MXPA98000090A - Trap device for insec - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an insect trap device comprising a housing having an interior that remains in communication with the atmosphere outside the device, the housing contains: (i) a source that attracts insects; to generate an ion wind to facilitate the dispersion of the source that attracts insects into the atmosphere outside the housing, and (iii) an insect retention medium

Description

"INSECT TRAP DEVICE" The present invention relates to trap devices for insects and, in particular, to trap devices for insects that rely on an ion wind to facilitate the dispersion of a source that attracts insects. Numerous trap devices have been developed to trap insects, including dead traps, waste trap traps, insecticide traps, and electric traps that electrocute insects. An example of a non-exit trap is the Victorian fly trap. This trap consists of a glass container with a central opening. The container is placed in such a way that the dome of the container is closer to a light source. Therefore, insects that enter the vessel through the opening continue to fly towards the light source, but are trapped due to the presence of the dome. An example of an adhesive retention trap is simple fly-killer paper that retains insects on an adhesive surface when they land on it. Insecticide traps are constructed of a material impregnated with an insecticide. When an insect makes contact with the insecticide trap, it absorbs the insecticide and dies. A disadvantage associated with fly killer paper and insecticide traps is that they have an unpleasant appearance in their operation. Electric traps depend on a light source to attract insects. Attracted by the light, the insects land on a metal grid raised to a high potential and are electrocuted as they cross the space between this grid and an earth surface that is adjacent to it. One problem with these devices is the spillage of particulate debris into the air after the insect has been electrocuted. This garbage is an undesirable danger to health, especially in food preparation areas. In addition, the appropriate light sources to attract insects can be harmful to human vision and therefore some insects have now developed behavioral resistance to light tricks and traps of this kind. Patent Number EP-A-0650322 discloses a method and apparatus for controlling pests wherein the pests are exposed to particles carrying an electrostatic charge of opposite polarity to that of the surface of the pest and particles having a pesticide or a pesticide. chemical behavior modifier associated with it. So far, insect trap devices have not relied on an ion wind to facilitate dispersal of the source that attracts insects. Accordingly, the present invention provides an insect trap device comprising a housing having an interior in which it communicates with the atmosphere to the exterior of the device, the housing containing: (i) a source that attracts insects; (ii) a means for generating an ion wind to facilitate the dispersion of the source that attracts insects into the atmosphere outside the housing; and (iii) an insect retention means. Preferably, the means for generating the ion wind comprises a first electrode and a second electrode separated therefrom to define a region therebetween, such that when an electric potential is applied through the first and second electrodes, it is created an electric field in that region. The second electrode preferably has at least one opening therein through which the interior of the housing communicates with the atmosphere outside the housing. Preferably, the first electrode has a tip, and the second electrode preferably a ring electrode, a tubular electrode, a grid electrode or a combination of one or more of these. In one aspect of the present invention, the insect retention means comprises a surface inside the device coated with an adhesive layer, an insecticide layer or a combination thereof. In another aspect of the present invention, the second electrode for example, is in the form of a grid tube or a mesh coated on its surface with an adhesive layer, an insecticide layer or a combination of these in order to retain the insects in the same. In this aspect of the present invention, the second electrode is preferably connected to ground. In another aspect of the present invention, the insect retention means comprises a third electrode positioned adjacent the second electrode to define a space therebetween, which space is capable of being encompassed by an insect incident on the second or third electrodes. Preferably, the third electrode has at least one opening thereof through which the interior of the housing communicates with the atmosphere outside the housing. The third electrode is preferably a ring electrode, a tubular electrode, a grid or mesh electrode, a disk electrode or a combination of one or more of these. When the device is in operation, that is, when an electrical potential is applied through the first and second electrodes, the third electrode is maintained at a potential lower than the potential through the first and second electrodes. Preferably, the third electrode is connected to ground. The retention means in this aspect of the present invention may further comprise a surface coated with an adhesive layer, an insecticide layer or a combination thereof and placed adjacent the second and third electrodes. Preferably, the surface is connected to ground. In still another aspect of the present invention, in insect retention means comprises a third electrode placed essentially between the first and second electrodes in such a way that an insect that has entered the device can be deposited thereon. When the device is in operation, that is, when an electrical potential is applied through the first and second electrodes, the third electrode is maintained at a potential lower than the potential through the first and second electrodes. In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the present invention, the third electrode comprises a tubular insert essentially surrounding the electric field created in the space between the first and second electrodes when an electrical potential is applied through the first and second electrodes. The third electrode is preferably coated with a layer of adhesive material, an insecticide layer or a combination thereof, and preferably connected to earth. The electrodes in the insect trap device according to the present invention are preferably formed of an electrically conductive material, more preferably of a metallic material, for example copper. The source that attracts insects can be a chemical substance or sexual pheromone. For houseflies (Musca domestica), the sex pheromone (Z) -9-trichosene is a preferred source of insects.; while for mosquitoes, the preferred attractants are a source that generates carbon dioxide or lactic acid. When the device according to the present invention is in operation, the electric potential applied through the first and second electrodes preferably is a direct current potential that can be supplied from a supply driven with the main line, or from a battery. Depending on the separation of the first and second electrodes, potentials up to about 20 kV can be applied. The preferred plurality is for the first negative electrode with respect to the second electrode. The device for trapping insects in accordance with the present invention may also comprise an insect retention mesh. In addition, the device for treating insects may comprise an air filter to filter out dust and particles in the air that pass through the interior of the device. The air filter is preferably removable from the insect trapping device so that it can be cleaned or replaced as necessary. It will be understood that the device for catching insects in accordance with the present invention may include additional features that are attractive to insects, such as a source of heat, light or sound, or a combination thereof, or a flow of driven air. The present invention also provides a method for trapping insects comprising the steps of: (1) providing a housing having an interior that remains in communication with the outer atmosphere of the housing; (2) provide a source that attracts insects to the interior of the housing; (3) generating an ion wind inside the housing to facilitate the dispersion of the source that attracts the insects into the atmosphere outside the housing; and (4) retaining the insects that are attracted to the source that attracts the insects by means of an insect retention means that are provided inside the housing. In addition, the present invention provides a method for trapping insects comprising the steps of: (a) providing a device for trapping insects in accordance with the present invention having a first electrode and a second electrode; and (b) applying an electrical potential through the first and second electrodes in such a way that the resulting electric field in the region between them generates an ion wind that flows towards the second electrode. The ion wind facilitates the dispersion of the source that attracts the insects into the atmosphere outside the housing, whereby insects in an atmosphere outside the housing are attracted to the source that attracts the insects and pass through. less an opening in the second electrode towards the housing and are retained therein by means of the insect retention means. The insect trap device and the method according to the present invention depend on an electric field to facilitate the dispersion of an odor from the attraction source and also to effect the electrocution of insects or the deviation thereof to a surface on the which can be retained and subsequently killed. It will be understood that the insect trap device and the method according to the present invention can also be used to trap other pests, such as invertebrate crawling or flying pests including cockroaches. It will further be understood that the insect trap device and the method according to the present invention also serve to filter the particulate material from the atmosphere. The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional drawing of an embodiment of an insect trap device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional drawing of another embodiment of an insect trap device according to the present invention. Referring to Figure 1, an insect trap device 1 of the present invention is shown. The device 1 comprises a housing 18 of an essentially insulating material, such as glass or plastic having upper and lower sides 19 and 20 respectively. Protruding towards the interior of the housing fixed to the side 20 there is a first electrode 2 comprising an "L" shaped copper rod that tapers to a rounded tip 13. A surrounding means 24 is provided to electrically isolate the first electrode 2 from the housing 18. The second and third electrodes 3 and 15 are placed in the housing 18 at one end thereof. The second electrode 3 is in the form of a grid or mesh 14 having a plurality of openings 4 therein communicating with the atmosphere 5 outside the device 1. Similarly, the third electrode 15 is also in the form of a grid or mesh 17 having a plurality of openings 16 therein communicating with the atmosphere 5 to the exterior of the device 1. The openings in the grids or meshes 14 and 17 are preferably offset from one another. The openings 4 and 16 are of a size that allows an insect 6 to pass therethrough to the housing 18. Positioned at the other end of the housing 18 is an insect retention mesh 21 having a plurality of openings 25 in it. the same as they communicate with the atmosphere 5 outside the device 1. The openings 25 are of a size that prevents insects from passing through the insect retention mesh 21. Accordingly, air can flow through the housing 18 of the device 1. The retaining screen 21 can have an air filter associated with it as described above. A source 7 that attracts insects is suspended by a wire 22 from the upper side 19 of the housing 18. When the direct current electric potential from a source 9 of 5-20 kV is applied to the first and second electrodes 2 and 3, the difference The potential between the first and second electrodes 2 and 3 results in an electric field 10 in the space 11 between the electrodes. The electric field 10 in the vicinity of the first electrode 12 is proportional to the applied electrical potential and approximately inversely proportional to the radius of the tip 13 of the copper rod forming the first electrode 2. When the electric field 10 between the first and second electrodes 2 and 3 is of sufficient strength, the atoms and molecules in the atmosphere in the region near the tip 13 of the first electrode 2 are polarized and are attracted towards the surface of the tip 13. In a complex process, the atoms and molecules then they are ionized and subsequently repelled from the first electrode 2 to the second electrode 3. This flow of ions in the electric field is called an "ion wind" and is represented in Figure 1 by the arrows 12. As the ions in the wind of ions marching towards the second electrode 3, they impart kinetic energies to the non-ionized particles in which they collide resulting in a current of air which also flows to the second electrode 3. Since the second and third electrodes 3 and 15 have a plurality of openings 4 and 16, respectively therein, the air stream flows through the second and third electrodes 3 and 15 towards the atmosphere 5 outside the housing 18. Accordingly, the odor of the source 7 which attracts the insects is carried in the flow of the ion wind 12 and subsequently dispersed in the atmosphere 5 to the outside of the housing 18.

It is well known that many insects are attracted to the sources of odor, which may represent food sources or coincidental. The most important mechanism involved in this attraction is the orientation of the ascending wind in the "plume" of the smell carried by the air currents that pass over a source that attracts insects. An important aspect of the present invention therefore is the novel use of an ion wind generator to produce a scent plume from a low-speed, controlled insect-attracting source that insects use as a guidance guide to approach the source of the smell. Accordingly, the insects 6 in the atmosphere 5 outside the housing 18 are attracted to the source 7 which attracts insects by the odor of the same dispersed in the atmosphere 5. The insects 6 are oriented towards the ascending wind using the odor plume as a guide and pass through the openings 16 in the third electrode 15. The third electrode 15 is connected to ground and placed adjacent to the second electrode 3 to define a space 23 between them. In order to trap relatively large insects such as houseflies, the sizes of the openings in meshes 4 and 16 are selected so that insects pass through mesh 16, but not through mesh 4. Alternatively , this can be achieved by decentering the openings in the two meshes. As the insects land on the electrode 3, the space 23 between the electrodes is connected 6, thereby producing an electrical short circuit whereby the insect 6 is electrocuted. It will be understood that the size of the space 23 is selected taking into account the dimensions of insects. A surface 8 connected to ground is placed between the first and second electrodes 2 and 3. The ground-connected surface 8 comprises a coating of an adhesive layer so that the garbage particles from the electrocuted insects passing through the mesh 14 They can be retained in this one. In order to catch smaller insects such as mosquitoes, which are able to pass through both meshes 17 and 14, a different mechanism works. Since these smaller insects enter the housing 18 by passing through the openings 4 in the mesh 14, they are influenced by the electric field 10 between the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3. The insects accumulate electrical charge in the field and they rush to the surface 8 connected to the device ground.

The voltage applied to the first and second electrodes 2 and 3 can be adjusted depending on the speed and direction of air movement required. In addition, the second electrode 3 may have a cutting device (not shown) so that when the grid 14 of the electrode is short-circuited by an insect landing thereon, the electrical supply to the first electrode 2 is interrupted by stopping it. way the flow of the ion wind. This would provide a greater possibility that the waste from an electrocuted insect would be retained in the trap and would also act as a safety device. In addition, the capture of the garbage from the electrocuted insects could be ensured by extending the housing beyond the electrode 15 and providing therein an appropriate adhesive coating. Referring to Figure 2, another embodiment of a device 1 for trapping insects according to the present invention is shown. Device 1 is similar to that shown in Figure 1 with the exception that the insect retention means is different. In this embodiment, the second electrode 3 is connected to ground and is in the form of a tube coated on its inner surface 26 with a layer of adhesive. The second electrode 3 has an opening 27 therein that communicates with the atmosphere 5 to the exterior of the device 1. The opening 27 is of a size that allows an insect 6 to pass therethrough to the housing 18. When an insect 6 enters the housing 18 through the opening 27 in the second electrode 3, is influenced by the electric field 10 between the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3. The insect 6 accumulates electrical charge in the field and is therefore attracted to the second electrode 3 and is deposited on the surface 26 and is retained in the same The embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 2 is suitable for catching small insects, such as mosquitoes, which behave like small particles when under the influence of an electric field. However, larger insects, such as midges and wasps, are less susceptible to the influences of the electric field and, correspondingly, the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 1, where the insect is electrocuted, is more appropriate for these objects. The insect trap device according to the present invention has many advantages in relation to insect trap devices according to the prior art. For example, the trap device according to the present invention does not depend solely on a light source to attract insects. Some light sources in common use can be harmful to the vision of a human being due to its ultraviolet light content and also some flies have now acquired behavioral resistance to light cheating. The presence of a grounded surface limits the spillage of particulate debris into the air after the insect has died. This garbage is an undesirable health hazard especially in food preparation areas. The insect trap device according to the present invention has a less unpleasant appearance during operation of the fly killer papers. Some sources to attract insects such as Z- (9) -cerenes are relatively non-volatile and the wind of the ions provides an effective means to disperse the odor of the attractant source into the atmosphere.

Claims (21)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. An insect trap device comprises a housing having an interior remaining in communication with the atmosphere to the exterior of the device, the housing containing: (i) a source that attracts insects; (ii) a means for generating an ion wind to facilitate the dispersion of the source that attracts insects into the atmosphere outside the housing; and (iii) an insect retention means.

2. An insect trap device according to claim 1, wherein the means for generating the ion wind comprises a first electrode and a second electrode separated therefrom to define a region therebetween, such that when Applying an electric potential through the first and second electrodes, an electric field is created in that region.

3. An insect trap device according to claim 2, wherein the second electrode has at least one opening therein through which the interior of the housing communicates with the atmosphere outside the housing.

4. An insect trap device according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the second electrode is a ring electrode, a tubular electrode, a grid electrode or a combination of one or more thereof.

5. An insect trap device according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first electrode has a tip.

6. An insect trap device according to any of claims 2 to 5, where the second electrode is connected to ground.

An insect trap device according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the second electrode is coated with an adhesive layer, an insecticide layer or a combination thereof.

8. An insect trap device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the insect retention means comprises a surface inside the device coated with the adhesive layer, an insecticide layer or a combination thereof. .

An insect trap device according to any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the insect retention means comprises a third electrode placed adjacent to the second electrode to define a space therebetween, which space is capable of being connected by an insect that impinges on the second or third electrodes.

An insect trap device according to claim 9, wherein the third electrode has at least one opening therein through which the interior of the housing communicates with the atmosphere to the outside of the housing.

11. An insect trap device according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the third electrode is a ring electrode, a tubular electrode, a grid electrode or a combination of one or more thereof.

An insect trap device according to any of claims 9 to 11, further comprising a surface coated with an adhesive layer, an insecticide layer or a combination thereof and placed adjacent to the second and third electrodes .

13. An insect trap device according to claim 12, wherein the surface is connected to ground.

14. An insect trap device according to any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the insect retention means comprises a third electrode positioned essentially between the first and second electrodes, such that an insect has entered the device. it can be deposited in it.

An insect trap device according to claim 14, wherein the third electrode is a tubular insert essentially surrounding the electric field in the region between the first and second electrodes, when an electrical potential is applied through the first and second electrodes.

16. An insect trap device according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the third electrode is coated with an adhesive layer, an insecticide layer or a combination thereof.

17. An insect trap device according to any of claims 9 to 16, where the third electrode is connected to ground.

18. An insect trap device according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the source that attracts the insects is an insect feronome.

19. An insect trap device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a light source or sound that attracts the insects, or a combination thereof.

20. A method for catching insects comprising the steps of: (1) providing a housing having an interior that is in communication with the atmosphere outside the housing; (2) providing a source that attracts insects inside the housing; (3) generating an ion wind inside the housing to facilitate the dispersion of the source that attracts insects into the atmosphere outside the housing; and (4) retaining the insects that are attracted to the source that attracts insects by means of an insect retention means that are provided inside the housing.

21. A method for catching insects comprising the steps of: (a) providing an insect trap device according to any of claims 3 to 19; and (b) applying an electric potential through the first and second electrodes in such a way that the resulting electric field in the region between them generates an ion wind that flows towards the second electrode. The ion wind facilitates the dispersion of the source that attracts insects into the atmosphere outside the housing, whereby insects in the atmosphere outside the housing are attracted to the source that attracts insects and move into housing through less an opening in the second electrode are retained therein by the insect retention means.