GB1580233A

GB1580233A - Insect trap

Info

Publication number: GB1580233A
Application number: GB2433577A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: DRANSFIELD AND CO Ltd A
Current assignee: DRANSFIELD AND CO Ltd A
Priority date: 1977-06-10
Filing date: 1977-06-10
Publication date: 1980-11-26
Also published as: HK37081A

Description

(54) INSECT TRAP (71) We, A. DRANSFIELD & COM PANY LIMITED, of 2714 Connaught Centre, Hong Kong, a Company inc:porated under the laws of Hong Kong, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to an insect trap, par ricularly but not exclusively for catching flies.

According to the invention, theee is provided an insect trap comprising a first chamber for containing a bait or lure and having holes through which insects can enter said first chamber, a second chamber adjacent to said first chamber and having means for admitting light into said second chamber, the first and second chambers being seplarated by a wall having an aperture therein through which insects can pass from the first chamber into the second chamber, and wherein the second chamber is collapsible so that it can be folded for storage and be extended by the weight of the trap when the trap is in use.

I'referably, the first chamber and the separating wall are made of a dark coloured material, so that the interior of the first chamber is darkened relative to the interior of the second chamber.

Preferably, the entrances to the first cham ber have bell-mouths so that although it is easy for insects to enter, it is difficult for them to exit from the same holes.

Preferably, the second chamber is intended to be uppermost, when in use, and has means on its top surface for suspending the trap, the collapsible second chamber then being expanded by the weight of the first chamber.

Preferably, the second chamber is made of lightweight translucent plastics material in a aoncertina-type construction.

It is an advantage of the invention that it can be made very cheaply, so that a trap can be disposed of once it is full to avoid the necessity of carrying out the unhygenic steps od emptying and resetting the trap.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partZ iona!l view of a trap according to the invention, in use, and Figure 2 is an exploded view of the trap of Figure 1.

The trap has a first chamber 1 and a second chamber 2. The second chamber has concertina-type walls and is made of plastics material through which light can pass to illuminate the interior of this chamber. At the top of this chamber, there is a hanging hook 3 from which the trap is suspended in use so that the weight of the first chamber 1 will expand the concertina construction.

The second chamber has entrances 4 around its circumference through which flies 5 can enter as shown by the dotted line of flight 51.

The entrances are bell-mouthed so that it is difficult for the flies to exit through the entrances 4 once they have entered. The first chamber 1 also includes a bait tray 6 at its lower side. This tray can be unscrewed from the rest of the trap so that it can be filled. A grille 7 prevents the flies from reaching the bait 8 itself.

The top of the chamber 1 is formed by a cone 9 which separates the two chambers. This cone 9 has a large aperture 10 at its apex, which is of sufficient size for flies to pass through. There are also additional smaller apertures 11 through which light shines from the second chamber, to make it more obvious that the second chamber is lit.

In use, when the trap is hung up and baited, flies are attracted by the aroma emanating from the bait, which exists through the entrances 4, and they will therefore fly into the first chamber 1. The interior of the first chamber 1 is dlark- ened, conveniently by moulding it out of a dark coloured plastics material. Flies abhor the dark, and they will be able to see light in the second chamber 2 above through the apertures 10, 11. They will therefore fly up through the aperture 10 into the second chamber. From the second chamber, the apertures will appear dark, and so there will be no tendency for the flies to fly back into the first chamber 1. Once in the second chamber, there is therefore no escape.

When the chamber 2 is sufficiently full, the bait tray can be removed by unscrewing and a spray of fly killing aerosol can be directed into the chamber 2. The whole trap may then be disposed d by burning or any other suitable method.

The walls of the chamber 2 can be blow moulded from low density polyethylene; the base can be moulded in polystyrene or any similar rigid plastics material; the cone 9 can be moulded in polystyrene as can the bait tray 6 which is attached bv means of an inteally moulded thread to the flanged portion 12 descending from the base.

The grille 7 in the base can be moulded integrally with the base itself. Plugs 13 are provided to dose the entrances 4 if this should be necessary.

To assemble the trap, the cone 9 fits into the base and sits on integrally moulded ribs 14 (see Figure 2). The chamber 2 clips onto the base and is secured and located there by cooperation of the holes 15 round its lower circumference with the entrance holes 4 on the base.

A suitable bait is chopped liver or fish gut, or tinned pet food, preferably the type cen- taining liver. Addition of a solution of sodium sulphate to the bait increases the odour and serves to attract the insects to a greater degree than the bait alone.

Since the collecting chamber 2 is empty when the trap is not in use, the tray can be folded for storage to a very small size relative to its size when in use.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An insect trap comprising a first chamber for containing a bait or lure and having holes though which insects can enter said first chamber, a second chamber adjacent to said first chamber and having means for admitting light into said second chamber, the first and second chambers being separated by a wall having an apenure therein through which inset can pass from the first chamber into the second chamber, and wherein the second chamber is collapsible so that it can be folded for storage and be extended by the weight of the trap when the trap is in use.

2. A trap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first chamber and the separating wall are made of a dark coloured material, so that the interior of the first chamber is darkened relative to the interior of the second chamber.

3. A trap as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the holes through which insects can enter said first chamber include passages extending in the interior of the first chamber, which passages are narrower at their ends inside the chamber than at their ends at the outside of the chamber, so that it is easy for insects to enter, but difficult for them to leave through the same holes.

4. A trap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second chamber is intended to be uppermost, when the trap is in use, and has means on its top surface for suspending the trap, the collapsible second chamber being extended Iby the weight of the first chamber when the trap is in use.

5. A trap as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second chamber is made of ightweight translucent plastics material in a concertina-type constiaction.

6. A trap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first chamber includes a detachable container for containing the bait or lure.

7. A trap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a mesh is interposed in rhe first chamber between the bait or lure and the holes through which insects enter said first chamber.

8. A trap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein all the oompinent parts are plastics mouldings.

9. An insect trap substantially as herein des cribbed with reeeren to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

bait tray can be removed by unscrewing and a spray of fly killing aerosol can be directed into the chamber 2. The whole trap may then be disposed d by burning or any other suitable method.

The walls of the chamber 2 can be blow moulded from low density polyethylene; the base can be moulded in polystyrene or any similar rigid plastics material; the cone 9 can be moulded in polystyrene as can the bait tray 6 which is attached bv means of an inteally moulded thread to the flanged portion 12 descending from the base.

The grille 7 in the base can be moulded integrally with the base itself. Plugs 13 are provided to dose the entrances 4 if this should be necessary.

To assemble the trap, the cone 9 fits into the base and sits on integrally moulded ribs

14 (see Figure 2). The chamber 2 clips onto the base and is secured and located there by cooperation of the holes 15 round its lower circumference with the entrance holes 4 on the base.

A suitable bait is chopped liver or fish gut, or tinned pet food, preferably the type cen- taining liver. Addition of a solution of sodium sulphate to the bait increases the odour and serves to attract the insects to a greater degree than the bait alone.

Since the collecting chamber 2 is empty when the trap is not in use, the tray can be folded for storage to a very small size relative to its size when in use.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An insect trap comprising a first chamber for containing a bait or lure and having holes though which insects can enter said first chamber, a second chamber adjacent to said first chamber and having means for admitting light into said second chamber, the first and second chambers being separated by a wall having an apenure therein through which inset can pass from the first chamber into the second chamber, and wherein the second chamber is collapsible so that it can be folded for storage and be extended by the weight of the trap when the trap is in use.
2. A trap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first chamber and the separating wall are made of a dark coloured material, so that the interior of the first chamber is darkened relative to the interior of the second chamber.
3. A trap as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the holes through which insects can enter said first chamber include passages extending in the interior of the first chamber, which passages are narrower at their ends inside the chamber than at their ends at the outside of the chamber, so that it is easy for insects to enter, but difficult for them to leave through the same holes.
4. A trap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second chamber is intended to be uppermost, when the trap is in use, and has means on its top surface for suspending the trap, the collapsible second chamber being extended Iby the weight of the first chamber when the trap is in use.
5. A trap as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second chamber is made of ightweight translucent plastics material in a concertina-type constiaction.
6. A trap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first chamber includes a detachable container for containing the bait or lure.
7. A trap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a mesh is interposed in rhe first chamber between the bait or lure and the holes through which insects enter said first chamber.
8. A trap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein all the oompinent parts are plastics mouldings.
9. An insect trap substantially as herein des cribbed with reeeren to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.