Insect Bait Stake Segmented Reservoir Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insect bait stations for ants and other small insects face issues with manufacturing defects leading to leaks, requiring separate tools for opening, and lack of visibility into bait consumption, making them inefficient and difficult to use.

Innovation Solution

A two-piece design with a separate bait pack and outer housing, featuring a sealed bait pack compartment with a break-away tab for easy access and a stepped incline for ant access, and a V-shaped stake for easy installation, ensuring full sealing and visibility into bait consumption without tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the bait station uses a sealed reservoir design, then insecticide leakage is prevented, but the device requires tools to open for bait access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of insecticide leakageVSAvoidease of opening for bait access

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bait station is divided into separate components: a sealed reservoir and a separate access mechanism. The reservoir remains sealed to prevent leakage, while the access mechanism (break-away tab) provides a simple, tool-free opening method when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The break-away tab is pre-formed as part of the reservoir structure during manufacturing. This preliminary action allows users to easily open the reservoir by simply breaking off the tab, eliminating the need for tools while maintaining security during storage and transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Strength

If the stake top edge is made stiff and strong to withstand hammering, then the stake can be driven into the ground, but the user must use separate opening devices to cut open the top edge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestiffness and strength of stake top edgeVSAvoidease of opening without tools

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The opening function is segmented from the stake structure itself. The break-away tab is a separate, removable component that provides opening functionality without compromising the structural integrity of the stake top edge, which remains stiff and strong for driving.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The break-away tab serves as a self-opening mechanism that requires no external tools. The tab is designed to break away easily when pressure is applied, automatically opening the reservoir without requiring users to bring knives or scissors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the reservoir is sealed perfectly to prevent leaks, then insecticide containment is improved, but manufacturing defects can still cause contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsecticide containmentVSAvoidseal quality between reservoir halves

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The reservoir is constructed as a single-piece molded structure rather than assembled halves, eliminating seams and potential leak points. This segmentation approach ensures perfect sealing by design, as there are no joints where manufacturing defects could occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The entire bait station is designed as a disposable unit with a molded reservoir that is sealed during manufacturing and opened by the end user. This eliminates the need for high-precision manufacturing seals, as the reservoir is either perfectly sealed during molding or opened intentionally by the user through the break-away tab.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Stability of the object's composition

If the bait station is designed as a single integrated unit, then structural integrity is maintained, but the device cannot be easily disposed of after use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrity of bait stationVSAvoidease of disposal after use

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bait station is segmented into functional components: the stake portion and the reservoir portion. The reservoir is designed to break away from the stake when the break-away tab is broken, allowing easy disposal of the reservoir after use while maintaining the structural integrity of the stake for installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reservoir is designed to be discarded separately from the stake after use. The break-away tab mechanism allows the reservoir to be easily separated and disposed of, while the stake remains intact for continued use or replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS9161525B2Insect bait stake

Publication Date: 2015.10.20 WOODSTREAM CORP

AI summary

An ant bait stake is provided having two components including an outer housing and an inner bait pack or reservoir that is separate from the outer housing. The outer housing has a main component and a minor component. The main component includes a bait pack compartment for receiving the bait pack, and a ground engaging stake. The minor component includes a door coupled along one edge to the bait pack compartment by a living hinge. The door and bait pack compartment include complementary structures that securely seal the bait pack compartment once the bait pack has been placed in the compartment and the door closed. A neck portion with an access channel to the bait pack therein has a break-away tab that extends outwardly of the housing, the tab being removable by the consumer without any tools or other devices when the ant bait stake is ready for use.