Abstract:
A device for entrapping an insect includes a hollow cylinder, a piston located in the cylinder and sealed at an inner surface of the cylinder, a spring for urging the piston to move axially in the cylinder; and a releasable latch for securing the piston in an armed state, wherein the spring applies a force tending to move the piston axially and for releasing the piston from the armed state to produce a partial vacuum. A disposable cartridge containing an adherent able to entrap an insect pneumatically communicates with the suction side of the cylinder.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to an apparatus for entrapping an insect or another item. More particularly, an embodiment pertains to disposing of the entrapped item. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Insect capturing devices are often large, complex, and cumbersome to operate, and require an electric power supply. Some insect capturing devices require dangerous chemicals, which precludes their use in the vicinity of food preparation and service areas. 
         [0005]    There is a need for a portable device that captures insects easily, reliably in a disposable container without the user risking contact with chemicals and without need for a power source. The device preferably provides a convenient, low-cost, disposable container that can be discarded safely with the captured insect located in the container. 
         [0006]    The device is preferably reusable and the disposable container should provide a reasonable service life before replacement is required. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A device for entrapping an insect includes a hollow cylinder, a piston located in the cylinder and sealed at an inner surface of the cylinder, a spring for urging the piston to move axially in the cylinder, and a releasable latch for securing the piston in an armed state, wherein the spring applies a force tending to move the piston axially and for releasing the piston from the armed state to produce a partial vacuum. A disposable cartridge containing an adherent able to entrap an insect pneumatically communicates with the suction side of the cylinder. 
         [0008]    The device is light-weight, manually operated and self-contained, requiring neither an external power source nor harsh or dangerous chemicals. It is easy to use and requires no clean-up after its use. 
         [0009]    The device has handle and has an overall length of a suitable dimension to facilitate its reaching into hard-to-reach places. Its construction is simple and requires few moving parts. 
         [0010]    The device is proven reliable and effective in drawing insects into a disposable cartridge with risk of their escape after capture. 
         [0011]    The device operates pneumatically with a tubular cylinder having an open front end, a piston and a removable cartridge. 
         [0012]    The piston is moved manually by the operator to an armed state against the force of a compression spring. A cartridge is inserted into the open end of the tube. 
         [0013]    In operation, the open end of the tube that holds the cartridge is held near an insect with the piston in the armed, latched position. A release button is depressed to release the piston and allow it produce a vacuum in the cartridge. This action between the spring and piston produces a quick and strong vacuum in the front end of the tube, drawing the insect into the removable cartridge where it adheres to a tacky gel, which lines the inner surface of the cartridge. The cartridge can be removed, discarded and then replaced with a new cartridge. 
         [0014]    The scope of applicability of the preferred embodiment will become apparent from the following detailed description, claims and drawings. It should be understood, that the description and specific examples, although indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only. Various changes and modifications to the described embodiments and examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    These and other advantages will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a pneumatically actuated device for capturing and discarding insects; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view partially in cross section showing a hinged portion of a cylinder of the device of  FIG. 1  pivoted about a hinge axis; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is cross section taken at a diametric plane of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view partially cross sectioned showing a piston rod engaged with a latch that holds and releases the rod; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a cylindrical cartridge for use with the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a conical cartridge for use with the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a longitudinal cross section taken at the outer end of the device of  FIG. 1  with a cartridge installed; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a side view of an alternate cylindrical cartridge for use with the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view of alternate embodiment of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a cross section taken at the end of the handle of alternate embodiment of the device shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is an end view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]    Referring first to  FIGS. 1-3 , a pneumatically actuated device for catching and discarding insects includes a hollow cylindrical handle  12 , which is closed at one end  14  except for a vent hole  15  and having an opening at the opposite end  16 . A hollow cylinder  18 , preferably having a smaller diameter than that of the handle is open at each axial end and secured to the handle  12 . A hollow tube  20 , preferably having a smaller diameter than that of cylinder  18  and open at each axial end, is secured to an end  22  of cylinder  18  and extends axially to its open end  24 . Preferably handle  12 , cylinder  18  and tube  20  are aligned with a longitudinal axis  26 . The relative sizes of the diameters and lengths of the handle  12 , cylinder  18  and tube  12  may vary, such that any of these components may have the largest or smallest diameter, and any of these components may have the longest or shortest length. 
         [0028]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , handle  12  is formed in two portions  28 ,  30 , which are joined by a hinge plate  32 , secured by screws to each portion, such that portion  30  can pivot about a transverse axis  34  to open the handle  12  and provide manual, external access to the handle&#39;s interior. An actuating member or button  36  extends radially from axis  26 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  shows the hinged portion  30  of handle,  12  pivoted about the hinge axis  34  and exposing an arming member  40 , secured to a piston rod  42  and formed with a recess  44 . The radial periphery  46  of arming member  40  is closely fitted relative to the inner surface  48  of cylinder  12 . Piston rod  42 , arming member  40  and recess  44  move axially as a unit within handle  12  along axis  24  from the end  14  of handle  12  toward the actuating member  36 , preferably with an assist that provides a mechanical advantage. Access to the arming member  40  within handle  12  is provided by pivoting the handle portion  30  about the hinge axis  34  to open the handle. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  shows arming member  40  located in handle  12  and secured to rod  42  at one axial end, and a second piston  45  secured to the opposite end of the rod and located in cylinder  18 . Piston  45  carries two O-rings  46 , each of which is fitted in a circumferential recess on piston  45  and resiliently contacts the inner surface  48  of the cylinder  18 , thereby forming a pneumatic seal between piston  45  and surface  48 . A helical coiled compression spring  50 , located in cylinder  18  and contacting an axial face  52  of piston  45  and the cylinder end  22 , urges the piston assembly  54  toward the end  14  of handle  12 . Spring  50  opposes movement of the piston assembly  54  in the opposite axial direction. A rubber disc  51 , located at the end of cylinder  18 , buffers contact between piston  45  and the end  16  of handle  12  and stabilizes the piston movement. 
         [0031]    As  FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate, actuating member  36  is located in a cylindrical retainer  62 , which is secured to handle  12  and is directed transverse to axis  26 . Actuating member  36  is formed with an axial opening  56  and a pin  58 , which extends laterally across the opening and substantially normal to axis  26  and piston rod  42 . A helical coiled compression spring  66 , located in retainer  62 , continually urges the actuating member  36  toward rod  42  and into engagement with recess  44  when the recess becomes aligned with pin  58  as the rod moves axially along axis  26 . Spring  66  continually opposes downward movement of the actuating member  36  and movement of pin  58  away from recess  44  and rod  42 . Spring  66  urges actuating member  36  to the top of retainer  62 . 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5-7 , tube  20  carries on its outer surface an elastic retainer  70 , such as an band  70  or a rubber O-ring, the retainer being spaced a suitable distance from its end  24 . A disposable cartridge  72  has the form of a hollow circular cylinder  74 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , or of a truncated cone  76 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . In either case, the inner end of cartridge  72  is covered by a porous screen  78  secured to the wall of the cartridge. The outer end of cartridge  72  is fitted with a narrow, flexible tab  80 . At least a portion of the inner surface  82  of cartridge  72 , preferably a portion located near screen  78  and extending axially outward toward the outer end  84 , is lined with an adhering substance  86  such as grease, glycerin, oil, petroleum jelly, or another substance having similar adhesive, tacky, gummy properties and consistency. 
         [0033]    As  FIG. 7  shows, the cartridge  72  is inserted into tube  20  though its open end  24  with the screen  78  located away from the open end  24  and the tab  80  wrapped over the outer surface of the tube  20  and under the elastic band  70 . Cartridge  72  is secured to the tube  20  by the elastic band  70 . 
         [0034]    In operation, the device  10  is armed after opening cylinder  12  by pivoting cylinder portion  30  to the position shown in  FIG. 2  and manually depressing arming member  40  against the force of spring  50  until recess  44  latches against latch pin  58 . When the piston assembly  54  is latched, piston  45  is preferably located close to the outer end  22  of cylinder  18 . The device  10  is then aimed at a target, such as an insect, by locating tube  20  and cartridge  72  near the target. The actuating member  36  is depressed manually, thereby disengaging the piston assembly  54  from latch pin  58 . Spring  50  forces the sealed piston  45  rapidly leftward until arming member  40  reaches the end  14  of cylinder  12 . This action produces a partial vacuum in tube  20 , cartridge  72  and cylinder  18 , which vacuum draws the target into the cartridge  72 , where it contacts and adheres to the substance  86  located in the cartridge. The device can be reused with the current cartridge  72 , or each cartridge can be discarded and replaced after each use with a new cartridge before its next use. 
         [0035]      FIG. 8  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a disposable cartridge  90 , in which the outer end  92  is substantially aligned with the open end  24  of tube  20  when the cartridge is installed. A hinged disc  94 , supported on the wall of the cartridge  90  is closed by positive pressure produced at the head of piston  45  when the device  10  is armed. Disc  94  opens axially inward by the partial vacuum developed in cartridge  90  and tube  20  when the actuating member  36  is depressed and piston  45  is released. The hinged disc  94  can be applied also to the conical cartridge  76  shown in  FIG. 6 , or to a cartridge of any suitable shape. 
         [0036]      FIG. 9  illustrate an alternative embodiment, in which the device  10  is armed and latched as the handle portion  30  is pivoted on hinge  32  and the handle  12  is opened. In this embodiment, arming member  40  is replaced by a pulley wheel  100  secured to piston rod  42  for rotation about an axis  102  of the pulley. The actuating piston  45 , which is located in and moves axially along cylinder  18 , is secured to piston rod  42  and is pneumatically sealed between the inner surface  48  of cylinder  18  and the outer surface of piston  45 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . A flexible belt  104 , such as a wire, rope or string, is secured at one end to the inner surface of handle portion  30 , loops around the pulley wheel  100 , and is secured the inner surface of handle portion  28 . 
         [0037]    In operation, as the hinged cylinder portion  30  is pivoted to close handle  12  as shown in  FIG. 1 , spring  50  moves piston rod  42 , recess  44  and piston  45  to the disarmed state of  FIG. 3  axially to the armed position shown in  FIG. 4 . When the hinged cylinder portion  30  is opened by pivoting it about axis  34 , the belt  104  is tightened about pulley wheel  100  as its end moves with handle portion  30  to the position of  FIG. 9 . This movement of the belt  100  forces pulley  102 , piston rod  42 , recess  44  and piston  45  to move axially to the armed position of  FIG. 4 , where latch pin  58  engages the recess  44 . In the armed position, piston  45  is located close to the outer end  22  of cylinder  18 . 
         [0038]    Next, hinged handle portion  30  is closed and the belt  104  becomes contained in handle  12 . A cartridge  72 ,  90  is inserted into tube  20  though its open end  24  with the screen  78  located away from the open end  84  and the tab  80  wrapped over the outer surface of the tube  20  and secured there by the elastic band  70 . 
         [0039]    The device  10  is then aimed at a target by locating tube  20  and cartridge  72  near the target. The actuating member  36  is depressed manually, thereby disengaging the piston assembly  54  from latch pin  58 . Spring  50  forces the sealed piston  45  rapidly leftward until pulley  100  nearly reaches the end  14  of cylinder  12 . This action produces a partial vacuum in tube  20  and cartridge  72 , which vacuum draws the target into the cartridge, where it contacts and adheres to the substance  86  located in the cartridge  72 ,  90 . 
         [0040]      FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate an alternative embodiment, in which the device is armed and latched when a moveable handle portion  110  slides axially leftward from the position shown in  FIG. 10 , guided in an axial recess  112  formed in a fixed handle portion  114 , which is secured to cylinder  12 . Handle portions  110  and  114  are preferably each a semi-circular and, when in the position of  FIG. 10 , together form a hollow circular cylinder, similar to the handle portions  28 ,  30  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 9 . Handle portion  110  slides leftward and rightward along handle portion  114  due to manual force applied by the user, while handle portion  114  is held to resist movement of the sliding portion  110 . 
         [0041]    A support  116 , secured to handle portion  114  supports pulleys  118 ,  120 , which rotate about lateral axes  122 ,  124 , respectively. In this embodiment, arming member  40  is replaced by a member  126 , secured to piston rod  42  and formed with a lateral hole  128 . The actuating piston  45 , which is located in and moves axially along cylinder  18 , is secured to piston rod  42 . A flexible belt  130 , such as a wire, rope or string, is secured at one of its ends to a radial inner surface  132  of handle portion  110  below axis  26 , loops around pulley  118 , passes through hole  116 , loops around pulley  120 , and is secured to the inner surface  132  of handle portion  110  above axis  26 . 
         [0042]    In operation, when the device is unarmed, spring  50  moves piston rod  42 , recess  44 , piston  45  and sliding handle portion  110  axially to the unarmed state of  FIG. 10  by forcing piston rod  42  leftward. When the sliding handle portion  110  is moved manually leftward from the position of  FIG. 10 , belt  130  is drawn axially about pulley wheels  118 ,  124  and through hole  128 . This movement of the belt  130  forces member  126 , piston rod  42 , recess  44  and piston  45  to move axially to the armed position, where latch pin  58  engages the recess  44 . In the armed position, piston  45  is located close to the outer end  22  of cylinder  18 . 
         [0043]    Next, the handle is closed by sliding handle portion  110  rightward manually to the position of  FIG. 10 , which movement draws belt  130  into the handle. A cartridge  72 ,  90  is inserted into tube  20  though its open end  24  with the screen  78  located away from the open end  84  and the tab  80  wrapped over the outer surface of the tube  20  and secured there by the elastic band  70 . 
         [0044]    The device  10  is then aimed at a target by locating tube  20  and cartridge  72  near the target. The actuating member  36  is depressed manually, thereby disengaging the piston assembly  54  from latch pin  58 . Spring  50  forces the piston  45  rapidly leftward until member  126 , nearly reaches the end  14  of cylinder  12 . This action produces a partial vacuum in tube  20  and cartridge  72 , which vacuum draws the target into the cartridge, where it contacts and adheres to the substance  86  located in the cartridge  72 ,  90 . 
         [0045]    In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the preferred embodiment has been described. However, it should be noted that the alternate embodiments can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.