WO2010115849A2

WO2010115849A2 - An animal trap incorporating a bait container

Info

Publication number: WO2010115849A2
Application number: PCT/EP2010/054439
Authority: WO
Inventors: David H. Relf
Original assignee: Relf David H
Priority date: 2009-04-02
Filing date: 2010-04-01
Publication date: 2010-10-14
Also published as: DE212010000040U1; GB0905699D0; WO2010115849A3; GB2469103A

Abstract

A mole trap has an elongate hollow body formed in two separable sections (3) and (4). To prevent the mole exiting the trap an obturator (9) is included within the body. The obturator (9) is formed as a bait container having two halves which are held together to retain live bait within the container (9). The bait container (9) is formed of a material which is aroma permeable. The bait is preferably one or more earthworms. Flaps (7) at the ends of the body of the trap may be made of similar material to that of the container so that the presence of the bait within the trap is readily smelt by a mole which is thereby attracted into the trap in which the live bait container (9) retained.

Description

AN ANIMAL TRAP INCORPORATING A BAIT CONTAINER

The present invention relates to an animal trap incorporating a bait container.

European patent No. 0909127 describes an humane trap particularly designed to catch moles.

Whatever the style of trap, it is, of course, necessary that the mole or other animal enter the trap. Traditional mice traps, for example, will use a bait such as a piece of cheese. Bait for traps for other animals may include poisoned bait, but poisoned bait for moles is banned.

The present invention seeks to improve the traps, particularly those for moles, currently available.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an animal trap comprising a mechanism for trapping an animal, and a bait container for bait incorporated within the trap, wherein the bait container is substantially spherical and hollow, and is formed of two generally hemispherical parts releasably connected together, wherein the wall of the substantially spherical bait container is aroma permeable.

In embodiments of the invention, bait such as live earthworms or other live soil invertebrates, such as insect larvae or molluscs, are housed within the bait container. Other bait which may attract moles, such as liver, may also be used. However, as moles have a sense of smell, and can discern movement, it is thought live bait which will have an aroma, and will also move is probably advantageous.

The wall of the substantially spherical bait container must allow the aroma of the bait to penetrate through it, that is, it needs to be aroma permeable. Any permeable plastics material, for example, which has sufficient strength or rigidity to hold the shape of a spherical bait container may be used to form the bait container. In one embodiment, the wall of the substantially spherical bait container is perforated and/or made of a wire mesh, such that it is aroma permeable.

Whether the bait container is made of a plastics material, or of a perforated material whether of metal or other material, or of a wire mesh, the material needs to be sufficiently strong that it can withstand damage even if attacked by a predatory mole.

Whilst the size of any perforations or gaps needs to be sufficient to enable any movement of the bait to be seen or sensed, care has to be taken that any perforations are not large enough for live bait to escape.

As set out above, the spherical bait container is formed of two generally hemispherical parts which are releasably connected together. Any appropriate connecting means may be provided. So, for example, the perimeter of the hemispherical parts may carry complementary screw threads such that the two halves can be connected by screw threading them together.

Additionally and/or alternatively, the peripheries of the two parts may be interengageable by way of interengageable surfaces of any suitable configuration. Where the two parts engage, it is useful to have retention means to hold the parts together.

In one preferred embodiment, two hemispherical parts are connected by way of a hinge and can be retained together by way of retention means positioned diametrically opposite to the hinge means.

As will be seen, in one embodiment it is preferred that the generally spherical bait container be used as an obturator in an humane mole trap as described in EP-A-0909127. However, the bait container may be used in conjunction with any appropriate trap.

Where the bait container is to be used in sprung scissor style or claw or jaw mole traps, it may be provided with engagement means connected to the bait container so that it can be appropriately suspended in the trap. In one embodiment, the invention extends to an animal trap comprising an elongate hollow body defining an elongate cavity, a closure at each end of the cavity, wherein the said closures are arranged to permit entry of an animal into the cavity and to close behind the animal to prevent exit of the animal from the cavity, and an obturator which is able to move from end to end within the cavity and to restrict access by the animal to the said closure remote from the point of entry of the animal, wherein the obturator is formed by the bait container.

Preferably, the body is formed of two sections which are releasably connected so as to allow access to the said cavity on disconnection of the said sections.

In an embodiment, the body is substantially circular in cross-section, and the closures are hinged flaps.

Preferably, the flaps are each made of a material which is aroma permeable.

The present invention also extends to an animal trap as described above comprised of one or more claws arranged to be held open against spring force, and to spring together when the trap is disturbed by an animal.

Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section of an animal trap of the invention, Figs. 2A and 2B show a first embodiment of a bait container for the animal trap,

Fig. 3 shows an end view of a claw trap, Fig. 4 shows a view from above of the claw trap of Fig. 3,

Figs. 5A and 5B show views taken from differing perspectives of a bait container which may be incorporated in a claw trap or in a spring trap, and Fig. 6 shows an end view of a spring trap.

The trap shown in Figure 1 is a trap as in my European patent No.

0909127 additionally incorporating a bait container. As shown in Figure 1 , an animal trap has a substantially cylindrical body 1 formed from two substantially identical sections 3 and 4. The body may be made of metal, wood, plastics or any suitable material. In an embodiment, the body 1 is made from a clear acrylic. Where the trap is for moles, the diameter of the body 1 is of the order of 35mm. An acrylic sleeve 5, which in this embodiment is 20mm long, has a diameter slightly greater than that of sections 3 and 4 and is bonded to one end of section 3. Sleeve 5 extends axially outwardly from the end of section 3 and creates a compression joint to enable sections 3 and 4 to be joined simply by inserting one end of section 4 into sleeve 5 until sections 3 and 4 abut.

A conically flared section 6 extends outwardly from each end of body 1 to create a funnelled mouth at each end of the trap. Each flared section is formed of the same acrylic material as sections 3 and 4 and, in the embodiment of a mole trap, each flared section 6 extends to a maximum diameter of 60mm.

Two gravity flaps 7, which are ellipsoid-shaped discs, with a major axis of 40mm, hang from body 1 where flared section 6 meets section 3 or 4. Flaps 7 are attached by wire hinge 8 (formed from 2mm diameter wire) by means of two holes punched in each flap 7 and two corresponding holes bored in body 1 at each end.

Since each flap 7 has a major axis which is longer than the diameter of body 1 , lower edge 10 of each flap 7 rests against the inner surface of body 1 at abutment point 11 , so that flap 7 is angled inwardly and can be opened inwardly but not outwardly.

A hollow, substantially spherical, bait container 9 is contained within the body 1 between the two flaps 7. The bait container 9 has a diameter which allows it to roll freely up and down the body 1 between the two flaps 7. In the particular embodiment whose sizes have been given, the container 9 might have a diameter of 33mm. The bait container 9 can be inserted into, or removed from, the body 1 by disconnecting the sections 3 and 4 as described above. In the embodiment indicated in Figure 1 , the bait container 9 is a hollow spherical container made from a wire mesh. As described below, it is formed in two parts so that these parts may be separated to allow bait to be placed inside. Once appropriate bait has been positioned, the two hemispherical halves of the spherical bait container are connected together so that the bait is trapped in the resulting ball 9.

In use, the trap is assembled by placing a baited bait container 9 inside either of sections 3 or 4 and then connecting these sections 3, 4 together by inserting section 4 into the sleeve 5.

The two wire hinges 8 are aligned by rotating sections 3 and 4 relative to each other. A section of mole run is exposed, and the trap is laid in the run horizontally with wire hinges 8 uppermost so that each flap 7 hangs with lower edge 10 resting against abutment point 11 as described above. The earth is then replaced on top of the trap, and a marker, for example a stick or a flag, is placed on the spot where the trap has been buried so that the trap can be located later.

A mole making its way along the run will encounter the trap at either of flared sections 6. These act to guide the mole into the trap, where it encounters flap 7. Flap 7 opens inwardly as the mole pushes against it, and allows the mole to pass into body 1 , flap 7 falling shut behind the mole. The flaps 7 are made of a light material, such as aluminium, so that very little pressure is needed to lift flap 7.

The mole then makes it way along the inside of body 1 until it encounters bait container 9. The body 1 of the trap is sized so that the mole cannot turn around. If the mole tries to back out of the trap it is prevented from doing so by flap 7, since flap 7 cannot open outwardly. If the mole makes it way forwards, it rolls bait container 9 towards the other end of the trap until bait container 9 reaches flap 7. Any pressure applied by the mole to bait container 9 simply causes the container 9 to rotate, and the mole is prevented from gaining access to flap 7 with its front paws, jaws or head.

Where the body 1 is made from a clear material, the user can easily check whether a mole has been caught in the trap, and remove the trap from the run in order to free the mole by disconnecting sections 3 and 4. The mole can then be disposed of according to the user's preference.

The bait container 9 can be made of any material having the structural characteristics to form and be retained in a spherical shape, to resist attacks by moles, and also to be permeable to aroma. It is possible that the polymers, for example, as might be used to form the mole trap body, will have the structural strength and the aroma permeability to enable the bait container to be formed from such polymers.

As described, the bait container will retain live bait such that the aroma or scent from the bait will attract the mole. The bait container 9 is therefore constructed from an aroma permeable material. Similarly, to ensure that the mole or other animal can sense the existence of the bait in the trap, the material of the body 1 , and/or of the flaps 7 should also be aroma permeable. For example, the flaps 7 may be made of a material similar to that of the bait container 9. This is to ensure that the aroma of the bait is available to the mole outside of the trap and acts to lure the mole into the trap.

The bait used may be anything suitable to attract a mole. For example, the bait may be liver. Live bait, such as an earthworm, is preferred. As well as smelling its aroma, the mole will also sense movement from live bait. The material of the bait container should reveal movement of the bait, for example, by being transparent, translucent or perforated. It may also be possible to incorporate windows in the material of the bait container.

The bait container 9 shown in Figure 1 is indicated to be formed in two halves and to be made of a wire mesh of sufficient gauge to withstand the attentions of a mole. It is preferred that the bait container 9 be made of two substantially identically sized halves as this means that the two halves share a periphery at the diameter which is substantially identical in size. Various types of attachment may be used to connect the two halves at their peripheries.

In the embodiment of a bait container illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B, and as will be appreciated, the wall of the bait container 9 is made of a perforated metal. Fig. 2A shows the bait container 9 of a perforated metal separated into its two halves 20 and Fig. 2B shows a view of one half taken along the line B to B of Fig. 2A. As is apparent, one half 20 is formed to have two protruding clips 22 which extend outwardly from the circumference of that half. The clips 22 are arranged to engage with a corresponding structure 24 on the circumference of the other half 20 of the bait container 9. Preferably, the clips 22 are resilient. Additionally, one of the halves 20 has two circumferential protrusions 26 which are arranged to engage within the circumference of the other half 20. Thus, the two halves 20 can be clicked together to form the closed bait container 9 by engaging each clip 22 with the corresponding structure 24 and the two protrusions 26 within the circumference of the opposing half. The two halves 20 can subsequently be disengaged by pulling the two halves apart.

It will be appreciated that, in use, the bait, which is preferably live bait, can be placed in one half 20 of the bait container 9. Then the two halves are clipped together to contain the bait and form the closed bait container 9.

Obviously, any alternative means of allowing the two halves of the bait container to be opened and releasably closed can be provided. For example, the two halves 20 might be hingedly connected at one part of their circumferences. A clip or other fastening may be provided on the circumference of one half 20 diametrically opposite to the hinge to hold the two halves of the bait container together.

A bait container as described herein may be incorporated into any animal trap. Fig. 3, for example, shows a traditional mole claw trap 30 incorporating a bait container 9 as described. As indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, a claw trap 30 has two jaws 32, each of which is carried by a respective handgrip 34. A powerful spring 36 is arranged to urge the jaws 32 towards one another.

In operation, if the two handgrips 34 are squeezed together against the force of the spring 36, the jaws 32 are spaced apart and a setting ring 38 can then be incorporated between the jaws 32 to keep them apart. The setting ring may be connected to the structural means supporting the spring 36. Then, and as is well known, if a mole moves the setting ring 38, the two jaws 32 swiftly close together under the power of the spring 36 to squash the mole. In the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4, a baited container 9 is incorporated within the setting ring 38 which is then connected to the structure of the claw trap by a hook 37 engaging within a hole 39 in the setting ring 38.

Figs. 5A and 5B illustrate one embodiment of a baited container 9 incorporated within a setting ring as 38, or other engagement means 40, for connection within a trap. In this embodiment, the circumference of each half 20 of the bait container is fixed in some suitable way to the circumference of an aperture in an apertured plate 40. The two plates 40 are hinged together at 42 and there is a clip 44 at their other ends so that the plates 40 can be clipped together to complete the engagement means with incorporated bait container 9.

The setting ring 38 with the bait container 9, or the alternative engagement means 40 with incorporated bait container, is appropriately mounted in a claw trap, as 30, after the bait has been loaded into the bait container 9. The setting ring 38, as set out above holds the jaws apart. The bait container attracts the mole towards it and makes it much more likely that the mole will spring the trap by contacting and displacing the setting ring 38.

It will be appreciated that the engagement means 40 differs from the setting ring 38 primarily in the manner in which it is connected to the trap.

Fig. 6 shows one view of a traditional mole spring trap 50 in which a baited container 9 much as illustrated in Figs. 5A and 5B is provided as part of the trigger mechanism.

As is known, in a spring trap, jaws 52, which are operated by a powerful spring 54, generally include two limbs spaced apart along the length of the trap. The spring 54 also extends along the length of the trap. When the trap is set the jaws 52 are spaced apart against the spring force, as illustrated, to define a tunnel within which a trigger depends. In the trap as indicated in Fig. 6 this trigger has been replaced by a bait container 9 provided in engagement means 40, as is shown in Fig. 5B, which has been appropriately fastened to the trigger mechanism. In an alternative embodiment, the bait container is incorporated into the trigger mechanism of the sprung trap.

It will be appreciated that modifications in or variations to the embodiments as described or illustrated may be made within the scope of the accompanying claims. For example, the two halves of the bait container 9 can be held in the closed position by any means able to maintain the integrity of the bait container against the activities of live bait. Similarly, the bait container 9 may be made of any material which is permeable to the aroma from the bait, and of any material or construction which enables the movement of live bait to be discerned.

Claims

1. An animal trap comprising a mechanism for trapping an animal, and a bait container for bait incorporated within the trap, wherein the bait container is substantially spherical and hollow, and is formed of two generally hemispherical parts releasably connected together, wherein the wall of the substantially spherical bait container is aroma permeable.

2. An animal trap as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the wall of the substantially spherical bait container is perforated and/or made of a wire mesh such that it is aroma permeable.

3. An animal trap as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the two generally hemispherical parts have complementary screw threads around their peripheries such that the two parts can be connected together by a screwed connection to form the hollow, spherical container.

4. An animal trap as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the two generally hemispherical parts have interengageable surfaces around their peripheries, and further comprising retention means to releasably hold the interengaged parts together to form the hollow, spherical container.

5. An animal trap as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the two generally hemispherical parts are joined by hinge means, and further comprising retention means for releasably holding the two parts together in the closed position to form the hollow, spherical container.

6. An animal trap as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising engagement means formed on or connected to the container.

7. An animal trap as claimed in any preceding claim, the animal trap comprising an elongate hollow body defining an elongate cavity, a closure at each end of the cavity, wherein the said closures are arranged to permit entry of an animal into the cavity and to close behind the animal to prevent exit of the animal from the cavity, and an obturator which is able to move from end to end within the cavity and to restrict access by the animal to the said closure remote from the point of entry of the animal, wherein the obturator is formed by the bait container.

8. An animal trap as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the body is formed of two sections which are releasably connected so as to allow access to the said cavity on disconnection of the said sections.

9. An animal trap as claimed in Claim 7 or Claim 8, wherein the body is substantially circular in cross-section, and the closures are hinged flaps.

10. An animal trap as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the flaps are each made of a material which is aroma permeable.

11. An animal trap as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 6, the animal trap comprised of one or more claws arranged to be held open against spring force, and to spring together when the trap is disturbed by an animal.