Insect trap device

• US 20060218851A1
• Filed: 03/30/2005
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Intermatic Incorporated (Wpa Participações e Serviços SA)
• Original Assignee: Intermatic Incorporated (Wpa Participações e Serviços SA)
• Inventors: Weiss, Robert W. J., Muller, Gunter, Nelson, E. Cole Jr.
• Application Number:
  US11/094,341
• Publication Number:
  US 20060218851A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 43/113
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/023 Attracting insects by the simulation of a living being, i.e. emission of carbon dioxide, heat, sound waves or vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/08 Attracting and catching insects by using combined illumination or colours and suction effects
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 2200/012 Flying insects

Abstract

A device is disclosed for trapping mosquitoes. The device includes a housing, a bag and a fan located in the housing. The fan creates capture zone with an air flow towards the bag. A plurality of light sources attract mosquitoes to the capture zone. The light sources include an ultraviolet light, a plurality of light emitting diodes, and an incandescent light. A heat source also attracts the mosquitoes to the capture zone.

Claims

1. A trap device for trapping mosquitoes, comprising:

a housing;

a bag connected with the housing;

a fan located in the housing, wherein the fan creates a capture zone with an air flow towards the bag;

a plurality of light sources, wherein the light source comprises an ultraviolet light, a plurality of light emitting diodes, and an incandescent light, wherein the plurality of light sources attract the mosquitoes to the capture zone; and

a heat source, wherein the heat source attracts the mosquitoes to the capture zone.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a cap connected with the housing.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the cap includes a visual target comprising an alternating dark and light patterned target.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the ultraviolet light is covered by the cap such that the ultraviolet light is observable only from beneath the cap.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a lens to cover the incandescent light.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the lens includes a curved surface to produce a venturi effect to air that flows past the lens.

7. The device of claim 1 further including a flap valve located at an opening of the bag.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the flap valve opens when the fan is operating and closes when the fan is off.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein the flap valve includes a counterbalance and a flap portion.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the counterbalance is located outside an air flow of the fan and the flap portion is located within the air flow of the fan.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the light emitting diodes flicker at a frequency of about 100 Hz to about 200 Hz.

12. A device for attracting mosquitoes, comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of light sources connected with the housing, wherein the light source comprises an ultraviolet light, a plurality of light emitting diodes, and an incandescent light;

a visual target connected with the housing, the visual target comprising alternating dark and light patterned targets; and

a heat source connected with the housing.

13. The device of claim 12 further comprising a cap connected with the housing.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the ultraviolet light is covered by the cap such that the ultraviolet light is observable only from beneath the cap.

15. The device of claim 12 further comprising a lens to cover the incandescent light.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein the lens includes a curved surface to produce a venturi effect to air that flows past the lens.

17. The device of claim 12 further including a flap valve to trap mosquitoes within the housing.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the flap valve opens when air is flowing to the housing and the flap valve otherwise closes.

19. The device of claim 17 wherein the flap valve includes a counterbalance and a flap portion.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein the counterbalance is located outside the flow of air and the flap portion is located within the flow of air.

21. The device of claim 12 wherein the light emitting diodes flicker at a frequency of about 100 Hz to about 200 Hz.

22. A method for trapping mosquitoes within a determined area, comprising:

providing a trap including;

a plurality of light sources, wherein the light sources comprise an ultraviolet light, a plurality of light emitting diodes, and an incandescent light;

a visual target, the visual target comprising alternating dark and light patterned targets; and

a heat source; and

arranging at least two of the traps around a perimeter of the determined area.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the trap further includes a visual target comprising an alternating dark and light patterned target.

24. The method of claim 22 further comprising flickering the light emitting diodes at a frequency of about 100 Hz to about 200 Hz.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein the trap further includes a bag and a flap valve located at an opening of the bag.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the trap further includes a fan, wherein the flap valve opens when the fan is operating and closes when the fan is off.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the flap valve includes a counterbalance and a flap portion.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the counterbalance is located outside an air flow of the fan and the flap portion is located within the air flow of the fan.

29. The method of claim 22 further including providing a chemical attractant.