Barriers to pest invasion

Abstract

Barrier devices against pest invasion are provided that allow sealing around a utility penetration ( 8 ), for example a pipe or conduit. In one embodiment, the barrier device is a barrier boot ( 2 ) that is sealed to a foundation slab ( 50 ), in order to prevent pest invasion through the spaces ( 52 ) formed between the foundation slab ( 50 ) and the utility penetration ( 8 ). In another embodiment, the device forms a continuous barrier with a surface receiving the utility penetration, for example a sheet-type barrier, a building foundation, footer or wall. In yet another embodiment, the device is a stand alone product which provides protection when embedded in concrete.

1 . A barrier providing protection against pest invasion, the barrier comprising, a tubular portion having a first opening adapted to closely contact an elongated member passing through the tubular portion when it is installed and a second opening adapted to closely contact a surface.  
     
     
         2 . A barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier is substantially conical and is tapered in the direction from the second opening toward the first opening, such that the first opening is adapted to closely contact an elongated member inserted therethrough, and the second opening is adapted to closely contact a surface.  
     
     
         3 . A barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the second opening comprises a circumferential flange having a first face directed toward the first opening of the tubular portion and a second face directed toward the surface.  
     
     
         4 . A barrier of  claim 3 , wherein the circumferential flange is disposed at substantially a right angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the tubular portion.  
     
     
         5 . A barrier of  claim 3 , wherein the second face of the circumferential flange comprises an adhesive.  
     
     
         6 . A barrier of  claim 3 , wherein the second face of the circumferential flange is adapted to be heat sealed to the surface.  
     
     
         7 . A barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier comprises at least one polymeric material.  
     
     
         8 . A barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier is constructed of material that is flexible, thereby allowing the barrier to be stored or transported in a compact, flat condition.  
     
     
         9 . A preformed barrier providing protection against pest invasion, the barrier comprising, 
 a conical body having a closed end formed by the apex of the conical body; and    an open end adapted to closely contact a surface when installed,    wherein the conical body is tapered from the open end toward the closed end so that the closed end is adapted to be cut to create an opening for passage of an elongated member inserted therethrough to allow the installation of the barrier.    
     
     
         10 . A barrier of  claim 9 , wherein the open end comprises a circumferential flange having a first face directed toward the apex of the conical body and a second face directed toward the surface.  
     
     
         11 . A barrier of  claim 10 , wherein the circumferential flange is disposed at substantially a right angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the conical body.  
     
     
         12 . A barrier of  claim 9 , wherein the second face of the circumferential flange comprises an adhesive.  
     
     
         13 . A barrier of  claim 9 , wherein the second face of the circumferential flange is adapted to be heat sealed to the surface.  
     
     
         14 . A barrier of  claim 9 , wherein the barrier comprises at least one polymeric material.  
     
     
         15 . A barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier is constructed of material that is flexible, thereby allowing the barrier to be stored or transported in a compact, flat condition.  
     
     
         16 . A barrier providing protection against pest invasion, the barrier comprising, 
 a tubular portion having a first opening adapted to closely contact an elongated member passing through the tubular portion when it is installed and a second opening adapted to closely contact a surface,    wherein the barrier further comprises at least one active ingredient that is a pesticide or a pest repellent.    
     
     
         17 . A barrier of  claim 16 , wherein the active ingredient is provided in a controlled release composition.  
     
     
         18 . A barrier of  claim 17 , wherein the controlled release composition comprises a polymer.  
     
     
         19 . A barrier of  claim 17 , wherein the controlled release composition comprises carbon black.  
     
     
         20 . A barrier of  claim 16 , wherein the barrier comprises at least one active ingredient layer and at least one layer that is substantially impermeable to the active ingredient.  
     
     
         21 . A barrier of  claim 16 , wherein the barrier comprises at least three layers, including a layer comprising the active ingredient disposed between two layers that are substantially impermeable to the active ingredient.  
     
     
         22 . A barrier of  claim 16 , wherein the barrier is constructed of material that is flexible, thereby allowing the barrier to be stored or transported in a compact, flat condition.  
     
     
         23 . A barrier providing protection against pest invasion, the barrier comprising, 
 a conical body having a closed end formed by the apex of the conical body; and    an open end adapted to closely contact a surface when installed,    wherein the conical body is tapered from the open end toward the closed end so that the closed end is adapted to be cut to created an opening for passage of an elongated member inserted therethrough to allow the installation of the barrier, and wherein the barrier further comprises at least one active ingredient which is a pesticide or a pest repellent.    
     
     
         24 . A barrier of  claim 23 , wherein the active ingredient is provided in a controlled release composition.  
     
     
         25 . A barrier of  claim 24 , wherein the controlled release composition comprises a polymer.  
     
     
         26 . A barrier of  claim 24 , wherein the controlled release composition comprises carbon black.  
     
     
         27 . A barrier of  claim 23 , wherein the barrier comprises at least one active ingredient layer and at least one layer that is substantially impermeable to the active ingredient.  
     
     
         28 . A barrier of  claim 23 , wherein the barrier comprises at least three layers, wherein a layer comprising the active ingredient is disposed between two layers that are substantially impermeable to the active ingredient.  
     
     
         29 . A barrier of  claim 23 , wherein the barrier is constructed of material that is flexible, thereby allowing the barrier to be stored or transported in a compact, flat condition.  
     
     
         30 . A method of creating a barrier which provides protection against pest invasion, comprising placing a sheet of material around an elongated member passing through a surface such that the sheet material forms a substantially continuous barrier in close contact with a continuous perimeter of a cross-section of the elongated member and with the surface.  
     
     
         31 . A barrier for resisting the passage of pests into a building along a penetration set in concrete, said barrier comprising: 
 I. a sleeve portion intimately attached to said penetration; and    II. a means for diverting or significantly restricting travel of said pest.    
     
     
         32 . The barrier of  claim 31 , wherein the barrier is fabricated from a melt blend of thermoplastic polymers and pesticidal materials.  
     
     
         33 . The barrier of  claim 31 , wherein the barrier is fabricated from i) flexible sheets of thermoplastic polymers and pesticidal material; ii) flexible reinforcing polymeric materials; and iii) adhesive materials.  
     
     
         34 . The barrier of  claim 31 , wherein the flexible sheets comprise at least one releasing layer and at least one non-releasing layer.  
     
     
         35 . The barrier of  claim 31 , wherein said sleeve portion is intimately attached to said conduit such that no continuous gap exist greater than 1/16 of an inch.  
     
     
         36 . The barrier of  claim 31 , said means for diverting travel is at least one disc structure.  
     
     
         37 . The barrier of  claim 31 , wherein said sleeve and means for diverting travel are in the form of a dual sleeve composite disc, with both sleeves integrally attached to opposite sides and centrally located on respective disc faces; said dual sleeves and disc being attached to a flexible reinforcing polymeric material, and attached to each other.  
     
     
         38 . The barrier of  claim 36  attached to a conduit.  
     
     
         39 . The barrier of  claim 36  embedded in concrete.  
     
     
         40 . The barrier of  claim 31 , wherein said sleeve portion and means for diverting travel is formed from a flexible sheet in the shape of a section of an annulus, having reinforcing polymeric material along the broader edge and a means for attaching the vertical edge to itself.  
     
     
         41 . The barrier of  claim 40 , wherein said barrier is wrapped around and fastened to a penetration so as to form a sleeve and an inverted cone.  
     
     
         42 . The barrier of  claim 40 , wherein said barrier is wrapped around and fastened to a penetration so as to form a sleeve and a cup.  
     
     
         43 . The barrier of  claim 41  embedded in concrete.  
     
     
         44 . A barrier comprising a flexible sheet in the shape of a sector of an annulus.  
     
     
         45 . The barrier of  claim 44  further comprising reinforcing polymeric material attached along the broader edge of said sector of an annulus.  
     
     
         46 . The barrier of  claim 42  further comprising a means for attaching the vertical edges to each other.  
     
     
         47 . A barrier comprising a dual sleeve composite disc, with both sleeves integrally attached to opposite sides and centrally located on respective disc faces; said dual sleeves and disc being attached to a flexible reinforcing polymeric material, and attached to each other; wherein said dual sleeve composite disc is split parallel to the sleeve for installation around a penetration, said split in said disc portion being offset by a number of radial degrees between said dual disc.  
     
     
         48 . The barrier of  claim 47  embedded in concrete.  
     
     
         49 . A pre-formed conical barrier having an upper and a lower opening for passage of a penetration.  
     
     
         50 . The pre-formed conical barrier of  claim 49  formed from a sector of an annulus from a barrier material having at least one polymeric layer and pesticide.  
     
     
         51 . The pre-formed conical barrier of  claim 49  attached to a penetration.  
     
     
         52 . The pre-formed conical barrier of  claim 49  embedded in concrete.  
     
     
         53 . A barrier providing protection against pest invasion, the barrier comprising, 
 a conical body having a first opening adapted to closely contact an elongated member passing through said conical body; and    a second opening disposed on the opposite end of said conical body;    wherein said second opening further comprises a circumferential flange sealed to a flat surface of barrier film having an upturned reinforced periphery and a hole through which a penetration may pass.    
     
     
         54 . A barrier of  claim 53 , wherein the circumferential flange is sealed to said barrier film using an adhesive.  
     
     
         55 . A barrier of  claim 53 , wherein the circumferential flange is sealed to said barrier film by heat sealing.  
     
     
         56 . A barrier of  claim 53 , wherein the barrier comprises at least one polymeric material.  
     
     
         57 . A barrier of  claim 53 , wherein the upturned periphery is reinforced with a material selected from plastic or metal.  
     
     
         58 . A barrier of  claim 53 , wherein the conical body and barrier film are formed from material comprising at least one releasing layer and one non-releasing layer.  
     
     
         59 . A barrier of  claim 53  embedded in concrete.  
     
     
         60 . A barrier for resisting the passage of pests into a building along a penetration set in concrete, said barrier comprising a means for diverting or significantly restricting travel of said pest in the form of a disc intimately attached to said penetration.  
     
     
         61 . A barrier of  claim 60  embedded in concrete.