AU2018299029A1 - Self-assembling device for pest control - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-assembling device for pest control, the structure of which allows it to be supported on a tree branch, or instead on a natural or man-made straight support, comprising a roof and a capsule, separating stops, a gradual adjustment system, optionally a separating screen, and connectors that allow the device to be manufactured as a single hinged part, facilitating the production, storage, transport and installation of the device. Said device makes it possible to release the contents of the capsule, said contents ranging from beneficial insects to products or substances that help with pest control.

Description

SELF-ASSEMBLING PEST CONTROL DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an evolution of the biological pest control device from patent PCT/IB2016/055105, whose structure enables it to be supported by a tree branch, or in an existing natural or artificial linear support in site, such as a wire, applied in agricultural and/or forestry production. With such a device, it is possible to release the contents of a capsule, wherein such contents can be from beneficial insects to substances or products that help control pests. Said substances may be useful to repel pests from the area or to attract them to the device to make them come into contact with toxic substances. With the new structure proposed in the present application, a more comprehensive design is achieved for various cases of pest control application, with an adjustable fixation to any linear support diameter, further simplifying the movement required for installation and allowing for it to be performed even by simple robotic arms.

STATE OF THE ART AND PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED THEREOF The closest prior art is the device developed by the inventor of the present application, filed in the international phase under number PCT /IB2016/055105. The device from PCT/IB2016/055105 presents a high large-scale production cost, due to the different variants that must be manufactured to cover the needs of the market. Said device provides a maximum customization according to the specific needs of every case of application, and suitable for small scale production through 3D printing, which allows for low cost research and working with delicate beneficial insects. This implies that for very diverse plant types and sizes, different device sizes must be manufactured to be used in different support sizes. Thus, there is a disadvantage in that producing a few devices with special designs using traditional production techniques, such as molding or injection, implies non-competitive costs in comparison to the traditionally used devices and it is not cost-effective for large biocontrol product companies. Large-scale production of a design that is not universally applicable and is therefore not apt for use in all biocontrol cases considerably increases the costs and time invested for customizing the different parts for each specific case. Additionally, the device of the invention PCT/IB2016/055105 is only useful for the support diameters that are equal to or smaller than the invariable space formed by the concavities between the grooves of the upper face of the capsule and the lower face of the top part. Therefore, said device is not applicable for supports with larger diameters. In the case of a branch or support with a diameter that is larger than the space formed between the capsule and the top part, this device cannot be used, given that for the installation of the previous device it is necessary for the capsule to be inserted and coupled to the top part, and when there is a thick branch or support in between, the coupling and mounting between both parts is not possible as they remain separate, which makes installation impossible. In the case that the support is narrower than the cavity, for example a narrow branch without irregularities with which friction can be made with the support, the device remains suspended from the support and maintains its correct orientation by having a low center of gravity, but it moves and vibrates with the wind. Furthermore, in order to reduce the movements during installation in different degrees of inclination of the support, different designs are needed in which the center of gravity remains at the lowest part. This new device comprises a wider range of product application, thanks to an adjustment system and a new structure enabling the progressive adjustment at different support diameters, regardless of its thickness, inclination or irregularities, as well as the location of the low center of gravity in order to achieve the correct orientation of the device. A coupling and fitting between top part and capsule are not even needed because both parts are connected by a more comprehensive adjustment system which resists extreme conditions such as heavy winds and rains, and achieves greater stability when firmly attached to the support. Said adjustment system allows for the variation, adjustment and fixation of the support cavity at its different diameters. The same device design may be used in different scenarios, plants and supports. This new feature allows for serial and large-scale production, with a maximum reduction of costs. In order for it to function with different contents, the location and size of the orifices must be customized. Therefore, it is proposed that the manufacturing mold contemplate the interchangeability of its parts, in order to be able to make orifices of different diameters and at different locations. Should it be more convenient, the orifices may be incorporated at a stage later to molding, for example via a cutting machine. This enables a single device to, besides adapting to different plants and supports, adapt to the different contents, whether they be beneficial insects, products or substances, thereby minimizing the need for design variants, volumetric customization and therefore the production of different models. Another issue to be solved is heat insulation, which was not considered in the invention of PCT/IB2016/055105. Solar rays are received and absorbed by the top part but the top part transmits a great amount of that heat to the capsule as the contact between those two parts is almost total. It should be noted that in patent application PCT/IB2016/055105 the top part considers clearances for the exit of beneficial insects and for the drainage of water in the area where there are orifices, but in the rest of the zones, the top part and the capsule are fully in contact due to the cavity or lower face of the top part being a counter-shape of the capsule to which it molds. It is in this zone where heat transmission occurs. Heat insulation is not considered either in most biological control release devices such as for example the suspended devices from documents EP1223804B1 or US5993843A. In the latter, the solar rays arrive directly to the container wherein the substances or beneficial insects are located, and it is common for the greenhouses of warm countries or open-air crops to have the beneficial insects die before coming out due to the high temperatures concentrated within the devices. In order to fix this problem, open devices such as cardboard boxes are often used, which are suspended from the branches and have their upper face open to allow its filling with biological control products, but these present the additional problem of the high temperatures generating a dry microclimate which does not favor the eggs, and besides the UV radiation arrives directly to the beneficial insects. The heat dries the humidity that the biological products need for survival and said dryness may affect both the installation and the device where the beneficial insects are located. Another problem faced by the devices with large openings is the presence of rodents which may access biological control product inside the devices directly to eat it. Some biological control devices have top parts for covering the contents from UV rays, such as for example the device from patent GB2426196, but in order to achieve said protection they require various parts and a greater complexity both in structure and in the assembly and preparation of the device proposed in said invention. Particularly, the use of the device from GB2426196 is limited to certain particular cases of pests and types of products (entomopathogenic) and its operation is complex, as it forces the insects to collide with the walls, temporarily trapping them and then making them escape. Another problem not contemplated therein is that even though it protects the contents from environmental factors, the device does not consider a fixation or firm installation which allows it to function and remain stable under conditions such as strong rains or winds. The device proposed herein is simpler than the devices from the state of the art, both in the structural and operational aspects, as it can be manufactured as a single articulated piece and made of a single material. Furthermore, it may protect from solar rays and UV radiation while operating with a wider range of pest control products both of natural origin (such as fungi, viruses, bacteria, nematodes, beneficial insects in their eggs or already hatched, attracting or repellent substances, pheromones) and chemical and synthetic substances (such as toxic poisons, for example). Furthermore, it guards the contents within the capsule from rodents and protects them from any kind of predators regardless of their size. It allows for the release to take place directly in the affected area and without forcing the insects to come in or out as the passageways are free. Unlike the device from GB2426196 and other pest control devices from the state of the art, the device of the present invention stands out because of a new disposition of parts which takes advantage of the characteristics of the environment in order to generate, with elements existing in the environment (thick branches or supports from the place of installation), an insulating air chamber which reinforces the insulation from the effects of solar rays. The device comprises, in its geometrical disposition, a ventilation and thermal insulation zone which covers the whole space comprised between the top part and the capsule. There are no walls between those parts and the air can circulate freely, as well as insects and water, which in this invention can run freely towards the ground. This clearance zone operates as an insulating air cushion and the heat received by the top part is not transmitted to the capsule. This new zone and disposition of the parts gives the device thermal insulation features which allow the contents to be kept fresh. This is necessary when working with live products or perishable substances as it maximizes their efficiency, durability and effect. Another disadvantage of the device from PCT/IB2016/055105 is regarding stability, as it does not have a base that can lie steadily on a flat surface such as a table or a conveyor belt, which makes the handling during the content filling step considerably difficult, either in an automatic or manual chain. This is due to the fact that the capsule has an organic shape and is tilted by its curved surfaces. The new device has a flat support area in its base which grants stability, allowing for its use in automated assembly chains without the need for assistance to keep it correctly supported. A feature of the device from PCT/IB2016/055105 is that it can be installed in a single coupling motion between the parts, but both hands must be used for this, one for holding the top part and the other to hold the capsule while both parts are joined together around the support. This presents a disadvantage if a robotic arm is intended to be used for the remote installation, as a minimum of two synchronized arms are needed. In the new invention, the possibility of installing the device with an even simpler motion is contemplated. Given that the set can be articulated and that the top part and the capsule can be attached in one of their sides, the device can be installed using only one hand or automated arm, as for the coupling to the branch or support the device only has to be closed around the support with a clamping motion similar to the one made with a stapler that is actuated in the air, and the rotating motion between the capsule and the top part, which is guided by the joint, causes the gradual adjustment system to self-assemble. This simplified installation motion, which makes it progressively adjust itself as it is being closed around the branch or support until it stops, makes it possible for it to be installed with extensible arms at a great height, such as the ones used to cut high branches, or with automated machine arms, manned vehicles, unmanned vehicles or robots, and makes it possible for it to be installed in any branch or support, regardless of height, using machinery featuring an extensible arm and making the clamping motion. Like the device from document PCT/IB2016/055105, the orifices are made in the corresponding capsule zone according to the geotropism of the contents. In some cases it is convenient that the orifices be located only in the upper part of the capsule, in other cases in the lower parts, and in other situations it is convenient for the orifices to be on both halves of the capsule, for the purposes of improving ventilation. The same applies to food placement. When it is necessary, one half of the capsule can be used as an egg containing capsule, another half of the capsule is used as an exit anteroom and food can be placed in the feeding partition wall for the beneficial insects to be more energized when fighting pests. In the cases wherein food is used and it consists of honey or another sticky substance, it is necessary to use a separating grid for the contents of the capsule not to be mixed or to fall down during transportation, more specifically, for the eggs of the beneficial insects not to be stuck to the food and be unable to hatch or get spoiled. Another disadvantage of the device from PCT/IB2016/055105 is that if the exit orifices are large enough to permit the beneficial insects or essences to come out, this also enables the entry of predators, such as ants, who can take the eggs of the beneficial insects before they hatch. This characteristic limits the use of the previous invention to cases involving work with small insects, fundamentally smaller than ants or other predators of beneficial insects found in the environment. There are many cases in which the beneficial insect to be released is similar or larger in size to the predators existing in the environment. Therefore, in those cases the exit orifice does not work as a filter or barrier to the entry of the attack. In those cases, the previous device lacks a practical application or its efficiency is considerably lowered. For those cases, the presence of another contingency measure is desirable before an attack, when the beneficial insect has not hatched from its egg. For this reason the new device has limiting zones that, when necessary, operate as barriers for preventing the passage of predators, ensuring the maximum efficiency of the device. In these zones, the possibility of placing repellent and/or adhesive or non-stick products which prevent the passage of insects, such as silicon grease which is non-toxic, or fluon also known as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is considered. These types of products can be placed in the limiting zones when necessary, and thanks to their non-stick properties and low coefficient of friction, predators such as ants are unable to hold on and transit through the areas communicating the capsule access zone to the plant or the top part, thus protecting the beneficial agents regardless of the size of the orifices. The adhesive or non-stick products (such as fluon or silicon grease) can be used when the beneficial insects can fly and thus can sort the limiting zones which link the top part to the capsule. When the beneficial agents are walkers, products can be used that repel the predators and do not affect the beneficial insects. Another disadvantage of the device from PCT/IB2016/055105 is that even though there is freedom with respect to the geometric shape that the parts can adopt, when the design of the top part does not cover the capsule in its entirety and the latter has orifices in its lower part, the contents are exposed to rains with very strong side winds. If water circulates therethrough, it can enter into the capsule by capillarity. Water can also circulate in the zone of the orifices when the torrent flowing through the branch or support contained inside the cavity overflows. The new invention contemplates this situation and adds a countermeasure, which consists of incorporating an annular protuberance in the outer edge of the orifices. Said protuberance diverts the drops that may circulate near the orifices, preventing the water from entering by capillarity. Another measure to prevent the water from entering is orienting the orifices upward to the inside of the capsule, so the water has to overcome the gravitational forces in order to access the capsule, as it must travel upward. Another vulnerable situation occurs when the orifices must be very large due to the beneficial insects being very large, and also the top part must have many orifices due to the need for ventilation, then it is advised to place the orifices from the top part and the capsule in a misaligned manner, so as to prevent the solar rays and rain drops from entering into the interior of the capsule. In such cases in which large orifices are needed in the capsule and top part, it may occur that a drop enters into the capsule, and that is why this new device features a new security measure against floods. This is achieved by a water drainage system at the base (the lowest part) of the lower half of the capsule, preventing the contents from going off or drowning in the presence of water. This drainage system also permits the evacuation of water that may be formed as a result of condensation in the interior of the capsule. Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a self-assembling device that is adaptable to any clamping diameter, inexpensive and universal, which can be readily manufactured with traditional and mass production methods, for the purposes of reducing production, assembly, storage and installation costs; and with a structure and materials which provide the maximum protection, not only against rains and wind, but also against high temperatures and dry climates, UV radiation, insulating from solar rays and from the heat emitted from the top part of the zone wherein the beneficial insects or substances to be released are located. The new device protects its contents from all environmental conditions and from predators in the environment (regardless of their size), while it considerably reduces production, assembly, storage and placement costs. It maximizes efficiency in all the specific cases of application of pest control products and remains steadily attached to the support in any weather conditions, maintaining both a simplicity in manufacturing as well as in the installation aspects, thanks to a design that is integrated to the environment and takes advantage of the natural elements found therein to enhance the level of protection.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This new invention provides a self-assembling device for pest control, contemplating ventilation and thermal insulation via an air cushion between the capsule and the top part in order to keep the contents fresh. At the same time, the new device focuses on achieving a simple, economically competitive mass production with a generic design wherein its parts are linked. It has a wide range of application both in pest control products and in environments where it can be installed, further lowering production costs, reducing the number of separate parts and enabling production in automated filling chains thanks to a new stable support on flat surfaces. Like the device from PCT/IB2016/055105, the exit of beneficial insects or substances is immediate to the branch or support and to the area affected by the pest. This new device features auxiliary support fixing and therefore achieves maximum stability in any kind of linear support and under any meteorological conditions (even storms), which favors content protection of beneficial insects or substances against rain and wind with any speed or direction. The fixation system allows for firm attachment to the capsule and to the top part around linear supports of various thicknesses, inclinations and irregularities. This new device can even be installed in a completely vertical stem and at any height. Its installation is so simple that it can be installed by simple arms and machinery that are automatically and/or remotely operated. In the device of the present invention the number of independent parts is reduced and thus is the number of molds needed for manufacturing. The new device can be manufactured using a single material and made in a single articulated and self-assembling piece, lowering production, assembly, filling and installation costs. It also contemplates the possibility of producing different versions of the same part separately. For example, some top parts with orifices and others without orifices, and wherein said parts are provided with connectors that can be assembled such as the half of a hinge system or adaptable adjustment, and wherein said parts can be connected to the rest of the device by joining together both halves of the connectors. Furthermore, it contemplates that the geometries can vary according to the particular case, for example, in case of application in hot areas with strong incidence of solar rays, it is preferable to use a top part that completely covers the capsule. Apart from the orifices belonging to the top part which are designed for the passage of insects (exit of beneficial insects towards the top part or access of flying pests through the top part towards the capsule in which they can encounter toxic substances), the top part can feature orifices specifically designed to increase air circulation between the top part and the capsule. In this manner, a ventilation is generated which improves the temperature inside the capsule. The separation between the top part and the capsule is almost total given that they are only linked by their connectors and the adjustment system. Between said parts there are no walls or structures that interfere with the circulation of animals, wind or water flowing through the branch or support when it rains. As there are no structural obstacles, an optimal air circulation is achieved for ventilation, as well as for water drainage, as it does not accumulate and falls directly to the ground. This is also achieved given that the top part of the new device has a minimum thickness, leaving a larger space between top part and capsule, generating an air cushion. This open and ventilated space also protects the beneficial insects from solar rays (UV radiation) and the rain even when they exit the capsule. The top part of the new device can be a sheet that covers and protects the capsule. In the cases in which the device is suspended from a support with a small diameter and the capsule and the top part are as close together as they can be (when adjusting the device around the support), the new device contemplates parts that operate as separating stops and prevent the capsule and the top part from making full contact. These separating stops represent a third location in which both parts can make contact; top part and capsule, and the transfer of heat in these points is insignificant. Said separating stops can belong only to the top part, only to the capsule, or to both. As previously mentioned, in case of rains and extreme temperatures, it is also beneficial that the top part completely surrounds the capsule for the purposes of maximizing impermeability and thermal insulation. Another measure that helps keep the contents of the capsule impermeable is for the orifices, both of the capsule and of the top part, to be oriented in an upward orientation towards the interior of the device, thus preventing the drops from entering inside the device. Furthermore, the device features a water drainage system for the drops formed in the interior of the capsule by condensation or that get into it due to extreme situations. This device may be manufactured using any material suitable for a correct integrated handling of pests. Given that the parts are interconnected and that they have an adaptable design and are in their majority composed by parts with concavities and convexities, this device can be produced inexpensively using traditional production techniques such as injection and molding. Only one mold with several cavities is required. When the purpose is to save in logistics (by not having to collect the device again in the field) and for the device to be able to reintegrate into the environment, it can be manufactured with biodegradable materials such as cellulose pulp. Obtaining the device by molding cellulose pulp presents the following benefits: it is inexpensive, easy to fold and easy to cut in order to make the orifices. After use it biodegrades more rapidly than other materials, it is light and storable in reduced spaces, which lowers storage and transportation costs. In case of manufacturing with cellulose pulp or similar biodegradable materials that soften in the presence of water, the devices can be protected by covering the exposed surfaces with temporarily protective impermeable materials that are also biodegradable, such as candelilla wax, which can extend the life of the device without ceasing to be biodegradable and keeping its integrity outside for the time needed to complete the release. After said release, the protective cover degrades first and then the rest of the device degrades quickly. A wide range of products can be released, comprising both natural substances or biological control products such as beneficial insects in their eggs or already hatched, viruses, fungi, bacteria, nematodes, attracting or repellent substances, pheromones or any other kind of product that help fight pests, such as synthetic pesticides together with attracting substances that attract pests to come into contact with toxic chemicals within the device. Ecological advantages are extensive in both situations. Besides, the application with this device is more cost-effective as it lowers the amount of product required for the control, at the same time it extends the durability and effect of the product as it does not wash out with rains and is not altered by high temperatures. Even though the top part covers and protects it from various environmental factors, the capsule also has features which protect the contents. Both protect the product to be released against solar rays, UV rays, rains and wind. In case of using biological control products, the efficacy of this device is far superior to that of any other device in the prior art, as it protects said contents from being altered by the sun (dryness and heat) and the rain, apart from protecting the contents from natural enemies of any type or size. This increases the competitiveness of any biological control solution. Regarding the use of the device with chemical and/or toxic products for pest control, ecological improvements can be achieved with this device as it contains the product within the capsule and minimizes or completely eliminates the amount of substance applications directly to the ground or the food. Therefore, environment (air, water, ground and food) contamination issues are reduced or prevented completely, while the control system becomes more cost-effective because it makes concentrated applications at the sites in which the device is installed, without having to spread the chemical products throughout the crops. By eliminating the agrochemical applications in the environment (ground, air and plants) contamination is avoided. In these cases it is necessary for the device to be manufactured using materials that are inalterable and resistant to chemical attacks and which are also inexpensive and recyclable, such as polypropylene polymer (which is not biodegradable). In the cases in which the device is used with chemical substances wherein the material used for the manufacturing is not biodegradable, the device must be collected from the installation site after use and can be reused by recharging it as many times as necessary until its useful life ends and it is recycled. In order to maximize the design options for the several areas of application, different versions of the main parts (top part, halves of the capsule, grid) may be manufactured and linked via interchangeable connectors, such as rotational hinges that can be assembled, for example, or other kinds of links that may be articulated and/or adjusted in length, such as elastic or extensible hinges. Different versions of the same part may be manufactured and connected to the rest of the parts according to the conditions of the environment of the release. For large scale production, it is advisable to use a single generic model and its interchangeable parts, called "substitutes" which can form different kinds of orifices where needed, form the feeding partition walls or leave the surfaces closed when they are not needed. In this manner an ecological device is achieved, which is universally applicable and more efficient than the rest because it keeps the contents fresh and protected from all harsh weather conditions. The device takes advantage of the environmental conditions (the existence of a support which in most cases exists naturally by having think branches or stems available) in order to generate an insulating air chamber, without the need for any other type of structural aids such as walls. The design is completely integrated into the environment and takes advantage of the natural elements found in it in order to enhance the protection of the pest control product and release it directly in the affected area or in strategic locations to contain the advance of the pest. When the linear support to which the device holds is thick, said support maintains the separation between the top part and the capsule when reaching a stop in its upper part with the lower face of the top part and in its lower part with the grooves of the capsule. This separation between top part and capsule generates the air cushion that operates as a thermal insulator for the capsule with respect to the heating of the top part by solar rays. Furthermore, it maximizes the water drainage which in this device is able to circulate freely and without accumulating between both bodies. When the linear support is narrow and loose in the cavity, for example, when said support can fit completely in the top grooves of the capsule, without touching and separating the top part and the capsule, the air cushion is achieved via separating stops that ensure a minimal separation between the top part and the capsule, upon the maximum closing adjustment of the device. By progressively adjusting and bringing together the top part and the capsule, the separating stops prevent their surfaces from making contact keeping a minimal separation between the top part and the capsule, which ensures the existence of the air cushion. Like the device from document PCT/IB2016/055105, the capsule is a volume with an inner room and it acts as a container for beneficial insects or any other product used for pest control. The capsule may have orifices in different zones according to what is convenient in order for the product to come out in the best way, optimizing efficiency. The orifices provide the chance to disperse pest control products, or to function as an entry for insects or exit for beneficial insects, as well as keeping a fresh environment within the capsule as it stimulates ventilation.

The capsule may be manufactured in a single piece or may consist of two halves; an upper half and a lower half. In the case of the beneficial insects having a highly defined geotropism, one half serves as a container and the other as a feeding and/or mating and/or exit zone. Within the capsule there may be feeding partition walls which are parts that serve as supports for food, for example honey, and also generate a meeting point for the beneficial insects to mate if they are ready. This ensures the continuity of the species when the environment lacks the beneficial insects and when they exit they disperse and have difficulty in finding a mate. Said partition walls are manufactured in the upper half or the lower half depending on where the feeding and exit zone is located. Between both halves of the capsule, a separating grid may be placed which divides the spaces within both bodies. Said grid prevents the beneficial insects that have not yet emerged from the feeding and/or exit zone from passing, and thus they do not stick to the food nor come out of the device during transportation or before installation. The grid must have orifices that are small enough for the eggs not to pass through it but large enough for the beneficial insects to be able to pass to the other half of the capsule for feeding and then emerging to the environment to fight the pest. In the device of the invention, the main parts: top part and halves of the capsule, are interconnected by articulated connectors which may be rigid and/or flexible, fixed and/or disassemblable with different degrees of freedom of movement. If necessary, the grid may also be connected to the capsule. The connectors are joints or links that enable the parts to pivot among themselves (to rotate like normal hinges) and, when necessary, they can also elongate and thus change the relative separation between the parts. Said connectors keep the parts joined together, guide the assembly and installation with a progressive adjustment between top part and capsule, allowing for its installation with a single clamping motion and enabling its manufacturing in a single piece, which reduces large-scale production costs. The connectors may be less thick than the rest of the parts, facilitating their bending and working as simple hinges. Furthermore, they may have a different resistance. For example, the connector that links the top part to the capsule, must be more resistant in order to prevent it from breaking when forcing the system when both parts are fixed around the branch or support. Said connector must be strong to prevent it from breaking when applying a clamping force between top part and capsule, with the support in between. Another aspect worth noting is that the parts may have more than one connector between them, and the position of the connectors is free. The connectors may be adjustable not only as to degrees of openness but as to their length, which achieves a greater versatility for the closure between the parts. The new device is applicable to specific releases (it is installed in one or several locations) in different cases such as application in forest, fruit, vegetable, flower or fiber production and other areas related to agriculture. One of the parts may be detached from the others for convenience regarding production or use. The grid may be manufactured separately, and is only used in cases in which the capsule contains food, and it is necessary to generate a separation in the capsule forming two chambers, one to contain the beneficial insects and another for feeding and exiting. In this manner, the same mold can always be used to make the top part and both halves of the capsule, and another mold to obtain the grid that will be used only if necessary. In the invention it is considered that all the parts be obtainable in a single piece, through different production methods such as a plastic injection mold which has several cavities, or a cellulose pulp mold, or another material. The different parts of the same volume are connected, for example, by rotational and/or extensible hinges which may be rigid or flexible, fixed and/or that can be assembled. This reduces the fabrication costs and facilitates the filling in the automated production chain by keeping the whole set stable when resting on flat surfaces such as the conveyor belts of the filling machines. Also, being a single articulated piece, the transportation, storage and assembly are simplified to the maximum extent, as the same connectors that limit movement between the parts are the ones guiding the mounting of the device. The device comprises limiting zones which prevent predators from entering (regardless of their size) into the capsule containing beneficial insects. Those are zones in which repellent substances and/or adhesive or non-stick materials are placed, which comprise the passage zones for insects into the capsule. These zones are: the grooves in the upper half of the capsule which contacts the linear support, the links that communicate the top part to the capsule (connectors and adjustment system) and the separating stops. Both the top part and the capsule may have orifices for the passage of insects, substances or air for better ventilation. Said orifices have outer edges defined as an annular protuberance which surrounds the orifice for the deflection of water which may circulate through the surfaces of the top part and the capsule. In the device of the invention, the parts may belong to a same piece that is articulated in different points, or they may also have some independent parts. It is essential for the top part and the capsule to be adjusted to the support in a progressive manner and to have an air cushion between them for thermal insulation. The parts of the set may have protuberances, concavities, protruding parts, eyelets and cuts to fit into the other parts and be locked in when assembling the set. The fitting, adjustment or locking system among the parts is free, and can be chosen as considered best for production, application and efficiency of the device. The same applies to geometric shapes, dimensions and other volumetric variables of the device. Any part of the device may be asymmetrical and adopt different shapes, for example, it is useful for the top part to have grooves on its ends which are asymmetrical in order to optimally hold on to different support diameters as it rotates on its hinge that connects it to the capsule. In this manner, the grooves are always aligned with the grooves in the upper half of the capsule, regardless of the degree of openness of the top part with respect to the grooves of the capsule.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The self-assembling device for pest control proposed herein comprises bodies that are substantially ovoid, particularly a top part and a capsule which are closed by coming progressively closer to each other via an adjustment system in order to hold on to a linear support, enabling universal application of the device to any branch or support diameter. The adjustment system and the new disposition of the parts allow the device to be attached to supports of diverse inclinations and heights, and to firmly and steadily resist intense and adverse meteorological conditions. The device is defined as self-assembling because the same links and connectors which limit the movement between the parts are the ones guiding the movements of the parts for their assembly. The progressive adjustment system comprises a closing or lock that sets the distance between capsule and top part in different positions, at variable distances between both parts in order for the dimension of the cavity C to be adjustable to the dimension of the support diameter. The device of the present invention provides an air cushion between the top part and the capsule, wherein the support around which it is suspended acts as a stop preventing the top part and capsule from making full contact. In case of a smaller thickness of said support, the air cushion is provided via separating stops located at the top part and in the capsule or in both. The progressive adjustment system is a part of the device and its operation may be similar as that of a seal, a perforated strip, a cord, a pull ring or any other variable adjustment system. The top part comprises a concave sheet that goes with the structure of the capsule keeping a variable distance to the capsule but always assuring the necessary separation to generate an air cushion between said top part and capsule. It also features grooves at its ends to host the support that goes through it from side to side. The top part protects the capsule from winds, rains, solar rays and UV radiation. The capsule containing beneficial insects or products in general for pest control may also contain interior partition walls capable of retaining food. In one embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a capsule in two halves 2a and 3a, a separating grid 4a and a top part 1a, with all the parts interconnected by articulated connectors 1b, 2b and 3c forming a single self-assembling set, and a progressive adjustment system between top part and capsule by a strip 1d and receiving lock 2d. The connectors 2b and 3b are misaligned in order not to interfere with the progressive adjustment system. The connectors 1b, 2b and 3b may be flexible or rigid, fixed (as the one in Figure 6) or they may be assembled and interchangeable, such as the hinges shown in Figure 19 which can be assembled. When any of the parts is independent, such as the grid, which is not always used, they can even not exist. In order to enable the parts to rotate between themselves and for the separation between them to vary, any of the connectors may act as a rotational and/or extensible hinge. In the lower half 2a of the capsule fittings 2c are included, which may have the shape of protuberances, and are useful to keep the capsule closed when said fittings get inside the cavities 3c of upper half 3a of the capsule, which work as receivers for the protuberances. This closing system may vary and the most suitable one for the closing of the different parts of the device is selected, according to the manufacturing method, material and size selected for the production of the device. For example a system of protruding part and eyelet may be used. The device may be manufactured using any material (both biodegradable and non-biodegradable) as necessary for the correct integrated handling of pests. The top part 1a has a lower face 1e that is concave in order to facilitate its production by molding, wherein separating stops 1c are included, which maintain the separation needed by closing the top part and the capsule to the maximum extent, assuring the air cushion for thermal insulation and the free passage of water between the top part and the capsule. In the example of Figure 3, the separating stops belong to the top part, but in other variants they can belong to the capsule. The part to which they are incorporated can be selected according to what is more convenient to optimize the operation and/or production. The progressive adjustment system comprises, for example, a strip 1d and a receiving lock 2d, similar in operation to the pull rings or plastic seals, wherein the strip 1d is oriented to self-assemble with its receiving lock 2d as the device is closed around a linear support. Furthermore, the inlet of the receiving lock 2d has an open shape which receives and guides the strip 1d to its interior. In this manner, installation of the device with a single clamping motion, similar to the one made with a stapler that is actuated in the air with one hand, is enabled. The strip 1d and its receiving lock 2d are one of the many adjustment systems that may be used to progressively adjust the dimension of cavity C of the device to the dimension of the support diameter S. The progressive adjustment system may be different according to the selected version for production, what is important is that it links the top part 1a to the capsule B in such a way that the size of cavity C progressively varies. The different parts of the adjustment system may be both in the top part 1a and in the capsule B, for example the receiving lock 2b could be in the top part 1a and the strip 1d in the capsule B. The progressive adjustment system of the device of the invention enables to revert the installation process as it is not limited to operate like the seals whose adjustment is not reversible, but the strip 1d may be removed from the receiving lock 2d and repositioned according to the desired adjustment as many times as needed. The top part 1a has asymmetrical grooves 1h and 1g which allow for the closing around the support without colliding with it. This is achieved due to the fact that the top part la pivots around the turning center that corresponds to connector 1b. The lower part of the device has a flat support area 2h in its base to achieve the stability required in the filling process, which prevents it from tilting or spilling on its sides. In the lower part orifices are also included for the lower drainage system 2g. When closing the device, a cavity C is formed wherein the support is hosted and said cavity C is limited by the grooves 3g of the upper half 3a of the capsule, and the concavity of the lower face 1a of the top part 1a. The container capsule may contain partition walls for feeding 2e and 3e, which may not be included if not necessary. Said partition walls may take any necessary shape to support feeding. This may be achieved through interchangeable parts of the production mold called "substitutes". When it is desired to manufacture a part, the substitute with a cavity is used in order for the injected material to form a cavity. The separating grid 4a is used when it is not desired that the eggs of the beneficial insects pass from the half where they were placed to the other half in which there is sticky food or exit orifices. In this manner, the contents of the capsule do not mix nor do they come out during transportation. The top part 1a, as well as halves 2a and 3a of the capsule may have orifices 1f, 2f and 3f to favor the passage of insects, products and substances as well as the ventilation of the device. They are also useful to generate air currents which better disperse the essences that the capsule may contain, for example when the device is used as a trap with attracting substances. These orifices 1f, 2f and 3f feature an annular protuberance which deflects the water drops that may circulate on the outer surfaces of the parts. Preferably, the orifices 2f and 3f are in the central zone far from the zone with grooves 1g and 1h due to the capsule being more vulnerable to the presence of water in the zone with grooves from top part 1a. The orifices of the capsule and/or the top part have an upward inclination towards the interior of the device as an additional measure to avoid the entry of water. In one embodiment of the invention, the orifices 1f, 2f and 3f are made at a stage later than molding, via a cutting machine, and thus the device contains several annular protuberances of different diameters wherein said orifices 1f, 2f and 3f are made, in order for a same device model to serve for the different diameters of the orifices made at a later stage. The preferred production material is cellulose pulp which is an excellent thermal insulator and very cost-effective. It is desirable to use this material in very hot areas and/or when not working outdoors. In greenhouses rains are not the problem, but the high temperatures reached by heatstroke. In another embodiment of the invention, the device obtained in a single articulated piece has its main parts disposed in a square configuration, which reduces the mold area and therefore its size. In one embodiment of the invention the capsule is linked to the top part la by a connector 1b which apart from rotating and pivoting, allows for the extension and variation of the distance between both parts. In this manner a better adjustment to the support is achieved, with greater degrees of freedom and keeping both parts aligned. The amount of connectors is multiple and variable, and their position is free, as well as the relative position between the main parts, such as it is shown in the example of Figure 9 in which the grid 4 and the upper half 3a of the capsule have a double connector 3b. The adjustment system may feature more than one set of strip 1d and receiving lock 2d. The order, type of link and relative placement of the parts is selected according to what is more convenient with respect to production design, design of the manufacturing mold, mounting sequence and efficiency of the use of the device. The lower part of the capsule has a drainage system 2g with orifices and outer protuberance for stimulating the continuous dripping in case of water entering inside the capsule or due to water formation by condensation. Said outer protuberance is aligned with the flat support area 2h of the capsule, for the support to stay horizontal and stable. The drainage system 2g may feature one or several orifices and protuberances. When placing the protuberances in the lower part, it is achieved for the water to go down due to gravity and then circulate up to the end of the protuberance and fall down as drips. The protuberances adjacent to the edge of the orifices stimulate the continuous dripping, counterbalancing the water retention caused by the resistance to dripping generated by the edges of the draining orifices together with the superficial tension of the water. In another embodiment of the invention, the top part la has asymmetrical grooves 1g and 1h whose width varies from a large dimension (at its low part) to a smaller one (at its high part), which allows it to adjust the device to supports in very diverse areas having very different diameters. In turn, the connector 1b, which allows the extension of the distance between capsule B and the top part 1a, enables the top part to stay correctly oriented (aligned with the capsule) and contributes to the versatility of diameters in the installation of the device. Thus, it is achieved that a single device model may be produced in great quantities for application in different plants, climates and countries, maintaining the maximum protection and efficiency in all the situations and lowering the production costs to the maximum extent. In the case of installing the device in a linear support with a small diameter, situation in which the graduation of the adjustment is graded to the maximum extent, the separating stops 1c act preventing the top part from making full contact with the capsule. Therefore, the space (which generates an air cushion) between the lower face 1e of the top part and the outer face of the capsule B for correct thermal insulation and maximum drainage is maintained when necessary. With these adjustment, insulation, protection and linking systems, the maximum efficiency of the device in the specific release of beneficial insects, substances and any other product for pest control is achieved. It can even be used as a trap when it attracts insects to its interior due to its color, shape, location and/or attracting essences. In another embodiment of the invention, the top part of the device covers the capsule in its entirety. In another embodiment of the invention, the top part is not connected to the rest of the parts of the device. In another embodiment of the invention, the device does not have annular protuberances around the orifices, being useful in the interior of greenhouses in which there are no rains. In this case the orifices 1f, 2f and 3f are maximized for correct ventilation. In another embodiment, a linking system that can be assembled is used such as the one of the hinges 2b and 3d of Figure 19. The part of the hinge 2b belongs to the lower half 2a, while 3d belongs to the upper half 3a. In this case both halves of the capsule were manufactured separately and then connected through the hinge. Said hinges or connectors may be compatible between themselves and used in the different part variants for enabling the parts of the device to be assembled with different versions of the parts of the same according to the needs of use in pest control. In another embodiment of the invention, the halves of the capsule are hermetically closed or the capsule comprises a single piece. In one embodiment of the invention, the separating stops, the grooves of the upper half of the capsule, the connectors and the adjustment system between top part and capsule have repellent and/or adhesive or non-stick material forming limiting zones which prevent predators from entering.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to make the object of the invention more understandable, figures illustrating preferred forms or variants of the present invention are shown, wherein: Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 show a top perspective view wherein the assembly sequence of the device in its linear conformation variant can be observed. Figure 1 is a first top perspective view of the completely disassembled device. Figure 2 shows a perspective of the device with the assembling of the grid within the upper half of the capsule. Figure 3 shows a perspective of the device with the capsule closed. Both halves of the capsule have been assembled. Figure 4 shows a perspective of the device assembled and installed in a linear support. Figure 5 shows a bottom perspective of the assembled device of Figure 4. Figure 6 shows a top view of the device of Figure 1 and the cross-sectional plane A-A. Figure 7 is a bottom view of the device of Figure 1, with a variant in the adjustment system. Figure 8 is a bottom view of the device of Figure 1, disassembled, in linear configuration with a variant in its adjustment system and its annular protuberances. Figure 9 is a top view of the disassembled device in its variant of square configuration. Figure 10 shows a top view of a variant of the device of Figure 1, with a connector between the top part and the capsule which, apart from pivoting (rotating), elongates. Figure 11 shows a front view of a variant of the device of Figure 7 installed in a linear support with a large diameter. Figure 12 shows a front view of a variant of the device of Figure 7 installed in a linear support with a small diameter. Figures 13, 14, and 15 show the cross-section A-A of the mounting sequence of Figures 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Figure 16 shows a cross-section A-A of the exemplary device of Figure 10 before closing around the linear support, with a variant in the opening of the grooves of the top part. Figure 17 shows a cross-section A-A of the device of Figure 16 installed in a linear support with a large diameter. Figure 18 shows a cross-section A-A of the device of Figure 16 installed in a linear support with a small diameter. Figure 19 shows a top perspective of a set of the assembled capsule and a top part with an ample cover which has ventilation orifices. Figures 20, 21 and 22 show a top perspective, a side view and a front view, respectively, of the completely assembled set of the capsule and top part of Figure 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures 1 to 5 show an embodiment of the device of the invention that comprises capsule in two halves 2a and 3a, separating grid 4a and top part la, with all the parts interconnected through articulated connectors 1b, 2b and 3b and progressive adjustment system by strip 1d and receiving lock 2d. Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 show the assembly sequence of the device of the invention in its linear articulated version, namely, a version in which the main parts are aligned. Figure 2 shows the subset A corresponding to grid 4a assembled within the upper half 3a of the capsule. In this Figure, the fittings 2c from the lower half 2a of the capsule are visible, which in this particular case have the shape of protuberances, and are useful to keep the capsule closed when said fittings get inside the cavities 3c of upper half 3a of the capsule which work as receivers for the protuberances. Figure 3 shows the subset B which corresponds to the completely assembled capsule. Also observed is the top part 1a with its lower face 1e completely concave which facilitates its production by molding. Moreover, the separating stops 1c in said lower face le can be observed, which allow capsule B to remain separated from the lower face 1e in its entirety when closing to the maximum extent, forming an air cushion. Figure 4 shows the device D completely assembled around a linear support S, which in this example is represented by a branch. Also shown in Figure 4 are the grooves 1h and 1g of the top part la which have a certain asymmetry in order to be able to close said part around the branch without colliding with it. This is due to the fact that the top part 1a pivots around the turning center that corresponds to connector 1b. The rotation sequence when closing can be observed in Figures 11 and 12. Figure 5 shows the lower part of the assembled device. The progressive adjustment system is shown (which in this figure is locked) and depicted by strip 1d and receiving lock 2d, similar in operation to the operation of the pull rings or plastic seals. In previous figures it can be observed how strip 1d is oriented to self-assemble with its receiving lock 2d as the device is closed around a linear support. Moreover, the inlet of the receiving lock 2d has an open inlet which guides the strip 1d towards its interior, the latter being better observed in Figures 16, 17 and 18. In Figure 5 the flat support area 2h can also be observed, which achieves the stability required in the filling process, preventing it from tilting or spilling on its sides. The orifices of the lower drainage system 2g can also be observed. The strip 1d and the receiving lock 2d, which are shown in this figure, are one of the many adjustment systems which can be used to progressively adjust the dimension of cavity C of the device to the dimension of the diameter of the support S. Said cavity can be observed in Figures 11, 12, 17 and 18. Cavity C, wherein the support is hosted, is formed upon closing of the device and is limited by the grooves 3g of the upper half 3a of the capsule, and the concavity of the lower face 1e of the top part 1a. Figure 6 shows how the connectors between the parts (2b and 3b) are misaligned in order not to interfere with the progressive adjustment system. Grooves 1h and 1g of the top part la are also shown in this figure. The partition walls for feeding 2e and 3e are also shown. The orifices 4c of the grid 4a are also shown. It can also be observed how the top part has several separating stops 1c to maintain the capsule at a distance and prevent it from making full contact upon closing to the maximum extent. Figure 7 shows a bottom view of the disassembled device and orifices 1f, 2f and 3f belonging to top part 1a, lower half 2a and upper half 3a respectively are shown. In this figure the annular protuberance from orifices 1f, 2f and 3f can also be observed which is useful for deflecting the water drops that circulate through the outer surfaces of the parts. It is also shown that the orifices 2f and 3f are located in the central zone, far from the zone with grooves 1g and 1h. This is due to the capsule being more vulnerable to the presence of water in the area with the grooves from top part 1a. A progressive adjustment system with parts id and 2d is also shown, different from the previous figures, wherein the adjustment system enables the reversion of the installation process as the strip d can be removed from the receiving lock 2d and repositioned according to the desired length as many times as necessary. This discrete and reversible adjustment system is clearly shown in Figures 11 and 12. The concavity or groove 3g corresponding to the upper half 3a of the capsule is also shown. Said concavity is where the linear support S is positioned. When necessary, repellent or adhesive or non-stick substances are placed in this groove 3g, the same as in the separating stops 1c, in the connector lb and in the adjustment system 1d, 2d, identified in this description as the "limiting zones". Figure 8 shows the variant of the device that corresponds to a model which may be manufactured in cellulose pulp. In this variant, the orifices are made at a stage later than molding, via a cutting machine, and thus the device features protuberances of different diameters wherein the orifices 1f, 2f and 3f are located, so that a same device model may be used for the different diameters of the orifices made at a later stage. Figure 9 shows the device with its main parts disposed in square configuration. This figure serves as an example to show that the configuration design of the parts is free, as well as the amount and types of links between the parts. For example, in this case the grid 4a and the upper half 3a of the capsule have a double connector 3b.

Figure 10 shows the capsule identified as the subset B, linked to the top part la by a connector 1b which apart from rotating and pivoting, enables the extension and variation of the distance between both parts. This is useful for obtaining a better adjustment to the support (with more degrees of freedom and alignment), as shown in Figures 16, 17 and 18. Figure 11 shows a front view of a variant of the device of Figure 7 installed around a support S1 with a large diameter. Figure 12 shows a front view of the device of Figure 11 installed around a support S2 with a small diameter. Between both figures the difference in inclination of the top part 1a, which pivots around the connector 1b, and does not elongate as the one in Figure 10, can be observed. The difference in graduation of the adjustment system formed by the parts 1d and 2d can also be observed. Figures 13, 14 and 15 show a cross-section A-A of the device from Figure 6 and its assembly sequence. The fittings 2c from the lower half 2a of the capsule can also be observed, which are useful to keep the capsule closed when said fittings get inside the cavities 3c of upper half 3a of the capsule. Figure 13 shows an exemplary capsule closing system which consists of protuberances corresponding to the fittings 2c which fit into the housings 3c of the other half of the capsule. The small thickness of the grid 4c to save in materials is also shown. Figure 14 shows the grooves 1g of the top part la, which is asymmetrical in order to adjust in a centered manner to the branch while it pivots around its connector 1b. The receiving lock 2d from the adjustment system of the lower half 2a of the capsule is also indicated in the cross-section. Figure 15 shows the drainage system 2g with its orifices and the outer protuberance for stimulating the continuous dripping in case of water entering inside the capsule or due to water formation by condensation. It can also be seen how the end of the protuberance is aligned with the flat support area 2h, in order for the support to stay horizontal and stable. Figure 16 shows a cross-section of a device like the device of Figure 10. A variant of the top part 1a with asymmetrical grooves 1g is shown whose width varies from a large dimension to a smaller one, which allows it to adjust the device to supports in very diverse areas having very different diameters. In turn, the connector 1b, which allows the extension of the distance between capsule B and the top part 1a, enables the top part to stay correctly oriented (aligned to the capsule) in the different degrees of adjustment and contributes to the versatility of diameters in the installation of the device. Figure 17 shows a cross-section of the device installed around a thick support diameter S1. Figure 18 shows a cross-section of how the device is installed around a linear support S2 with a small diameter. In the same it can be seen how the adjustment is graded to the maximum extent, and it is in this situation that the separating stops 1c come into action, not allowing the top part to make full contact with the capsule and keeping the clearance E between them to form the air cushion. Figure 19 shows in perspective a variant of the device in which the top part la covers the capsule B to the bottom and, furthermore, they are not linked by articulated connectors or progressive adjustment. Nevertheless, they do keep a separation between themselves generating an air cushion thanks to the separating stops 1c. In this variant, the halves of the capsule are linked by a hinge which can be assembled. Also shown is the linking system 2b and 3d via a hinge which can be assembled. The part of the hinge 2b belongs to the lower half 2a, while 3d belongs to the upper half 3a. Figure 22 shows the cavity C for the support S and a part of the great clearance E (which generates the air cushion) can also be seen between the capsule and the top part to obtain the best thermal insulation.

Claims (25)

1. A pest control device comprising a top part coupled over a container capsule with grooves in its upper face, defining between said top part and capsule a cavity for suspension in a support, with orifices in the top part and/or capsule, characterized in that there is no full contact between the surfaces of the top part and the capsule and the existing separation provides an insulating air cushion.

2. The device of claim 1, characterized in that the air cushion is generated by the linear support from which the device is suspended, when said support reaches a stop between the lower face of the top part and the grooves from the upper face of the container capsule.

3. The device of claim 1, characterized in that there are separating stops at the top part and/or capsule which generate the air cushion, when the linear support from which the device is suspended is not thick enough to maintain the necessary separation between the surfaces of said top part and capsule.

4. The device of claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a progressive adjustment system between the top part and the capsule around the support.

5. The device of claim 4, characterized in that the progressive adjustment system comprises one or more closings or locks that fix the distance between the capsule and top part in different positions, to variable distances between both parts, adjustable to different support diameters through a variable adjustment system.

6. The device of claim 5, characterized in that the progressive adjustment system comprises one or several receiving lock and strip systems, and said receiving lock has an open inlet which receives and guides the strip towards its interior.

7. The device of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the parts forming said device are joined together by connectors forming a single self-assembling set.

8. The device of claim 7, characterized in that the connectors between the parts are misaligned in order not to interfere with the progressive adjustment system.

9. The device of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the connectors are fixed links or that can be assembled, rigid and/or flexible.

10. The device of claim 9, characterized in that the connectors are rotational hinges and/or extensible hinges.

11. The device of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it further comprises a separating grid connected to the rest of the parts of the device.

12. The device of claim 11, characterized in that the grid is not connected to the rest of the parts of the device.

13. The device of claim 7, characterized in that the top part is not connected to the rest of the parts of the device.

14. The device of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the top part completely covers the capsule.

15. The device of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the top part features an essentially concave lower face, with asymmetrical grooves at its ends.

16. The device of claim 15, characterized in that the opening width of the grooves at the ends is greater at the lowest part, and smaller at the highest part of said grooves.

17. The device of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the base has a flat support area.

18. The device of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it has limiting zones with a repellent substance and/or adhesive or non-stick material.

19. The device of claim 18, characterized in that the limiting zones comprise the connectors, the adjustment system, the grooves of the upper face of the capsule and the separating stops.

20. The device of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the base contains orifices with outer protuberances to stimulate dripping.

21. The device of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the orifices of the top part and capsule have annular protuberances on their outer edge.

22. The device of claim 21, characterized in that the orifices of the capsule and/or the top part have an upward inclination towards the interior of the device.

23. The device of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the orifices of the top part and/or capsule do not contain the annular protuberance on their outer edge.

24. The device of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the top part and/or capsule have several annular protuberances of different diameters which indicate possible zones to be cut in order to obtain the orifices at a later stage.

25. The use of the device of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that it is applied in the pest fight and control in agriculture and forestry production.