Abstract:
A bait station designed to be deployed in an agricultural environment to exterminate flying insects such as fruit flies. The bait station consists of a plurality of shells each providing wall and roof sections. A hinge is provided to pivotable couple the shells together. A locking mechanism is used to lock the shells in a deployment mode. The locking mechanism can include a tab and slot arrangement. There are a plurality of holes on the bait station to disperse the attractant of the bait and attract flying sections. The bottom of the bait station is open assisting in the dissipation of the bait and to enable the flying insect to easily enter the bait station within having to walk through a small hole. An awning extends a sloped roof laterally past the outer wall to keep water and other debris away from the venting holes. A bait holder, containing bait, engages with the wall of the bait station. Flying insects digest the bait and die. The bait station also has a loop on its roof to facilitate deployment of the bait station. These bait stations are designed to be shipped and stored in an open and stacked formation, both to minimize space and costs.

Description:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a bait station for holding bait for consumption by flying insects, such as fruit flies. 
     Flying insects pose a devastating threat to organized agriculture, such as fruits and vegetables. Despite this threat, there are relatively few control methods available. In an attempt to combat these flying insects, certain toxic chemicals have been sprayed over the desired agricultural area. This has had an effect of controlling, and sometimes eliminating, large numbers of insects, and this spraying technique is still widely used. However, this widespread spraying of toxic chemicals has caused problems. 
     For instance, some of these chemicals have harmed personnel that handle these products, despite seemingly adequate precautions. Additionally, people and animals can be accidently sprayed with these chemicals, and in some instances, suffer serious health consequences. Other times, the agricultural product, the supposed beneficiary of this treatment, absorbs or simply retains excessive levels of the sprayed toxins on its outer surface. This can potentially cause health problems to humans who consume the agricultural products. It is also possible that runoff from these agricultural farms may contain large amounts of these chemicals that eventually find their way to remote, unsuspecting destinations. Such runoff of toxic chemicals can potentially upset fragile ecosystems, contaminate fresh water supplies, and pose a serious health risk to humans. 
     Other methods to control the flying insect populations have been attempted, but they too have suffered drawbacks. A variety of flying insect trap designs have been deployed. However, the insect traps are limited by size as a flying insect trap can only catch and retain as many insects as it has internally available space. Insect traps may also require significant human labor to periodically clean or replace the traps. 
     Several insect bait stations have also been designed in an attempt to solve this problem. While bait stations have experienced some success at controlling the insect population in its immediately surrounding area, many prior art insect bait station designs have also suffered drawbacks. A major drawback has been the cost of prior bait stations, making the use of such stations cost prohibitive in some circumstances. Other drawbacks have related to the assembly, storage, deployment, and effectiveness of the bait stations. 
     Some prior art insect bait stations are made from multiple parts. This can cause significant assembly time, especially in view of the large number of bait stations required for most agricultural farms. Further, prior to deployment, the bait stations need to be stored. The shape and configuration of many of the prior art bait stations were known to cause a large amount and often expensive storage area to be necessary. 
     Further, laborers typically carry these bait stations from the storage area to the field. Due to the size, shape, configuration, and weight of the prior art bait stations, laborers have been severely limited by the number of bait stations they can carry in a single trip from the storage facility to the field. Consequently, laborers could end up carrying only a few bait stations at a time causing a large number of trips to be made to install enough bait stations to effectively cover the desired area. This repeated need to make multiple trips could result in a significant expenditure in man hours of labor. 
     Prior art bait stations also have some drawbacks regarding effectiveness. One such drawback was that the access openings for the insects were frequently too small for the free and easy entry by flying insects and insects would sometimes have to walk into the station. Other bait stations suffered from poor designs minimizing the air circulation from the bait. Accordingly, an improved bait station for flying insects was thus needed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention provides a stackable, lightweight, user-friendly, easily assembled and cost efficient flying insect bait station for use in desired agricultural areas. 
     The present invention also provides a bait station that is stackable to reduce storage space and enable a laborer to carry many stations in a single trip. 
     The present invention also preferably includes a single piece injection-molded insect bait station. The bait station may include two curved halves hingeably attached by a foldable connecting piece or hinge that is molded with the curved halves. On the unconnected edges, tab and groove pieces that serve as a locking mechanism when the two curved halves are folded over to complete the cylinder. A roof is sloped to provide improved water drainage. A deployment loop is attached to the center of the sloped roof, and is used to place the bait station in desired locations. In the open position, the bait station is in an ideal configuration to be stacked, allowing for compact shipping and storage. 
     The bait station also preferably includes a plurality of holes. A linear hole near the middle of the cylinder is used to attach a bait holder to the bait station. Circular holes above the linear holes and near the top of the cylinder are vent holes that disperse the attractant of the bait to lure flying insects. The flying insects then can enter the bait station through either the vent holes or the open bottom portion, become affected by the bait, and die. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, a bait station for flying insects is provided. The bait station includes a vertical side wall enclosure and a roof. The vertical side wall enclosure has inner and outer surfaces and top and bottom portions. The roof is positioned adjacent the top portion of the side wall enclosure. An interior is defined by the inner surface of the vertical side wall enclosure and the roof. The bottom portion of the vertical side wall enclosure is substantially open causing the interior to be substantially unbounded from below. When bait is positioned in the interior, insects may freely fly upward into the bait station through the substantially open bottom portion of the vertical side wall enclosure. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a bait station for flying insects is provided. The bait station includes a vertical side wall enclosure and a roof. The vertical side wall enclosure has inner and outer surfaces and top and bottom portions. The vertical side wall enclosure further has a plurality of vent holes extending from the inner surface to the outer surface. The roof is positioned adjacent the top portion of the side wall enclosure, and has an awning extending past the outer surface of the vertical side wall enclosure. An interior is defined by the inner surface of the vertical side wall enclosure and the roof. The interior is intended for holding bait, and attractant from such bait can permeate through the vent holes to attract flying insects. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a bait station for flying insects is provided. The bait station includes a vertical side wall enclosure and a roof. The vertical side wall enclosure includes a plurality of shell elements, each pivotally coupled to an adjacent shell element. The vertical side wall enclosure further has inner and outer surfaces, top and bottom portions, and a plurality of vent holes extending from the inner surface to the outer surface. The roof is positioned adjacent the top portion of the side wall enclosure. An interior is defined by the inner surface of the vertical side wall enclosure and the roof. The interior is intended for holding bait, and attractant from such bait is permitted to permeate through the vent holes to attract flying insects. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the bait station in a closed position; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the bait station in a closed position rotated 90° from FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view the bait station of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the inside of the bait station in an open position; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the open bait station of FIG. 4 showing the tab structure of the locking mechanism; 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the open bait station of FIG. 4 showing the slot structure of the locking mechanism and the guide protrusions; 
     FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the outside of the bait station in an open position; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of six open bait stations in a stacked configuration; and 
     FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the bait station showing the locking arrangement. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1,  2 , and  9  depict side views of the bait station  10  of the present invention. In sum, bait station  10  includes a vertical wall enclosure  30 , a roof  20  positioned at the top portion  32  of the vertical wall enclosure  30 , and a bottom opening  35  at the bottom portion  34  of the vertical wall enclosure  30 . As shown in the cross section of FIG. 3, a bait holding system  50 , containing a bait  54  which is toxic to the flies, is positioned inside of the vertical wall enclosure  30 . In operation, flying insects, such as fruit flies, are drawn to the attractant of the bait  54 . The insects fly up through the bottom opening  35 , eat the bait  54 , and later die from the consumption of the bait  54 . 
     The vertical wall enclosure  30  further includes a portion for interfacing with the bait holding system  50 . A preferred bait holding system  50  is shown in FIG.  3 . The bait holding system  50  preferably includes a bait container  52  for holding the bait  54  and a pair of coupling extensions  56  for attaching the bait container  52  to the vertical wall enclosure  30 . Each of the coupling extensions  56  is flexible between its end  58  and the container  52 . Moreover, the vertical wall enclosure  30  includes holes  38  therein which are shaped similar to the cross-section of the ends  58  of the coupling extensions  56 . 
     To install the bait holding system  50 , the container  52  may be inserted up through the bottom opening  35 . The coupling extensions  56  are slightly flexed, and the ends  58  of the coupling extensions  56  are inserted through the complimentary shaped holes  38 . The fit between the ends  58  and holes  38  is tightly toleranced and a friction fit may be achieved to securely hold the bait  54  relative to the vertical wall enclosure  30 . 
     Additionally, or alternatively, centering stops  57  may be located on the coupling extensions  56  and formed by an upwardly or downwardly protrusion. The stops  57  serve to keep the container  52  centered between the enclosure  30  and prevent the container  52  from inadvertently falling out. Further, if desired, these centering stops  57  may be designed so that they form the flex point or resist flexing in that area. In a preferred arrangement, as shown, the holes  38  and the cross section of the ends  58  are thin and elongated. When the bait holding system  50  is installed into the vertical wall enclosure  30 , the distal ends  58  of the coupling extensions  56  may optionally protrude from the holes  38  by a small distance. 
     The vertical wall enclosure  30  further includes vent holes  39  for bait attractant. The attractant from the bait  54  will permeate away from the container  52  and the vent holes  39  will facilitate the permeation of the attractant of the bait  54  through the vertical wall enclosure  30  to the region outside of the bait station  10 . In a preferred arrangement, as shown, the vent holes  39  are preferably positioned above the location of the bait  54 , adjacent the top portion  32  of the vertical wall enclosure  30 , and immediately below the roof  22 . This is helpful to facilitate the dissipation of attractant from the bait  54  due to evaporation and to due to air entering through the bottom opening  35 . 
     While the vent holes  39  are primarily intended to allow the bait attractant to escape and lure insects, it may also be possible that insects can enter the bait station  10  through these holes  39  depending upon the relative size of the insect and the holes  39 . Generally, however, the insects will likely enter the bait station  10  from the bottom opening  35  adjacent to the bottom portion  34  of the vertical wall enclosure  30 . In a preferred arrangement, the size of the vent holes  39  are ⅛ inch to ½ inch in diameter. Such a size is particularly advantageous for its primary function of attractant dispersal, as the holes  39  are large enough to allow enough attractant to escape, and is also small enough so that the bait does not exhaust prematurely. 
     The roof  20  is highest at its center  25 , and then slopes downwards to form an awning  26  that extends radially outward from the vertical wall enclosure  30 . The downward slope of the roof  20  and the awning  26  maximizes the drainage due to rain and prevents water from collecting on the top of the bait station  10 . Further, the awning  26  reduces the amount of rain water and other debris that may collect in or enter through the vent holes  39  and inhibit the attractant of the bait  54  dissipating from the station  10 . The exact length of extension of the awning  26  past the vertical wall enclosure  30  may be any desired amount. In a preferred arrangement, it extends a distance between ⅛ inch to ½ inch, approximately ¼ inch past the outer wall surface of the vertical wall enclosure  30 . 
     To deploy the bait station  10 , it may be vertically suspended, preferably amidst the agriculture where the target flying insects frequent. To facilitate the deployment of the bait station  10  by suspension, a plate or loop  22  having a hole  24  is located in the center  25  of the roof  20 . The loop  22  is designed so that a string, hook, branch, or another item may be passed through it. While one centrally-located loop  22  is preferred, it is recognized that one or more loops may be used and positioned anywhere as long as they are in a configuration that would allow for a substantially vertical bait station deployment. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the bait station  10  is formed by two half portions or half shells  60  and  62 . Each of the half shells  60  and  62  include a half of the roof  20  and a half of the vertical wall enclosure  30 . The inner wall surface  64  and the outer wall surface  66  of the shells  60  and  62  form the inner and outer wall surfaces of the vertical wall enclosure  30 . The first shell  60  has an inner or hinge side edge  68  and a distal side edge  70  opposed from the hinge side edge  68 . Similarly, the other shell  62  has an inner or hinge side edge  72  and a distal side edge  74  opposed from the hinge side edge  72 . 
     The half shells  60  and  62  are pivotally coupled together via a hinge  80  which is attached to the hinge side edges  68  and  72  of the shells  60  and  62 . The hinge  80  includes a line  82  which is weakened or made thinner. Accordingly, the hinge  80  is designed to crease and fold over when the bait station  10  is deployed. That is, when the bait station  10  is converted from an open or storage condition, as shown in FIG. 4, to a closed or deployment condition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, the weakened line  82  forms a pivot axis, and that pivot axis about which the portions of the hinge  80  attached to each half shell  60  and  62  fold. This pivot axis is outside of the outer wall of the vertical wall enclosure  30  when the bait station  10  is in a closed condition. 
     A locking mechanism  90  is used to lock the two shells  60  and  62  together when the shells  60  and  62  are moved into a closed position. The locking mechanism  90  includes a primary locking protrusion  92  on the distal side edge  70  of one shell  60  and a primary slot  94  on the distal side edge  74  of the other shell  62 . The primary locking protrusion  92  includes an outwardly extending lip  93  sized to fit in the primary slot  94 . Preferably, the protrusion  92  is located near the center of the distal side edge  70 , and includes a flat integrated extension of the side edge  70 . 
     Further, the locking arrangement may include one or more inner supports  95 . The inner supports  95  are located on inner wall surface  64  of the distal side edge  74  of the shell  62  that has the primary slot  94 . The inner supports  95  bias the distal side edge  70  outwardly in the region of the primary guide protrusion  92 . Thus, once the primary guide protrusion  92  is inserted into the slot  94 , the inner supports  95  will tend to hold the lip  93  in the slot  94  and prevent any unintentional disengagement that would open the vertical wall enclosure  30 . As shown in the figures, a pair of inner supports  95  are used and are positioned on opposing sides of the primary protrusion  92  and slot  94  as shown. 
     In a preferred arrangement, in addition to the primary locking arrangement described above, the locking mechanism  90  may also include a secondary locking arrangement, not shown. The secondary locking arrangement can include at least one secondary locking protrusion located on inner wall surface  64  of the distal side edge  74  of the shell  62  that has the primary slot  94 . Each secondary locking protrusion could also include an outwardly extending lip similar to the primary guide protrusion  92 . The inner wall surface of the other shell  60  would preferably include a corresponding number of recesses in the wall surface. Each recess would receive and form a catch for a respective outwardly extending lip. In one arrangement, a pair of secondary locking protrusions could be used and positioned on opposing sides of the primary protrusion  92  and slot  94 . 
     To help the roof  20  serve as a watertight water deflector so that water striking the top of the roof  20  will drip downward off the radial edge of the awning  26  instead of entering inside the bait station  10 , a guiding or sealing system between the shells  60  and  62  is provided in the roof region. In one arrangement, as shown, the roof  20  is formed in both shells  60  and  62  by an upper roof member  102  and  106 . An inner guide ridge  100  extends from one of the roof members, i.e., roof member  102 . Preferably, at the center line where the shells  60  and  62  abut, the inner guide ridge  100  extends from its upper roof member  102  and below the other upper roof member  106 . When the shells  60  and  62  are brought together, the inner guide ridges  100  will correctly locate the other upper roof member  106  and serve to prevent water from entering between the upper roof members  100  and  104  along the line where they abut. 
     Since the bait station  10  is made up of two shells  60  and  62 , it is easily stackable of economic storage and transport. As shown in FIG. 8, multiple bait stations  10  may be stacked so that many bait stations  10  can fit within a small area. The arcuate convex outer surface of the shells  60  and  62  can fit within the concave inner surface of another pair of shells  60  and  62 . Further, as shown, the linear orientation may be reversed in successive bait stations  10  so that the concave inner outer surface of shell  60  of one bait station  10  receives the convex outer surface of the other shell  62  of a bait station  10  stacked thereupon. That is, the roof  20  is facing the opposite direction in alternate stacked open stations  10 . 
     In operation, a number of bait stations  10  may be taken from a storage facility to the field for deployment by a worker. The worker will also include a corresponding number of bait holders  50 . Because of the compact stacked nature, the worker may easily carry a large number of bait stations  10  for deployment in a single trip. When the worker reaches an area for deployment, he will take a single open bait station  10  from the stack and fold the two shells  60  and  62  toward each other. During this process, the roof region will mate and seal and the primary and secondary locking features will engage. More specifically, both the inner guide ridge  100  and both the roof surfaces  102  and  106  will abut together to form a substantially watertight fit and serve to deflect water away from the vent holes  39  in the wall of the vertical wall enclosure  30 . Further, the outwardly extending lip  93  of the primary locking protrusion  92  fits inside the primary slot  94  to lock the two shells  60  and  62  together. With the two shells  60  and  62  secured, the worker may slide the bait holder  50  with the bait  54  through the bottom opening  35 . The bait supporting member  56  may be slightly flexed, and the ends  58  of the bait supporting members  56  may be inserted through the complimentary shaped holes  38  to retain the bait  54  within the bait station  10  in a friction fit arrangement. The bait station  10  may be suspended by any desired manner, preferably by using the loop  22  and rope or a branch, and hanging the bait station  10  in a suitable location. 
     Once deployed, the bait  54  dissipates into the air around the bait station  10 . This dissipation is aided by a circulation path that can enable air from below the bait station  10  to come up through the bottom opening  35  and out of the vent holes  39 . The majority of flying insect in the target species will likely fly up into the bait station  10  through the open bottom  35  and eat the bait  54 . Others, may come in through the venting holes  39 . Based on the strength of the bait  54  relative to the target species, the flying insects will die shortly after eating the bait  54 . The awning  26  on the roof  20  will cause rain that hits the roof  20  to drain away from the venting holes  39  to minimize the adverse effect on the dissipation of the attractant to lure the target species of flying insect. Accordingly, the present invention provides a bait station  10  that is economical to manufacture, store, and deploy. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the bait stations  10  have a circular diameter between three to eight inches, with a vertical height between three to twelve inches. However, it is recognized that other dimensions may be used based upon the target species size and the locations the bait stations will be stored and deployed. Further, the bait station  10  is preferably made form a single injection molded part. Preferred materials include a high density polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride. However, other types of plastic or other material may be used. Further, while the depicted shape of the bait station is cylindrical, it is recognized that other shapes, such as hexagonal, may be used. Alternative arrangements may be used with regard to the bait and bait holder. For example, a different fitting arrangement may be used between the bait holder  50  and the vertical wall enclosure  30 . Additionally, any type of bait may be used based on a number of preference factors including the type of target species, the type of agriculture protected, and various governmental regulations. 
     The present invention has been described in terms of preferred and exemplary embodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications and variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of this disclosure.