HANGING INSECT TRAPS

Abstract

The invention relates to a suspended insect trap. The suspended insect trap comprises a frame constructed to hold at least one adhesive sheet in the adhesive sheet space. The suspended insect trap is positioned on the surface of the first adhesive sheet in the first direction and on the surface of the second adhesive sheet in the second direction, wherein the second direction is opposite to the first. The suspended insect trap also comprises a first support for a light source, a first Light Emitting Diode (LED), at the edge of the adhesive sheet to direct the light in the first direction. The suspended insect trap also comprises a second support for a second LED light source at the edge of the adhesive sheet to direct the light in the second direction, for the purpose of attracting insects on the adhesive sheet surfaces.

Description

[0001] SUSPEND ABLE INSECT TRAP

[0002] FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to a suspendable insect trap.

[0003] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The insect trap industry has been moving towards using Light Emitting Diodes (LED’s), due to their cheap production costs and high energy efficiency. LED light sources are directional in nature.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Aspects of the invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Combinations of features from the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims as appropriate and not merely as explicitly set out in the claims.

[0007] According to an aspect, there is provided a suspendable insect trap. The suspendable insect trap comprises a frame configured to receive at least one glue board into a glue board receiving space. This presents a first adhesive glue board surface in a first direction and presents a second adhesive glue board surface in a second direction, wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction. The suspendable insect trap further includes a first mount for receiving a first Light Emitting Diode, LED, light source at a periphery of the glue board to direct light in the first direction; and a second mount for receiving a second LED light source at the periphery of the glue board to direct light in the second direction.

[0008] According to the directional nature of LEDs, they tend to emit light primarily in one direction. According to embodiments, a suspendable insect trap can be provided in which light is emitted in at least two directions, with a first LED light source being used to emit light in a first direction and a second LED light source being used to emit light in a second direction, opposite to the first direction. This can allow the trap to attract insects from more than one direction.

[0009] In one embodiment, the frame comprises a catch tray to catch insects from the first adhesive glue board surface and the second adhesive glue board surface. In an embodiment, the catch tray comprises a release mechanism to detach the catch tray from the frame for insect removal.

[0010] In one embodiment, the frame comprises a slot configured to receive and direct the at least one glue board into a fixed position, so that the first adhesive glue board surface faces the first direction, and the second adhesive glue board surface faces the second direction. The effect of this slot is to aid removal and replacement of the at least one glue board.

[0011] According to an embodiment, the frame comprises a guide rail configured to direct and secure the at least one glue board into the fixed position. In one embodiment, the frame comprises an opening for receiving an end of the at least one glue board opposite the slot. This can aid in securing the glue board in the fixed position.

[0012] In one embodiment, the slot extends parallel to a suspension axis of the suspendable insect trap.

[0013] In one embodiment, the or each glue board may have a substantially rectangular shape (e.g., oblong, square).

[0014] According to an embodiment, the slot comprises a widened portion to allow a user’s fingers access to the at least one glue board received in the glue board receiving space to aid the removal or replacement of the at least one glue board.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first mount is located at a peripheral edge of the glue board receiving space and the second mount on an opposite peripheral edge of the glue board receiving space.

[0016] In one embodiment, the trap further comprises said first LED light source and said second LED light source, wherein the glue board receiving space allows light from the first LED light source to pass in both the first direction and the second direction, and wherein the glue board receiving space allows light from the second LED light source to pass in both the first direction and the second direction.

[0017] Although LED light sources are typically directional as noted above, LED light sources often also emit a certain amount of light in a direction that is opposite to the primary direction of light emission. Accordingly, a small percentage (typically up to around 24%) of the total amount of light that is emitted by the LED light source may be emitted in the above-mentioned secondary direction opposite to the primary direction. A suspendable insect trap according to embodiments, can use this quality by having a frame that allows the light to be emitted in both the primary and opposite directions, therefore attracting more insects.

[0018] In one embodiment, the first LED light source directs light primarily in the first direction and the second LED light source directs light primarily in the second direction. In one embodiment, each LED light source is thus operable to direct light in a primary direction and in a secondary direction, wherein the secondary direction is opposite to the primary direction, wherein a ratio A:B of light emitted in the primary direction (A) and the secondary direction (B) is given by:

[0019] A = 1 - X, 0.3 < X < 0.1 and B = 1 - A. According to an embodiment, the first LED light source and the second LED light source are substantially tubular shape. The tubular LED light sources may contain strips of surface mounted LEDs.

[0020] According to an embodiment, the first mount is displaced along the first direction relative to the glue board receiving space and the second mount is displaced along the second direction relative to the glue board receiving space.

[0021] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference signs relate to like elements and in which:

[0023] Figure 1 shows a suspendable insect trap, according to an embodiment;

[0024] Figure 2 shows another view of the suspendable insect trap of Figure 1;

[0025] Figure 3 shows another view of the suspendable insect trap of Figure 1; and

[0026] Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the suspendable insect trap of Figure 1.

[0027] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 illustrates a suspendable insect trap 100 in accordance with an embodiment. The suspendable insect trap 100 includes a frame 103. The frame 103 can form an enclosure that contains multiple components of the device 100 such as a first mount 114A / B, a second mount 116 and at least one glue board 101 as will be described in greater detail below. The frame 103 in this example includes a top section 120, a catch tray 110 at the bottom of the frame and two side portions 118A, 118B. The features of the frame of the suspendable insect trap can be constructed using any suitable material (for instance, the frame may be metallic, to provide structural strength and stability).

[0030] As shown in Figure 1, the at least one glue board 101 is presented within a slot 108. The slot 108 extends parallel to a suspension axis of the suspendable insect trap. The suspension axis is the axis along which the suspendable insect trap hangs from a ceiling or other object. The slot 108 is configured to receive and direct the at least one glue board into a fixed position, which is shown Figure 1. The fixed position lies between the first mount 114A / B and the second mount 116A / B, which are configured to receive a first LED light source 104 and a second LED light source 106 respectively. In use, light emitted from the first LED light source 104 and the second LED light source 106 attracts insects onto the at least one glue board 101.

[0031] In the present example, the suspendable insect trap 100 is ceiling suspendable. Features such as hooks or pegs or holes for screws can be provided to suspend the device from the ceiling. In this example, the suspendable insect trap 100 is provided with at least one connection point 102 for suspending the trap from a ceiling, where a hook is connected to a chain or chord to suspend the trap from two mounts on the ceiling.

[0032] In this embodiment, the suspendable insect trap 100 is connectable to a power supply through a power coupling 112. In this example, a C13 socket is used to connect to mains power to the first LED light source 104 and the second LED light source 106. A power supply unit may be included in the trap 100, for converting the mains power into the appropriate supply voltage etc. for powering the LED light sources 106, 106.

[0033] As shown in Figure 1, the top section 120 and the catch tray 110 may be shaped to allow light from the first LED light source 104 and second LED light source 106 to exit the frame 103.

[0034] Figure 2 shows the suspendable insect trap 100 of Figure 1 with the at least one glue board partially removed from a glue board receiving space 125. The at least one glue board 101 can, for example, be removed as the slot comprises a widened portion 109 to allow a user’s fingers access to the at least one glue board 101 to pull it from the glue board receiving space 125. This can, for example, allow replacement of the at least one glue board 101 once its adhesive surface is no longer adhesive and / or when the number of insects caught reaches an acceptable limit.

[0035] Figure 2 shows the catch tray 110 detached from the frame 103 by a release mechanism 122. Features such as a pin release or hooks or screws can be used to implement the release mechanism. In this example, the suspendable insect trap 100 is provided with a pin release 122 to detach and reattach the catch tray 110 when it needs to be cleaned of insects that have fallen from the at least one glue board 101. In addition to this, the top section 120 and the catch tray 110 are shaped so as to allow light from the first LED light source 104 and second LED light source 106 to exit the frame 103. This is done using a cut away 111 that extends along the length of both the catch tray 110 and the top section 120.

[0036] In the present example, the suspendable insect trap 100 comprises a glue board receiving space 125. The glue board receiving space 125 can be a generally flat area defined by one or more interior surfaces of the frame 103 within which the at least glue board 101 can be inserted. Glue boards are well known in the field of insect capturing devices and typically comprise a sheet of material such as plastic or cardboard covered with a sticky substance. Insects that land on the glue board are caught on the surface of the glue board. Generally, glue boards of this kind need to be replaced on a semi -regular basis (for example, monthly or quarterly). One or more clips, slots, or other fastening devices can be provided within the frame 103 for attaching the at least one glue board 101 to the glue board receiving space 125. In this embodiment, the suspendable insect trap 100 includes an opening 124 for receiving an end of the at least one glue board 101 and an upper and lower guide rail 126A / B. These features are used to direct and secure the at least one glue board received into a fixed position as shown in Figure 3.

[0037] Figure 3 depicts the suspendable insect trap 100 of Figure 1 and 2 from a side on point of view. This view shows the directions of the light produced by the first LED light source 104 which directs the light in a primary direction 128B and a secondary direction 128A, where the light emitted has the ratio A:B of light emitted in the primary direction (A) and the secondary direction (B) is given by:

[0038] A = 1 - X, 0.3 < X < 0.1 and B = 1 - A.

[0039] This arrangement of the LED light sources 104, 106 can increase the light intensity in both directions as the first direction 132B comprises the primary direction light 128B from the first LED light source 104 and the secondary direction light 130B from the second LED light source 106. Conversely, the second direction 132A comprises the primary direction light 130A from the second LED light source 106 and the secondary direction light 128 A from the first LED light source 104. This can allow more insects to be attracted to the at least one glue board 101 and to be trapped on the first and second adhesive surfaces.

[0040] The LEDs used can be selected according to criteria such as their output power and emission spectrum. Traditionally, fluorescent tubes used in insect traps operate at around 350nm, although nowadays tubes operating at around 365nm are often used. Accordingly, the LEDs provided in the suspendable insect trap according to an embodiment may operate at or around these wavelengths.

[0041] In the present embodiment, a first adhesive glue board surface faces a first direction 132B and a second adhesive glue board surface faces a second direction 132A, with the at least one glue board 101 therefore being able to trap insects from either side of the suspendable insect trap 100. In the present example, the at least one glue board 101 may comprise a single board with an adhesive surface on either opposing side thereof. In alternative embodiments, the at least one glue board 101 can be multiple glue boards (e.g., 2), each board having a single adhesive surface that is presented outwardly with respect to the trap.

[0042] In this embodiment, the first mount 114A / B (and accordingly, any LED light source 104 that is received within the first mount 114A / B) is displaced along the first direction 132B relative to the at least one glue board 101 and the second mount 116A / B (and accordingly, any LED light source 106 that is received within the second mount 116A / B) is displaced along the second direction 132A relative to the at least one glue board 101. The glue board receiving space 125 allows light from the first LED light source 104 to pass in both the first direction and the second direction, as there is a gap between the edges of the at least one glue board 101 and the outer edge of the glue board receiving space 125. The same applies to the light from the second LED light source 106, where the glue board receiving space 125 allows light to pass in both the first direction and the second direction, as there is a gap between the edges of the at least one glue board 101 and the outer edge of the glue board receiving space 125.

[0043] Figure 4 provides an exploded view of the suspendable insect trap 100. The first LED light source 104 and second LED light source 106 may comprise an LED filament that is located in a tube. The LED filament may comprise multiple series-connected LEDs on a transparent substrate, referred to as chip-on-glass (COG). These transparent substrates can be made of ceramic, glass or sapphire materials. This transparency may allow emitted light to disperse evenly and uniformly without any interference.

[0044] In this embodiment, the first LED light source 104 spans the area between the first mounts 114A / B and the second LED light source 106 spans the area between the second mounts 116A / B.

[0045] In accordance with embodiments, insects can be trapped by providing an insect capturing device of the kind described herein and operating the LEDs to emit light in both the first direction and second direction attracts insects to the adhesive surfaces of the glue board. Over time, it may prove necessary to replenish or replace one or more features of the suspendable insect trap, such as the at least one glue board. Accordingly, there has been described a suspendable insect trap. The suspendable insect trap comprises a frame configured to receive at least one glue board into a glue board receiving space. The suspendable insect trap presents a first adhesive glue board surface in a first direction and presents a second adhesive glue board surface in a second direction, wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction. The suspendable insect trap further comprises a first mount for receiving a first Light Emitting Diode, LED, light source at a periphery of the glue board to direct light primarily in the first direction. The suspendable insect trap also comprises a second mount for receiving a second LED light source at the periphery of the glue board to direct light primarily in the second direction, for the purpose of attracting insects onto the adhesive glue board surfaces.

[0046] Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be appreciated that many modifications / additions and / or substitutions may be made within the scope of the claimed invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A suspendable insect trap comprising: a frame configured to receive at least one glue board into a glue board receiving space to present a first adhesive glue board surface in a first direction and to present a second adhesive glue board surface in a second direction, wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction. a first mount for receiving a first Light Emitting Diode, LED, light source at a periphery of the glue board receiving space to direct light in the first direction; and a second mount for receiving a second LED light source at the periphery of the glue board receiving space to direct light in the second direction.

2. The suspendable insect trap of claim 1, wherein the frame also comprises a catch tray to catch insects from the first adhesive glue board surface and the second adhesive glue board surface.

3. The suspendable insect trap of claim 1 or 2, wherein the catch tray comprises a release mechanism to detach the catch tray from the frame for insect removal.

4. The suspendable insect trap of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one glue board has a substantially rectangular shape.

5. The suspendable insect trap of any preceding claim, wherein the frame comprises a slot configured to receive and direct the at least one glue board into a fixed position, so that the first adhesive glue board surface faces the first direction, and the second adhesive glue board surface faces the second direction.

6. The suspendable insect trap of claim 5, wherein the frame also comprises a guide rail configured to direct and secure the at least one glue board received into the fixed position.

7. The suspendable insect trap of claims 5 or 6, wherein the frame comprises an opening for receiving an end of the at least one glue board opposite the slot.

8. The suspendable insect trap of any preceding claim, wherein the slot extends parallel to a suspension axis of the suspendable insect trap.

9. The suspendable insect trap of any preceding claim, wherein the slot comprises a widened portion to allow a user’s fingers access to the at least one glue board received in the glue board receiving space.

10. The suspendable insect trap of any preceding claim, wherein the first mount is located at a peripheral edge of the glue board receiving space and the second mount on an opposite peripheral edge of the glue board receiving space.

11. The suspendable insect trap of any preceding claim, further comprising said first LED light source and said second LED light source, wherein the glue board receiving space allows light from the first LED light source to pass in both the first direction and the second direction, wherein the glue board receiving space allows light from the second LED light source to pass in both the first direction and the second direction.

12. The suspendable insect trap of any preceding claim, wherein the first LED light source directs light primarily in the first direction, wherein the second LED light source directs light primarily in the second direction.

13. The suspendable insect trap claim 12, wherein each LED light source is operable to direct light in a primary direction and in a secondary direction, wherein the secondary direction is opposite to the primary direction, wherein a ratio A:B of light emitted in the primary direction (A) and the secondary direction (B) is given by:A = 1 - X, 0.3 < X < 0.1 and B = 1 - A.

14. The suspendable insect trap of any preceding claim, further comprising the first LED light source and second LED light source, wherein each LED light source is substantially tubular shape.

15. The suspendable insect trap of any preceding claim, wherein the first mount is displaced along the first direction relative to the glue board receiving space and wherein the second mount is displaced along the second direction relative to the glue board receiving space.

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