Patent Application
20200221683
The present invention relates to a mite trapping device comprised of a mite attracting material encased in a transparent plastic case particularly to trap house inhibiting mites for early detection, viewing, assessments and monitoring the presence of mites.
Various known examples of mite trapping devices do not allow for easy viewing of the mites.
Conventional mite trapping devices that detect mites by the level of allergen do not detect the current presence of mites. The allergen created by mite feces can take years to accumulate before it is detectable.
The ability to easily view trapped mites allows an up to date assessment which is not possible using other known methods or devices.
Other mite trapping devices such as US PAT #2015/0033615 may detect a severe mite infestation after 90 days but has no guarantee of detection with or without the presence of mites inside the device.
The mite trap creates an attractive environment for mites. Mites require a humidity level of at least 50% to survive. The mite trap includes hydrated super absorbent polymer that will slowly release moisture within the trap body creating a more humid environment than the area outside of the trap. If the mites avoid getting stuck to double sided tape or adhesive, they will remain in the trap due to the attractive environment
The idea is that the mites will get stuck on the double sided tape or adhesive in route to the mite attracting material allowing for easy viewing of the trapped mites.
Mites are attracted to fish food flakes and it is also a food source for mites encouraging mites to stay inside the trap.
Mites are known to be attracted to the pheromone (neryl propionate) up to a distance of 50 cm. Typical uses for the pheromone are for perfume scents and food flavoring. **(It is non toxic and FDA approved for use as a food product)**
90% of mites found in homes are found in mattresses and bedding. The trap can be placed in a pillow case or under bedding in a dark place without being easily noticed.
The objective is not to kill mites. Rather to identify the current presence of mites. Awareness of mites indicates that action should be taken. **(No mite trapping device available can effectively remove a mite infestation)**
The design of the trap is focused on easily viewing mites that have entered the trap which is the reason for using transparent materials.
The design of the trap maximizes the ability to view mites with the aid of a magnifying device. Mites are microscopic and cannot be viewed by the naked eye without the aid of a magnifying device with at least 10× magnification.
Hereinafter are examples of the mite trap according to the present invention with reference to the attached drawings and the repetitive description is omitted.
The top slide 1 is attached to bottom slide 3 by using double sided sticky spacers 2. Mites range in width from 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm. The size of the gap is small enough to contain the attractant 6 and large enough for mites to enter while allowing the aroma of the attractant 6 to escape the trap.
The sticky spacers 2 in
The double sided sticky tape or adhesive 4 in
The absorbent fabric 5 in
The top slide 1 and bottom slide 3 are made of a see through transparent plastic to allow for easy viewing of mites with the aid of a magnifying device.
The double sided tape or adhesive 4 is transparent for easy viewing of mites with the aid of a magnifying device.
The mite attractant 6 contains hydrated super absorbent polymer which will slowly release moisture inside the trap creating an attractive environment for mites with a humidity level of over 50%.
Fish food flakes and neryl propionate are kneaded into hydrated super absorbent polymer. The combination of at least these ingredients are referred to as 6 in
The top slide 1 and bottom slide 3 in
The environment inside the trap is such that it is ideal for attracting mites. Mites will seek a humid environment above 50% because they cannot survive humidity levels under 45%. The hydrated super absorbent polymer in the attractant 6 will slowly release moisture increasing the humidity level to over 50% inside the trap
Fish food flakes are also known to attract mites and is included in the attractant 6.
The scent of the pheromone neryl propionate is known to attract mites up to a distance of 50 cm and is included in the mite attractant 6
The double sided tape or adhesive 4 is positioned so that mites will come in contact with it before reaching the attractant 6 creating an easy viewing area.
The combination of at least the elements in the attractant 6 will provide a more attractive environment inside of the trap than the area surrounding the trap.
The mite trap
The placement of mite trap
A mite trap according to the present invention are not limited to the above described examples but can be variously modified within the scope of the spirit of the invention.
For example the trap can be any shape other than quadrangular shapes such as circular shapes, polygonal shapes, etc. The attracting material can be selected from various materials so long as it emits an attracting scent. The body of the trap is made of a see through transparent material for easy viewing with the aid of a magnifying device. The trap is designed for the purpose of viewing mites.
