Removable substrate for insect attracting device and insect attracting device

Abstract

The removable substrate for the insect attracting device includes a main body having a front surface and a back surface. The main body includes a grip portion having a slot and a lower portion disposed below the grip portion. The lower portion includes a holding opening, a first side portion, and a second side portion, and a gap extends between the first side portion and the second side portion. An adhesive is applied to the front surface and the back surface, and the adhesive is disposed between the grip portion and the lower portion and is surrounded by a boundary without adhesive on the front surface and the back surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to plug-in insect traps, and more specifically to a plug-in insect trap device including a light guide and an insect-catching substrate.

Background Art

[0002] Insect traps are generally used to monitor or reduce the population of insects or other arthropods by capturing individual insects and immobilizing or killing them. Many passive or non-electric insect traps use bait, visual lures, chemical attractants, and / or pheromones to attract insects and are set up to limit or reduce unintended interactions with the traps by other types of insects or animals. Active or electric insect traps can utilize visual lures such as light, bright colors, shapes, etc. to attract insects, and can also use chemical attractants and / or pheromones.

[0003] Insect traps come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and structures and can be developed for specific species of insects or targeted species of insects. For example, light traps that can be used with or without ultraviolet light attract specific species of insects. Light sources include fluorescent lamps, mercury lamps, black lights, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), etc. The design varies depending on the behavior of the targeted insects, and light traps are typically used to attract flying and terrestrial insects. Adhesive traps are sticky traps, which can be simple flat panels or enclosed structures. Adhesive traps often use a bait agent and capture insects with an adhesive substance. However, for various reasons, there may be users who do not wish to use insect traps that use chemicals or bait.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the related art, a number of active or electric insect traps are also known. An electric shock device, sometimes called a "zapper," attracts insects to an electrified killing grid via a light source. The light attracts the insects, and the charged grid knocks the insects out of the air onto a tray or the ground. Some electric shock insect traps have a removable collection chamber. However, such traps can be dangerous to other small animals, pets, or children if placed in a location accessible to them.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to have the advantages of both active and passive systems without the drawbacks of having to use chemicals and / or an electric shock killing grid. The present disclosure addresses certain drawbacks by combining a substrate commonly used in passive systems with a light source commonly used in active systems.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] According to one aspect, a removable substrate for an insect attracting device includes a body having a front surface and a back surface. The body includes a grip portion having slots and a lower portion disposed below the grip portion. The lower portion includes a holding opening, a first side, and a second side, with a gap extending between the first side and the second side. An adhesive is applied to the front and back surfaces, the adhesive is disposed between the grip portion and the lower portion, and is surrounded by a border without adhesive on the front and back surfaces.

[0007] In another aspect, the insect attracting device includes a base having a top surface, a right surface, and a left surface. The device also includes a plug extending from the rear of the base and at least one LED disposed within the base. Further, the device includes a lens extending from the base and having a lower end, the lower end of the lens being in direct optical communication with the at least one LED. A slot including openings in the top, left, and right surfaces is provided in the base between the lens and the plug. The slot is defined by parallel opposing surfaces having a width therebetween and is configured to receive a planar substrate.

[0008] In another aspect, the insect attracting device includes a housing defining a front face and a rear face, the housing including an electronic assembly having an electrical plug, a first resistor, and at least one LED. Further, the housing includes a lens and a retaining tab. Further, a substrate is disposed between the lens and the electrical plug, the substrate including first and second sides configured to span the housing and a retaining opening configured to latchably engage the retaining tab. The substrate is substantially planar.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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[0010] The present disclosure provides a solution for capturing flying insects without using pesticides. In one particular embodiment, light is directed through a front lens to attract flying insects to an insect trap device. As disclosed below, in some embodiments, blue light and UV light are emitted, and combinations thereof have been found to be an effective way to attract certain insects. Once attracted to the device, a double-sided adhesive refill captures the insects. The refill is disposable and can have an adhesive portion that is specially colored to attract certain insects in combination with UV light. The refill may include, among other advantages, a peelable feature, one or more grips for the user to hold the refill, and / or a "lock-in" function. The insect trap device described herein has been found to function well to attract and capture insects during the day when it is generally difficult to attract insects. Through testing, it was determined that the daytime efficacy may be due to one or more of the front lens characteristics, the color and / or pattern of the refill material, the use of a double-sided adhesive, and / or the inclusion of UV LEDs.

[0011] Furthermore, since the user may be motivated to use the insect trap device disclosed herein in a location different from the conventional ones for insect traps, for example, in a visible location within the home, the effectiveness of this device may be improved compared to other devices. The user may be ashamed that there are insects in their home and may not want this fact to be noticed. The device described herein has a distinct and attractive shape, including the compact shape of the housing that houses the electronic components, so that the user can freely display the insect trap within the home in the same way as a night light or a Glade (registered trademark) fragrance diffuser. Currently available light-based insect trap devices are not intended to be placed outside in the same way because such devices have the appearance of pest control products, and many of such products use electric shocks in the form of monitoring or exterminating insects.

[0012] The devices disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms, but the embodiments described in this disclosure are to be regarded as merely illustrative of the principles described herein, and this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the illustrated embodiments. With this understanding, several specific embodiments are described herein. Throughout this disclosure, the terms "about" and "approximately" mean plus or minus 5% of the numerical value that each term precedes.

[0013] Next, referring to FIGS. 1-7, an insect trap device 100 that provides a home atmosphere while continuously capturing insects is shown. This device 100 includes a base 102, a lens 104 irradiated with UV light, and a removable substrate or refill 106. A rotatable plug 108 extends outward from the back of the base 102. The device 100 is shown in an assembled inactive state in FIG. 1, but the device 100 is shown in an active state in FIG. 2, plugged into a wall socket 110 along a wall 112 and switched "on". As will be described in more detail below, the light generated by the light source within the base 102 is directed through the lens 104 towards the wall 112 surrounding the socket 110 adjacent to the device 100.

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, the base 102 includes a smooth shape having a first or front face 120, a second or right face 122, a third or left face 124, a fourth or top face 126, a fifth or bottom face 128, and a sixth or rear face 130. The front face 120 is slightly arched, and the top, bottom, left, and right faces 122, 124, 126, 128 are connected by rounded edges while defining a relatively flat or planar central face portion. The inner portion of the rear face 130 is interrupted by the plug 108. For the purposes of the present disclosure, a part of the plug 108 forms the rear face 130.

[0015] Referring particularly to FIGS. 1-4, the base 102 defines a shape similar to an elongated, rounded square. However, the base 102 may have cross-sections of various shapes. Therefore, the base 102 may define overall dimensions including substantially the same length, width, and height. The specific dimensions of the base 102 may be similar, but the ends of the base 102 may have various shapes or characteristics. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-7, the base 102 includes a first or trailing edge 132 that defines a sharp rear face 130, a second or inner edge 134 that partially defines the rounded top, bottom, left, and right faces 122, 124, 126, 128, and a third or leading edge 136 that defines the chamfered or chamfered front face 120. The embodiments of FIGS. 1-7 include three different types of edges, but the base 102 may be defined by one type of edge, or by two types of edges, or by three or more types of edges, such as chamfered edges, angled edges, rounded edges, sharp edges, etc. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-7, the base 102 defines a generally rounded cubic shape consisting of 12 edges, 4 of which are the first edge 132, 4 of which are the second edge 134, and 4 of which are the third edge 136. The number and type of edges may vary in alternative embodiments.

[0016] Referring specifically to FIG. 4, lens 104 is shown spaced from refill 106. A first distance D1 separates lens 104 and refill 106. The first distance D1 may be between about 5 mm and about 50 mm, or between about 10 mm and about 40 mm, or between about 15 mm and about 30 mm, or about 20 mm. Lens 104 and / or refill 106 may include various shapes, and it is contemplated that the distance D1 is measured from the maximum straight-line distance between the inner surface of lens 104 and the front surface 140 of refill 106. In another embodiment, the distance is measured between the inner and outer surfaces from the upper ends of lens 104 and refill 106, respectively.

[0017] The rear surface 130 of base 102 and refill 106 are also spaced such that a second distance D2 separates rear surface 130 and refill 106. The second distance D2 is measured from the maximum straight-line distance between the rear surface 142 of refill 106 and an axis A extending perpendicularly from the outermost point along the rear surface 130 of base 102. In another embodiment, the second distance D2 is measured between the rear surface 142 of refill 106 and the wall 112 into which device 100 is inserted. The second distance D2 may be between about 5 mm and about 50 mm, or between about 10 mm and about 40 mm, or between about 15 mm and about 30 mm, or about 20 mm.

[0018] Referring back to FIGS. 1-7, the refill 106 includes an intentional focal point that serves to guide the consumer through the interaction of the product. The refill 106 includes a first or front face 140, a second or back face 142, and an adhesive coating 144 along the front face 140 and the back face 142. In some embodiments, the adhesive coatings 144 are identical to each other or are mirror images. In some embodiments, the adhesive coatings 144 have different configurations. Referring specifically to FIGS. 11 and 12 showing a first refill 106A and a second refill 106B, the refill 106 includes a base or lower portion 146, an inner portion 148, and an upper portion 150. The lower portion 146, the inner portion 148, and the upper portion 150 collectively include the body of the refill 106. The lower portion 146, the inner portion 148, and the upper portion 150 each include one-third (1 / 3) of the total height H of the refill 106.

[0019] A grip 152 is disposed along the upper portion 150 of the refill 106. A portion of the front face 140 and the back face 142 define the grip 152. The grip 152 may define a semi-circular shape or other shape. In some embodiments, the grip 152 includes a wider portion along the upper portion 150 without adhesive. The inner portion 148 is disposed between or intermediate the lower portion 146 and the upper portion 150 of the refill 106. The lower portion 146 of the refill 106A includes a refill retaining mechanism or tab 154. The second refill 106B does not include the retaining mechanism 154. The refill retaining mechanism 154 can be removably engaged with the base 102 such that insects attracted to the light emitted from the plurality of LEDs are captured by the adhesive coating 144. Optionally, the used refill 106 can be removed and discarded and replaced with a new refill 106.

[0020] The refill 106 includes plastic, cardboard, or other disposable materials. In one embodiment, the refill 106 may be formed from crepe paper, printer paper, A4 paper, and / or other cellulosic materials. Additional examples of materials contemplated for the refill 106 include plastics, polymers, fabrics, nonwoven substrates such as PET nonwoven substrates, and / or combinations thereof. Further, the refill 106 can include a combination of manufacturing materials, natural materials, and / or recycled or reclaimed materials. As described above, the tab 154 may be received in the refill slot 156 of the base 102 to secure the refill 106 before active use of the device 100 is initiated.

[0021] In some embodiments, the refill 106 may be a first refill, and the refill 106 may further include a second refill. In some embodiments, the first refill may be made of or incorporate one material, and the second refill may be made of or incorporate a different material such that the first and second refills are made of materials that are partially or wholly different. In some embodiments, the refill 106 may include one and / or two substrate layers. In other embodiments, the refill 106 may include three, four, five, six, or more substrate layers. In some embodiments, a second refill (see FIG. 19A) and / or a third refill (not shown) may be attachable via an additional refill slot (not shown) in the housing. In some embodiments, the first refill and the second refill may be the same.

[0022] Additional criteria that may be relevant when selecting the material for the refill 106 include optimizing the thickness or diameter of the refill 106. For example, the refill 106 may be about 0.15 millimeters (mm), or about 0.2 mm, or about 0.3 mm, or about 0.4 mm, or about 0.5 mm, or about 0.6 mm, or about 0.7 mm, or about 0.8 mm, or about 0.9 mm, or about 1.0 mm, or about 1.1 mm, or about 1.2 mm, or about 1.3 mm, or about 1.4 mm, or about 1.5 mm, or about 1.6 mm, or about 1.7 mm, or about 1.8 mm, or about 1.9 mm, or about 2.0 mm, or about 3.0 mm, or about 5.0 mm. The stiffness or rigidity of the refill 106 can be a further criterion to consider when selecting the material forming the refill 106. Appropriate stiffness can assist in the appearance and stability of the refill 106 by reducing the amount of curling of the refill 106 over time when impregnated with the composition and / or when exposed to high humidity conditions. Similarly, in one embodiment, it is preferred to use a refill material that has sufficient rigidity such that the refill 106 substantially maintains its shape or form when assembled within the device 100 and / or during use.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 7, lens 104 includes a first or front lens surface 160, a second or rear lens surface 162, a third or side surface 164, and a fourth or chamfered surface 166. As will be described later, the shape of lens 104, particularly surfaces 160, 162, 164, 166 of lens 104, creates an illumination effect that draws insects towards device 100 for capture. The front lens surface 160 of lens 104 is generally arcuate or concave. The chamfered surface 166 surrounds and extends from the front surface 160. The chamfered surface 166 joins the side surface 164. The side surface 164 extends from the rear surface 162 to the chamfered surface 166. Both the front surface 160 and the rear surface 162 are generally continuous surfaces. The front surface 160 consists of a semi-glossy texture, and the rear surface 162 consists of a matte texture. Referring particularly to FIGS. 6 and 7, the corners 168 of lens 104 are generally rounded, but the corners 168 may also be sharp or may include additional features. In some embodiments, lens 104 includes five, or six, or seven, or eight, or nine, or ten corners.

[0024] The front surface 160 and the rear surface 162 of lens 104 may be provided with specific visual features, such as frosting or adding a texture thereto, to help shield refill 106 from the field of view to prevent the user from seeing insects disposed along refill 106. Lens 104 can have a wide variety of finishes along its front lens surface 160 and / or rear lens surface 162. In some embodiments, the front lens surface 160 may have a finish of MT11000, and the rear lens surface 162 may have a matte texture of MT11030. The front lens surface 160 may have a medium semi-glossy texture, and the rear lens surface 162 may have a matte texture. Additional features that affect the dispersion of light can also be added to or disposed within lens 104.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the refill slot 156 is shown in more detail and is disposed along the base 102. The refill slot 156 includes a chamfered slot edge 170 that defines an opening 172 into which the refill 106 can be inserted. The refill slot 156 defines openings in the upper surface 126, the right surface 122, and the left surface 124, thereby enabling the refill 106 to be inserted into the slot through the opening in the upper surface 126 and further enabling at least a portion of the lower portion 146 to extend laterally outward through the openings in the right and left surfaces 122, 124 of the slot 156. The chamfered slot edge 170 that defines the opening 172 guides the placement of the refill 106 into the slot 156 and helps to achieve a finally locked or fixed configuration. In some embodiments, a slit (not shown) in the refill 106 can be aligned with a rib (not shown) on the base 102 to assist in aligning the refill 106 for insertion. The slit can be located centrally within the lower portion 146 of the refill 106. In some embodiments, a detent (not shown) disposed along the lower portion 146 of the refill 106 can engage a feature or retention mechanism within the base 102 to provide a tactile feedback or an audible click and help to secure the refill 106 to the base 102.

[0026] Still referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the base 102 can include one or more legs 174 that upright the base 102 as needed. That is, the plurality of stabilizing legs 174 provide stability to the insect trap device 100 when the device 100 is stationary on a flat surface. The insect trap device 100 can include more or fewer stabilizing legs 174 depending on the intended use of the insect trap device 100. Additional stabilizing features can be provided along the base 102 and can be used to hold the base in a particular configuration such as upright. In some embodiments, additional features can extend from other surfaces of the base 102 and can help to stabilize or hold the base 102 in a desired configuration.

[0027] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 8 and 9, plug 108 is shown in more detail. Plug 108 is shown in a horizontal configuration (FIG. 8) and a vertical configuration (FIG. 9). Since plug 108 is rotatable, the electrical prong 176 extending from plug 108 is rotatable from the vertical configuration to the horizontal configuration. Plug 108 may be removable in some embodiments. Plug 108 is electrically coupled to electrical components disposed within base 102. Plug 108 may be a 360° rotating plug that allows for a full rotation of insect trap device 100 when plug 108 is inserted into wall 112. Plug 108 includes electrical prong 176 and may include a variety of electrical prong configurations based on outlet configurations in different countries or jurisdictions. Referring to FIG. 10, plug 108 is electrically coupled to at least one resistor 180. A printed circuit board (PCB) 182 is also coupled to resistor 180 and one or both of rotatable plug 108. A plurality of light sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) 184, are disposed along PCB 182. Although a plurality of LEDs 184 are referred to in the present disclosure, alternative light sources, such as incandescent bulbs, or other types of illumination light sources known to those skilled in the art may be utilized. Additionally, different types of light sources that generate light having a variety of wavelengths may be utilized. For example, although a particular color is described herein, many different colors of light emitting light having a variety of wavelengths are contemplated.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 10, lens 104 is shown disassembled from base 102. Lens 104 further includes a cutout portion 190 that defines a fifth or inner surface 192 of lens 104. Inner surface 192 can have angled or rounded portions to assist lens 104 in functioning as a waveguide, as described below. The inner corner 194 of inner surface 192 is generally rounded. Inner surface 192 includes an upper inner surface 196 that directly optically communicates with a plurality of LEDs 184. Upper inner surface 196 may be rounded or recessed to assist lens 104 in functioning as a waveguide. The plurality of LEDs 184 are arranged along PCB 182, and PCB 182 is sized and shaped to conform along platform 198 (see FIGS. 20 and 21) within base 102. Lens 104 may have an alternative configuration that allows lens 104 to disperse light with respect to the wall into which device 100 is inserted, or may have an alternative configuration that allows lens 104 to disperse light in another way, as discussed in more detail below.

[0029] Referring still to FIG. 10, the base 102 includes a lower housing 200 and an upper housing 202 that is separate from the lower housing 200. The lower housing 200 defines the front face 120 of the base 102 and generally forms a well 204, while the upper housing 202 defines a refill slot 156 for receiving the refill 106. The upper housing 202 and the lower housing 200 can be fixed by snap fitting, interference fitting, magnets, adhesives, ultrasonic welding, screws, rivets, or other joining methods known to those skilled in the art. The upper housing 202 includes a plurality of posts 206 that extend downward from the upper housing 202 so as to engage a plurality of post receiving members 208 disposed along the lower housing 200. The post receiving members 208 are cylindrical and include a circular bore 210 that can receive the posts 206 extending downward from the upper housing 202. A fitting ledge 212 along the upper housing 202 is configured to be received by a complementary ledge 214 disposed along the periphery of the lower housing 200. The upper housing 202 and the lower housing 200 are configured to be permanently or semi - permanently attached to each other when all internal components are assembled within the base 102.

[0030] Referring still to FIG. 10, the upper housing 202 includes one or more retaining mechanisms such as a hasp, latch, clip, rail, slot, catch, pin, fastener, and / or combinations thereof that extend from the underside of the upper housing. That is, the one or more retaining mechanisms may be formed to retain one or both of the refill 106 and the lens 104, as will be described later. The plurality of LEDs 184 are disposed along a PCB 182 that is disposed adjacent to the lower housing 200. The LEDs 184 are directed toward the waveguide inlet to the lens 104, as will be described in more detail later. The resistor 180 may be one of a plurality of resistors and is disposed within the base 102. The lens 104 that functions as a waveguide is disposed between and adjacent to the upper housing 202 and the lower housing 200.

[0031] As described above, the lens 104 can function as an optical waveguide. When attached near the front surface of the base 102, the lens 104 surrounds the slot 156 of the lower housing 200 and extends through a portion thereof. In the state where the lens 104 is attached in this way, the hook-shaped tab 216 on the lens 104 overlaps the LED 184 and captures the light for transmission outside the base 102. The hook-shaped tab 216 is partially defined by the upper inner surface 196. As described above, the upper inner surface 196 functions as a waveguide coupling surface. The waveguide is used to mix and / or direct the light emitted by one or more light sources such as one or more LEDs 184. A typical optical waveguide includes three main components: 1) one or more coupling surfaces or elements, 2) one or more distribution elements, and 3) one or more extraction elements. In the present embodiment, referring to FIG. 10, the coupling component is the upper inner surface 196 of the lens 104. When light is incident on the upper inner surface 196, the light can be directed toward the distribution element, which is in this case the body 220 of the lens 104. The chamfered surface 166, the side surface 164, the front surface 160, and / or the back surface 162 can function as extraction elements. Depending on the desired emission of light from the lens 104, the surface of the lens 104 can be adjusted to cause different refraction, reflection, total internal reflection, and surface or volume scattering, and the distribution of the light incident on the lens 104 by the LED 184 can be controlled through the upper inner surface 196. In a preferred embodiment, the light emitted by the LED 184 is refracted by the chamfered surface 166 toward the wall 112 to which the device 100 is electrically coupled.

[0032] For the extraction element to remove light from the waveguide, the light must first contact the features that make up the element. By shaping the waveguide surface, the flow of light across the extraction feature can be controlled, and thus both the location where the light is emitted and the angular distribution of the emitted light can be affected. In the present disclosure, the lens 104 includes a chamfered surface 166, which is configured to refract light toward the refill 106 and thus the wall 112. Through testing, it has been found that when using the chamfered lens surface 166 to refract light toward the wall 112, the chamfered surface 166 directs the light toward the wall 112, increasing and encouraging insects to come toward the refill 106. In certain embodiments, during testing of the device 100, it has been found that substantially more insects become immobilized along the back surface 142 of the refill 106, which may be caused, at least in part, by the light dispersed along the wall 112. In some embodiments, the chamfered surface 166 may be angled between about 20 degrees and about 70 degrees, or between about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees, or between about 40 degrees and about 50 degrees, or about 45 degrees.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 14, a first retaining mechanism 222 (FIG. 10) and a second retaining mechanism 224 (FIG. 14) are shown, which are respectively disposed along the upper housing 202 of the base 102. The first retaining mechanism 222 holds the lens 104, and the second retaining mechanism 224 holds the refill 106. The first and second retaining mechanisms 222, 224 may be one of the retaining mechanisms listed above. The first retaining mechanism 222 permanently holds the lens 104 in place, and the second retaining mechanism 224 enables the refill 106 to be removed and replaced with another refill. The first and second retaining mechanisms 222, 224 can be integrally molded or formed with the upper housing 202. In some embodiments, one or both of the retaining mechanisms 222, 224 may be provided along the lower housing 200.

[0034] In this embodiment, referring to FIG. 10, the first retaining mechanism 222 includes a rail 226 that is received within a slot 228 defined by the hook-shaped tab 216 of the lens 104. In the assembled state, the rail 226 is disposed within the slot 156 (see FIG. 20) to secure the lens 104 in a predetermined position during the assembly of the device 100. Referring to FIG. 14, the second retaining mechanism 224 includes a refill retaining mechanism 154, i.e., a latch that receives a tab, when the refill 106 is laterally inserted into a predetermined position within the refill slot 156 of the upper housing 202.

[0035] Referring again to FIG. 10, the base 102 and the rotatable plug 108 are shown in exploded view, and the plug 108 includes an electrical prong 176 that is insertable into a power source, i.e., the socket 110 of FIG. 2. When the lens 104 is in an operable state, the LED 184 can be illuminated to irradiate the lens 104 with light and redirect the light outside of the base 102. The lens 104 is at least partially transparent, but as described above, it may be finished, such as being matte, along one or more surfaces. In some cases, the lens 104 may be considered translucent. When the LED 184 is illuminated, light is radiated from all sides of the lens 104 to the outside of the base 102. As will be described later, certain lighting configurations may be beneficial or may facilitate the capture of insects. The device 100 can include an external switch (not shown) for selectively turning on the LED 184 and / or the resistor 180.

[0036] Next, referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the first refill 106A and the second refill 106B are shown in detail. The refill 106 described herein can be substituted with either the first refill 106A or the second refill 106B. In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may include a second refill slot (not shown) that can receive a second refill that is the same as or different from the first refill 106A or the second refill 106B. Certain features are common between the first refill 106A and the second refill 106B. For example, an adhesive is included within an adhesive coating portion 144 along both its front side 140 and back side 142. The adhesive coating portion 144 covers a portion of the front side 140 and a portion of the back side 142 of the refill 106. The outer peripheral portions 230 of both the first refill 106A and the second refill 106B do not contain adhesive. Rather, the portion outside the adhesive coating portion 144 can assist the user in gripping the refill 106 for removal. A peelable film or release film 232 (see FIGS. 13 and 15) initially protects the adhesive coating portion 144 and prevents objects or dust from adhering thereto prior to use of the film 232.

[0037] The first and second refills 106A, 106B are rigid and do not warp. Each of the refills 106A, 106B can include a grip region 152 and can include features that enable it to "seat" in a positive way that provides tactile feedback to the user that the refill 106A, 106B makes a clicking sound or that the refill is in a predetermined position. The refills 106A, 106B are formed to be aligned with respect to the lens 104 and kept vertical and parallel. The release film 232 can include branding or other types of information transmitted along its outer surface 234. Further, a release region 236 may be disposed at the lower end of the refills 106A, 106B, and the user may be forced to remove the release film 232 in order to insert one of the refills 106A, 106B into the base 102. Referring to FIG. 13, a release window 238 may be included along the release film 232. The window 238 may be provided to allow a protrusion or tab (such as tab 154) extending from the refill 106 to be disposed therein. Alternative or additional features may be added to the release film 232. The refill 106 can be removed from the base 102 and discarded as needed, including after the adhesive coating 144 is covered with insects. A new refill 106 can be attached to the base 102 to continue using the device 100. The release film 232 is preferably attached to both the front side 140 and the rear side 142 of the refill 106. However, it may be attached to only one of the front side 140 or the rear side 142.

[0038] With particular reference to FIG. 11, a tab 154 is provided along the bottom 146 of the first refill 106A. A second tab (not shown) may be provided along the opposing side such that there are two tabs extending from the refill 106 to allow the refill 106 to be locked in place within the base 102. The second refill 106B shown in FIG. 12 does not include a tab 154, and therefore the second refill 106B does not include a retention mechanism. However, the absence of a retention mechanism does not prevent the second refill 106 from being held in place within the base 102. Rather, alignment features within the base 102 may hold the second refill 106 in place within the refill slot 156 after the second refill 106 is inserted therein. One particular alignment feature may be a rail (not shown) within the base 102 that may be received within a slit (not shown) within the bottom 146 of the refill 106, which may aid in aligning the refill within the refill slot 156. In some embodiments, the slit in the lower portion 146 of the refill 106 may be centrally located. In some embodiments, multiple slits are included in the lower portion 146 of the refill 106.

[0039] In some embodiments, a frangible portion (not shown) is included along the refill 106 to aid in removal of the release film 232. To that end, a flexible portion may be bonded to the release film 232. The release film 232 may comprise a variety of known materials, including, for example, one or more of a polyester layer, a low density polyethylene layer, an aluminum foil layer, a polypropylene layer, and a low density polyethylene layer. Alternatively, the release film 232 may be replaced with other cover mechanisms, such as a hard cover, so long as it can be peeled or opened without damaging the adhesive. Such alternative covers may simply be removable or may be configured to slide to one side, hinge, or otherwise be openable or even reclosable.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 13 to 16, to attach and use the refill 106, the release film 232 is removed to expose the adhesives provided on the front and back surfaces 140, 142 of the refill 106. Next, the user grasps the grip portion 152 of the refill 106 and inserts the refill 106 into the refill slot 156 of the upper housing 202 of the base 102. Since the refill 106 has the same shape and size as the lens 104, the refill is substantially invisible when viewed from the front. Since the adhesive-free boundary 230 surrounds the bonding portion 144 and the grip region 152 is along the upper portion 150 of the refill 106, the user can attach and remove the refill 106 without touching the adhesive or trapped insects.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, to engage firmly with the base 102, the first refill 106A includes an inverted "saddle" shape having opposing side portions or legs 240 that straddle the base 102. Adhesive may be applied to the side portions 240. The side portions 240 are mirror images of each other, but the side portions 240 may be asymmetric. Tabs 154, which may be considered protrusions or bosses, are disposed along the base or lower portion 146 of the refill within the adhesive-free region. The lowermost ends of the legs 240 are disposed below the tabs 154. The lower portion 146 of the first refill 106A is inserted into the refill slot 156 such that the tabs 154 snap engage with either of two support portions 242 inside the upper portion 150 of the base 102. The first refill 106A may be configured to be inserted in either direction such that the tabs 154 snap engage with either of two support portions 242 along the upper housing 202. Thus, when the first refill 106A is mounted in the refill slot 156, the legs 240 extend along the opposing side surfaces of the base 102. In some embodiments, the tabs 154 are disposed along both sides of the first refill 106A, and the support portions 242 within the base 102 receive both of the tabs 154. The first refill 106A can be disengaged from the base 102 by pressing a button (not shown), sliding the first refill 106A in a direction that causes disengagement, or applying force to the first refill 106A to release it.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, to engage securely with the base 102, the second refill 106B also includes an inverted "saddle" shape having opposing side portions or legs 240. The lower portion 146 of the second refill 106B is inserted into the refill slot 156 such that the lower portion 146 of the second refill 106B is securely positioned within the refill slot 156. The second refill 106B may also be configured to be inserted in either direction. In some embodiments, additional features may be provided along the lower portion 146 of the second refill 106B to assist in alignment or retention with the base 102. The second refill 106B can also be disengaged from the base 102 by pressing a button (not shown), sliding the second refill 106B in a direction that causes disengagement, or applying force to the second refill 106B to remove it from the refill slot 156.

[0043] Also contemplated is that variations may be desirable depending on the intended functionality of the insect trap device 100 and the user's preferences. Variations assumed in the refill type may allow the refill to be insect-specific. For example, certain colors, patterns, and / or features may desirably be arranged along a portion of the refill 106 having an adhesive to assist in attracting a particular type of insect. Indeed, many modifications are expected to be made to allow the user to select a desired refill 106 for the insect trap device 100 and the intended area of use, such as seasonal offerings or offerings of multiple designs, to provide the user with variations during use of a single insect trap device 100. While such variations are expected, the base 102 can include an attraction patch or mini-container for common insect types and specific insect types.

[0044] Next, referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, cross-sectional views of the apparatus 100 taken through lines 17-17 and 18-18 of FIG. 6 are shown. The base 102 is generally hollow and includes a flange 252 that extends upward from the lower housing 200. The flange 252 is integral with the lower housing 200 and may be included for structural or manufacturing considerations. In some embodiments, additional flanges may extend from the lower housing 200 and / or the upper housing 202. Referring particularly to FIG. 20, a side cross-sectional view is shown. The lens 104 is shown coupled to the first retaining mechanism 222. The circuit board 182 and the plurality of LEDs 184 are shown in optical communication such that when the LEDs 184 are turned on, light shines through the lens 104. The circuit board 182 is shown resting on a platform 198 formed by the wall 112 of the base 102. The first and second resistors 180 are adjacent to and shown along the upper housing 202. As described above, in some embodiments, only one of the resistors 180 may be included. In other embodiments, three, or four, or five, or six, or seven, or eight resistors may be included. The refill 106 is also shown disposed within the refill slot 156.

[0045] Next, referring to FIG. 18, a rear cross-sectional view showing the optical coupling portions of the circuit board 182, the plurality of LEDs 184, and the lens 104 is shown. The second resistor 180 is also shown and is disposed along the upper housing 202. The engagement between the lower housing 200 and the upper housing 202 is also shown in more detail. Although no additional functions are depicted within the housing, it is contemplated that one or more additional electronic components such as a receiver, a controller, a processor, another printed circuit board (PCB), one or more batteries, one or more microphones, one or more capacitors, resistors, transistors, logic circuits, or other electronic components may be included within the housing.

[0046] In some embodiments, the first resistor 180 can generate heat that may further attract insects to the insect trap 100. For example, the illustrated resistor can generate heat up to about 40°C, or about 45°C, or about 50°C, or about 55°C. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat dissipated by the first resistor 180 can increase the temperature between the substrate and the lens by about 10°C greater than the maximum temperature between the substrate and the back surface.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 19A and 19B, a heat map of an alternative embodiment of the device 100 is shown that depicts heat patterns that vary depending on the location of one or more resistors 180. One or more resistors, such as resistor 180, may be disposed along various locations within the base 102 to heat the base 102 near the refill 106 as an additional attractant for insects. Referring particularly to FIG. 19A, the resistor 180 is included along the lower housing 200 of the base 102. When coupled to the lower housing 200, the heat map emitted by the resistor 180 is shown to be most prominent along the lower housing 200. The lighter portions of the heat map indicate warmer regions that do not extend far along most of the refill 106 or the lens 104. In the embodiment of FIG. 19A, a second refill 106 is shown, further indicating that the heat does not reach far along the second refill 106.

[0048] The heat maps provided in FIGS. 19A and 19B show simulations indicating how optimization of the target temperature window is achieved based on the placement of one or more heat sources. Through testing and analysis, it was determined that adjusting the position and strength of the heat sources changes the natural convection pattern, thereby causing the warmed air to carry heat to the front 140 and back 142 of the refill 106. In alternative embodiments, heat dissipation can be altered by adjusting the shape of the base 102, for example, by adding vents or adjusting the curvature along the surfaces 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, which affects the position of the natural convection plume of warm air rising from the base 120 of the apparatus 100 to heat the refill surfaces 140, 142.

[0049] Referring now to FIG. 19B, the resistor 180 is provided along the upper housing 202 of the base 102. The refill 106 of FIG. 19B includes a lighter, i.e., warmer, portion that extends along substantially more of the refill 106 than the refill 106 of FIG. 19A. Further, FIG. 19B shows an alternative embodiment of the design that includes vents 250 along the upper housing 202 and the lower housing 200, allowing heat to exit the base 102 through the vents 250 due to the chimney effect. The heat map signature of FIG. 19B was found to attract more insects to the device and allow for an optimized airflow via heat convection and conduction for attracting insects. Further, during testing, by placing the resistor 180 along the rear of the refill 106 towards the rotatable plug 108, the vicinity adjacent to the wall 112 can be heated to attract more insects to this location, i.e., the back 142 of the refill 106. By including the resistor 180 along various portions of the base 102, various effects can be enabled or optimized based on the types of insects attracted to the device 100.

[0050] The configuration shown in FIG. 19B achieves a heat plume that encompasses a larger volume of the space surrounding refill 106 than the configuration shown in FIG. 19A. In another simulation (not shown), it was found that by including two resistors 180 along the side surface of base 102, a heat plume is achieved that encompasses a space with a larger volume of refill 106 than the configuration shown in FIG. 19B. It was determined that the key to optimizing the region within the target temperature range is to control the natural convection plume emitted from base 102. For example, further optimization of FIG. 19B can include adjusting the area of each vent such that the convection plume evenly heats refill 102.

[0051] Referring now to the graph of FIG. 20, the results of a number of efficacy tests regarding mosquito capture were conducted. The tests were controlled using mosquitoes and were performed using a test apparatus similar to apparatus 100. The individual tests differed with respect to the characteristics of the refills utilized during the tests, e.g., color and pattern design. Otherwise, the adhesive materials used were the same among the refills tested. In each test, the test apparatus was plugged into an outlet within the chamber and 30 mosquitoes were released into the chamber. Two hours after the introduction of the insects, the number of insects captured in the test sample was counted. Further, six hours after the introduction of the insects and 24 hours after the introduction of the insects, the number of insects captured in the test sample was counted.

[0052] As is evident from the test results, the color / pattern designs of the blue granite and fly box showed higher effectiveness than other materials. The Blue Luma refill was colored with Pantone® 310, the Blue Granite refill included dots colored with Pantone® 2142, 291, 298, and black, the Fly Box refill was patterned with Pantone 2030 and black, the Black refill was colored black, and the White refill was colored white. As shown in the graph of FIG. 20, the blue granite-colored refill achieved a higher capture rate at 2 hours and 6 hours, and the fly box pattern achieved a higher capture rate at 24 hours. The remaining colors (Blue Luma, black, and white) achieved a lower percentage of capture rates than the blue granite and fly box refills, but in many cases, the differences in effectiveness were not statistically significant. The blue granite refill showed the highest capture rate at 2 hours (16%) and 6 hours (20%), and the fly box pattern showed the highest capture rate at 24 hours (35%). Thus, as a result of the test, it became clear that the adhesive boards of the blue granite and fly box are preferred colors / patterns for use along the refill 106 of the apparatus 100 to increase mosquito capture.

[0053] Now that the individual components and assembly of the insect trap apparatus 100 have been described, their relationships and the operation of the insect trap apparatus 100 will be explained. Prior to use, the insect trap apparatus 100 is preferably provided to the user in a sealed container (not shown) such as a bag, box, or other package. When the user desires to use the insect trap apparatus 100, the user opens the container and removes the insect trap apparatus 100 therefrom. In some embodiments, the user needs to attach the lens 104 to the base 102, although it is also conceivable that the lens 104 is pre-assembled to the base 102.

[0054] Next, the user removes the packaging from around the refill 106. Thereafter, if a peel start portion is provided, the user grasps the peel start portion and removes the peel cover 232 from the refill 106. At this point, the refill 106 is in a usable state and is ready to be inserted into the insect trap device 100. The user can slide the refill 106 into the refill slot 156 of the base 102. The insect trap device 100 can now be characterized as being in an operable state. In such an operable state, the user can insert the rotatable plug 108 into the wall socket 110. A switch (not shown) may be provided along the base 102, whereby the user can operate the power supplied to the device 100. In some embodiments, there is no switch and the device 100 has a single operating state of "on", which becomes effective when the device is plugged in. Once the power of the device 100 is turned on, the LED 184 lights up, and the light is refracted through the lens 104 and shines along the wall 112 adjacent to the wall socket 110.

[0055] Once the power of the device 100 is turned on, the insect trap device 100 can operate on its own and attract and capture insects along the refill 106 towards the device 100. In a preferred embodiment, the refill 106 retains sufficient adhesiveness to entrap insects for about six months, or about 180 days. In some embodiments, the refill 106 has sufficient adhesiveness to confine insects between about 40 days and about 280 days, or between about 80 days and about 240 days, or between about 120 days and about 200 days. In some embodiments, the refill 106 can be used between about 3 days and about 60 days, or between about 7 days and about 30 days, or between about 10 days and about 20 days, or for about 14 days.

[0056] Next, referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, in some embodiments, the base can include additional retaining features for holding a refill inserted into a slot of the base and preventing displacement of the refill in the vertical or horizontal direction. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the refill slot 156 of the base 102 can include projecting ribs 262 that extend in an elongate direction along parallel opposing surfaces 263A, 263B that define the refill slot 156, and the projecting ribs 262 can project into the refill slot 156. When the refill 106 is inserted into the slot 156, the projecting ribs 262 can engage the surface of the lower portion 146 of the refill 106. This engagement can bias opposite sides of the refill 106 against respective surfaces 263A, 263B that face a particular projecting rib 262, and as a result, the refill 106 can be fixed in a predetermined position. The engagement between the projecting ribs 262 and the refill 106 also tends to create a friction fit that prevents displacement of the refill 106 relative to the slot 156. In the illustrated embodiment, both parallel opposing surfaces 263A, 263B of the refill slot 156 include two projecting ribs 262. In other embodiments, each surface 263A, 263B of the refill slot 156 can include only a single projecting rib 262 or can include more than two projecting ribs 262. In some embodiments, the projecting ribs 262 can be provided on only a single surface 263A, 263B of the refill slot 156. In other embodiments, the projecting ribs can be disposed on raised surfaces (not shown) of opposing surfaces 263A, 263B that themselves extend into the refill slot 156.

[0057] In one embodiment, the protruding rib 262 extends into the refill slot 126 up to the midpoint of the refill slot 156. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the X, Y, and Z directions can be defined with respect to the insect trap device 100. The Z direction is the height direction and is perpendicular to the upper surface 126. The X direction is the lateral direction and is perpendicular to the right surface 122. The Y axis is perpendicular to the surfaces 263A, 263B. According to some embodiments, the distance between the surfaces 263A, 263B is about 1.75 mm, or about 2 mm, or about 2.15 mm, or about 2.5 mm, and the rib protrudes about 0.5 mm, or about 0.75 mm, or about 1 mm, or about 1.15 mm into the slot 156. The protruding ribs 262 can extend in the Z direction along each of the surfaces 263A, 263B and can further extend into the refill slot 156 in the Y direction. Each of the protruding ribs 262 can be spaced apart from another protruding rib 262 in the X direction along each of the surfaces 263A, 263B. In some embodiments, a protruding rib 262 on one of the surfaces 263A, 263B can extend further into the slot 156 in the Y direction than a protruding rib 262 on the other surface 263A, 263B. In other embodiments, the distance that the protruding rib 262 extends into the slot 156 in the Y direction (e.g., the depth of the protruding rib 262) varies along the Z direction of the rib 262, and the first end of the rib 262 extends further into the refill slot 156 in the Y direction. In some embodiments, the protruding ribs 262 on one of the surfaces 263A, 263B can be equally spaced along the width of the refill slot 156 as defined between the right surface 122 and the left surface 124. For example, the first of the protruding ribs 262 can be spaced apart in the X direction by about one-third of the total distance between the left surface 122 and the right surface 122 from the left surface 122, and correspondingly, the second of the protruding ribs 262 can be spaced apart in the X direction by about one-third of the distance between the right surface 122 and the left surface 124 from the right surface 122. In some embodiments, the protruding rib 262 on the surface 263A can be laterally offset from the protruding rib on the surface 263B.

[0058] Referring still to FIGS. 20 and 21, the protruding ribs 262 within the refill slot 156 can be laterally offset from each other in the X direction along the surfaces 263A, 263B. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the protruding rib on the first surface 263A of the refill slot can be disposed closer to the lateral center of the refill slot than the protruding rib on the opposite surface 263B. This arrangement causes the lower portion 146 of the refill 106 to flex once inserted, thereby increasing the force of the rib 262 against the refill 106 and thus further securing the refill 106 by increasing the friction against removal.

[0059] Additional retaining features can also be provided within the base refill slot to retain the refill therein. As illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22, retaining tabs 260 can be provided within the refill slot 156. The illustrated retaining tabs 260 extend into the refill slot 156 from the surface 263B. In other embodiments, the retaining tabs 260 can alternatively project from a surface position on the opposite surface of the refill slot, e.g., a surface position near the back surface 130 of the base 102. In some embodiments, the retaining tabs 260 are located centrally within the refill slot 156. When the refill 106 is inserted into the refill slot 156, the retaining tabs 260 engage the lower portion of the refill and bias the refill against the surface 263 of the slot 156 opposite the retaining tabs 260, thereby fixing the refill 106 in a predetermined position. As further described below, in some embodiments, the retaining tabs 260 can alternatively operate as latches that engage corresponding features of the refill 106.

[0060] In some embodiments, the retention tab 260 can be disposed horizontally centered within the slot 156 between the right side 122 and the left side 124. The retention tab can have a horizontal or X-direction width that is at least about 8%, or about 10%, or about 12%, or about 14%, or about 16% of the full width of the slot between the right side 122 and the left side 124. The retention tab 260 can extend into the refill slot 156 by about 0.6 mm, or about 0.65 mm, or about 0.7 mm, or about 0.75 mm, or about 0.8 mm, or about 0.85 mm, or about 0.9 mm. The retention tab 260 can have an inclined upper surface (not shown) that can function as a guide for a corresponding feature on the refill 106 during insertion and an inclined lower surface (not shown) that can function as a guide for a corresponding feature on the refill 106 during removal. The overall depth of the retention tab 260 measured in the Y direction (e.g., the direction orthogonal to its width) can be about 3 mm, or about 3.1 mm, or about 3.2 mm, or about 3.3 mm, or about 3.4 mm. The distance between the upper surface 126 and the retention tab 260 in the Z direction can be about 10 mm, or about 11 mm, or about 12 mm, or about 13 mm, or about 14 mm, or about 15 mm.

[0061] In some embodiments, a refill of the insect trap device includes features for engaging corresponding retaining features of the base. In this regard, FIG. 23 illustrates a third refill 106C, which is generally similar to refill 106B and like elements are given like numbers. For example, similar to refill 106B, refill 106C also includes a first or front face 140, a second or back face 142, and an adhesive coating 144 along the front face 140 and the back face 142. Refill 106C further includes a base or bottom 146, an inner portion 148, and an upper portion 150. The bottom 146, the inner portion 148, and the upper portion 150 collectively constitute the body of refill 106C. The bottom 146, the inner portion 148, and the upper portion 150 each constitute one-third (1 / 3) of the overall height H of refill 106C. In some embodiments, the retaining opening 268 can be provided in the bottom 146 of refill 106C. As shown, the retaining opening 268 can be located between the sides 240 and below the adhesive surface 144. The retaining opening 268 can further be centered in the lateral direction of refill 106C, e.g., in a direction perpendicular to the height H. In some embodiments, a plurality of retaining openings can be provided in the bottom of the refill. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining opening 268 is generally rectangular and is at least partially defined by a retaining edge 270.

[0062] Referring still to FIG. 23, an elongated slot 266 can be provided in the upper portion 150 of the refill 106C. In some embodiments, the slot 266 can be centered in the upper portion 150 in the lateral direction of the refill 206. In other embodiments, the slot 266 can have an elongated length in the lateral direction of the refill 106C. In different embodiments, as shown in FIG. 23, the slot 266 can have a curved profile. In yet other embodiments, the slot can have other profiles, including, for example, a straight profile. In still other embodiments, the slot 266 extends between the front face 140 and the back face 142 (see FIG. 25), and thus defines an opening in the refill 106C. In other embodiments, the slot 266 can include a recess in the front face 140, the back face 142, or both the front and back faces 140, 142.

[0063] Referring next to FIG. 24, the refill 106C can include a removable film or release film 232 that initially protects the adhesive coating 144 and prevents objects or dust from adhering thereto prior to use of the refill 106C. The release film 232 can include an imprint or other type of information communicated along its outer surface 234. As shown, the release film 232 can be different from the release films 232 of the refills 106A, 106B at certain points. For example, the release film 232 of the refill 106C can be sized to cover the adhesive portion 144 without extending over the retention opening 268 or the side portion 240. This is beneficial, for example, in reducing the material required to manufacture the release film 232 and in providing a grip area before and during removal of the release film 232.

[0064] The engagement between the retention feature of the base 102 and the refill 106C can fix the refill 106C in a predetermined position when the refill 106C is attached, and can "seat" the refill 106C in a preferred manner that provides an audible click or haptic feedback to inform the user that the refill 106C is in the predetermined position. For example, referring to FIG. 25, the lower portion 146 of the refill 106C is inserted into the refill slot 156 such that the retention tab 260 engages latchably with the retention opening 268 of the refill 106C and the protruding ribs 262 engage the respective side surfaces 140, 142 of the refill 106C. Thus, when the refill 106C seats within the refill slot 156, the retention tab 260 can be received within the retention opening 268 and protrude at least partially through the retention opening 268, thereby preventing (or substantially preventing) movement of the refill 106C through engagement of the retention tab 260 with the edge defining the retention opening 268. In particular, when an upward force is applied to the refill 106C, the retention tab 260 engages the retention edge 270 of the retention opening 268. This engagement can increase the force required to remove the refill 106C, and as a result, the refill 106C can be secured against accidental removal.

[0065] Referring further to FIG. 25, when the refill 106C is inserted into the refill slot 156, the adhesive portion 144 remains above the upper surface 126 of the base 102. This configuration can minimize contact between the adhesive portion 104 and the base 102 during installation of the refill 106C or during operation of the insect trap device 100, and can prevent adhesive residue from depositing on the base 102 due to contact with the adhesive surface 144.

[0066] Any of the embodiments described herein may be modified to include any of the structures or methodologies disclosed in connection with different embodiments. Further, the present disclosure is not limited to the shapes / sizes of the specifically shown types of substrates and / or support members. Further, any of the support members of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be modified to act with various types of substrates consistent with the disclosure herein.

Industrial Applicability

[0067] Numerous modifications to this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the above description. Accordingly, this specification is to be construed only as illustrative and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the devices disclosed herein. Exclusive rights are retained for all modifications that come within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A removable substrate for an insect attracting device, comprising a body having a front surface and a back surface, wherein the body comprises a grip portion including a slot, and a lower portion disposed below the grip portion, the lower portion including a holding opening, a first side portion, and a second side portion, with a gap extending between the first side portion and the second side portion, an adhesive is applied to the front surface and the back surface, the adhesive is disposed between the grip portion and the lower portion, and is surrounded by a boundary without adhesive on the front surface and the back surface, A removable substrate for an insect attracting device.

2. The removable substrate according to claim 1, wherein the slot extends from the front surface to the back surface and defines a curved profile.

3. The removable substrate according to claim 1, wherein the first side portion is a mirror image of the second side portion.

4. The removable substrate according to claim 1, wherein the holding opening is disposed at a lateral center of the lower portion.

5. The removable substrate according to claim 1, wherein the front surface defines a surface area, and the adhesive is applied to 50% or more of the surface area.

6. The removable substrate according to claim 1, further comprising a release film attached to the front surface.

7. The removable substrate according to claim 6, wherein the release film does not extend over the holding opening.

8. The removable substrate according to claim 1, wherein the body, the first side portion, and the second side portion are substantially planar with respect to each other.

9. An insect attracting device comprising a base having an upper surface, a right surface, and a left surface, and a plug extending from a rear portion of the base, at least one LED disposed within the base, a lens extending from the base and having a lower end, the lower end of the lens being in direct optical communication with the at least one LED, and a slot within the base between the lens and the plug, the slot including openings in the upper surface, the left surface, and the right surface, the slot being defined by parallel opposing surfaces having a width therebetween and configured to receive a planar substrate, at least one of the parallel opposing surfaces includes a plurality of protruding ribs protruding into the slot, An insect attracting device.

10. The lens includes a periphery defining a chamfered surface, The chamfered surface refracts the light emitted by the at least one LED toward the substrate, the insect attracting device according to claim 9.

11. The insect attracting device according to claim 10, wherein the at least one LED includes a UV LED.

12. The insect attracting device according to claim 9, further comprising a planar substrate including a lower portion, the lower portion being at least partially received in the slot of the base.

13. The insect attracting device according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the parallel opposing surfaces includes a tab that extends at least partially into the slot.

14. An insect attracting device including a housing defining a front face and a rear face, the housing comprising an electronic device assembly including an electrical plug, a first resistor, and at least one LED, a lens, and a retaining tab, and a substrate disposed between the lens and the electrical plug, the substrate including first and second sides configured to span the housing and a retaining opening configured to latchably engage with the retaining tab. The substrate is substantially planar. Insect attracting device.

15. The insect attracting device according to claim 14, wherein the temperature between the substrate and the lens is about 10 degrees higher than the maximum temperature between the substrate and the rear face due to the heat dissipated by the first resistor.

16. The insect attracting device according to claim 14, further comprising a second resistor.

17. The insect attracting device according to claim 14, wherein the retaining tab and the first and second sides are disposed at a lower portion of the substrate, and the housing further includes a plurality of protruding ribs that engage the lower portion to fix the substrate to the housing.

18. The insect attracting device according to claim 14, wherein the lens includes a chamfered edge that directs the light from the at least one LED outwardly in the direction of the substrate.

19. The insect attracting device according to claim 14, wherein the substrate includes an adhesive applied to a first surface and a second surface, and the adhesive is surrounded by a boundary without adhesive on the first surface and the second surface.

Images