Versatile Pest Station with Interchangeable Insert Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high cost of replacing pest stations and the industry's reliance on poisonous baits have made it challenging to adopt alternative pest management solutions, as existing pest stations are not versatile or cost-effective for interchangeable trap mechanisms and baits.

Innovation Solution

A versatile pest station with interchangeable inserts, featuring a housing with a cavity and entrance mechanism, allowing for various trap configurations, including snap traps and bait options, and a tamper-resistant design that minimizes access by non-targeted pests and children.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If pest stations use fixed trap mechanisms and poisonous baits, then pest control effectiveness is maintained, but replacement cost increases and versatility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveversatilityVSAvoidcomplexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pest station is divided into a stationary housing and removable inserts. The insert contains the trap mechanism and bait components, allowing it to be detached and replaced independently from the main housing structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized insert design can accommodate multiple types of traps (snap traps, electronic traps, glue boards) and different bait configurations within the same housing, enabling one pest station to perform multiple pest control functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If pest stations are replaced frequently to try different trap mechanisms, then optimal pest control is achieved, but cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepest control effectivenessVSAvoidreplacement cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the expensive stationary housing from the replaceable insert components, the system allows inexpensive inserts to be swapped out while retaining the investment in the main housing structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reusable housing recovers and retains value across multiple insert replacements, while only the consumable insert components (bait, trap mechanisms) are discarded and replaced, reducing overall system replacement costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Productivity

If poison baits are used for pest control, then pest elimination is effective, but safety risks to non-targeted animals and children increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepest elimination effectivenessVSAvoidsafety risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bait is contained within the removable insert that can be securely positioned in the housing, creating a controlled environment that limits access while maintaining pest elimination effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transforms the potentially harmful open bait placement into a controlled contained system where the same effective baits can be used, but their harmful effects are mitigated through the physical barriers and controlled access of the housing and insert design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Adaptability or versatility

If traditional pest stations are used without interchangeable components, then simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different pest management solutions decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinterchangeabilityVSAvoidease of installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The modular insert design with standardized interfaces allows for tool-free or simple tool-based installation and removal, maintaining ease of operation while enabling interchangeability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized insert interface creates a universal system where different insert types can be used with the same housing, simplifying the user experience through consistency while providing diverse functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3510863B1Pest station
Publication Date: 2022.08.31 ECOLAB USA INC
  • EP3510863B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3510863B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3510863B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention refers to a versatile pest station (100) comprising: a housing (101) including a base (102), a lid (124), and an opening (138, 139), the base and the lid forming a cavity (137), the opening (138, 139) providing access to the cavity (137), the base having a bottom surface (104) and being configured and arranged to be securely mounted to a surface; a lock mechanism (142) interlocking the base (102) and the lid (124); characterized in that the versatile pest station (100) further comprises an insert (170') configured to represent a monitoring device for monitoring or indicating the presence of pests.