Insect trap

Abstract

An insect trap includes a lamp that attracts insects to a viscous or adhesive material and a power source that allows for use in various locations.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 535,456, filed on August 30, 2023, entitled “INSECT TRAP,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 442,011, filed on January 30, 2023, entitled “INSECT TRAP,” each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Art Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to an insect trap comprising a sticky or adhesive material configured to trap insects and a light emitting element for attracting the insects. Related technologies

[0003] Conventional insect traps that use sticky or adhesive materials are often limited to specific locations, which makes them impractical for many uses.

[0004] It would therefore be beneficial to provide an insect trap that avoids these and other problems. Summary of the invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an insect trap comprising a sticky or adhesive material for trapping insects, having a light emitting portion for attracting the insects and an internal power source.

[0006] An insect trap according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a base; a main body, which is installed in the base, and the main body includes: a front wall; a rear wall, which is installed opposite to the front wall; at least one side wall, which connects the front wall and the rear wall; wherein the front wall, the rear wall, the at least one side wall and the base define a central chamber, and the central chamber includes an adhesive material; a lamp, which guides light into the central chamber to attract insects to enter the central chamber; and a plurality of openings, which are formed on at least one of the front wall and the rear wall, and the plurality of openings are configured to allow insects not to pass through the central chamber.

[0007] In an embodiment, the insect trap includes a power source mounted in the base and electrically connected to the light.

[0008] In an embodiment, the insect trap comprises a recharging circuit electrically connected to the power source and configured to charge the power source.

[0009] In an embodiment, the base includes a charging port configured to receive a plug connected to a charging cord.

[0010] In an embodiment, the adhesive material is disposed on at least one of the front wall and the rear wall.

[0011] In an embodiment, an input element is operably connected to the light and configured to turn the light on and off.

[0012] In an embodiment, the lamp further comprises one or more light sources mounted in the base.

[0013] In an embodiment, the insect trap includes a lens mounted in the base to direct light from the lamp into the central chamber.

[0014] In an embodiment, the insect trap includes a substrate mounted in the central chamber, wherein the adhesive material is disposed on the substrate.

[0015] In an embodiment, the body is removable from the base to allow access to the central cavity.

[0016] An insect trap according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a main body, wherein the main body comprises a lower part and an upper part mounted on the lower part, the lower part comprising: a chamber; a plug extending from the rear of the lower part and configured to be electrically connected to a power socket; and a lamp mounted on the top of the lower part and configured to emit light; the upper part comprises: a front wall; a trap holder mounted behind the front wall, the trap holder comprising a groove comprising an adhesive material, wherein light from the light-emitting part is projected toward the trap holder to attract insects to the adhesive material.

[0017] In an embodiment, the lower portion includes: a front wall; a first side wall, which is connected to the front wall; a second side wall, which is connected to the front wall opposite to the first side wall; a rear wall, which connects the first side wall and the second side wall; and a bottom wall, which is connected to the front wall, wherein the chamber is defined by the front wall, the first side wall, the second side wall, the rear wall and the bottom wall.

[0018] In an embodiment, the insect trap includes a plug housing disposed in the rear wall and the plug extends from the plug housing.

[0019] In an embodiment, the plug is pivotally attached to the plug housing to move from an extended position in which the plug extends substantially perpendicular to the rear wall to a second position in which the plug is received in a recess of the plug housing such that it is flush with the rear wall.

[0020] In an embodiment, the insect trap comprises a control circuit mounted within the chamber and connected to the lamp to control the emission of light.

[0021] In an embodiment, the insect trap comprises a printed circuit board, wherein the control circuit is disposed on the printed circuit board.

[0022] In an embodiment, the insect trap includes a power source operably connected to the control circuit and the light to power the control circuit and the power source.

[0023] In an embodiment, the insect trap comprises a first input device connected to the control circuit and configured to receive input from a user to control the light.

[0024] In an embodiment, the first input device is a three-position switch for enabling the light, disabling the light, and the light on a timer.

[0025] In an embodiment, the insect trap includes a light sensor connected to the control circuit and configured to provide light information associated with a light level surrounding the insect trap, wherein the control circuit enables the light based on the light information.

[0026] In an embodiment, the control circuit enables the lamp for a predetermined period of time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The above and related objects, features and advantages of the present invention may be more fully understood with reference to the following specific implementations of preferred embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 A front perspective view showing an insect trap according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 The embodiment according to the present invention is shown Figure 1 Front view of an insect trap;

[0030] Figure 3 The embodiment according to the present invention is shown Figure 1 A side view of an insect trap;

[0031] Figure 4 Show Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an insect trap;

[0032] Figure 5 Show Figure 1 An exemplary block diagram of an insect trap;

[0033] Figure 6 A perspective view showing an insect trap according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 7 Show Figure 6Another perspective view of an insect trap in an embodiment of ;

[0035] Figure 8 Show Figure 6 A side view of an insect trap;

[0036] Fig. 9 Show Figure 6 Relative side views of an insect trap;

[0037] Fig.10 yes Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of an insect trap; and

[0038] Fig.11 yes Figure 6 An exemplary block diagram of an insect trap. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] For example, Figure 1 1 shows an insect trap 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment, the body 10 may include a front wall 10a and a rear wall 10b. The first side wall 10c is positioned opposite to the second side wall 10d, and the first side wall and the second side wall are connected to the front wall 10a and the rear wall 10b. In an embodiment, the first side wall 10c and the second side wall 10d may be integrated into the front wall 10a and / or the rear wall 10b. In an embodiment, a seam 10e may be formed between the front wall 10a and the rear wall 10b and the portions of the side walls 10c, 10d to allow them to be separated, such as Figure 3 In an embodiment, the first side wall 10c and the second side wall 10d may be integrated into a single side wall connecting the front wall 10a and the second wall 10b, such as Figure 1 10. In an embodiment, the front wall 10a, the rear wall 10b, the first side wall 10c and the second side wall 10d may be integrated together. In an embodiment, the body 10 may be mounted in a base 12 and extend upward from the base. In an embodiment, the body 10 may be removably mounted in the base 12. The central cavity 16 is defined by the front wall 10a, the rear wall 10b, the first side wall 10c, and the second side wall 10d, which cooperate to close the top of the body 10.

[0040] In an embodiment, the front wall 10a includes one or more openings 18 to allow access to the central cavity 16. In an embodiment, the central cavity 16 includes a sticky or adhesive material. In an embodiment, the sticky or adhesive material may be applied to the inner surface of one or more of the front wall 10a, the rear wall 10b, the first side wall 10c, and the second side wall 10d. In an embodiment, the sticky or adhesive material may be applied to or impregnated in a card or plate positioned in the central cavity 16 and may be removable. In an embodiment, the opening 18 is large enough to allow insects to enter the central cavity 16. In an embodiment, the sticky or adhesive material traps insects that come into contact with it to keep the insects in place and prevent the insects from leaving the chamber 16. In an embodiment, the sticky or adhesive material may be removable or may be reapplied when needed. In an embodiment, the body 10 may be removed from the base 12 to allow the sticky or adhesive material to be applied in the chamber 16. In an embodiment, the body 10 may be removed from the base 12 to allow the card or plate including the sticky or adhesive material to be removed and replaced. In an embodiment, the front wall 10a and the rear wall 10b may be separated along the seam 10e to allow access to the cavity 16 to provide or add adhesive or bonding material.

[0041] In an embodiment, the lamp 20 may be disposed in the chamber 16. In an embodiment, the lamp 20 may be disposed at the bottom of the chamber 16. In an embodiment, the lamp 20 may be disposed in the base 12 to irradiate light into the chamber 16. In an embodiment, the lamp 20 may include one or more light emitting elements 20a, which may be configured to emit light into the chamber 16. In an embodiment, a cover or lens 22b may be disposed above the light emitting element 20a, through which light may be irradiated. In an embodiment, the cover or lens 20b may guide the light into the chamber 16. In an embodiment, the light emitting element 20a may be a light emitting diode (LED), however any suitable light emitting element may be used. In an embodiment, the light emitting element 20a may emit UV light. In an embodiment, the light emitting element 20a may emit white light. In an embodiment, the light emitting element 20a may emit light of another color.

[0042] In an embodiment, the power source 22 may be disposed in the base 12 and electrically connected to the light emitting element 20a to supply power to the light emitting element. In an embodiment, the power source 22 may be a battery. In an embodiment, the power source 22 may be a rechargeable battery. In an embodiment, a charging port 22a may be disposed in the base 12 and electrically connected to the power source 22 to recharge the power source. In an embodiment, a charging circuit may be integrated into the port 22a (e.g., see Figure 4 ), or is otherwise disposed between the port and the power source 22 to control the charging of the power source 22. In an embodiment, the power source 22 may be any suitable power source, including but not limited to a capacitor, a transformer, and the like.

[0043] In an embodiment, the input device 24 may be mounted in the base 12 and configured to provide input to control the operation of the lamp 20. In an embodiment, the input device 24 may be a switch configured to selectively supply power from the power source 22 to the light-emitting element 20a. In an embodiment, the input device 24 may be integrated with or otherwise connected to a control circuit to control the operation of the lamp 20 (including the element 20a) based on the input from the input device 24 (see, for example, Figure 5 ) of power flow. In an embodiment, the light emitting element 20a may be mounted on a circuit board 24a, which may also include a control circuit and is disposed in or on the base 12. In an embodiment, the light emitting element 20a may be operated based on a timer. In an embodiment, the light emitting element 20a may be operated based on an ambient light level detected by a light sensor, which may be operably connected to the control circuit to provide light information. An example of a light sensor is the light sensor 240 discussed below.

[0044] In an embodiment, the base 12 may include one or more legs or mounts 12a configured to mount the trap 100 in or on any desired surface.

[0045] In operation, a user may actuate the input device 24 to supply power to the light 20, causing the light emitting element 20a to illuminate and emit light to attract insects into the chamber 16. In an embodiment, the light emitting element 20a may continue to emit light until the input device 24 is actuated again. In an embodiment, after the input device 24 is actuated, the light emitting element 20a may continue to emit light for a predetermined period of time.

[0046] In an embodiment, an insect trap 200 according to another embodiment of the present application (for example, see Figure 6 ) can be plugged into a wall outlet. In an embodiment, the insect trap 200 may include a body 110, which includes an upper portion 210 and a lower portion 310. In an embodiment, the upper portion 210 may include an outwardly facing front portion 210a, which has extensions on either side and an open top and rear. In an embodiment, the lower portion 310 may include a front wall 310a, which is positioned below the front portion 210a of the upper portion 210. In an embodiment, the lower portion 310 also includes a first side wall 310b and a second side wall 310d opposite the first side wall, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall connect the front wall 310a to the rear wall 310c. In an embodiment, the bottom 310f may connect the front wall 310a, the first side wall 210b, the rear wall 310c, and the second side wall 310d, and may be configured to allow the trap 200 to be self-standing when not connected to a wall outlet. In an embodiment, the front wall 310a, the first side wall 210b, the rear wall 310c, the second side wall 310d, and the top 310f define a chamber 310e (see, for example, Fig.10 ).

[0047] In an embodiment, the rear wall 310c may include a power plug 220 (see Figure 7 and Fig.10 ), or other electrical connector suitable for connection to an outlet or other external power source. In embodiments, the power plug 220 or other connector may be rotatably mounted to move from an open position, in which the plug extends substantially perpendicularly outward from the rear wall 310c, to a closed position, in which the plug extends substantially parallel to the rear wall. In embodiments, the rear wall 310c may include a recess 220a (e.g., see Figure 7 ), in the closed position, the pins of the plug 220 can be received in the groove so that the plug is substantially flush with the surface of the rear wall in the closed position.

[0048] In an embodiment, the sticky trap holder portion 210b may be disposed in the upper portion 210 behind the front portion 210a. In an embodiment, the sticky trap holder 210b may include a groove or chamber 210c (e.g., see Figure 7 ), wherein a sticky material may be provided to trap insects. In an embodiment, the sticky material may be coated on a card or plate that may be received in chamber 210c. In an embodiment, the card or plate may be similar to the card or plate used in trap 100 discussed above. In an embodiment, the sticky or adhesive material may be similar to the above-mentioned materials. In an embodiment, the sticky trap holder portion 210b may be accessible from the open top of the front portion 210a so that the sticky material can be replaced. In an embodiment, the sticky material may be provided in a replaceable cartridge or other device. In an embodiment, the sticky trap holder portion 210b may be removably mounted behind the front portion 210a. In an embodiment, the sticky trap holder 210b may be a cartridge including a sticky material, thereby allowing the sticky material to be removed and replaced together with the cartridge. In an embodiment, the sticky or adhesive material may be provided on a card or plate that may be received in the sticky trap holder 210b and removed therewith.

[0049] In an embodiment, the rear wall 310c may include the plug housing 230 (see, e.g., Figure 7 ), the plug 220 is rotatably mounted in the plug housing. In an embodiment, the groove 220a may be at least partially disposed in the plug housing 230. In an embodiment, the plug 220 is connected to one or more contacts 220b, which may be connected to other circuit systems in the trap 200.

[0050] In an embodiment, the light sensor 240 (see, for example, Fig.10 ) may be disposed in or adjacent to the front wall 310a. In an embodiment, the lens or cover 240a (see Figure 6) may be disposed in the front wall 310a to cover the light sensor 240 while allowing light to pass through. The light sensor 240 may be used to provide light information associated with the ambient light level surrounding the trap 200.

[0051] In an embodiment, the printed circuit board 242 (see Fig.10 ) or other circuit boards may be mounted in chamber 310e. In an embodiment, lamp 260 may be mounted on the top of lower portion 310 to direct light upward toward sticky trap holder 210b. In an embodiment, lamp 260 may be similar to lamp 20 discussed above and may include one or more light emitting elements 260a. In an embodiment, light emitted by lamp 260 may be directed upward toward sticky trap holder portion 210b to attract insects toward a sticky or adhesive material. In an embodiment, a control circuit system may be disposed on or connected to a printed circuit board 242 and operably connected to lamp 260 and light sensor 240 and may control the activation of light emitting element 260a. In an embodiment, light emitting element 260a may be an LED, however, any suitable light emitting element may be used. In an embodiment, power supply 270 may be disposed on or elsewhere on printed circuit board 242 and may power lamp 260 and light sensor 240. In an embodiment, power supply 270 may be a battery, a rechargeable battery, or a capacitor. In an embodiment, the power supply 270 may be a transformer and may be operably connected to the plug 220 via, for example, the contact 220 b to provide appropriate voltages to the lamp 260 and the light sensor 240 based on the line voltage or other voltages provided via the plug 220. In an embodiment, the power supply 270 may include a transformer and a rechargeable battery or capacitor that may be charged based on a voltage provided from the line voltage via the transformer or other voltages provided via the plug 220.

[0052] In an embodiment, the first side wall 310b may include an input device 280, such as a switch that can be used to control the activation of the light 260. In an embodiment, the input device 280 may be disposed elsewhere. In an embodiment, the switch can be used to place the trap 200 in an off state, wherein the light 260 can be turned off and may not emit light. The switch can be used to place the trap 200 in an on state, wherein the light source 260 can be turned on and the light emitting element 260a can emit light to attract insects toward the sticky trap holder portion 210b and the sticky material disposed therein. In an embodiment, in a light sensing state that can also be set via the input device 280, the activation of the light 260 can be based on the light level detected by the light sensor 240.

[0053] In an embodiment, the circuit board 242 may be positioned in the lower portion 310 or elsewhere in the upper portion 210. In an embodiment, the light sensor 240 may be positioned in the lower portion 310 or elsewhere in the upper portion 210. In an embodiment, the power supply 170 may be disposed on the circuit board 242 or elsewhere in or on the lower portion 310 or the upper portion 210.

[0054] Fig.11 An exemplary block diagram of the trap 200 is shown. In an embodiment, the control circuit or circuit system may be disposed on the circuit board 242 or elsewhere and operably connected to the input device 280 to allow the user to control the trap 200. As described above, in the off state, the light 260 is off and does not emit light. In the on state, the control circuit enables the light 260 to emit light from the light emitting element 260a. In an embodiment, the power supply 270 powers the light 240 as well as the control circuit or circuit system and the light sensor 240. In the light sensing state, the light sensor 240 can provide information about the ambient light level around the trap 200, and the control circuit can enable the light source 260 when the light level drops below a threshold, and can disable the light source when the light level exceeds the threshold, as generally discussed above. In an embodiment, the input element 280 can be physically separated from the control circuit, which can be on the circuit board 242, but can be operably connected to the circuit board to provide input to the control circuit. In an embodiment, the input element 280 can be a three-position switch, however, other input elements can also be used. In an embodiment, the light source 240 may emit light for a predetermined period of time.

[0055] Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments thereof, many other variations, modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is preferred that the invention not be limited by the specific disclosure herein.

Claims

1. An insect trap, characterized in that: include: Pedestal; A main body, the main body is installed in the base, and the main body includes: anterior wall; a rear wall, the rear wall being installed opposite to the front wall; at least one side wall, the at least one side wall connecting the front wall and the rear wall; wherein the front wall, the rear wall, the at least one side wall and the base define a central chamber, and the central chamber includes an adhesive material; a light that directs light into the central chamber to attract insects into the central chamber; and A plurality of openings are formed in at least one of the front wall and the rear wall, the plurality of openings being configured to allow insects to not pass through the central cavity.

2. The insect trap according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also included is a power source mounted in the base and electrically connected to the lamp.

3. The insect trap according to claim 2, characterized in that: Also included is a recharging circuit electrically connected to the power source and configured to charge the power source.

4. The insect trap according to claim 3, characterized in that: The base includes a charging port configured to receive a plug connected to a charging cord.

5. The insect trap according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adhesive material is disposed on at least one of the front wall and the rear wall.

6. The insect trap according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also included is an input element operably connected to the light and configured to turn the light on and off.

7. The insect trap according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lamp also includes one or more light sources mounted in the base.

8. The insect trap according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also included is a lens mounted in the base to direct light from the lamp into the central chamber.

9. The insect trap according to claim 1, characterized in that: The insect trap also includes a substrate mounted in the central chamber, wherein the adhesive material is disposed on the substrate.

10. The insect trap according to claim 1, characterized in that The body is removable from the base to allow access to the central cavity.

11. An insect trap, characterized in that: include: main body, Wherein, the main body comprises a lower part and an upper part mounted on the lower part, and the lower part comprises: Chamber; a plug extending from a rear portion of the lower portion and configured to electrically connect to an electrical outlet; and a lamp mounted on a top portion of the lower portion and configured to emit light; The upper part comprises: anterior wall; A trap holder is mounted behind the front wall, the trap holder including a groove including an adhesive material, wherein light from the light emitting portion is projected toward the trap holder to attract insects to the adhesive material.

12. The insect trap according to claim 11, characterized in that The lower part comprises: anterior wall; a first side wall connected to the front wall; a second side wall, the second side wall being connected to the front wall opposite to the first side wall; a rear wall, the rear wall connecting the first side wall and the second side wall; and a bottom wall connected to the front wall, Wherein, the chamber is defined by the front wall, the first side wall, the second side wall, the rear wall and the bottom wall.

13. The insect trap according to claim 12, characterized in that Also included is a plug housing disposed in the rear wall and with the plug extending from the plug housing.

14. The insect trap according to claim 13, characterized in that The plug is pivotally attached to the plug housing to move from an extended position in which the plug extends substantially perpendicular to the rear wall to a second position in which the plug is received in a recess of the plug housing such that it is flush with the rear wall.

15. The insect trap according to claim 11, characterized in that Also included is a control circuit mounted in the chamber and connected to the lamp to control emission of light.

16. The insect trap according to claim 15, characterized in that Also included is a printed circuit board, wherein the control circuit is disposed on the printed circuit board.

17. The insect trap according to claim 16, characterized in that Also included is a power source operably connected to the control circuit and the lamp to provide power to the control circuit and the power source.

18. The insect trap according to claim 17, characterized in that Also included is a first input device connected to the control circuit and configured to receive input from a user to control the light.

19. The insect trap according to claim 18, characterized in that The first input device is a three-position switch for enabling the light, deactivating the light, and the light on a timer.

20. The insect trap according to claim 15, characterized in that Also included is a light sensor connected to the control circuit and configured to provide light information associated with a light level surrounding the insect trap, wherein the control circuit enables the light based on the light information.

21. The insect trap according to claim 15, characterized in that The control circuit enables the lamp for a predetermined period of time.

Images