Yes. Patent DE 10.2014.102034B4, EP 3107383B1

In contrast to traditional baiting, where every 2nd or 3rd manhole is baited, one ToxProtect is now sufficient for a range of 250-500 metres, this corresponds to at least 30 manholes.

The ToxProtect is to be maintained according to the operating manual. The maintenance of the moving parts should be carried out every 3 months. The non-moving parts should be serviced every 6 months.

The power supply for the sensory measurement and radio technology is provided by a battery pack. This keeps the system read for use between 6 and 24 months depending on the operating times.

There are three options, either without entry into the manhole using the ToxProtect-VarioFix, securing the ToxProtect-PermanentFix onto the manhole chamber wall or drilling and securing mounting rails on the chamber wall to use the ToxProtect-MultiFix without entry into the manhole chamber.

The rodent infestation detected by the ToxProtect is based on a sensory measuring system. The recorded data provides information on the severity of the infestation. The rodents prefer a protected space for eating which the ToxProtect provides. The ToxProtect is accepted after 4 to 6 weeks, after which the ToxProtect is regularly frequented by the rodents.

When using the ToxProtect, there are three radio technologies to choose from with which the data can be transmitted.

With ULE technology, you drive to the installation site with the Reader 1504 and read out the data. This data is then sent from the reader to the WebService.

With NB-IoT and LoRaWAN technologies, the ToxProtect sends the data directly to the WebService every 8 hours.

a) Logging of rat visits with date and time
b) Location data of the ToxProtect with the manhole number
c) Type of poison bait and amounts used
d) Site history

• Environmental Protection
  The ToxProtect protects the environment from the entry of poisons through the patented closure system.
  The ToxProtect uses ca. 90% less poison.
• Occupational safety/time saving
  Fewer entries into the manhole chamber for bait monitoring and installation/removal of the ToxProtect 1402.

  By using the ToxProtect, the entry of poison bait into the environment and surrounding infrastructure is prevented. This means that third parties cannot come into contact with the poison bait.

• Cost effective
  The ToxProtect allows users to control poison baits with electronic data read outs. This reduces the prescribed 14-day control cycle by around 1 minute without entry into the manhole.

  A ToxProtect can cover an area of ca. 250 – 500 metres. That equates to around 30 manholes covered by the ToxProtect. This reduces the time spent on the road (increases road safety) and assuming 7 minutes per manhole without travel to the site, that is saving around 105 minutes of working time per employee.

• Legal certainty
  The ToxProtect creates electronic documentation that are necessary for the proof of the poison baits used.
• Efficient rat control
• Flexible installation locations

• Use near water
• easy bait change
• Mounting by means of holding rails
• separate rails allow easy relocation (change of location)
• Patented locking system prevents backsliding
• secure locking system

• Bekämpfung mit Köder und elektronischer Erfassung
• can be used indoors and outdoors
• safe locking system
• also for explosion protection zone 1
• Wall adapter = QuickFix for fast assembly and disassembly of the ToxProtect 1701

No, with any our attachment types, you can change the bait without entering the manhole.

You can leave the PermanentFix installed in the installation location in order to install the same or another ToxProtect at a later date.

You can attach the PermanentFix anywhere where the structure of the manhole chamber allows it (drilling required).

You can obtain the PermanentFix from us individually, e.g. to change the installation location of the ToxProtect 1402/1602.

No, with any of our attachment types, you can change the bait without entering the manhole.

You can leave the MultiFix installed in the installation location in order to install the same or another ToxProtect at a later date.

You can attach the MultiFix anywhere where the structure of the manhole chamber allows it (drilling required)

You can obtain the MultiFix individually from us e.g. to change the installation locations for the ToxProtect 1402.

The VarioFix is connected to the ToxProtect, so you can remove the ToxProtect together with the VarioFix from the manhole chamber.

The VarioFix is designed for standard manhole sizes. The VarioFix can be installed in manhole chambers with a diameter of 800mm, 1000mm, 1200mm, and 1500mm.

Yes, you can purchase the VarioFix individually from us to convert the ToxProtect PermanentFix.

You can see your own data but we also have access to the data to allow us to support you effectively with your activities and to also provide you with an adequate service. The data collected in the WebService is never passed onto third parties.

Under the link: https://demo.ball-b.de/ you can view the demo version of our WebService. You will see original data from the ToxProtect used. Simply log in with the username: Demo@ball-b.de and the password: Demo to get an overview.

Yes, the data can be integrated into all common GIS systems.

a) Information per location:

• Rodent infestation or number of rat visits, attached bait, type of radio technology used, the installation location (manhole, river floodplain, park) and the type of attachment (e.g. manhole, river floodplain, underpass or similar);
• Checking possible infestation sites (below and above ground) with bait;
• Bait acceptance and the effect of the poison bait
• Rat population development;

b) Management of poison baits, such as e.g.:

• welche Mengen an Ködergiften wurden wo eingesetzt?
• What quantities of poison baits were used and where
• When were the poison baits used
• What residual quantities were removed (to provide evidence for hazardous waste disposal)

c) Statistics and documentation of activities for legal proof.

You can extract any information that is made available to you in the WebService as a CSV file and use it for further processing.

All you need is a device with internet access, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a mobile phone, tablet, laptop or PC in the office.

No, the NB-IoT ToxProtect only communicates directly with the cloud.

There is no cost for the data transfer. Each ToxProtect incorporated with NB-IoT technology includes a built-in data card with a 10 year flat-rate.

You can convert your ToxProtect NB-IoT to ULE or LoRaWAN by exchanging the BatteryBox.

All you need is internet access with a web browser. No data will be installed on your PC or laptop.

The following process is recommended:

a) Location analysis:
The location analysis shows you whether NB-IoT is available in your area. It should be noted that this map only represents the basic availability of NB-IoT. In the case of under ground installation locations, sufficient coverage is not a given in supposedly supplied areas, therefore, this map can only be used as an initial guide.

b) If basic NB-IoT coverage is available in your area, we recommend using an NB test box to check the connectivity above ground and from the manhole chambers. The NB test box can be used to determine whether the use of a ToxProtect with NB-IoT integrated makes sense. When using the NB-IoT technology in a manhole, we recommend removing the dirt traps as they can pose an obstacle to radio transmission, especially when they are dirty, e.g. with wet foliage.

• The provider (e.g. Deutsche Telekm) ensures the greatets possible network coverage
• The data collection (number of rat visits) is transferred directly to the WebService
• Lange Batteriedauer durch gleichmäßige Datenübertragung in den WebService
• inkl. 10 Jahre Flat, dadurch keine weiteren Kosten für die Datenübertragung
• Planung der Rattenbekämpfung einfach vom Büro aus
• NB-IoT ist kombinierbar mit ULE und LoRaWAN

Compared to GSM, UMTS or LTE, the advantage is that NB-IoT, thanks to good building penetration, can also be used where the range and quality of the 2G, 3G or 4G mobile phone signals are too low. NB-IoT is designed for applications where traditional network technologies such as Wi-Fi, DSL, Bluetooth or cellular are unavailable, unavailable, impractical or economically unviable.

No, the LoRaWAN ToxProtect only communicates directly with the Cloud.

There are no costs attached to the transfer of data.

Yes, you can convert your ToxProtect LoRaWAN to NB-IoT or ULE by exchanging the BatteryBox.

You need to have an existing LoRaWAN network, either your own or a network provided by a provider. No data will be installed on your computer system.m PC oder Laptop installiert.

The following procedure is recommended:

If the use of a LoRaWAN network is possible at your location, we recommend using a LoRa test box to check the connectivity above ground and from the manhole chambers. The LoRa test box can be used to determine whether the use of a ToxProtect with LoRaWAN technology is possible.

When using LoRaWAN in the wastewater system, we recommend removing the dirt traps as they can pose an obstacle to the radio transmission, especially when they are full e.g. with wet foliage.

• The data collected (number of rat visits) is sent directly to the WebService
• Long battery life thanks to the constant transfer of data to the WebService
• Rat control can be easily carried out from the office
• LoRaWAN can be combined with NB-IoT and ULE
• Exapansion of customer’s own gateways

LongRangeWideAreaNetwork (LoRaWAN) is a radio standard that sends the data to the WebService through the customer’s own existing gateways.

You can convert your ToxProtect ULE to NB-IoT or LoRaWAN by exchanging the BatteryBox.

The Reader establishes a connection to the BatteryBox at the installation site. This then sends the collected information (number of visits, installed bait, installation location battery status etc.) to the reader. With an active internet connection either with mobile data or WLAN, the reader then transfers this data to the WebService. You can then access the WebService via your computer/device.

In order for you to be able to use ULE, you need a reader with an internet connection in order to upload the data to the WebService.

ULE can be used anywhere, but factors such as power and water lines, but also structural facilities can impair radio transmission. When using ULE technology in the manhole, we recommend removing the dirt traps, as they can pose an obstacle to radio transmission, especially when they are full e.g. with wet foliage.

• Independent of mobile phone networks
• Encrypted data exchange
• You can read the data from the ToxProtect without entry into the manhole
• Low energy consumption if the ToxProtect is read on a regular basis
• High success of radio penetration from the manhole chambers
• ULE can be combined with NB-IoT and LoRaWAN

With the help of ULE technology, you are not dependent on the radio networks, but data transmission is still possible from the manhole. The power requirement of the ULE technology is in the microampere range at 250mW and is therefor particularly suitable for battery-operated products.

Commercially available batteries cannot be used because the batteries must comply with EX protection regulations.

It lasts between 6 and 24 months. The duration depends on the network connectivity at the installation site.

Ex-Schutz Zone 1, II 2G Ex ib IIB T4 Gb

In the wastewater network, EX-protection Zone 1 always applies. In order to guarantee this with our electronic components, they were tested according to the ATEX product directive 2014/34/EU by an independent and international EX-protection certification institute.

No, a SIM card is not absolutely necessary to use our system. You can also use the WLAN network from the office to transfer ULE data, however, we recommend using a 500MB SIM card. This way you can log into ball b app anywhere, the GPS data is then saved directly on site during the installation and does not have to be entered at a later date in the WebService. You can then also upload your collected data anytime and anywhere.

A new Reader can be purchased and set up using the backup data f rom the old Reader. The old data is therefore not lost.

Your mobile phone cannot receive ULE radio waves. A special radio module is installed in our Reader to ensure connectivity in and out of the manhole chamber. This would not be possible with a mobile phone.

You can register and manage up to 1000 eBoxes with the Reader 1504 If you use several teams to work with ToxProtect , it is of course also possible to use a secondary Reader. You cannot register new eBoxes with these secondary devices, but you can carry out all other activities.

The Reader can be used for ULE, NB-IoT and LoRaWAN technologies.

All data such as date of control, bait management, location and much more are recorded with the Reader and can be viewed in the WebService.

The use of bait poisons (e.g. biocides) is based on the fact that the user has to comply with the respective legal regulations, e.g.

a) EU Regulation 528/2012
When a biocidal product containing an active substance approved under this paragraph, is used, appropriate risk mitigation measures shall be taken to ensure that exposure to humans, animal and the environment to the active substance is minimised. The use of biocidal products containing the active substance concerned is restricted to Member States where at least one of the conditions of this paragraph is fulfilled.

According to the biocide regulation EU_No. No._528_2012, the RMM (Risk Mitigation Measures) and SPCs (Summary of Product Properties) were reassessed and adjusted. The main points are:

• The baits must be u sed in such a way that they do not come into contact with water and are not washed away.
• The baiting points in the sewage system must be checked for the first time after 14 days and then every 2 3 weeks.
• Upon completion of baiting, all baits must be removed and dispos ed of in accordance with local requirements.

b) Water Resources Act WHG of 31.07.2009:
Substances hazardous to water in the sense of this section are s olid, liquid and gaseous substances that are suitable, permanently or in a not only insignificant extent to bring about adverse changes in water quality

Technical rules that correspond to the generally recognised rule s of technology.

Annex 1 to § 3 Nummer 11) crit eria for determining the state of the art:

When determining the state of the art, taking into account the proportionality between effort and benefit of possible measures as well as the principle of precaution and prevention, each related to investments of a certain kind, in particular the following criteria must be taken into account:

• Advances in technology and s cientific knowledge
• Need to av oid or r educe as far as possible the overall impact of emissions and the hazards to humans and the environment
• Need to prevent accidents a nd reduce their consequences for people and the environment

c) When fighting rats, however, there are more laws to be observed:

• Infection Protection Act (German):
  §17 Abs.2 Municiplaities are obliged t o effectively combat rats, this includes the obligation to document
• Animal Welfare Act:
  Animals must not be subjected to unnecessary stress and pain during killing
• Chemicals Act