Friable Coated Pest Trap with Internal Volatile Attractant Dispenser

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling coffee plant pests, such as the coffee berry borer and coffee leaf miner, rely heavily on chemical insecticides that are becoming less effective due to resistance and pose environmental and health risks, while traditional traps are expensive and require frequent maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A device coated with a composition containing a binder, pigment, insect toxicant, and filler/thickener, combined with a dispenser releasing a volatile attractant, attracts and kills pests by contact with the device, reducing chemical residue and maintenance needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If persistent chemical insecticides are applied to control CBB, then pest control effectiveness is improved, but environmental contamination and health risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepest control effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental contamination and health risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the harmful persistent chemical insecticides from the control system and replaces them with a mechanical trap device that uses non-persistent attractants and physical capture mechanisms, thereby eliminating environmental contamination and health risks while maintaining pest control effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary trap device that mediates between the pest and the environment, using attractants to lure pests into the trap where they are captured physically rather than killed by chemicals, thus protecting the environment while controlling pests

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If commercial traps with alcohol-based attractants are used for mass trapping, then pest control effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepest control effectivenessVSAvoidtrap maintenance and service requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trap device is designed to be self-service by using attractant dispensers that automatically release attractants over time without requiring manual intervention, and the trap structure itself captures and retains pests without needing frequent emptying or maintenance of soapy water solutions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The trap is prepared in advance with attractant dispensers installed and attractants loaded before deployment, eliminating the need for frequent maintenance and service during the trapping period

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If repeated applications of chemical insecticides are made to control resistance, then pest control effectiveness is maintained, but chemical usage and environmental impact increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepest control effectivenessVSAvoidchemical usage amount

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the chemical insecticide application system with a mechanical trap system that uses physical capture mechanisms and controlled-release attractants, eliminating the need for repeated chemical applications while maintaining pest control effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 device effectively controls pest populations with reduced chemical usage, lower environmental impact, and lower costs, maintaining efficacy for several weeks without frequent replenishment.

Implementation Method 1

an independent dispenser placed inside the elongated body... wherein the dispenser includes a composition comprising at least one volatile liquid attractant for attracting the insect... wherein the dispenser includes an output from which the vapors of the attractant diffuse until reaching the plurality of openings and dispersing into the surrounding atmosphere

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

wherein the dispenser includes an output from which the vapors of the attractant diffuse until reaching the plurality of openings and dispersing into the surrounding atmosphere

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 3

the elongated body is coated with a composition comprising: a binder, an insect attracting pigment, an insect toxicant, an insect feeding stimulant, and an ingredient which is both a filler and a thickener

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectToxicity:

Data Source

PatentUS8943743B2Device for attracting and controlling the coffee berry borer, <i>Hypothenemus hampei </i>(Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Publication Date: 2015.02.03 PLATO IND LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device coated with a friable composition comprising an insect toxicant wherein the geometry of the device, the presence of openings in the device, the presence of a highly volatile attractant independently located inside the device, and the composition comprising an insect toxicant function together to release an effective concentration of the highly volatile attractant vapor into the environment at a rate that maintains attractancy and at the same time kills the insect as soon as the insect comes into contact with the vapors of the insecticide or the composition impregnated on the surface of the device.