GB2592749A

GB2592749A - An insect trap

Info

Publication number: GB2592749A
Application number: GB2100622.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Varghese Kaye Mathew; Baptista Carl
Original assignee: Brandenburg UK Ltd
Current assignee: Brandenburg UK Ltd
Priority date: 2017-10-23
Filing date: 2017-10-23
Publication date: 2021-09-08
Anticipated expiration: 2037-10-23
Also published as: GB2592749B; GB202100622D0

Abstract

An insect trap 10 comprises a back housing 12, an insect capture or killing means 100, a light source 22, a cover 16 comprising openings (18, Fig 2) through which insects can enter the trap and through which insect attracting light is dispersed. The light source comprises light emitting diodes (LEDs) which emit ultra violet (UV) light. The LEDs may be mounted between the back housing and the cover such that light emitted is directed inwardly towards the insect capture or killing means and the back housing-by the use of a guide/baffle or by the natural configuration of the LEDs- and precluded from being directed immediately outward of the cover. In another embodiment the light source is splayed by plus/minus 60 degrees to the plane (X-X) of the back housing. The LEDs may be mounted on carrying members (24a, 24b) positioned at or inset from a perimeter of the back housing.

Description

AN INSECT TRAP

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an insect trap and more particularly to an insect trap comprising a back housing, a cover capable of transmitting light there through, and a light source comprising light emitting diodes, hereafter LEDs, which emit ultra violet (UV) light.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Insect traps of various types are well known. A particularly common trap type, particularly for flying insects, comprises an insect attractant means, such as, for example a fluorescent UV light source and an insect trapping or killing means, such as, for example an adhesive board or paper or an electronic fly zapper, contained in a housing. The flying insects are attracted to the trap, enter the housing through openings and get caught on the trapping means or hit the zapper and are killed. To maintain efficiency of capture (or killing), the adhesive board or paper needs to be regularly replaced and/ or the trap cleaned. The adhesive board or paper also needs to be inspected and records kept. The lights also need to be cleaned as insects get "welded" to the bulbs, and in any case the lights have a limited life span.

A typical basic trap of this type with a glue board is disclosed in EP1457111, and 25 comprises a translucent cover with an innermost surface which helps maximise UV emission from the trap, thus improving capture efficiency.

Related family member EP0947134 claims a further aspect of such a trap which is adapted to ensure the insect capture means is, to a significant extent, not readily visible through the cover. To this end, and in a particularly favoured embodiment, the cover comprises louver openings angled to also prevent the glue board being visible when viewed substantially perpendicularly to a plane of the back housing. A more favoured arrangement is one in which the louver openings are paired about a centre point to provide a downward and upward inflexion respectively. Such an arrangement helps to draw air in at the bottom of the trap.

Conventional UV fluorescent tubes are however expensive to run and need to be regularly replaced.

It is a first object of the present invention to provide a more efficient trap requiring less maintenance.

It is a further object to improve capture efficiency.

PRESENT INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a trap for catching or killing insects comprising a. a back housing; b. an insect capture or killing means; c. an insect attracting light source; and d a cover, comprising openings allowing insects to enter the trap, through which insect attracting light is dispersed; wherein the light source comprises light emitting diodes (LED's) which emit ultra violet (UV) radiation.

Advantageously the LED's are mounted between said back housing and the cover such that the light emitted is not transmitted directly outwardly.

Preferably the light is directed within the trap, and more preferably it is directed substantially parallel to a plane of the back housing (referred to as 180 degree -as opposed to 90 degree outwardly (out of the housing) or 90 degree inwardly (toward the back housing).

The LEDs used had a specification as follows:

Table 1

(Ta=25t, RH=30%) Parameter Symbol Value Unit Peak wavelength 111 365 nm Radiant Flux[2] 1>e:37 420 mV1 Forward Voltage 01 VE 3.6 ke Spectrum Half Width A A 9 nm View Angle) 120 deg.

Thermal resistance Ra. [.5 9.25 cC 7W Thus, in one embodiment the light may be directed across the plane radiating by plus 60 degrees to minus 60 degrees (spread), though plus 45 degrees to minus 45 degrees (spread), through plus 30 degrees to minus 30 degrees (spread), and through plus 15 degrees to minus 15 degrees (spread). This can be achieved by the natural configuration of the LED or by the use of guides or baffles e.g. a U-shaped member, which channel the light in the desired direction.

By directing light substantially in this plane, capture efficiency has been increased substantially (compared to directing the light outwardly of the trap, as per the orientation of conventional fluorescent UV tubes.) To facilitate this, an array of LED lights are mounted in front of the back housing 15 and insect capture or killing means, and behind the cover, on a mount and the light is directed or channelled within the trap.

Preferably the mount is positioned at, or inset from, the perimeter of the back housing, and comprise one or two pairs of facing LED carrying members, or is of a substantially circular configuration, such that the LED's are orientated in facing relationship to direct light to the centre of the trap.

Preferably the LED carrying member(s) is/ are substantially U-shaped to preclude light from being directed immediately outwardly, through the cover, or immediately inwardly onto the insect capture means, i.e. the angle of incidence is controlled to e.g. plus/ minus 45 degrees, through plus/ minus 30 degrees and plus/ minus 15 degrees.

The use of LEDs also avoids the need for ballast, which is absent in the trap of the present invention.

Preferably the trap comprises 30-40 LEDs with a peak wavelength of 360 -370nm.

Preferably the trap is a SMART internet enabled trap.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of attracting flying insects to an insect trap comprising diffusing light emitted by light emitting diodes (LEDs) which emit ultra violet (UV) radiation through a translucent cover to attract insects thereto.

Of course, the trap of the invention can include all the other features of traditional traps such as those disclosed in, for example, WO 2009/133372 and EP2651214.

The various aspects of the invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the following figures in which: Fig 1 is an exploded perspective view of a typical prior art insect trap showing the cover being removed and the frame slightly open with conventional UV fluorescent tubes; Fig 2 is a trap of the invention with the cover on; Fig 3 is a trap of the invention with the cover removed to show the back housing, an insect capture means, reflectors and a LED containing mount; and Fig 4 is a comparator photo' illustrating an illuminated insect trap with conventional fluorescent tubes (upper) verses one with LEDs (lower).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig 1 illustrates a typical prior art insect trap (10). It comprises a number of basic components: a back housing (12), a light source in the form of fluorescent, UV emitting tubes (22), an insect capture means (100) and a cover (16). The figure shows the fluorescent tubes carried on a frame hinged to the back housing. The plane of the back housing runs in the direction X-X.

In contrast, and as illustrated in Figs 2, 3 and 4 (lower), the insect trap of the invention (10) comprises a cover (16) which hides the LEDs from view. All that can be seen through the cover openings (18) (when the lights are off) are a minor portion of the glue board (100), a minor portion of the mount (14) supporting the LEDs, and a minor portion of the reflectors (44).

Referring to Fig 3 the mount (14) projects from, and is mounted to, the back housing (12) and comprises two pairs of facing LED carrying members (24a; 24b) which are inset from, a perimeter (20) of the back housing. Such a configuration has been shown by experiment (see below) to significantly improve insect capture.

This or, for example, a substantially circular configuration orientates the LEDs in facing relationship to direct light to the centre (26) of the trap.

A further and significant feature in maximising capture efficiency is to shield the LEDs so the light is directed in a plane (X-X) parallel to the back housing (12).

This may be achieved by housing the LEDs in e.g. a substantially U-shaped LED carrying member(s) (24) (the LEDs are not visible in the Fig) which preclude light from being directed immediately outwardly through the cover (16) or immediately inwardly onto the insect capture means (100).

The cover (16) is made of a translucent material and has an innermost surface which is shaped or roughened to maximise the transmission of UV light as set out in EP1457111. The openings (18) which allow insects to enter the trap are shaped to prevent the lights (22) being visible when viewed substantially perpendicularly to the normal plane (X-X) of the back housing (12). The general principle of maintaining a pleasant appearance of a trap is set out in EP0947134.

The data supporting the claimed invention is set out in the Examples below:

EXAMPLES

Method°loov 1 Test Procedure -1 hour Fly Catch tests (Single trap test) 1.1. Houseflies were reared using a standard rearing procedure. Three to four day old, mixed sex flies were used in the experiments; 1.2.200x flies were used for each replicate; 1.3. Before commencing the test, the Fly Test Room was cleaned of any residual flies from previous tests. Walls and floors were moped using a mild detergent in water.

1.4. Test Room measures 6 metres (length) by 3 metres (width) by 3 metres (height); 1.5. The test room contains 8x 40 Watt Fluorescent tubes evenly spaced and mounted on the ceiling; 1.6. Each tube is 4m in length and is a 'Cool white' colour; 1.7. Ambient UVA and the visible light intensity of the rooms fluorescent light lamps were measured immediately before the release of flies into the room; 1.8. Immediately after the commencement of each test ambient UVA and visible light were measured at a fixed point, from the centre of the room.

The reading was taken with the sensor face parallel to the ceiling, at a distance of 1.5 metres from the ground; 1.9. Temperature was maintained at 25±3 °C and temperature and relative humidity was recorded immediately before the release of any flies into the room; 1.10. Traps were placed at 1.8m from the floor to the underside of the trap, centrally on either of the long walls; 1.11. Trap UV output was measured by calibrated UVA test equipment on the centre UV face of the trap at a distance of 1 meter from the face.

1.12. Two Hundred (200x) mixed sex flies were transferred into the room, at the end farthest from the door, in the corner farthest from the trap.

allowed to acclimatize for 30 minutes to the new room environment with the traps switched OFF; 1.13. After 30 minutes of acclimatization, the traps were switched ON, environmental parameters recorded, and the traps were allowed to operate. The flies were then released and the numbers of flies trapped was recorded every 30min for a total of 60minutes.

Results The results from sequential tests are set out in theTables below: Test 1 LED array (comparing outwardly and inwardly facing LEDs)

Table 2

Design Ave Catch (60min) LED Outwardly 44% LED Inwardly 93% Surprisingly this test suggested that, unlike with fluorescent tubes, it was not desirable to directly transmit the light outwardly, to obtain the most efficient capture.

Test 2 28 LED array with directional testing and testing the effect of the translucent cover.

Table 3

Design Ave Catch (60min) LED Inwardly (90 deg -towards glue board) 50% LED Parallel (180 deg) 72% LED Splayed (45 deg inward) 80% LED Splayed (45 deg inward) translucent cover blackened 44% This test demonstrated that the translucent cover was, like with a traditional fluorescent tube, still playing a significant effect in attracting insects, and that the "internal lighting" of the trap was of significance.

Test 3 LED array -Additional effect of directional control, using guides or baffles, to limit the direction of light transmission and further effect of translucent cover.

Table 4

Design Ave Catch (60min) LED Parallel (180 deg) plus directional guides precluding light being transmitted directly outwardly 83% LED Parallel (180 deg) plus directional guides but with 40% translucent cover blackened The results showed that the use of guides to control the direction of emission maximised catch and that the translucency of the cover was of significance.

Test 4 LED array -Comparative study between UV fluorescent trap and UV LED trap of otherwise equivalent design.

Table 5 -Cobra trap (3 x fluorescent tubes) Time post insect Cobra trap (fluorescent) Catch (Ave) release (minutes) Replicate 1 2 3 4 5 46 62 64 50 32 50.8 58 86 80 72 58 70.8 Table 6 -Cobra trap (30 LED (UV) array) Time post insect Cobra trap (LED) Catch (Ave) release (minutes) Replicate 1 2 3 4 5 59 53 53 55 52 54.4 88 83 82 84 80 83.4 The results show a statistically significant improvement in catch rate over 60 minute (20% improvement).

Table 7 (Statistical analysis on Table 5 data) t-Test: Paired Two Sample for Means 60mins

CCT LCT

Mean 70.8 83.4 Variance 161.2 8.8 Observations 5 5 Pearson Correlation -0.223025967 Hypothesized Mean Difference 0 df 4 t Stat -2.061422972 P(T<=t) one-tail 0.054138833 A statistically significant p value of 0.05 confirms the greater capture efficiency of the LED trap over a conventional fluorescent tube trap after 60 minutes of operation.

Finally, Fig 4 illustrates, photographically, the different appearance of the two traps -LED (lower) compared to fluorescent (upper).

CLAUSES

1 A trap (10) for catching or killing insects comprising a. a back housing (12); b. an insect capture or killing means (100); c. an insect attracting light source (22); and d. a cover (16), comprising openings (18) allowing insects to enter the trap, through which insect attracting light is dispersed; wherein the light source (22) comprises light emitting diodes (LED's) which emit ultra violet (UV) radiation 2. A trap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the LED's are mounted between said back housing (12) and the cover (16) such that the light emitted is directed substantially parallel to a plane (X-X) of the back housing.

3. A trap as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein capture efficiency is greater than 70% in one hour when tested under the controlled conditions of the Example.

4. A trap as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein an array of LEDs (22) are mounted in front of the back housing (12) and insect capture means (100), and behind the cover (16), on a mount (14).

5 A trap as claimed in claim 4 wherein the mount (14) is positioned at, or inset from, a perimeter (20) of the back housing, and comprise one or two pairs (24a; 24b) of facing LED carrying members (24), or is of a substantially circular configuration, such that the LED's are orientated in facing relationship to direct light to the centre (26) of the trap.

6 A trap as claimed in claim 5 wherein the LED carrying member(s) (24) is/ are substantially U shaped to preclude light from being directed immediately outwardly through the cover (16) or immediately inwardly onto the insect capture means (100).

7. A trap as claimed in any of the preceding claims which is absent of ballast.

8. A trap as claimed in any of the preceding claims further comprising reflectors (44) which are seated in front of the insect trapping means and behind the lighting means.

9. A trap as claimed in any of the preceding claims comprising 30-40 LEDs.

10. A trap as claimed in any of the preceding claims which is a SMART internet enabled trap.

11.A method of attracting flying insects to an insect trap comprising diffusing light emitted by light emitting diodes (LEDs) which emit ultra violet (UV) radiation through a translucent cover to attracts insects thereto.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A trap (10) for catching or killing insects comprising a. a back housing (12); b. an insect capture or killing means (100) disposed in front of the back housing c. an insect attracting light source (22) comprising light emitting diodes (LED's) which emit ultra violet (UV) radiation; and d. a cover (16), comprising openings (18) allowing insects to enter the trap, through which insect attracting light is dispersed; wherein the light source (22) is either: i) directed immediately inwardly through plus or minus 45 degrees, by the natural configuration of the LED or by the use of guides or baffles which channel the light in the desired direction, towards the insect capture or killing means (100) and is precluded from being directed immediately outwardly through the cover (16); or ii) splayed by between plus 60 degrees to minus 60 degrees to a plane (X-X) of the back housing and insect capture means (100).
2. A trap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the LED's are housed in a carrying member(s) (24).
3. A trap as claimed in claim 1, subsection ii) wherein the splay is up to 30 degrees towards the insect capture or killing means and / or the cover.
4. A trap as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein an array of LEDs (22) are mounted in front of the back housing (12) and insect capture means (100), and behind the cover (16), on a mount (14).
5 A trap as claimed in claim 4 wherein the mount (14) is positioned at, or inset from, a perimeter (20) of the back housing, and comprise one or two pairs (24a; 24b) of facing LED carrying members (24), or is of a substantially circular or other configuration, such that the LED's are orientated in facing relationship to direct light to the centre (26) of the trap.
6 A trap as claimed in claim 5 wherein the LED carrying member(s) (24) is/ are substantially U shaped to preclude light from being directed immediately outwardly through the cover (16) or immediately inwardly onto the insect capture means (100).
7. A trap as claimed in any of the preceding claims further comprising reflectors (44) which are seated in front of the insect trapping means and behind or in front of the lighting means.
8. A trap as claimed in any of the preceding claims comprising 30-40 LEDs.
9. A trap as claimed in any of the preceding claims which is a SMART internet enabled trap. 15
10. A method of attracting flying insects to an insect trap comprising diffusing light emitted by light emitting diodes (LEDs) which emit ultra violet (UV) radiation wherein the light source (22) is either: i) directed immediately inwardly through plus or minus 45 degrees, by the natural configuration of the LED or by the use of guides or baffles which channel the light in the desired direction, towards an insect capture or killing means (100) and is precluded from being directed immediately outwardly through a cover (16); or ii) splayed by between plus 60 degrees to minus 60 degrees to a plane (X-X) of a back housing (12) and insect capture means (100).