Three-dimensional bedbug trap

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a three-dimensional bedbug trap in which bedbug adhesion strength is improved and which can prevent the detachment of bedbugs that have been trapped and does not allow the escape of the bedbugs therefrom.　[Solution] This three-dimensional bedbug trap is provided with: a three-dimensional passage layer 110 having pore diameters that allow the passage of bedbugs; and a three-dimensional structure adhesive layer 120 for trapping bedbugs, which is provided on the back side of the three-dimensional passage layer 110 and is impregnated with an adhesive agent. The three-dimensional structure adhesive layer 120 for trapping bedbugs is not exposed on the outer surface of the three-dimensional passage layer 110. Bedbugs entering inside from the surface of the three-dimensional passage layer 110 are trapped by the three-dimensional structure adhesive layer 120. A trap in which bedbugs are enclosed so as to be prevented from escaping can be freely formed by using a net body 140.

Description

3D Bed Bug Trap

[0001] The present invention relates to a bed bug trap for capturing bed bugs that breed on beds, sofas, furniture, suitcases, carry-on cases, sheets, rugs, mattresses, tatami mats, carpets, car seats, etc.

[0002] Bed bugs have traditionally been avoided as pests that feed on the blood of humans and warm-blooded animals. Bed bugs typically spend the day in dark, enclosed spaces, preferring to infiltrate human living environments by hiding in crevices in beds, sofas, furniture, suitcases, carry-on cases, and papers. Bed bugs create microenvironments within human living environments where they can hide for long periods. These bed bugs are spreading worldwide and gaining momentum. Although adult bed bugs are small enough to be visible (approximately 5-8 mm), they are difficult to see, highly mobile, and primarily nocturnal, making them notoriously difficult to detect and eradicate. Bed bugs are pests that need to be exterminated, but because they are small and hide in fabrics such as beds, furniture, bags, carry-on cases, blankets, and carpets, it is difficult to see their presence with the naked eye. In addition, bed bugs move from place to place, either on their own or through contact with people, rather than remaining in a fixed nest, making them difficult to exterminate.

[0003] BACKGROUND ART Bed bug control techniques using a trapping sheet type that holds bed bugs with an adhesive sheet or the like for the purpose of trapping bed bugs are known.

[0004] 10 is a simplified diagram showing a bed bug trapping device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-064499, which is related to Patent Document 1. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-064499 (Patent Document 4) discloses a pest trap 11 having a structure including a corrugated plate 12 processed into a corrugated shape, and an adhesive body 13 having an adhesive surface and attached to a corrugated protrusion A of the corrugated plate 12 with the adhesive surface facing the corrugated plate 12, with a pest entry portion B provided between the adhesive surface of the adhesive body 13 and the corrugated protrusion of the corrugated plate.

[0005] Figure 11 is a simplified diagram of the bed bug prevention device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-119681, which is related to Patent Document 2. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-119681 (Patent Document 5) discloses a bed bug control sheet characterized by being made of a sheet with a surface static friction coefficient of 0.65 or less, and configured so that the periphery of the sheet has a raised portion relative to the horizontal surface on which it is placed. This encloses an area to prevent bed bugs from entering, creating a safety zone, so to speak, in which travel bags and other luggage are placed.

[0006] FIG. 12 is a simplified diagram of a bed bug trapping device disclosed in JP-A-2020-009032 (Patent Document 6), which is related to Patent Document 3. JP-A-2020-009032 (Patent Document 6) describes a crawling pest trapping device (1) having a connection portion (5) where one end (3a) of an adhesive sheet (3) is connected to one end (4a) of a walking seat (4). A space portion (10) for accommodating crawling pests B is formed between the adhesive sheet (3) and the walking seat (4). An entry opening (11) is formed between the other end (3b) of the adhesive sheet (3) and the other end (4b) of the walking seat (4). The distance (H) between the adhesive sheet (3) and the walking seat (4) is tapered, gradually decreasing from the entry opening (11) toward the connection portion (5). Bed bugs, which like to find gaps, enter the tapered gaps and are eventually captured by the adhesive object provided in the gap.

[0007] FIG. 13 is a simplified diagram of a bed bug detection device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-514995, which is related to Patent Document 4. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-514995 (Patent Document 1) discloses a bed bug detection device (10) that includes a hiding place (16) that elicits a tactic response from bed bugs and a non-trapping indicator surface (18) that allows bed bugs to leave indicators of their presence, such as feces or exoskeletons. This bed bug detection device is not intended to capture and exterminate bed bugs, but is provided as a marker to indicate the presence of bed bugs. As bed bugs move across the indicator surface on their way to and from the hiding place, they leave indicators of their presence. In other words, the device does not capture bed bugs themselves, but rather detects the presence of indicators. For example, a marker is attached to the marking surface, and the presence or absence of bedbug tracks in the marker-covered area is determined.

[0008] Figure 14 is a simplified diagram of a bed bug detection device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-518433, which is related to Patent Document 5. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-518433 (Patent Document 2) discloses a detection device for monitoring the infestation of insects such as bed bugs. The device comprises a pair of plates separated by a predetermined distance, the distance being large enough for a single bed bug to fit through. If the plates are made of a transparent material, the bloody feces of bed bugs can be seen, and it can be determined whether or not bed bugs are present in the environment in which the device is installed.

[0009] 15 is a simplified diagram illustrating a bed bug detection / trapping device disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-544514, which is related to Patent Document 6. Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-544514 (Patent Document 3) discloses a configuration including a housing defining a substantially enclosed interior space and a drop trap, an escape element attached adjacent to the drop trap defining at least one passageway through which bed bugs can move, at least one bed bug attracting element provided within the interior space of the housing, and at least one opening defined in at least one wall of the housing on or adjacent to the drop trap and / or the escape element. The drop trap is configured to capture bed bugs by including a flat, recessed area surrounded by at least one wall so as to limit or prevent bed bugs from escaping from the drop trap if they enter the drop trap.

[0010] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-064499 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-119681 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-009032 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-514995 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-518433 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-544514

[0011] The bed bug trap disclosed in Patent Document 1, JP 2014-064499 A, comprises a corrugated plate (i.e., cardboard) processed into a wave shape and an adhesive body having an adhesive surface that is attached to the corrugated convex portions of the corrugated plate with the adhesive surface facing the corrugated plate. It is believed that if bed bugs enter through an opening in the cardboard, it will have a certain degree of trapping performance. Because cardboard is the main structure, it is difficult to install it in a way that is integrated into bed bug activity areas. While cardboard is a material that can be easily folded and bent, it is difficult to deform the cardboard so that it fits snugly into bed bug activity areas. Even if it is installed near a bed bug activity area, the likelihood of bed bugs conveniently entering such an opening is low. Therefore, in practice, it cannot be said to be an efficient trap for bed bugs.

[0012] Next, the bed bug control sheet disclosed in Patent Document 2, JP 2015-119681, creates a safety zone by placing a paper-like sheet around the target suitcase or other item to prevent bed bugs from entering, but does not exterminate or capture bed bugs. This does not ensure human activities in human living environments, and only serves as a measure to prevent bed bugs from entering the belongings of travelers staying at hotels for a short time.

[0013] Next, the bed bug trapping device disclosed in Patent Document 3, JP 2020-009032, is a trapping device that has a taper between two plates. When a bed bug enters the taper, the height gradually decreases due to the taper, and the device adheres to the back of the bed bug, capturing it. If the bed bug enters the gap of the taper as intended, it is considered to have a certain level of trapping performance. The plates are arranged in a hinged manner at a tapered angle, making them difficult to bend or deform so that they fit snugly within the bed bug's active area. Furthermore, since the device is designed to be placed directly on the floor, it occupies part of the room, degrading the human living environment. Furthermore, even if it is installed near a bed bug's active area, the likelihood of the bed bug entering the taper is low. Therefore, in practice, it cannot be said to be an efficient trapping device for bed bugs.

[0014] The bed bug detection device disclosed in Patent Document 4, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-514995, and the bed bug detection device disclosed in Patent Document 5, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-518433, are capable of detecting whether bed bugs are present in an environment, but do not disclose how to exterminate or capture them, and presumably involve spraying highly toxic chemicals such as insecticides. Such spraying of insecticides is harmful to humans and is not a desirable solution. Furthermore, in recent years, bed bugs have become resistant to insecticides, and it is anticipated that spraying insecticides alone will not be sufficient to exterminate them.

[0015] Next, the bed bug detection / trapping device disclosed in Patent Document 6, JP 2013-544514 A, is considered to have a certain degree of trapping performance if bed bugs enter the trap opening of the target trap. In particular, the trap is mainly made of cardboard. However, it is difficult to install it in a way that is integrated into the bed bug's activity area, and even if it is installed near the bed bug's activity area, the likelihood of bed bugs conveniently entering such a trap is low. Therefore, in practice, it cannot be said to be an efficient trap for trapping bed bugs.

[0016] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a three-dimensional bed bug trap that can be easily attached to appropriate locations that are active environments for bed bugs based on their natural nature (for example, the base of a bed leg, the top or bottom of a bed headboard, the top or bottom of a bed footboard, the top or bottom of a bed side frame, the gaps in the bed side frame, between a bedside frame and a mattress, the edge of furniture, the base of a sofa leg, between the seat and back of a sofa, the frame of a picture, the top or bottom of a trash can, around an electrical outlet, etc.), and that can be placed in a location that bed bugs will naturally be forced to enter as they continue to be active based on their natural nature, leading them into an escape-free space formed by the main body of the three-dimensional structure and the three-dimensional mesh, and ultimately preventing bed bugs from escaping once captured by the adhesive components.

[0017] The three-dimensional bed bug trap of the present invention comprises a three-dimensional passage layer made of a porous material with pores large enough for bed bugs to pass through, and a three-dimensional adhesive layer formed by impregnating the interior of the three-dimensional structure passage layer with an adhesive for capturing bed bugs, and is characterized in that the three-dimensional adhesive layer captures bed bugs that have entered the interior of the three-dimensional structure passage layer from the outer surface.

[0018] Here, the three-dimensional structure adhesive layer is formed by impregnating the material of the three-dimensional structure passage layer with an adhesive. Preferably, the three-dimensional structure adhesive layer is not exposed on the outer surface of the three-dimensional structure passage layer, and a part of the bed bug's body is captured by the adhesive of the three-dimensional structure adhesive layer and penetrates into the three-dimensional structure adhesive layer until it is unable to move. In this way, the back or torso is captured by the thread-like walls or pillars that form the mesh within the three-dimensional structure, and it can no longer move by its legs, making escape impossible.

[0019] The three-dimensional bed bug trap of the present invention can be simply placed on the floor, but is preferably attached to the installation location, because bed bugs do not move in a plane, but move freely on beds and furniture, as described above, in a three-dimensional manner.

[0020] As a result, the three-dimensional bed bug trap of the present invention has a structure including a main attachment section that attaches and fixes a portion of the main body of the three-dimensional structure to an object to be protected, such as furniture or a bed, or to a surrounding wall surface; a three-dimensional mesh extending from the outer surface of the main body of the three-dimensional structure; and a sub-attachment section that attaches and fixes the vicinity of the tip of the three-dimensional mesh to the object, such as furniture or a bed, or to a surrounding wall surface. Here, the three-dimensional mesh has a structure including a first three-dimensional mesh section with a pore size that bed bugs cannot pass through and a second three-dimensional mesh section with a pore size that bed bugs can pass through, and a sub-attachment section that is attached and fixed to furniture, a bed, etc., near the tip of the second three-dimensional mesh section. By adjusting the pore size of the three-dimensional mesh in this way, the vicinity of the tip of the second three-dimensional mesh section can be attached and fixed to furniture, a bed, etc. using the sub-attachment section. In other words, if the end of the second three-dimensional netting portion is attached to a path in the bed bug's activity range, the bed bug will naturally pass through the second three-dimensional netting portion and enter the interior space. Because it is a three-dimensional netting, the attachment shape can be freely changed and it can be attached to fit the shape of furniture or other objects. Once a bed bug naturally walks within its natural activity range, it will naturally be guided to the first three-dimensional netting portion as it continues walking. However, the hole diameter of the first three-dimensional netting portion is too large for the bed bug to pass through, making it impossible for it to escape to the outside. The main body of the three-dimensional structure, attached by the main attachment portion, lies in wait ahead. Since this is its natural activity range, many bed bugs will enter the main body of the three-dimensional structure and be captured by the adhesive substance of the three-dimensional structure's adhesive layer inside.

[0021] Here, a variety of materials can be used as the material for the three-dimensional structure, including one or more three-dimensional fibrous porous bodies selected from urethane foam (sponge body), double russell, nonwoven fabric, cotton, gauze, etc. For example, urethane foam (sponge body) is a porous body with an open-cell structure. The pore size of the open-cell structure is preferably 3 mm to 10 mm, so that bed bugs can pass through. In addition, other three-dimensional structures such as double russell, nonwoven fabric, cotton, and gauze are also preferably porous bodies with pore sizes that allow bed bugs to pass through.

[0022] The three-dimensional structure passing layer has no adhesive on the outside, but has a three-dimensional structure adhesive layer inside. This three-dimensional structure adhesive layer has a significantly increased adhesive area compared to conventional bed bug repellent sheets. Conventional bed bug repellent sheets only have a single layer of adhesive surface, so the adhesive area is only equal to the area of ​​the adhesive surface. On the other hand, in the three-dimensional bed bug trap of the present invention, the three-dimensional structure adhesive layer is a three-dimensional structure impregnated with adhesive, and the skeletal structure itself is adhesive, so its area is significantly increased in three dimensions. It is preferable that an attractant be contained in this three-dimensional structure adhesive layer. This is to encourage bed bugs to enter the trap.

[0023] Next, we will discuss the installation (attachment) state of the three-dimensional bed bug trap of the present invention, particularly the innovation in the three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional netting extending from the main body of the three-dimensional structure. The overall shape of the first three-dimensional netting is arranged so that the overall shape of the three-dimensional netting is a funnel, with the spindle portion of the funnel being the first three-dimensional netting portion and the tip portion of the funnel being the second three-dimensional netting portion. With this configuration, bed bugs are guided from the outer surface side to the inner surface side by the second three-dimensional netting portion at the tip portion of the funnel, and when the bed bugs reach a bed or furniture on the inner surface side and move further, they are captured in the space enclosed by the first three-dimensional netting and the main body of the three-dimensional structure.

[0024] The overall shape of the second three-dimensional netting is such that the netting is shaped like a cast net, with the main body of the three-dimensional structure located in the center of the cast net, a first three-dimensional netting section extending radially from the main body of the three-dimensional structure, and a second three-dimensional netting section provided at the tip of the first three-dimensional netting section, with the secondary attachment section positioned near the tip of the second three-dimensional netting section. This configuration allows the second three-dimensional netting section to be freely deformed into a straight or curved shape and attached to furniture, beds, etc. This arrangement guides bed bugs from the outer surface to the inner surface of the second three-dimensional netting section, which is the tip of the cast net, and as the bed bugs reach the furniture, bed, etc. on the inner surface, they are captured in the space enclosed by the first three-dimensional netting and the main body of the three-dimensional structure.

[0025] It is preferable that the inner surface of the first three-dimensional netting be provided with a plurality of barbs to prevent bed bugs from moving backward once they have passed through the second three-dimensional netting and entered the internal space. In other words, like a fish cage, it is preferable that bed bugs can enter from the front but have difficulty moving backward, preventing them from escaping backward.

[0026] 1 is a diagram showing a simplified structure of a three-dimensional bed bug trap of the present invention according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state of bed bugs captured in a prototype three-dimensional bed bug trap of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a diagram briefly explaining the flow of bed bug capture when using the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100 of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram simply showing the installation of the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100 of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a diagram simply showing an example of the installation state of the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100 of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a diagram simply showing an example of the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100 of the present invention that can be installed in various orientations relative to an object 200; FIG. 7 is a diagram simply showing an example of the installation state of a three-dimensional bed bug trap 100A of the present invention according to a second embodiment; FIG. 8 is a diagram simply showing an example of the installation state of a three-dimensional bed bug trap 100A of the present invention according to a second embodiment, in the shape of a cast net; FIG. 9 is a diagram simply showing a so-called "barb structure" provided on the inner surface side of a first net body 141. FIG. 1 is a diagram simply showing a bed bug trapping device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-064499, which corresponds to Patent Document 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram simply showing a bed bug prevention device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-119681, which corresponds to Patent Document 2. FIG. 3 is a diagram simply showing a bed bug trapping device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-009032, which corresponds to Patent Document 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram simply showing a bed bug detection device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-514995, which corresponds to Patent Document 4. FIG. 5 is a diagram simply showing a bed bug detection device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-518433, which corresponds to Patent Document 5. FIG. 6 is a diagram simply showing a bed bug detection / trapping device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-544514, which corresponds to Patent Document 6.

[0027] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the three-dimensional bed bug trap of the present invention will be described. Note that the following embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0028] An example configuration of a three-dimensional bed bug trap according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a simplified illustration of the structure of the three-dimensional bed bug trap according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of a three-dimensional bed bug trap 100, and FIG. 1(b) is a schematic enlarged view of a three-dimensional passage layer 110 and a three-dimensional adhesive layer 120. The illustration is simplified for ease of understanding. As shown in FIG. 1, the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100 according to the present invention is configured to include three-dimensional passage layers 110a and 110b and a three-dimensional adhesive layer 120 sandwiched between the three-dimensional passage layers 110a and 110b.

[0029] The three-dimensional passage layers 110a and 110b are structures with pores large enough for bed bugs to pass through, and are located on the front and back of the three-dimensional adhesive layer 120. They allow bed bugs to pass through inside the layer, and also serve to prevent the three-dimensional adhesive layer 120 from being exposed.

[0030] The material of the three-dimensional passage layers 110a and 110b may be any porous material, and is not particularly limited. For example, a three-dimensional open-cell foam or a three-dimensional fibrous material may be used. Specific examples of three-dimensional open-cell foam include urethane foam, rubber foaming agent foam, melamine foam, and EVA sponge foam. Other materials may be used as the porous material, as long as they have the foaming properties to create a porous material with an appropriate open-cell structure. Specific examples of three-dimensional fibrous materials include double Russell, nonwoven fabric, felt, woven fabric, cotton, gauze, and paper. Other materials may be used as long as they are three-dimensionally combined with fibrous materials. A single material may be used, or multiple materials may be combined. Thick single-layer and multi-layer structures may be included. The example in Figure 1 is a simplified diagram of a porous material with a sponge-like open-cell structure.

[0031] The pore size of the porous three-dimensional structure is preferably 3 to 10 mm. Some pores may have larger or smaller diameters. There are various types of bed bugs, such as the bed bug Cimex lectularius and the Taiwanese bed bug, and these adult bed bugs are roughly the same size, about 5 to 8 mm. A pore size of 5 to 10 mm is appropriate for these adult bugs to be able to enter without difficulty. Taking into consideration measures against larvae, some pores with a diameter of about 3 to 5 mm may be scattered.

[0032] The three-dimensional structure adhesive layer 120 is a three-dimensional structure adhesive layer for capturing bed bugs that is provided inside the three-dimensional structure passage layer 110 and is sandwiched between the three-dimensional passage layers 110a and 110b. In other words, as shown in FIG. 1 , the three-dimensional structure adhesive layer 120 for capturing bed bugs is formed inside the three-dimensional structure and not exposed on the outer surface. For example, the three-dimensional structure adhesive layer 120 is formed by impregnating the material of the three-dimensional passage layers 110a and 110b with an adhesive. Since the three-dimensional passage layers 110a and 110b are porous, impregnating them with an adhesive can form a three-dimensional structure adhesive layer. In other words, the three-dimensional structure adhesive layer 120 is a three-dimensional structure made of a porous material approximately 3 to 10 mm thick, and the three-dimensional structure itself, which serves as its framework, is adhesive.

[0033] The type of adhesive is not particularly limited and may be acrylic, styrene, rubber, silicone, rosin, urethane, or the like. For example, an acrylic adhesive containing an acrylic ester copolymer can be used.

[0034] Acrylic acid ester copolymers include acrylic triblock copolymers and acrylic diblock copolymers. The acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive may consist solely of the triblock copolymer, or may contain other components as appropriate. Possible components that may be incorporated into the acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive include acrylic diblock copolymers and tackifiers, which are compatible with the triblock copolymer, improve uniformity, and provide a pressure-sensitive adhesive with superior heat resistance and weather resistance. The diblock copolymer may optionally have functional groups such as hydroxyl groups, carboxyl groups, acid anhydride groups, amino groups, and trimethoxysilyl groups in the molecular side chains or at the ends of the molecular main chain.

[0035] Furthermore, in order to improve and easily adjust tack, adhesive strength, and holding power, it is preferable to blend a tackifier into the acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive. Examples of tackifiers that can be blended include rosin derivatives such as rosin ester, gum rosin, tall oil rosin, hydrogenated rosin ester, maleated rosin, and disproportionated rosin ester, terpene-phenolic resins, terpene-based resins mainly composed of α-pinene, β-pinene, and limonene, (hydrogenated) petroleum resins, coumarone-indene-based resins, hydrogenated aromatic copolymers, styrene-based resins, phenol-based resins, and xylene-based resins. These can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0036] The presence or absence of a diblock copolymer, a triblock copolymer, and a tackifier and the blending ratio can be appropriately selected depending on the application of the pressure-sensitive adhesive product, the type of adherend, etc., and are not particularly limited. The pressure-sensitive adhesive may be an emulsion-type pressure-sensitive adhesive or a hot-melt-type pressure-sensitive adhesive.

[0037] Such adhesive is impregnated into the material of the three-dimensional passage layers 110a and 110b. If the amount of impregnation is too small, the effect will be small, and if it is too large, the adhesive will crush the mesh of the three-dimensional passage layers 110a and 110b, making it impossible to maintain the three-dimensional mesh structure. Therefore, the impregnation amount is set to a level that will spread over the walls and columns of the three-dimensional mesh structure, such as urethane, but will not fill the gaps between the squares. For example, the impregnation amount is set to a range of 10 to 200 g / m2.

[0038] The adhesive needs to remain within the three-dimensional mesh structure of urethane or the like, so if the viscosity is too low there is a risk of it flowing out, whereas if the viscosity is too high it becomes difficult to apply and the adhesive layer does not spread evenly over the entire three-dimensional structure adhesive layer 120. Therefore, the viscosity is set to a level that does not easily flow out of the three-dimensional mesh structure and is suitable for application.

[0039] Any application method may be used for applying the adhesive. For example, the adhesive can be applied using a printing technique similar to silk screen printing. That is, the adhesive is treated as silk screen ink and uniformly applied to the surfaces of the three-dimensional passage layers 110a and 110b in a manner similar to printing. In this case, the three-dimensional structure adhesive layer 120 is manufactured by pressing the three-dimensional passage layer 110a and the three-dimensional passage layer 110b, on whose surfaces the adhesive has been printed, together to bond them together to produce the three-dimensional structure adhesive layer 120. Alternatively, instead of silk screen printing, the application method may involve continuously applying the adhesive to the roll-shaped three-dimensional passage layer 110a and the three-dimensional passage layer 110b using a roller.

[0040] The three-dimensional adhesive layer 120 has a dramatically increased adhesive surface area compared to conventional anti-bed bug sheets. In this example, the three-dimensional adhesive layer 120 has a sponge-like open-cell structure, a three-dimensional mesh structure, and its skeletal structure is adhesive, so its surface area is dramatically increased in three dimensions. Furthermore, as described above, the three-dimensional adhesive layer 120 has many gaps of about 300 to 3000 μm formed therein, so that it is possible for bed bugs to penetrate into the three-dimensional adhesive layer until part of their body is captured by the adhesive and they are unable to move.

[0041] The three-dimensional adhesive layer 120 preferably contains bait that attracts bed bugs. The bait for bed bugs is not limited as long as it is something that bed bugs like. For example, attractants include nonanal, 1-octan-3-ol, spearmint oil, coriander oil, etc., and may also include aldehyde compounds, ketone compounds, histamine compounds, etc. Because the three-dimensional adhesive layer 120 contains the bait, bed bugs are attracted toward the three-dimensional adhesive layer 120. The above is a description of the configuration of each part of the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100 of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a bed bug trapped in a prototype three-dimensional bed bug trap of the present invention. The diagram is a simplified enlarged view. The magnification is 50x. In the example shown in FIG. 2, urethane foam is used as the material. The adhesive used is selected from acrylic ester polymers. It can be seen that the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100 of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 is effective in trapping bed bugs.

[0043] Next, the process of capturing bed bugs using the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100 of the present invention will be described. Figure 3 is a diagram briefly explaining the process of capturing bed bugs using the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100 of the present invention. The three-dimensional bed bug trap 100 of the present invention can be installed anywhere where bed bugs are expected to inhabit, such as a bed, sofa, furniture, suitcase, carry-on suitcase, bedsheet, rug, mattress, tatami mat, carpet, car seat, etc. If the three-dimensional passing layers 110a and 110b on the front or back of the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100 of the present invention are provided with an adhesive that can be attached, the trap can be attached simply by placing it on the trap.

[0044] Bed bugs live in large numbers in the installation location and move around. Because the three-dimensional adhesive layer 120 contains attractant bait, bed bugs are attracted toward the three-dimensional adhesive layer 120. Bed bugs first attach to the surfaces of the three-dimensional passage layers 110a and 110b on the front or back of the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100, and then invade the interior from the surfaces of the three-dimensional passage layers 110a and 110b. As described above, the three-dimensional passage layers 110a and 110b have a three-dimensional structure of porous material with continuous pores having a diameter of about 3 to 8 mm, and therefore can invade the interior of the three-dimensional passage layers 110a and 110b through the gaps.

[0045] Eventually, the bed bugs pass through the three-dimensional passage layers 110a and 110b and reach the three-dimensional structure adhesive layer 120. The bed bugs reach the three-dimensional structure adhesive layer 120, but because the three-dimensional structure adhesive layer 120 is also a porous three-dimensional structure adhesive body similar to the three-dimensional passage layers 110a and 110b, the bed bugs continue to invade the three-dimensional structure adhesive layer 120 until they are captured by the adhesive and cannot move.

[0046] Then, as a bed bug that has invaded the interior of the three-dimensional adhesive layer 120 walks around or tries to go back, parts of the bed bug other than the legs, such as the back, sides of the body, or head, come into contact with the skeletal structure of the adhesive three-dimensional adhesive layer, and these parts other than the legs are trapped and unable to move. Conventional bed bug trapping sheets are flat and only trap the legs of a bed bug, which only captures a small part of the body, and the bed bug may eventually break away and escape, but the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100 of the present invention has a structure that is impregnated with adhesive in all three-dimensional directions for bed bugs that have invaded the interior of the three-dimensional adhesive layer 120, so it is possible to trap them with the adhesive from all directions. In particular, when the back of a bed bug is caught in the adhesive, the adhesive surface area is large, and its legs are in the air, meaning that it cannot brace itself. Once caught in the adhesive, the bed bug has no way to escape and will remain trapped until it dies.

[0047] 3(b) is an enlarged view of a portion of the three-dimensional adhesive layer 120, simply illustrating the state in which a bed bug's back or torso is stuck to a part of the porous three-dimensional adhesive layer 120, preventing it from moving and trapping it. When the bed bug's back or torso is stuck to a part of the open-cell foam of the three-dimensional adhesive layer 120, its legs are in the air within the foam, meaning that it is unable to escape even if it thrashes its legs around. This concludes the explanation of the process for trapping bed bugs using the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100 of the present invention.

[0048] Next, an example of how to attach the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100 of the present invention will be briefly shown. Figures 4 and 5 are diagrams simply showing an example of the operation and installation state of the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100 of the present invention. The example of Figures 4 and 5 shows an example in which the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100 is attached to the leg 210 of a table 200, and the main body 130 of the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100 is attached near the base of the leg under the seat of the table via the main attachment part 131A.

[0049] In this example, the main attachment portion 131A of the main body 130 of the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100 is provided on the surface facing the bottom surface of the seat of the table 200 in the figure. Furthermore, the main attachment portion 131 is not only provided on one surface, but also on the surface that comes into contact with the main body 130 as it rotates, as shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), so that the main body 130 of the three-dimensional bed bug trap can easily maintain its rotating state. In other words, as shown in Figure 4(b), when the main body 130 of the three-dimensional bed bug trap is brought into contact with the bottom surface of the seat of the table 200, the main attachment portion 131A comes into contact with and is attached to the bottom surface of the seat of the table 200. As shown in Figure 4(a), the main body 130 of the three-dimensional bed bug trap is attached to the bottom surface of the seat of the table 200 while being attached to it.

[0050] 5 shows the installation state of the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100. As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), the main body 130 of the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100 is installed around the legs 210 of the table 200. It is firmly adhered and fixed by the main adhesive part 131A. In this example, a main adhesive part 131B is also provided to make it easier for the main body 130 of the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100 to maintain its orbital state, and the trap is stably installed while maintaining its orbital state.

[0051] The three-dimensional bed bug trap 100 of the present invention can be attached not only to the legs 210 of the table 200, but also to a wide variety of objects and surrounding wall surfaces. While the individual positions are endless, the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100 of the present invention can also be attached to the top surface of an object, the side wall surface of an object, or the bottom surface of an object. FIG. 6 is a simplified diagram illustrating examples of various positions in which the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100 of the present invention can be placed relative to an object 200. FIG. 6(a) illustrates a state in which the trap is attached to the top surface of the object 200, FIG. 6(b) illustrates a state in which the trap is attached to the side wall surface of the object 200, and FIG. 6(c) illustrates a state in which the trap is attached to the bottom surface of the object 200. In this way, the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100 of the present invention can be attached to a wide variety of objects 200 and surrounding wall surfaces.

[0052] Hereinafter, a description will be given of an example of the configuration of a three-dimensional bed bug trap of the present invention according to Example 2. The three-dimensional bed bug trap 100A of the present invention according to Example 2 is configured to include a mesh body 140 in addition to the main body 130 including the three-dimensional passage layer 110 and three-dimensional structure adhesive layer 120 shown in Example 1. The three-dimensional bed bug trap 100A is configured to be able to deform into a shape suitable for the bed bug activity environment, and to be freely installed in the bed bug activity environment.

[0053] The mesh body 140 comprises a first mesh body portion 141 having a hole diameter that bed bugs cannot pass through, a second mesh body portion 142 having a hole diameter that bed bugs can pass through, and a secondary attachment portion 143.

[0054] Fig. 7 is a diagram simply illustrating an example of an installation state of the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100A of the present invention according to Example 2. The example in Fig. 7 is similar to the installation example shown in Figs. 4 and 5 in Example 1, i.e., the example in which the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100A is attached to a table, but shows the state in which the net 140 is used. Note that in Figs. 7(a) and 7(b), the main body 130 of the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100A, which is hidden below the net 140, is shown in a see-through manner.

[0055] As in Figures 4(b) to 5(b) in the above-mentioned Example 1, when the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100A is wrapped around the legs 210 of the table 200, the mesh body 140 also moves around as shown in Figures 7(a) to 7(b), and as shown in Figure 7(b), the main body 130 is attached near the base of the legs 210 under the seat of the table 200 via the main attachment part 131, the mesh body 140 is attached along the legs 210, and the secondary attachment part 143 near the tip of the second mesh body part 142 is attached and fixed to the tip of the leg.

[0056] 7, the overall shape of the mesh body 140 is a funnel, with the spindle portion of the funnel being the first mesh body portion 141 and the portion near the tip of the funnel being the second mesh body portion 142, the most distal end of which is attached to the tip of the table leg by a sub-attachment portion 143. In other words, the overall shape of the mesh body 140 is a funnel, with the main body 130 of the three-dimensional structure shown in Example 1 present at the top of the funnel, and a funnel-shaped space surrounded overall by the second mesh body portion 142, the first mesh body 141, and the main body 130 is formed.

[0057] Here, the second mesh body portion 142 at the tip of the funnel has a hole diameter that allows bed bugs to pass through, and allows the bed bugs to enter by passing through from the outer surface side to the inner surface side on the floor surface where they are active, and when a bed bug reaches the table leg and climbs upward, or when a bed bug climbs upward on the inner surface side of the second mesh body portion 142, it is surrounded by the space enclosed by the first mesh body 141 and the main body 130. Bed bugs have a tendency to move toward the base of a table, which is their natural habitat, and so they invade toward the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100A of the present invention described in Example 1.

[0058] Here, second netting 142, which has a hole diameter that allows bed bugs to pass through, is provided at the tip of netting 140 to allow bed bugs to enter the trap from the outside, and when a bed bug enters the trap from second netting 142 and moves upward, it is prevented from escaping to the outside by first netting 141, which has a hole diameter that does not allow bed bugs to pass through, and the bed bug is trapped within the funnel-shaped space surrounded by first netting 141 and main body 130. Eventually, based on its natural nature, the bed bug will pass through three-dimensional passage layer 110 of main body 130, which is attached to the table leg, which is its natural habitat, and will be trapped in the three-dimensional structure adhesive layer 120.

[0059] In this way, by using the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100A of Example 2, it is possible to easily form a bed bug trap, as shown in Fig. 7. The installation of the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100A of Example 2 is not limited to a funnel shape as shown in Fig. 7, and various other shapes are possible. That is, in the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100A of Example 2, the main body 130 itself can be attached freely up, down, left, and right using the main attachment part 131, and further, the mesh body 140 extending from the outer surface of the three-dimensional structure main body 130 can be installed by spreading it out so as to surround the movement path of the bed bugs.

[0060] For example, in this example, the installation shape of the net body 140 is a shape similar to that of a cast net. The main body 130 of the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100A is located in the center of the cast net, and the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100A has a first net body portion 141 that extends radially from the main body 130. A second net body portion 142 is provided on the tip side of the first net body portion 141, and the second net body portion 142 is fixed by a sub-attachment portion 143.

[0061] FIG. 8 is a simplified diagram illustrating an example of an installation state of a three-dimensional bed bug trap 100A according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which is shaped like a cast net. The example in FIG. 8 illustrates an example in which the three-dimensional bed bug trap 100A according to the second embodiment is attached along the edge of the side frame 200 of the bed to be protected. FIG. 8( a) shows the main body 130 attached to the outer surface of the bedside frame 200 via the main attachment portion 131, and the mesh body 140 spread along the side frame 200 of the bed. FIG. 8( b) shows a simplified side view of the same. The first mesh body portion 141 is spread like a cast net along the side frame 200 of the bed, with a second mesh body portion 142 at its tip, and a secondary attachment portion 143 near the tip being attached and fixed to the edge of the side frame of the bed.

[0062] 8(b), a net body 140 is spread out like a curtain from the outer surface of the main body 130 like a cast net, a first net body 141 is hung from the main body 130 and spread out like a plane, a second net body 142 is located below the first net body 141, and a sub-attached body 143 is attached to the lower end of the net body 140 in a linear manner to the lower part of the wall surface. Therefore, bed bugs accessing from below can enter the inner surface through the second net body 142 and then climb further upward, where they are captured in the space surrounded by the first net body 141 and the main body 130, and are finally captured by the three-dimensional structure adhesive layer 120 of the main body 130.

[0063] 8 shows an example in which the trap is attached to the side frame of a bed, but the object to be protected can be any object that is a habitat for bed bugs, such as furniture, beds, sofas, suitcases, carry-ons, sheets, rugs, mattresses, tatami mats, carpets, car seats, etc. The trap can be attached to the floor, ceiling, or wall around the object. The second mesh body portion 142 can be attached in a straight or curved shape via the auxiliary attachment portion 143, and bed bugs are guided from the outer surface to the inner surface by the second mesh body portion 142 at the tip of the casting net, and if the bed bugs reach the object to be protected, such as furniture, on the inner surface and move further, they will be captured in the space enclosed by the first mesh body 141 and main body 130.

[0064] In other words, the example shown in Figure 8 is a trap that spreads out like a cast net, and a bed bug that gets inside the trap will eventually, based on its natural properties, reach the main body 130 that is attached to an object, which is its natural habitat, pass through the three-dimensional passing layer 110, and eventually be captured in the three-dimensional structure adhesive layer 120.

[0065] 9 is a simplified diagram showing the so-called "return structure" provided on the inner surface side of the first net body 141. Fig. 9 shows a longitudinal cross section of the first net body 141, with the "return structure" exaggerated and enlarged for easy understanding. The "return structure" is made up of cilia tilted in one direction, and the presence of this "return structure" not only promotes bed bugs' tendency to climb upward, but also makes it difficult for them to move backward and escape downward, so that they are constantly guided toward the main body 130.

[0066] While the preferred embodiment of the three-dimensional bed bug trap of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0067] The three-dimensional bed bug trap of the present invention can be provided as a bed bug trap sheet for capturing bed bugs. It can be placed on objects in locations that are natural habitats for bed bugs, such as the base of bed legs, the top and bottom of a bed headboard, the top and bottom of a bed footboard, the top and bottom of a bed side frame, the gaps between the bed side frames, the space between a bed side frame and a mattress, the edge of furniture, the base of sofa legs, the space between the sofa seat and back, a picture frame, the top and bottom of a trash can, or around an electrical outlet. Furthermore, traps can be freely formed to enclose bed bugs so that they cannot escape when they are naturally active.

[0068] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Three-dimensional bed bug trap 110 Three-dimensional passage layer 120 Three-dimensional adhesive layer 130 Main body 131 Main attachment part 140 Mesh body 141 First mesh body 142 Second mesh body 143 Sub-attachment part

Claims

1. A three-dimensional bed bug trap that is a three-dimensional structure made of a porous material, comprising a three-dimensional structure passage layer made of a porous material with a pore size that allows bed bugs to pass through, and a porous three-dimensional structure adhesive layer formed by impregnating the interior of the three-dimensional structure passage layer with an adhesive for capturing bed bugs, and characterized in that the bed bugs that have entered the interior from the outer surface of the three-dimensional structure passage layer are captured by the three-dimensional structure adhesive layer.

2. The three-dimensional bed bug trap described in claim 1, characterized in that the three-dimensional adhesive layer is not exposed on the outer surface of the three-dimensional passage layer, and the bed bug is allowed to penetrate into the three-dimensional adhesive layer until a part of its body is captured by the adhesive of the three-dimensional adhesive layer and is unable to move.

3. A three-dimensional bed bug trap as described in claim 2, characterized in that a part of the three-dimensional structure passing layer is provided with a main attachment part that is attached to the object to be protected or the surrounding wall surface to fix the main body of the three-dimensional bed bug trap, and the main attachment part is provided on one or more surfaces of the main body of the three-dimensional bed bug trap.

4. A three-dimensional bed bug trap as described in claim 3, comprising: a three-dimensional mesh body extending from the outer surface of the main body of the three-dimensional structure and surrounding a three-dimensional space; and a secondary adhesive portion that attaches and fixes the vicinity of the tip of the three-dimensional mesh body to the object or the surrounding wall surface, wherein the three-dimensional mesh body comprises a first three-dimensional mesh body portion with a hole diameter that the bed bugs cannot pass through, and a second three-dimensional mesh body portion with a hole diameter that the bed bugs can pass through, and a secondary adhesive portion is provided near the tip of the second three-dimensional mesh body portion that attaches and fixes the object to be protected or the surrounding wall surface.

5. A three-dimensional bed bug trap as described in claim 4, characterized in that the three-dimensional mesh body has the overall shape of a funnel, the spindle part of the funnel is the first three-dimensional mesh body part, the tip part of the funnel is the second three-dimensional mesh body part, the bed bugs are guided from the outer surface side to the inner surface side in the second three-dimensional mesh body part at the tip part of the funnel, and as the bed bugs move further they are surrounded in a space surrounded by the first three-dimensional mesh body and the main body of the three-dimensional structure.

6. The three-dimensional bed bug trap described in claim 3, characterized in that the three-dimensional net has the overall shape of a cast net, the main body of the three-dimensional structure is located in the center of the cast net, the first three-dimensional net portion spreads out radially from the main body of the three-dimensional structure, and the second three-dimensional net portion is provided at the tip of the first three-dimensional net portion, the second three-dimensional net portion can be attached in a straight or curved manner along the object or the surrounding wall surface, the second three-dimensional net portion at the tip of the cast net guides the bed bugs from the outer surface side to the inner surface side, and as the bed bugs move further they are surrounded in a space enclosed by the first three-dimensional net and the main body of the three-dimensional bed bug trap.

7. A three-dimensional bed bug trap as described in claim 4, characterized in that a plurality of barbs are provided on the inner surface of the first three-dimensional netting body to prevent the bed bugs from moving backward.

8. A three-dimensional bed bug trap as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the three-dimensional structure passing layer and the three-dimensional structure adhesive layer of the three-dimensional structure are one or more three-dimensional fibrous porous bodies selected from urethane foam, double Russell, nonwoven fabric, cotton, and gauze.

9. The three-dimensional bed bug trap according to claim 8, wherein an attractant is contained within the three-dimensional structure adhesive layer of the three-dimensional structure.

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