Flexible Net Animal Trap With Secondary Cut-Resistant Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current animal traps, particularly those for feral swine, are ineffective due to their large and heavy designs, limited portability, and complex door mechanisms, which restrict their use in remote areas and hinder efficient population control.
Innovation Solution
A flexible net structure with a collapsible net and secondary net, supported by posts, that forms a closed circumferential structure with a trap opening, allowing animals to enter but not escape, and includes a transfer chute for safe animal handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If box traps are used to trap feral swine, then trapping effectiveness is improved, but portability and ease of transport deteriorate due to large size and heavy weight
Solution Approach 1:
The trap is divided into multiple modular panels that can be separately assembled and disassembled. Each panel is a manageable unit that can be transported individually, then combined on-site to form the complete trap structure, resolving the contradiction between trapping effectiveness and portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The trap panels are designed to nest within each other when not in use, with smaller panels fitting inside larger ones. This nesting configuration dramatically reduces the overall transport footprint and weight burden while maintaining the full trapping capability when assembled.
2Reliability
If box traps with elaborate door mechanisms are used, then trapping capability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The complex door mechanism is completely removed from the trap design. Instead of using mechanical doors with hinges, latches, and actuators, the invention uses passive net panels that are simply opened or closed by manual manipulation, eliminating device complexity while preserving trapping capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The trap panels are designed to be self-latching through their interlocking edge configurations. When assembled, the panels automatically secure to each other without requiring complex fastening mechanisms, and can be easily opened or closed by simple manual action, reducing both complexity and operational difficulty.
3Reliability
If corral traps with stiff wire fencing are used, then trapping effectiveness is improved, but portability and setup time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The trap structure transitions from static, rigid wire fencing to dynamic, flexible net panels. The panels can be quickly deployed and reconfigured by simple manual manipulation, allowing the trap to adapt to various terrain conditions while dramatically reducing setup time compared to assembling rigid corral structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The trap uses flexible net panels instead of stiff wire fencing. These thin, flexible panels can be easily rolled, folded, and transported, then quickly deployed on-site to form an effective trapping structure, eliminating the time-consuming assembly process of rigid corral traps.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traps are designed for remote areas, then accessibility is improved, but trap size and weight must be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The trap is segmented into lightweight, modular panels that can be carried by hand to remote locations. Each panel is designed to be individually transportable, and the modular nature allows the complete trap to be assembled from these small, manageable components, achieving both portability and environmental adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of flexible net panels creates a lightweight trap structure that can be easily transported to remote areas. The flexibility allows the trap to conform to various terrain conditions in the field while maintaining minimal weight, enabling deployment in previously inaccessible locations.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~3A
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AI summary
A flexible net structure and trap is provided that includes a net, an upper cord, and a secondary net. The net includes first flexible lines. The upper cord is attached to the net at an upper lateral edge and extends a first length of the net. The flexible net structure includes a wall portion that extends from the upper cord to a ground portion and the ground portion extends from a lower lateral edge to the wall portion. The collapsible net is configurable in a closed configuration where the first and second lengthwise ends are disposed proximate to each other. The secondary net is formed from second flexible lines. The secondary net is attached to the flexible net structure in the wall portion and is disposed on an interior side of the flexible net structure. The second flexible lines have a greater cut resistance than the first flexible lines.