Reusable device for catching snails

Abstract

The invention relates to a reusable device (10) for catching snails, comprising a container which is formed by a bag (2), and a holder (1) for the bag (2) is provided, by means of which holder the opening (3) of the bag (2) can be kept in an open state; wherein the holder (1) is formed by a bent wire part and at least one insertion portion of the bent wire part is suitable for being insertable into the ground (4) in order to fix the holder (1) with respect to the ground (4); wherein no direct precipitation can penetrate into the opening (3) of the bag (2).

Description

[0001] Reusable device for catching snails

[0002] The invention relates to a reusable device for catching snails with a container in which an attractant can be placed to cause snails to crawl into the interior through an opening, wherein the container is formed by a bag and a holder for the bag is provided with which the opening of the bag can be kept in an open state.

[0003] In an attempt to reach the lure, the snail must traverse a path. Some snail traps have a mechanism that makes it impossible to leave the interior of the container once it has been reached, thus trapping the snail. Other snail traps contain lures that are poisonous to snails and are fatal to them if ingested. Still other snail traps work by causing the lured snails to drown in the lure. The trapped, dead snails are then disposed of.

[0004] All types of these snail traps have in common that they have disadvantages with regard to the considerable complexity of their construction, reusability, weather resistance, and hygienic and health considerations.

[0005] From DE 20102586 Ul, a snail trap is known that comprises a housing, an entrance opening, and a bag in which an attractant is placed. The bag is attached by a tubular extension that surrounds the entire opening. Snails are lured into the bag through the entrance opening by the attractant. An exit barrier prevents the snails from leaving the bag. A disadvantage of this device is its complex, multi-part construction.

[0006] In JP H09201157 A, a reusable animal trap is described, comprising a transparent bag, an attractant, and a specially designed holder for the bag. The animal is prevented from leaving the bag by a snap mechanism. One disadvantage is that it can only be used to catch animals individually or in small numbers.

[0007] WO 2009 / 123532 describes a device for holding a bag into which the snails to be captured are lured. However, a cover is provided, positioned at a distance from the holder to create a gap through which the mollusks must crawl to enter the bag. The technical design of this device thus includes a separate roof placed above the bag opening, which also serves as a surface exposed to wind. This two-part construction results not only in a complex design but also in a more easily damaged arrangement.

[0008] In contrast, the object of the present invention is to solve the problems described above in order to provide a reusable, cost-effective, easy-to-handle, efficient, weather-resistant and specific way to catch snails.

[0009] This is achieved by forming the holder with a wire bending part and by providing at least one insertion section of the wire bending part which is suitable for being inserted into the substrate in order to fix the holder relative to the substrate, wherein the insertion section is designed in such a way that the holder can be oriented relative to the substrate in such a way that no direct precipitation can penetrate into the opening of the bag.

[0010] Using the combination of bag and holder according to the invention, the lower half of the bag can be filled with attractant, so that the snails, lured by the attractant, crawl into the bag through the opening and then refuse to leave until they die or are removed. Once enough snails are in the trap, the bag is removed from the holder and disposed of with the snails. This is done simply, cleanly, and pleasantly, as there is no contact with unpleasant parts. The holder can then be fitted with a new bag.

[0011] The bracket is made of a weather-resistant material, namely a wire, e.g. spring wire, and not of plastic, cardboard, wood, ceramic or similar materials as described in the prior art.

[0012] The insertion section into the ground ensures a storm- and weatherproof connection. By appropriately orienting the wire bending section, the penetration of direct precipitation into the bag opening can be prevented, and the prevailing weather side can also be taken into account during orientation.

[0013] The device according to the invention consists only of a wire bending part and a bag, and not of three or two complicated parts with a bag. This results in very simple manufacturing and storage, as well as a space-saving, relatively flat packaging design.

[0014] The device according to the invention does not require a cover or spacers, whereas with devices according to the prior art, simple, space-saving packaging cannot be achieved in this way.

[0015] To better visualize the contents and fill level of the trap from the outside, a transparent material can be used for the bag. In this context, it has proven particularly advantageous if the bag used for the device is transparent or semi-transparent.

[0016] This allows the status of the snail trap to be monitored effectively.

[0017] Conventional snail traps often have containers that cannot be flexibly adapted to the surface and lack mechanical stability. A bag used according to the invention should therefore possess a certain degree of elasticity, mechanical strength, and, moreover, cost-effectiveness in terms of manufacturing costs. In addition, the requirement of semi-transparency and transparency should be met. The bag can therefore be practically made of plastic. However, other materials that exhibit these properties, such as bio-based plastics, are also possible.

[0018] The material of the holder must meet the requirements of flexibility, resistance to the usual environmental influences of a common substrate, such as weather, pH changes, and temperature fluctuations, as well as mechanical stability. The wire used for this purpose should be bendable into defined shapes that are suitable both as a holder for the bag and as a stake that can be inserted into the substrate at its ends to secure the holder. Due to the simple installation by inserting the holder into the substrate, e.g., the ground, it can also be easily oriented to prevent precipitation such as rain or snow from directly entering the bag opening.

[0019] It has therefore proven particularly advantageous that the holder is formed by a wire bending part and that at least a first end area of ​​the bent wire can be inserted into the substrate in order to fix the holder to the substrate.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the insertion section can be formed by a first and a second end region of the wire bending part, each having free ends. In this way, the holder can be inserted into the ground very easily and is very well fixed against external influences such as wind and weather.

[0021] For additional stability against the substrate, the holder can be inserted into the substrate at its second end, in addition to the first end. Therefore, in one embodiment of the invention, it has proven advantageous that a second end of the bent wire can be bent parallel to the first end at a distance, so that both the first and second ends can be inserted into the substrate. However, other forms of fixing known to those skilled in the art can also be used within the scope of the invention.

[0022] Many common snail traps have the problem that the holder for the attractant container consists of several parts, leading to increased complexity in the construction. A special bend in the wire / holder of the device according to the invention allows the holder not only to secure the trap to the ground but also to hold the bag in position, so that the attractant remains inside the bag and, at the same time, allows attracted snails to crawl into the interior of the bag.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the invention, this can be achieved by providing U-shaped bent sections of the bent wire extending at right angles to the first end region and the second end region, which are directed in opposite directions, and over which the bag can be pulled over or stretched in the area of ​​its opening edge.

[0024] The U-shaped curved areas thus lie in a plane normal to the plane of the first and second end areas of the bracket.

[0025] The U-shaped curved sections allow for the formation of a very large, especially very wide, opening into which snails can crawl. These sections can be created by simple bending of the wire used and therefore require little material or labor. Alternatively, the bag can be glued, clamped, or otherwise attached to the holder.

[0026] A disadvantage of some known snail traps is that direct precipitation can penetrate the container holding the attractant. As a result, the attractant becomes diluted, which impairs its effectiveness, and the container can overflow, which is undesirable for hygienic and environmental reasons. For these reasons, the wire or holder can be shaped to counteract this problem by directing the opening of the bag towards the ground through the holder inserted into the ground according to the invention. This allows snails to enter the bag while simultaneously preventing precipitation from entering.

[0027] To create a sufficiently large interior space within the bag for the snails entering, and to support it against movements caused by external influences such as wind, a further embodiment of the invention provides for a right-angled, bracket-like section of the wire bending part to be formed adjacent to the U-shaped bent sections. This section projects into the bag during use and supports it in a roof-like manner. In this way, the accumulation of rainwater or other precipitation on the outside of the bag can be prevented, and this can be achieved using one and the same wire.

[0028] The U-shaped section extends approximately in a plane parallel to the plane of the first and second end sections and in the opposite direction to the first and second end sections. With conventional snail traps, the structure can be rendered unusable by weather conditions, for example, if a gust of wind blows the container away from the holder. It can therefore be advantageous to better fix the bag to the holder by increasing its coefficient of friction, at least in certain areas. Another embodiment of the invention can therefore provide that, in at least one of the U-shaped curved sections, the wire is at least partially roughened or has a roughened surface to ensure better adhesion of the bag to the holder or the wire.

[0029] For hygienic and health reasons, users do not want to come into direct contact with the contents of the bag. Therefore, the bag, filled with snails and attractant, is designed to be easily removed from its holder with a simple handle. This results in easy handling of the invention and allows the user to avoid direct contact with the contents after use. The bag can then be easily emptied and reused. Alternatively, single-use bags can be used, which can be disposed of directly after use, further simplifying the system. One embodiment of the invention therefore provides for a disposable bag.

[0030] Some snail traps have the disadvantage of not blending well into their surroundings. Therefore, a practical solution is sought where the snail trap can be easily integrated into the ground, which can be easily achieved with the bag according to the invention. For this purpose, a depression is created in the ground, e.g., by digging, so that the level of the attractant is below the height of the surrounding ground.

[0031] According to the invention's implementation form, the attractant can then be filled into the lower part of the bag.

[0032] Slug killers contain an attractant, a liquid, and a retaining agent. Such killers fall under the Biocidal Products Regulation and these products must be authorized by the relevant authority. Commercially available attractants for catching slugs are therefore often expensive and frequently contain environmental toxins, meaning that they do not specifically attract slugs, but can also harm other animals and plants in the vicinity of the trap. So-called home remedies have proven to be a practical alternative in terms of availability, cost, and environmental compatibility. Common home remedies for catching slugs include beer and beer-based solutions, as well as oatmeal or malt in water. Any type of common attractant, both commercially available and home remedies, can be used as a suitable attractant, with one embodiment of the invention specifically using beer or a beer-based solution as the attractant.

[0033] The invention will now be explained in detail using an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention in installed form, in a sectional view;

[0034] Fig. 2 shows a partial oblique view of the device according to Fig. 1;

[0035] Fig. 3 is an oblique view from above of the mounting of the device according to Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a lateral oblique view of the mounting according to Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is another lateral oblique view of the mounting according to Fig. 3;

[0036] Figs. 6 and 7 show further oblique views from above of the bracket according to Fig. 3.

[0037] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a reusable device 10 for catching snails, inserted into a substrate 11, here soil. This device has a holder 1, onto which a bag 2 is stretched, containing an attractant 4 inside.

[0038] Alternatively, bag 2 can be glued, clamped or otherwise attached to the holder.

[0039] According to the invention, the holder 1 is formed by a wire bending part. An insertion section of the wire bending part is formed which is suitable for being inserted into the base 11 in order to fix the holder 1 relative to the base 11, wherein the insertion section is designed such that the holder 1 can be oriented relative to the base in such a way that no direct precipitation can penetrate into the opening 3 of the bag 2.

[0040] For this purpose, the insertion section is inserted into the substrate 11 at an angle of approximately 45° to the ground surface and can thus be anchored very firmly. This ensures that the opening 3 of the bag 2 is oriented towards the ground surface, preventing direct precipitation from penetrating.

[0041] For this purpose, the insertion section of the holder 1 is inserted into the substrate 11 at an angle of less than 90°, in this example approximately 45°, so that on the one hand no direct precipitation can penetrate into the bag 2, and on the other hand an opening 3 is formed in the interior of the bag 2, which allows snails to crawl into the bag 2 to reach the attractant 4. Once a snail has reached the interior of the bag, it will not be able to leave again.

[0042] In Fig. 1, a depression 12 is created in the subsoil 11, for example by digging a hole at this point, so that the meniscus 13 of the attractant 4 lies below the level of the subsoil 11. The bag 2 conforms to this depression and is thus somewhat protected against external influences such as rain and storms. The attractant 4 is filled into the lower part of the bag 2. Any common, commercially available attractant can be used for the attractant 4; in a simple case, this could be beer or a beer-containing solution. Another suitable attractant is oat flakes or malt in water.

[0043] The bag 2 is transparent or semi-transparent, but it can also be non-transparent in other embodiments of the invention.

[0044] In the illustrated version, bag 2 is made of plastic. Alternatively, bag 2 can be made of, for example, bio-based plastic.

[0045] The embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 features a holder 1 made of a bent wire component, in which both end regions 5, 6 (Fig. 3) of the wire, which is bent so that the end regions are essentially parallel to each other, are suitable for insertion into the substrate 11 in order to fix the holder 1 relative to the substrate 11. In another embodiment, for example, only one of the two end regions 5, 6 may be inserted into the substrate. Further differently designed end regions are within the scope of expert knowledge.

[0046] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, U-shaped curved sections 7, 8 (Fig. 3) of the bent wire are provided at right angles to a first end region 5 and a second end region 6, which are directed in opposite directions and over which the bag 2 is stretched in the area of ​​its opening edge, so that the opening 3 is accessible to snails.

[0047] The wire is preferably corrosion-resistant, e.g. made of zinc, and can be equipped with a slight spring action to facilitate stretching the bag 2.

[0048] Instead of metal wire, wood, plastic, composite plastic, e.g. made of metal and plastic, etc., can also be used as the material for the holder 1.

[0049] For additional grip of the bag 2 on the holder 1, a roughened surface can be provided along the U-shaped areas 7, 8 of the holder 1. Alternatively, the bag 2 can be secured against unintentional detachment by gluing, clamping, or other means. For example, the inside of the bag 2 can have a non-slip area with a high coefficient of friction, such as an adhesive strip.

[0050] The bag 2 can be elastic and stretched over the holder 1 or loosely pulled over it. According to Fig. 3, a bow-like section 9 of the wire bending part, projecting at right angles in the opposite direction to the first and second end sections 5, 6, is formed adjacent to the U-shaped bent sections 7, 8. This section projects into the bag 2 and supports it in a roof-like manner, allowing rainwater to drain off the outside more easily and ensuring sufficient interior space for snails to be contained.

[0051] The bag 2 used in Fig. 1 is a disposable bag, but a reusable bag could be used.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Reusable device (10) for catching snails with a container in which an attractant (4) can be placed to cause snails to crawl into the interior through an opening (3), wherein the container is formed by a bag (2) and a holder (1) for the bag (2) is provided with which the opening (3) of the bag (2) can be kept in an open state, characterized in that the holder (1) is formed by a wire bending part and at least one insertion section of the wire bending part is formed which is suitable for being inserted into the base (11) in order to fix the holder (1) relative to the base (11), wherein the insertion section is designed such that the holder (1) can be oriented relative to the base in such a way that no direct precipitation can penetrate into the opening (3) of the bag (2).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the insertion section is formed by a first and a second end region (5, 6) of the wire bending part, each having free ends.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the second end region (6) of the wire bending part is bent at a distance parallel to the first end region (5), such that the first and the second end regions (5, 6) with their free ends can be inserted into the subsoil (11) .

4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that U-shaped bent areas extending at a right angle from the first end region (5) and the second end region (6) are subsequently attached to each of these. (7, 8) of the wire bending part are provided, which are directed in opposite directions to each other, over which the bag (2) can be covered or stretched in the area of ​​its opening edge.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that a right-angled, bow-like area (9) of the wire bending part is formed adjacent to the U-shaped bent areas (7, 8), which projects into the bag (2) and supports it in a roof-like manner.

6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that in at least one of the U-shaped bent areas (7, 8) the wire is at least partially roughened.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bag (2) is a disposable bag, and that the bag has an area with a high coefficient of static friction inside it.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attractant (4) can be filled into the lower area of ​​the bag (2).

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the attractant is beer or a beer-containing solution. is or is formed from oat flakes or malt in water.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bag (2) is transparent or semi-transparent, and that the bag (2) is made of plastic.

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