WO2017006294A1

WO2017006294A1 - Light trap for catching flying insects by means of adhesive panels

Info

Publication number: WO2017006294A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/054118
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rosario Vincenzo MARRONE
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-07-08
Filing date: 2016-07-08
Publication date: 2017-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 2018-01-08
Also published as: ITUB20152039A1

Abstract

A light trap for catching flying insects by means of panels comprises at least first UV lighting means (11) bearing a seat (13) comprising a support surface for accommodating just engagement portions (21) of at least one self-supporting adhesive panel (20), such a seat (13) having a surface extension smaller than the overall flat surface of the self-supporting adhesive panel (20), and therefore such a seat (13) not constituting a support for the entire surface of the self-supporting adhesive panel (20), as well as comprising constraining means (14), associable with the seat (13) for making a constraint, of the releasable or non-releasable type, between the seat (13) and the self-supporting panel (20). A self-supporting adhesive panel for cooperating with such a light trap, as well as the assembly consisting of the light trap and the relative panel also constitute objects of the present invention.

Description

LIGHT TRAP FOR CATCHING FLYING INSECTS BY MEANS OF ADHESIVE PANELS

The present invention refers to a light trap for catching flying insects by means of adhesive panels, to the relative adhesive panels and to an assembly consisting of the light trap and the adhesive panels.

Light traps for catching flying insects by means of adhesive panels are known, consisting of a box-shaped case, in general metallic, in which one or more blue neon light tubes are mounted, which make UV light capable of attracting flying insects, such as in particular flies and mosquitoes. A sheet-form adhesive panel is also inserted in the box-shaped casing, resting on a wall thereof. The adhesive panel may or may not be screened towards the outside of the box- shaped casing by means of a protective grid.

The adhesive panels, according to what is known, can be provided with grids designed on the surface to make it quick and simple to count the insects and identify their different species.

Before being put in operation, the adhesive panels are provided with a protective siliconized film, applied on a layer of viscous sticky material of the adhesive plate, which ensures easy removal of the film itself, leaving the layer of viscous sticky material in perfect conditions.

The main drawback of known light traps concerns the substantial bulk and weight thereof, which makes them for example objects that are difficult to use in a domestic setting and in any case awkward to use even in an industrial setting like in stables or in the food industry .

The substantial weight and bulk also have a negative impact on production costs, as well as on the storage and transportation operations.

Furthermore, since they are devices with a certain degree of complexity, they need special maintenance that goes beyond just replacement of the adhesive panel .

The purpose of the present invention is to make a light trap for flying insects and relative adhesive panels, wherein the assembly consisting of the light trap and the relative adhesive panels can have small dimensions and low weight and can be hidden from view.

The purpose of the present invention is also to make a light trap for flying insects and relative adhesive panels with which it is possible to make very different shapes of traps, conforming only the panel and possibly concealing the adhesive surface on which the insects are stuck from view.

A further purpose of the present invention is to make a light trap for flying insects that is modular in dimensions, in other words in the extension of the adhesive surface of the panels, and in the light intensity.

Another purpose of the present invention is to make a light trap for flying insects and relative adhesive panels that are water-resistant and suitable to be used outdoors .

Another purpose of the present invention is to make a light trap for flying insects and relative adhesive panels in which the replacement of the used adhesive surfaces is quick and simple.

Another purpose of the present invention is to make a light trap for flying insects and relative adhesive panels that are particularly simple and functional, with low costs.

These purposes according to the present invention are accomplished by making a light trap for flying insects and relative adhesive panels as outlined in the independent claims.

Further features are foreseen in the dependent claims .

The features and advantages of a light trap for flying insects and of the relative adhesive panels according to the present invention will become clearer from the following description, given as an example and not for limiting purposes, referring to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

figures 1 and 2 are each an exploded view of an assembly consisting of a light trap for catching flying insects according to the invention associated with a self-supporting adhesive panel;

figure 3 shows a further variant embodiment of the light trap of figure 1, provided with supplementary lighting elements, associated with a self-supporting adhesive panel with double adhesive surface;

figure 4 is an exploded view of an assembly consisting of a light trap for catching flying insects according to the invention associated with two self- supporting adhesive panels engaged on opposite sides of a seat, wherein the lighting means are partially split; figure 5 is an exploded view of a further embodiment of an assembly consisting of a light trap for catching flying insects according to the invention associated with a self-supporting adhesive panel engaged in a calibrated slot for a slidingly releasable constraint ;

figure 6 is an exploded view of two light traps of figure 5, associated with each other in a removable manner through interlocking means with interposition of supplementary lighting elements;

figures 7A, 7B, 7C and 8 are each an exploded view of an assembly consisting of a light trap for catching flying insects according to the invention associated with a self-supporting adhesive panel able to engage in a seat, wherein an electric socket for the power supply of the LED lighting means is integrated with the lighting means;

figure 9 shows an assembly consisting of a light trap for catching flying insects according to the invention associated with a folded self-supporting adhesive panel to take on a three-dimensional conformation, equipped with openings for the entry of insects ;

figures 10 and 11 show further embodiments of an assembly consisting of a light trap for catching flying insects according to the invention associated with a folded self-supporting adhesive panel to take on a three-dimensional conformation, wherein the pressure element, the base and the lighting means and the supplementary lighting elements are shown exploded;

figure 12 shows a further embodiment of an assembly consisting of a light trap for catching flying insects according to the invention associated with a self- supporting adhesive panel, wherein the engagement portion of the panel bears a plurality of holes and constraining means, such as magnetic elements or glue; figure 13 schematically shows an enlarged detail in section of an embodiment of the self-supporting adhesive panel object of the invention comprising many overlapped layers of viscous sticky material for catching flying insects able to be unpeeled from one another;

figure 14 shows a further embodiment in which the assembly comprises an adhesive panel, a lighting element, and constraining means for the connection of said adhesive panel to said lighting element;

figure 15 shows a variant of the embodiment of figure 14 in which the adhesive panel is at least partially closed on itself so as to form a box-shaped structure .

With reference to the figures, a light trap 10 for catching flying insects by means of adhesive panels, relative adhesive panels 20 and an assembly 100 consisting of the light trap 10 bearing the self- supporting adhesive panels 20 are shown.

The light trap 10 comprises at least first lighting means 11, which constitute the light attraction source for the insects, bearing a seat 13 comprising a support surface for accommodating just the engagement portions 21 of one or more self-supporting adhesive panels 20 (for example figures 1 and 2) or of many self- supporting adhesive panels 20 (figures 4 and 6) . The seat 13 can have a flat support surface, as shown, or even a curved support surface, shown in figure 7C, for coupling with a panel 20 with flexible support.

The seat 13 is shaped in a complementary manner to the engagement portions 21 of the self-supporting panel 20 and has a shorter surface extension than the overall flat surface of the self-supporting adhesive panel 20, so as not to constitute a support for the entire surface of the adhesive panel, which instead is self- supporting, but rather only a localized constraint for the engagement portions 21.

The trap 10 also comprises constraining means 14, able to be associated with the seat 13 for making a constraint, of the releasable or non-releasable type, between the seat 13 and the self-supporting panel 20.

The seat 13, in order to make a complementary association with the constraining means 14 to constrain the self-supporting panel 20 to the light trap 10, can bear, according to different embodiments of the invention, at least one relief 15 or at least one groove 15' and/or complementary constraining means 16, such as magnetic elements and/or glue.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the constraining means of the light trap 10 comprise at least one pressure element 14, capable of holding the bearing panel 20 according to various types of releasable and non-releasable constraint.

The pressure element 14, for example, bears at least one relief 15 or groove 15' complementary to the groove 15' or to the relief 15 of the seat 13, to define a shape constraint with the seat 13. Depending on the level of mechanical interference, such a shape constraint can be of the releasable or non-releasable type. For example, the constraint can be made thanks to a slight mechanical interference between the two coupled elements, such as to allow stable but releasable fastening through the common traction force able to be applied by a user.

Moreover, the provision of at least one groove 15' and a relief 15 in the coupling between seat 13 and pressure element 14, substantially corresponding in shape and size to at least one hole 23 of the adhesive panel 20, makes it possible to make a constraint capable of best preventing the relative movement between the parts in the plane of the panel 20.

According to the invention, the at least one relief

15 and the at least one groove 15' of the seat 13, as well as the corresponding at least one hole 23 of the adhesive panel 20 can be any shape, where the term "any shape" is meant to indicate that they may have any geometric shape, or represent graphical or alphanumerical symbols, including letter of the alphabet (figure 2) .

The shape constraint can also be combined with other types of constraint. Indeed, the pressure element 14, according to another example, can bear, in addition to or as a replacement for the reliefs 15 or grooves 15' , magnetic elements complementary to magnetic elements of the seat 13 to define a magnetic constraint with the seat 13 and/or glue to define a constraint by adhesion with the seat 13, not necessarily also provided with glue.

According to a further embodiment, shown in figures 5 and 6, the pressure element 14 is stably constrained to the seat 13 to define a calibrated slot for a releasable constraint by sliding or to define a releasable clamp-type constraint.

In the present text the term "seat" 13 is generically meant to indicate the portion of the light trap 10 adapted for making the connection with the engagement portions 21 of one or more panels 20, which can be variously shaped and variously dimensioned as shown in the figures. For example figure 7B shows a seat 13 extending on opposite sides of the light trap 10, suitable for receiving a bracket-type pressure element 14 adapted for constraining a folded self- supporting adhesive panel 20.

The engagement portions 21 of the adhesive panel 20 can be arranged, indifferently, along an edge of the panel or even in any other position (figures 7A and 7B) and possibly even in a central portion thereof (figure 8) .

The seat 13 can define a rectilinear abutment edge for receiving an adhesive panel 20 having an engagement portion 21 along an edge, also rectilinear (figures 1 and 2), or the seat 13 can define a jagged abutment edge, complementary to a plurality of projections 22, alternating with recesses, of the engagement portion 21 of the panel 20, also in this case made along an edge, so as to ensure a more stable coupling (figure 4) . The seat 13 can also totally lack an abutment edge and comprise only a small support surface for an engagement portion 21 of the adhesive panel 20 not arranged along an edge, but surrounding the at least one hole 23 (figures 7 and 8) . In this case the seat 13 preferably bears at least one relief 15 or at least one groove 15' to give greater stability to the connection with the adhesive panel 20.

The term "lighting means" 11 is meant to indicate means adapted for generating electromagnetic waves both in the field of radiation visible to the human eye and in the field of ultraviolet (UV) or infrared (IR) able to be perceived by insects.

According to the invention UV or IR lighting means 11 are preferably used comprising a plurality of LEDs directly connectable to the power supply, consisting of an electric network or even batteries, in this second case making the light trap 10 suitable for installation outdoors, like for example in gardens.

According to a variant embodiment of the trap object of the invention, the bulk of which is particularly small and suitable for domestic use, an electric socket 17 for the power supply of the LEDs is directly integrated with the lighting means 11 (figures 7 and 8) .

In the other cases, for the sake of simplicity of representation the connection via cable to the electric network has not been shown in the figures.

In the figures only lighting means 11 of the LED type are shown, but they could be replaced according to the invention, where sizes permit, with known blue light neon tubes, not shown. In the case of neon tubes, they are connectable to the power supply through a transformer according to what is known.

In the version shown, the light trap 10 according to the invention receives only one adhesive panel 20 or at most two panels 20 per side. Of course, in an analogous manner, more adhesive panels 20 can be received in the seat 13.

Moreover, more light traps 10 can be associated with each other through interlocking means with the possible interposition of supplementary lighting elements 19, preferably of the LED type (figure 6) .

The supplementary lighting elements 19 can, alternatively, also be placed on opposite sides to the first lighting means 11 with respect to the adhesive panel 20, which in this case is preferably equipped with viscous sticky material for catching flying insects on both sides, for example on the pressure element 14 (figure 3) .

According to further embodiments, the supplementary lighting elements 19 can be removably associated with the first lighting means 11 to create a light trap 10 with modular lighting intensity.

In the light trap 10 according to the invention the self-supporting adhesive panel 20 advantageously does not need to be positioned entirely resting on a support surface, but is only constrained locally along its engagement portions 21, which are received by the seat 13.

According to a particularly simplified embodiment of the present invention, the engagement portion 21 of the self-supporting adhesive panel 20 itself comprises the constraining means 14 associable with the seat 13. The constraining means 14 are for example magnetic elements or glue, directly applied onto the engagement portion 21 of the adhesive panel 20, as schematized in figure 12, in the particular but not limiting case of a self-supporting adhesive panel 20 comprising a plurality of holes 23 in the engagement portion 21. In the example, the seat 13 has been shown oriented on the same side with respect to the adhesive portion 25 of the panel 20, but of course it could also be made on the opposite side with respect to the lighting means 11, like for example in the embodiments of figures 1 and 2.

According to this simplified configuration, it is superfluous to provide a separate pressure element to be constrained to the seat 13.

The self-supporting adhesive panel 20 according to the invention comprises, in a position adjacent to at least one engagement portion 21, at least one adhesive portion 25, coated with a layer of viscous adhesive material, of the known type, for catching flying insects .

According to a particular embodiment, adhesive portions 25 can be arranged on both faces of the panel 20.

The panel 20 can optionally also comprise structural portions 26, possibly folded in a different plane with respect to the plane of the adhesive portion 25, to confer rigidity and/or a three-dimensional conformation to the panel.

The adhesive panel 20 according to the invention can comprise ribs or creases 24 (figure 7) to be rigid or be folded to assume three-dimensional shapes even of relevant sizes (figures 9-11) . The arrangement of the adhesive panels 20 according to three-dimensional shapes, like for example a cylinder (figure 10) for example makes it possible to position the adhesive portion, adapted for catching flying insects, so as to be concealed from the user's view.

Figure 9 for example shows an adhesive panel 20 having a box-like shape and relevant size, adapted for receiving for example posters on the outside, equipped with openings 26', formed in the structural portion 26 to allow the entry of insects inside the box-shaped body where the adhesive portions 25 are located.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the self-supporting adhesive panel 20 can be equipped with an adhesive portion 25 comprising a plurality of overlapped peelable layers 27 of viscous sticky material for catching flying insects and separated by a protective siliconized film 28, as schematized in figure 13.

This solution is particularly useful for adhesive panels 20 of relevant sizes and having structurally complex shapes, in which it is particularly advantageous to be able to use a plurality of new adhesive surfaces 25 before having to replace the entire panel 20.

The embodiments shown in figures 14 and 15 also follow this philosophy. The self-supporting adhesive panel 20 is of considerably larger dimensions with respect to the lighting means 11.

With reference to figure 14, the lighting means 11 preferably comprise a support structure 11a with which a lighting body lib is associated, said adhesive panel 20 being locally constrained at engagement portions 21 of said panel 20 configured to be associated directly with constraining means 14, fixedly connected to said lighting element, in particular fixedly connected to said support structure 11a of said lighting means.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lighting means 11 preferably comprise a support structure 11a having a substantially box-like shape with prevalent longitudinal extension and supporting a lighting body lib also with prevalently longitudinal extension, for example but not for limiting purposes consisting of a neon tube or similar.

Said support structure 11a therefore comprises end side surfaces, preferably lying in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction defined by the dimension of greatest extension of the support structure 11a itself, supporting the seats 13 for the constraining means 14, which can preferably be removable to facilitate the simple replacement of the adhesive panel 20, for example consisting of threaded means, clip means, bayonet means or similar.

Preferably, the adhesive panel 20 is self- supporting and comprises at least two engagement portions 21 directly associable with said constraining means 14.

In the preferred embodiment shown in figure 13, the self-supporting adhesive panel 20 has a flat portion 20a and two bent end portions 20b so as to extend in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to said flat portion 20a. Said engagement portions 21 of said panel 20 are on said bent end portions 20b. As can be seen again in figure 13, in this case the adhesive panel 20 can easily be connected to the end side surfaces of the support structure 11a.

The constraining means 14 therefore engage said engagement portions 21 of said panel 20 with said side surfaces of said support structure 11a.

Thanks to the fact that the adhesive panel 20 is self-supporting it can also extend above the lighting means 11 without needing to provide any additional support structure for the panel.

The adhesive panel 20 can comprise ribs or creases 24 to take on greater rigidity and/or, with reference to figure 15, can be bent further to take on three- dimensional shapes even of relevant size.

The arrangement of the adhesive panel 20 according to three-dimensional shapes, like for example a triangle (figure 15) allows for example to position the adhesive portion, adapted for catching flying insects, so as to be concealed from the user's view.

It is also particularly advantageous to use a self- supporting adhesive panel 20 equipped with many peelable layers 27 of viscous sticky material for catching flying insects in the particular case in which the self-supporting adhesive panel 20 and the light trap 10 are joined to form an assembly with a non- releasable constraint adapted to define a disposable single piece.

Moreover, peelable adhesive panels can also be advantageously used in other light traps, including those equipped with support structure.

The layer of viscous sticky material, applied on the adhesive portion 25 of the self-supporting adhesive panel 20, consists of a glue that can contain Pheromone, like for example Z9 Tricosene, or food attractants, for more effective attraction. Furthermore, UV-stabilizer agents can be added to ensure that the adhesive layer does not dry out during the period of use.

The support of the adhesive lacquered base panel ensures that the adhesive layer does not dry out.

The siliconized film ensures that it detaches from the adhesive layer quickly to reduce the maintenance times and that the layer of adhesive material remains in perfect conditions.

The material for the light trap 10, preferably light, can for example be aluminum or plastic, the latter being most suitable for conforming, through molding techniques, complex profiles for the seats 13 and the pressure element 14.

The light trap 10, according to the invention, can be fixed to a wall horizontally or vertically. Based on the different types of adhesive panels 20 that will be used it may be more advantageous to use one or the other mounting. There is also the possibility of leaving it hung from the ceiling with chains.

The light trap for flying insects, the relative adhesive panels and the assembly consisting of them, object of the present invention, have the following advantages :

• extreme simplicity of the device;

• possibility of making widely varying shapes of light traps, by conforming only the adhesive panel;

· low production costs of the device;

• simple possibility of making waterproof and battery-powered devices, in the particular case of UV or IR lighting means of the LED type;

• easy storage and transportation;

· low weight and bulk;

• possibility of making small packages and therefore simple distribution;

• modularity of the dimensions of the panel to enlarge the adhesive surface and modularity of light emission;

• modularity of the functions, since by changing the type of adhesive panel it is possible to obtain different types of traps;

• possibility of making smaller devices for domestic use as well as larger ones for industrial use;

• speed of installation;

· absence of maintenance of the trap (apart from the replacement of the adhesive panel);

• low operating costs, in any case lower with respect to conventional light traps;

• ease and speed of replacement of the adhesive panels;

• possibility of making disposable devices;

• possibility of making peelable panels;

• discretional nature of the device;

• possibility of completely concealing the light trap.

The light trap for flying insects, the relative adhesive panels and the assembly consisting of them thus conceived can undergo numerous modifications and variants, all of which are covered by the invention; moreover, all of the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the sizes, can be whatever according to the technical requirements.

Claims

1) Light trap for catching flying insects by means of adhesive panels characterized in that it comprises at least first lighting means (11) bearing a seat (13) comprising a support surface for accommodating just engagement portions (21) of at least one self- supporting adhesive panel (20), said seat (13) having a surface extension smaller than the overall flat surface of said self-supporting adhesive panel (20), and therefore said seat (13) not constituting a support for the entire surface of said self- supporting adhesive panel (20), and in that it comprises constraining means (14), removably associated with said seat (13) for making a constraint, between said seat (13) and said self- supporting panel (20), so that said adhesive panel (20) is directly associated with said lighting means (11) without the need for further support structures .

2) Trap according to claim 1, characterized in that said lighting means (11) comprise a support structure (11a) having a substantially box-like shape with prevalent longitudinal extension and supporting a lighting body (lib) also with prevalently longitudinal extension.

3) Trap according to claim 1, characterized in that said adhesive panel (20) has at least one flat portion (20a) and at least two bent end portions (20b) so as to extend in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to said at least one flat portion (20a) .

4) Trap according to the previous claim, characterized in that said engagement portions (21) of said panel (20) are formed at said bent end portions (20b) .

Trap according to the previous claim, characterized in that said constraining means (14) engage said engagement portions (21) of said panel (20) and said side surfaces of said support structure (11a) .

Trap according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said support surface of said seat (13) has a shape complementary to said engagement portions (21) of said panel (20) .

Trap according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said seat (13) bears at least one relief (15) or at least one groove (15') and/or complementary constraining means (16), such as magnetic elements and/or glue, for the complementary association with said constraining means ( 14 ) .

Trap according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said constraining means comprise at least one pressure element (14), wherein said pressure element (14) bears at least one relief (15) or at least one groove (15') complementary to the at least one groove (15') or to the at least one relief (15) of said seat (13) in order to identify a shape constraint with said seat (13) and/or bears magnetic elements complementary to magnetic elements of the seat (13) in order to identify a magnetic constraint with said seat (13) and/or bears glue in order to identify a constraint by adhesion with said seat (13) or wherein said pressure element (14) is stably constrained to said seat (13) in order to identify a calibrated slot for a sliding constraint or to identify a clamp constraint.

9) Trap according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said lighting means (11) are adapted to generate electromagnetic waves in the ultraviolet or infrared field and/or comprise a plurality of LEDs that can be directly connected to a power supply, consisting of an electric network and/or batteries.

10) Light trap according to claim 5, characterized in that an electric socket (17) is integrated with said lighting means (11) .

11) Light trap according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that one or more supplementary LED lighting elements (19) can be connected to said lighting means (11) for making a trap with modular lighting intensity .

12) Self-supporting adhesive panel for cooperation with a light trap according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one engagement portion (21) having a shape complementary to said seat (13) of the trap and at least one adhesive portion (25) , coated with viscous sticky material for catching flying insects, and, said panel also optionally comprising structural portions (26), possibly folded in a plane different from the plane of the adhesive portion (25) , in order to confer rigidity and/or a three-dimensional conformation to the panel.

13) Self-supporting adhesive panel according to claim 12, characterized in that said engagement portion

(21) has a jagged edge, substantially comprising a plurality of projections (22), alternating with recesses, and/or at least one hole (23) having any shape .

Self-supporting adhesive panel according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that said engagement portion (21) comprises said constraining means (14), such as magnetic elements or glue, directly applied thereon. Panel according to any claims 12 to 14, characterized in that said adhesive portion (25) comprises a plurality of peelable layers (27) of viscous sticky material for catching insects, one upon the other and separated by a protective siliconized film (28) .