WO2018183279A1

WO2018183279A1 - Insect trap

Info

Publication number: WO2018183279A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/024494
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hirotaka Uchiyama; Christopher Lawrence Smith
Original assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority date: 2017-03-30
Filing date: 2018-03-27
Publication date: 2018-10-04

Abstract

An insect trapping device having a base and a cartridge is provided. The cartridge has a front wall having an external face and an internal face. The cartridge also has an adhesive portion that is positioned adjacent the internal face. The adhesive portion is spaced apart from the internal face by an internal offset distance. The internal offset distance is selected to increase the capture and retention of flying insects.

Description

INSECT TRAP

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to insect trapping devices, and more specifically to mosquito trapping devices having mosquito lures.

BACKGROUND

Historically, a variety of pest control devices have been employed to trap insects and other pests. With recent outbreaks of various diseases, infections, and other health risks that are spread by insects, the need for pest control devices has only increased. Such pest control devices typically employ an attraction mechanism for luring pests to the pest control device. Example attraction mechanisms include baits such as food, light, heat, pheromones, or other odorous materials found attractive by the pest. Some pest control devices have historically included an immobilization mechanism to prevent the pest from exiting the pest control device. One type of immobilization mechanism used is a substrate such as a board, paper or other medium having a surface coated with an adhesive. Pests attracted to the pest control device or incidentally coming into contact with the adhesive become trapped by adhesion.

For some consumers, it is desirable to have a pest control device that is capable of simultaneously attracting and capturing a wide variety of flying insects, including mosquitoes, flies, moths, and so forth. However, mosquitoes can be particularly dangerous. Certain species of mosquitoes are known carriers of a number of diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, the west nile virus, and the zika virus. Of these diseases, malaria has been described by some as the "most prevalent and most pernicious disease of humans". White, N., Antimalarial Drug Resistance, The Journal of Clinical Investigation, Vol. 113, no. 8 (2004). As of 2010, the World Health Organization estimated that 219 million cases of malaria and 660,000 deaths occurred. Daniel, J., Drug Resistant Malaria - A Generation of Progress in Jeopardy, Center for Strategic & International Studies (2013). Tragically, malaria is the third leading cause of death for children under the age of 5, claiming more than 50 lives every hour. Id. Some mosquito species, such as Aedes Aegypti, Aedes Albopictus, Aedes Canadensis, Anopheles Gambiae, Anopheles Fenustus, Culex Annulirotris, Culex Annulus and Culex Pipiens, are believed to be carriers of human disease.

Heat is a known attractant for mosquitoes. See, e.g. , Maekawa et al., The role of proboscis of the malaria vector mosquito Anopheles stephensi in host-seeking behavior, Parasites and Vectors, 4: 10 (2011). Greppi et al. observed that "mosquitoes were strongly attracted to a target when heated above ambient, but only up to ~50°C. When it got hotter, this attraction declined strongly." Greppi et al., Some like it hot, but not too hot, eLife 4:el2838 (2015). See, also, Corfas et al., The cation channel TRPA1 tunes mosquito thermotaxis to host temperatures, eLife 4:el l750 (2015). Mosquitoes and other insects can also be attracted to light sources. See, e.g. , Burkett et al., Laboratory evaluation of colored light as an attractant for female aedes agypti, aedes albopictus, anopheles quadrimaculatus and culex nigripalpus, The Florida Entomologist, Vol. 88, No. 4 (2005).

Insect trapping devices that combine an adhesive for trapping insects together with light and heat are known, some examples being described in PCT patent publication WO 2015/164849. However, there are opportunities for improvement. Indeed, it would be advantageous to provide an insect trapping device that provides improved techniques for capturing insects, particularly mosquitoes, once they are attracted to the device. It would further be advantageous to provide an insect trapping device that provides for successful retention of insects once the insects are initially captured. While numerous opportunities for improvement are described above, it will be appreciated that the disclosure hereafter is not limited to devices that provide any or all such improvements.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure fulfills one or more of the needs described above by, in one embodiment, an insect trapping device comprising a base, a mosquito lure, and a cartridge releaseably engaging the base. The cartridge has an enclosure partially defined by a front housing. The front housing defines a front opening for receiving a flying or crawling insect into the enclosure. The cartridge comprises an adhesive portion for trapping the insect. The adhesive portion has a front face and a rear face. The front housing has an external face and an internal face and the internal face is positioned adjacent to the front face of the adhesive portion when the cartridge engages the base. The internal face is separated from the adhesive portion by an internal offset distance of less than about 7 mm at a measurement point within a central measurement zone of the front face of the adhesive portion. The central measurement zone is one of the central measurement zones determined by the Measurement Test Method described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the present disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of nonlimiting embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an example insect trapping device;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the insect trapping device depicted in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 A is an exploded view of the cartridge of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 3A taken along line 3B— 3B subsequent to the insertion of the insert;

FIG. 4 depicts the cartridge of FIG. 3A being coupled to a base;

FIGS. 5A-5B are isometric views of an another example cartridge;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the cartridge shown in FIGS. 5A-5B;

FIG. 7 depicts an example insect trapping device using the cartridge of FIGS. 5A-5B; FIG. 8 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the cartridge and the base of FIG. 7 taken through the geometric center of the shroud subsequent to the coupling of the cartridge to the base;

FIGS. 9A-9D are images of an insect trapping device having an Internal Offset Distance (10 Distance) of 20 mm during a mosquito capture and retention test;

FIG. 10 is photograph of an insect trapping device having an IO Distance of 20 mm subsequent to a mosquito capture and retention test;

FIGS. 11-13 are lateral cross-sectional schematic views of portions of example insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 depicts an example central measurement zone (CM Zone) of a front face of an example adhesive portion; and

FIG. 15 depicts another example CM Zone of a front face of an example adhesive portion.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides for insect trapping devices, methods of making insect trapping devices, and methods of using insect trapping devices. Various nonlimiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the function, design and use of the insect trapping devices disclosed herein. One or more examples of these nonlimiting embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the methods described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are nonlimiting example embodiments and that the scope of the various nonlimiting embodiments of the present disclosure are defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one nonlimiting embodiment can be combined with the features of other nonlimiting embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, an example insect trapping device 100 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment is depicted. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the insect trapping device 100 depicted in FIG. 1. The insect trapping device 100 has a base 102 and a cartridge 118 that can be selectively coupled to the base 102 by a user. The cartridge 118 includes an insert 150 and a shell 122 that is configured to receive the insert 150. The insert 150 can include an adhesive portion 152 that immobilizes insects that contact a front face 154 of the adhesive portion 152. As described in more detail below, the adhesive portion 152 can be positioned internal to the cartridge 118 at a certain Internal Offset Distance (IO Distance) from the shell 122 as to increase the likelihood of successful insect capture and retention. The base 102 can include prongs 112 such that the insect trapping device 100 can be plugged into a suitable power source, such as a wall socket. In other configurations the insect trapping device 100 can draw power from an onboard battery or other type of power source (i.e., solar). The insect trapping device 100 can utilize a variety of attractants to draw insects into the device, such as heat, light, chemical composition attractants, and so forth, generally referred to herein as "lures," some of which may require a power source to operate. As such, the power source may be used to energize various onboard components, such as an electric heating element 110, a light source 114, and/or other components which may serve to attract insects to the insect trapping device 100. In some example configurations, insect trapping devices utilize only nonelectrical attractants that do not require a power supply, such as evaporative chemical attractants and the like. The lures associated with the insect trapping device 100 can be selected or otherwise calibrated to attract certain types of insects, such as mosquitoes and/or other flying insects. With regard to the electric heating element 110, a wide variety of heating elements may be utilized. Example electric heating elements include, but are not limited to, metal heating elements, ceramic heating elements, polymeric heating elements, composite heating elements, and/or combinations thereof. The electric heating element 110 may be used to attract mosquitoes when the temperature selected mimics human or other food source body temperature.

Furthermore, while the insect trapping device 100 depicted in FIGS. 1-2 includes both an electric heating element 110 and a light source 114, this disclosure is not so limited. Instead, insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can utilize a variety of different insect lures to draw insects into the insect trapping device and onto an adhesive portion positioned therein. Some insect trapping devices may utilize a single lure, such as a single mosquito lure. Other insect trapping devices may utilize a combination of mosquito lures or a combination of lures selected to attract a variety of insect types.

With specific regard mosquito lures, chemical, thermal, and visual attractants are all known to be useful, whether used alone or in combination, in attracting mosquitoes. As such, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to any particular mosquito lure or combination of lures. Various configurations of insect trapping devices in accordance with present disclosure can, for example, incorporate substances known to attract mosquitoes that simulate humans, such as components of perspiration and breath. Chemicals that serve as human "mimics" include C02, moisture, lactic acid, aliphatic carboxcylic acids, octenol, nonanal, and the like. Chemicals including fatty acids associated with microflora on skin may also be used.

The shell 122 may have a front housing 124 that has external surface 126 and a rear housing 128 that has a rear surface 130. The front housing 124 and the rear housing 128 can be separate pieces that are coupled together to form the shell 122, or the front housing 124 and the rear housing 128 can be a unitary piece which integrally forms the shell 122. The front housing 124 and the rear housing 128 substantially can enclose the adhesive portion 152 of the insert 150 once the insert is seated within the shell 122. Alternatively, in some configurations, an adhesive portion predisposed within the shell is provided to a user, such as illustrated by cartridge 118, described below. The front housing 124 can have an external face 184 and internal face 133 (FIG. 3B). The internal face 133 of the shell 122 can be positioned adjacent to front face 154 of the adhesive portion 152, with at least a central portion of the internal face 133 offset from the front face 154 of the adhesive portion 152 to define a front cavity 188 (FIG. 3B), as described in more detail below. The internal face 133 can be generally planar, as shown, or include various protrusions. For example, the internal face 133 may include ridges, baffles, ribs, or other types of extensions or features that inwardly extend from the shell 122 towards the adhesive portion 152 that can generally serve to reduce the spacing between the adhesive portion 152 and the internal face 133.

The front housing 124 may define one or more openings 132 for receiving a flying or crawling insect. Once the insect enters the shell 122 through one of the openings 132, it can navigate through the front cavity 188 and come in contact with the front face 154 of the adhesive portion 152 of the insert 150. As described in more detail below, the 10 Distance between an internal face 133 of the front housing 124 and the adhesive portion 152 can be selected to increase the likelihood of successful capture (i.e., an adhesion of the insect to the adhesive portion 152) and successful retention (i.e., the insect cannot free itself from the adhesive portion 152). While FIGS. 1-2 depict one example arrangement of openings 132, it is to be appreciated that the size, arrangement, and number of the one or more openings 132 can vary. The total collective size of the openings 132 can be selected based on the overall surface area of the external face 184. In some configurations, the surface area of the external face 184 can be about 28 cm² to about 116 cm². In some configurations, the surface area of the external face 184 can be about 21 cm² to about 174 cm². In some configurations, the surface area of the external face 184 can be about 14 cm² to about 232 cm². In some configurations, total collective size of the openings 132 can be about 7 cm² to about 28 cm². In some configurations, total collective size of the openings 132 can be about 5 cm² to about 40 cm². In some configurations, total collective size of the openings 132 can be about 4 cm² to about 56 cm². In one example configuration, the surface area of the external face 184 can be about 80 cm² and the total collective size of the openings 132 can be about 14 cm². As such, in that configuration, the surface area of the external face 184 can be about 5.7 times the total collective size of the openings 132. Without intending to be bound by any theory, it is believed that the external face 184 needs to have sufficient area to serve as a landing area for the insect. Through observations it has been determined that an insect typically first lands on the external face 184. Once landed, it then eventually crawls through an opening 132 to access the front cavity 188. As such, providing for sufficient landing area on the outside of the shell 122 can improve efficacy of the insect trapping device 100. The total collective size of the openings 132 should be sized as to create a sufficient enclosure in which the insect is retained until contact is made with the adhesive portion 152.

The front housing 124 may be convex and spaced apart from the rear housing 128 at the bottom of the shell 122 such that they collectively define a bottom opening 134 (FIG. 2). The bottom of the shell 122 or insert 150 is determined when the shell 122 or insert 150 is oriented as it would be during use by a consumer to attract and capture the insects. The opposing sides of the bottom opening 134 may be tapered, grooved, or otherwise configured to aid in proper alignment of the insert 150 as it is slid into the shell 122 by a user. A top portion 121 of the shell 122 may be substantially or wholly closed (as shown by way of a non- limiting example in FIG. 1).

FIG. 3A depicts the insert 150 being inserted into the shell 122, and FIG. 3B is a cross- sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 3A taken along line 3B— 3B subsequent to the insertion of the insert 150. The insert 150 can comprise a frame 166 to which an adhesive portion 152 is attached or otherwise formed therewith. Once inserted into the shell 122, the adhesive portion 152 divides the shell 122 into the front cavity 188 and a rear cavity 174. The rear cavity 174 is defined by the rear face 156 of the adhesive portion 152 and an inner surface 131 of the rear housing 128 while the front cavity 188 is defined by the front face 154 of the adhesive portion 152 and an internal face 133 of the front housing 124. Once the insert 150 is positioned within the shell 122, the cartridge 118 can be engaged with the base 102. FIG. 4 depicts the cartridge 118 of FIG. 3A being coupled to the base 102. The rear cavity 174 can be devoid of openings, with the exception of the bottom opening which is effectively sealed to the ambient environment when the cartridge 118 is coupled to the base 102. If a heated element is utilized as a lure, this arrangement of the rear cavity 174 can limit heat loss from the rear cavity 174 due to convection to the ambient environment when the insect trapping device 100 is in use. By comparison, the front cavity 188 includes one or more openings 132 to allow insects to enter the front cavity 188, thereby exposing that cavity to the ambient environment.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the adhesive portion 152 immobilizes insects that enter the insect trapping device 100 through one of the openings 132 of the shell 122 and contact the adhesive. In some embodiments, the adhesive portion 152 comprises an adhesive (or an adhesive composition comprising an adhesive), wherein the adhesive or adhesive composition is coated on or otherwise applied to or incorporated in or on a substrate. The adhesive may be a pressure sensitive adhesive. In some embodiments, the adhesive is an acrylic polymer, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitrile, silicone, styrene block copolymer, styrene-ethylene/propylene, styrene-isoprene-styrene, and/or vinyl ether adhesive or mixture thereof, for example. The substrate may be provided in a wide variety of forms, such as a film, a woven or a non-woven (including papers). In some embodiments, the substrate is in the form of a film comprising one or more polymers, such as polycarbonate, polyethylene terepthalate (PET) or polypropylene. The substrate may comprise one or more layers. Generally, the thickness of the adhesive portion 152 may be in the range of about 0.01 mm to about 5 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness may be in the range of about 0.05 mm to about 1.0 mm. The surface area of the adhesive portion 152 can be between about 25 cm² and about 150 cm². The adhesive portion 152 can comprise a transparent or translucent adhesive or adhesive composition coated onto a transparent or translucent substrate (such as a film, for example). A releasable liner can be applied to the adhesive portion 152 that is to cover the adhesive portion 152 prior to use. A user can peel away the releasable liner to expose the front face 154 of the adhesive portion 152 immediately prior to inserting the insert 150 into the shell 122, for instance.

While the insert 150 is shown to include a frame 166 completely surrounding the adhesive portion 152, this disclosure is not so limited. For instance, the frame 166 may only extend partially around the adhesive portion 152. In one example configuration, the frame 166 may extend along a first vertical side of the adhesive portion 152, across the top of the adhesive portion 152, and down the second vertical side of the adhesive portion 152. In such configuration, the bottom edge of the adhesive portion 152 is unframed. In other configurations, the insert 150 can be frameless, with the adhesive portion 152 applied at least to a central portion of a substrate, with the substrate providing sufficient structural rigidity. Further, the adhesive portion 152 can be planar, as shown, or have other suitable configurations, such as curved, for instance. As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3B, the outer perimeter of the frame 166 may be shaped similarly to the shell 122.

In some configurations, the insert 150 has a reservoir 176 for storing an insect attracting composition. The insect attracting composition can be provided in a wide variety of forms, including gases, liquids, solids and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the insect attracting composition may be provided in the form of a solid composition comprising one or more agents attractive to an insect. Solid compositions also include semi-solid compositions such as gels, which comprise one or more liquids and one or more gelling agents. The gelling agents may facilitate the formation of a cross-linked network within the insect attracting composition. The reservoir 176 may also serve to catch fallen insects, such as the insects that were originally immobilized by the adhesive portion 152 but are no longer sufficiently retained by the adhesive portion 152 after drying and becoming brittle. The reservoir 176 may be defined by a front wall 180 (FIG. 2) and a rear wall 182, with the front wall 180 defining at least part of an opening of the reservoir 176. The front wall 180 may be integrally formed with the frame 166. The reservoir 176 may have a depth of about 1 mm and about 30 mm, a width from about 10 mm to about 100 mm, and a height from about 1 mm to about 50 mm. The reservoir 176 can have a volume between about 1 cm³ and 60 cm³. The reservoir 176 can be positioned such that once the insert 150 is engaged with the shell 122 and the shell 122 is engaged with the base 102, the insect attracting composition may evaporate or disperse through the openings 132. Reservoirs in accordance with the present disclosure, such as reservoir 176, may be made as one piece, including its rear wall 182, which is then attached to the frame 166. Alternatively, reservoirs, including its rear wall, may be integrally formed with the frame from the same material, such as by an injection molding or thermoforming process. The adhesive portion 152 may terminate adjacent the reservoir opening or may downwardly extend past the reservoir opening and across the rear wall 182 of the reservoir 176. Since the insect attracting composition within the reservoir 176 may evaporate during use, it is advantageous that the reservoir 176 is coupled to the adhesive portion 152 so that both components can be replaceable simultaneously. Furthermore, due to the placement of the reservoir 176 relative to the adhesive portion 152, the reservoir 176 can be received into the base so as to not block surface area of the adhesive portion 152. This arrangement maximizes the surface area of the adhesive portion 152 for trapping insects.

In other configurations, the insert 150 may not include a reservoir 176. In yet other configurations, the insert 150 does not include a reservoir 176, and the adhesive portions 152 are positioned on both the front and rear faces of the insert 150. In such configurations, once the front face 154 of the adhesive portion 152 has immobilized a sufficient number of insects, the user may remove the insert 150 from the shell 122, rotate the insert 150, and re-insert the insert 150 into the shell 122. In this position, the rear face of the insert 150 is positioned proximate to the openings 132 at an IO Distance described below and can then be used to immobilize insects entering the shell. As shown in FIG. 3 A, the insert 150 may be selectively inserted into to the shell 122 by a user to prepare the cartridge 118 for attachment to the base 102. In some configurations, the insert 150 may be mechanically engaged with the shell 122 when the insert 150 is fully seated with the shell 122, such as through interlocking features or a friction- fit, for instance. Example configurations for inserts and shells are provided in patent application serial no. PCT/US16/41811, entitled HEATING INSECT TRAPPING DEVICE AND METHODS THEREOF and filed on July 11, 2016 and patent application serial no. PCT/US16/41812, entitled INSECT TRAPPING DEVICE AND METHODS THEREOF and filed on July 11, 2016, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. In some example configurations, the cartridge 118 also comprises a downwardly depending tab 164. The downwardly depending tab 164 can be positioned on the insert 150 or on the shell 122. A switch (not shown) is positioned on the base 102 that receives the downwardly depending tab 164 when the cartridge 118 engages the base 102. The switch in the base 102 can function to operate one or more electrically energized insect lures (i.e., the electric heating element 110, the light source 114, etc.), so that such insect lures can only be energized when the cartridge 118 is engaged to the base 102. As such, when the cartridge 118 is removed from the base 102, the switch is deactivated and power is removed from the insect lures.

To couple the cartridge 118 to the base 102 to prepare the insect trapping device 100 for use, the cartridge 118 is lowered over a shroud 108 (FIG. 4), such that the shroud 108 is received into the rear cavity 174 (FIG. 3B) of the shell 122 through the bottom opening 134 (FIG. 2) and positioned between a rear face of the adhesive portion 152 and an inner surface of the rear housing 128. The shroud 108 is an upstanding portion extending upward from the base 102 that envelops the electric heating element 110. The relative positioning and alignment of the cartridge 118 to the base 102 during coupling can be assisted by the shroud 108, as the shroud 108 can serve to properly guide the cartridge 118 onto the base 102. Further, the receiving of the shroud 108 into the shell 122 during coupling also helps assure proper alignment of the downwardly depending tab 164 with a switch positioned in the base 102. A portion of the base 102 may be received into the shell 122 to mechanically engage the cartridge 118 to the base 102. Such engagement may utilize a friction-fit connection, or other suitable type of connection, such as utilizing a clip, latch, magnet, or detent, for example, to maintain the coupling between the shell 122 and the base 102 until the user wishes to decouple the cartridge 118 and the base 102. Once the cartridge 118 is affixed to the base 102, the insect trapping device 100 can then be operated to attract and immobilize insects. Referring to FIG. 3B, an 10 Distance between the internal face 133 of the shell 122 and the front face 154 of the adhesive portion 152 is shown as 10 Distance (D). 10 Distance (D) is measured at a point within a central measurement zone (referred to herein as a CM Zone) of front face 154 of the adhesive portion 152 in accordance with the Internal Offset Distance Measurement Test Method, detailed below. The 10 Distance (D) can be selected to increase the efficacy of the insect trapping device 100 to capture and retain mosquitoes. In accordance with various embodiments, the 10 Distance (D) is about 7 mm. In accordance with various embodiments, the 10 Distance (D) is less than about 7 mm. In accordance with various embodiments, the 10 Distance (D) is less than about 5 mm. In accordance with various embodiments, the 10 Distance (D) is less than about 3 mm. With regard to mosquitoes, utilizing an 10 Distance (D) of less than about 7 mm can beneficially provide for increased capture and retention rates, as compared to insect trapping devices having an 10 Distance (D) of greater than 7 mm. Without intending to be bound by any theory, it is believed that having an 10 Distance (D) of 7 mm or less serves to increase the likelihood that a mosquito will come into contact with the adhesive portion 152 once the insect enters the front cavity 188. It is further believed, that having an 10 Distance (D) of 7 mm increases the amount of the mosquito's body that comes into contact with the adhesive portion 152 and/or increases the amount of force with which a mosquito impacts the adhesive portion 152. It is further believed that the more of the insect's body that contacts the adhesive portion 152, the less likely the insect will be able to eventually free itself from the insect trapping device 100. It is further believed that having the openings positioned about 7 mm or less from the adhesive portion 152 can increase the efficacy of the insect trapping device.

Turning now to an alternative cartridge configuration, FIGS. 5 A- 8 depict an example cartridge 218 that has an adhesive portion non-removably positioned inside the cartridge. As such, the cartridge may be affixed to a base of an insect trapping device, and then subsequent to use, the entire cartridge may be removed and disposed of by the user. A fresh cartridge may then be affixed to the base and operation of the insect trapping device can be resumed. FIGS. 5A-5B depict isometric views of an example cartridge 218 which may be used with the base depicted in FIG. 7. FIG. 6 depicts an exploded view of the cartridge 218 to illustrate one example configuration of an adhesive portion 252 and a reservoir 276. The reservoir 276 can be similar to the reservoir 176 described above with respect to insert 150. It is noted, however, that some configurations do not include the reservoir 276. The cartridge 218 can be similar to or the same in many respects as the cartridge 118. For example, a front housing 224 of the cartridge 218 can define one or more openings 232 for receiving a flying or crawling insect such that they will come in contact with a front surface 254 of the adhesive portion 252. The adhesive portion 252 of cartridge 218, however, is non-removably positioned between the front housing 224 and a rear housing 228 and divides the interior of the cartridge into a front cavity 288 and a rear cavity 274, as shown in FIG. 8. Nevertheless, the adhesive portion 252 can be positioned at an 10 Distance (D) from an internal face 233 (FIG. 8), as measured within a CM Zone of the front housing 224 in accordance with the Internal Offset Distance Measurement Test Method described herein, to increase the likelihood of successful insect capture and retention. Similar to the insect trapping device 100, the 10 Distance (D) of the cartridge 218 can be less than about 7 mm, less than about 5 mm, or less than about 3 mm. The front housing 224 and the rear housing 228 and/or the adhesive portion 252 can be coupled using any suitable technique, such as ultrasonic welding, adhesives, mechanical fasteners, and the like. Alternatively, the front housing 224 and the rear housing 228 can be a unitary structure formed by injection molding, for example. As shown in FIG. 5B, the rear housing 228 can be convex and spaced apart from a rear face 256 of the adhesive portion 252 at the bottom of cartridge 218 such that they collectively define a bottom opening 234. The cartridge 218 can further include a downwardly depending tab 264 to engage a switch on a base 202 (FIG. 10).

FIG. 7 illustrates the cartridge 218 being coupled to the base 202. FIG. 8 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the cartridge 218 (FIG. 7) and the base 202 taken through at the geometric center of a shroud 208 subsequent to the coupling of the cartridge 218 to the base 202. The base 202 can be similar to or the same in many respects as the base 102. For example, the base 202 can include the shroud 208 having a front surface 204 (FIG. 8) that is positioned proximate to a metal plate 258. A planar front surface 261 of a PTC heating element 260 can be coupled to the metal plate 258, such that when the PTC heating element 260 is activated, the metal plate 258 is heated. In this configuration, the PTC heating element 260 is held to the metal plate 258 via a clip 211.

As shown in FIGS. 7-8, the shroud 208 can be received through the bottom opening 234 of the cartridge 218 and into the rear cavity 274 of the cartridge 218, the rear cavity 274 being defined by the rear face 256 of the adhesive portion 252 and an inner surface 231 of the rear housing 228. A front cavity 288 is defined between the front face 254 of the adhesive portion 252 and the internal face 233 of the front housing 224. The IO Distance (D) of the front cavity 288 can be sized to increase the likelihood of successful capture (i.e., an adhesion of the insect to the adhesive portion 252) and successful retention (i.e., the insect cannot free itself from the adhesive portion 252).

Once the cartridge 218 is fully seated, the adhesive portion 252 will be positioned adjacent the shroud 208. An inner cavity 262 is defined between the rear face 256 of the adhesive portion 252 and the front surface 204 of the shroud 208. The inner cavity 262 is part of the rear cavity 274. The rear cavity 274, the front cavity 288, and the inner cavity 262 can be warmed by the heat generated by the PTC heating element 260 during operation, although the rear cavity 274 will typically be hotter than the front cavity 288. LEDs 216 are positioned within the inner cavity 262, such that, when activated they illuminate the rear surface 256 of the adhesive portion 252 and the front surface 204 of the shroud 208. During operation, insects enter the front cavity 288 through the openings 232 in the front housing 224.

FIGS. 9A-9D show still images taken from video footage of an insect trapping device having an IO Distance (D) of 20 mm. The insect trapping device was placed in a test enclosure that consisted of a mesh enclosure 6 feet by 6 feet by 6 feet in size. The enclosure was equipped with a 4 foot high by 3 foot wide section of vertical wallboard placed diagonally across 1 corner of the enclosure on a wooden base. The wallboard section contained a vertically mounted 12 V power strip such that the bottom of the power strip was 8 to 9 inches from the bottom of the wallboard. The test enclosure was placed in a windowless room and the bottom perimeter was sealed with duct tape. The room was continuously measured to have an average temperature of 24 °C and an average relative humidity of 47%. Four vertical floor lamps were placed around the outside of the enclosure to provide lighting with each lamp having a single 800-900 lumen CFL bulb which was kept on for the duration of the test. The mosquito trapping device comprised a base having disposed therein 2 blue LEDs and an ultraviolet LED. A replaceable cartridge comprising an adhesive for trapping the mosquitoes and the described mosquito attractant composition engaged the base.

Mosquitoes were reared according to protocols known in the art. Specifically, adult Adedes Aegypti mosquitoes were held at 27 °C under long day lengths with free access to 10% sucrose and water ad libitum. Females (two weeks after adult emergence) were allowed access to a bloodmeal with a Hemotek blood feeding system. Females were collected two to three days after blood feeding and moved into a small plastic container half filled with water and a small pinch of ground fish food. Eggs were dried for one week before being placing in the small container. After one day, 100-120 larvae were counted and placed into a large plastic container half filled with water. Each day excess ground fish food was added to ensure that the larvae had food for development. Pupae were collected in small emergence cups and placed within 12" by 12" by 12" cages (Bioquip 1450BS). Adults were utilized 12 to 20 days post ecdysis.

After the start of the test, 50 female mosquitoes were released into the tent. During the test, video footage was captured of the insect trapping devices. Still images from the video footage showing representative mosquito interaction with the insect trapping device are shown in FIG. 9A-9D.

Referring to FIGS. 9A-9D, while the insect trapping device successfully lured mosquitoes into the front cavity (shown in FIG. 9A), these mosquitoes were not successfully retained (FIG. 9D shows an empty front cavity). Mosquitoes were observed entering the cavity of the insect trapping device, flying around inside the cavity, and then eventually exiting the cavity without being captured by the adhesive portion positioned within the cavity. Without intending to be bound by any theory, it is believed that the 10 Distance of 20 mm allowed the mosquito to fly in the front cavity 188 and then subsequently exit the front cavity 188 without making sufficient contact with the adhesive sheet of the insect trap to permanently immobilize the insect.

Furthermore, with regard to mosquitoes that were initially captured using the insect trapping device shown in FIGS. 9A-9D having an IO Distance(D) of 20 mm, it was observed that some mosquitoes were able to free themselves from the adhesive and eventually escape the device - often through dismemberment. FIG. 10 is a photograph showing the adhesive sheet of the insect device of FIGS. 9A-9D with a number of retained mosquitoes. However, an inspection of the adhesive sheet of the insect trapping device shown in FIG. 10 also revealed that a number of mosquito legs are present on the adhesive sheet. It was observed that these legs were left behind by mosquitoes that were able to free themselves from the adhesive sheet and ultimately escape from the insect trapping device. The legs left behind by the mosquitoes, therefore, represent insects that were initially drawn into the insect trapping device and captured but due to insufficient adhesion, were not sufficiently immobilized. Without intending to be bound by any theory, it is believed that the IO Distance of 20 mm allowed only a relatively small portion of the mosquito's body or appendages to be affixed to the adhesive. Additionally or alternatively, the portion of the mosquito that did come in contact with the adhesive did not contact the adhesive with enough force to sufficiently immobilize the insect. As such, using its remaining, unattached portion, the mosquitoes were able to work themselves free from the adhesive sheet and escape the insect trapping device, leaving legs behind in the process. Insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure, such as insect trapping devices 100, 200 described above, seek to overcome the deficiencies of the insect trapping devices having relatively large IO Distances. The insect trapping devices 100, 200, for instance, have an IO Distance of 7 mm or less to achieve higher capture rates and retention rates. Without intending to be bound by any theory, it is believed that by reducing the gap between the internal face of the front housing and the adhesive portion, larger portions of the mosquitoes become adhered to the adhesive portion. With more of the mosquito's body, wings, and/or legs becoming attached to the adhesive portion, the mosquito is more likely to be retained until they expire.

FIGS. 11-13 are cross-sectional schematic views of portions of example insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure that have a reduced gap between an internal face of a front housing and an adhesive portion. Various portions of the insect trapping devices have been removed and/or simplified for clarity of illustration. As shown, the reduced gap can be positioned proximate to front openings on the shell, such that insects entering the shell through one of the openings are likely to engage with the adhesive portion. Each of FIGS. 11- 13 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of the shell (322, 422, 522, respectively) and the adhesive portion (352, 452, 552, respectively) taken through at the geometric center of the adhesive portion. While the adhesive portions 352, 452, 552 are shown to be planar, this disclosure is not so limited. Each shell 322, 422, 522 is shown to have a different structural arrangement to illustrate various example techniques for providing a suitable IO Distance in accordance with the present disclosure.

Referring first to FIG. 11, a simplified insect trapping device 300 is depicted, with various portions removed for clarity. The insect trapping device 300 is similar to the insect trapping devices 100, 200, above, as the surfaces of a shell 322 of the insect trapping device are generally planar, and the shell 322 defines a plurality of openings 332. An internal face 333 of the shell 322 is also positioned adjacent to the adhesive portion 352. In accordance with the Internal Offset Distance Measurement Test Method, below, an example CM Zone 360 of the front face 354 of the adhesive portion 352 is shown. An IO Distance (D) distance of the insect trapping device 300 between a point on the internal face 333 of the shell 322 and a point on the front face 354 of the adhesive portion 352 can be less than about 7 mm, 5 mm, or 3 mm, for example.

Referring next to FIG. 12, a simplified insect trapping device 400 is depicted, with various portions removed for clarity.. The insect trapping device 400 is similar to the insect trapping devices 100, 200, above, as a shell 422 of the insect trapping device defines a plurality of openings 432. In this embodiment, however, the shell 422 includes protrusions 490 that extend towards an adhesive portion 452. As such, the internal face 433 of the shell 422 follows the protrusions 490. While the structural arrangements of the protrusions 490 can vary, in the illustrated embodiment, the protrusions 490 are ribs that extend vertically along shell 422. The internal face 433 of the shell 422, therefore, spans the planar portion of the shell as well as the surface of the protrusions 490. The protrusions 490 can serve to narrow the cavity and increase the likelihood of successful capture and retention of a flying insect. As shown in FIG. 12, an example CM Zone 460 and IO Distance (D) are shown, and in accordance with the Internal Offset Distance Measurement Test Method. The IO Distance (D) is shown to be measured between a point on the internal face 433 at the distal end of the central protrusion 490 (i.e. the protrusion 490 that is positioned within the CM Zone) and a point on the adhesive portion 452. The IO Distance (D) of the insect trapping device 400 between the internal face 433 of the shell 422 and the front face 454 of the adhesive portion 452 can be less than about 7 mm, 5 mm, or 3 mm, for example.

Referring next to FIG. 13, a simplified insect trapping device 500 is depicted, with various portions removed for clarity. The insect trapping device 500 is similar to the insect trapping devices 100, 200, above, as a shell 522 of the insect trapping device defines a plurality of openings 532. In this embodiment, however, the shell 522 includes a central ridge 590 that extends away from an adhesive portion 552. As such, the internal face 533 of the shell 522 follows the central ridge 590 and the separation between the internal face 533 and the adhesive portion 552 increases towards the center of the insect trapping device 500. As shown in FIG. 13, an example CM Zone 560 and IO Distance (D) are shown in accordance with the Internal Offset Distance Measurement Test Method. The IO Distance (D) of the insect trapping device 500 is measured between a point on the internal face 533 of the shell 522 and a point on the front face 554 of the adhesive portion 552 can be less than about 7 mm, 5 mm, or 3 mm, for example.

Internal Offset Distance Measurement Test Method

Internal Offset Distance (IO Distance)(shown as "D", above) values are dimensional measurements of the linear spatial distance between the front face of the adhesive portion and the internal face of the cartridge front wall, when the cartridge is engaged with the base. IO Distance measurements are obtained from pairs of points located within central measurement zones (CM Zones). For illustration purposes, FIG. 14 depicts a CM Zone 660 of a front face 654 of an example adhesive portion 652. FIG. 15 depicts a CM Zone 760 of a front face 754 of an example adhesive portion 752. CM Zones are defined as areas of the adhesive front face which are also extrapolated and projected directly forward onto the front wall, regardless of any curve(s) that may be present in the adhesive portion or the in front face. The forward projection transcribes the area and location of any given CM Zone onto the internal face of the front wall. Each 10 Distance is determined by measuring the linear distance between a given pair of points within a CM Zone. For each pair of points, one point is located on the adhesive front face and the other point is located on the adjacent internal face of the front wall, such that the IO Distance measured between the pair of points is oriented along the directly forward axis (which is the same axis along which the CM Zone is projected forward when transcribed onto the front wall). One of skill will understand that an IO Distance does not exist and cannot be measured from a point that coincides with an opening in the front wall. For each device tested, it is essential that an IO Distance is measured and reported from the most proximate pair of points that are located within each CM Zone specified. IO Distances are reported in units of mm, and measured with an accuracy of 0.1 mm.

One of skill will understand that the physical configuration of the cartridge, the openings, and the engaged base may differentially affect the suitability of various instruments for the purpose of accurately measuring the dimensions specified in this test method. A variety of instruments and techniques may be suitable for accurately conducting such spatial measurements, including but not limited to: the use of calibrated fine calipers carefully inserted through existing openings in the front face; the use of non-destructive imaging instruments such as micro computed X-ray tomography (micro-CT) scanners, structured-light scanners, white-light interferometry scanners (WLS) or coherence scanning interferometry (CSI); the use of calibrated digital image analysis software systems; and combinations thereof.

CM Zones comprise the entire surface area of the front face of the adhesive portion with the exception of areas within a peripheral exclusion zone which is adjacent to the outermost perimeter of the front face. A peripheral exclusion zone truncates the area encompassed within the CM Zone. The width of an exclusion zone is defined by an inward offset distance. An inward offset distance is a constant value for any given CM Zone, and is defined as the straight linear distance from the outermost perimeter of the front face measured inward toward the center of the front face and perpendicular to that perimeter. For illustration purposes, FIG. 14 depicts a CM Zone 660 defined by a CM Zone Perimeter 650 and surrounded by a peripheral Exclusion Zone 662, wherein the Exclusion Zone 662 is defined by an Inward Offset Distance 600. FIG. 15 depicts a CM Zone 760 defined by a CM Zone Perimeter 750 and surrounded by a peripheral Exclusion Zone 762, wherein the Exclusion Zone 762 is defined by an Inward Offset Distance 700. The inward offset distance is a different value for each CM zone.

For each device tested, the shortest IO Distance present is determined and reported for each of the CM Zones which result from the following Inward Offset Distances: 10 mm; 12 mm, 14 mm; 16 mm, 18 mm; 20 mm, 22 mm; 24 mm; and 26 mm.

Further Non- Limiting Description of the Disclosure

The following numbered paragraphs constitute a further non-limiting description of the disclosure in a form suitable for appending to the claim section if later desired.

1. An insect trapping device, comprising:

a base;

a mosquito lure; and

a cartridge that releasably engages the base, the cartridge comprising:

an adhesive portion comprising a front face and a rear face; and an enclosure partially defined by a front housing, the front housing comprising a front opening for receiving a flying or crawling insect into the enclosure, an external face, and an internal face positioned adjacent to the front face of the adhesive portion and that is separated from the adhesive portion by an internal offset distance of less than about 7mm at a measurement point within a central measurement zone of the front face of the adhesive portion.

2. An insect trapping device according to example 1, wherein the central measurement zone of the adhesive front is projected directly forward onto the front wall, and the internal offset distance is measured between a pair of points on the adhesive portion and the internal face of the front wall.

3. An insect trapping device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the internal offset distance is more than 10 mm; 12 mm, 14 mm; 16 mm, 18 mm; 20 mm, 22 mm; 24 mm; or 26 mm. 4. An insect trapping device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the central measurement zone of the front face is extrapolated and projected directly forward onto the front wall, the forward projection transcribes the area on the front face, and at least a portion of the front opening is within the area on the front face. 5. An insect trapping device according to example 4, wherein the front opening is fully within the central measurement zone.

6. An insect trapping device according to example 4, wherein the front opening comprises a plurality of front openings.

7. An insect trapping device according to example 6, wherein the at least one portion of the plurality of front openings is within the area on the front face.

8. An insect trapping device according to example 7, wherein each of the plurality of front openings is fully within the area on the front face.

9. An insect trapping device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the front housing comprises a protrusion extending toward the adhesive portion, and wherein the internal face comprises the protrusion.

10. An insect trapping device according to example 9, wherein the measurement point is on the internal face of the protrusion.

11. An insect trapping device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the mosquito lure comprises one or more of a heat-generating element, a chemical attractant, and a light.

The dimensions and/or values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical dimension and/or values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension and/or value is intended to mean both the recited dimension and/or value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that dimension and/or value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An insect trapping device, comprising:

a base;

a mosquito lure; and

a cartridge that releasably engages the base, the cartridge comprising:

2. The insect trapping device of claim 1, wherein the central measurement zone of the adhesive front is projected directly forward onto the front wall, and the internal offset distance is measured between a pair of points on the adhesive portion and the internal face of the front wall.

3. The insect trapping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the internal offset distance is more than about 10mm; 12mm, 14mm; 16mm, 18mm; 20mm, 22mm; 24mm; or 26mm.

4. The insect trapping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central measurement zone of the front face is extrapolated and projected directly forward onto the front wall, the forward projection transcribes the area on the front face, and at least a portion of the front opening is within the area on the front face.

5. The insect trapping device of claim 4, wherein the front opening is fully within the central measurement zone.

6. The insect trapping device of claim 4, wherein the front opening comprises a plurality of front openings.

7. The insect trapping device of claim 6, wherein the at least one portion of the plurality of front openings is within the area on the front face.

8. The insect trapping device of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of front openings is fully within the area on the front face.

9. The insect trapping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front housing comprises a protrusion extending toward the adhesive portion, and wherein the internal face comprises the protrusion.

10. The insect trapping device of claim 9, wherein the measurement point is on the internal face of the protrusion.

11. The insect trapping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mosquito lure comprises one or more of a heat-generating element, a chemical attractant, and a light.