Time release application and monitoring system

Abstract

Provided herein are mechanisms and methods for the automated distribution of active ingredients (whether oral or contact based) to wild and domestic animal populations as well as a method for monitoring animal activity and estimating consumption and/or application of such ingredients within the population through the utilization of the mechanisms themselves. The inventive device pertains to a manner of delivering either an active oral ingredient or active contact ingredient within a bait pellet or like substrate for ingestion or external contact and/or coating of a target population. The device allows for controlled access of such a bait pellet (or like substrate) for such a target population coupled with the ability to retain freshness thereof for multiple timed access events without the need for human involvement. A properly sized, configured, and automated delivery device is thus provided to meet these needs. Delivery components are also encompassed herein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for automated feed delivery of at least one oral active ingredient to at least one target animal, said method comprising the steps of:
 i) providing a bait station device comprising:   a housing having a top, bottom, and outer sides, wherein said top is a removable structure, said bottom includes a bottom access port for ingress and egress of at least one target animal within said bait station within a portion of said bottom of said housing, and said outer sides are completely closed from ingress and egress, said housing further comprising a plurality of chambers of the same size and shape and evenly spaced from one another;   a rotating carousel driver providing access to one of said plurality of chambers at any given time, wherein said carousel driver includes an opening aligning with said bottom access port which allows said target animal to enter said one of said plurality of chambers as said carousel driver revolves;   a plurality of stakes extending from said bottom and said sides, wherein said stakes include connection means for staking said device into the ground for secure retention at such a location, wherein said stakes create a passageway therethrough and raise said housing such that said bottom access port does not contact said ground when said device is retained on said ground such that any ingress or egress of said target animal within said at least one compartment chamber of said bait device must be made underneath said housing bottom; and   an electrical controller to activate movement associated with said bottom access port for the passage of feed therethrough when activated or the provision of an access point for said target animal to enter when activated, wherein said bottom access port is configured to permit ingress and egress of animals upon activation of said electrical controller, wherein said device further includes a carousel direct drive assembly comprising at least one motor, wherein said at least one motor is directly coupled to said rotating carousel driver for rotation control thereof by a PC board, and wherein said device further includes a passive-locking carousel drive in which said carousel driver position is mechanically locked when power is no longer applied to said motor;   ii) introducing said at least one oral active ingredient within at least one of said plurality of chambers of said bait station; and   iii) activating said electronic controller to permit access to said at least animal to said at least one oral active ingredient upon rotation of said carousel wherein said opening aligns with said port for said target animal access within one of said plurality of chambers wherein said at least one oral active ingredient is present.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said active oral ingredient is selected from the group consisting of at least one vaccine, food, at least one therapeutic, and at least one poison. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said plurality of chambers includes said active oral ingredient and animal feed retained within trays which are comprised of a rigid plastic tray on which a plastic film is thermally or adhesively attached, said plastic film optionally containing an attractant to target the interest of said at least one target animal. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said bottom access port further includes a molded access ramp of a configuration to limit the physical size of said at least one target animal having access therein. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  in which said housing is made or coated with an anti-microbial, anti-fungal, or insecticide agent. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  in which said housing is constructed from a material that is resistant to chewing by animals. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3  further including an animal positioning sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3  further including a loose bait indicator sensor integrated within said top of said housing.