Biodegradable Animal Trap with Compression-Resistant Bait
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pest traps are often sensitive to triggering, leading to accidental activation by non-target species or failure to engage smaller pests, and require manual baiting and distribution, which is time-consuming and costly, especially in remote areas.
Innovation Solution
A trap design featuring a bait that resists compression to maintain an elastic band in an expanded state, which contracts around the animal upon bait consumption or removal, with a biodegradable construction and drag-inducing features for aerial distribution, allowing for automated dispensing and reduced human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional traps use trigger mechanisms sensitive to movement, then they can detect pest presence, but they risk false triggering by non-target species or objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces bait as an intermediary element between the trap mechanism and the pest. The bait resists compression and maintains the elastic band in an expanded state until consumed or removed by the target pest. This intermediary approach ensures that only the intended target (pest consuming/removing bait) triggers the trap, eliminating false triggering by non-target species or objects that cannot interact with the bait in the required manner.
2Productivity
If conventional traps require manual baiting and distribution, then they can be deployed, but the process is time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-attaching the bait to the trap mechanism during manufacturing. The bait is positioned to resist compression and maintain the elastic band in an expanded state before deployment. This eliminates the need for manual baiting in the field, allowing traps to be deployed rapidly without time-consuming baiting operations, thereby increasing productivity and reducing time loss.
3Reliability
If traps use elastic bands to kill pests, then they can be effective, but they may fail to ensure correct positioning for humane killing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing the trap so that the pest's own actions (consuming or removing the bait) automatically trigger the killing mechanism. When the bait is consumed or removed, the compression resistance is lost, causing the elastic band to contract and kill the pest. This self-triggering mechanism ensures the pest is in the correct position for humane killing without requiring external positioning adjustments, combining reliability with ease of operation.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If traps are made biodegradable, then they are environmentally friendly, but they may have reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting biodegradable materials with controlled degradation characteristics. The biodegradable components are designed to maintain their structural integrity and functional properties (including the compression-resistant bait and elastic band) throughout the trap's operational lifespan, then degrade after use. This parameter control allows the trap to be environmentally friendly while maintaining sufficient durability for its intended service life.
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 trap effectively kills pests with reduced risk of false triggering, supports wider animal types and ages, and is environmentally friendly, with biodegradable materials ensuring minimal environmental impact and ease of manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
a support configured to support the elastic band in the expanded state, wherein removal, consumption or destruction of the bait by an animal urges the elastic band from the support
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1d
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
An animal trap includes: a bait, a support, and an elastic band, wherein in a set state the support supports the elastic band in an expanded state, and wherein removal, consumption or destruction of the bait by an animal: causes the elastic band to contract around the animal to kill the animal; or causes the elastic band to drive a kill mechanism to kill the animal. Animal traps may be formed substantially or entirely of biodegradable materials. Animal traps may be adapted for aerial distribution. A trap dispenser may dispense traps as they are triggered.