Arthropod capture device

Abstract

To provide an arthropod trapping device that is effective at capturing arthropods, is not offensively bright, and has a compact, aesthetically pleasing design.SOLUTION: An arthropod trapping device comprises a housing comprising a base and a shade coupled to the base. The base is configured to communicate with and receive power from a power source. At least one LED is mounted on the base. The shade is configured to receive an insert comprising a shade-facing surface and an LED-facing surface. An adhesive for trapping the arthropod is disposed on the LED-facing surface of the insert. The at least one LED is configured to emit light toward the LED-facing surface of the shade. The light is reflected off the shade, the insert or a combination thereof.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to arthropod capture devices, and more particularly to a small, portable capture device comprising a housing and an insert.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various arthropod control devices have been used to capture arthropods, particularly insects. Such devices typically use an attracting mechanism to attract arthropods to the device. Exemplary attracting mechanisms include baits such as food, light, heat, pheromones, or other odor substances known to be attractive to arthropods. Conventionally, some arthropod control devices include an immobilization mechanism to prevent arthropods from exiting the device. One type of immobilization mechanism used is a substrate such as a sheet of material, paper, or other medium having a surface coated with an adhesive. Arthropods attracted to the device or accidentally contacting the adhesive are captured by adhesion.

[0003] Arthropod capture devices that combine an adhesive and light for capturing insects are known. Arthropod traps having a large fluorescent tube that emits light for attracting insects, such as UV light, visible light, or both, and an adhesive board for capturing insects are known. Such traps can be effective in capturing arthropods, but the light emitted by such traps may be too bright for some consumers. Also, such traps are too large to fit in small spaces, are too obtrusive in some spaces in the home such as the kitchen or bathroom, and may be too expensive to provide one in each room of the home. Further, it can be difficult to remove and replace the adhesive board inside these traps without contacting the captured insects and the adhesive. Smaller disposable arthropod traps that include an LED light and an adhesive, have a minimal installation area, and have an aesthetically pleasing design are also known. However, such traps may not be as effective in capturing arthropods as larger traps having, for example, fluorescent tubes.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There is a need for an arthropod capture device that is effective in capturing arthropods, not unpleasantly bright, small, and has an aesthetically pleasing design. There is also a need for a trap that can be maintained and handled without contacting the captured insects or insect fragments. The present disclosure meets these needs by providing a device comprising a housing, the housing including a base and a shade coupled to the base, the base including a light source (e.g., an LED), and the shade being configured to receive an insert including at least a partially reflective concave light source facing surface on which an adhesive is disposed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present disclosure relates to an insert comprising: a) a substrate and a frame for supporting the substrate, the substrate having an adhesive disposed on its surface; and b) a grippable tab extending from the frame at a second end of the insert, the insert being configured to be inserted into an arthropod capture device, the adhesive being for capturing arthropods, and the grippable tab being substantially free of the adhesive.

[0006] The present disclosure also relates to an insert comprising: a) a substrate and a frame for supporting the substrate, the substrate having an adhesive disposed on its surface; and b) a tab hanging downward from the frame at a first end of the insert, the insert being configured to be inserted into an arthropod capture device comprising a slot for receiving the downward hanging tab, the adhesive being for capturing arthropods.

[0007] The present disclosure also relates to an arthropod capture device comprising a housing including a base and a shade coupled to the base, the base being configured to communicate with a power source and receive power therefrom, at least one LED being mounted on the base, the shade being configured to receive an insert including a shade-facing surface and an LED-facing surface, an adhesive for capturing arthropods being disposed on the LED-facing surface of the insert, at least one LED being configured to emit light toward the LED-facing surface of the shade, and the light being reflected from the shade, the insert, or a combination thereof.

[0008] The present disclosure also relates to an arthropod capture device comprising a housing including a base and a shade coupled to the base, the base being configured to communicate with a power source and receive power therefrom, at least one LED being mounted on the base, the shade being configured to receive an insert including a shade-facing surface and an LED-facing surface, an adhesive for capturing arthropods being disposed on the LED-facing surface of the insert, and the adhesive surface area being equal to or greater than the projected area of the device.

[0009] The present disclosure also relates to an arthropod capture device comprising a housing including a base and a shade coupled to the base, the base being configured to communicate with a power source and receive power therefrom, at least one LED being mounted on the base, the shade being configured to receive an insert including a shade-facing surface and an LED-facing surface, an adhesive for capturing arthropods being disposed on the LED-facing surface of the insert, and the shade protruding from the base.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0011] To provide an overall understanding of the devices and methods described herein, certain exemplary embodiments will be described herein. For purposes of clarity and illustration, these devices and methods will be described with respect to arthropod capture devices used for indoor dwelling or commercial purposes.

[0012] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the devices and methods described herein may be adapted and modified as necessary. The terms "arthropod capture device", "device", "capture device", and "trap" are used interchangeably. Arthropods include insects such as flies, mosquitoes, ants, dragonflies, and bees, arachnids such as spiders, and myriapods such as centipedes and millipedes.

[0013] The present disclosure provides an arthropod capture device, a method of making an arthropod capture device, and a method of using an arthropod capture device. To provide an overall understanding of the functions, designs, and principles of use of the arthropod capture devices disclosed herein, various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will be described herein. One or more examples of these non-limiting embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the methods described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting examples, and that the scope of the various non-limiting examples of the present disclosure is defined only by the claims. Features illustrated or described in connection with one non-limiting example may be combined with the features of other non-limiting examples. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0014] Referring now to FIGS. 1-8 and 28, an exemplary arthropod capture device 100 according to one non-limiting embodiment is depicted. The arthropod capture device 100 may have a housing 123 (see FIG. 28) that includes a base 102 and a shade 122 (see FIG. 20) coupled to the base 102. The shade 122 and the base 102 can be separate components that are coupled to each other to form the housing 123, or the shade 122 and the base 102 may integrally form the housing 123, and the housing 123 may have a single configuration. The housing 123 may be configured to receive an insert 150. FIG. 28 depicts an insert 150 inserted into the housing 123. The insert 150 may be mechanically engaged with the housing 123, for example, through an interlock mechanism or a friction fit, when the insert 150 is fully seated within the housing 123.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the shade may include at least one, preferably two guide rails 300 to assist in aligning and fixing the insert 150 as shown in FIG. 28. The guide rail 300 may have a flared opening 302 for receiving the insert 150, and the flared opening 302 is wider and / or deeper than the rest of the guide rail. Thus, the guide rail 300 may assist the user in engaging the insert with the housing and allowing insertion at various orientations or angles. In other words, the user does not need to accurately align the capture insert with the capture housing in order to insert the capture insert into the capture housing. The insert may include at least one flange 304 (see FIG. 12) configured to slide within at least one guide rail 300 of the shade 122. The at least one flange 304 may be wider at one end 306, as shown in FIG. 12, and preferably, the wider end 306 of the flange is aligned with the flared opening 302 of the guide rail when the insert 150 is inserted into the shade 122. The guide rail may be about 40 mm to about 150 mm in length, or about 50 mm to about 125 mm in length, or about 60 mm to about 100 mm in length. The guide rail may be about 80 mm in length. The length of the flared opening may be about 1% to about 25% or about 5% to about 20% of the overall length of the guide rail. The width and / or depth of the guide rail may further vary along the length of the guide rail. For example, the guide rail may have a reduced width and / or depth at one end, preferably at the end opposite the flared opening 302. This reduced width and / or depth may facilitate a friction fit between the insert 150 and the housing 123.

[0016] As will be described in more detail below, the adhesive 152 immobilizes the arthropods that come into contact with it and may be disposed on the surface of the insert 150. The base 102 may include a prong 112 so that the arthropod capture device 100 can be plugged into a suitable power source such as an outlet. In other configurations, the arthropod capture device 100 can draw power from a battery or other type of power source (i.e., solar). The arthropod capture device 100 can utilize various attractants such as heat, light, chemical attractants, etc. to draw insects into the device, and some of the attractants may require a power source to operate. Thus, a power source may be used to energize various mounted components such as a resistive heating element (not shown), a light source 114 such as an LED, and / or other components that can play a role in attracting insects to the arthropod capture device 100.

[0017] Examples of suitable chemoattractants include water, water vapor, sugars, sugar solutions, molasses, honey, yeast, insect-attractive scents, pheromones, and combinations thereof. Further examples of chemoattractants include sorbitol, beet attractants (including brevicomin, dominicalure, frontalin, grandlure, ipsdienol, ipsenol, japonilure, linearatin, megatomol acid, multistriatin, orictalure, sulcatol, and trunc-call), dipteran attractants (including ceralure, cue-lure, latilure, medlure, moguchun, muscalure, and trimedlure), homopteran attractants (including rescalure), lepidopteran attractants (including disparlure), straight-chain lepidopteran pheromones (including codlelure, gossyplure, hexalure, litlure, looplure, orfralure, and ostramone), organic acids (including lactic acid and malic acid), and other insect attractants (such as eugenol, methyleugenol, and siglure), or other substances that provide a scent that further improves the insect-attracting efficiency of the insect trap. The chemoattractant may be a fruit or fruit piece such as a banana. Alternatively, a combination of live yeast, sugar, and water that can produce CO2 attractive to flies may be used.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 28, the shade 122 may have an outer-facing opposing surface 126 and an insert-facing surface 124, and the insert-facing surface may be configured to receive an insert 150 that includes a shade-facing surface 128 and an LED-facing surface 130. An adhesive 152 for immobilizing arthropods is disposed on the LED-facing surface 130 of the insert 150. The shade 122 may include opposing guide rails 116 that extend at least partially along the insert-facing surface 124 of the shade 122. The guide rails 116 may, for example, maintain the relative placement of the insert 150 via a friction fit when the insert 150 slides within the shade 122. Other techniques may be used to mechanically engage the insert 150 with the shade 122.

[0019] The shade 122 and / or the insert may be opaque. The shade 122 and / or the insert may have regions that are opaque. The opacity of the shade and the insert may be measured in accordance with ASTM D1746-15. The shade may have a direct transmittance (T r ) of less than about 10%, or less than about 5%, or less than about 2%, or less than about 1%, or less than about 0.5%. The insert may have a direct transmittance (T r ) of less than about 90%, or less than about 75%, or less than about 50%, or less than about 30%, or less than about 20%, or less than about 10%, or less than about 5%, or less than about 2%, or less than about 1%, or less than about 0.5%. The shade or the insert may have a greater direct transmittance (T r ) in one region than in another region. The shade or the insert may have a color. The shade and / or the insert may hide captured arthropods and debris. During use, the opacity of the shade and / or the insert may reduce how brightly the trap appears compared to the rest of the room in which the trap is used.

[0020] The outward-facing opposing surface 126 of the shade may be convex, and the insert-facing surface 124 of the shade may be concave. The insert-facing surface 124 of the shade may be configured to receive an insert 150 that includes a convex shade-facing surface 128 and a concave light-source-facing surface 130. Preferably, the light source is an LED, and the light-source-facing surface 130 is the LED-facing surface 130. The insert 150 may include a grippable tab 168 located at a second end 138 of the insert 150. The insert 150 may include a mounting bracket 120 spaced from the light-source-facing surface 130 of the insert 150 and located at a first end 136 of the insert 150. As a result, the light-source-facing surface 130 of the insert 150 and the bracket 120 collectively define an opening 134 in the insert 150 (see FIG. 25). The first end 137 of the shade 122 and the first end 136 of the insert 150 are the ends proximate to the base 102 (with respect to the insert 150, when the insert 150 is inserted into the shade 122 as in use). Both sides of the opening 134 may be tapered, grooved, or of other configurations that assist in properly aligning the insert 150 as the insert 150 slides into the housing 123 by the user. Preferably, the surfaces of the shade 122 and the insert 150 do not have openings large enough to allow arthropods to enter the trap through the opening.

[0021] The first end 137 of the shade 122 may project from the base 102, and the first end 137 of the shade and the base 102 may define an opening 135 in the housing 123 (as shown in FIGS. 24-26). The opening 135 in the housing 123 may be formed between the insert-facing surface 124 of the shade 122 and the outward-facing opposing wall 103 of the base 102. The opening 135 in the housing 123 may provide an additional opportunity for arthropods, particularly crawling arthropods, to enter the capture device 100. Light may leak through the opening 135 in the housing 123 (at the bottom of the trap) to attract additional insects into the trap. Further, both sides of the opening 135 in the housing may be tapered, grooved, or of other configurations that assist in properly aligning the insert 150 as it is slid into the housing 123 by the user. The opening 135 in the housing may have a shape and size similar to the opening 134 of the insert 150 such that when the insert 150 is seated within the housing 123, it does not cover, block, or impede the entry of arthropods through the opening 135 in the housing.

[0022] Figs. 12 to 17 show the insert 150. The insert 150 may include a frame 166 and a substrate 151 attached to the frame 166 or formed in another way. The adhesive 152 for immobilizing arthropods may be disposed on the surface of the substrate 151, preferably on the light source facing surface 130 of the insert. The adhesive 152 immobilizes the arthropods that land on the light source facing surface 130 of the insert and come into contact with the adhesive 152. The adhesive 152 may be coated on the substrate 151 or applied or incorporated into or onto the substrate 151 in another way. The adhesive 152 may be disposed on both the shade facing surface 128 and the light source facing surface 130 of the insert 150. In such a configuration, preferably, there is a space between the shade facing surface 128 of the insert 150 and the insert facing surface 124 of the shade 122, and the arthropods may land on the shade facing surface 128 of the insert 150, the light source facing surface 130 of the insert 150, or both.

[0023] The adhesive 152 may be selected from the group consisting of acrylic polymer adhesives, butyl rubber adhesives, natural rubber adhesives, nitrile adhesives, silicone adhesives, styrene block copolymer adhesives, styrene-ethylene / propylene adhesives, styrene-isoprene-styrene adhesives, vinyl ether adhesives, and mixtures thereof. The adhesive may optionally be a pressure-sensitive adhesive. The substrate 151 can be provided in a variety of forms such as films, woven fabrics, or non-woven fabrics (including paper). The substrate 151 may be in the form of a film containing one or more polymers such as polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polypropylene. The substrate 151 may include one or more layers. Generally, the thickness of the substrate 151 (regardless of whether the adhesive 152 is disposed thereon) may range from about 0.01 mm to about 5 mm. The thickness of the substrate 151 (regardless of whether the adhesive 152 is disposed thereon) may range from about 0.05 mm to about 1.0 mm. The adhesive surface area (the area of the surface of the device or insert on which the adhesive 152 is disposed, see, for example, FIG. 30) is about 25 cm 2 ~ about 200 cm 2 , or about 50 cm 2 ~ about 175 cm 2 , or about 75 cm 2 ~ about 150 cm 2 , or about 100 cm 2 ~ about 145 cm 2 and may be.

[0024] The adhesive surface area may be greater than or equal to the projected area of the capture device, as shown in FIGS. 29 to 30. As used herein, "projected area" means the two-dimensional area measurement of the arthropod capture device by projecting the shape of the device onto an arbitrary plane, and the adhesive faces that plane. FIG. 30 shows the adhesive surface area of the device of FIG. 29. The projected area may be determined, for example, by calculating the area of a known geometric shape, using a curve integrator, or overlaying the actual drawn area on grid paper with predetermined area markings. The projected area may be measured using known computer-aided design (CAD) software such as Solidworks (registered trademark). The projected area of the arthropod capture device is about 20 cm 2 to about 170 cm 2 or about 40 cm 2 to about 150 cm 2 or about 60 cm 2 to about 125 cm 2 and may be. The ratio of the adhesive surface area to the projected area of the device may be about 5:1 to about 1:1, or about 3:1 to about 1:1, or about 2:1 to about 1:1, or about 1.5:1 to about 1:1, or about 1.2:1 to about 1:1.

[0025] The adhesive 152 may be opaque, transparent or translucent. The adhesive 151 may be opaque, transparent or translucent. The substrate 151 (regardless of whether the adhesive is disposed thereon) may have a positive transmittance (T r ) of less than about 90%, or less than about 75%, or less than about 50%, or less than about 30%, or less than about 20%, or less than about 10%, or less than about 5%, or less than about 2%, or less than about 1%, or less than about 0.5%. Preferably, both the adhesive 152 and the substrate 151 are transparent or translucent. The substrate 151 with the adhesive 152 disposed thereon has a positive transmittance (T r) may be provided. More specifically, the substrate 151 may transmit more than about 50%, or more than about 60%, or more than about 70%, or more than about 80% of the UV light. The substrate 151 may transmit more than about 50%, or more than about 70%, or more than about 90% of the blue light. The adhesive 152 may transmit less than about 60%, or less than about 50%, or less than about 40% of the UV light. The adhesive 152 may transmit more than about 50%, or more than about 70%, or more than about 90% of the blue light. The substrate 151 provided with the adhesive 152 may transmit less than about 50%, or less than about 40%, or less than about 30% of the UV light. The substrate 151 provided with the adhesive 152 may transmit more than about 50%, or more than about 70%, or more than about 90% of the blue light.

[0026] The transparent or translucent substrate 151 provided with the transparent or translucent adhesive 152 enables the user to see the captured arthropod through the substrate without completely removing the insert 150 from the housing 123 and / or without directly inspecting the adhesive surface of the insert. Thus, the user does not need to completely remove the insert from the housing and rotate the insert to view the captured arthropod and / or to determine whether the insert should be discarded and replaced with a new insert. A peelable liner (not shown) may be applied to the adhesive 152 to cover and protect the adhesive 152 before use. The user may peel off the peelable liner immediately before inserting the insert 150 into the shade 122 to expose the adhesive 152.

[0027] Insert 150 is shown as including a frame 166 that surrounds the entire circumference of the adhesive 150, but the present disclosure is not so limited. For example, the frame 166 may extend only partially around the insert 150. The frame 166 may extend, for example, along all but the first end 136 of the insert 150. In other configurations, the insert 150 may be frameless, with the adhesive portion 152 applied to at least the central portion of the substrate 151, and the substrate 151 providing sufficient structural rigidity. Further, the insert 150 and / or the substrate 151 may be concave-convex (one surface of the substrate is concave and the opposite surface of the substrate is convex), or may have other suitable configurations such as, for example, a flat surface or a pleated shape. Opposing edges of the frame 166 may be connected as shown, for example, in FIGS. 12-18, to provide additional structural support and rigidity to the insert 150.

[0028] Insert 150 may include a reservoir (not shown) for storing the insect attracting composition. The insect attracting composition may be provided in a wide variety of forms including gases, liquids, solids, and combinations thereof. The solid composition may also include semi-solid compositions such as gels that include one or more liquids and one or more gelling agents. The reservoir may also serve to catch fallen insects such as insects that were initially immobilized by the adhesive 152 but that are no longer sufficiently held by the adhesive 152 after drying and becoming brittle. The reservoir may have a volume of about 1 cm 3 to 60 cm 3 . The reservoir may be made as one piece and then attached to the frame. Alternatively, the reservoir may be formed from the same material integrally with the frame by an injection molding process or a thermoforming process, etc. The reservoir may be positioned so as not to reduce the surface area of the adhesive 152. Alternatively, the insert 150 may not include a reservoir.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the longitudinal center line 3-3 may divide the catcher 100, which includes the housing 123 and the insert 150, into lateral side portions. In the case of a symmetric insert, the longitudinal center line will divide the insert into two symmetric halves. In the case of an asymmetric insert, the longitudinal center line passes vertically (with respect to the configuration of the insert when the device is inserted into the housing in the state of being plugged into a conventional wall outlet) through its geometric center.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 12, the insert 150 may include a tab 164 that hangs downward. The tab 164 that hangs downward may be positioned on the first end portion 136 of the insert 150. The tab 164 that hangs downward may extend downward from the mounting bracket 120. As described above, the mounting bracket 120 may be spaced apart from the LED-facing surface 130 of the insert 150, and as a result, the LED-facing surface 130 of the insert 150 and the bracket 120 collectively define an opening 134 in the insert 150. The maximum distance between the LED-facing surface 130 of the insert 150 and the bracket 120, measured along the longitudinal center line 3-3 of the insert 150, may be about 5 mm to about 50 mm, or about 10 mm to about 40 mm, or about 10 mm to about 35 mm.

[0031] The tab 164 that hangs downward can be positioned such that the longitudinal center line 5-5 of the tab 164 that hangs downward is offset laterally from the longitudinal center line 3-3 of the insert 150, as shown in FIG. 12. Offsetting the tab 164 that hangs downward laterally may serve to assist in properly aligning the insert 150 and the base 102. As shown in the drawing, due to this lateral offset of the tab 164, the longitudinal center line 3-3 of the insert does not overlap any part of the tab 164. In this regard, the first side edge 163 and the second side edge 165 of the tab 164 are each offset laterally from the longitudinal center line 3-3 of the insert 150. The second side edge 165 may be offset more laterally from the longitudinal center line 3-3 than the first side edge 163. Further, since the first side edge 163 and the second side edge 165 are offset in the same lateral direction, both the first side edge 163 and the second side edge 165 of the tab 164 may be positioned on the same lateral side of the insert 150. The longitudinal center line 5-5 of the tab 164 that hangs downward may be offset laterally from the longitudinal center line 3-3 of the insert 150 by about 5 mm to about 25 mm, or about 8 mm to about 20 mm, or about 10 mm to about 15 mm.

[0032] The base 102 may receive the tab 164 that hangs downward when the insert 150 is inserted into the housing 123. The base 102 includes a switch 107 that can function to activate one or more of the insect-attracting substances (such as the light source 114, etc.), as shown in FIG. 10. As a result, such insect-attracting substances can be energized only when the insert 150 is engaged with the base 102. Thus, when the insert 150 is removed from the base 102, the switch is turned off and the insect-attracting substances are no longer powered.

[0033] More specifically, the insert 150 may fully seat within the base 102 only when it faces in the appropriate direction such that the downwardly depending tab 164 is inserted into the slot 101 in the base 102. Further, the downwardly depending tab 164 can help ensure that the insert 150 is properly inserted into the shade 122. The downwardly depending tab 164 can also function as a convenient grip point for the user during insertion and removal of the insert 150. The downwardly depending tab 164 can have any suitable configuration or shape.

[0034] The maximum width (W T ) of the downwardly depending tab 164 may be less than 75% of the width of the mounting bracket 120 of the insert 150, or less than 50% of the width of the mounting bracket 120 of the insert 150, or less than 25% of the width of the mounting bracket 120 of the insert 150, or less than 10% of the width of the mounting bracket 120 of the insert 150. T The maximum width (W T ) of the downwardly depending tab 164 may be from about 5 mm to about 20 mm, or from about 8 mm to about 15 mm, or from about 10 mm to about 13 mm. The length (L

[0035] ) of the downwardly depending tab 164 may be from about 5 mm to about 40 mm, or from about 10 mm to about 30 mm, or from about 15 mm to about 25 mm. The downwardly depending tab 164 may be substantially planar. The tab 164 may have a first side edge 163 on one side and a second side edge 165 on the other side. Depending on the configuration of the tab 164, the first side edge 163 and the second side edge 165 can converge at the nearest point 170 of the tab 164. It should be understood that various tab configurations can be utilized without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the size, position, and structure of the tab may vary.Insert 150 may include a grippable tab 168. The grippable tab 168 may be positioned on the second end 138 of the insert 150 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 28. The grippable tab 168 may extend from the frame 166. The grippable tab 168 may be integral with the frame. The grippable tab 168 may function as a convenient gripping point for the user during insertion or removal of the insert 150. The grippable tab 168 may be substantially free of adhesive in order to allow the user to grip the insert 150 without contacting the adhesive 152. The grippable tab 168 may be positioned equidistant from the side edges of the frame 166 along the longitudinal centerline 3-3 of the insert 150. Alternatively, the grippable tab 168 may not be positioned along the longitudinal centerline 3-3 of the insert 150 and may not be equidistant from the side edges of the frame 166. The grippable tab 168 may help ensure that the insert 150 is properly inserted into the housing 123. The shade 122 may have a recess 125 for receiving the grippable tab 168. The recess 125 may be configured such that the grippable tab 168 is visible when the user views the outward facing surface 126 of the shade 122. The shade 122 may be designed to conceal or obscure the insert 150 from view, and the recess 125 may be configured such that the grippable tab 168 is visible. Thus, the grippable tab 168 may indicate to the user where and how to grip the insert 150. The grippable tab 168 may be visible even when the catcher is plugged into a wall outlet. The grippable tab 168 may have any suitable configuration or shape. The dimensions of the grippable tab 168 may be selected to optimize the gripability of the insert 150, thereby making it easier for the user to grip the insert 150 by the grippable tab 168. The grippable tab 168 may be from about 50 mm 2 to about 500 mm 2 or from about 100 mm 2 to about 400 mm 2 or from about 110 mm 2 to about 300 mm2 or about 120 mm 2 to about 200 mm 2 or about 130 mm 2 to about 150 mm 2 and may have a surface area of

[0036] Figure 27 shows the base 102 without the shade 122. As shown in Figure 27, at least one LED 114 serving as an arthropod attractant may be mounted on the base 102. Since different arthropods can be attracted to different types of light sources and / or light of different peak wavelengths, the type of light source and the peak wavelength of the light emitted from the light source may be selected to attract a specific arthropod. The light source 114 is preferably a light emitting diode (LED), which is a form of solid state lighting as shown. The arthropod capture device may comprise at least one LED 114, from about 2 to about 20 LEDs 114, or from about 2 to about 10 LEDs 114.

[0037] The LED 114 may use any suitable mounting technique such as through-hole technology. One or more of the LEDs 114 utilize surface-mount technology (SMT), and as a result, the LED 114 may be a surface-mount device (SMD). The LED may be of any shape, preferably the LED is conical. Each of the LEDs 114 may have a diameter of from about 0.5 mm to about 10 mm. Further, each of the LEDs has a surface area of 0.5 mm 2 to about 100 mm 2 and may have a surface area of. Some examples of LEDs include semiconductor light emitting diodes, polymer light emitting diodes, and organic light emitting diodes. The trap may comprise two or more LEDs, and at least one LED is configured to emit light directly or indirectly towards the shell, and at least one LED is configured to emit light away from the shell.

[0038] Other light sources that can be used include, but are not limited to, incandescent or filament-based light, fluorescent light, halogen light, xenon light, or other light sources known in the art. The illumination may or may not have a filter for adjusting the peak wavelength of its output. Further, as used herein, the light source 114 is a component or element of the light generation of the illumination technology utilized as an arthropod attractant. In this regard, the light source 114 may be any of a diode, filament, excitation gas, etc. The light source 114 does not include wiring, connectors, bases, lenses, or elements that may be associated with the component or element of light generation.

[0039] The arthropod capture device may include at least one LED 114 having a peak wavelength of about 350 nm to about 500 nm, or about 400 nm to about 500 nm, or about 350 nm to about 400 nm. The arthropod capture device may include at least one LED 114 having a peak wavelength of about 350 nm to about 400 nm and at least one LED 114 having a peak wavelength of about 400 nm to about 500 nm. The LED having a peak wavelength of about 400 nm to about 500 nm may emit light towards the shade 122, preferably in a direction substantially perpendicular to the shade. The LED having a peak wavelength of about 350 nm to about 400 nm may emit light in a direction substantially parallel to the shade 122 and / or in a direction substantially perpendicular to the shade 122.

[0040] Both ultraviolet light (peak wavelength in the range of about 100 nm to about 400 nm) and visible light (peak wavelength in the range of about 400 nm to about 700 nm), particularly blue light, are effective in attracting arthropods. High-intensity blue light may be optimal for attracting arthropods, but such light may be too bright for use in a user's home. High-intensity ultraviolet light can also attract arthropods, but the ultraviolet light intensity is preferably also moderated for home use.

[0041] Although not bound by theory, the disclosed arthropod capture device is designed to effectively balance both blue light intensity and ultraviolet light intensity to improve capture performance while providing a suitable trap for use in a user's home. Further, it is believed that capture performance can be optimized by emitting light of a selected peak wavelength in a selected direction with respect to the shade. For example, an LED having a peak wavelength of from about 400 nm to about 500 nm can emit light toward the shade in a direction substantially perpendicular to the shade 122, and a portion of the light is reflected from the shade and / or the insert. During use, when the arthropod capture device is plugged into a wall socket, the shade and / or the insert may reflect light to the wall including the socket. The light reflected by the wall is believed to be able to attract flying arthropods toward the arthropod capture device even from a considerable distance. Then, when the arthropod approaches the trap, the light having a peak wavelength of from about 400 nm to about 500 nm emitted toward the LED-facing surface of the insert attracts the arthropod to the adhesive disposed on the LED-facing surface of the insert (which faces the wall during use). Preferably, the intensity of the light emitted toward the LED-facing surface of the insert is greater than the intensity of the light reflected from the shade and / or the insert to the wall.

[0042] The arthropod capture device may create a halo pattern, preferably an asymmetric halo pattern, on the wall. Both direct illumination and indirect illumination, i.e., the light reflected from the shade and / or the insert to the wall, may contribute to the halo pattern on the wall. The LED arrangement shown in FIG. 27 is an example, and it is understood that the number, type, and location of the LEDs may be modified. Also, reflectors and / or lenses may be used to shape the light pattern. The halo pattern on the wall may be generated in several ways, for example, by adjusting the intensity of the light, by adjusting the directivity of the light, and / or by adjusting the reflectivity of the shade and / or the insert (thereby adjusting the level of direct illumination versus indirect illumination).

[0043] Base 102 may include slot 101. Slot 101 may be a narrow slit opening. Slot 101 is sized such that tab 164 can pass through it while inserting insert 150 into base 102. To provide proper alignment with tab 164, slot 101 is laterally offset from the center line (not shown) of base 102. The location of slot 101 ensures that when insert 150 is properly aligned within slot 101, the first end 136 of insert 150 can be fully inserted into base 102.

[0044] Figures 10a - 10b depict partial cutaway views of base 102 with insert 150 installed. Figure 9 is a cross - sectional view of base 102 and insert 150 taken along line 4 - 4 of Figure 4. Circuit board 106 may be vertically oriented within base 102. Various electrical components may be coupled to and extend away from circuit board 106. Larger components may be positioned centrally on circuit board 106 due to size constraints and to eliminate interference with other components. Tab 164 of insert 150 is shown extending through slot 101. Tab 164 is shown contacting switch 107 coupled to circuit board 106, thereby closing switch 107. Switch 107 is vertically oriented such that an elongated tab slidably engages a lever or other type of actuator of the switch to close the switch. When switch 107 is closed, various components of base 102, such as light source 114, are energized. Base 102 may also include one or more rails (not shown). The rails in the base may be configured such that when tab 164 passes through slot 101, the rails bias tab 164 against switch 107, or else, due to its thin and elongated configuration, it may flex outwardly.

[0045] The arthropod capture device includes a shade and a base, and may not include an insert, with the adhesive disposed directly on the shade. Accordingly, the shade may be removably attached to the base, and after use, the entire shade may be removed and disposed of by the user. Then, a new shade may be affixed to the base to resume operation of the arthropod capture device. In other respects, the shade may be the same as the shade configured to receive an insert as described above.

[0046] The arthropod capture device according to the present disclosure utilizes electricity for operation. As provided above, an exemplary arthropod capture device can be inserted into a wall outlet so that various mounted attractants, such as a light source and / or other forms of energizable attractants, can be energized. Such an arthropod capture device may also include various liquids, gels, or other compositions that serve to attract insects to the arthropod capture device. Since the user interacts with the device regularly, such as by replacing a used insert, it is most important to provide an insect device that is safe and easy to operate. For example, considering various mounted electrical components, it is desirable for such electrical components to be de-energized when the user is interacting with the device, such as when the user removes a used insert and replaces it with a new insert. Also, it is desirable for such electrical components to be energized only when the insert is properly inserted into the base. For example, supplying power to a light source only when the insert is properly inserted provides useful operating feedback to the user. Further, automatically de-energizing the mounted electrical components when the insert is removed is also desirable to provide ease of use and safe operation. In providing the above-described safety advantages, it is also beneficial to provide structural features on the insert and the base to ensure that the user inserts the insert into the base in the proper orientation.

[0047] According to the various arthropod capture devices described herein, a circuit board (i.e., the circuit board 106 of FIG. 9) is positioned within the base. Generally, the circuit board receives power from a power source (e.g., a wall outlet) and distributes the power to the mounted components. The circuit board can be mounted vertically within the base such that when the arthropod capture device is plugged into a conventional wall outlet, the internal circuit board is substantially parallel to the wall. Positioning the circuit board vertically also serves to provide a smaller base.

[0048] The circuit board or assembly of circuit boards can include various components such as, but not limited to, voltage control circuits, capacitors, integrated circuits, resistors, etc. The circuit board can also include a switch that can control the supply of electricity to the mounted attractant materials such as heating elements and light sources. For example, when the switch is in a first (open) position, the energization of some or all of the mounted electrical attractant materials is cut off. When the switch is in a second (closed) position, all of the mounted attractant materials are energized. Due to the circuit board being arranged vertically, the switch can likewise be vertically oriented. The placement options for the large components on the circuit board are at least partially influenced by the size constraints of the internal cavity of the base and can be balanced with the desire to provide a smaller base. Thus, the large components can be positioned at the center of the circuit board and other lower-profile components (such as switches) are laterally spaced from the center of the circuit board. In this way, the large components can be positioned so as not to interfere with the mounting posts, the curvature of the base, etc., and the overcall form factor of the base can remain substantially small.

[0049] The base can include an opening that provides access to a switch mounted inside the base. To regulate access to the switch, the opening can be a slot positioned vertically above the switch. The slot can be sized to allow an elongated substantially planar tab to pass through the slot and into the cavity of the base and engage the switch. However, a slot sized narrowly advantageously limits the ability of other foreign objects to pass through the slot. As provided above, the switch can be laterally spaced from the center of the circuit board. Accordingly, the slot can be offset laterally from the centerline of the base. The substantially planar tab can be offset laterally from the centerline of the insert so that it aligns with the slot and the switch when the user attaches the insert to the base.

[0050] In some cases, the tab passing through the slot may have some flexure, for example, due to its relatively thin profile and length corresponding to the narrow slot and switch arrangement. Accordingly, the base may include one or more vertical rails positioned proximate to the switch such that as the tab passes through the slot, the rail biases the tab toward the switch. The tab can be positioned between the switch and the rail when fully inserted. The rail can be positioned and configured to ensure that the tab engages the switch sufficiently, despite its relatively thin profile and flexibility.

[0051] Method of using an arthropod capture device The arthropod capture device described in this specification may be used to capture or trap arthropods, preferably insects, more preferably flies. The present disclosure relates to a method of capturing an arthropod in an arthropod capture device, the method comprising inserting an insert having an adhesive disposed thereon into a housing of the arthropod capture device, the housing including a base having at least one LED mounted thereon and a shade coupled to the base; and engaging the base with a power source, the base optionally including one or more conductive prongs, the engaging step including inserting the conductive prongs into an electrical outlet. The method preferably further includes removing the insert from the housing without contacting the adhesive and disposing of the insert, or leaving the arthropod adhered to the adhesive and removing the insert from the housing to deactivate a switch within the base and cut power to the LED.

[0052] These steps may be performed in any order. The arthropod capture device may be used in any room of a house including a kitchen, garage, screened porch, or bathroom. The arthropod capture device may also be used in other buildings including commercial buildings and businesses such as, for example, a free-standing garage, shed, etc.

[0053] In an alternative configuration of the arthropod capture device, the insert may be planar and the shade may be contoured. The planar insert is preferably flexible. In use, the user may flex, bend, or deflect the planar insert when inserting it into the contoured shade. As discussed above, the shade may include opposing guide rails that extend at least partially along the insert-facing surface of the shade. The planar insert may be held in place by the guide rails. Optionally, the insert may at least partially conform to the shape of the shade.

[0054] In this regard, the present disclosure also relates to a method of capturing arthropods in an arthropod capture device, the method comprising inserting a planar insert having an adhesive disposed thereon into a housing of the arthropod capture device, the housing including a base having at least one LED mounted thereon and a curved or corrugated shade coupled to the base; engaging the base with a power source, the base optionally including one or more conductive prongs; and engaging the base with the power source, the engaging step including inserting the conductive prongs into an electrical outlet. The inserting step may include flexing, bending, or deflecting the planar insert. The planar insert may optionally include a downwardly depending tab integrally formed with the insert. Alternatively, the planar insert and the tab (actuating tab) may be provided as two separate components, and the method may further include inserting the actuating tab into a slot in the base to activate a switch in the base and energize the LED. The method may preferably further include removing the insert from the housing without contacting the adhesive and disposing of the insert, or leaving the arthropod adhered to the adhesive and removing the actuating tab from the base to deactivate a switch in the base and de-energize the LED.

[0055] The present disclosure also relates to a refill system or refill kit for an arthropod capture device, the refill system comprising a planar insert having an adhesive disposed thereon and an actuating tab, the planar insert being configured to be inserted into a housing of the arthropod capture device, the housing including a base having at least one LED mounted thereon and a shade coupled to the base, the actuating tab being configured to be inserted into a slot in the base, and inserting the actuating tab into the base to activate a switch in the base and energize the LED. The base may optionally include one or more conductive prongs for engaging the base with a power source, such as by inserting the conductive prongs into an electrical outlet.

[0056] Test method Optical profiling method The optical profiling method uses an optical fiber spectrophotometer to measure the absolute light intensity across the optical spectrum of an illuminated plug-in insect trap mounted on a drywall test stand. This test measures A) the light at the surface of the wall, B) the light radiated away from the wall and the device, and C) the light at the device. The tests are assembled on the same test stand but in non-overlapping areas so as not to interfere with each measurement.

[0057] A modular spectrophotometer (e.g., FLAME-S-VIS-NIR-ES available from Ocean Insight, Largo, FL, or equivalent) capable of measuring absolute intensity from the spectral irradiance of a plane in air within the wavelength range of 350 - 1000 nm is used. The spectrophotometer is interfaced with appropriate control software (e.g., OceanView spectrophotometer software available from Ocean Insight, Largo, FL, or equivalent) to drive the instrument and collect scan data. The spectrophotometer is equipped with an optical fiber assembly including an optical fiber patch cable (e.g., QP400-1-UV-VIS available from Ocean Insight, Largo, FL, or equivalent) and a 200 - 2500 nm optical diffuser cosine corrector (e.g., CC-3-UV-S available from Ocean Insight, Largo, FL, or equivalent) that collects signals with a 180° field of view. The absolute light intensity is calibrated using a NIST-traceable radiometrically calibrated light source (e.g., HL-3P-CAL available from Ocean Insight, Largo, FL, or equivalent). All measurements are performed in a darkroom where the device is the only light source.

[0058] Configuration of the test stand The test stand includes a vertically mounted piece of drywall (nominal thickness 0.5 inches) approximately 122 cm high by 91 cm wide, sealed and painted with a super white matte / gloss-free interior paint using a 0.25-inch nap roller. The final surface has a minimum texture and ΔE, as measured by ASTM E1349 and ASTM D2244 * ≦ 2, with L * = 97.8, a * = -1.2, b * having a target CIELAB color of 2.2. Power is supplied to the test device based on the residential domestic standard of a particular country, e.g., 15A, 120v, and 60Hz in the United States. The plug receptacle mounted on the test stand for the device is a 1-gang outlet box with a cover plate or equivalent. Both the outlet and the outlet plate are white. The power supply is controlled to the residential domestic standard of a particular country ±2 volts

[0059] Referring to FIG. 32, for measuring light on the drywall surface, the power receptacle 1001 is mounted on the surface approximately 40 cm from the upper edge of the stand along the vertical centerline of the test stand. Depending on the device design, the receptacle is oriented such that when the device is plugged in, the shade of the device is oriented upward over the receptacle. Thus, the receptacle may need to be mounted at 90 degrees or 180 degrees from its typical installation orientation as shown in 1001, for example, to achieve an upward-facing position

[0060] On the receptacle, a grid of apertures 1002 is drilled through the drywall. A bushing with a nylon flange (from McMaster-Carr or other convenient suppliers) is inserted into each aperture and recessed so that the flange is flush with the surface of the drywall. The wall surface of the bushing is also painted to conform to the drywall. The inner diameter of the aperture / bushing is selected so that the spectrophotometer probe fits snugly and can be positioned flush with the drywall surface for measurement. The aperture grid is laid out relative to the top plug 1003 of the receptacle. The origin 1004 is located at the vertical and horizontal center of the plug 1003. The four rows of the grid are centered vertically 9.0 cm, 14.5 cm, 19.5 cm, and 24.5 cm above the origin 1004, respectively. The center column of the grid is vertically aligned with its center placed above the origin 1004. The other columns are centered 6.7 cm and 11.8 cm to the right and left of the center column, respectively.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 33a and 33b, a second power receptacle 1010 is similarly mounted to the receptacle 1001 positioned along the vertical centerline of the test stand approximately 40 cm below the bottom edge of the receptacle 1001 to measure the light radiated outward from the wall and the device. The radial arm 1011 is a 180° arc with an inner diameter of 30.5 cm, an outer diameter of 35.6 cm, and a thickness of 1.9 cm. The radial arm is painted matte black so as not to reflect light. The ends of the arc (0° and 180°) are rounded, and a 1.27 cm cylindrical shaft 1012 extends 2.54 cm outward from the arm. The origin 1013 of the plug 1014 is determined in the same manner as the origin 1004. The two shafts 1012 are horizontally aligned with the origin 1013 of the plug and attached to the drywall with two pipe straps 1015. The arm should be able to rotate smoothly 180° around the axis. A nylon tube 1016 with a length of 2 cm and a wall thickness of 2 mm and having an inner diameter suitable for tightly holding the probe of the spectrophotometer is used to fix the probe to the radial arm 1011. Rotate the radial arm upward and, with it flat against the drywall, attach the tube to the surface of the arm flush with the inner diameter of the arm and 10° apart. Each tube is oriented toward the origin 1013 on the plug.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 33c, the radial arm is locked in place using a brace 1017 mounted vertically and perpendicular to the wall. The brace is a 180° arc of aluminum with an inner diameter of 8.5 cm, an outer diameter of 11.0 cm, and a thickness of 1.27 cm. Nineteen 0.7 cm through-holes 1018 are drilled in the brace 10° apart. A 0.63 cm cylindrical pin 2019 is inserted through the hole 1018 into a corresponding 0.7 cm receiving hole 1020 drilled in the radial arm 1011.

[0063] Settings of the apparatus The spectrophotometer, optical cable, and cosine corrector are assembled according to the vendor's instructions. A computer controller is connected, and the absolute irradiance intensity is calibrated using a calibrated light source according to the vendor's instructions. For acquisition, the spectrophotometer is set to scan wavelengths from 350 nm to 750 nm. Intensity data is collected at 1 nm resolution.

[0064] The total intensity (i.e., the sum of all intensities over a specific range) and the maximum intensity (i.e., the maximum intensity within a specific range) are calculated for each of the following wavelength brackets. Total = 350 nm to 750 nm UVA = 350 nm to 400 nm VIS = 400 nm to 750 nm Blue = 450 nm to 485 nm

[0065] Part A: Measurement on the wall Measurements are taken at different positions within the grid shown in Figure 32 by inserting the spectrophotometer probe into the aperture such that the measurement end of the probe is positioned in the same plane as the wall. The grid is indexed by x, y coordinates starting with [1,1] at the lower left. If it is desired that the measurement not be along the vertical axis of the device, paired measurements are made equidistant to the left and right of the device and averaged before reporting.

[0066] For example, spectra are collected sequentially at locations [3,1]A, [3,2]B, [3,4]C, [1,2]D1, [1,4]D2, [1,1]E1, and [1,5]E2. For each spectrum, the sum of the intensities is calculated and the maximum intensity within each wavelength bracket is identified. For positions A, B, and C, the total intensity and maximum intensity are reported individually as the total intensity and maximum intensity in 1 μW / cm 2 units for each wavelength range. For pairs D1, D2 and E1, E2, the total intensity of the pair and the maximum intensity of the pair are averaged and reported as the total intensity and maximum intensity for D and E respectively in 1 μW / cm 2 units for each wavelength bracket.

[0067] Part B: Measurement towards the wall The measurement towards the wall is performed using the radial arm shown in FIGS. 33a - 33c. The radial arm can rotate around the device and can be locked in 10° increments. The probe can likewise be positioned radially on the arm in 10° increments in order to perform spectral measurements around the device at positions along the hemispherical "dome". The radial arm that rotates upward and is stationary in the same plane with respect to the drywall is defined as 0°. If it is desired that the measurement is not along the vertical axis of the device, a pair of measurements is made equidistant to the left and right of the device and averaged. The positions are indexed as [angle of the arm, angle of the probe along the arm] coordinates.

[0068] For example, spectra are collected at positions G[90,90] and position J[0,90] and pairs H1[90,50], H2[90,100] and I1[0,0], I2[0,180]. For each spectrum, the total intensity is calculated and the maximum intensity within each wavelength bracket is identified. For positions G, and position J, the total intensity and maximum intensity are reported individually as total intensity and maximum intensity in 1 μW / cm 2 units for each wavelength range. For pairs H1, H2 and I1, I2, the total intensity of the pair and the maximum intensity of the pair are averaged and reported as total intensity and maximum intensity for H and I respectively in 1 μW / cm 2 units for each wavelength bracket.

[0069] Part C: Measurement with the device Measurements on the device are performed last because they are destructive to the device. The radial arm is rotated upward to the 0° position. Using a scalpel or drill, a circular hole with the diameter of the spectral probe is cut completely through the shade and insert at the longitudinal and horizontal midpoints of the device's shade and insert so that light can radiate out. The spectral probe is inserted through the circular hole through the shade and insert such that the measurement end of the probe is positioned on the light source-facing surface of the insert and faces the wall, and a scan is acquired. For this position, called F (not shown), the total intensity is calculated and the maximum intensity is identified within each wavelength bracket. For position F, the total intensity and maximum intensity are reported individually as total intensity and maximum intensity in units of 1 μW / cm 2 per unit for each wavelength bracket.

Example

[0070] It is used to measure the absolute light intensity across the optical spectrum of an illuminated plug-in insect trap mounted on a drywall test stand using optical profilometry. The traps being tested are two different traps with a DynaTrap® DOT, DynaTrap® DT3009 Flylight, a flat configuration, and a curved configuration, and the two traps have different intensities of blue LED light.

[0071] The light intensity is measured at positions A, C, D, E, F, J, H, I, and G as described above and shown in FIGS. 32 and 33a, 33b, and 33c. For all traps tested, the light intensity measured at positions D1 and D2 is the same and is reported as position D in Table 1. For all traps tested, the light intensity at positions I1 and I2 is the same and is reported as position I in Table 1.

[0072]

Table 1

[0073]

Table 2

[0074] An arthropod trap having a light source and an opaque shade, wherein the light source and the shade are configured such that when the trap is plugged into a wall socket, light hits the shade and the wall behind the trap, is considered to attract arthropods better.

[0075] More specifically, for blue light, UV light, or both, it may be desirable for the light intensity to be maximum at position F (the midpoint in the longitudinal and horizontal directions of the shade). Without being bound by theory, this may ensure that arthropods attracted near the trap are most attracted to position F, which represents the light source / LED facing surface of the insert where the adhesive for capturing arthropods is disposed. The intensity of blue light at position F is about 50 μW / cm 2 ~ about 30,000 μW / cm 2 or about 100 μW / cm 2 ~ about 20,000 μW / cm 2 or about 500 μW / cm 2 ~ about 5,000 μW / cm 2 It may be. The intensity of UV light at position F is about 10 μW / cm 2 ~ about 450 μW / cm 2 or about 20 μW / cm 2 ~ about 100 μW / cm 2 It may be. The ratio of the intensity of blue light to the intensity of UV light at position F may be about 10 to about 100, or about 15 to about 50.

[0076] For blue light, UV light, or both, the light intensity at position A is desirably less than the light intensity at position F but greater than the light intensity at other positions. Without being bound by theory, an increase in light intensity at position A, which represents the wall immediately behind the shade of the trap when the trap is plugged into a wall outlet, may help attract arthropods from farther away. Also, the light hitting the wall immediately behind the shade may be less intrusive to the user because the shade blocks some of the light. The intensity of blue light at position A is about 200 μW / cm 2 ~ about 20,000 μW / cm 2 or about 300 μW / cm 2 ~ about 10,000 μW / cm 2 or about 350 μW / cm 2 ~ about 8,000 μW / cm 2 It may be. The intensity of UV light at position A is about 20 μW / cm 2 ~ about 55 μW / cm2 or about 25 μW / cm 2 ~ about 50 μW / cm 2 may be sufficient. The ratio of the blue light intensity to the UV light intensity at position A may be about 7 to about 200, or about 10 to about 200.

[0077] The blue light intensities at positions B and D may desirably be less than the blue light intensities at positions A and F. The light measured at positions B and D represents the light halo applied to the wall by the trap when the trap is plugged into a wall outlet. At positions B and D, the light intensity is preferably sufficient to attract arthropods to the trap but not so large as to be bothersome to the user. The intensity of the blue light at position B is about 100 μW / cm 2 ~ about 6,500 μW / cm 2 or about 125 μW / cm 2 ~ about 3,000 μW / cm 2 may be sufficient. The intensity of the blue light at position D is about 70 μW / cm 2 ~ about 3,500 μW / cm 2 or about 80 μW / cm 2 ~ about 1,500 μW / cm 2 may be sufficient. The ratio of the blue light intensity at position B to the blue light intensity at position D may be about 0.25 to about 2.25, or about 0.5 to about 2. The ratio of the blue light intensity at position B to the blue light intensity at position D may be about 1.1 to about 2 and may represent an asymmetric halo on the wall. An asymmetric halo with a stronger light intensity on the wall above the trap may better attract flying arthropods approaching the trap from above, but is still less likely to be bothersome and / or conspicuous to the user.

[0078] The ratio of the blue light intensity at position A to the blue light intensity at position D may be from about 3 to about 10, or from about 4 to about 7. The ratio of the UV light intensity at position A to the UV light intensity at position D may be from about 0.75 to about 5, or from about 1 to about 2. The ratio of the blue light intensity at position A to the blue light intensity at position B may be from about 1.5 to about 10, or from about 2 to about 5. The ratio of the UV light intensity at position A to the UV light intensity at position B may be from about 1.5 to about 10, or from about 2 to about 9.

[0079] The light at position I, position J, and position G represents light leaking from the trap and may be visible to the user, the arthropod, or both. It may be desirable to limit the intensity of the light leaking from the trap so that the trap is not obtrusive or visible to the user while still providing sufficient light intensity (blue light, UV light, or both) to attract the arthropod. The intensity of the blue light at position I may be from about 3 μW / cm 2 to about 80 μW / cm 2 or from about 3 μW / cm 2 to about 15 μW / cm 2 or from about 25 μW / cm 2 to about 80 μW / cm 2 The intensity of the UV light at position I may be from about 2 μW / cm 2 to about 100 μW / cm 2 or from about 2 μW / cm 2 to about 40 μW / cm 2 or from about 45 μW / cm 2 to about 100 μW / cm 2 and may be acceptable.

[0080] The intensity of the blue light at position J may be from about 40 μW / cm 2 to about 1,500 μW / cm 2 or from about 50 μW / cm 2 to about 500 μW / cm 2 The intensity of the UV light at position J may be from about 3 μW / cm 2 to about 25 μW / cm 2 or from about 15 μW / cm 2 to about 25 μW / cm 2 or from about 3 μW / cm 2~about 8 μW / cm 2 It may also be so. The ratio of the blue light intensity to the UV light intensity at position J may be about 2 to about 25, or about 5 to about 21.

[0081] The intensity of the blue light at position G is about 3 μW / cm 2 ~about 100 μW / cm 2 or about 4 μW / cm 2 ~about 60 μW / cm 2 It may also be so. The intensity of the UV light at position G is less than about 35 μW / cm 2 or less than about 10 μW / cm 2 It may also be so.

[0082] The intensity of the light emitted from the top of the trap may be greater than the light intensity emitted from the side of the trap. Arthropods, especially flying arthropods, may approach the trap from above, and it may be advantageous to emit more light from the top of the trap than from the side of the trap. The ratio of the blue light intensity at position J to the blue light intensity at position I may be about 1 to about 15, or about 2 to about 12. The ratio of the UV light intensity at position J to the UV light intensity at position I may be about 0.1 to about 2.

[0083] The blue light intensity on the upper wall of the trap represented by the light measured at position B may be greater than the blue light intensity emitted from the trap represented by the light measured at position G. The light emitted from the trap represented by the light measured at position G may help attract arthropods to the trap, but the greater light intensity on the wall represented by the light measured at position B may help attract arthropods closer to the adhesive disposed on the light source / LED facing surface of the trap insert. The ratio of the blue light intensity at position B to the blue light intensity at position G may be about 5 to about 55.

[0084] Similarly, the light intensity on the light source / LED facing surface of the trap insert (where the adhesive is disposed) represented by the light measured at position F may be greater than the light intensity on the wall immediately behind the trap represented by the light measured at position A. This may ensure that arthropods attracted near the trap are most attracted to the adhesive surface where they will be immobilized. The ratio of the blue light intensity at position F to the blue light intensity at position A may be from about 1.1 to about 10, or from about 1.5 to about 5. The ratio of the UV light intensity at position F to the UV light intensity at position A may be from about 1.1 to about 15 or from about 1.5 to about 10.

[0085] Combination A. An insert comprising: a) a substrate and a frame for supporting the substrate, wherein an adhesive is disposed on the surface of the substrate, and b) a grippable tab extending from the frame at a second end of the insert, the insert being configured to be inserted into an arthropod capture device, the adhesive being for capturing arthropods, and the grippable tab being substantially free of the adhesive. B. An insert comprising: a) a substrate and a frame for supporting the substrate, wherein an adhesive is disposed on the surface of the substrate, and b) a tab hanging downward from the frame at a first end of the insert, the insert being configured to be inserted into an arthropod capture device including a slot for receiving the downward hanging tab, the adhesive being for capturing arthropods. C. The insert according to paragraph A, wherein the insert further comprises a downward hanging tab extending from the bottom edge of the frame, and the arthropod capture device includes a slot for receiving the downward hanging tab. D. The insert according to paragraph B, wherein the insert further comprises a grippable tab extending from the frame at a second end of the insert, and preferably the grippable tab is substantially free of the adhesive. E. When the insert is inserted into the arthropod capture device, the surface of the substrate with the adhesive disposed thereon faces the LED in the arthropod capture device, and a tab that hangs downward actuates a switch in the arthropod capture device to energize the LED, the insert according to any one of paragraphs A to D. F. The substrate is curved, pleated, textured, or a combination thereof, preferably the substrate is curved, more preferably the substrate is uneven, the insert according to any one of paragraphs A to E. G. The insert includes a mounting bracket that is spaced from the adhesive surface of the insert and is located at the first end of the insert, and the adhesive surface and the bracket of the insert define an opening in the insert, the insert according to any one of paragraphs A to F. H. The substrate includes a polymer material, a fiber material, or a carbon-based material, the insert according to any one of paragraphs A to G. I. The substrate, the adhesive, or both are transparent or translucent, the insert according to any one of paragraphs A to H. J. The substrate, the adhesive, or both transmit more than about 80% of blue light, preferably more than about 90% of blue light, the insert according to any one of paragraphs A to I. K. The substrate, the adhesive, or both transmit less than about 80% of UV light, preferably less than about 50% of UV light, more preferably less than about 30% of UV light, the insert according to any one of paragraphs A to J. L. A housing including a base and a shade coupled to the base, the base being configured to communicate with a power source and receive power from the power source, at least one LED being mounted on the base, the shade being configured to receive an insert including a shade-facing surface and an LED-facing surface, an adhesive for capturing arthropods being disposed on the LED-facing surface of the insert, at least one LED being configured to emit light toward the LED-facing surface of the shade, and the light being reflected from the shade, the insert, or a combination thereof, an arthropod capture device. An arthropod capture device comprising a housing including an M. base and a shade coupled to the base, the base being configured to communicate with and receive power from a power source, at least one LED being mounted on the base, the shade being configured to receive an insert including a shade-facing surface and an LED-facing surface, an adhesive for capturing arthropods being disposed on the LED-facing surface of the insert, and the adhesive surface area being equal to or greater than the projected area of the device. An arthropod capture device comprising a housing including an N. base and a shade coupled to the base, the base being configured to communicate with and receive power from a power source, at least one LED being mounted on the base, the shade being configured to receive an insert including a shade-facing surface and an LED-facing surface, an adhesive for capturing arthropods being disposed on the LED-facing surface of the insert, the shade overhanging the base, and preferably, an outward-facing opposing wall of the base and an insert-facing surface of the shade defining an opening in the housing. The arthropod capture device according to any one of paragraphs A to N, wherein at least one LED has a peak wavelength of from about 350 nm to about 500 nm. The arthropod capture device according to any one of paragraphs A to O, wherein at least one LED has a peak wavelength of from about 400 nm to about 500 nm. The arthropod capture device according to any one of paragraphs A to P, wherein at least one LED has a peak wavelength of from about 350 nm to about 400 nm. The arthropod capture device according to any one of paragraphs A to Q, wherein at least one LED has a peak wavelength of from about 350 nm to about 400 nm and at least one LED has a peak wavelength of from about 400 nm to about 500 nm. The arthropod capture device according to any one of paragraphs A to R, wherein at least one LED has a peak wavelength of from about 400 nm to about 500 nm and emits light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the LED-facing surface of the shade. T. The arthropod capture device according to any one of paragraphs A to S, wherein at least one LED has a peak wavelength of about 350 nm to about 400 nm and emits light in a direction substantially parallel to the LED-facing surface of the shade. U. The projection area of the device is about 40 cm 2 to about 120 cm 2 , preferably 50 cm 2 to about 100 cm 2 , more preferably about 65 cm 2 to about 90 cm 2 and is the arthropod capture device according to any one of paragraphs A to T. V. The surface area of the adhesive disposed on the LED-facing surface of the insert is about 40 cm 2 to about 180 cm 2 , preferably 50 cm 2 to about 160 cm 2 , more preferably about 75 cm 2 to about 155 cm 2 and is the arthropod capture device according to any one of paragraphs A to U. W. The arthropod capture device according to any one of paragraphs A to V, wherein the adhesive for capturing arthropods is disposed on the shade-facing surface of the insert. X. The arthropod trap according to any one of paragraphs A to W, wherein one or more conductive prongs protrude from the base, and preferably the conductive prongs are insertable into an electrical outlet. Y. The arthropod capture device according to any one of paragraphs A to X, wherein the base includes a slot for receiving the insert. Z. The arthropod capture device according to any one of paragraphs A to Y, wherein the insert includes a substrate and a frame for supporting the substrate, preferably the substrate has an LED-facing surface and a shade-facing surface, and more preferably the adhesive is disposed on the LED-facing surface of the substrate. AA. The substrate is curved, uneven, pleated, textured, or a combination thereof, and preferably the substrate is uneven, and is the arthropod capture device according to paragraph W. BB. The shade is curved, and preferably, the shade is concave-convex, the arthropod trap according to any one of paragraphs A~AA. CC. The shade projects onto the base, and preferably, the outward-facing opposing wall of the base and the insert opposing surface of the shade define an opening in the housing, the arthropod trap according to any one of paragraphs A~BB. DD. The shade includes a recess for receiving a grippable tab of the insert, the arthropod trap according to any one of paragraphs A~CC. EE. The shade includes at least one insert receiving rail, the arthropod trap according to any one of paragraphs A~DD. FF. The insert includes a flange configured to slide within an insert receiving groove of the shade, the arthropod trap according to paragraph BB. GG. Each LED has a cone angle of about 20° to about 180°, the arthropod capture device according to any one of paragraphs A~FF. HH. The base includes a switch, a circuit board, or a combination thereof, and preferably, the switch includes a mechanical switch, an optical switch, an electronic switch, an electromechanical switch, or a Hall effect sensor, the arthropod capture device according to any one of paragraphs A~GG. II. The circuit board is configured to change the voltage to the LED, and preferably, the LED emits light intermittently, the arthropod capture device according to paragraph EE. JJ. A method including the steps of inserting an insert into a housing and engaging a base with a power source, the arthropod capture device according to any one of paragraphs A~II. KK. The base includes one or more conductive prongs, and engaging the base with a power source includes inserting the conductive prongs into an electrical outlet, the method according to paragraph GG. LL. Preferably, the method according to paragraph GG further includes the step of removing the insert from the housing without contacting the adhesive or the arthropod and disposing of the insert, which remains adhered thereto. The method according to paragraph II of stopping the switch within the base and cutting off the power supply to the LED by removing the MM insert from the shade. NN. The arthropod capture device according to any one of paragraphs A to MM, wherein the shade comprises a polymeric material, a fibrous material, or a carbon-based material. OO. The arthropod capture device according to any one of paragraphs A to NN, wherein the power supply comprises an electrical outlet or a battery. PP. The arthropod capture device according to any one of paragraphs A to OO, wherein the base comprises a power supply stabilizer configured to supply a constant voltage to the LED, and preferably, the power supply stabilizer comprises a full rectification circuit. QQ. The arthropod capture device according to any one of paragraphs A to PP, wherein the intensity, peak wavelength, frequency, and / or intermittency of the light emitted by each LED is independently adjustable. RR. The arthropod capture device according to any one of paragraphs A to QQ, wherein the insert comprises a chemical attractant. SS. The arthropod capture device according to any one of paragraphs A to RR, wherein the shade is configured to receive an insert comprising a grippable tab, and the shade comprises a recess configured to receive the grippable tab of the insert. TT. The arthropod capture device according to any one of paragraphs A to SS, wherein the shade comprises at least one guide rail, and preferably, the at least one guide rail comprises a flared opening.

[0086] The dimensions and values disclosed in this specification are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".

[0087] All documents cited herein, including any patents or patent applications that are cross-referenced or related, and any patent applications or patents for which this application claims priority or the benefit thereof, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, unless expressly excluded or limited. The citation of any document shall not be construed as an admission that such document is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein, or that it teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention, alone or in combination with any other reference(s). Further, if any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition given to the term in this document shall apply.

[0088] While specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that all such changes and modifications within the scope of the invention be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A housing comprising a base and a shade coupled to the base, the base configured to communicate with a power source and receive power therefrom, at least one LED mounted on the base, the shade configured to receive an insert including a shade-facing surface and an LED-facing surface, the insert comprising a substrate and a frame supporting the substrate, the substrate being curved, an adhesive for capturing arthropods disposed on the LED-facing surface of the curved substrate of the insert, the at least one LED configured to emit light toward the LED-facing surface of the shade, the light being reflected from the shade, the insert, or a combination thereof, an arthropod capture device.

2. The arthropod capture device according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive surface area is greater than or equal to a projected area that is a two-dimensional area measurement obtained by projecting the shape of the device onto an arbitrary planar surface.

3. The arthropod capture device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shade projects beyond the base, and an outward-facing opposing wall of the base and an insert-facing surface of the shade define an opening in the housing.

4. The arthropod capture device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one LED has a peak wavelength of 400 nm to 600 nm, at least one LED has a peak wavelength of 350 nm to 400 nm, or a combination thereof.

5. The arthropod capture device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shade is curved, the shade includes a recess for receiving a grippable tab of the insert, the shade includes at least one guide rail, or a combination thereof.

6. The arthropod capture device according to claim 5, wherein the insert includes a flange configured to slide within the guide rail of the shade.

7. The insert comprises a grippable tab extending from the frame at a second end of the insert and the grippable tab is free of adhesive, and the insert is received in the shade, the arthropod capture device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The insert A mounting bracket disposed at a first end of the insert at a distance from the adhesive surface of the insert comprising The adhesive surface of the insert and the bracket define an opening in the insert, and the insert is received in the shade. The arthropod capture device according to any one of claims 1 to 6

9. The arthropod capture device according to claim 8, wherein the insert further comprises a tab that hangs downward and extends from the mounting bracket

10. The arthropod capture device according to claim 9, comprising a slot for receiving the tab that hangs downward

11. The arthropod capture device according to claim 8, wherein the insert further comprises a grippable tab that extends from the frame at a second end of the insert

12. The arthropod capture device according to claim 11, wherein the grippable tab does not contain an adhesive

13. The arthropod capture device according to claim 10, wherein the tab that hangs downward of the insert is inserted into the arthropod capture device to activate a switch of the arthropod capture device to energize the LED

14. The arthropod capture device according to any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein the substrate has unevenness, one surface of the substrate is concave, and the surface on the opposite side of the substrate is convex

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