JP7768552B2 - Sticky fly trap - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a sticky fly trap that captures flies with adhesive.

Traps that capture flies with adhesive are known, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4, for example. The trap in Patent Document 1 is constructed by laminating an adhesive onto a sheet with a concentric pattern, angular pattern, or the like. The trap in Patent Document 2 has an area with multiple designs arranged to form a reflective area that reflects an attractant color to pests. The trap in Patent Document 3 is equipped with an adhesive sheet with an island-in-the-sea pattern. Patent Documents 1 to 3 claim that such patterns are effective in attracting flies. Furthermore, the trap in Patent Document 4 is equipped with an adhesive sheet with peaks and valleys formed, with bait placed in the valleys. Patent Document 4 claims that flies land on the corners of the peaks of the adhesive sheet, thereby capturing them.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-84958 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-135996 Patent No. 6029690 Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 54-174567

However, there is a demand for further improvements in the capture efficiency of such sticky fly traps. In this regard, those that attract flies by using patterns may be able to further improve their attractiveness by devising the color and shape of the pattern, but it is not easy to find such a combination of color and shape. It is also possible to increase the number of flies captured by enlarging the patterned capture surface, but this would require a large amount of installation space.

On the other hand, for trapping at corners (edges), it is possible to further improve the physical shape, but it is difficult to make the physical shape of this type of adhesive trap more complex. Also, even if it is possible to attract many insects to the edge, it is not possible to attract them to other parts, which poses the problem of wasting adhesive on parts other than the edge.

The present disclosure was made in light of these issues, and its purpose is to further improve the capture efficiency of sticky fly traps that use adhesive.

One embodiment for achieving the above objective is a sticky fly trap that has a trapping surface coated with adhesive, and the trapping surface has a red background with a pattern of a color other than red. This pattern may include multiple white and/or black circles.

In another aspect, the present invention is based on an adhesive fly trap, which has a first trapping surface and a second trapping surface to which adhesive is attached, and the first trapping surface and the second trapping surface are connected at a predetermined angle, and a first region of a predetermined width along the edge formed at the connection point between the first trapping surface and the second trapping surface may be a first color. In this case, a second region adjacent to the first region may be a second color different from the first color.

In another embodiment, the present invention is based on an adhesive fly trap, and has a first and second trapping surface to which adhesive is attached, the first and second trapping surfaces being connected at a predetermined angle, and the first and second trapping surfaces having a pattern that attracts flies. This pattern can be a color other than red on a red background. In this embodiment, the first and second trapping surfaces are connected at a predetermined angle, a first region of a predetermined width along the edge formed at the connection point between the first and second trapping surfaces is a first color, and a second region adjacent to the first region is a second color different from the first color.

In other words, if the sticky trap's pattern alone is used to attract flies, one option would be to increase the number of flies caught by making the trap surface larger, but this would require a lot of installation space. Therefore, by connecting the patterned first and second trap surfaces at a specific angle, it is possible to increase the area of the trap surface while reducing the installation space.

Furthermore, by connecting the first and second capture surfaces at a predetermined angle, an edge is formed, which also exerts an attracting effect through the edge, allowing for even more efficient capture. Conventional traps that use edges to attract bait do not attract bait in areas other than the edge, resulting in wasted adhesive. However, with the above configuration, bait can be attracted in areas other than the edge using the pattern, so no adhesive is wasted.

As explained above, it is possible to further improve fly capture efficiency while reducing installation space.

1 is a plan view of a sticky fly trap according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sticky fly trap showing a first mode of use. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the sticky fly trap showing a second mode of use.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a sticky fly trap 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as trap 1) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 shows trap 1 stretched out along a plane (flat state), and when in use, it is folded in a three-dimensional state to create peaks and valleys, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. However, trap 1 may also be used in a flat state.

The trap 1 is made up of, for example, sheet-like or plate-like members. The members that make up the trap 1 are not particularly limited, but examples include paper, resin plates, etc., and it may also be a laminate of paper and resin sheets. The members that make up the trap 1 have shape-retaining properties that allow them to maintain their shape during use. For example, the hardness and material of the members that make up the trap 1 are set so that flat parts remain flat and folded parts maintain their folded shape during use (at least several weeks to approximately one month). Specific examples of the members that make up the trap 1 include thick paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, and hard resin plates.

As shown in Figure 1, the width and depth directions of the trap 1 are defined, but this is done merely for the convenience of explaining the embodiment and does not limit the orientation of the trap 1 when actually in use, or the orientation of the trap 1 during manufacture or storage. If the width direction of the trap 1 is defined as the first direction of the trap 1, then the second direction perpendicular to the first direction in a planar view is the depth direction of the trap 1. The width and depth dimensions of the trap 1 may be the same, or one may be longer than the other. In this embodiment, the width dimension is set longer than the depth dimension when the trap 1 is in a flat state, but the width dimension may also be set shorter than the depth dimension.

Edges 1a and 1b on both sides of the trap 1 in the width direction extend linearly in the depth direction and are parallel to each other. On the other hand, edges 1c and 1d on both sides of the trap 1 in the depth direction have a shape in which multiple protrusions and recesses are formed alternately in the width direction. However, the shape of the outer edge of the trap 1 is not limited to this and can be any shape. For example, edges 1a and 1b of the trap 1 may have a shape in which multiple protrusions and recesses are formed alternately in the width direction. Also, for example, edges 1c and 1d of the trap 1 may extend linearly in the width direction.

An adhesive is attached to the surface of the trap 1. This surface of the trap 1 constitutes the fly capture surface 2. Any conventionally known adhesive can be used, and has enough adhesive strength to stick to the wings, legs, body, etc. of a fly that comes into contact with it, preventing the fly from flying away. The adhesive is applied to the capture surface 2, making it difficult to peel off from the capture surface 2. The adhesive is colorless and transparent, allowing the color and pattern formed on the capture surface 2 to be seen through the adhesive. The adhesive only needs to be translucent enough to allow the capture surface 2 to be seen, and may be lightly colored. The thickness of the adhesive layer formed by the adhesive can be set as desired.

The capture surface 2 includes a plurality of first capture surfaces 2a, 2c, and 2e, and a plurality of second capture surfaces 2b, 2d, and 2f. From one side of the width of the trap 1 to the other, the capture surfaces are arranged in the following order: first capture surface 2a, second capture surface 2b, first capture surface 2c, second capture surface 2d, first capture surface 2e, and second capture surface 2f. The first capture surface 2a and the second capture surface 2b are adjacent, and the first capture surface 2c and the second capture surface 2d are adjacent, and the first capture surface 2e and the second capture surface 2f are adjacent. The second capture surface 2b and the first capture surface 2c are adjacent, and the second capture surface 2d and the first capture surface 2e are adjacent. The first capture surface 2a and the second capture surface 2b form a pair, the first capture surface 2c and the second capture surface 2d form a pair, and the first capture surface 2e and the second capture surface 2f form a pair, so three pairs of capture surfaces are provided in one trap 1. Although not shown, there may be only one pair of first capture surface and second capture surface, or two, four or more pairs.

A first opening 3 is formed in the depthwise center of the first capture surface 2a, located at one widthwise end of the trap 1. A second opening 4 is formed in the depthwise center of the second capture surface 2f, located at the other widthwise end of the trap 1. The first opening 3 and second opening 4 are formed to penetrate the trap 1 in the thickness direction and are, for example, circular. A hook-shaped hanging device 100, as shown in Figure 3, can be passed through the first opening 3 and second opening 4. Although not shown, members such as string, thread, or rope can also be passed through the first opening 3 and second opening 4. By using the hanging device 100, string, thread, or rope, the trap 1 can be hung and used.

In Figure 1, the imaginary line showing the boundary between the first capture surface 2a and the second capture surface 2b is shown as a dashed line as the first boundary line L1, the imaginary line showing the boundary between the second capture surface 2b and the first capture surface 2c is shown as a dashed line as the second boundary line L2, the imaginary line showing the boundary between the first capture surface 2c and the second capture surface 2d is shown as a dashed line as the third boundary line L3, the imaginary line showing the boundary between the second capture surface 2d and the first capture surface 2e is shown as a dashed line as the fourth boundary line L4, and the imaginary line showing the boundary between the first capture surface 2e and the second capture surface 2f is shown as a dashed line as the fifth boundary line L5. The first to fifth boundary lines L1 to L5 are straight lines extending in the depth direction and are parallel to each other.

At the time of distribution and sale, a release paper (not shown) is provided on the capture surface 2 of the trap 1, and the trap 1 is folded along the first to fifth boundary lines L1 to L5 and packaged in a folded state. That is, the first capture surface 2a and the second capture surface 2b are folded together in a mountain fold along the first boundary line L1. The second capture surface 2b and the first capture surface 2c are folded together in a valley fold along the second boundary line L2. The first capture surface 2c and the second capture surface 2d are folded together in a mountain fold along the third boundary line L3. The second capture surface 2d and the first capture surface 2e are folded together in a valley fold along the fourth boundary line L4. The first capture surface 2e and the second capture surface 2f are folded together in a mountain fold along the fifth boundary line L5.

In this way, trap 1 is folded and packaged when distributed and sold. When first using it, the user unfolds the folded trap 1, unfolding it into a three-dimensional shape with multiple alternating peaks and valleys, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The user then begins use by peeling off the release paper provided on trapping surface 2 to expose the adhesive. Alternatively, trap 1 may be stored in a flat state as shown in Figure 1 when distributed and sold, and then folded by the user to form the three-dimensional shape shown in Figures 2 and 3 when first using it.

In this embodiment, the first to fifth boundary lines L1 to L5 are set to create three peaks and two valleys, but this is not a limitation; one or more peaks may be used. Also, Figure 2 shows a configuration in which the trap is placed on a support surface (not shown) such as a table or desk, with the back surface of the valleys of the trap 1 and the edges 1a and 1b on both sides of the width coming into contact with the support surface.

The first capture surface 2a and the second capture surface 2b, which are bent at the first boundary line L1, are connected at a predetermined angle. Specifically, the angle between the first capture surface 2a and the second capture surface 2b is greater than 30 degrees and less than 150 degrees. Because the first capture surface 2a and the second capture surface 2b are connected at this angle, a first edge E1 (or first corner) extending linearly in the depth direction is formed at the connection between the first capture surface 2a and the second capture surface 2b.

Furthermore, the first capture surface 2c and the second capture surface 2d, which are bent at the third boundary line L3, are also connected at a predetermined angle, so a second edge E2 (or a second corner) extending linearly in the depth direction is formed at the connection between the first capture surface 2c and the second capture surface 2d. Furthermore, the first capture surface 2e and the second capture surface 2f, which are bent at the fifth boundary line L5, are also connected at a predetermined angle, so a third edge E3 (or a third corner) extending linearly in the depth direction is formed at the connection between the first capture surface 2e and the second capture surface 2f. The angles between the first capture surface 2a and the second capture surface 2b, the first capture surface 2c and the second capture surface 2d, and the first capture surface 2e and the second capture surface 2f may all be the same or different from each other. Additionally, since it is sufficient for at least one edge to be formed on the trap 1, the trap 1 may be bent so that any one or two of the first to third edges E1 to E3 are not formed.

If the above angle is too large, the edges E1 to E3 will not stand out, making it difficult to achieve the attracting effect of the edges described below, and the installation area of the trap 1 will also increase. If the above angle is too small, the patterns between the edges E1 to E3 will be difficult for flies to see, making it difficult to achieve the attracting effect of the patterns described below. As mentioned above, this angle can be greater than 30 degrees and less than 150 degrees, and it is more preferable that it be greater than 60 degrees and less than 120 degrees. More specifically, it can be an angle of around 90 degrees.

Three first regions 3a, 3b, and 3c are formed on the capture surface 2 along edges E1 to E3. The first region 3a is elongated and extends along the first edge E1, with a predetermined width on each side in the width direction as viewed from the first edge E1. The first region 3b is elongated and extends along the second edge E2, with a predetermined width on each side in the width direction as viewed from the second edge E2. The first region 3c is elongated and extends along the third edge E3, with a predetermined width on each side in the width direction as viewed from the third edge E3. The longitudinal direction of the first regions 3a, 3b, and 3c coincides with the depth direction of the capture device 1, and the width direction of the first regions 3a, 3b, and 3c coincides with the width direction of the capture device 1. In this embodiment, the widths of the first regions 3a and 3c are set to be equal, and the width of the first region 3b is set to be wider than the width of the first region 3a, but this is not limited to this, and the widths of the first regions 3a, 3b, and 3c may all be equal or may all be different. Also, in this embodiment, the widths of the first regions 3a, 3b, and 3c are constant in the depth direction, but this is not limited to this, and the widths of the first regions 3a, 3b, and 3c may vary in the depth direction.

In addition, six second regions 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, and 4f are formed on the capture surface 2. The second region 4a is adjacent to the first region 3a and is formed on the first capture surface 2a. The second region 4b is adjacent to the first region 3a and is formed on the second capture surface 2b. The second region 4c is adjacent to the first region 3b and is formed on the first capture surface 2c. The second region 4d is adjacent to the first region 3b and is formed on the second capture surface 2d. The second region 4e is adjacent to the first region 3c and is formed on the first capture surface 2e. The second region 4f is adjacent to the first region 3c and is formed on the second capture surface 2f. In other words, the areas on the capture surface 2 other than the first areas 3a, 3b, and 3c are the second areas 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, and 4f, with the second areas 4b and 4c located between the first areas 3a and 3b, and the second areas 4d and 4e located between the first areas 3b and 3c. Note that the capture surface 2 may also have a third area formed other than the first areas 3a, 3b, and 3c and the second areas 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, and 4f.

The adhesive is provided only in the first regions 3a, 3b, 3c and the second regions 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, and not in the second region 4a on one side in the width direction or the second region 4f on the other side in the width direction. In other words, because no adhesive is provided in the second region 4a where the first opening 3 is formed or the second region 4f where the second opening 4 is formed, the adhesive will not adhere to the hands or the hanging device 100 when passing the hanging device 100 through the first opening 3 or second opening 4, as shown in Figure 3, for example. The adhesive may also be provided on the entire surface of the capture surface 2.

The first regions 3a, 3b, and 3c are colored a first color, and the second regions 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, and 4f are colored a second color different from the first color. The first color can be a lighter color than the second color. Examples of the first color include white, yellow, and gray. Examples of the second color include red, black, and green. As will be described in more detail below, the second regions 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, and 4f may have a pattern. In other words, the second regions 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, and 4f are not necessarily solid colors. In this case, the "second color" refers to the color of the portions of the second regions 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, and 4f other than the pattern, i.e., the background color.

In this embodiment, the second regions 4a and 4f are colored only red, but the other second regions 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4e have a pattern of a color other than red on a red background. This pattern attracts flies. For example, when a surface with this pattern and a surface without this pattern are placed in the same group of flies, more flies will be attracted to the surface with this pattern. Patterns with this kind of attracting effect are formed in the second regions 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4e.

Specifically, wide areas of the second regions 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, and 4f (shown with diagonal lines in each figure) are colored red. The second regions 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4e are formed with a pattern including multiple white and/or black circles. The pattern may consist of only white circles, only black circles, or a combination of white and black circles. The number of circles included in the pattern is not particularly limited and may be one or multiple. The size of the circles included in the pattern is also not particularly limited and may be set, for example, within the range of 1 mm to 50 mm in diameter. When the pattern includes multiple circles, the diameters of the circles may be different from each other or may all be the same. The circles may be located at the edges or centers of the second regions 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4e. When multiple circles are included, they may be arranged randomly. The pattern may include ellipses or ovals instead of circles, or may include ellipses or ovals in addition to circles.

In this embodiment, the trap 1 does not contain an attractant. The term "attractant" used here refers to a substance that attracts flies, and includes organic matter that serves as fly food and volatile chemical substances that attract flies. In other words, the trap 1 of this embodiment attracts flies using the color, pattern, and shape of the trap 1, without using an attractant, and can capture flies using adhesive. However, this is not a limitation, and the trap 1 may contain an attractant. In this case, for example, fly food may be placed on the capture surface 2, or an attractive chemical substance may be mixed into the adhesive.

(Fly attraction test)
Next, the fly attraction test will be described. A peat-grady chamber was used as the test equipment. Test traps were placed on the floor of the peat-grady chamber, and sticky control traps were placed at intervals. 25 male and 25 female house flies (Musca domestica) were released into the chamber, and the numbers of flies captured in the test and control traps were counted. The test lasted 8 hours. The relative number of flies captured by each test trap was calculated by dividing the number of flies captured by the test trap by the number of flies captured by the control trap.

(Edge color effect)
First, as Example 1, a trap was prepared in which the first regions 3a, 3b, and 3c including the first to third edges E1 to E3, respectively, were colored white and the second regions 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, and 4f were colored black (no pattern), and the trap was folded as shown in Figure 2. Also, as Comparative Example 1, a trap was prepared in which the first regions 3a, 3b, and 3c and the second regions 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, and 4f were colored black (no pattern), and the trap was folded as shown in Figure 2 with the valleys colored white. Furthermore, as Comparative Example 2, a trap was prepared in which the first regions 3a, 3b, and 3c were colored white and the second regions 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, and 4f were colored black (no pattern), and the trap was flat.

The test results are as follows. Comparing Example 1 and Comparative Example 1, the relative number of captures in Example 1 was 2.1 times that of Comparative Example 1. Comparing Example 1 and Comparative Example 2, the relative number of captures in Example 1 was 6 times that of Comparative Example 2. In other words, it is clear that flies are attracted by forming the first to third edges E1 to E3, and that by coloring the areas along the first to third edges E1 to E3 white and coloring the other areas a color other than white, the number of flies captured increases significantly. The reason for this is not entirely clear, but it is thought that by coloring the areas along the edges a lighter color than the other areas, the attractive effect of the edges is enhanced by the contrast.

(Effect of color in the second area)
Next, as Example 2, a trap was prepared in which the first regions 3a, 3b, and 3c, including the first to third edges E1 to E3, were colored white, and the second regions 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, and 4f were colored red (no pattern), and the trap was bent as shown in Figure 2. Comparing Example 1 and Example 2, the relative number of flies captured in Example 2 was 1.6 times that of Example 1. In other words, it can be seen that by coloring the first to third edges E1 to E3 white and the other parts red, the number of flies captured was further increased.

(Pattern effect)
In Example 3, a fly trap was prepared in which a fly-attracting pattern (a white-only circular pattern) similar to that of Example 2 was added, as shown in FIG. 2 . The circular pattern consisted of a mixture of circles of different diameters (circles with diameters of 2.2 cm, 1.8 cm, and 1.0 cm). Comparing Example 3 with Example 2, the relative number of flies captured in Example 3 was 1.2 times higher than that in Example 2. This demonstrates that the white circular pattern significantly improves fly attraction. Furthermore, when a test was also conducted with a pattern consisting of regularly arranged circles of the same diameter, the number of flies captured was lower compared to Example 3. This demonstrates that a pattern consisting of a mixture of circles of different diameters is preferable. Furthermore, tests were conducted with patterns including white illustrations and white arrow-shaped figures, and the number of flies captured was lower compared to Example 3. This demonstrates that simple patterns, such as circular patterns, are preferable, rather than complex shapes such as illustrations and arrows.

In addition, as Example 4, a trap was prepared in which a fly-attracting pattern (both white and black circular patterns) as shown in Figure 2 was added to the trap in Example 2. The diameter of the circular patterns was a mixture of circles of different diameters, as in Example 3 above. Comparing Example 4 with Example 3, the relative number of flies caught in Example 4 was 1.8 times higher than in Example 3. Therefore, it can be seen that forming circular patterns in both a color that is lighter than red (the background color), such as white, and a color that is darker than red (the background color), such as black, significantly improves the fly-attracting effect.

(Effects of the embodiment)
As described above, according to this embodiment, the capture surface to which the adhesive is attached has a pattern of a color other than red on a red background, which significantly improves the fly attracting effect, and therefore the fly capture efficiency can be increased while reducing the installation space of the trap 1.

Furthermore, by connecting the patterned first capture surfaces 2a, 2c, and 2e and the second capture surfaces 2b, 2d, and 2f at a predetermined angle, the area of the capture surface 2 can be increased while reducing the installation space.

Furthermore, edges E1 to E3 are formed by connecting the first capture surfaces 2a, 2c, and 2e with the second capture surfaces 2b, 2d, and 2f at a predetermined angle, which also maximizes the attraction effect of edges E1 to E3, resulting in more efficient capture. Furthermore, conventional traps did not attract insects in areas other than edges E1 to E3, resulting in wasted adhesive. However, with this embodiment, areas other than edges E1 to E3 can be attracted by the pattern, so no adhesive is wasted.

The above-described embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted as limiting. Furthermore, all modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

As described above, the sticky fly trap of the present invention can be used by, for example, placing it on a surface or hanging it from a hanging device.

1 Sticky fly trap 2 Capture surfaces 2a, 2c, 2e First capture surfaces 2b, 2d, 2f Second capture surfaces 3a, 3b, 3c First regions 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f Second regions E1 to E3 First to third edges

Claims (3)

A sticky fly trap, comprising:
a first capture surface and a second capture surface having an adhesive attached thereto;
The first capture surface and the second capture surface are connected at a predetermined angle, and a first region of a predetermined width along an edge formed at a connection point between the first capture surface and the second capture surface is a first color;
A sticky fly trap, wherein a second area adjacent to the first area is a second color different from the first color. The sticky fly trap of claim 1,
The sticky fly trap has a trapping surface that has a pattern of a color other than red on a red background. The sticky fly trap according to claim 2,
A sticky fly trap, characterized in that the pattern includes a plurality of white and/or black circles.