GB2386115A

GB2386115A - Closure apparatus for trapping insects or disposing of sharp objects

Info

Publication number: GB2386115A
Application number: GB0205511A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Karol Pazik
Original assignee: ENTPR CRADLE Ltd; Enterprise Cradle Ltd
Current assignee: ENTPR CRADLE Ltd; Enterprise Cradle Ltd
Priority date: 2002-03-08
Filing date: 2002-03-08
Publication date: 2003-09-10
Anticipated expiration: 2022-03-08
Also published as: GB2386115B; GB0205511D0

Abstract

Closure apparatus 4 for an opening, for example an opening (fig 4, 8) in a container 6, comprises a tubular inlet 18 and a diaphragm 12 having three or more resiliently-deformable closure elements 20, 80. In use, the diaphragm 12 spans the opening (8) and the closure elements 20,80 in their relaxed, undeformed position touch along their edges and close the opening (8). In order to open the opening (8), the tubular inlet 18 is inserted through a central portion of the diaphragm 12, resiliently deflecting the closure elements 20, 80. Access through the opening (8) is then provided along the interior of the inlet. A vapour chamber 2 may be provided having a narrowing frusto-conical funnel 16 leading to the tubular inlet 18. Bait may be placed in the container 6, the vapour from the bait enters the vapour chamber 2 attracting insects such as wasps and flies to enter the vapour chamber 2 through entrances 26. The container 6 may be transparent, a screw on lid 90 may be provided for the chamber 2. The closure apparatus may also be used as a sharps disposal container (figs 33 and 34), the tunnel (fig 34, 90) replaces the vapour chamber 2.

Description

CLOSURE APPARATUS AND METHOD This invention relates to a closure apparatus, for example for a container.

In many applications it is desirable to be able to open and close a container automatically, particularly in applications involving user safety. For example in a trap for stinging insects, such as wasps, the insects may be trapped in a container such as a bait chamber. If the insects are then to be disposed of safely, it is desirable to be able to seal or close the container without permitting any insects to escape. An alternative safetycritical application would be a sharps disposal container in a hospital, for disposing of items such as hypodermic needles or lancets after use. An automatic seal or closure for such a container is desirable to prevent accidental injury to a user.

Summary of the invention The invention provides in a first aspect a closure apparatus and method as defined in appended independent claims. In further aspects the invention provides a trap for insects and a disposal container as defined in appended independent claims. Preferred or advantageous features of the invention are set out in dependent subclaims.

In its first aspect the invention may thus advantageously provide a closure apparatus for an opening comprising a tubular inlet and a diaphragm, or septum, spanning the opening. At a central portion of the diaphragm three or more resiliently-deformable closure elements extend inwardly; in their relaxed, undeformed position the

closure elements preferably touch along their free edges and close the opening. In order to open the opening, the tubular inlet is inserted through the central portion of the diaphragm, resiliently deflecting the closure elements to lie against an outer surface of the inlet. Access through the opening is then provided along the interior of the inlet.

Advantageously, the tubular inlet or inlet passage may be cylindrical or frusto-conical. In the latter case, the inlet may provide an entrance funnel.

The closure apparatus advantageously comprises four or more closure elements and particularly preferably five closure elements. Advantageously, the closure elements are integral with the diaphragm and bounded by slits, or cuts, radiating from a central point. Advantageously, each slit, or cut, terminates at a stress-relieving hole.

This prevents any tendency for the slits to extend or tear under the stress induced by passing the inlet between the closure elements.

In a preferred embodiment, the diaphragm is domed or otherwise asymmetrically formed (for example conicallyformed). In this embodiment, the closure elements in their undeflected position are not coplanar. This has the effect that a lower force is required to separate the closure elements from one side of the diaphragm (the concave side) than from the other (the convex side). This embodiment may be advantageous in, for example, closing a container in circumstances where it is desired to prevent egress or release of the contents from the container when the closure apparatus is in its closed condition.

A further advantage of this embodiment is that it decreases the angle of deflection of the closure elements when the inlet is inserted through the diaphragm, by comparison with a flat diaphragm in which the closure elements are coplanar in their undeflected position. The reduction in opening force and closure element deflection both reduce the stresses and strains applied to the closure elements and advantageously ease the demands on the material of the closure elements.

Advantageously, the diaphragm and the closure elements may be moulded from a resilient material, such as a rubber.

Preferably, they may also be formed as a single component.

In a further aspect of the invention, at its periphery the diaphragm comprises a grommet, or an edge region of enlarged cross-section. Advantageously, these may be moulded or formed from the same material. The grommet may be shaped for fitting into an entrance, such as the neck of a container, so that the closure apparatus may be used to open or close the container.

In a preferred embodiment, an annular insert may also be provided, which fits within the grommet on one side of the diaphragm. The annular insert may advantageously retain the grommet within an entrance, such as the neck of a container.

An inner surface of the annular insert may advantageously be shaped so as to receive or guide the inlet of the closure apparatus. Thus, to open the opening, the inlet may be inserted through the annular insert and thus guided to the central portion of the diaphragm. Further, the annular insert may locate the inlet in position while the opening is open.

The action of the insert in retaining the grommet within the entrance and guiding the inlet is important because, as the inlet is inserted through the diaphragm or is withdrawn, forces are applied to the diaphragm which tend to dislodge it from the entrance. The insert advantageously helps to prevent this.

A further aspect of the invention may advantageously provide an insect trap comprising a vapour chamber and a bait, collection, or killing, chamber.

In use, insects are attracted into the vapour chamber and eventually fall into the bait chamber. When trapping stinging insects, such as wasps, it is important that the bait chamber can be sealed without wasps escaping. In this aspect of the invention, the closure apparatus is used to couple the vapour chamber to the bait chamber, the diaphragm spanning an entrance to the bait chamber and the inlet protruding at a lower end of the vapour chamber. To set up the trap, the vapour chamber is mounted on the bait chamber by forcing the inlet between the closure elements of the diaphragm. After insects have been collected in the bait chamber, the vapour chamber can be removed, withdrawing the inlet of the closure apparatus and allowing the closure elements to close the opening from the bait chamber. The automatic closure of the bait chamber entrance may advantageously prevent the escape of insects from the bait chamber.

Although referred to as a bait chamber, the primary function of the bait chamber is to collect insects. Thus, the bait chamber may be referred to as a collection chamber or as a killing chamber. Bait could mean any attractant or lure and may advantageously, but not exclusively, be located in the bait chamber.

Alternatively, bait could be located in a further chamber, also connected to the vapour chamber, or within the vapour chamber itself.

In the insect trap it may be advantageous to use a liquid bait. The closure apparatus may advantageously provide a sealing effect when the closure elements are in their undeflected position.

To provide a more permanent closure, a lid, such as a screw-on lid, may be applied to cover the diaphragm. This may also advantageously provide a substantially liquidtight seal.

In a further aspect, the invention may advantageously provide a sharps disposal container. This may comprise a container having an entrance spanned by a diaphragm, and an entrance funnel insertable between closure elements at a central portion of the diaphragm. Thus, sharps may be inserted through the funnel into the container, as well as any associated liquids for disposal. The funnel enables easy insertion of items into the container. When disposal is required, the funnel can be withdrawn from the container entrance and the closure apparatus automatically seals the container. Advantageously, the closure apparatus may provide a substantially liquid-tight seal in case the closed container is accidentally inverted. As for the insect trap, a screw-on lid may be added to cover the diaphragm and provide a more permanent seal.

Specific embodiments and best mode of the invention Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of an insect trap according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-section of the insect trap of figure 1; Figure 3 is an isometric view of the bait chamber of the insect trap of the first embodiment; Figure 4 is a plan view of the bait chamber of figure 3; Figure 5 is a side view of the bait chamber of figure 3; Figure 6 is a cross-section of the bait chamber of figure 3; Figure 7 is an isometric view of the vapour chamber of the trap of figure 1; Figure 8 is a longitudinal section of the vapour chamber of figure 7; Figure 9 is a side view of the vapour chamber of figure 7; Figure 10 is an isometric view of a coupling ring of the trap of figure 1; Figure 11 is a plan view of the coupling ring of figure 10; Figure 12 is a longitudinal section of the coupling ring of figure 10; Figure 13 is a side view of the coupling ring of figure 10;

Figure 14 is an isometric view of the closure diaphragm of the trap of figure 1; Figure 15 is a side view of the diaphragm of figure 14; Figure 16 is a longitudinal section of the diaphragm of figure 14; Figure 17 is a view from beneath the diaphragm of figure 14; Figure 18 is a sectional view of the diaphragm of figure 14, on C-C as shown in figure 17; Figure 19 is a section of a detail B of the diaphragm of figure 14, with reference to figure 16; Figure 20 is a section of a detail D of the diaphragm of figure 14, with reference to figure 18; Figure 21 is an isometric view of the annular insert of the trap of figure 1; Figure 22 is a plan view of the insert of figure 21; Figure 23 is a longitudinal section of the insert of figure 21; Figure 24 is a side view of the insert of figure 21; Figure 25 is an isometric view of the screw-on lid of the trap of figure 1; Figure 26 is a plan view of the lid of figure 25;

Figure 27 is a longitudinal section of the lid of figure 25; Figure 28 is a side view of the lid of figure 25; Figure 29 is a partial section of the lid of figure 25 on B-B as shown in figure 26;

Figure 30 is an exploded view of the insect trap of figure 1 ; Figure 31 is an isometric view of the insect trap of figure 1; Figure 32 is an isometric view of the screw-on lid of figure 25 attached to the bait chamber of figure 3; Figure 33 is a side view of a sharps disposal container according to a second embodiment of the invention; and Figure 34 is a sectional view of the sharps disposal container of figure 33.

A first embodiment of the invention will be illustrated with reference to a trap for wasps, as illustrated in figure 1, and shown in section in figure 2. The trap comprises a vapour chamber 2 coupled by means of a closure apparatus 4 to a bait chamber, or killing chamber, 6. The bait chamber is illustrated in more detail in figures 3 to 6 and the vapour chamber in figures 7 to 9. The bait chamber has an opening 8 in its upper surface, surrounded by a substantially cylindrical neck 10. The outer surface of the neck is threaded.

A moulded rubber diaphragm, or septum, 12 fits within the neck as described in more detail below. An annular insert 14 fits within the diaphragm.

The vapour chamber is substantially cylindrical in shape and at its lower end (when oriented for use) terminates in a narrowing frusto-conical funnel 16 leading to a tubular inlet 18. To assemble the trap for use, the tubular inlet is inserted through the annular insert 14 and then through a central portion of the diaphragm comprising five inwardly-extending closure elements 20. When fully inserted, the tubular inlet extends into the bait chamber and the funnel 16 is supported on inner surfaces of the annular insert and the diaphragm. A substantially cylindrical collar 22 encircles the lower end of the vapour chamber, being retained by engagement with a circumferential lip 24 protruding from the outer wall of the cylindrical portion of the vapour chamber. A lower end of the collar is internally threaded for engagement with the externally-threaded neck of the bait chamber.

Screwing the collar onto the neck securely retains the vapour chamber in position on the bait chamber. The structure of the collar is shown in more detail in figures 10 to 13.

In use of the trap, bait is placed in the bait chamber and the vapour chamber attached to the top of the bait chamber. Vapour from the bait enters the vapour chamber and wasps attracted by the vapour enter the vapour chamber through entrances 26 in its side wall. The trapped wasps fly within the vapour chamber, emitting distress pheromones which in turn attract further wasps, until they tire and fall into the funnel at the base of the vapour chamber. The wasps then fall into the bait chamber from which they are unlikely to escape. This is because wasps

tend to fly towards light and at least the upper shoulder 28 of the bait chamber is fabricated from a transparent material, attracting the wasps to fly into the corners of the bait chamber and away from the inlet 18 through which they could return to the vapour chamber.

After the trap has operated for a period of time, the bait chamber typically contains a very large number of wasps and so it is important to be able to seal the bait chamber reliably for disposal. This is achieved by unscrewing the collar 22 and removing the vapour chamber from the bait chamber, whereupon the closure elements 20 resiliently move together to close the bait chamber entrance. This procedure and the structure of the closure apparatus at the bait chamber entrance will now be described in more detail.

The Closure Apparatus The closure apparatus comprises the diaphragm 12, which is moulded from a resilient material such as a rubber, and the inlet 18 extending from the vapour chamber. The diaphragm is illustrated in more detail in figures 14 to 20.

The diaphragm comprises a substantially annular grommet 30 and a domed, or conical section 32 spanning the interior of the annular grommet.

The neck 10 of the bait chamber primarily comprises a cylindrical wall 50, which carries on its outer surface the thread for engagement with the collar 22. The cylindrical wall is joined to the container portion of the bait chamber at a narrower, waisted portion 52. At its outer end, distant from the container portion of the bait

chamber, the neck terminates at a flange 54 which extends inwardly from the cylindrical wall.

The grommet portion of the diaphragm is moulded to be a press fit within the neck 10. At its lower edge, the grommet comprises castellations 34 which bear on an upper edge of the waisted portion 52 of the neck 10. The castellated structure is used to reduce the volume of rubber required to mould the diaphragm. Above the castellations, the grommet is shaped with a substantially cylindrical external wall, to fit against the internal wall of the cylindrical portion 50 of the neck. Two circumferential ribs 38 extend outwardly from the cylindrical wall of the grommet and bear against the internal wall of the cylindrical portion to improve sealing. At its upper end, the cylindrical wall terminates at an inwardly-extending circumferential groove 40, which matches the inwardly-extending flange 54 of the neck 10. Above the groove, the grommet terminates at an annular ridge 42, which protrudes above the neck of the bait chamber when the grommet is in position within the neck.

The domed portion 32 of the diaphragm extends (in use) downwardly from the castellations of the grommet and, when the diaphragm is in place in the neck of the bait chamber, into the bait chamber itself.

The annular insert 14, for insertion within the grommet, is illustrated in more detail in figures 21 to 24. The insert is moulded from a substantially rigid plastics material. From the upper edge of the insert a flange 72 extends outwardly, being shaped to fit into a circumferential groove 44 defined in the inner wall of the grommet. The outer surface of the insert extends

downwardly from the flange 72. Adjacent the flange this surface is substantially cylindrical, to match the internal surface of the grommet, but at its lower end 74, the insert tapers progressively to match the internal profile of the domed portion of diaphragm. The internal profile of the insert is substantially frusto-conical, tapering inwardly from the flange 72 at its upper edge.

The inner surface of the insert is defined by a plurality of fins 76; these reduce the volume of material required to mould the insert. The frusto-conical profile is shaped to match the exterior of the funnel 16 at the base of the vapour chamber. The frusto-conical interior of the insert terminates at its narrow end at an opening which is large enough to guide the tubular inlet 18 at the end of the vapour chamber into contact with the central portion of the diaphragm beneath, where the closure elements are located.

In summary, therefore, the diaphragm is fitted into the neck of the bait chamber as follows. As the diaphragm is pressed into the neck, the castellations 34 engage the waisted portion 52 at the base of the neck 10 to prevent the diaphragm from falling into the bait chamber. When the diaphragm is seated in the neck, the flange 54 extending inwardly at the upper edge of the neck seats in the external groove 40 of the diaphragm. The insert is then press fitted within the diaphragm, until the external flange 72 at the upper edge of the insert enters the internal groove 44 within the diaphragm. The upper edge of the grommet is chamfered to guide the insert into this position. When the insert is in position, it acts to prevent the rubber grommet from deforming and coming free from the flange 54 surrounding the neck of the bait chamber. In addition, the insert is sized such that, when press fitted within the grommet, it urges the grommet

against the internal surface of the neck. This helps to ensure a liquid-tight seal, particular between the ribs 38 and the cylindrical surface of the neck.

The Closure Elements At the central portion of the diaphragm, five substantially triangular closure elements 80 extend inwards, as shown in figure 17. These are divided by slits 82 extending outwardly from a common point at the centre of the diaphragm. Each slit terminates at a circular, stress-relieving hole 84. The closure elements are moulded from the same resilient material as the remainder of the diaphragm and, when the inlet 18 is inserted through the central portion of the diaphragm, resiliently deflect outwards, as shown in figure 2. As the closure elements deflect, the stress-relieving holes 84 prevent tearing of the diaphragm.

When the diaphragm is initially moulded, the slits 82 are defined by chamfered grooves 86 but these do not penetrate entirely through the diaphragm and so the slits themselves are not formed. The slits are formed by tearing of the rubber at the base of each groove 86 as the inlet is first inserted through the diaphragm. Details of this construction are shown in figure 20. This enables the diaphragm to provide a completely liquid-tight seal before the first assembly of the trap. For this purpose, the stress-relieving holes 84 may not comprise holes through the entire thickness of the diaphragm, but regions in which the thickness of the diaphragm is substantially reduced. These aspects of the diaphragm construction enable bait to be provided, sealed within the bait

chamber, and vapour only released when the trap is assembled and ready for use.

The domed or conical shape of the portion of the diaphragm comprising the closure elements provides a number of advantages. First, it reduces the angle through which the closure elements are deflected as the inlet is forced between them. This advantageously reduces the loading on the rubber material of the closure elements. Further, the reduced deflection of the closure elements helps the closure elements to lie close to or in contact with the external surface of the tubular inlet when inserted. This advantageously reduces the possibility that wasps may find their way out of the bait chamber between the closure elements and the inlet.

As the vapour chamber and the bait chamber are assembled and the inlet is inserted through the diaphragm, a force is applied to the diaphragm tending to push it into the bait chamber. Contact between the castellations of the grommets and the waisted portion of the neck prevent this.

In this area of the diaphragm, the insert also prevents the grommet from distorting and falling into the bait chamber.

When the vapour chamber is removed from the bait chamber, the bait chamber may be filled with wasps. As the inlet is withdrawn from the closure elements, a force is applied to the diaphragm tending to pull it out of the neck of the bait chamber, which is undesirable as it would release the wasps. This is prevented by the interaction of the grommet with the flange 54 at the upper end of the neck.

This is assisted by the action of the insert. As the inlet is withdrawn, the closure elements are pulled upwards towards and against the rigid insert. This force

is transferred through the insert to the grommet and thus to the flange at the upper end of the neck of the bait chamber preventing removal or distortion of the grommet portion of the diaphragm.

As the inlet is withdrawn, there may be a tendency for one or more of the closure elements to adhere to the inlet.

The profile of the lower edge of the insert is rounded, and the inner opening of the insert is sufficiently large, to prevent any closure elements adhering to the inlet from jamming within the insert as the inlet is withdrawn. The opening in the insert is, however, sufficiently small to prevent any wasps escaping as the inlet is withdrawn as a result of being caught between a closure element and the inlet.

When the vapour chamber has been removed from the bait chamber, the closure elements resiliently recover into contact with each other, closing the bait chamber and preventing the escape of any trapped wasps. A further advantage of the domed, or conical, shape of the central portion of the diaphragm is that a greater force is required to press the closure elements open from within the bait chamber than from outside the bait chamber.

Thus, even if the bait chamber is accidentally inverted after the diaphragm is closed, no insects should escape.

Finally, a screw-on lid 90 is provided for the bait chamber. This is shown in figures 25 to 29. After the vapour chamber has been removed, the lid is simply screwed onto the bait chamber to provide a permanent seal. The annular ridge 42 at the upper edge of the grommet extends beyond the flange 54 at the upper edge of the neck in order to provide a rubber seal against which the lid can close, to provide a liquid-tight seal.

When the vapour chamber is coupled to the bait chamber, the lid 90 can conveniently be stored at an upper end of the vapour chamber as shown in figures 1 and 2.

The Sharps Disposal Container Figures 33 and 34 illustrate a sharps disposal container according to a second embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is substantially identical to the lower portion of the insect trap described above and so for a written description of its structure reference should be made to the text above. The sharps container structure differs only in that an entrance funnel 90 for the easy disposal of sharps is provided in place of the vapour chamber of the insect trap.

Claims

Claims 1. A closure apparatus for an opening comprising; a tubular inlet; and a diaphragm spanning the opening and comprising at a central portion three or more inwardly-extending closure elements; in which the tubular inlet is insertable through the central portion of the diaphragm, resiliently deflecting the closure elements to open the opening, and is removable to allow the resilient closure elements to return to their undeflected position to close the opening.
2. A closure apparatus according to claim 1, in which the inlet is cylindrical or frusto-conical.
3. A closure apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, comprising 5 closure elements.
4. A closure apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the closure elements are bounded by slits in the diaphragm extending radially outward from a common point.
S. A closure apparatus according to claim 4, in which each slit terminates at its end distant from the common point in a stress-relieving hole or region of reduced diaphragm thickness.
6. A closure apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the diaphragm is domed or is asymmetrically shaped so that the closure elements are more easily

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deflected to open the closure apparatus in one direction than in the other.
7. A closure apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the closure elements are integrally formed with the diaphragm.
8. A closure apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which a circumferential ridge extends from an outer surface of a portion of the inlet which passes through the central portion of the diaphragm and beyond the closure elements on opening the closure apparatus, so that when the inlet is withdrawn from the central portion to close the closure apparatus, the ridge engages an end portion of each closure element and urges each closure element into its closed position.
9. A closure apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the diaphragm comprises at its periphery a grommet or region of enlarged section for fitting within an entrance, such as an entrance to a container.
10. A closure apparatus according to claim 8, in which an outwardly-facing surface of the grommet forms a liquidtight seal when fitted within the entrance.
11. A closure apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising an annular insert for fitting within an inwardly-facing surface of the grommet when inserted within the entrance to urge the grommet against an inwardly-facing surface of the entrance or to lock the grommet in place within the entrance.
12. A closure apparatus according to claim 11, in which an inwardly-facing surface of the insert guides the inlet

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into contact with the central portion of the diaphragm in order to open the closure apparatus.
13. A closure apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the diaphragm spans an entrance to a container, the apparatus further comprising a lid fastenable over the entrance when the opening is closed.
14. An insect trap comprising a vapour chamber and a bait, or collection, chamber couplable together by means of a closure apparatus according to any preceding claim, the diaphragm spanning an opening at an entrance to the bait chamber and the tubular inlet protruding from the vapour chamber, such that insects collected in the bait chamber while the vapour chamber is coupled thereto can be retained in the bait chamber by removing the inlet from the central portion of the diaphragm and closing the opening.
15. A sharps disposal unit comprising an entrance funnel and a container couplable together by means of a closure apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 13, the diaphragm spanning an opening at an entrance to the container and the tubular inlet protruding from the funnel, such that sharps collected in the container while the funnel is coupled thereto can be retained in the container by removing the inlet from the central portion of the diaphragm and closing the opening.
16. A method for opening and closing an entrance, comprising the steps of; to open the entrance, inserting a tubular inlet between three or more resilient closure elements within a diaphragm spanning the entrance, the closure elements

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being separated by slits in the diaphragm radiating from a central point; and to close the entrance, removing the tubular insert to allow the closure elements to return to their undeformed position.