Multi-Jointed Insect Trap With Disposable Sticky Sheets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional insect traps are stationary and unable to reach insects behind objects or in hard-to-reach spaces, and their adhesive ends are not sufficiently sticky to effectively entrap insects, particularly for those who are frightened or disgusted by direct contact with insects.
Innovation Solution
An extendable and adjustable insect entrapment apparatus with a multi-jointed elongated rod that hinges and pivots into various configurations, equipped with a pad of stacked, adhesive sheets that can be individually separated and folded to encase insects, allowing for entrapment and disposal without direct contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional stationary insect traps are used, then insects can be trapped in open areas, but the traps cannot reach insects behind objects or in hard-to-reach spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The rod is divided into multiple telescoping sections that can extend and retract, allowing the trap to reach longer distances while maintaining a compact storage form factor. This segmentation enables the device to access hard-to-reach spaces without requiring a permanently extended structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod incorporates telescoping mechanisms that allow dynamic adjustment of length, transforming from a static stationary trap to a device with variable reach. This dynamic structure enables the user to extend the rod to reach insects behind objects or in corners, then retract it for easy storage and transport.
2Reliability
If conventional adhesive traps are used, then insects can be trapped with adhesive, but the adhesive ends are not sufficiently sticky to effectively entrap running insects
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive sheets are pre-loaded into the trap device in a stacked configuration, with the adhesive surface protected until needed. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the trap is deployed, the adhesive is immediately ready to entrap insects without requiring additional setup or activation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive sheets are designed as disposable components that can be easily replaced. Each sheet is optimized for single-use effectiveness, and when depleted, users can quickly swap in a fresh sheet without complicating the overall device structure. This approach maintains high entrapment reliability while avoiding complex reusable adhesive mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If direct contact with insects is required for disposal, then insects can be handled and disposed of, but this causes fear or disgust to those who are frightened or disgusted by insects
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive sheet serves as an intermediary between the user and the insect. The insect is trapped on the adhesive surface, and the entire sheet with the insect can be removed and disposed of without the user ever touching or directly contacting the insect. This mediator approach eliminates psychological discomfort while maintaining effective insect disposal.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive sheet is a flexible thin film that can be easily manipulated, removed, and disposed of. Users can peel the sheet off the trap mechanism and discard it in a trash container without direct hand contact, creating a barrier that protects users from insect-related psychological discomfort while maintaining operational simplicity.
4Productivity
If a single adhesive sheet is used, then the trap structure is simple, but the sheet cannot be reused after one insect is trapped
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple adhesive sheets are stacked one inside another within the trap device, similar to nested dolls. The sheets are arranged in a compact configuration where each sheet is contained within the structure, allowing multiple trapping cycles without increasing the external footprint of the device. This nesting approach increases productivity while maintaining simple device geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The trap device is designed to accommodate multiple adhesive sheets that can be sequentially used. The same basic trap mechanism and rod structure serve multiple trapping functions by simply replacing the adhesive sheet, rather than requiring different mechanisms for each sheet. This multi-functionality increases productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 apparatus effectively reaches and traps insects in hard-to-reach areas, providing a safe and convenient method for insect control without direct handling, using mild compression adhesive sheets that can be easily disposed of after entrapment.
Implementation Method 1
Each sheet has a region coated with a mild compression adhesive material that is configured to entrap an insect in response to an application of force against the insect
Data Source
AI summary
An extendable and adjustable insect entrapment apparatus reaches insects and pests in hard to reach areas through a multi-jointed elongated rod that hinges and pivots into various configuration to reach and entrap the insects with a pad of stacked, singular sticky sheets. The rod has a proximal end with a formed hole for hanging the apparatus from a distal end. At least one joint in the rod is fixedly set at a desired angle and orientation. The sticky sheets retain any insects which travel or fall into a base at the distal end of the rod. Each sheet is coated with a mild compression adhesive material that entraps an insect in response to an application of force against the insect. Each sticky sheet can be separated individually. Upon entrapment of an insect, the outermost sticky sheet restraining the insect is separated, folded to encase the insect, and disposed of.