Improvements in and connected with Fly-traps and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 16th May, 1898-Accepted, 9th July, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Fly-traps and the like.
CARL BENDERI, of Dotzheim, near Wiesbaden, in the Province of Hanover,
German Empire, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to novel construction of a trap for flies, insects and the
like, and forms an improvement upon the ordinary form of adhesive fly-rods, fly-
paper, fly-bottles, and the like.
The improved fly-trap forming the subject of this invention is provided with
a device by means of which the flies, which have been caught upon the layer of
sticking or adhesive substance or liquid upon the rod of the trap, are skimmed
or scraped off by the said device in its upward movement, the same device upon its
downward movement, by a peculiar arrangement, as hereinafter more fully
described, providing the rod with a new layer of adhesive material.
My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which :-
Figure 1 shows my improved trap in sectional elevation and Figure 2 in plan.
Proceeding to describe the drawing I remark, that, upon a concave foot-block h,
(serviceable at the same time as a receptacle for the caught flies) an upright rod b
is vertically arranged.
The said rod b is encompassed or surrounded by a vessel or receptacle a, contain-
ing a viscous or clammy substance, such as syrup, or similar thick liquids. This
receptacle a is, as hereinbefore indicated, movable up and down the rod b. The
bottom of the receptacle a is of course provided with a suitable opening to allow
of the rod b passing through the same. This opening in the bottom of the
receptacle a is provided with a packing ring f of rubber or the like, said packing
ring preventing the adhesive material from leaking out of the said opening.
The said packing-ring f is, however, so shaped, that its inner edge has the form
of a truncated cone, the object of the ring being to prevent as much as possible,
as above mentioned, the adhesive material within the receptacle a from percolat-
ing through the bottom of the said receptacle during its upward movement.
It is however, clear that the downward movement or descent of the said
receptacle a will cause the packing ring f in consequence of its conical shape,
to become extended to a greater or less degree, and thus allow the fresh layer of
adhesive material, (which has become attached to the rod during its upward move-
ment), to remain upon the said rod.
The employment of the said packing-ring also prevents to a large extent the
concave surface of the foot-block from receiving any excessive deposit of the
sticky liquid.
Proceeding to describe the receptacle a, I remark that the saucer-shaped top
cover e, which slants towards the centre, is provided with several radial slots.
The said cover e has furthermore a skimmer or scraper d, which comes in contact
with the rod b, almost at every point.
Assuming now, that a large number of flies, have adhered to the upper surface
of the rod b, it is clear, that when the receptacle a is caused to slide towards the

page_text: top of the rod b, that then the skimmer or scraper d, would separate the flies from
the rod, from which they would then fall upon the. cover e
The sticky material adhering to the flies would then to a large extent trickle
through the cover e back again into the receptacle a, whereupon the flies on the
cover are subsequently removed, the cover being detachable for this purpose.
If now the receptacle a, is again moved downwards, a portion of the thick
adhesive liquid will, as indicated, remain upon the rod, so that the said rod is now
again in a fit condition for the further catching of flies.
Any adhesive liquid which may, in spite of the packing ring, ooze through
the opening of the said ring, will, as is clear, pass into the said under cavity of the
foot block h.
My improved fly-trap may also, as is apparent, be provided with a small lamp
(not shown), either separate or attached to the trap, for the purpose of attracting
the flies, more especially by night. The said lamp may of course, if.desired, be
provided with a reflector.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is-
An improved fly-trap, characterised by a receptacle (a) being arranged around
a rod (b) in such manner, that upon the upward movement of a skimmer or
scraper (d) the adhesive liquid upon the said rod, and the caught flies, are
skimmed or scraped off the said rod (b), and, upon the downward movement of
the receptacle (a), characterised by the said rod (b) becoming covered with a fresh
layer of adhesive liquid, whereby a packing-ring (f) is caused to form a more or
less tight joint (of the bottom) of the said receptacle (a), with the rod (b), for
the purpose and substantially as described.
Dated this 16th day of M
1900
CARL BENDER,
By Geo. H. Rayner,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.