Abstract:
The present invention is directed towards a microencapsulated bait for application to electric animal traps for luring animals to the trap. The microencapsulated bait can be applied during manufacturing of new traps or to existing traps alike. The microencapsulated bait may be applied to the trap via brush, spray or adhesive backed tape. The microencapsulated bait can be activated by merely scratching the portion of the trap containing the microcapsules. Alternatively the microcapsules may be constructed and arranged for timed release of the scents, flavors or phermones contained therein.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 10/866,403 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,117,631 entitled MICROENCAPSULATED ANIMAL TRAP BAIT AND METHOD OF LURING ANIMALS TO TRAPS WITH MICROENCAPSULATED BAIT, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention is directed to a reusable or disposable animal trap bait that utilizes microencapsulation technology to provide controlled release of scents and/or flavors and may be utilized with a pre-existing animal trap such that the trap does not require perishable bait. Further, the microencapsulated bait may be easily applied to animal traps by the manufacturer or may be purchased as a kit and applied to the trap after purchase by the consumer. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Throughout the centuries, rodents such as rats and mice have thrived among human civilizations. Rodents have been responsible for damage to property and the spread of infectious disease to humans and animals alike. In response, traps have been used by land owners and the pest extermination industry to exterminate rodents. Animal traps have been around for hundreds of years and include many different designs. Most common is the typical rodent snap trap that utilizes a spring and a snapping bar to kill the target animal. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,117,631 to the instant inventor discloses a snap-type trap in combination with a microencapsulated bait. However, these designs can be unpleasant to handle and pose a danger to the consumer setting the trap. 
         [0005]    Glue traps are paper or cardboard covered in a non-drying strong adhesive to entrap mice or rats, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,636 to Musket and U.S. Pat. No. 5,384,981 to Cohen. These traps are economical and easy to set, however they typically utilize grain such as wheat for bait. Grains may sour under damp conditions causing odors that are unacceptable for indoor use. Kloczko, U.S. Pat. No. 6,505,434, discloses a glue trap for catching insects which utilizes microparticles having a high absorption rate and saturated with pheromones to lure insects to the glue. The saturated microparticles are mixed with glue and spread over the surface of the glue board. 
         [0006]    Numerous chemical control means have been employed to encapsulate chemical rodenticides to mask odors and/or taste. However, these poisons have several major drawbacks. Once chemically poisoned, a rodent may die and decompose in an inaccessible place, such as inside a wall, creating a possible odor problem or additional infestation. Moreover, a few species and strains of rodents will detect and avoid the chemical odor and others are resistant all together. Sometimes, household pets become the victims of these chemical control means. In addition, extensive precautions must be taken by the exterminator to prevent poisoning of himself during distribution of the chemicals. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,352 to Miller is directed towards an encapsulated rodenticide. The patent teaches the inclusion of bait within an encapsulated thermoplastic polyamide. The bait is a zinc phosphate used as a toxicant; the encapsulation masks the odor and taste. 
         [0008]    Similarly, WIPO Publication: WO 90/00005 to Redding is directed towards a microencapsulated poison containing a pesticide core material surrounded by lure outer coating. The lure coating comprises a food, sugar or pheromone. 
         [0009]    United States Pre-Grant Publication 2004/0031189 to Brown is directed toward a poison bait module, an olfactory attractor portion disposed adjacent the poison portion and a visual attractor portion, wherein the olfactory attractor portion comprises food. The visual attractor portion comprises a reflective material. 
         [0010]    Poisons of any kind require very serious safety considerations for storage and distribution. Gloves must be worn when handling poisons and respirators must be utilized to avoid inadvertent inhalation. Coated and/or microencapsulated poisons require additional considerations. The poisons of the prior art are generally coated with a bright and attractively scented material to mask the poison contained therein. Brightly colored and/or attractively scented granules may be mistaken for food by children and/or family pets and ingested. 
         [0011]    The article “‘Death by chocolate’ trap for mice”, Newscientist.com, discloses a chocolate-scented mousetrap to catch pests without the need for bait. The article discloses the construction of the traditional mousetrap using ABS plastic granules mixed with chocolate essence. However, the chocolate fragrance fades after six months and cannot be reactivated. 
         [0012]    Due to the problems associated with mechanical and chemical trapping methods, many other types of animal traps, particularly rodent traps, have been utilized. One alternative to poisons and snap traps is to use electricity to kill the target animal. Traps of this nature are typically easier to set, no spring loaded bail, and do not produce an unsightly result when the consumer catches a rodent or the like. 
         [0013]    Electric or electronic traps generally include a plastic encasement with a pair of electrodes to detect the rodent and dispatch high voltage shock when activated; for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,269,091, 5,949,636, 6,609,328, 6,735,899, 6,775,947 and 7,010,882 all disclose electric animal traps. These traps are most commonly baited with a perishable bait to attract the rodents. These baits are often temperature sensitive and can decompose over time. Moreover, the bait used must be sticky enough to ensure the rodent will enter the trap, to prevent the rodent from feeding on the bait without being trapped. Further, the perishable bait can be difficult and time consuming to attach to the trap. These traps often require the user insert bait through a bottom hole on the back plate with a plastic or wooden knife. Because these holes are small, the user is faced with putting his/her hand entirely into the trap to remove unused or rancid bait which may be difficult and unpleasant for the user. In addition, inexperienced users may be shocked during baiting or emptying of the trap should they fail to turn off the trap and remove the batteries prior to these operations. 
         [0014]    While the foregoing described prior art devices have improved the art and in some instances enjoyed commercial success, there remains nonetheless a continuing need in the art for evermore improved animal trap and bait combinations. 
         [0015]    Accordingly, what is lacking in the art is a safe, effective and non-toxic animal trap bait that can be easily applied to new as well as pre-existing animal traps. The animal trap bait should be non-perishable, reusable and disposable by conventional means. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The present invention described herein is a microencapsulated bait for new as well as pre-existing electric animal traps that may be either applied during the manufacturing stage or after purchase by the consumer to attract target animals to the trap. 
         [0017]    Rodents such as mice, rats and the like do not have good eyesight and therefore generally rely on their elevated olfactory senses to find food. Most rodents will eat anything when food is scarce. Mice are particularly attracted to sweet smells, e.g. chocolate and fruit, while rats are more attracted to protein-based foods such as peanut butter, peanut oil, bacon and other meats. Rodents are also attracted to pheromones. Pheromones are biochemicals secreted by the animal to communicate to others of the same species. They act as signposts, guiding rodents to food, throughways and safe territories. 
         [0018]    Microencapsulation or “scratch-and-sniff” technology was first developed for use in NCR (no carbon required) paper and has been used effectively in other areas, for example, to provide perfume samples in advertisements. The microencapsulation process generally involves mixing the material to be encapsulated, such as scent or pheromone, with a polymer and then, through a number of controlled steps fragile microcapsules that contain the material are produced. The microcapsule wall protects the encapsulated material from the effects of oxidation and UV light, extending the effective life of the material. The microcapsules can be imbedded or layered onto the surface of a substrate for storage and/or use. When the user scratches, or otherwise disturbs, the coated substrate surface some of the microcapsules are fractured and the material contained within is emitted. 
         [0019]    In addition, the encapsulated material may be released from within the microcapsules by diffusion through pores in the microcapsule wall. This creates a controlled time-release product. The length of time over which the encapsulated material is released may be altered to suit a particular need. 
         [0020]    Accordingly, it is an objective of the instant invention to provide a microencapsulated scent, flavor and/or pheromone type bait that can be easily applied to new as well as pre-existing electric animal traps for luring target animals thereto. 
         [0021]    It is another objective of the instant invention is to teach a microencapsulated bait for electric animal traps that can be sprayed, brushed or supplied on an adhesive backed substrate and placed in a predetermined position of the trap for attracting target animals thereto. 
         [0022]    Still another objective of the instant invention to teach an adhesive backed lure for animal traps that includes rows, columns, grids or arrays of microencapsulated bait areas that may be selectively activated. 
         [0023]    Yet another objective of the instant invention is to teach a lure for animal traps that includes rows, columns, grids or arrays of microencapsulated baits each of which may be selectively activated and each of which may be directed to a different target animal. 
         [0024]    Still yet another objective of the instant invention is to teach microencapsulated baits for use in animal traps that are targeted to specific animals, i.e. sweet smells for mice, protein-based smells for rats. 
         [0025]    A further objective of the instant invention is to teach a microencapsulated animal trap bait kit which saves time, since pest control technicians and other end users can use these traps without applying traditional perishable bait thereto. 
         [0026]    Yet a further objective of the instant invention is to teach microencapsulated animal trap baits that can be utilized both indoors and outdoors without decomposing or influence by environmental conditions. 
         [0027]    Still yet a further objective of the instant invention is to teach microencapsulated baits for animal traps that will be effective against various forms of target animals, including, but not limited to various rodents, gophers, squirrels and birds. 
         [0028]    An even further object of the instant invention is to teach microencapsulated animal bait that will be effective in luring target animals when used in combination with pre-existing electronic traps and repeating animal traps. 
         [0029]    Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electrically actuated animal trap; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is a section view taken along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 , illustrating one embodiment of the instant invention having a flexible substrate with a single microencapsulated bait area; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the instant invention, illustrating an adhesive backed flexible substrate having multiple microencapsulated bait areas; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view taken along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 , illustrating a liquid microencapsulated bait being positioned on a surface of the electrically actuated trap with a brush. 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view taken along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 , illustrating one embodiment of the instant invention wherein the microencapsulated bait is sprayed onto a surface of the trap. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    The instant invention has developed an innovative way in which to use microencapsulation technology to lure animals, preferably rodents, into a trap.  FIG. 1  is illustrative of a known prior art electrically actuated animal trap  10  for which the instant invention may be utilized. Such traps are currently distributed by Woodstream of Lititz, Pa., and are sold under the trademark VICTOR. As used herein the terms electrically actuated trap, electric trap and electronic trap are used to refer to animal traps which utilize electricity to electrocute a targeted animal. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the instant invention could be used with various electrical traps known in the art which include, but should not be limited to, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,269,091, 5,949,636, 6,609,328, 6,735,899, 6,775,947, 7,010,882. One of ordinary skill in the art will also recognize the size of the trap can be adjusted to a size appropriate for the animal for which the trap is directed. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the preferred embodiment of the electrically actuated trap  10  includes a base  12 , a pair of side walls  14 , a rear wall  15 , and a top  16 . The base side walls and top are generally constructed from a non-conductive polymeric material such as plastic. The base is generally constructed to contain at least two, and more preferably three, electrically conductive electrodes. Whereby, a first electrode  18  is electrically connected to be a ground and a second electrode  20  is electrically connected to be a positive. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the electrodes could be reversed or the number of electrodes could be increased without departing from the scope of the invention. The electrically actuated trap includes suitable electrical controls and a suitable power supply for generating a fatal shock to a target animal (not shown). 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a flexible bait substrate having a single microencapsulated bait area is illustrated in a position on the electrode  18 . The bait substrate  20  includes a single scent release area  22  of microencapsulated bait thereon. The substrate  20  is preferably manufactured from materials well known in the art used for adhering microencapsulated scents thereto. The substrate preferably includes an adhesive layer  24  ( FIG. 3 ) for adhering the microencapsulated bait to wood, metal, plastic or other substrates from which traps can be manufactured. The substrate may be supplied with a backing layer  26  which can be removed prior to attaching the substrate to a surface of the trap. Skilled persons will appreciate that the sizes of the substrate  20  and scent release area  22  can be adjusted to conform to the size of the electrode or other surface with the trap and can be adapted to the size of the animals to which the scent release areas  22  are directed. Moreover, the scent release area  22  may cover all or part of the substrate  20 . Although the substrate  20  and scent release area  22  are both shown as rectangular, skilled persons would realize that the scent area  22  or substrate  20  could be any variety of shapes, sheets or rolls (not shown). 
         [0038]    Moreover, one of ordinary skill will appreciate that the scent release areas  22  can be directly incorporated into the materials used to construct some or all of the trap components, e.g. base, side walls, etc. Additionally, the substrate  20  can be applied with a natural or synthetic solution, compound or mixture that includes microcapsules having smells or tastes of the desired bait, for example peanut butter or chocolate, thereby creating a delocalized scent release area. Such microencapsulated scenting/flavoring agents are known in the art and are commercially available from a variety of sources, including the Ronald T. Dodge Company of Dayton, Ohio and Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (3M) of St. Paul, Minn. 
         [0039]    The Microencapsulated bait can be produced by a variety of methods known in the art; for example, macroemulsion processes, entrapment/matrix encapsulations, etc. The amount and density of scent/flavor producing agents, e.g. microcapsules, produced by the microencapsulation process can be adjusted to provide the desirable fragrance release characteristics based on pressure, friction or other factors. Additionally, the porosity of the microcapsule walls can be adjusted such that the encapsulated bait is released over an extended period of time. Since the animals that are the desired targets of the present invention are generally scavengers, they have a highly developed sense of smell. Consequently, the scent intensity of the present invention can be manufactured well below what would be noticeable to humans. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , an alternate embodiment of the instant invention having an array of preformed multiple microencapsulated bait areas  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c , and  22   d  on a substrate  20  is shown. The scent release areas  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c , and  22   d  can be scented and/or flavored with the microencapsulated bait of the present invention. The scent release areas  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c , and  22   d  can have different fragrances and/or flavors, e.g. chocolate and peanut butter, such that the consumer can activate the desired scent targeted for the specific target animal. For example, if the consumer has a rat problem, the product of the instant invention can come in a kit that includes an electric trap and the substrate  20  having an array of multiple scent areas  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c , and  22   d  so that the consumer can simply scratch one or more of the scent areas to activate the scent, flavor or pheromone contained therein. The substrate  20  could also include indicia  32  that specifies to the end user what animal the scent areas are directed to attract. The indicia could be letters or symbols well known in the art. Alternatively, all of the scent release areas  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c , and  22   d  in  FIG. 3  could have the same fragrances and/or flavors such that the consumer can activate a different scent area, i.e.  22   b , after the scent of the first,  22   a , has faded. This is an especially useful feature for pest control tradesmen who reuse the same traps repeatedly. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a sectioned view of a conventional electric trap  10  is illustrated with the microencapsulated bait of the instant invention positioned on one electrode  18  of the trap. In this embodiment the microencapsulated bait is supplied as a liquid  28  which can be brushed onto a surface of the trap. In a most preferred embodiment the microencapsulated bait is suspended in a suitable carrier which may remain in a liquid state or alternatively may dry to the touch leaving the microcapsules in place. One skilled in the art would recognize that the microcapsules could be ruptured to emit scent either during or subsequent to application with the brush  30 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  demonstrates another embodiment of the instant invention wherein the microencapsulated scent can be sprayed onto a surface of a conventional electric trap  10 . In the preferred embodiment the microencapsulated bait is applied via a pressurized aerosol container  34 . The use of a spray allows the user to apply, or reapply, the microencapsulate bait without touching the trap. The less the trap is handled by the end-user, the less likely the targeted animal will shy away from any human odor that might be left on the trap. 
         [0043]    Microencapsulated scents and/or flavors utilized in the instant invention are constructed and arranged to last up to twenty years and could be added to multiple traps and stored for extended lengths of time. In this manner, the present invention may be utilized to improve efficiency and increase safety of new as well as pre-existing electric traps. 
         [0044]    All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
         [0045]    One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. Any compounds, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.