Insect trap device and method of using

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10588307-B2
Application number	US-201615333209-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 25, 2016
Priority date	Apr 26, 2014
Publication date	Mar 17, 2020
Grant date	Mar 17, 2020

Abstract

In an embodiment, as insect trap is disclosed including: a trap portion including an enclosure having an adhesive surface and a first opening, wherein the adhesive surface is at least partially contained within the enclosure and is configured to adhere to an insect; and a base portion including a lighting element and a mounting portion, wherein the lighting element is configured to provide light to the trap portion, and wherein the mounting portion is configured to communicate with and receive power from a power source; and a first heating element in communication with the power source, wherein the trap portion is configured to removably engage with the base portion and receive light from the base portion when engaged therewith, and wherein the first heating element provides heat to at least a portion of the trap when the trap is engaged.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An insect trap, comprising:
a trap portion including an enclosure having an adhesive surface and a first opening, wherein the adhesive surface is at least partially contained within the enclosure and is configured to adhere to an insect; and
a base portion including a lighting element and a mounting portion, wherein the lighting element is configured to provide light to the trap portion, and wherein the mounting portion is configured to communicate with and receive power from a power source; and a first heating element in communication with the power source,
wherein the entire trap portion is configured to be removed and disposed of, wherein the trap portion is configured to removably engage with the base portion and receive light from the base portion when engaged therewith, and wherein the first heating element provides heat to at least a portion of the trap when the trap is engaged.

2. The trap of claim 1 , wherein the first heating element is located on a circuit in the base portion.

3. The trap of claim 2 , wherein the circuit is configured to supply a constant or intermittent voltage to the lighting element.

4. The trap of claim 2 , wherein the first heating element comprises at least one of resistors, resistance heating elements, or heat exchanging elements.

5. The trap of claim 1 , wherein the first heating element maintains a temperature of at least 30° C. in at least a portion of the trap.

6. The trap of claim 1 , wherein the first heating element maintains a temperature of between 30° C. and 45° C. in at least a portion of the trap.

7. The trap of claim 6 , wherein the first heating element maintains a temperature of between 33° C. and 42° C. in at least a portion of the trap.

8. The trap of claim 1 , wherein the lighting element comprises a second heating element, the second heating element configured to assist the first heating element in providing heat to the trap.

9. The trap of claim 8 , wherein the lighting element comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), incandescent light bulbs, or combinations thereof.

10. The trap of claim 1 , wherein the lighting element comprises a second heating element.

11. The trap of claim 10 , wherein the lighting element comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), incandescent light bulbs, or combinations thereof.

12. The trap of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure comprises:
a front housing portion having a first internal surface; and
a rear housing portion having a second internal surface,
wherein the front housing portion and rear housing portion are matingly engaged with each other to form the enclosure; and
wherein at least one of the first or second internal surfaces is configured to manipulate light, and
wherein the base portion comprises:
an opening, the opening configured to allow light to emit from the base portion to the enclosure such that the light diverges over substantially the second internal surface.

13. The trap of claim 12 , wherein the opening in the base portion is proximate to the lighting element and the light emitted from the base portion diverges in a predetermined pattern over the second internal surface.

14. The trap of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure comprises:
a front housing portion having a first internal surface;
a rear housing portion having a second internal surface; and
a divider portion disposed at least partially between the front housing portion and rear housing portion,
wherein the front housing portion and rear housing portion are matingly engaged with each other to form the enclosure; and
wherein the divider portion divides the enclosure into a front enclosure portion and a rear enclosure portion, and
wherein the base portion comprises an opening configured to allow light to emit from the base portion to the enclosure such that the light emitted from the base portion diverges over substantially the second internal surface.

15. The trap of claim 14 , wherein the opening in the base portion is proximate to the lighting element and the light emitted from the base portion diverges in a predetermined pattern over the second internal surface.

16. The trap of claim 1 , wherein the trap portion comprises an insect attractant.

17. The trap of claim 16 , wherein the first heating element enhances the release of the insect attractant.

18. The trap of claim 16 , wherein the insect attractant is selected from the group consisting of: water, water vapor, sugar, sugar solution, molasses, honey, yeast, insect-attracting scents, pheromones, and combinations thereof.

19. The trap of claim 18 , wherein the first heating element enhances the release of water vapor.

20. The trap of claim 18 , wherein the first heating element enhances the release of carbon dioxide.

Assignees

• Procter & Gamble

Inventors

• Sandford Andrew F
• Lazarchik Daniel B
• Lieberwirth Lars R

Classifications

• A01M1/145 Primary

  Attracting and catching insects using combined illumination or colours and adhesive surfaces · CPC title

• A01M1/24

  Arrangements connected with buildings, doors, windows, or the like · CPC title

• A01M1/023

  Attracting insects by the simulation of a living being, i.e. emission of carbon dioxide, heat, sound waves or vibrations · CPC title

• A01M1/106

  for flying insects · CPC title