DEVICE FOR TRAPPING INSECTS

Abstract: A device traps insects, such as flies, by attracting them to a lure or bait placed on a black/dark coloured plate supporting the device. The device is composed of a base frame (13) with dark light blocking walls (21) raised above the plate and a combined hollow pyramid (12) and a cuboidal container (15) with light transmitting walls above the base frame (13). The device is thus designed to be dark at its bottom part and light at its upper part, thus inducing the insects which have entered to fly upwards towards the small opening (14) at the apex (9) of the pyramid (12). Those flies which fly through the opening (14) are then trapped within the container.

Description: DEVICE FOR TRAPPING INSECTS TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a device for trapping insects particularly, but not solely, flies BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Fly-traps for catching and killing flies are well known As flies are small elusive insects with well-developed flying capabilities, the task of catching them has always been a difficult one Simple fly papers rely on adhesive to trap flies by chance encounter with the wings or of a fly More sophisticated devices are also known such as the electπcallv-powered fluorescent tube which makes use of a purplish light and electric current to electrocute flies This type of device requires the use of electπcity and is not usable out doors where there is no electrical supply Some devices are not particularly effective because the odour of destroyed flies repel other flies A general object of the invention is to provide an improved form of device for trapping insects such as flies DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a device for use in trapping insects, said device compπsmg means for defining a first space or chamber accessible through access means from the surroundings, the first space defining means having a generally non-light transmitting character, means for defining a second space or chamber, the second space being closed from the surroundings except for at least one passage between the first and second spaces and having a generally light transmitting character whereby the first space serves to lure insects to enter and insects enteπng the first space are attracted by light entering the second space to pass through the passage and become trapped in the second space Further preferred features of the invention are defined in the subsidiary claims appended hereto In one specific form the invention provides a device composed of a hollow cone with a solid side or a pyramid with solid sides the side or sides being made of transparent or translucent mateπal with an opening at the apex of the cone or pyramid, a hollow cuboidal container with translucent or transparent sides and an open or partly open bottom which is placed over the cone or pvramid to cover it completely from above, a platform frame with dark walls defining a space in the centre used as a stand for the cone or pyramid and a black or dark-coloured square plate for supporting the platform frame thereabove and for receiving bait to lure insects to enter into the space defined by the platform frame BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A specific embodiment ofthe invention will now be descπbed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which - Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a device constructed in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a top perspective view ofthe device shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is an underside perspective view of the device shown in Figures I and 2 and Figure 4 is an underside perspective side view ofthe device BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION As shown m the drawings, a device constructed in accordance with the invention is composed of a hollow pyramid 12 with a square base mounted on a generally rectangular open frame 13 acting as a base or platform and a hollow cuboidal container 15 mounted over the upper region of the pyramid 12. The pyramid 12 has a framework with four wall panels 12' sloping to an apex 9. The container 15 similarly has a frame work 8 composed of right angled sections with wall panels 7 therebetween. The bottom wall panel is omitted so that the bottom portion of the framework 8 seats snuggly on the wall panels 12' and framework of the pyramid 12 to close off the interior of the container 15. The platform 13 has a frusto-conical wall 21 (Figure 4) acting as a screen as well as an internal frame 22 (Figure 3) with depending legs 23 which serve to raise the device above a support surface (not shown). The platform wall 21 is made of non light-transmitting material typically dark coloured or black whereas the wall panels 12' of the pyramid 12 and the wall panels 7 of the container 15 are made of light transmitting mateπal. Conveniently all the components 12, 13, 15 are made from plastics material. The apex 9 of the pyramid 12 has an aperture 14 therein permitting passage for insects between the inside of the pyramid 12 and the container 15. When the device is placed on the support surface access for insects is provided around the lower edge (28) of the wall 21 of the platform 13 which is raised above the support surface. The suppoπ surface is preferably provided by a non-light transmitting plate (not shown in the drawings). The wall 21 of the platform 13 defines with the support surface a first chamber or space F or attracting insects from the surroundings. The wall panels 7 of the container 15 and the upper region of the pyramid wall panels 12' define another chamber or space T in which the insects become trapped and are killed The mteπor of the pyramid 12 and the aperture 14 provide guidance and access for the insects between the chambers or spaces F, T, thus defined In order to use the device, bait is preferably placed at the central region of the suppoπ plate on which the legs 23 rest The bait can be either kitchen waste, stale or smelly food, or any chemical or substance which emits an odour which attracts insects paπicularly flies The odour of the bait attracts the insects which enter the device through the access space at the underside of the wall 21 of the platform 13 After consuming some of the bait, or exploπng the substance the chamber F, the insects tend to fly upwards towards the apex 19 ofthe pyramid by instinct - as the upper pan o the device is bπghter than the inner surface of the chamber F The insects which fly upwards inevitably fly through the opening 14 at the apex 9 of the pyramid 12 and are then trapped in the chamber T in the container 15 The one and only way for the insects to escape is to fly back down through the opening 14 However, trapped insects are very unlikely to do this since the opening 14 is small and the lower region is dark Having detected light from the sides of the container 15, insects will instinctively fly against the sides to try to fly away Trapped insects die of starvation, or dehydration particularly if the device is placed outdoors and under the hot sun. Alternatively, the insects may be killed as soon as they are trapped, by submerging the device in water Another alternative method of killing the trapped insects is to spray insecticide in through the access space at the underside ofthe platform 13 It should be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to the preceding specific disclosure Vaπous modifications can be made to the device and in particular the shape of the components 12, 13. 15. can take vaπous other forms For example the pyramid 12 can be a cone with a round base or a pyramid with a tπangular base, a trapezoidal base or some other polygonal structure Some other characteπstic features o the invention are as follows The device uses light to attract insects to fly upwards and through a small opening into an enclosed container to be trapped and the insects are unlikely to attempt to pass down through the opening The device has a relatively dark bottom inteπor and a relatively bright top pan to lead the insects attracted by the bait into flying upwards and inevitably through the small opening. The device is always usable so long as there is some light. An enormous vaπety of kitchen wastes or stale or smelly foods or chemicals or substances which emit an odour which attract insects can be The devices relies on the pπnciples that insects particularly flies would be led to the bait by scent and would instinctively fly upwards thereafter in the direction of light instead of the direction of the darkened sides of the bottom ofthe device Insects are not deterred from enteπng the device by any odours from previously destroyed insects because such odours do not detract from the bait. Fresh bait can always be used from time to time. The device prevents trapped insects from escaping down through the opening at the apex of the pyramid by having the dark bottom The device destroys the trapped insects naturally by starving and'or dehydrating them. The device does not require the use of any poison or chemical to kill the insects. The device does not require the use of any electπcity or any other energy source to operate. The device can be adapted easily to catch live insects, by installing a removable container ( 15) onto the pyramid ( 12).

Claims: CLAIMS 1 A device for use in trapping insects- said device compπsmg means for defining a first space or chamber accessible through access means from the surroundings, the first space defining means having a generally non-light transmitting character, means for defining a second space or chamber, the second space being closed from the surroundings except for at least one passage between the first and second spaces and having a generally light transmitting character whereby the first space serves to lure insects to enter whereby and insects enteπng the first space are attracted by the light enteπng the second space to pass through the passage and become trapped in the second space 2 A device according to Claim 1 wherein the first space is at least paπly defined by an open frame acting as a platform or base and legs are provided to raise the frame from a support surface and provide the access means below the frame 3 A device according to Claim 2, wherein the support surface is provided by a separate black or dark plate 4 A device according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the legs are formed on another frame disposed inwardly of the platform frame 5 A device according to Claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein the platform frame and/or the other frame are rectangular 6 A device according to Claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the platform frame has a frusto-conical wall made of non light transmitting mateπal 7 A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, where the means defining the second space compπses a cone or pyramid supported by the first space defining means and a container mounted on to the cone or pyramid with said at least one passage being constituted by a hole in the apex of the cone or pyramid. 8. A device according to Claim 7, wherein the container is cuboidal in shape. 9. A device according to Claim 7, wherein the container is mounted onto an upper region of the cone or pyramid. 10. A device according to any one of Claims 7 to 9, wherein the cone or . pyramid and/or the container has a wall or walls which are at least partly light transmitting. AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 01 ADΓU 1996 (01.04,96) original clairr,3 1. 2 , 6, 7 amended; remaining claims unchanged (2 p ges)] 1 A device for use in trapping insects; said device comprising means for defining a first space or chamber accessible through access means from the surroundings, the first space defining means having a wall with a generally non- light transmitting character directly adjacent the access means, which is open around the entire extent of the wall, means for supporting the device on a separate black or dark supporting surface underlying the first space during use, and means for defining a second space or chamber, the second space being closed from the surroundings except for at least one passage defining means extending between the first and second spaces, the second space defining means and the passage defining means having a generally light transmitting character, whereby bait placed on the supporting surface in a zone illuminated by light entering the second space defining means and the passage defining means is directly accessible to insects via the access means and serves to lure insects to enter the device and any insects entering the first space via the access means and said wall of the first space are attracted by the light entering the second space and the passage defining means and induced to pass through the passage defining means and thereby become trapped in the second space. 2. A device according to Claim 1 wherein the first space is at least partly defined by an open frame acting as a platform or base and legs raise the frame from the support surface and act as the support means to provide the access means below the frame and between the legs. 3 A device according to Claim 2, wherein the supporting surface is provided by a separate black or dark plate. 4. A device according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the legs are formed on another frame disposed inwardly ofthe platform frame. 5 A device according to Claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein the platform frame and/or the other frame are rectangular 6 A device according to Claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the wall of the first space defining means is a frusto-conical wall of the platform frame which is made of non light transmitting material. 7 A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, where the means defining the second space comprises a cone or pyramid supported by the first space defining means and defining the passage and a container mounted on to the cone or pyramid with said at least one passage being terminated by a hole in the apex ofthe cone or pyramid 8 A device according to Claim 7, wherein the container is cuboidal in shape. 9. A device according to Claim 7, wherein the container is mounted onto an upper region ofthe cone or pyramid. 10. A device according to any one of Claims 5 to 7, wherein the cone or pyramid and/or the container has a wall or walls which are at least partly light transmitting.

Inventors: CHEOK KIAN YEK, CHEOK, KIAN, YEK
Applicants: BARNARD ERIC EDWARD, CHEOK KIAN YEK, BARNARD, ERIC, EDWARD, CHEOK, KIAN, YEK
Application year: 1995
Main classification: A01M1
IPC codes: A01M1