Improvements in or relating to Devices for Catching Insects especially Winged Insects.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Nov., 1899-Accepted, 30th Dec., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Devices for Catching Insects especially
Winged Insects.
I, FELIX HAHN, of the Firm of Bernh Knauth Nachfolger, of Meissen on the
Elbe, in the Empire of Germany, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
A device has been proposed for catching flies, wherein an adhesive band is
put into a box closed by a cover which may also be divided into two parts. This
device is used in such a manner that after opening the cover the band is pulled
out and hung up at a suitable place by means of an eye fastened on the free
end of the same, so that it is stretched flat. There is however, an important
disadvantage endangering the practical use of this device consisting in the
liability of the box to tilt sideways so that the adhesive substance flowing from
the catching band does not go, as intended, into the box, but drops over its outer.
walls causing spots which are only removed with great difficulty.
This invention does away with this disadvantage in a most simple and
thorough manner by providing the catching band with guiding means which
prevent the tilting of the vessel for receiving the adhesive substance dropping
down from the band.
The annexed drawing illustrates some forms of construction of the invention.
Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of the improved insect catcher.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.
Fig. 3 is a section in the line of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a side view of another form of construction.
Fig. 5 a plan view of Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 shows the manner in which such devices are used.
In the form of construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a favorable form of the
vessel containing the catching band is shewn, it being shaped like a boat.
The fastening of the catching band in this vessel can be done in any suitable
manner. In the form shown in the drawing it is done by fastening to the end of
the band remaining in the vessel b a small rod e, the length of which is such
that it can only be taken out of the vessel when in an oblique or inclined
position. When the device is in use the rod cannot take an inclined position
thus giving ample security that the connection of the vessel with the band will
not be disturbed unintentionally.
The band made of any suitable material, paper, linen or any other fabric.
preferably fine nett, is advantageously, as shown in Fig. 3, folded together and
provided with an eye , by which the whole device can be hung up. A narrow
opening facts as a guide for the band, the said opening being formed in the
cover of the box b, which is provided with two small metal rods g fastened on
the ends of the cover, one of which may be elastic or hinged at one end, so that
after lifting it the band a can be easily inserted or removed, it being caught
when this small metal rod is closed and held fast,

page_text: It is thus possible to gradually use the band, by pulling it out of the vessel
when the rod is lifted for a short length, then replacing the rod and hanging the
device up at a suitable spot. As soon as the accessible portion of the band is
covered with insects, the rod is opened again and the band pulled out a little
more and the rod again closed down.
In order to allow of and facilitate the insertion of the band a and also the
adhesive substance into the vessel b a second cover h is inserted in which is the
opening previously mentioned. The opening f serves also for catching the
substance coming from the band. The use of the second cover preferably
closing in a spring-like manner in the cover e, is not necessary if cover e itself
is removable or when the vessel is closed by the cover e after the band a and
the adhesive substance has been inserted. In this case the closing can be done
by soldering, bending over of the edges or the covers, or in any suitable manner.
In order to prevent the adhesive substance from flowing out during transport
or warehousing, a sheet of paper suitably shaped is advantageously used or as
shown in Figs. 4 and 5 a cover hinged at which is held closed by a bent
spring or the like can be used.
In Fig. 6 a device is represented with the catching band pulled out, the form
of the vessel being a little rounder, but any other suitable shape may be chosen
and the vessel may be made of any suitable material although the use of thin
metal is preferable; but it must be remarked that the shape of the box and the
guide for the band must be in such accordance that the centre of gravity of the
vessel lies as much as possible in the plane of the perpendicular hanging band
and is at such depth in the vessel so that the same will not tilt or upset.
band can be hung up at any suitable place or a special stand may be used for
suspending the device which can be arranged so that it can be folded together
and be fastened on the vessel. Such stands can be of different form.
The
As already mentioned the catching band a is preferably made of fine met.
This is done for the following reasons. Hitherto paper bands were exclusively
used for catching flying insects, besmeared on both sides with a so-called fly-
glue. This adhesive substance should be fairly liquid so as to facilitate its
putting on to the paper band and the same constantly flows down as soon as the
band is in use, so that the upper part of the same after a short time has not
sufficient adhesive substance which allows the flies settling on this part to escape
easily, and settling elsewhere sometimes stick or at least dirty the furniture,
curtains, eatables or the like; this is principally the case in hot weather or hot
climates as by the heat the adhesive substance soon flows down from the band.
In order to prevent this the band is in this invention made of a fabric with
open meshes, hindering not only the flowing down of the substance towards the
lower parts of the band but also preventing the flies from escaping as in their
attempts to get free their legs become entangled in the meshes piercing in so
doing the substance surrounded by a mesh or meshes and thus loosing every
chance to escape.
As can be easily seen such a catching band best fulfills its purpose if the
threads forming the meshes cross one another rectangularly (see Fig. 6) so that
for instance the warp threads m run perpendicularly and the weft threads n
horizontally to the direction of suspension of the band, because the horizontal
threads form obstacles to the substance flowing down. The material of the
threads is of no importance, they may be of fibre, cotton, wire or the like.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. The combination of a vessel, a band coated with adhesive substance lodged
in this vessel and a cover for closing this vessel having an opening for allowing
the pulling out of the band substantially and for the purpose described.
2. The combination of a vessel, an adhesive band lodged therein, a cover for

page_text: closing this vessel having an opening and parallel guiding rods for guiding the
band substantially and for the purpose described.
3. The combination of a vessel, an adhesive band lodged therein, a cover for
closing this vessel having an opening and parallel movable guiding rods for
guiding and holding the band substantially and for the purpose described.
4. In a device for catching insects especially winged insects the arrange-
ment of a catching band arranged in a vessel and a cover for closing the same
which can be taken off and is provided with a narrow opening for catching the
adhesive substance substantially as described.
5. In a device for catching insects especially winged insects the arrangement
of a band coated with adhesive material lodged in a vessel, said band consisting
of an open meshed fabric of fibre, wire, or the like substantially as described.
6. In a device for catching insects especially winged insects the arrange-
ment of an adhesive catching band consisting of an open meshed fabric of fibre
or wire, the meshes of which are formed with regard to the hanging direction of
the band of horizontal and vertical threads substantially as described and
illustrated in the annexed drawing.
7. In a device for catching insects especially winged insects by means of an
adhesive band of paper of other suitable material, the arrangement of a vessel
having the form of a boat for the reception of the adhesive band, substantially
and for the purpose described.
Dated this 29th day of November 1899.
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
Agents to Applicant,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, W.C.