Multi-layer barrier preventing wood pest access to wooden structures

Abstract

A method and device are disclosed which prevent the intrusion of insects onto wood structures by using a barrier capable of retaining pesticide. In the disclosed method, the barrier maintains a minimal effective level of insecticide for a predetermined period of time.

1 - 30 . (Cancelled)  
     
     
         31 . A combination of a multi-layer barrier and an exclusion zone, the combination comprising: 
 a multi-layer barrier, the barrier comprising: 
 (a) a first layer comprising a first polymer and a liquid pesticide, the first polymer forming a polymer matrix, the polymer matrix being formed by mixing the liquid pesticide with the first polymer to form a mixture, melting the mixture, and solidifying the mixture to form the polymer matrix, the pesticide bound within the polymer matrix; and  
 (b) a second layer located adjacent the first layer, the second layer made of a second polymer, the second layer being impermeable such that the pesticide is substantially not released from the barrier but is released from the barrier at a rate which is less than 0.4 μg/cm2/day; and  
   an exclusion zone of pesticide created by the release of pesticide from the barrier, the exclusion zone having a sufficient amount of pesticide to provide long-term protection against contact by wood pests.    
     
     
         32 . The combination of  claim 31 , wherein the pesticide is selected from isofenphos, fenvalerate, cypermethrin, permethrin, tefluthrin, lambdacyhalothrin, cyfluthrin, deltamethrin, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         33 . The combination of  claim 31 , wherein the pesticide comprises lambdacyhalothrin.  
     
     
         34 . The combination of  claim 31 , wherein the concentration of the pesticide is at least 1 wt % of the polymer matrix.  
     
     
         35 . The combination of  claim 31 , wherein the concentration of the pesticide is at least 5 wt % of the polymer matrix.  
     
     
         36 . The combination of  claim 31 , wherein the first polymer is selected from high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, vinyl acetate, urethane, polyester, a thermoplastic elastomer, silicone, neoprene, polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene, polybutylene, epoxy polymers, polyamides, acrylate-styrene-acrylonitrile, aromatic polyesters, unsaturated polyesters, polyisoprene, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         37 . The combination of  claim 31 , wherein the first polymer comprises low density polyethylene.  
     
     
         38 . The combination of  claim 31 , wherein the polymer matrix continues releasing the pesticide for at least six years.  
     
     
         39 . The combination of  claim 31 , wherein the first layer is in the form of a sheet, strip or pellet.  
     
     
         40 . The combination of  claim 31 , wherein the pesticide is released from the barrier at a rate which is less than 0.1 μg/cm 2 /day.  
     
     
         41 . The combination of  claim 31 , wherein the pesticide is released from the barrier at a rate which is less than 0.05 μg/cm 2 /day.  
     
     
         42 . The combination of  claim 31 , wherein the second layer is a sheet made from polyethylene terephthalate film, a copolymer of vinylidene chloride and vinyl chloride, or a coextruded multi-layered barrier film.  
     
     
         43 . The combination of  claim 31 , further comprising one or more additional layers selected from a scrim, mesh, sheet and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         44 . The combination of  claim 43 , wherein the at least one said additional layer is located adjacent the first layer and comprises a third polymer and a second pesticide, wherein the third polymer forms a second polymer matrix and the second pesticide is bound within the second polymer matrix.  
     
     
         45 . The combination of  claim 43 , wherein the at least one said additional layer is in the form of a mesh.  
     
     
         46 . The combination of  claim 31 , wherein the barrier further comprises at least one strength and puncture resistant layer.  
     
     
         47 . The combination of  claim 46 , wherein the strength and puncture resistant layer comprises a polymeric scrim.  
     
     
         48 . The combination of  claim 31 , wherein the barrier further comprises a metallized layer.  
     
     
         49 . A combination of a multi-layer barrier and an exclusion zone, the combination comprising: 
 a multi-layer barrier, the barrier comprising: 
 (a) a first layer comprising a first polymer, a liquid pesticide, and a carrier, wherein the first polymer forms a polymer matrix, the pesticide bound to the carrier to form a pesticide-carrier mixture, the polymer matrix being formed by mixing the first polymer and the pesticide-carrier mixture to form a mixture, melting the mixture, and solidifying the mixture to form the polymer matrix, the pesticide-carrier mixture bound within the polymer matrix; and  
 (b) a second layer located adjacent the first layer, the second layer made of a second polymer, the second layer being impermeable such that the pesticide is substantially not released from the barrier but is released from the barrier at a rate which is less than 0.4 μg/cm 2 /day; and  
   an exclusion zone of pesticide created by the release of pesticide from the barrier, the exclusion zone having a sufficient amount of pesticide to provide long-term protection against contact by wood pests.    
     
     
         50 . The combination of  claim 49 , wherein the pesticide is selected from isofenphos, fenvalerate, cypermethrin, permethrin, tefluthrin, lambdacyhalothrin, cyfluthrin, deltamethrin, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         51 . The combination of  claim 49 , wherein the pesticide comprises lambdacyhalothrin.  
     
     
         52 . The combination of  claim 49 , wherein the concentration of the pesticide is at least 1 wt % of the polymer matrix.  
     
     
         53 . The combination of  claim 49 , wherein the concentration of the pesticide is at least 5 wt % of the polymer matrix.  
     
     
         54 . The combination of  claim 49 , wherein the first polymer is selected from high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, vinyl acetate, urethane, polyester, a thermoplastic elastomer, silicone, neoprene, polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene, polybutylene, epoxy polymers, polyamides, acrylate-styrene-acrylonitrile, aromatic polyesters, unsaturated polyesters, polyisoprene, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         55 . The combination of  claim 49 , wherein the first polymer comprises low density polyethylene.  
     
     
         56 . The combination of  claim 49 , wherein the carrier is selected from carbon black, activated carbon, alumina, silicoaluminate, hydroxyapatite and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         57 . The combination of  claim 49 , wherein the carrier comprises carbon black.  
     
     
         58 . The combination of  claim 49 , wherein the polymer matrix continues releasing the pesticide for at least six years.  
     
     
         59 . The combination of  claim 49 , wherein the first layer is in the form of a sheet, strip or pellet.  
     
     
         60 . The combination of  claim 49 , wherein the pesticide is released from the barrier at a rate which is less than 0.1 μg/cm 2 /day.  
     
     
         61 . The combination of  claim 49 , wherein the pesticide is released from the barrier at a rate which is less than 0.05 μg/cm 2 /day.  
     
     
         62 . The combination of  claim 49 , wherein the second layer is a sheet made from polyethylene terephthalate film, a copolymer of vinylidene chloride and vinyl chloride, or a coextruded multi-layered barrier film.  
     
     
         63 . The combination of  claim 49 , further comprising one or more additional layers selected from a scrim, mesh, sheet and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         64 . The combination of  claim 63 , wherein the at least one said additional layer is located adjacent the first layer and comprises a third polymer and a second pesticide, wherein the third polymer forms a second polymer matrix and the second pesticide is bound within the second polymer matrix.  
     
     
         65 . The combination of  claim 63 , wherein the at least one said additional layer is in the form of a mesh.  
     
     
         66 . The combination of  claim 49 , wherein the barrier further comprises at least one strength and puncture resistant layer.  
     
     
         67 . The combination of  claim 66 , wherein the strength and puncture resistant layer comprises a polymeric scrim.  
     
     
         68 . The combination of  claim 49 , wherein the barrier further comprises a metallized layer.  
     
     
         69 . The combination of  claim 49 , wherein the pesticide is bound to the carrier to form a bound friable mix.  
     
     
         70 . A combination of a multi-layer barrier and an exclusion zone, the combination comprising: 
 a multi-layer barrier, the barrier comprising: 
 (a) a first layer comprising a first polymer, a liquid pesticide, and a carrier, wherein the first polymer is selected from high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, vinyl acetate, urethane, polyester, a thermoplastic elastomer, silicone, neoprene, polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene, polybutylene, epoxy polymers, polyamides, acrylate-styrene-acrylonitrile, aromatic polyesters, unsaturated polyesters, polyisoprene, and combinations thereof, the first polymer forming a polymer matrix, the pesticide bound to the carrier to form a pesticide-carrier mixture, the polymer matrix being formed by mixing the first polymer and the pesticide-carrier mixture to form a mixture, melting the mixture, and solidifying the mixture to form the polymer matrix, the pesticide-carrier mixture bound within the polymer matrix, the pesticide is selected from isofenphos, fenvalerate, cypermethrin, permethrin, tefluthrin, lambdacyhalothrin, cyfluthrin, deltamethrin, and combinations thereof, and wherein the carrier is selected from carbon black, activated carbon, alumina, silicoaluminate, hydroxyapatite and combinations thereof; and  
 (b) a second layer located adjacent the first layer, the second layer made of a second polymer, the second layer being impermeable such that the pesticide is substantially not released from the barrier but is released from the barrier at a rate which is less than 0.4 μg/cm 2 /day; and  
   an exclusion zone of pesticide created by the release of pesticide from the barrier, the exclusion zone having a minimum effective level of pesticide such that wood pests are prevented from breaching the barrier.    
     
     
         71 . A combination of a wooden structure and a multi-layer barrier, the combination comprising: 
 a wooden structure, the structure being free of wood pests; and    a multi-layer barrier, the barrier comprising: 
 (a) a first layer comprising a first polymer and a liquid pesticide, the first polymer forming a polymer matrix, the polymer matrix being formed by mixing the liquid pesticide with the first polymer to form a mixture, melting the mixture, and solidifying the mixture to form the polymer matrix, the pesticide bound within the polymer matrix; and  
 (b) a second layer located adjacent the first layer, the second layer made of a second polymer, the second layer being impermeable such that the pesticide is substantially not released from the barrier but is released from the barrier at a rate which is less than 0.4 μg/cm 2 /day such that wood pests are prevented from breaching the barrier,  
   the barrier being located at entry points for wood pests to access the structure so as to prevent intrusion of the structure by the wood pests.    
     
     
         72 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein the pesticide is selected from isofenphos, fenvalerate, cypermethrin, permethrin, tefluthrin, lambdacyhalothrin, cyfluthrin, deltamethrin, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         73 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein the pesticide comprises lambdacyhalothrin.  
     
     
         74 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein the concentration of the pesticide is at least 1 wt % of the polymer matrix.  
     
     
         75 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein the concentration of the pesticide is at least 5 wt % of the polymer matrix.  
     
     
         76 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein the first polymer is selected from high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, vinyl acetate, urethane, polyester, a thermoplastic elastomer, silicone, neoprene, polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene, polybutylene, epoxy polymers, polyamides, acrylate-styrene-acrylonitrile, aromatic polyesters, unsaturated polyesters, polyisoprene, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         77 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein the first polymer comprises low density polyethylene.  
     
     
         78 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein the polymer matrix continues releasing the pesticide for at least six years.  
     
     
         79 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein the first layer is in the form of a sheet, strip or pellet.  
     
     
         80 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein the pesticide is released from the barrier at a rate which is less than 0.1 μg/cm 2 /day.  
     
     
         81 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein the pesticide is released from the barrier at a rate which is less than 0.05 μg/cm 2 /day.  
     
     
         82 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein the second layer is a sheet made from polyethylene terephthalate film, a copolymer of vinylidene chloride and vinyl chloride, or a coextruded multi-layered barrier film.  
     
     
         83 . The combination of  claim 71 , further comprising one or more additional layers selected from a scrim, mesh, sheet and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         84 . The combination of  claim 83 , wherein the at least one said additional layer is located adjacent the first layer and comprises a third polymer and a second pesticide, wherein the third polymer forms a second polymer matrix and the second pesticide is bound within the second polymer matrix.  
     
     
         85 . The combination of  claim 83 , wherein the at least one said additional layer is in the form of a mesh.  
     
     
         86 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein the barrier further comprises at least one strength and puncture resistant layer.  
     
     
         87 . The combination of  claim 86 , wherein the strength and puncture resistant layer comprises a polymeric scrim.  
     
     
         88 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein the barrier further comprises a metallized layer.  
     
     
         89 . A combination of a wooden structure and a multi-layer barrier, the combination comprising: 
 a wooden structure, the structure being free of wood pests; and    a multi-layer barrier, the barrier comprising: 
 (a) a first layer comprising a first polymer, a liquid pesticide, and a carrier, wherein the first polymer is selected from high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, vinyl acetate, urethane, polyester, a thermoplastic elastomer, silicone, neoprene, polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene, polybutylene, epoxy polymers, polyamides, acrylate-styrene-acrylonitrile, aromatic polyesters, unsaturated polyesters, polyisoprene, and combinations thereof, the first polymer forming a polymer matrix, the pesticide bound to the carrier to form a pesticide-carrier mixture, the polymer matrix being formed by mixing the first polymer and the pesticide-carrier mixture to form a mixture, melting the mixture, and solidifying the mixture to form the polymer matrix, the pesticide-carrier mixture bound within the polymer matrix, the pesticide is selected from isofenphos, fenvalerate, cypermethrin, permethrin, tefluthrin, lambdacyhalothrin, cyfluthrin, deltamethrin, and combinations thereof, and wherein the carrier is selected from carbon black, activated carbon, alumina, silicoaluminate, hydroxyapatite and combinations thereof; and  
 (b) a second layer located adjacent the first layer, the second layer made of a second polymer, the second layer being impermeable such that the pesticide is substantially not released from the barrier but is released from the barrier at a rate which is less than 0.4 μg/cm 2 /day such that wood pests are prevented from breaching the barrier; and  
   the barrier being located at entry points for wood pests to access the structure so as to prevent intrusion of the structure by the wood pests.