Abstract:
A glue trap includes as substrate which has a glue layer deposited on a first surface and score lines formed on a second surface. When a rodent ventures onto the glue layer the action of the rodent in trying to free itself causes the glue trap to roll up and envelop the rodent.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of traps for rodent control and more particularly, to a self-closing glue trap. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The prior art related to rodent control includes various examples of glue traps which typically include a trough-like container which contains a layer of non-drying glue. When a rodent ventures onto the layer of glue, the rodent&#39;s feet and fur become adhered to the glue layer. The user then disposes of the glue trap with the ensnared rodent. 
         [0003]    A key disadvantage of the conventional glue trap is associated with the rodent remaining in full view after it has become ensnared on the glue layer. This is both unsightly and unhygienic. 
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is an object of the invention to provide a self-closing glue trap in which after ensnaring a rodent, the glue trap closes thereby eliminating visual contact with the rodent. 
         [0005]    Another object of the invention is to provide a self-closing glue trap which is extremely reliable in operation. 
         [0006]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a self-closing glue trap which can be manufactured economically in volume resulting in a relatively low unit cost. 
         [0007]    Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention will be provided hereinafter. 
         [0008]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a self-closing glue trap which includes a glue layer disposed on a substrate. The substrate has a plurality of score lines or hinge lines on the face opposite the glue layer. When the rodent ventures onto the glue layer, the score lines or hinge lines enable the substrate to roll up thus enclosing the rodent. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic plan view of a self-closing glue trap made according to the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the self-closing glue trap of  FIG. 1  taken along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a fragmentary side elevation view similar to  FIG. 2  drawn to an enlarged scale; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a plan view similar to  FIG. 1  showing a first alternative embodiment of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a plan view similar to  FIG. 1  showing a second alternative embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  shown in use with a rodent shown ensnared in the glue trap. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    With reference to the drawings, there is shown in  FIGS. 1-3  a self-closing glue trap  10  made according to the present invention. The self-closing glue trap  10  includes a non-drying layer of glue  12  which is disposed on a substrate  14 . 
         [0016]    For purposes of storage and shipment, a release layer  16  of paper or plastic covers the layer of glue  12  as is best shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0017]    The release layer  16  is removed immediately prior to use. 
         [0018]    As indicated schematically by the broken lines  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 , the bottom surface  30  of the substrate  14  includes a plurality of score lines or indentations which form a series of hinges. 
         [0019]    The substrate  14  is generally flat and may be made of cardboard, paste board or plastic. For cardboard or paste board substrates, the score lines  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  may be formed using a pressing process. For plastic substrates, the indentations may be formed by a pressing or a molding process. 
         [0020]    As is shown schematically in  FIG. 6 , when a rodent  32  steps onto the glue layer  12 , the rodent  32  becomes adhered to the glue layer  12 . As the rodent  32  moves in an effort to free itself, additional portions of the rodent&#39;s fur  34  becomes adhered to the glue layer  12 . The glue layer  12  is extremely flexible and provides virtually no resistance to bending. The score lines or indentations  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  act as hinges to make the substrate  14  extremely flexible. As the rodent  32  struggles and rolls, the glue trap  10  rolls and covers the rodent  32 . Continued motion by the rodent  32  causes the glue trap  10  to completely cover the rodent  32  and hide the rodent  32  from view. The glue trap  10  and the rodent  32  may be disposed of in a convenient manner. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  shows the indentations or score lines  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  formed in a generally parallel array. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  shows an alternate embodiment  100  in which the indentations on score lines  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124  generally formed as a checkerboard or matrix array. 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  shows another alternate embodiment in which the indentations on score lines  200 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210 ,  212 ,  214 ,  216 ,  218 ,  220 ,  222 ,  224 ,  226 ,  228 ,  230 ,  232 ,  234 ,  236 ,  238 ,  240 ,  242 ,  244 ,  246 ,  248 ,  250 ,  252 ,  254 ,  256 ,  258 ,  260 ,  262 ,  264 ,  266 ,  268 ,  270 ,  272 ,  274 ,  276  generally are formed as a checkerboard array combined with a cris-cross array. The embodiment of  FIG. 5  provides a substrate with flexibility in all directions. 
         [0024]    The glue traps  10 ,  100  and  200  have generally square configurations with edges  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  280 ,  282 ,  284 ,  286 . It should be understood that rectangular, triangular, circular, oblong, curved or irregular configurations of the glue trap may be utilized. 
         [0025]    The foregoing specific embodiment of the present invention as set forth in the specification herein is for illustrative purposes only. Various deviations and modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention, without departing from a main theme thereof.