Glueboard Virtual Opening Pattern for Rodent Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glueboards for pest control, such as those used for rodents, rely on rodents stepping onto adhesive surfaces, which can be ineffective without additional baits or scents, and their design has seen little innovation over decades.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating visually contrasting regions, such as annular rings or colored patterns, onto the adhesive surface to attract rodents, providing a physical feature that enhances the likelihood of them stepping onto the glueboard without the need for additional baits or scents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional glueboards without visual features are used, then the structure remains simple and manufacturing is easy, but the effectiveness of capturing rodents is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by incorporating visually contrasting regions (such as dark annular rings or gradient patterns) on the adhesive surface that simulate tunnel openings or holes. These visual features attract rodents through optical illusions, making them perceive the flat surface as having three-dimensional openings, thereby increasing the likelihood of rodents stepping onto the adhesive without adding mechanical complexity to the glueboard structure.
2Reliability
If additional scents or baits are used to attract rodents, then the capture effectiveness increases, but the device complexity and potential chemical contamination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical attraction mechanisms (scents and baits) with an optical/visual mechanism. By creating visual illusions through contrasting patterns and color gradients on the adhesive surface, the system attracts rodents through sight rather than smell, eliminating the need for additional chemical substances while maintaining or improving capture effectiveness.
3Reliability
If the adhesive surface is made more attractive visually, then rodents are more likely to step onto it, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements visual attraction features through cost-effective methods such as printing contrasting patterns, applying colored stickers, or using gradient dyes on the adhesive surface. These techniques integrate seamlessly into existing manufacturing processes for glueboards, adding minimal complexity while significantly enhancing the visual appeal and attractiveness to rodents.
Data Source
AI summary
Glueboard apparatuses, and methods of making glueboard apparatuses, with a substrate and an adhesive layer, and a contrasting region visible on or through the adhesive layer to attract rodents. The contrasting region can be a colored region that is darker than or lighter than surrounding areas of the adhesive layer, and/or can include a raised ring that extends upward from the adhesive layer away from the substrate.