Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a trap for flying pests that does not require the use of chemicals and can be packaged in such a way that it can be present in public areas without being unsightly or intrusive. The trap is reusable, easy to set up, easy to clean, and easy to operate. An example trap includes a gathering vessel, fluid trap, conduit, vacuum, and timing device. The gathering vessel includes a container to hold attractant bait. One end of the conduit is coupled to the gathering vessel and the other end designed to be submerged within fluid inside the fluid trap. The vacuum is coupled to the fluid trap and removes air from the fluid trap to cause air and flies to flow from the gathering vessel, through the conduit, and into fluid inside the fluid trap. The timing device periodically activates and deactivates the vacuum.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Fruit flies contaminate food, wreak havoc on the liquor stores of bars and restaurants, and destroy crops; costing money in wasted product and lost produce. Conventional methods for attempting to remove these pests often employ toxic chemicals and physical traps, such as, for example, dangling adhesive tapes. While these methods may successfully remove some flies from a local environment, they also have downsides. In a business environment, especially for a food service, a dangling tape of dead flies is neither sanitary nor something that should be observed by the clientele. In the case of chemical traps, toxic chemicals pose health risks if not handled or disposed properly. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Disclosed herein is a trap for flies that does not require the use of chemicals and is capable of being packaged in such a way that it could be present in public areas without being unsightly or intrusive. The trap also isolates the trapped flies in a container, separating them from the outside environment completely, unlike traditional traps and tapes. In addition, traditional trap systems generally must be disposed and replaced. The disclosed trap, on the other hand, is reusable, easy to set up, easy to clean, and easy to operate. 
         [0003]    One example embodiment of the present invention is a fly trap that includes a gathering vessel, fluid trap, conduit, vacuum, and timing device. The gathering vessel includes a container to hold fly-attracting bait. The gathering vessel also includes a first opening allowing the flies to enter the gathering vessel and a second opening allowing for collection of the flies. The fluid trap is able to be partially filled with fluid. The conduit has a first end coupled to the second opening of the gathering vessel and a second end to be submerged within fluid inside the fluid trap. The vacuum is coupled to the fluid trap and removes air from the fluid trap to cause air and flies to flow from the gathering vessel, through the conduit, and into fluid inside the fluid trap. The timing device is electronically coupled to the vacuum and periodically activates and deactivates the vacuum. 
         [0004]    In some embodiments, the container is suspended inside the gathering vessel, and the gathering vessel may include a platform near the container for the flies to land. The interior of the gathering vessel can include a low-friction surface (e.g., coated with polytetrafluoroethylene) to reduce the flies&#39; ability to stay in the gathering vessel when the vacuum is activated. In many embodiments, the timing device is configured to activate the vacuum for a first amount of time and deactivate the vacuum for a second amount of time, where the second amount of time is longer than the first amount of time. The vacuum may also include baffles to reduce noise emitted from the vacuum 
         [0005]    Another example embodiment of the present invention is a fly trap that includes a housing, gathering vessel, fluid trap, conduit, vacuum, and timing device. The gathering vessel is coupled to the housing and includes a container to hold fly-attracting bait. The gathering vessel also includes a first opening allowing the flies to enter the gathering vessel and a second opening allowing for collection of the flies. The fluid trap is located inside the housing and is able to be partially filled with fluid. The conduit has a first end coupled to the second opening of the gathering vessel and a second end to be submerged within fluid inside the fluid trap. The vacuum is located inside the housing, is coupled to the fluid trap, and removes air from the fluid trap to cause air and flies to flow from the gathering vessel, through the conduit, and into fluid inside the fluid trap. The timing device is located inside the housing, is electronically coupled to the vacuum, and periodically activates and deactivates the vacuum. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the gathering vessel is attached to the outside of the housing, and in others, the gathering vessel is located inside the housing, where the first opening of the gathering vessel is an opening in the housing. In many embodiments, the fluid trap is able to be removed from the housing. 
         [0007]    Another example embodiment of the present invention is a fly trap that includes a central fluid trap, multiple gathering vessels, multiple conduits, a vacuum, and a timing device. The central fluid trap is able to be partially filled with fluid. The multiple gathering vessels each include a container to hold fly-attracting bait, a first opening allowing the flies to enter the gathering vessel, and a second opening allowing for collection of the flies. The multiple conduits each have a first end coupled to the second opening of a corresponding gathering vessel, and a second end coupled to a common conduit to be submerged within fluid inside the central fluid trap. The vacuum is coupled to the fluid trap and removes air from the fluid trap to cause air and flies to flow from the gathering vessels, through the conduits, and into fluid inside the central fluid trap. The timing device is electronically coupled to the vacuum and periodically activates and deactivates the vacuum. 
         [0008]    In many embodiments, the multiple gathering vessels are located at locations remote from the central fluid trap. In some embodiments, a hub may be used to couple the multiple conduits to the common conduit, and the hub can include a switch that activates and deactivates various conduits. The switch may also cycle through the multiple conduits, activating a subset of the conduits at a given time. 
         [0009]    Another example embodiment of the present invention is a fly trap that includes multiple gathering vessels, multiple fluid traps, multiple collection conduits, a central vacuum, and a timing device. The multiple gathering vessels each include a container for fly-attracting bait, a first opening allowing the flies to enter the gathering vessel, and a second opening allowing for collection of the flies. The multiple fluid traps each are able to be partially filled with fluid. The multiple collection conduits each have a first end coupled to the second opening of a corresponding gathering vessel, and a second end to be submerged within fluid inside a corresponding fluid trap. The central vacuum is coupled to the fluid traps and removes air from the fluid traps to cause air and flies to flow from the gathering vessels, through the collection conduits, and into fluid inside the fluid traps. The timing device is electronically coupled to the vacuum and periodically activates and deactivates the vacuum. 
         [0010]    In many embodiments, the multiple gathering vessels and fluid traps are located at locations remote from the central vacuum. In some embodiments, a hub may be used to couple the multiple fluid traps to the central vacuum, where the hub is coupled to the multiple fluid traps by multiple vacuum conduits, and is coupled to the vacuum by a common conduit. The hub can include a switch that activates and deactivates various conduits, and that can cycle through the multiple vacuum conduits, activating a subset of the vacuum conduits at a given time. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of example embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing of a fly trap, according to an example embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a schematic drawing of a fly trap contained within a housing, according to an example embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing of a fly trap with multiple gathering vessels, according to an example embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a schematic drawing of a fly trap with multiple gathering vessels and fluid traps, according to an example embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a schematic drawing of a fly trap with multiple gathering vessels and fluid traps, according to an example embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    A description of example embodiments of the invention follows. 
         [0018]    The fly trap in its various configuration disclosed herein employs a two-step process to remove unwanted flies from the local environment. The first step is a lure using, for example, a household and non-toxic attractant, such as apple cider vinegar, attracting flies in the local environment to the trap. The second step is an intermittent suction effect used to physically pull the flies from the area around the lure into the trap vessel, completing the removal of pests from the area. The fly trap uses a collection of devices, including a physical trap, a vacuum, and an electronic intermittent timer. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing of a fly trap, according to an example embodiment of the present invention. On the left side of  FIG. 1 , a physical trap is shown. At the top of the trap is a gathering vessel  105  in the shape of a cylindrical funnel, which contains a lure in a container  115 . The gathering vessel  105  has a first opening (e.g., wide-mouth)  120  facing upwards with a small container  115  suspended within, holding the fly attractant. Trusses that support the suspended lure container  115  may also function as surface area for flies to land on around the lure. In the particular embodiment shown, a second opening (e.g., lower tip)  125  of the gathering vessel  105  is inserted into the top of a fluid trap  110  and connects to the top  135  of a conduit (e.g., tube)  130  running down most of the height of the chamber of the fluid trap  110 . Water, for example, may be used inside the body of the fluid trap  110  to fill the bottom, submerging the output  140  of the conduit (intake tube)  130  under water. When the vacuum is active the intake tube  130  leads flies from the gathering vessel  105  into the body of the fluid trap  110 , the force of which disables and submerges the flies in the fluid trap  110 . At the top of the trap, for example, is another tube, leading from inside the chamber of the fluid trap  110  to the outside. This tube connects to a vacuum system  145  that creates negative pressure inside the body of the fluid trap  110 , pulling flies from the gathering vessel  105  into the water below. One aspect of the trap&#39;s effectiveness is an intermittent timer  150  that controls when the vacuum  145  is active. Activation of the suction on an interval accomplishes several things. Operation is automatic and requires no supervision. The trap is more effective when run on an interval because flies are allowed to collect near the lure without being disturbed, then the vacuum is activated and the trap is active for a short amount of time. Success has been achieved with a 15-minute off/1-minute on interval, for example. The system also saves power because the vacuum is only in operation for one minute, four times an hour, for example; thus, the impact on power cost is minimal. 
         [0020]    An example embodiment of the device may function as follows. The interior of the fluid trap  110  can be filled with approximately two inches of water, submerging the output side  140  of the intake tube  130 . A drop of dish soap may be added to the water to reduce surface tension of the water and ensure flies are quickly saturated when pulled into the water. The bubbles also help dispatch the flies. The lure of the gathering vessel  105  may be prepared by adding a non-toxic natural attractant, such as vinegar or fruit juice, to the container  115 . The vacuum  145  can be attached to an output tube at the top of the fluid trap  110 , and be connected to an electronic timer  150 , which controls automatic operation of the vacuum  145 . The device is placed in an area where flies have become a problem, plugged in (or operated by battery), and left to operate for a time (e.g., overnight), trapping the pests and cleaning the environment. A user may then simply remove a lid of the fluid trap  110 , empty the fluid trap  110  into a sink or toilet, and the trap is ready to be cleaned and refilled for re-use, if needed. 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a schematic drawing of a fly trap contained within a housing  210 , according to an example embodiment of the present invention. As a manufactured product, the device could be packaged in a self-contained unit  205 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . In  FIG. 2 , the gathering vessel  105 , fluid trap  110 , vacuum  145 , timing device  150 , and related components are all contained within a housing  210 . While the gathering vessel  105  is shown as being located inside the housing  210 , with the first opening  120  of the gathering vessel  105  being an opening in the housing  210 , the gathering vessel  105  can alternatively be attached to the outside of the housing  210 , similar to the gathering vessel of  FIG. 1 . The overall functionality of the trap remains the same, but such a purpose-built version of the trap would allow the device to be employed even during business hours, in public areas. Using a vacuum  145  that is properly scaled in power and quieted with baffles, the device could come in multiple versions appropriate for different environments. A low-power version could be used for home or in social businesses, such as a bar, small restaurants, and grocery stores. In such areas a primary concern would be non-intrusive operation. A higher-power version could be available for commercial kitchens, health-care facilities, breweries, distilleries, and fruit growing and processing locales, where sound or power usage is less of a concern and airborne pests may be more numerous. 
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing of a fly trap with multiple gathering vessels  305   a - d , according to an example embodiment of the present invention. A modular system can be employed, with a central vacuum  145  being attached to multiple gathering vessels  305   a - d . This could be used at a bar, for example, with the trap out of view (e.g., behind the bar), and small gathering vessels placed near sinks or garnish trays. This configuration could also be used on a much larger scale, such as in an orchard. In such a configuration, the trap includes a central fluid trap  110 , multiple gathering vessels  305   a - d , multiple conduits  330   a - d , a central vacuum  145 , and a timing device  150 . The multiple conduits  330   a - d  each have a first end  320   a - d  coupled to a corresponding gathering vessel  305   a - d , and a second end  325   a - d  coupled to a common conduit  315  to be submerged within fluid inside the central fluid trap  110 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , a hub  310  may be used to couple the multiple conduits  330   a - d  to the common conduit  315 . The hub  310  may also include a switch (not shown) that activates and deactivates various conduits, and that can cycle through the multiple conduits, activating a subset of the conduits at a given time and allowing the device to use a lower-power vacuum but still handle multiple trap locations. 
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a schematic drawing of a fly trap with multiple gathering vessels  405   a - d  and fluid traps  410   a - d , according to an example embodiment of the present invention. A modular system can be employed, with a central vacuum  145  being attached to multiple gathering vessels  405   a - d  and multiple fluid traps  410   a - d . In such a configuration, the trap includes multiple gathering vessels  405   a - d , multiple fluid traps  410   a - d , multiple conduits  415   a - d , a central vacuum  145 , and a timing device  150 . The multiple conduits  415   a - d  each have a first end  425   a - d  coupled to a corresponding gathering vessel  405   a - d , and a second end  430   a - d  to be submerged within fluid inside a corresponding fluid trap  410   a - d . Each of the fluid traps  410   a - d  is coupled to the vacuum  145  of the system by a corresponding vacuum conduit  420   a - d.    
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a schematic drawing of a fly trap with multiple gathering vessels  405   a - d  and fluid traps  410   a - d , according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The trap system of  FIG. 5  is similar to the system of  FIG. 4 , except that the vacuum conduits  420   a - d  are coupled to the vacuum  145  using a hub  440  and common conduit  435 . The hub  440  of the particular embodiment also includes a switch that activates and deactivates various vacuum conduits  420   a - d . The switch may also cycle through the multiple vacuum conduits  420   a - d , activating a subset of the vacuum conduits  420   a - d  at any one time, allowing the system to use a lower-power vacuum  145  but still handle multiple trap locations. 
         [0025]    While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to example embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims. 
         [0026]    For example, there may be many variations in the size and shape of the gathering vessel. For example, the width and depth of the vessel can vary, platforms can be added for flies to land on or near the bait, or multiple partitions may be used for multiple bait types. Various aerodynamic shapes of the funnel, lure container, and suspension trusses can increase effectiveness at a given power level. Programmable timers may be used, allowing a user to customize the operating intervals to better suit particular needs. Variations in bait used and the design of the gathering vessel could allow the device to be effective on flying pests besides fruit flies, including mosquitos and bees, for example.