WO2000003588A1

WO2000003588A1 - Combination mosquito killing system and insect attractor

Info

Publication number: WO2000003588A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/015784
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alvin D. Wilbanks
Original assignee: Epar, Llc
Priority date: 1998-07-14
Filing date: 1999-07-14
Publication date: 2000-01-27
Also published as: AU5098599A

Abstract

An insect killing apparatus includes a first section containing a breathing simulation device for simulating the breathing of mammals to attract mosquitoes to the apparatus, and either an electrocution grid or an adhesive panel for killing and/or trapping and killing mosquitoes attracted to the device. A second section of the apparatus contains a conventional light source for attracting other species of pestilent insects, together with an adhesive panel or electrocution grid. In an alternate embodiment, the breathing simulation device may be provided together with a replaceable adhesive panel in a stand-alone housing unit. A base upon which the apparatus is mounted includes a motor for rotating the base to simulate motion of a living creature as a further attractant of mosquitoes.

Description

COMBINATION MOSQUITO KILLING SYSTEM AND INSECT ATTRACTOR

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to devices for attracting and exterminating harmful insects, in particular mosquitoes, and in particular relates to a portable insect killing apparatus which emulates certain characteristics of a mammal to attract insects to the apparatus where they are electrocuted. Background and Prior Art

Insect killing devices are known in the art, see e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,255,468, 4,852,296, 4,891,904, 5,205,064, 5,020,270, 4,696,126, and 5,301,458. The conventional insect killing devices heretofore known typically use light to attract insects to an electrocution grid. Aforementioned Patent No. 4,891,904 to Tabita discloses a heating device for heating a liquid insecticide containing carrier, such as a mat or wick, for evaporating the insecticide into the atmosphere.

The known prior art devices are largely ineffective for killing mosquitoes, blood-sucking insects notorious for carrying and spreading diseases such as malaria and yellow fever, while such devices attract and kill many harmless or environmentally beneficial species of insects. A side effect of such systems is that they are prone to eventual failure as a result of clogging of the voltage grid by the remains of larger insects, which can lead to short circuits, inability of the grid to electrocute additional insects, and other failures. Systems such as disclosed in the ' 904 patent which release toxic poisons into the air clearly are undesirable .

Additionally, the use of such devices in certain establishments such as restaurants, supermarkets or food processing plants is undesirable because of the possibility of contamination by disintegrated insect remains escaping from the device. Additionally, the

"zapping" sound of insects being electrocuted can be repugnant to customers in restaurant establishments.

Further, in areas plagued by multiple species of harmful insects, including mosquitoes and other insects, use of devices based on light as an attractant may succeed in reducing the population of other species of insect, but will fail to eradicate the mosquitoes. There remains a need in the art for a device which is effective for attracting and exterminating mosquitoes, while being environmentally safe and minimizing attraction of other beneficial insects. Additionally, there exists a need in the art for a device which can effectively attract and exterminate mosquitoes in locations where food is being prepared and/or consumed, or where other materials are being processed, which must remain free from contamination by disintegrated insect remains. Further, there exists a need in the art for a device which is capable of attracting and exterminating multiple species of harmful insects, including mosquitoes, from regions where such multiple species present a problem. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to solving the above discussed problems. The present invention provides apparatus which attracts mosquitoes by simulating the breathing and motion characteristics of mammals and fowl, which are the primary targets of mosquitoes for sucking blood from which proteins are obtained. In addition, the apparatus according to the invention includes a division for attracting other species of insect which are attracted to light. Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, an adhesive panel is used to trap attracted insects so that they cannot escape from the apparatus, thus eliminating the distribution of insect parts through the air.

The apparatus according to the present invention produces positive heated air streams, preferably mixed with aromatics, and also provides motion, to attract mosquitoes to an electrified wire grid, where they are electrocuted and incinerated.

According to another embodiment, mosquitoes and other insects are attracted to an adhesive surface of a removable and replaceable adhesive panel, where they are trapped, and eventually die. According to a second aspect of the invention, an insect trapping and immobilizing device is provided which comprises a shell having at least one side wall, a first open end, a second open end, a heat source for attracting insects, the heat source being positioned in the first open end of the shell, a fan motor and associated blade for drawing an airflow past the heat source and through the shell, the fan motor and blade being positioned in the second open end of the shell, and a replaceable adhesive panel for trapping and immobilizing insects that pass through the shell, the replaceable adhesive panel being positioned in the airflow and capable of adhering an insect thereto, wherein an insect attracted to the heat source is pulled into contact with the replaceable adhesive panel by the airflow.

An insect trapping and immobilizing device is provided according to a further aspect of the invention, which comprises a shell having at least one side wall, a first open end, a second open end, a heat source for attracting insects, the heat source being a light bulb positioned in the first open end of the shell, a fan motor and associated blade for drawing an airflow past the heat source and through the shell, the fan motor and blade being positioned in the second open end of the shell, and a replaceable adhesive panel for trapping and immobilizing insects that pass through the shell, the replaceable adhesive panel being porous to the airflow and positioned in the airflow, and capable of adhering an insect thereto, and the replaceable adhesive panel being juxtaposed between the heat source and the fan motor and associated blade, wherein an insect attracted to the heat source is pulled into contact with the replaceable adhesive panel by the airflow.

A method for trapping and immobilizing insects is provided according to a still further aspect of the invention, which comprises the steps of providing a heat source for attracting the insects, creating an airflow adjacent the heat source, the airflow drawing in and conveying the insects, and providing a replaceable adhesive panel within the airflow and downstream of the heat source for trapping the insects attracted by the heat source and conveyed by the airflow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention disclosed herein will be better understood with reference to the following drawings, of which:

Fig. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a combination mosquito/insect killing apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. IA is an elevational view of adhesive panel 34 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a mosquito killing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 shows a typical mounting position of an insect trap of the present invention;

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 shows a second open end of the invention; and

Figs. 6-11 show alternate embodiments of a replaceable adhesive panel of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to Fig. 1, my improved mosquito/insect killing system is generally designated by reference numeral 10. System 10 includes a housing 12, and a base 14 with removable collection tray 14a. A partitioning wall 12a divides the unit into an insect-attracting section 13 and a mosquito- attracting section 15. Section 15 includes a heating tower 16 containing a heat-generating element 18, such as a quartz tube, an electric fan motor and associated fan blade 20, air intake apertures 24, and air outlet apertures 26. Section 15 further includes an electrified electrocution grid 28. A detailed description of the function of such a heating tower is provided in my prior United States Patent No. 5,595,018, incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. Briefly, mosquito killing section 15 attracts mosquitoes by actively projecting multiple heated air streams 27, coupled with a wide variety of aromatics that simulate animal body heat and, in conjunction with negative air streams 25 flowing into the apparatus, simulate human and/or animal breathing. A protective mesh or screen 30 is provided at the outside of section 15 to prevent human contact with the electrocution grid 28, while having a mesh size sufficient to allow mosquitoes to pass therethrough.

Base 14 includes a removable collection tray 14a into which insect remains accumulate from electrocution grid 28. The tray 14a can be periodically removed to dispose of the accumulated remains and replaced in the base 14. Base 14 also may be provided with a low-speed motor for slowly rotating housing 12 with respect to base 14, thereby simulating human and/or animal motion as a further attractant to mosquitoes.

Section 13 of housing 12 contains one or more light sources 32a, 32b. Light sources 32a, 32b may be conventional incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs, or other equivalent sources of light. Also provided in section 13 is an adhesive panel 34, which contains a sticky surface to which insects are adhered once making contact with the surface, and from which adhered insects cannot extricate themselves. The sticky surface may be provided by an application of glue or other suitable and well- known substances having the desired adhesive properties .

As shown in Fig. IA, insects 38 attracted into the section 13 by light from the sources 32a, 32b alight on the surface of adhesive panel 34 and become trapped. Fig. 1 shows alternate placement of light sources, either in front of (source 32a) or behind (source 32b) the adhesive panel 34. If the light source 32b is employed as the sole light source, panel 34 may include pinprick holes 36 to allow light to pass through, such that insects will be directly attracted to the adhesive panel. Alternatively, if light source placement 32a is chosen, insects attracted into the section 13 will naturally seek to alight on a surface, and thus will eventually alight on the surface of the adhesive panel 34.

Fig. 2 shows an alternate embodiment of a mosquito killing apparatus 50 according to the present invention, which includes a housing 52 containing a heating tower 16 as illustrated in Fig. 1, and one or more adhesive panels 34. In this embodiment, heated air streams simulating mammalian breathing attract mosquitoes into the interior of the housing where they are trapped when alighting on the surfaces of the adhesive panels. The adhesive panel also may be provided in a cylindrical configuration, with pinprick holes 36 as shown in Fig. IA, whereby the heated air streams may pass through the holes 36 to attract mosquitoes directly onto the adhesive surface of the panel.

The invention having been thus described, it will become apparent to those skilled in the art that the same may be varied in many ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

For instance, in addition to a quartz heating tube, the heating element 18 may be equally implemented by a ceramic, silicon or foil heater.

Additionally, either electrocution grids or adhesive panels may be provided in both sections 13 and 15, instead of the configuration described. In situations where the adhesive panel 34 is used in conjunction with the heating tower, the panel 34 may be made of or include a heat conductive material such as aluminum foil to enable the heat produced by the heater to be transferred to the adhesive panel. Further, a supply of liquid may be provided in the base 14 coupled to the heated air stream by a wick, to provide the addition of moisture and/or pheromone attractant to the heated air stream to further increase the mosquito-attracting property of the apparatus . Referring now to Fig. 3, there is shown an insect trap 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen from the Figure, the insect trap 100 may be mounted on a wall or other surface in a convenient or unobtrusive location, and may be decorative in appearance or camouflaged in some manner. In the figure, the arrows represent an airflow being drawn up vertically through the insect trap 100, but alternatively the insect trap 100 may be positioned in any desired attitude. The insect trap 100 may be used to eliminate insects such as mosquitos, flies such as biting black flies, Buffalo gnats, etc.

Fig. 4 shows one embodiment of the insect trap 100. The insect trap 100 includes a shell 104 having a first open end 105 and a second open end 106, a fan motor 107 and associated fan blade 111, a heat source 114, and a replaceable adhesive panel 122. In the preferred embodiment, the heat source 114 uses a quartz tube 116, although it should be understood that other heat sources may be employed, such as, for example, an electronic heating element, a gas flame, or a specialty bulb such as one radiating infrared or ultra-violet light. Heat source 114 in the preferred embodiment does not emit visible light, and thus does not attract insects which are beneficial to the environment.

The shell 104 in one embodiment is rectangular in cross-section, but alternatively may be circular in cross-section, oval, irregular, or any other desired shape.

In operation, the insect trap 100 functions by radiating heat from the heat source 114. The insects to be eliminated are drawn to the insect trap 100 by the heat. Because only certain insects are drawn to heat, notably mosquitos and flies, specific insects can be targeted for elimination. At the same time, the fan motor 107 and the associated fan blade 111 create an airflow traveling from the first open end 105 to the second open end 106. When the insects attracted by the heat source 114 approach the insect trap 100, the airflow draws them into the first open end 105. The airflow then brings the insects into contact with the replaceable adhesive panel 122, where the insects are trapped and immobilized. It may be readily understood from the Figure that the insects are trapped and immobilized in a quiet, unobtrusive, clean, economical, and odor-free manner. In addition, the insect trap 100 may be repeatedly used by easily replacing the replaceable adhesive panel 122 when it becomes full of trapped and immobilized insects. Fig. 5 shows the second open end 106 of the insect trap 100, showing a screen 128 that may optionally be placed across the second open end 106. The purpose of the screen 128 is to guard against the insertion of fingers or other foreign objects. Figs. 6 through 11 show alternate embodiments having various placements or various shapes of the replaceable adhesive panel 122. Fig. 6 shows a cone-shaped replaceable adhesive panel 122. The replaceable adhesive panel 122 in Fig. 6 could be reversed so that the apex thereof points toward the first open end 105. Fig. 7 shows the replaceable adhesive panel 122 having a bowl-like shape, which again could be reversed. Fig. 8 shows the replaceable adhesive panel 122 as a plate juxtaposed between the heat source 114 and the fan motor 107 and associated fan blade 111. Alternatively, the plate of Fig. 8 could have a concentric cut-out portion (not shown) so that the plate may fit around the heat source 114. Fig. 9 shows the replaceable adhesive panel 122 having a plurality of concentric walls. Fig. 10 shows the replaceable adhesive panel 122 having a reversed funnel-like shape. Fig. 11 shows the replaceable adhesive panel 122 as a plate positioned so that the fan motor 107 and associated fan blade 111 is juxtaposed between the heat source 114 and the replaceable adhesive panel 122. In this embodiment, the airflow is still directed through the replaceable adhesive panel 122. Likewise, the replaceable adhesive panel 122 could also be positioned ahead of the heat source 114 so that the heat source 114 is juxtaposed between the replaceable adhesive panel 122 and the fan motor 107 and associated fan blade 111 (not shown) .

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. Apparatus for killing insects, comprising: a housing including a first section, a second section, and a partition separating the first and second sections from each other; said first section including a breathing simulation device for creating an air flow simulating breathing of a mammal to attract mosquitoes to said first section, and first means for killing mosquitoes attracted to said first section; and said second section including at least one source of light for attracting to said second section insects attracted to light, and second means for killing insects attracted to said second section.

2. Apparatus for killing insects as set forth in claim 1, wherein said breathing simulation device comprises a source of heat for heating an air stream, and means for creating a positive air flow of said heated air stream through said first means for killing.

3. Apparatus for killing insects as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first means for killing comprises an electrocution grid mounted within said first section.

4. Apparatus for killing insects as set forth in claim 3, further comprising a removable trap located in a base of said housing below said electrocution grid for holding insect remains from said electrocution grid.

5. Apparatus for killing insects as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a base upon which said housing is mounted, said base being automatically rotatable to simulate motion of a living creature.

6. Apparatus for killing insects as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second means for killing comprises an adhesive surface upon which insects landing on said surface are trapped.

7. Apparatus for killing insects as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first means for killing comprises an adhesive surface upon which insects landing on said surface are trapped.

8. Apparatus for killing mosquitoes, comprising: a housing including an interior section, said interior section including a breathing simulation device for creating an air flow simulating breathing of a mammal to attract mosquitoes to said interior section, and an adhesive surface upon which mosquitoes landing on said surface are trapped.

9. Apparatus for killing mosquitoes as set forth in claim 8, wherein said adhesive surface comprises a replaceable adhesive panel removably mounted within said interior section proximate said breathing simulation device.

10. Apparatus for killing mosquitoes as set forth in claim 8, further comprising a base upon which said housing is mounted, said base being automatically rotatable to simulate motion of a living creature.

11. Apparatus for killing mosquitoes as set forth in claim 8, wherein said breathing simulation device comprises a source of heat for heating an air stream, and means for creating a positive air flow of said heated air stream around said adhesive surface.

12. A method for killing mosquitoes, comprising the steps of: providing a device for simulating breathing of a mammal; and providing an adhesive surface in the vicinity of said device for trapping mosquitoes attracted to said device which land on said adhesive surface.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein said adhesive surface is formed of a replaceable adhesive panel .

14. A method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of imparting motion to said device for simulating motion of a living creature as a further attractant of mosquitoes.

15. An insect trapping and immobilizing device, comprising: a shell having at least one side wall, a first open end, and a second open end; a heat source for attracting insects, said heat source being positioned in said first open end of said shell; a fan motor and associated blade for drawing an airflow past said heat source and through said shell, said fan motor and blade being positioned in said second open end of said shell; and a replaceable adhesive panel for trapping and immobilizing insects that pass through said shell, said replaceable adhesive panel being positioned in said airflow and capable of adhering an insect thereto; wherein an insect attracted to said heat source is pulled into contact with said replaceable adhesive panel by said airflow.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein said replaceable adhesive panel is porous to said airflow.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein said replaceable adhesive panel is perpendicular to said airflow, and said airflow must pass through said replaceable adhesive panel.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein said replaceable adhesive panel is parallel to said airflow and said airflow is drawn over said replaceable adhesive panel.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein said replaceable adhesive panel is formed of a plurality of concentric walls.

20. The device of claim 15, wherein said device is a wall sconce suitable for mounting on a wall.

21. The device of claim 15, wherein said heat source is a light bulb.

22. The device of claim 15, wherein said replaceable adhesive panel is juxtaposed between said heat source and said fan motor and blade.

23. The device of claim 15, wherein said fan motor and blade is juxtaposed between said heat source and said replaceable adhesive panel.

24. An insect trapping and immobilizing device, comprising: a shell having at least one side wall, a first open end, and a second open end; a heat source for attracting insects, said heat source being a light bulb positioned in said first open end of said shell; a fan motor and associated blade for drawing an airflow past said heat source and through said shell, said fan motor and blade being positioned in said second open end of said shell; and a replaceable adhesive panel for trapping and immobilizing insects that pass through said shell, said replaceable adhesive panel being porous to said airflow and positioned in said airflow, and capable of adhering an insect thereto, said replaceable adhesive panel being juxtaposed between said heat source and said fan motor and blade; wherein an insect attracted to said heat source is pulled into contact with said replaceable adhesive panel by said airflow.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein said replaceable adhesive panel is parallel to said airflow and said airflow is drawn over said replaceable adhesive panel.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein said replaceable adhesive panel is perpendicular to said airflow, and said airflow must pass through said replaceable adhesive panel.

27. The device of claim 24, wherein said replaceable adhesive panel is formed of a plurality of concentric walls.

28. The device of claim 24, wherein said device is a wall sconce suitable for mounting on a wall.

29. The device of claim 25, wherein said heat source is a light bulb.

30. A method for trapping and immobilizing insects, comprising the steps of: providing a heat source for attracting said insects; creating an airflow adjacent said heat source, said airflow drawing in and conveying said insects; and providing a replaceable adhesive panel within said airflow and downstream of said heat source for trapping said insects attracted by said heat source and conveyed by said airflow.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said replaceable adhesive panel is porous to said airflow and said airflow is entrained through said replaceable adhesive panel.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein said airflow is entrained over said replaceable adhesive panel.