Device for catching insects

Abstract

Device for capturing insects, comprising the following: - an adhesive surface (4) for capturing insects; and - a light source (2) to attract insects to the adhesive surface, - a chamber (1) having one or more holes or slots (3), wherein the light source (2) is arranged inside the chamber (1) and the adhesive surface (4) is arranged inside the chamber (1) or forms one of the inner walls of the chamber (1), characterized by the fact that the adhesive surface (4) is also reflective.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for trapping insects, which comprises an adhesive surface on which insects are trapped and a light that attracts insects to the adhesive surface. Background of the invention

[0002] There are insect trapping devices that include a light, either UV or bluish light, to attract flying insects so that they are trapped on a surface that has an adhesive.

[0003] These devices work when plugged into an electric current and feature a flat cardboard refill on which insects are trapped. Their dimensions are quite large, as they are typically intended for industrial use and use a fluorescent lamp.

[0004] There are smaller versions on the market for household use, where the device is smaller and they use a cartridge with the adhesive surface inside as a refill and a light-emitting diode (LED) to produce the attracting light.

[0005] There are also other battery-operated devices that use a transparent plastic refill through which the light diffuses and that contain an adhesive on their outer surface.

[0006] Currently known devices have several disadvantages. First, they have an adhesive surface and a light to attract and capture flying insects; they are usually very large and require a plug, which limits the locations where they can be installed.

[0007] On the other hand, devices designed for household use tend to have a rather limited adhesive surface and produce a small beam of light that is not very effective at attracting insects.

[0008] In portable devices, the light is limited to the effect of the transparent part, and captured insects are visible to the user. These devices typically feature a high-intensity light-emitting diode (LED), which requires considerable power, reducing their lifespan due to the batteries and their intensity.

[0009] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an insect trapping device wherein the light emitted by a light source is magnified and wherein the adhesive surface is located within a chamber to conceal the trapped insects. Description of the invention

[0010] The device of the invention is capable of solving the above-mentioned disadvantages and has other advantages which will be described below.

[0011] The insect trapping device according to the present invention is defined in claim 1 and comprises: - an adhesive surface for catching insects; and - a light source for attracting insects to the adhesive surface, wherein the device according to the present invention further comprises a chamber having one or more holes, wherein the light source is arranged within the chamber and the adhesive surface is arranged within the chamber or forms one of the inner walls of the chamber.

[0012] The presence of the chamber magnifies the light emitted by a light source, and since the adhesion surface is located inside the chamber, the captured insects remain hidden.

[0013] In the device for trapping insects according to the invention, the adhesive surface is also reflective.

[0014] This reflective surface makes it possible to further magnify the light emitted by the light source.

[0015] Advantageously, the adhesive surface is mounted removable in the device and is used as a refill.

[0016] If desired, such an adhesive surface can contain insect attractants such as pheromones or fragrances.

[0017] Furthermore, such an adhesive surface advantageously comprises a mounting element for its mounting to the rest of the device, such as a slot receiving a complementary projection of the device.

[0018] To improve the attraction of insects, the light source is an ultraviolet or blue light source.

[0019] According to a possible embodiment, the adhesive surface is a film provided with at least one fold line which facilitates its placement and removal from the interior of the chamber by folding two sectors defined by the fold line or lines against each other in order to avoid contact with the trapped insects when the adhesive surface is removed. Short description of the drawings

[0020] To facilitate a better understanding of the above, drawings have been attached in which a practical embodiment has been shown schematically and only as a non-limiting example. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are perspective views of the device of the present invention according to a first embodiment in the use position and with the adhesive surface partially in place, respectively; Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are perspective views of the device of the present invention according to a second embodiment, with the adhesive surface removed and placed in its use position, respectively; Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are perspective views of the device of the present invention according to a third embodiment, with the adhesive surface removed prior to its placement and placed in its use position, respectively; Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 are perspective views of the device of the present invention according to a fourth embodiment, with the adhesive surface removed prior to its placement and placed in its use position, respectively; Fig. Figure 9 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the device according to the present invention, with the adhesive surface in its use position; and Fig. Figure 10 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the device according to the present invention, with the adhesive surface in its use position. Description of a preferred embodiment

[0021] The insect trapping device according to the present invention comprises a chamber 1, inside which it houses a light source 2, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED) or any other type of light source emitting ultraviolet or blue light. The light source 2 can be powered by any suitable means, preferably by batteries.

[0022] The chamber 1 comprises at least one hole 3 which allows light to pass through and insects to enter the chamber 1.

[0023] To capture the insects, the device includes an adhesive surface 4 (with adhesive on one or both sides) that can be placed within the chamber 1 or form a wall of the chamber 1. Furthermore, the adhesive surface 4 is removably mounted within the device and can be used as a refill. Thus, once a suitable number of insects have been captured on the adhesive surface 4, it can be removed and replaced with another.

[0024] It is important to note that the adhesive surface 4 is always oriented towards the interior of the chamber 1, although it could also be a film with adhesive on both sides arranged inside the chamber, or any type of body with adhesive surfaces arranged inside the chamber 1.

[0025] To increase the magnification of the emitted light, the device further comprises a reflective surface which is the adhesive surface itself, an inner wall of the chamber which may be adhesive or non-adhesive, or another reflective surface arranged within the chamber.

[0026] Furthermore, the adhesive surface 4 can contain any type of attractant for attracting insects, e.g. pheromones or fragrances or the like.

[0027] The figures show various non-limiting embodiments which are described below.

[0028] For simplicity, all embodiments identify the same or equivalent elements with the same reference numerals.

[0029] In the first embodiment, which is shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the adhesive surface 4 forms the wall of the chamber 1 and includes a mounting element, such as a slot 5 on one side to facilitate its mounting, so that a projection 6 is received within the slot 5 to place the adhesive surface 4 in its use position.

[0030] In the second embodiment, which is shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the adhesive surface 4 comprises a pair of fold lines defining three sectors, and these sectors, in their use position, form two side walls and the ceiling of the chamber 1. Also in this embodiment, there is a mounting element for mounting the adhesive surface 4, for example a clip or projection 6, which is received in a complementary slot of the adhesive surface 4.

[0031] As in Fig. 4, in this second embodiment, two sides of the chamber 1 are free to allow the passage of light and the entry of insects.

[0032] The third embodiment, which is shown in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 is very similar to the second embodiment, except that the chamber 1 comprises two side walls without holes and two side walls with holes 3. In the fourth embodiment, shown in the Fig. 7 and Fig. As shown in Fig. 8, the chamber 1 is formed based on a casing, wherein an adhesive surface 3 is placed to close the chamber 1 except for a peripheral hole or opening forming a side wall.

[0033] If desired, the adhesive surface 3 can be printed on its outer surface, for example with designs that attract insects.

[0034] In the fifth embodiment, which is shown in Fig. 9, the adhesive surface 3 is arranged inside the chamber 1, and in the sixth embodiment shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 10, the adhesive surface 3 forms the ceiling of the chamber 1.

[0035] For simplicity, the Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 does not show the holes in the chamber, as they may be similar to one of the holes in the previous embodiments.

[0036] The operation of the device according to the present invention is very simple. Once the adhesive surface 4 is placed in its use position, the light source 2 is switched on. If the adhesive surface 4 loses efficiency due to the number of trapped insects or for any other reason, the adhesive surface 4 is removed and replaced with another one.

[0037] Although reference has been made to several specific embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the device described is subject to numerous variations and modifications and that all the details mentioned may be replaced by other technically equivalent ones without departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

[1] Device for trapping insects, comprising: - an adhesive surface (4) for catching insects; and - a light source (2) for attracting insects to the adhesive surface, - a chamber (1) having one or more holes or slots (3), wherein the light source (2) is arranged within the chamber (1) and the adhesive surface (4) is arranged within the chamber (1) or forms one of the inner walls of the chamber (1), characterized by that the adhesive surface (4) is also reflective. [2] An insect trapping device according to claim 1, further comprising a reflective surface within the chamber (1). [3] An insect trapping device according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive surface (4) is removably mounted in the device. [4] An insect trapping device according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive surface (4) comprises insect attractants. [5] An insect trapping device according to claim 4, wherein the insect attractants are pheromones or fragrances. [6] Device for trapping insects according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive surface (4) comprises a mounting element (5) for its mounting to the rest of the device. [7] An insect trapping device according to claim 6, wherein the mounting element is a slot (5) receiving a complementary projection (6) of the device. [8] An insect trapping device according to claim 1, wherein the light source (2) is a source of ultraviolet or blue light. [9] Device for trapping insects according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive surface (4) is a film provided with at least one fold line.

Images