WO2009089553A1

WO2009089553A1 - Insect trap

Info

Publication number: WO2009089553A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2008/000123
Authority: WO
Inventors: Amelia Rampersad
Original assignee: Amelia Rampersad
Priority date: 2008-01-06
Filing date: 2008-12-12
Publication date: 2009-07-16
Also published as: ZA200810815B

Abstract

A trap for insects such as flies, mosquitoes and others has an open-mouthed container (10) and a lid (14) for the container that moves between a first position in which it provides a peripheral opening for entrance of insects, and a second position in which the gap is sealed for safe and convenient disposal; such movement being caused by engagement of complementary screw or twist threads and/or bayonet formations on lid and mouth (13).

Description

INSECT TRAP

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a trap for insects and particularly for the common house fly.

BACKGROUND ART

A number of insect traps have been devised in which bait is located in a container that has an opening for easy access by the insects but that has an opening that the insects will not be able to find for exit. In a particular form the opening is conical so that the insects enter the wide end easily and thence, attracted by the bait in the container, through a small orifice in the apex of the cone. Once in the container, the insects are unable to work out a way of finding the small orifice and are therefore captive in the container. The bait generally contains an insecticide and the insects are doomed.

The disposal of a trap involves certain problems, the most important of which is that of the difficulty of sealing the trap and thereby subjecting the environment to the smell of the bait and the possibility of the contents spilling and causing pathogenic problems.

In Patent Application WO 2006/028765 (Woodstream Corporation) a disposable insect trap has an entry plate with small orifices for the insects to enter the trap but not be able to exit through the orifices The trap has a lid that engages with the entry plate by means of pins on the lower side of the lid, the pins being received by holes in the entry plate. The engagement of the pins in the holes serves to fix the lid in a first position in which there is a gap between lid and plate and a second position in which the lid abuts the plate for sealing purposes. The lid is openable by means of a cord anchored to the lid. The trap has many parts and its sealability is suspect.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simpler trap having less parts and which has improved sealability. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention an insect trap includes an open mouthed container having a lid engageable with the mouth and being rotatably adjustable in relation to the mouth by screw or twist formations between a first position in which there is a gap between the edges of the lid and mouth for entry of insects, and a second position in which the lid fully seals with the mouth when required for disposal of the trap.

In a preferred form of the invention the lid is movable to an intermediate position between the first and second position so that the trap may be set for small and large insects. The gap should be of the order of 10mm for large and 5mm for small insects.

The lid and opening may include a complementary screw or twist formations allowing for the movement outlined above. The twist formations may comprise or include a single or fractional turn screw and/or bayonet formations.

The lid may include indents for thumb and fingers to be able to rotate it in either direction to increase or decrease the gap, and to open or seal the trap.

Whereas prior art traps had holes in the lid or top for suspending the trap, the present invention provides ears for receiving a strap for suspension. This further obviates the suspect sealing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a fly trap incorporating the present invention,

Figures 2A and 2B indicate the two extreme positions of the lid,

and Figure 3 is an exploded isometric drawing of the trap.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the drawings a container in the form of a bag 10 is attached to a ring 12 having an open mouth. 13. The mouth has a lid 14 which is movable between a first open position as shown in Figure 2A and a closed sealed position as shown in Figure 2B either by screw, twist and/or or bayonet action.

In the open position the insects are attracted to the bait in the container but have to enter through the gauze cone 17 as is the case with conventional traps.

In Figure 3 the lid has legs with threads 19 that correspond with threads 20 formed inside the mouth so that rotation of the lid causes it to open or close depending on the direction of rotation.

Figures 2A and 2B demonstrate the action of lid in its two positions, the open position being Figure 2A and the closed position in Figure 2B.

The trap is suspended by means of a cord 20 through ears 22. Once the bag is filled to capacity or to a desired extent, the lid is rotated for closure and the liquid inside the bag cannot seep or spill out thereby securing a safe, hygienic and easily disposable unit.

The lid has sunken formations 24 for fingers and thumb so that rotation is easily achieved.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An insect trap includes an open mouthed container having a lid engageable with the mouth characterized in that

the lid is rotatably adjustable in relation to the mouth by screw, twist or bayonet formations

between a first position in which there is a peripheral gap between the edges of the lid and mouth for entry of insects

and a second position in which the lid fully seals with the mouth when required for disposal of the trap.

2. The trap according to claim 1 characterised in that the lid is movable to an intermediate position between the first and second position so that the trap may be set for small and large insects.

3. The trap according to either of the above claims characterised in that the lid and opening include complementary screw, twist or bayonet formations allowing for the movement at least between the first and second positions.

4. The trap according to any of the above claims characterised in that the lid includes indents for thumb and fingers to be able to rotate it in either direction to increase or decrease the gap, and to open or seal the trap.

5. The trap according to any of the above claims characterised by the provision of ears for receiving a strap for suspension.