Corner insect trap

The present invention pertains to a device that is designed to specifically be mounted to any available corner wherein the device will entrap spiders and other insects that go into various corners. The device is formed in a double-sided equilateral triangular shape. The device includes an aperture for an entry point for spiders and other insects to enter and become trapped on the backside of the device which includes a capturing adhesive. The front side of the device is designed to blend with various interior designs. The device will have grabbing points near the vertices of the device that allow the user to safely remove the device.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present application relates to a device and method of capturing insects, and more particularly to a device for attachment into elevated corners for attracting and capturing assorted insects.

2. Description of Related Art

It is highly undesirable to tolerate the presence of insects within a home or dwelling, whether it be a commercial or residential dwelling. Insects can carry diseases and are generally unhealthy for human and pet exposure. Millions of dollars each year is spent on the treatment and eradication of insects from dwellings. Typically sprays are used or assorted traps. The sprays are generally applied along the baseboard and are used to help prevent the entrance of insects into the home. Powders may also be used similarly to that of sprays. The powders can be applied around plumbing spaces, such as under the sinks. Traps are used to capture insects that have already entered the dwelling. These are laid on a surface and wait for the insect to pass inside and become trapped. The surfaces are relatively flat and close to the ground. Although these types of devices and treatment methods have some effect, none appear able to handle insects that remain in the upper portions of the dwellings.

For example, spiders typically stay away from the lower levels of the home and can be found around the ceiling. Insects (especially spiders) are intensely attracted to corners during their hunt for other insects and a place of desired living. The spiders that go into corners do so mainly because of the webbing techniques due to the various angles, the darker shadows which are typically found in corners yielding privacy, and the heat factor (more relative to corners near ceilings) where the spiders find for suitable as well as other insects which they can expect to travel to these corners also.

However, none of the traps and spray treatment methods described adequately address the presence and deterrence of insects in the upper corners of the dwellings. Although some strides have been made with respect to pest control methods, considerable shortcomings remain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device of the present application is widely needed through many homes, business, hospitals, schools and any other area high or low where there is a corner that spiders and other insects can go to. The current device is designed to be distinct in its use by being configured for direct application to the corners of various areas to entrap spiders and other insects for pest control purposes.

An object of the device of the present application is to entrap spiders and other insects within corners as a form of eliminating pests/insects inside and outside homes, businesses, schools, underneath tables, beds, and anywhere else where the device may be found needful because of its beneficial capabilities.

Another object of the device of the present application is to provide a method of attracting the insects to come into contact with the device. A pheromone or other type of baiting technique is possible.

Typical places for use are closets, attics, bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms, and other rooms where spiders will be attracted to the corners (especially near the ceilings). These locations are appealing for insects for many reasons, such as visibility of all surroundings for a sense of security, webbing techniques, shadowed areas, and warmer climates which naturally lure the insects (especially spiders) to these corners. The device may be placed into corners and left alone until the user decides to either remove the device at their convenience to dispose of any entrapped spiders other insects/pests to then replace the device and/or setup these devices in new areas to eventually maintain greater control over insects/pests (especially spiders) from ever gathering into corners again since the pests feed in these areas and multiply rapidly.

Another object of the device of the present application is to include stylistic indicia along the front face of the device to blend well with the various interior designs of businesses, homes, schools, and other places for the appreciated usage of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The device and method in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional insect treatment methods and devices. The device is configured to adhere at the intersection of a concave corner so as to create a void space between itself and the wall/ceiling. Insects pass into the device as it is suspended and secured to the walls/ceiling with an adhesive. Once into the void space, the insects are trapped through contact with a substance area designed to bind to the insect and prevent their ability to flee. The device is removable without the cause of damage to the surfaces of the walls/ceilings. These and other unique features of the device are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The device and method of the present application is illustrated in the associated drawings. The device includes a facial member/structure formed into a particular contoured shape. The facial member includes an adhesive layer around a portion of its periphery along one or more edges to secure the facial member into a concave corner in a dwelling. Placement of the facial member over the corner creates a void space. Insects are able to enter the void space through at least one or a gap between the facial member and the wall/ceiling and an aperture. The device further includes a substance area having an adhesive configured to capture and secure insects within the void space as they contact such area.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements in form and function throughout the several views.FIG. 1illustrates the corner insect trapping device101of the present application. Device101includes a structure100located adjacent a corner99of a dwelling. The corner99is defined by the point of location of a plurality of walls and a ceiling. The edges, or joints of the walls/ceilings are defined by lines97a-97c. Joints97aand97bdefine the line between the ceiling and both walls. Joint97cdefines the line between the walls. Device101engages one or more joints97a-cand defines a void space105between a back surface of device101and corner99.

Device101is designed specifically to be placed in corners of rooms within houses, businesses, schools, corners high and low and even underneath beds and tables in any corner where the device can be found useful and used appropriately, which is designed to confine and entrap spiders and other insects of any sort. There are more corners in a home, business, school, restaurant, or other dwelling that this device has a naturally excellent benefit to offer any user almost anywhere since spiders specifically desire the corners of various rooms and environments over any other area combined. The device of the present application is substantially a 3-dimensional object, formed in the shape of an equilateral triangle with 60 degree angles that allow device101to be placed flush-like into any corner to function as intended. The equilateral-triangular device may have a front surface104which is designed to blend with the interior environments of home and business wall designs for the user when the device is in use. This indicia may be placed on by the user or come pre-printed by the manufacturer.

Referring now also toFIG. 2in the drawings, a front view of device101is illustrated. As seen in the figures, device101is formed in the shape of an exact or approximate equilateral triangle with near 60 degree vertices so that when the device is placed into a corner it will fit substantially flush and snug so as to be appropriately mounted for the users benefit of entrapping and eliminating spiders and other insects in void space105.

Device101includes a plurality of edges107that meet together to form one or more vertices109. Vertices109are configured to fit within joints97a-csuch that edges107contact at least one of the walls/ceiling. An adhesive102is included and applied to one or more portions of edges107. Adhesive102is configured to secure device101to the walls and/or ceilings and is a removable and nondestructive adhesive to avoid damaging interior surfaces and paints. Device101may be positioned (mounted) into a corner high or low (near the floor or against the ceiling) by lining up each of the 3 vertices of the equilateral triangular device with each of 3 edges (lines) where the left and right walls intersect with the ceiling, or where the left or right walls intersect with the floor (or anywhere else a corner is similarly found to use the device accordingly. Device101may also be placed where 2 edge lines102intersect. The triangular walled device101may adhere to the joints in which it is mounted by adhesive102along portions of edges107. Device101may be oriented at various relative positions relative to corner99.

It is understood that other embodiments may have corners109angled at either more or less than 60 degrees to allow for the different styled corners within the dwelling to be received by device101. Device101is not herein limited to an equilateral triangle but is merely one exemplary form device101may take. Likewise, device101may be formed into other shapes as necessary for adaptation to corner99. Examples may include shapes having more than 3 vertices109.

Device101further includes aperture103for the passage of insects into void space105. Aperture103is ideally centrally position and passes through device101. It is designed such that insects enter into void space105by passing through aperture103. Void space105is dark and protective in nature and is appealing to many insects. It is understood that aperture103is not herein limited to the circular shape depicted. One or more apertures may be used in device101and each may have any sort of shape desired. For example, aperture105may be shaped in a rectangular shape.

It should be noted that device101of the present application may optionally include a surface indicia110corresponding to the indicia found on the walls and ceiling as stated briefly previously. Furthermore, device101may be formed from transparent/translucent material so a user can physically see if any insects are trapped in void space105. Device101has a relatively thin cross section, for example approximately ⅛ inch thick so to provide durability. Additionally, device101may be formed from wood, metal and/or plastic or other appropriate material. The presently described device is designed to be non-harmful to pets/children in that these traps remain mounted in their specified place of usage within various corners until removed and replaced by another one of the devices.

Referring now also toFIGS. 3 and 4in the drawings, a back view and side view of device101is illustrated. Device101includes an entrapping portion or substance area111. Area111is covered in a highly tacky and sticky adhesive configured to cease hold of insects so as to prevent their ability to flee away once contact has been made. Area111extends over a portion of back surface113opposite surface104. It is preferred that the adhesive in area111is at least adjacent edges107and aperture103so as to capture the insects upon entry. Various embodiments of device101may elect to locate adhesive in area111over the entire surface113or partially across surface113as seen inFIG. 3.

FIG. 3shows clear area115along surface113. Area115is void of the adhesive of area111and allows the user to grasp device101so that the user can remove the device without touching the insects or adhesive to dispose or replace device101.

FIG. 3further illustrates film cover117being peeled away to expose the substance area111. Cover117acts to protect substance area111and its adhesive from exposure to contaminants prior to use. Cover117is configured to be completely peeled away and disposed of. Where desired, cover117may be reapplied as necessary for transportation and/or storage.

Another feature of device101is the optional inclusion of a pheromone that attracts/lures insects to the device for improved effectiveness. The pheromone may be included with the adhesive of area111so as to emit a smell. Additionally, area111may be selectively located away from aperture103a set distance to allow the insect to enter fully into the void space before being captured. This is useful in that it helps to maintain a clear path of entry into the trap.

In operation, a user merely grabs hold of device101and aligns its edges with that of the edges in the room adjacent a particular corner. Adhesive along the edges of the device contact the walls/ceiling and secure the device at a desired orientation. Once secured, a void space is formed behind the device. Insects are attracted and permitted to enter into the void space. Once inside, contact with the adhesive of area111traps them inside. The device may be interchanged as desired.

The current application has many advantages over the prior art including at least the following: (1) simplified design; (2) corner applied insect trap device; (3) ability to lure insects to the trap; and (4) disposable and interchangeable design.