Asymmetric Replaceable Insert for Insect Trapping Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insect trapping devices face challenges in easily removing and disposing of adhesive glueboards without touching trapped insects or the adhesive, and in ensuring proper orientation and alignment of components during replacement.

Innovation Solution

A replaceable insert for insect trapping devices featuring an elongate, substantially planar adhesive surface and a laterally offset tab for easy removal and disposal, along with a design that assists in aligning components during mounting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the adhesive surface of the glueboard is made effective for trapping insects, then the trapping efficacy is improved, but the likelihood of the glueboard sticking to unintended surfaces or persons increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrapping efficacyVSAvoidhandling safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate components: a removable insert containing the adhesive surface, and a housing that provides structural support and containment. This segmentation allows the adhesive surface to be effectively trapped while the housing prevents contact with unintended surfaces during handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The insert with the adhesive surface is nested within the housing structure. The housing acts as a container that holds the insert in a controlled manner, preventing the adhesive surface from contacting unintended surfaces while still allowing insects to be trapped when the insert is properly positioned.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of repair

If the glueboard is made removable for disposal, then the ability to dispose of trapped insects is improved, but the risk of user contact with trapped insects or adhesive increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisposal capabilityVSAvoiduser exposure to insects/adhesive

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The insert is nested within the housing, which provides a controlled removal mechanism. The housing structure guides the insert during removal and disposal, allowing users to handle the outer housing safely while the insert containing the adhesive and trapped insects is contained and disposed of as a unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing acts as an intermediary between the user and the hazardous insert. Users interact with the housing rather than directly with the adhesive surface, and the housing provides mechanical guidance during insert removal and disposal, reducing direct user exposure to trapped insects and adhesive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If the insert design includes alignment features for proper orientation, then the mounting precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insert includes asymmetric alignment features such as a laterally offset tab that must be positioned in a specific orientation within the housing. This asymmetric design provides clear visual and physical guidance for proper insertion orientation, ensuring the adhesive surface is correctly positioned without requiring complex alignment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution allows for safe and easy removal of spent inserts without direct contact with insects or adhesive, and ensures proper orientation of components, enhancing user safety and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an elongate, substantially planar adhesive surface for trapping an insect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS20250134086A1Replaceable insert for insect trapping device and methods thereof

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

A replaceable insert for an insect trapping device is provided. The insert has an upper end region, a lower end region, and a first longitudinal centerline extending from the upper end region to the lower end region. The insert has an elongate, substantially planar adhesive surface for trapping an insect and a substantially planar, elongate tab positioned in the lower end region of the insert and extending away from the elongate, substantially planar adhesive surface. The tab has a first side edge, and a second side edge, wherein the first side edge and the second side edge converge at a proximal end of the tab. The tab comprises a second longitudinal centerline that is laterally offset a distance of from about 11 mm to about 15 mm from the first longitudinal centerline. The insert is asymmetric about the first longitudinal centerline.