes, such as pipes forming part of a downpipe arrangement.

The shown embodiment is especially designed to form part of a piping in e.g. multi-storeys building where waste water is fed into a sewer system in the ground.

The rodent guiding device 130 has opposite to the delimiting wall section a rodent exit passage 137. This passage extends meandering with a first section 138 of the passage extending oblique away and upward from the concave volume 131 and with a second section 139 extending in downward direction and being configured to prevent a rodent from turning around and going upward through the second section. To allow the rodent to reach the second section 139, first section 138 has one or more gripping element for a rodent to engage for moving through the first section.

In preferred embodiments, the rodent guiding device 130 the one or more gripping elements 132 comprising staircase and/or a netting.

A rodent guiding element according may advantageously be connected to the rodent entry 102 with the rodent guiding device exit 135 connected to the rodent entry 102.

As disclosed herein, the invention makes use of one way gates, such as the one way entry gate 103 and the one way exit gate 106. Two embodiments of such gates are shown in fig. 17. Kindly observe that fig. 17 A)-C) show an opening sequence, whereas fig. 17D shows a modified embodiment relatively to fig. 17A. Further, fig. 17 illustrates the gate device installed in pipe in a cross sectional view.

The gate device shown comprises a flap 142. In the shown embodiment, the flap 142 is a curved element mimicking the interior surface of the underground passage 116, in which the gate device is installed, when the gate is open as shown in fig. 17C. It is noted that the gate device is not limited to being installed in an underground passage and can be installed in any piping. The gate has a hinge at an upper end of the flap 142 configured to connect the flap 142 rotatably to a pipe to rotate between a first position where the flap 142 is orientated vertically to close a passage and a second position where the flap 142 is orientated horizontally to open a passage.

A counter balance weight 141 is connected rigid connected to the flap 142, wherein the counter balance weight 141 comprising an element extend outside a vertical plane defined by the flap 142 when positioned vertically to bias by gravity forces the flap into its vertical position. The counter balance weight is adapted to allow a rodent to push on the flap 142 when in closing position to bring the flap 142 at least towards its open position. The gate renders it possible for multiple rodent to pass through one after another but not return. The gate shown in fig. 17D has a retraining device 144 allowing a rodent to pass only in one direction when the gate is installed in a piping. The gate comprising a flap 142 retraining device 144, such as an electromagnet, adapted to maintain the flap in its closing position when a rodent pushes on the flap in its closing position. When the retraining device 144 is active, a rodent cannot push-open the gate. The activation and deactivation is controlled by the control unit as otherwise disclosed herein.

Reference is made to fig. 20 schematically illustrating a device for destruction of rodent, where the device further comprising a double entrance device 147. The double entrance device 147 is placed close to a wall element 147, such as a building wall of a house or similar construction and typically at the ground. It has been realized that rodents prefer to move along wall elements at the ground and to allow for more efficient catch of rodents moving in both direction the double entrance device 147 is applied which device has entries 148 arranged in the path the rodents move. The entries 148 lead to the one way entry gate 103 by being formed as a tubular members forming a manifold.

Reference is made to figs. 11 and 12 schematically illustrating embodiments in which inter alia the surplus fluid receptacle has been left out. Such a surplus fluid receptacle and other features disclosed here could be included it desired. In the embodiment shown in fig. 21, the rodent direction way 104 is in the form of an inclined tube. This rodent direction way 104 could be equipped with gripping elements (as the ones disclosed in connection with fig. 16) to ease a rodents passage of the rodent direction way 105. The rodent direction way forms a passage from ground level and up towards the destruction zone 105.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 22, the destructed rodent receptacle 108 is placed below ground 145. Within the scope of the invention is embodiments in which the receptacle 108 is placed only partly below ground 145. By placing the rodent receptacle below ground 145, the tubular connection 113 may extend horizontally thereby ease the rodent passage towards the destruction zone 105. Further, the destructed rodent receptacle may be provided by a hole, e.g. dug, in the ground. By this, the destructed rodent may be disposed by removing the device and filling the hole.

The destructed rodent receptacle may in some embodiments be provided by e.g. a bucket or a container easy removable from the device. Such a bucket, container, a bag (typically made from plastic) or combinations thereof (e.g. a bag arranged in a bucket) can after removal be emptied and re-arranged in the device.

Reference is made to fig. 23A-C illustrating a destructed rodent receptacle containing such a bag 149. In fig. 23A, the bag 149 is arranged in the destructed rodent receptacle 108 by use of a clamp ring 150. In fig. 23B, the clamp ring 150 is released prior to being removed to allow either insertion or removal of a bag 149 into the destructed rodent receptacle 108. In fig. 23C, the bag 149 is to be removed and the upper end of the bag 149 is closed. The closure of the bag may in a non-limiting example be provided by the bag comprising a drawstring hem containing a cord, which upon tightening will close the bag.

Accordingly, the destructed rodent receptacle is configured to receive a bag 149 with an open end facing the activable trapdoor 115, when the destructed rodent receptacle is arranged below the activable trapdoor 115, so that a rodent recently destructed fall under gravity into the an interior volume of the bag 149. The bag 149 is preferably made of plastic, such as made of biodegradable plastic. By use of biodegradable plastic, the bag included destructed rodents may be disposed as organic waste material. The destructed rodent receptacle 108 may be made from metal, such steel or made from a synthetic or semi synthetic material such as plastic.

The destructed rodent receptacle 108 illustrated in fig. 23 comprises a fastening element 150, such as a clamp ring, hose clamp or the like, configured to co operate with a ledge 151 provided at an upper end of the destructed rodent receptacle 108 to clamp an upper section of said bag 149 to the destructed rodent receptacle 108.

The destructed rodent receptacle 108 may be a separate element of the device for destruction of rodents, and in such embodiments, the destructed rodent receptacle 108 may be manually handled independently. In such cases, the destructed rodent receptacle 108 may be placed at a desired location and the remaining elements of the device for destruction of rodents may be placed on top of the destructed rodent receptacle 108.

Fig. 4 illustrates a device for destruction of rodents. The device shown is intended for destruction of individual rats, and the dimensioning of the device is chosen accordingly. The device comprises a tubular rodent destruction zone 201, wherein the tubular rodent destruction zone 201 is defined by a wall surrounding the tubular rodent destruction zone 201. Such a wall is typically a solid structure, but may also be perforated. The tubular rodent destruction zone 201 has a dead end at one end and an entrance at an opposite end, which is a type of passage leading a rodent into the device. The dead end can be made of the same material as the wall encasing the tubular rodent destruction zone 201, but in some embodiments, material types may be chosen.

In general, the passage formed in the device has sufficiently small dimensions so that the rodent can only move in one direction, which is the passage dimensions that a rodent cannot turn around in. The device also comprise a sensing device 203 configured to detect presence of a rodent in the rodent destruction zone 201. The sensing device 203 is preferably utilizing an electrical, mechanical or electromechanical switch mechanism, such as an electronic sensor or a pushbutton.

The device further has an activable destruction device 204 configured to destruct a rodent positioned in the rodent destruction zone 201 in response to the sensing device 203 detecting a rodent touching the sensing device 203 in the rodent destruction zone 201. The activable destruction device 204 is connected to the sensing device. In this embodiment, the connection is electrical but it can be other connections such as connection using pressure for activating the activable destruction device 204. When the rodent touches the sensing device 203, the rodent will be in a preferred position according to the activable destruction device 204, such that a fast and precise destruction of the rodent can take place. The sensing device 203 is in the shown embodiment accurate and sensitive, such that the activation of the activable destruction device 204 by the signal is suppressed until the rodent is in the right position, which is when it touches the sensing device 203.

In general, the tubular rodent destruction zone 201 has a length at least equal to a length of a rodent, preferably a rat. The length of a rat or mouse is defined as the length of the body without the tail. Common rat body dimensions is 15-25 cm, where common mouse length is 6.3-10.2 cm. By having a tubular rodent destruction zone 201 with a length at least equal to the length of a rat, the risk of bad positioning of a rat when the activable destruction device 204 is activated is limited compared to devices with shorter lengths, and a fast and precise destruction is maintained. The length of the tubular rodent destruction zone 201 is measured as the distance on the inner side of the wall encasing the rodent destruction zone 201 from the point where the dead end join the wall encasing the rodent destruction zone 201, to the outermost point on the inside of the wall in the other end in relation to the dead end. Further, the wall encasing the tubular rodent destruction zone will have a diameter, which will be dimensioned to fit the rodent to be destructed, such that the rodent can enter the device, be in the right position in relation to the activable destruction device 204, and without being able to turn around in the tubular rodent destruction zone. In one embodiment, the device for destruction of rodents comprises multiple activatable destruction devices 204, so as to provide a fast and secure destruction of a rodent, such as a rat. The multiple activatable destruction devices 204 are typically arranged besides each other with a limited space between, such as 0.1-1 cm between, such as 0.1-3 cm between.

In another embodiment of the invention as illustrated in fig. 5, the device comprises all features disclosed in fig. 4 and further comprises an activatable trapdoor 207 arranged to close a downwardly facing through-going opening (as seen from the rodent destruction zone 201) provided between the rodent destruction zone 201, so that upon activating the trapdoor 207 to open, a rodent recently destructed in the rodent destruction zone 201 falls under gravity action out of the rodent destruction zone 201. The activatable trapdoor 207 is in the illustrated embodiment delayed activated, relatively to activating the destruction device 204 in response to the rodent sensing device detects a rodent in rodent destruction zone 201. When a rodent has been destructed, the rodent destruction zone 201 is cleared and made ready for destruction of another rodent by the use of the activable trapdoor 207. The activatable trapdoor 207 may be equipped with an actuator, such as an electro-mechanical actuator, such as a solenoid to close it. This actuator can also be responsible for the openings of the activatable trapdoor 207. Alternatively, the activatable trapdoor 207 can be maintained in its closing position by an electromagnetic force, which can be shut-off by a control unit.

In some embodiments, the downwardly facing through-going opening (as seen from the rodent destruction zone 201) is closed by a door provided with a sliding door mechanism. In another embodiment of the invention illustrated in fig. 6, the device for destruction of rodents comprises all features disclosed in fig. 4 and fig. 5 and further comprises an activatable rodent restraining device 208. The rodent restraining device 208 comprises a concave element 209 arranged to reciprocate up and down and configured to in its further most down position to restrain a rodent between the floor of the rodent destruction zone 201 and the interior cavity of the concave element and/or an activatable claw. The rodent restraining device 208 is activated in response to the rodent sensing device 203 detecting a rodent in the rodent destruction zone 201.

The length of the tubular rodent destruction zone 201 is typically longer than 5 cm and shorter than 50 cm. Depending on the rodent, the length may be adapted to fit the species, such as the tubular rodent destruction zone 201 is 10 cm for smaller rodent species, such as 15 cm for larger rodents and even 25 cm for large rodents. Other lengths may be chosen depending on other factors.

The sensing device 203 may comprise a scent source 205 adapted to introduce a scent and/or a food item into the rodent destruction zone 201 to attract rodents to enter into the device through the entrance 202.

The sensing device 203 is typically comprised in the dead end of the tubular rodent destruction zone 201 as illustrated in fig. 4-6, such that the rodent is lured into the end of the tubular rodent destruction zone 201 by the scent and placed in the right position in relation to the activatable destruction device 204.

In some situations, it may be advantageously to have a handle 206, such as for carrying the device. Such as a handle 206 may be arranged on an outer surface of the tubular rodent destruction zone 201. An example of such a handle is illustrated in fig. 7. In such and other embodiments, a destructed rodent can be removed from the device by tilting the device and allow the destructed rodent to fall into a receptacle such as a plastic back.

The activatable destruction device 204 preferably comprises a knife 213 arranged on a first reciprocating actuator. The knife 213 is arranged to reciprocate up and down at a position configured to hit the neck of a rodent to a level destructing the rodent. Further, the travel of the knife 213 towards the floor of the rodent destruction zone 201 is often limited to leave a gap between the edge of the knife 213 and the floor to prevent beheading. In other embodiments, preferably, other means comprised in the activatable destruction device 204 for destructing the rodent is chosen, such as a pin, a stirrup shaped or stamp shaped object. In some embodiments, the knife 213 has a rounded tip and/or serrated tip configured to break the neck of a rodent when activated. The rounded tip is typically provided to limit body fluids of the rodent to flow from the body after destructing the rodent. Thus, it is generally preferred that the tip of the knife 213 and the movement relative to the rodent is provided so that the destruction is provided by breaking the neck and/or spine of the rodent without de-heading the rodent or even penetrating the skin of the rodent.

The destruction device 204 may advantageously be powered by hydraulic pressure, electric current or pneumatic pressure, when activated by the sensing device 203. The powering system may be chosen based on environmental factors and accessibility of the rodent device.

In one embodiment, the length of the device is longer than 5 cm and smaller than 60 cm measured as the distance from one outer end of the device to the opposite outer end in the other end of the device.

The tubular rodent destruction zone 201 preferably includes an internal surface 210 and an external surface 211, wherein the internal surface 210 is curved to form the tubular geometry and the external surface 211 is a flat surface on at least a part of the external surface 211. The internal surface is predominantly curved to fit the size of a rodent, in particular a rat, while at least a part of the external surface is flat, such that device is stable when placed on the ground. This is particularly, but not exclusively, advantageous when the device must be stable in a predefined position on a flat surface, such as staying on the ground. This is particularly, but not exclusively, advantageous when the device must be stable in a predefined position on a surface that may not be flat, such as ground with protrusions.

In another embodiment, the device may further comprises supporting means for supporting the device for destruction of rodents in a predetermined position. In some embodiments, the device further comprises supporting means for supporting the device for destruction of rodents in a predetermined position. Supporting means may be crucial to place the device for destruction of rodents on undulating terrain or if the device for destruction of rodents is to be placed in a predetermined position, which would require supporting means. Supporting means could be but not limited to a frame or chassis encapsulating the device for destruction of rodents. Supporting means could in other embodiments be a stilt or include lifting gear.

The rodent referred to is predominantly selected from the group consisting of rats, mice.

In a particular preferred embodiment, the tubular rodent destruction zone 201 and/or the activatable destruction device 204 is made of steel, such as stainless steel. Stainless steel has excellent properties, such as corrosion resistant, such as durable, such as low maintenance, such as temperature resistant.

In some embodiments, it may be favourable to include further devices for destruction of rodents. One example of such a device may be in the tubular destruction zone 201 comprises a floor arranged at a invert level of the tubular destruction zone 201 and wherein at least a part of the floor is made of an electrical conductive material and/or a source of CO2 configured to increase the concentration of CO2 in the rodent destruction zone 201 to a level destructing a rodent.

The device for destruction of rodents may be produced to be able to withstand water, such as from rain or from a sewer. One embodiment of such is the tubular destruction zone 201 comprises drainage holes along the invert level of the tubular destruction zone 201, to prevent fluids to be trapped inside the tubular destruction zone 201.

The diameter of such drainage holes is typically smaller than 8mm and larger than 1 mm, such that water can escape the device for destruction of rodents, while rodents can walk on the invert level of the tubular destruction zone 201 without getting trapped by the drainage holes. This is particularly, but not exclusively, advantageous when the device is placed in an environment exposed to fluids, such as raining or such as fluids in a pipe system, such that the device can endure fluids and especially several liter of fluids without breaking.

In preferred embodiments, it is favourable to be able to separate the tubular destruction device 201 into multiple pieces, such that destructed rodents easily can be taken out of the device. One example of achieving this is by having a tubular destruction zone 201 that is separable in a longitudinal axis along to form an upper concave element and a lower concave element.

In some embodiments, the device may further comprises a housing 212 covering the tubular destruction zone 201, the destruction device 204 and the sensing device 203, and wherein said housing 212 has an opening at a predetermined position with a diameter or equivalent diameter similar to the diameter of the entrance 202 of the tubular destruction zone 201. The housing 212 may either be connected to the device for destruction of rodents or be placed around the device, such that it is encapsulated with the opening aligned with entrance 202 of the device for destruction of rodents.

One aim of a scent source is to attract rodents and allure them into the device. In some embodiments, the tubular rodent destruction zone 201 and/or the housing 212 comprises apertures along the length of said tubular rodent destruction zone 201 and/or said housing 212. Apertures will promote the scent around the device through the apertures and make the device more effective in destruction of rodents.

The device may in other embodiments contain multiple entrances to allure more cautious rodents into the device for destruction of rodents. One embodiment as illustrated is the tubular rodent destruction zone comprises multiple entrances 202.

As one purpose of the device is to destruct rodents allured into the device, the entrance(s) 202 is/are in one embodiment a one way gate(s) preventing the rodent from leaving the tubular rodent destruction zone 201. The one way gate(s) is/are preferably a gate or door hinged at an upper end to allow it to swing open into the destruction zone 201. At a lower end, a stop is preferably arranged which prevent the gate or door to swing backwards. In a preferred embodiment, the one way gate(s) is/are a trapdoor(s) biased towards its closing position by an amount allowing a rodent to push the trapdoor(s) open or trapdoor(s) being activated by an actuator. Alternatively, the biasing may be provided by a mechanical spring. In other embodiments, the device further comprises a push device arranged to push a rodent to the rodent detector or the destruction device for destruction.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the specified embodiments, it should not be construed as being in any way limited to the presented examples. The scope of the present invention is set out by the accompanying claim set. In the context of the claims, the terms "comprising" or "comprises" do not exclude other possible elements or steps. Also, the mentioning of references such as "a" or "an" etc. should not be construed as excluding a plurality. The use of reference signs in the claims with respect to elements indicated in the figures shall also not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Furthermore, individual features mentioned in different claims, may possibly be advantageously combined, and the mentioning of these features in different claims does not exclude that a combination of features is not possible and advantageous.