JPH09252700A - Insect capturing device and its manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an insect capturing device of a self sealing and disposable type as a safe and clean moth-repellent means. SOLUTION: The insect capturing device 10 is provided with an entrance structure body 14 making it comparatively easy for insects to enter a container 12 and making it comparatively difficult for insects to exit from the container 12. The device 10 is provided with an ampoule 42 to fill an attractant attracting insects into the container 12 through the body 14. The ampoule 42 is preferably made of glass without reacting to the attractant in order to allow a user to easily break it to discharge the attractant at the time of installing the device. The device 10 is provided with a protection sheath 44 for housing the ampoule 42. The sheath 44 is made of plastic and at least one tip of it is opened. When the user breaks the ampoule 42 to discharge the attractant, the seath 44 allows the attractant to be radiated through an opened tip part and, on the other hand, protects the user from the flakes of the glass ampoule 42.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an insect trapping device and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0002]

U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,787 to Schneidmiller describes an insect trap having a conical entrance structure formed in a flexible bag.

[0003]

The present invention relates to an improvement of the insect trapping device described in the above-mentioned US Pat. No. 4,873,787.

[0004]

The insect trapping device of the present invention comprises a container and an inlet structure. The container is preferably embodied as a flexible plastic bag. The inlet structure comprises a frustoconical shape that makes it relatively easy for insects to enter the bag, while making it relatively difficult for insects to exit the bag. The insect trap comprises an ampoule, which encloses an attractant that attracts insects into the bag through the conical entrance structure. The ampoule is preferably made of glass that does not react with the attractant. This glass ampoule can be easily broken by the user when the capture device is installed to release the attractant. The insect trap further comprises a protective sheath containing the ampoule. The sheath is preferably made of plastic and is formed as a hollow cylindrical tube with both ends open. When the user breaks the ampoule and releases the attractant, the protective sheath allows the attractant to escape from the open end while protecting the user from being scratched by the glass ampoule debris.

[0005]

1 and 2 show an insect trap 10 having a container 12 defining a trap chamber or cavity therein. In the illustrated embodiment,
The container 12 is embodied as a flexible plastic bag. The container 12 is hermetically sealed at its outer periphery to hold water or other fluid therein.

An inlet structure 14 is attached to the top of the container or bag 12. The inlet structure 14 is made of plastic, and the inlet structure comprises a shoulder member 16
And intermediate member 18 and frusto-conical member 20. The shoulder member 16 is fixedly attached to the inner surface of the container 12 so as to hold the inlet structure 14 in its attached position. The intermediate member 18 and the conical member 20 are fixedly connected together and the combination is within the shoulder member 16 for movement between a closed position (FIG. 1) and an open position (FIG. 2). It is slidably attached.

The intermediate member 18 includes a top annular cover 22 which closes the capture opening when the capture device is in its closed position (FIG. 1), and operatively hangs or otherwise captures the capture device. And a fixing element 24 for mounting. In addition, the intermediate member 18 has a collar portion 26 shown in the drawing.
a, 26b and one collar-shaped portion (not shown), three collar-shaped portions, which are connected to each other in the middle and extend in the radial direction. However, the number of collars may be higher or at least better. These collars define the path or passage that insects take as they enter the trap.

The conical member 20 is provided with a horizontal annular row of orifices 30 which emit the odor of attractant from the capture device. Both the top and bottom of the conical member 20 are open and the diameter of the top opening is larger than the diameter of the bottom opening. However, this bottom opening is large enough for insects (eg, flies) to enter the capture chamber within container 12.

The insect trap 10 includes an attractant assembly 40 disposed within the trap chamber of the container 12.
The attractant assembly 40 is preferably attached to the inner surface of the bag 12 below the inlet structure 14. The attractant assembly 40 includes an ampoule 42, a protective sheath 44, and a pair of end caps 46a and 46b. The ampoule 42 holds a liquid attractant for a specific type of insect. For example, the fly catcher is provided with an ampoule that holds a fly attractant. The ampoule 42 is preferably made of a glass-like material that does not react with the attractant. The glass ampoule 42 is made thin so that it can be easily broken to release the attractant when the capture device is installed.

The protective sheath 44 is a flexible hollow tube whose both ends are open. The sheath 44 is preferably made of plastic. The sheath 44 is sized to accommodate a glass ampoule therein. The end caps 46a, 46b are inserted into the respective open ends of the sheath 44 to retain the glass ampoule 42 within the sheath 44. The end cap is made of a permeable material (eg, gauze) and holds the attractant in an ampoule.
It allows the attractant to be dissipated through the open end of the sheath 44 when it is released from 2.

It will be appreciated that the insect trap 10 can be implemented with a relatively larger bag. In this case, a large number of ampoule assemblies 40 are installed in the bag.

The insect trap 10 may also include a bag 50 containing an auxiliary dry attractant. The bag 50 is
Loosely held in the bag 12 and again the ampoule 4
It is adopted to prolong the useful life of the main attractant held in the No. 2 material. This bag is made of a water-soluble material (for example,
Made of polyvinyl alcohol). For some flies, the attractant is effective for 3 to 4 weeks if released from ampoule 42. By adding this auxiliary attractant bag 50, the attractant can be kept in an effective state for 2 months.

FIG. 1 shows the insect trap 10 with the intermediate member 18 extended into the container 12 and in its closed, non-acting state. Cover 22 of the entrance structure 14
Covers the opening into the capture device, and the bag is
It is hermetically wrapped around the top of the inlet structure. The attractant assembly 40 is fixed within the bag 12 and the bag 50 is freely retained within the bag 12. The liquid attractant in ampoule 42 is kept separate from the dry attractant in bag 50. In this state, the insect trap 10 is completely self-sealing. This capture device
It can be safely shipped, displayed on dealer display shelves, and stored at the consumer's home.

When the user wants to install the insect trap, he cuts the bag around the perimeter of the cover 22 and puts the intermediate member 18 on the shoulder member until the conical member 20 abuts the shoulder member 16 (FIG. 2). Raise for 16. The user then grasps or otherwise applies pressure to the protective sheath 44, which pressure is transferred to the glass ampoule by the protective sheath so that the glass ampoule 42 is ruptured. Should the ampoule rupture, the plastic sheath 44 provides user protection from the glass shards, thus preventing cutting or other damage.
The permeable end caps 46a, 46b allow the attractant to diffuse through the open end of the sheath 44 into the capture chamber while protecting the ampoule debris from the protective sheath 44.
Hold within.

The user then fills the bag 12 with fluid (eg, water) from the inlet structure 14 until the fluid level reaches the fill line 60 printed on the bag. The attractant assembly 40 is attached below the filling line 60. As a result, the fluid mixes with the liquid attractant from the broken ampoule and forms a pond of attractant within the capture chamber. The supplemental dry attractant bag 50 enters the fluid and begins to slowly release the supplemental attractant. The capture device is
It is suspended from the fixing element 24 in the direction shown in FIGS.

Insects are attracted to the attractant and enter the trap 10 through the inlet structure 14. Insects enter the conical member 20 through a passage defined by an intermediate member 18 having three collars. Insects roam through the bottom opening of the conical member and are trapped in the capture chamber. Once in this chamber, the insects are nearly unable to return to the narrow conical opening to escape. In this way, the conical entrance structure makes it relatively easy for insects to enter the bag, while making them relatively difficult to exit the bag. Most insects die in the pond of attractant.

When the bag is full of insects, the user may push the intermediate member 18 back into the closed position (FIG. 1) within the bag 12 to dispose of the entire bag.

The self-sealing disposable capture device provides a safe and clean insect repellent means. The user does not handle insects or attractants by hand. The liquid attractant is always kept safely in the container 12. The glass ampoule that holds the liquid attractant is safely contained within the protective sheath to protect the user, even after being torn.

FIG. 3 shows a method of manufacturing an insect trap. The container 12, inlet structure 14, ampoule 42 with attractant, sheath 44, and bag 50 are pre-fabricated prior to assembly. During manufacture of the capture device, attractant ampoule 42 is inserted into one of the open ends of tubular sheath 44. Insert the end caps 46a, 46b into the open ends of the sheath 44 to hold the ampoule 42 in the sheath,
This forms an attractant assembly. The adhesive 44 is then used to attach the sheath 44 within the container 12. Bag 5
0 is loosely placed in the container. Next, the inlet structure 14 is hermetically fixed in the container 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the shoulder member 16 is secured to the inner surface of the top of the bag 12 using an adhesive.

With respect to the features of the structure and method of the present invention,
In compliance with the rules, some specific terminology has been used.
However, it should be understood that the means described in the present specification are merely examples of the embodiments for carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the specific features described in the present specification. Is. Thus, the present invention is intended to cover any such forms or applications falling within the scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents and other applicable legal theory.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view of an insect trap constructed in accordance with the features of the present invention in a closed, non-actuated shipping state.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing an operating state in which the insect trapping device is opened.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an insect trap in a disassembled state, demonstrating the steps of a method of making an insect trap.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 insect trapping device 12 container 14 inlet structure 16 shoulder member 18 intermediate member 20 frustoconical member 22 annular member 24 anchoring element 26a, 26b collar portion 40 attractant assembly 42 ampoule 44 protective sheath 46a, 46b end cap 50 bags

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (71) Applicant 596038939 E. 15916 Sprague Avenue, Veradele, Washington on 99037, United State of of America

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An insect trapping device (10) comprising a container (12), an inlet structure (14) into the container (12), and insects from the inlet structure (14) to the container (12). ) A rupturable ampoule (42) mounted in the container (12) for holding an insect attractant to be attracted therein. 2. The insect trapping device according to claim 1,
Insect trapping device, characterized in that the container (12) comprises a flexible bag. 3. The insect trapping device according to claim 1,
The container (12) is structured to retain water up to a predetermined filling line (60), and the ampoule (42) is mounted in the container (12) below the filling line (60). Characteristic insect trapping device. 4. The insect trapping device according to claim 1,
The insect trapping device further comprising a bag (50) containing an auxiliary attractant held in the container (12). 5. The insect trapping device according to claim 1,
The insect trapping device further comprising a protective sheath (44) accommodating the ampoule (42). 6. The insect trapping apparatus according to claim 1,
The insect trapping device, wherein the ampoule (42) is made of glass and further comprises a plastic sheath (44) for containing the glass ampoule (42). 7. The insect trapping apparatus according to claim 1,
The ampoule (42) further comprises a protective sheath (44) made of glass and having at least one end opened, and the protective sheath (44) is provided when a user breaks the ampoule (42) to release the attractant. However, allowing the attractant to dissipate through the open end while protecting the user from fragments of the glass ampoule (42). 8. An insect trap (10) comprising a flexible bag (12) and an insect which relatively easily enters the bag while the insect exits the bag (12). And a conical entrance structure (14) that makes it harder to carry out, and an ampoule (4) enclosing an attractant that attracts insects into the bag (12) through the conical entrance structure (14).
2) and a protective sheath (44) accommodating the ampoule (42), the insect trapping device. 9. The insect trap according to claim 8, wherein the ampoule (42) is made of glass, the protective sheath (44) is made of plastic, and at least one end of which is open so that a user When the breach of the ampoule (42) releases the attractant, the protective sheath (44) allows the attractant to dissipate through the open end while protecting the user from glass ampoule debris. An insect trapping device characterized by the above. 10. A method of manufacturing an insect trap, comprising the steps of inserting an attractant ampoule (42) into a protective sheath (44) and attaching the protective sheath (44) to a container (12). Fixing the inlet structure (14) in the container (12) in a hermetically sealed manner.