Spider Trap Using Triangular Prism Geometry and Adhesive Floor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spider traps for brown recluse spiders often rely on light or chemical attractants, which are undesirable due to safety and environmental concerns, and are ineffective in consistently managing these venomous arachnids, especially in indoor settings where they are secretive and difficult to eliminate.
Innovation Solution
A spider trap designed without light or chemical attractants, featuring a triangular prism or pyramid shape with open sides and a bug adhesive on the floor, allowing spiders to enter and become stuck, made from non-toxic materials like cardboard, which can be placed in areas where brown recluse spiders are likely to inhabit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If light or chemical attractants are used in spider traps, then spiders are more likely to be attracted to the trap, but health risks and environmental side effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes harmful chemical attractants and light sources from the trap system, extracting only the essential geometric structure and adhesive components that safely capture spiders without environmental harm
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using attractants to pull spiders toward the trap, the invention inverts the approach by using a geometric configuration that passively guides spiders into the trap through their own movement patterns and refuge-seeking behavior
2Productivity
If traditional spider trap designs are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but capture effectiveness for brown recluse spiders is inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric geometric shapes including triangular prisms and pyramids with specific angle configurations that exploit brown recluse spider behavior patterns, creating an effective capture device with relatively simple construction
3Productivity
If traps are placed in dark places where brown recluse spiders prefer, then spider capture effectiveness improves, but traps become less visible and harder to monitor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the natural coloration of brown recluse spiders and selects trap colors that blend with dark environments, allowing effective placement in preferred spider habitats while maintaining sufficient visibility for monitoring through color contrast
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 captures brown recluse spiders without using hazardous chemicals, providing a safe and consistent control method for indoor populations by utilizing its shape and adhesive to attract and retain spiders without interfering with their behavior or posing health risks.
Implementation Method 1
a bug adhesive on the floor, allowing spiders to enter and become stuck
Data Source
AI summary
A trap for spiders and other insects is provided. The trap is especially useful for catching brown recluse (Loxosceles reclusa) spiders, whose bites are extremely harmful. The trap need not utilize chemical attractants or other behavior-modifying environmentally harmful chemicals, or food bait or lights to attract the spiders. The internal volume of the trap can be shaped as a triangular prism with open triangular faces and openings in the front. At least a portion of the floor is coated with bug adhesive. The trap can be packaged as a kit including a flat sheet that can be folded a three-dimensional shape. The fronts can include spaced vertical struts. Methods and kits for making using the traps are also provided.