Abstract:
Hollow body insect traps with a continuous sidewall and a detachable base defining a truncated pyramid or a truncated cone shape, wherein the apex of the truncated cone or pyramid has a top surface defining an inlet communicating the interior of the hollow body with the exterior environment. Package systems, accessory packages, insect trapping kits and methods for monitoring insects are also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 61/889,650 filed Oct. 11, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Statement of the Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present paragraph relates to insect traps. More specifically, the present paragraph relates to an insect trap having a removable and replaceable floor feature. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Insect traps typically use geometric designs to overcome the natural abilities of insects in order to trap the insects within the trap. For example, many insect traps lure insect through a small hole into a large enclosure. A cone or funnel-shape inlet leads between the hole to the enclosure, limiting the insects&#39; ability to exit from the enclosure. Insects are typically attracted to the enclosure by either light or chemical attractants such as chemicals that emit a food related odor. The enclosure may include glue covered surfaces, poisonous chemicals, and/or other means for incapacitating the insects. 
         [0006]    In a typical insect trap, the design relies upon the insects&#39; inability to navigate the inlet between the hole and the enclosure to escape. However, additional design features such as slanted or inverted walls are also used to prevent an insect from crawling up the outside walls of the enclosure. Such an example of an inverted wall is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,450 to Muramatsu, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In the Muramatsu design, a trap is formed by cutting and folding blanks of a pliable material into a hollow chamber having slanted walls. A tubular inlet is used to lead the insects into the enclosure, where poison, glue or another incapacitating means is provided. 
         [0007]    Existing insect traps, including the improved design of Muramatsu, all have various drawbacks. Primarily, the traps do not provide for reuse, which leads to a higher cost of use as the entire trap is continually replaced, as well as increased waste product resulting from the disposed traps as well as the packaging materials associated therewith. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Having recognized the shortcomings in existing insect traps, the present invention provides an improved insect trap having a lower cost and a lower weight option to existing designs, while still providing a high capture-rate. The improved insect trap has a hollow body with a continuous sidewall and a detachable base defining a hollow truncated pyramid or a hollow truncated cone shape, wherein the apex of the truncated cone or pyramid has a top surface defining an inlet of the hollow body. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments of the present invention, the material used to form the trap may be polylactide, polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, poly-vinylidene chloride, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyamides, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyacrylate and a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the walls have uniform thickness that provides for easier tooling and material versatility during the manufacturing process. 
         [0010]    In another aspect, the present invention provides for a fully nestable trap package system that reduces the overall size of packaging required for shipping the insect trap. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, the present invention provides an insect trap kit containing the insect trap of the present invention, an absorbent material with an insect trapping composition, and instructions for use of the insect trap. The insect trapping composition may be one or more of pressure sensitive adhesives, poisons, and odor emitting insect lures. An accessory package is also provided containing an absorbent material and an insect trapping composition absorbed thereon, wherein the package has a barrier layer preventing release of the insect trapping composition. 
         [0012]    Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of monitoring insects by inserting an absorbent material with an insect trapping composition absorbed thereon, into the hollow body of the insect trap of the present invention, and placing said insect trap in a desired location. 
         [0013]    The present objectives, features and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the claims. The following drawings, taken in conjunction with the subsequent description, are presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawing figures, in which like numerals represent like items through the figures, and in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  depicts a profile view of an improved insect trap according to an embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  depicts a cutaway view of the improved insect trap of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  depicts a cutaway view of the improved insect trap of  FIG. 1  including a removable and replaceable floor feature; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  depicts a cutaway view of the improved insect trap of  FIG. 1  including an alternative removable and replaceable floor feature; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5A  depicts a sample packaging scenario of the improved insect trap as disclosed herein; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5B  depicts a sample packaging scenario for a set of replacement floor features; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6A  depicts a photograph of an insect trap body according to an embodiment; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 6B  depicts a photograph of an insect trap removable and replaceable floor component according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    This paragraph is not limited to the particular systems, devices and methods described, as these can vary. The terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope. 
         [0024]    As used in this document, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. As used in this document, the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.” 
         [0025]    The present paragraph relates to an improved insect trap that provides various advantages over existing insect trap designs. The improved insect trap provides a lower cost and a lower weight option to existing designs, while still providing a high capture-rate. Additionally, the improved insect trap can have a uniform wall thickness that provides for easier tooling and material versatility during the manufacturing process. In one embodiment, the exterior wall surfaces have a greater coefficient of friction than the interior surfaces. Also, the present design provides for a fully nestable trap that reduces the overall size of packaging required for shipping the insect trap. 
         [0026]    As described herein, an insect trap may refer to any such device suitable for capturing and trapping various insects, arachnids and other similar pests for later disposal. For example, insect traps may include traps designed to capture walking insects and arachnids such as ants, bed bugs, cockroaches, spiders, beetles, and other similar walking insects. Similarly an insect trap may be used to capture flying insects and pests such as bees, wasps, stinkbugs, hornets, mosquitos, flies, and other similar flying pests. Examples of insect traps, including several detailed examples of traps for capturing crawling insects such as bed bugs, can be found in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/673,299 entitled “Bug Interception Device” and filed on Nov. 9, 2012, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
         [0027]    Additionally, it should be noted that while chemical and glue based insect traps are described herein, they are provided merely by way of example, and additional traps such as mechanical traps may be used. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example insect trap  100  that includes a circular inlet  102  and a hollow body  104 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the body  104  can have a truncated pyramidal shape, including inwardly sloping or inverted walls. In a particular example, the body  104  can include four body sides. However, this is shown by way of example only, and additional shapes for the body  104 , such as a truncated tetrahedron shape or a truncated cone shape, can be incorporated. Similarly, the inlet  102  is shown having a circular aperture. This is also shown by way of example only, and additional shapes, such as a square or other polygonal shape, can be used for the inlet  102 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cutaway view of the insect trap  100  as shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the inverted walls of body  104  define a single interior atrium for capturing and containing the insects. The specific slant of the body  104  defining an acute angle can help to prevent any trapped insects from climbing the walls in order to exit the trap  100  via the inlet  102 . 
         [0030]    Additionally, the body  104  can include an attachment point  106  for removably attaching a modular floor component for the insect trap  100 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the attachment point  106  can include a snap joint bead shaped as a circular detent integrally molded into the body  104 . It should be noted that the snap joint bead as shown in  FIG. 2  is by way of example only, and additional designs for attachment point  106  can be used. In one embodiment, a second set of attachment points for attaching the floor component to the body are formed integrally along the perimeter of the floor component and the body attachment points and floor attachment points are configured to cooperate with each other to attach the floor component to the body. In other exemplary embodiments, an adhesive fastener can be used, a screw-in or screw-on fastener can be used, a slot/lip fastener can be used, a friction-fit fastener can be used, and other similar fasteners that would provide for the floor component to be removable from the body can be used. 
         [0031]      FIG. 6A  shows a photograph of an insect trap body  600  according to the present paragraph, similar to insect trap body  104  as described above, shown in an inverted position such that the bottom of the body  600  is upwardly positioned. The insect trap body  600  includes various attachment points  602  for attachment of a floor component. The floor component can be opaque, transparent or translucent. As shown in  FIG. 6A , the attachment points  602  can be grooves or slots that are cut, etched, or molded into the insect trap body  602  during manufacture, the attachment points positioned and configured to receive a fastening feature of the floor component. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , a removable floor component  108  can be inserted into the insect trap  100 , fastened to the trap at the attachment point  106 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the removable floor component can include a fastener  110  configured to contact and removably attach to the attachment point  106 , thereby holding the removable floor component  108  to the trap  100 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the fastener  110  can be a lure-shaped fastener positioned and configured to be inserted into the attachment point  106 . The shape of the removable floor component  108  can be designed such that a force is exerted outwards through the fastener  110  and against the attachment point  106 , thereby holding the removable floor component  108  securely in place. Similarly, the actual design of the body  104  walls may exert a force upon the floor  108 , holding the floor in place. In one embodiment, the floor component has a concave shape, so that said interior surface slopes downwardly towards a central focal point. In another embodiment, the interior surface includes a textured surface surrounding the focal point. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the removable floor component  108  can include a chemical reservoir including an amount of poison for killing any insects that enter the trap  100 . By providing a removable and replaceable floor component  108 , the trap  100  can be emptied by removing the floor and emptying the trap of any trapped insects. A new removable floor component can then be inserted, effectively providing a new insect trap while reusing the inlet  102  and the body  104 . Such a design reduces overall waste associated with the insect trap  100 , while maintaining a high level of usefulness and effectiveness. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6B  shows a photograph of an removable floor component  610  according to the present paragraph for use with insect trap body  600  as described above. The floor component  610  includes multiple fastening features  612  positioned and configured to fit within attachment points  602  of the trap body  600 . As shown in  FIG. 6B , the fastening features  612  are small protrusions molded or otherwise formed to the floor component  610  for insertion into the attachment points  602 . The design and shape of both the body  600  and the floor  610  can result in a tight fit between the components such that the fastening features  612  are held tightly within the attachment points  602  while still providing a means for removing the floor component from the trap body. In this manner, the floor component  610  can be removed and replaced with a new or a previously cleaned floor component while the trap body  600  is reused. 
         [0035]    It should be noted that the specific design of the trap body  600  and the floor component  610  as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B  are shown by way of example only to illustrate a specific embodiment of the attachment points and the fastening features. Additional configurations, such as those described herein in greater detail, can be used as well for removable attaching the floor component to the insect trap body. 
         [0036]    Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a differently configured removable floor component  112  can be used with the insect trap  100 . For example, the removable floor component  112  can include a smaller chemical reservoir  114  for holding a poison or other chemical such as an odor emitting chemical designed to attract insects into the trap  100 . An amount of glue  116  can be applied around the reservoir  114 , providing an additional means for trapping the insects within the trap  100 . 
         [0037]    It should be noted that the two removable floor components  108 ,  112  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  are shown by way of example only, and additional types of floor components can be used. Floor components types include, but are not limited to, passive floors, active floors including baits and/or lures, glue floors, electronic floor components including active monitoring or RFID devices, and other similar types of insect and pest trap floors. 
         [0038]    Additionally, like the floor component  610  shown in  FIG. 6B , a floor component can be manufactured without any specific features for capturing insects. Specific features, such as glue, poison(s), an odor emitting lure, and the like, can then be applied after the trap is placed. For example, an odor emitting lure may come packaged in a single-use packaging, and be sized and configured appropriately for easy opening and application onto the floor component. By providing a floor component where the specific features for luring and/or killing the insects may be easily changed, the overall usefulness and versatility of the inset trap is improved. 
         [0039]    In one embodiment, the single use package includes an absorbent material and one or more insect trapping compositions absorbed thereon. The package has a barrier layer, such as an acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate polymer, to prevent release of the insect trapping composition. Suitable absorbent materials include absorbent polymeric materials or an absorbent fiber mass. Polymeric materials may or may not contain polymeric fibers. Polymeric and non-polymeric fiber materials may be woven or non-woven. Insect trapping compositions include pressure sensitive adhesives, poisons and odor emitting insect lures. In one embodiment, the odor emitting insect lure contains 1-Nonanal, L-lactic acid, 1-octen-3-ol and spearmint oil. 
         [0040]    As described herein, the same body and inlet design may be used in concert with multiple floor components based upon a consumer&#39;s needs. For example, in a kitchen where using a trap with poison may be a health violation, a floor component such as that shown in  FIG. 4 , having an odor emitting chemical and a surrounding glue area can be used. Conversely, in an environment where poison can be used (e.g. a mechanical room for a hotel or commercial building) a trap using a removable floor component that has an applied amount of poison can be used. However in any scenario the same body and inlet design can be used for the insect trap, improving the overall usefulness of the insect trap. 
         [0041]    The modular and nestable design for an insect trap as disclosed herein provides for improved packaging of the insect traps as well. As shown in  FIG. 5A , a shipping container  500  can include a stack of about  20  insect traps  100  as well as a number of removable floor components  108 . However, as the removable floor components  108  can be replaced for each insect trap  100 , a second example of a shipping container  510 , as shown in  FIG. 5B , can include a large set of replaceable floor components  108 . Thus, a consumer can purchase a package  500 , including a number of traps  100  and floor components  108 , and then, when needed, buy a package  510  of replacement floor components, while reusing the traps  100  previously purchased in package  500 . Such an arrangement would result in reduced packaging for shipping the traps, while increasing the usefulness of the traps for the end consumer as there are less necessary purchases and waste associated with using the insect traps. 
         [0042]    It should be noted that the packaging arrangements as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  are shown by way of example only, and are provided merely to show additional advantages of the insect traps described herein. 
         [0043]    The insect traps of the present invention may then be used to monitor insects by inserting the absorbent material with an insect trapping composition absorbed thereon into the hollow body of the insect trap of the present invention, and placing the insect trap in a desired location, wherein the insect trapping composition is selected from pressure sensitive adhesives, poisons and odor emitting insect lures. 
         [0044]    Various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, can be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein can be subsequently made by those skilled in the art, each of which is also intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.