Abstract:
An apparatus designed to catch flies and other flying insects comprises an aesthetically pleasing rectangular housing with a top opening which allows an insect to fly or crawl onto an internal tacky sheet to be trapped. The housing may be placed upon any flat surface or be wall-mounted, thereby minimizing an occurrence of observing the trapped dead insects. A side surface of the housing provides loading and unloading of a slide-in tacky sheet. The tacky sheet attracts and traps flying or crawling insects such as flies through the top opening of the housing, thereby partially blocking a view of the trapped insects inside.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/216,142 filed May 15, 2009, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to insect traps, and in particular, to a device particularly adapted for the aesthetic trapping of flying insects. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Flies, gnats, and other flying insects are persistent problems in almost all areas of the world. Such insects are viewed as particularly undesirable in settings where their presence may be a health concern, such as in the food industry. In order to control such pests, people have resorted to various methods to eradicate them, such as chemicals and poison. One (1) other common method, especially in indoor environments is that of flypaper strips. Such strips are usually hung from the ceiling where they attract insects to its sticky surface where they remain until death. 
     One (1) unfortunate side effect of flypaper&#39;s efficiency is that the room occupants are forced to view multiple dead insects. Ironically, the better the flypaper works, the worse the sight becomes. Frequent replacement only drives up costs and the first insect captured becomes an aesthetically displeasing sight. In commercial settings, such devices are detrimental to the image of a business and may negatively impact profit. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide fly paper style insect traps. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 827,006, issued in the name of Gathmann et al., describes a fly paper guard and holder which allow a user to easily store, set up and handle the flypaper traps without contacting the flypaper surface. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,301, issued in the name of Babb, describes a decorative insect trap with flypaper portions which form an image such as a butterfly or the like. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,434, issued in the name of Davis, describes a flypaper trap comprising an apertured cylindrical outer protective shield which houses a replaceable flypaper portion. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Many such devices are unsightly during use, limited their utility in settings where an aesthetic appearance must be maintained. Also, many such devices do not provide simple reuse capabilities which do not require disposal or reinstallation of the system. Furthermore, many such devices do not provide a means for attachment in a variety of desirable locations within a building or the like. Accordingly, there exists a need for a flying insect trap without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a means to provide a flying insect trap which provides enhanced aesthetics via permanent or semi-permanent fixture within a building while providing for easy disposal and replacement. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide a means for trapping and concealing flies and other insects in an indoor environment. The apparatus comprises a housing portion with a top access opening allowing an insect to enter the apparatus and contact a tacky substrate assembly. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an aesthetic appearance while providing for the extermination of insects. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow a user to easily determine when the apparatus has reached a maximum capacity of captured insects by visual inspection through the top access opening. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a replaceable laminated substrate assembly for trapping insects. Each substrate assembly comprises a base layer, first and second adhesive layers, a paper layer, and a lanyard. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a means to easily load and unload a substrate assembly into the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a side access opening further comprising a pair of horizontal opposing slot portions arranged in a parallel manner to slidingly receive the flat rectangular substrate assembly. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow a user to easily and sanitarily remove a substrate assembly from the side access opening. This is accomplished via the lanyard which provides a means for a user to pull and carry the substrate assembly without contacting exterminated insects. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide various mounting means for use in an indoor environment. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide for mounting to a vertical wall surface or the like via a plurality of fastening devices affixed to bottom corner portions of a base portion of the apparatus. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging and storage means for a plurality of replacement substrate assemblies. This is accomplished via a refill box with a plurality of vertical parallel box slots similar to the substrate slot portions, allowing a user to separately load and unload a plurality of substrate assemblies. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of choosing an apparatus with a desired outer aesthetic appearance, mounting the apparatus in a desired location to minimize negative aesthetic effects from contained insects, inserting a substrate assembly, allowing insects to enter through the top opening of the apparatus and become trapped in a conventional manner, easily and sanitarily removing and disposing of a spent substrate assembly via the side opening, and obtaining and easily replacing the substrate assembly for continued use. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the insect capturing apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the insect capturing apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an environmental view of an insect capturing apparatus  10  depicting placement therein a structure, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a substrate assembly portion  29  of the insect capturing apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the insect substrate assembly portion  29  of the insect capturing apparatus  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 4 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a refill box portion  120 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  insect capturing apparatus 
               20  housing portion 
               23  base portion 
               25  top access opening 
               26  side access opening 
               27  substrate slot 
               28  fastening device 
               29  substrate assembly 
               30  base layer 
               40  first adhesive layer 
               45  second adhesive layer 
               50  paper layer 
               60  lanyard 
               65  foot 
               70  insect 
               100  furniture surface 
               110  wall surface 
               120  refill box 
               122  box body 
               124  box lid 
               126  box slot 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 6 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes an insect capturing apparatus (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a means for trapping and concealing flies and other insects  70  in residential, commercial, or other indoor environments. The apparatus  10  comprises a housing portion  20  further comprising a top access opening  25  allowing an insect  70  to enter the apparatus  10  and contact an extremely tacky substrate assembly  29 . Said apparatus  10  is utilized as an alternative to conventional flypapers which are accompanied with an unpleasant visual distraction of exterminated insects  70 . Said apparatus  10  provides extermination of an insect  70  infestation while providing an aesthetic appearance within a user&#39;s domicile. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , perspective views of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  takes the form of a rectangular housing portion  20  having a rectangular access opening  25  along a top surface, thereby allowing insects  70  to fly inside of the apparatus  10  and become attached to the substrate assembly  29  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). The top access opening  25  also allows a user a visual means to easily determine when the apparatus  10  has reached a maximum capacity of captured insects  70 . The housing  20  is envisioned to have dimensions of approximately two (2) inches in height, two (2) inches in width, and three (3) inches in length; however, actual dimensions of the housing  20  are envisioned to be introduced in an assortment of sizes which correspond to a variety of different types of insect infestations. The housing  20  provides an attachment means to a base portion  23  affixed thereto a bottom surface of said housing  20  using common fasteners such as screws, nails, adhesives, or the like. Said base portion  23  extends horizontally outward from the housing  20  along all four (4) sides approximately one (1) inch to form a stable base platform. The housing  20  and base  23  portions are envisioned to be fabricated from a variety of materials such as, but not limited to: plastic, wood, compressed fiberboard, or the like. Furthermore, the housing  20  and base  23  portions are envisioned to be introduced having a variety of attractive colors and patterns to match an existing décor. 
     The housing  20  also comprises a rectangular side access opening  26 , thereby providing loading and unloading of the substrate assembly  29 . Said side access opening  26  comprises a pair of opposing substrate slot portions  27  which extend longitudinally along internal long sides of the housing  20 . Said substrate slots  27  are arranged in a parallel manner being sized to slidingly receive the flat rectangular substrate assembly  29 , thereby providing a means to easily load and unload said substrate assembly  29  into the apparatus  10 . Said substrate assembly  29  comprises an upward facing tacky first adhesive layer  40  providing an essential method of trapping insects  70  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). Packaging of a plurality of substrate assemblies  29  is provided within a convenient refill box  120  allowing easy removal of a spent substrate assembly  29  and insertion of a new substrate assembly  29 , thereby renewing the apparatus  10  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an environmental view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  is shown here being positioned in a kitchen setting; however, it is understood that the apparatus  10  may be placed in a variety of settings where needed such as, but not limited to: a bathroom, a bedroom, a garage, or the like. Said apparatus  10  is also capable of being mounted therein a variety of user specified manners throughout an indoor environment. The apparatus  10  may be set on a counter or other horizontal furniture surface  100  and may also be fastened to a wall surface  110  or other vertical surface using four (4) fastening devices  28  affixed to bottom corner portions of the base portion  23 . Said fastening devices  28  may comprise attachment means such as, but not limited to: adhesive-backed foam pads, hook-and-loop strips, or the like. Additionally, said fastening devices  28  may also act as coasters to reduce scratching when the apparatus  10  is placed upon a flat furniture surface  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a top view and a section view of the substrate assembly portion  29  of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The substrate assembly  29  comprises a base layer  30 , a first adhesive layer  40 , a second adhesive layer  45 , a paper layer  50 , and a lanyard  60 , thereby providing a replaceable laminated assembly for trapping insects  70 . Additional substrate assemblies  29  are envisioned to be packaged within a convenient refill box  120  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
     The base layer  30  comprises a semi-rigid paper or cardboard lamination being rectangular in shape and being sized so as to be slidingly inserted into the aforementioned substrate slot portions  27  of the side access opening  26 . The base layer  30  provides an attachment means thereto the paper layer  50  via application of a second adhesive layer  45  located between said base  30  and paper  50  layers. The lanyard  60  is to be captivated between the base layer  30  and the paper layer  50 , also being secured by said second adhesive layer  45 , thereby allowing the substrate assembly  29  to be manually removed in a sanitarily manner from the side access opening  26 . A looped section of the lanyard  60  extends outwardly from said substrate assembly  29  through the side opening  26 , thereby providing the user with a grasping means to enable extraction of the substrate assembly  29  from the substrate slot portion  27  of the housing  20 . The lanyard  60  allows a user to avoid contact with the exterminated insects  70  as well as avoiding contact with the adhesive layers  40 ,  45 . The lanyard  60  is envisioned to be fabricated from materials such as, but not limited to: braided nylon cord, cotton cord, plastic strapping, plastic tubing, or the like. The paper layer  50  comprises a thin layer of common uncoated paper comprising a first adhesive layer  40  envisioned to be sprayed or printed upon said paper layer  50 . The paper layer  50  comprises a slightly indented perimeter edge with regards to the subjacent base layer  30 , thereby allowing the substrate assembly  29  to freely slide into the substrate slots  27  while providing a maximum upward facing area onto which insects  70  may be captured. The first adhesive layer  40  is envisioned to provide similar function as conventional flypaper and is envisioned to be an extremely tacky substance to restrain insects that may land or crawl on a top surface. Said first adhesive layer  40  is envisioned to comprise a synthetic or food-based tacky surface being similar to coatings used on conventional fly paper and related products. It is further envisioned that an effectiveness of said first adhesive layer  40  may be further embellished using various alluring scents, various insecticides, and other ingredients which improve insect  70  capturing. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a perspective view of a refill box portion  120 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The refill box  120  is depicted here comprising a box body  122 , a box lid  124 , and a plurality of box slots  126 . Said refill box  120  provides a packaging and storage means to a plurality of replacement substrate assemblies  29  within. Said substrate assemblies  29  are to be insertingly loaded and unloaded vertically into respective parallel box slots  126  in a similar manner as the aforementioned substrate slot portions  27  of the housing  20 . The box body  122  and lid  124  portions of the refill box  120  are envisioned to be made of common paper or cardboard materials used in the packaging industry to form a conventional rectangular container. Said refill box  120  may be introduced having various width and depth dimensions to provide containment of varying sizes and quantities of substrate assemblies  29  within. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed and utilized as indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring an apparatus  10  having a desired size; locating a desired area to place said apparatus  10  such as a furniture surface  100  or upon a wall surface  110  using the fastening devices  28 ; inserting a substrate assembly  29  into the substrate slot portions  27  along the side access opening  26 ; utilizing the tacky function of the first adhesive layer  40  to capture flying or crawling insects  70  for a period of time; observing the apparatus  10  occasionally until the apparatus  10  has reached a maximum capacity of trapped insects  70 ; removing the spent substrate assembly  29  by grasping and pulling the lanyard  60  outwardly from the housing portion  20 ; disposing of the spent substrate assembly  29  in a normal manner; installing a new substrate assembly  29  by removing a new substrate assembly  29  from the refill box  120  and inserting into the slot  27 ; and, enjoying an aesthetically pleasing and sanitary method of capturing insects  70  using the present invention  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.