On Sept 3rd, the US Patent Office issued patent number 10,398,141 to Rockwell Labs for the invention entitled “Breakable nonflowing gel bait”. The technology was developed by Rockwell’s founder and CEO, Dr. Cisse Spragins, in 2005 and first commercialized in 2009 with the launch of its InTice™ Gelanimo™ Ant Bait. The unique rigid gel bait technology offers the advantages of liquid bait, and more, without the mess. It provides the high moisture content insects love in an easy-to-deploy format, without the spills and mess of liquids, and without the risk of insects drowning in the bait or getting stuck in it and signaling danger to other insects.
“This patent took a while,“ stated Dr. Cisse Spragins. “The patent office moves slowly, and we went around on the same issue with the examiner for quite some time. We finally filed an appeal in 2016, which was heard in January of this year. The three judges on the appeals board ruled unanimously in our favor. Fortunately, the patent office recognized the delays and the patent was issued with a term adjustment of 2051 days, so the patent will be in force for 14 years. We see numerous opportunities to exploit the rigid hydrogel bait technology and are pleased that we now have patent protection for this invention. Another related patent application is pending.”
InTice Gelanimo Ant Bait contains borax as the active ingredient and is available in extremely simple-to-use 0.25 oz stations, 4 oz cups that fit in the InTice Border Patrol System station for large colony baiting, and boxes of 5x35g syringes. Contact Rockwell at 816-283-3167, your Rockwell territory representative, or your Rockwell distributor.