Patent Application
20130152452
The present invention relates to insect trap systems and methods and, more particularly, to insect traps that allow ingress and prevent egress of flying insects.
Insect traps accumulate dead insects. The cleaning and replenishing of such traps thus can require the handling of dead insects and materials used to attract and capture the insects. The need exists for improved insect traps that facilitate and improve the cleaning and replenishing of insect traps.
The present invention may be embodied as a trap system for insects comprising a container, a disposable liner, and trap material. The container defines a container chamber. The disposable liner defining a liner chamber and is arranged within the container chamber. The trap material is arranged within the liner chamber such that insects that enter the liner chamber are trapped within the liner chamber by the trap material.
The present invention may also be embodied as a trap system comprising a container assembly and a disposable liner. The container assembly comprises a vessel comprising a vessel side wall and a vessel end or bottom wall and defining a vessel opening, a cap member adapted to be attached to the vessel side wall at the container opening, and an obstruction member adapted to be supported by the cap member for movement between open and closed positions. The disposable liner comprises a liner side wall and a liner end wall and defines a container opening, where the disposable liner extends through the container opening to line the side wall and container end wall.
The present invention may also be embodied as a method of trapping insects comprising the following steps. A container defining a container chamber is provided. First and second liners each defining a liner chamber are provided. The first liner is arranged within the container chamber. Trap material is arranged within the liner chamber of the first liner such that insects that enter the liner chamber are trapped within the liner chamber by the trap material. The first liner containing insects is removed from the container chamber. The first liner is disposed of. The second liner is arranged within the container chamber. Trap material is arranged within the liner chamber of the second liner such that insects that enter the liner chamber are trapped within the liner chamber by the trap material.
The present invention may also be embodied as a trap system for insects comprising a container assembly defining a container chamber wherein the container assembly comprises a vessel comprising a vessel side wall and a vessel end wall defining a container opening. The vessel side wall includes a window region and a non-window region surrounding the window region with the window region being sufficiently transparent to enable a user to view the contents of the container chamber via the window region. The non-window region is sufficiently opaque so as to impede a user from viewing the contents of the container chamber via the non-window region.
The present invention may also be embodied as a trap system for insects comprising a container assembly defining a container chamber wherein the container assembly comprises a threaded socket. A stake device having a threaded upper portion and a lower portion is adapted to threadably connect to the threaded socket of the assembly via the threaded portion of the stake device. The lower portion of the stake device is shaped and configured for being stuck in the ground.
Referring initially to
The vessel side wall 120 includes a window region 25 and a non-window region 27 surrounding the window region 25. The window region 25 is sufficiently transparent so that a user may view through the window region 25 to view and monitor the contents of the container chamber 46. This allows a user to check to see whether and how many insects have been trapped within the container chamber 46 without opening the trap. The non-window region 27 is sufficiently opaque so as to impede a user or other viewers from viewing the contents of the container chamber 46 through the non-window region 27. In certain embodiments, the non-window region 27 comprises at least about 50%, or at least about 60%, or at least about 70%, or at least about 80%, or at least about 90% of the surface area of the vessel side wall 120. In certain embodiments, the window region 25 comprises at least about 5%, or at least about 10%, or at least about 20%, or at least about 30%, or at least about 40%, or at least about 50% of the surface area of the vessel side wall 120. In certain embodiments, the vessel side wall 120 comprises multiple window regions 25 such that the total surface area of the window regions 25 combined and the surrounding non-window region 27 is consistent with the above. Thus, generally, a viewer will not be able to view into the container chamber 46 to see its contents which may be considered unsightly, unless they position themselves to view into the container chamber 46 via the window region 25.
As shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
The example primary and secondary fins 160 and 162 are substantially, but not necessarily, the same. Elements of the fins 160 and 162 (and fin plate(s) 164) will thus be discussed together herein in the interests of brevity. The fins 160/162 each define an upper edge 170, a side edge 172, and a lower edge 174. The fin plate(s) 164 each define an engaging surface 176 and a lower edge 178. The upper edge 170 is flat or shaped as necessary to accommodate the cover plate 60 as will be described in further detail below. The side edge(s) 172 each define an upper support surface 180 and a lower support surface 182.
An upper lock surface 184 is arranged adjacent to the upper support surface 180, and a lower lock surface 186 is arranged adjacent to the lower support surface 182. A plate surface(s) 188 is formed on the example side edge(s) 172. The upper support surface 180 and upper lock surface 184 define an upper notch 190, while the lower support surface 182 and lower lock surface 186 define a lower notch 192. A cam surface 194 is formed adjacent to the lower lock surface 186, and a guide surface 196 is formed between the upper lock surface 184 and the cam surface 194. An angle surface 198 extends from the lower notch 192 to the lower edge 174. The example fin plate(s) 164 are attached to the angle surface 198 such that the lower edge(s) 178 of the fin plate(s) 164 extend beyond the lower edge 174 of the fins 160/162 in the example obstruction member 44.
Referring now to
The example cover retainer 62 comprises an inner wall 230 and an outer wall 232 extending from a ring portion 234. The inner wall 230 defines a retainer cavity 236, and a mounting notch 238 is formed in the inner wall 230 within the retainer cavity 236. The inner wall 230 defines an inner wall edge 240, and the outer wall 232 defines an outer wall edge 242. The example inner wall 230 and outer wall 232 are cylindrical, and an annular chamber 244 is formed between them in the example cover retainer 62. A ring opening 246 is formed in the ring portion 234.
The container assembly 22 may be adapted to be anchored to the ground. In such an example, the container assembly 22 comprises a threaded socket 264 (
Referring now for a moment to
The trap assembly 22 is formed and used generally as follows. Initially, the cap member 42 is secured onto the vessel 40 by engaging the vessel threaded portion 130 with the cap threaded portion 146 and rotating the cap member 42 relative to the vessel 40 to obtain a first trap subassembly as depicted in
As perhaps best shown in
After the third trap subassembly has been formed, the user may decide how to proceed based on the intended use of the trap system 20. The trap system may comprise a hanging connector secured to the upper portion of the container assembly. The hanging connect is configured to enable a user to operatively connect the hanging connector to an elevated object, such as a post or a limb of a tree, thereby suspending the trap system from the elevated object. The hanging connector may be any of numerous known hanging devices such as a ring, hook, clip, loop, line, etc. In certain embodiments, the hanging connector comprises a ring. For example, if the user intends to hang the trap system 20, the user may use a ring 64 inserted through the ring opening 246, and construction of the trap assembly 22 is complete. The user may connect the ring 64 to a hook or other structural member to hang the trap system 20 in a generally upright first use configuration.
If, however, the user intends to mount the trap system 20 on the ground, the user will typically not attach the ring 64 to the cover retainer 62. Instead, the user may arrange the bottom plate 50 such that the upper flange 254 thereof lies within the vessel lower flange 134 and the locator walls 258 engage the screw cylinders 136. The screws 52 are then inserted through the screw openings 262 and rotated such that the screws 52 engage the screw cylinders 136. The screws 52 thus detachably attach the bottom plate 50 to the vessel 40 as shown in
Referring now to
In the closed configuration, the upper support notch(es) 190 receives the support(s) 156 such that the upper lock surfaces 184 inhibit relative movement between the obstruction member 44 and the vessel 40. In this closed configuration, a gap 280 formed between the inner surface 224 of the cover plate 60 and the cap plate 142 is negligible, and insects cannot enter the vessel chamber 46. Deliberate application of manual force on the obstruction member 44 away from the vessel 40 allows the support(s) 154 to be removed from the upper support notch(es) 190. Further displacement of the obstruction member 44 away from the vessel causes the support(s) 156 to enter the lower notches 192 (over the cam surface 194) such that the support(s) 156 engage the lower lock surface(s) 186, thereby holding the obstruction member 44 in the open configuration. In this open configuration, the dimensions of the gap 280 are such that insects may enter the vessel chamber 46 through the upper basket opening 150 and the lower basket opening 152.
The example trap system 20 is used as follows. Initially, the cap member 42, obstruction member 44, and lid assembly 32 are removed from the vessel 40. The fluid 24 is typically but not necessarily formulated to attract one or more types of insects. If the fluid 24 is formulated to attract, the fluid 24 may be referred to as lure fluid. The cap member 42, obstruction member 44, and/or cover plate 60 may be colored to provide additional attraction to the appropriate type of insect.
The fluid 24 is then introduced into the vessel chamber 46, and the cap member 42, obstruction member 44, and lid assembly 32 are replaced. The obstruction member 44 is then placed into the open configuration. Any volatiles such as scents or other stimuli released by the fluid 24 are free to flow out of the vessel chamber 46 through the basket slots 154 and the basket perforations 158a and 158b. Insects such as an insect 290 depicted in
As shown in
A second example bag member 350 is depicted in
In use, the bag bottom wall 354 is inserted into the vessel chamber 46 until the bottom wall 354 is adjacent to the vessel bottom wall 122. At that point, the flange portion 356 is arranged such that the second reference line 372 is adjacent to the vessel rim 124 and the flange portion 356 is folded such that the first reference line is adjacent to the vessel upper flange 132. With the flange portion 356 so arranged, the optional locking system 362 is located within the vessel chamber 46 adjacent to the vessel opening 126. The cap member 42 is then engaged to the vessel member 40 as generally described above with a captured portion 374 of the flange portion 356 arranged between the vessel threaded portion 130 and the cap threaded portion 146. A waste portion 376 is removed at the first reference line 370. The first reference line 370 may be scored to facilitate removal.
The fluid 24 is arranged within the bag chamber 358, and the trap system 20 is used as described above. When the fluid 24 is spent (e.g., attractant no longer effective or filled with insects), the cap member 42 is removed from the vessel member 40 and the bag member 350 is removed from the vessel chamber 46. The optional locking system 362 may be operated to close the opening 360 and prevent spillage of the contaminated fluid 24 and/or any insects therein. A separate twist tie (not shown) may be used to close the opening 360.
Referring now to
The example trap system 420 comprises a trap container assembly 430 and a trap liner 432. As perhaps best shown in
As perhaps best shown in
In use, the trap container 440 is attached to the frame surface 428. In particular, the example adhesive sheet 442 is a double stick tape one surface of which is attached to the first edge wall 450 and the other surface of which is initially covered by the release sheet 444. Removing the release sheet 444 exposes one adhesive surface of the adhesive sheet 442, and the trap container 440 is displaced with the second edge wall 452 supported by the second frame surface portion 428b until the exposed adhesive surface of the adhesive sheet 442 engages the first frame portion 428a. At this point, the trap container 440 is secured to the frame surface 428 with the trap corner edge 458 adjacent to the window corner 428c.
Before or after the trap container 440 is attached to the frame surface 428, the trap liner 432 is inserted into the trap container 440. In particular, the uncoated tabs 494 and 496 of the trap liner 432 are pinched together. The material from which the trap liner 432 is made should be light and inexpensive and is disposable but should have sufficient structural integrity to prevent the adhesive coating 480 on the opposing inner surfaces of the first and second side walls 474 and 476 from coming into contact with each other. The liner corner edge 478 is then displaced into the trap chamber 468 until the liner corner edge 478 is adjacent to the trap corner edge 458. The notches 464 and 466 and tabs 494 and 496 facilitate the full insertion of the trap liner 432 into the trap chamber 468 as perhaps best shown in
Insects that fly into the liner chamber 498 and are trapped when they come into contact with the adhesive coating 480. The adhesive coating 480 may optionally be scented or colored to form an attractant to encourage the insects to enter the liner chamber 498. When the liner chamber 498 is sufficiently full of insects, the tabs 494 and 496 may be grasped to remove the trap liner 432 from the trap chamber 468. The adhesive coating 480 may be pressed together within to seal the liner chamber 498. A new trap liner 432 may then be inserted into the trap chamber 468.
The outer surfaces of the walls 470-476 may be made of, coated by, or covered by a release material or sheet that does not stick to the adhesive coating 480. This allows the liners 432 to be nested one within the other for more compact shipping and storage. The side walls 474 and 476 may be angled slightly towards each other from the wall edges 490 and 492 towards the liner corner edge 478 to facilitate this nesting.
