Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SPECIFICATION
TITLE: FLYING INSECT CAPTURE APPARATUS
TECHNICAL FIELD
[Para. 1.] The present invention relates generally to attracting and capturing
insects.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[Para. 2.] There are many known devices designed to attract and capture and or
kill
insects, some which comprise the use of an attractant in combination with a
fan apparatus to
draw the flying insects into a trap holder.
[Para. 3.] Mosquitoes and other flying insects are physiologically well
equipped to sense
electromagnetic radiation from ultra violet to infrared wavelengths; to detect
minute changes in
pressure, temperature and humidity, and to track their target's scent. It has
been reported that
structures on the antennae and palpae may detect the scent of the host's odor
plume at a
distance of up to 30 meters. The mosquito follows the scent trail upwind and
makes visual
contact at a distance of approximately 10 meters. At a distance of three
meters, the mosquito
can distinguish warmer areas of the target where blood is near the surface of
the skin, using its
thermal receptors on the tips of the antennae. There are various species of
mosquitoes with
many different host-seeking behaviours. Attempts to alter their behaviour with
attractants,
repellents or inhibitors, and the results are further influenced by such
variables as season of the
year, time of day, weather and location.
[Para. 4.] It is well known that light attracts many types of insects,
including mosquitoes, so
most of the prior art devices include a light source as an attractant. Such
devices sometimes
take advantage of the light in a range of ultraviolet (UV) and certain
infrared wavelengths to
attract a specific genus of insect. Fluorescent lights are sometimes used with
special
phosphors to enhance the ultraviolet spectral content of the emitted light,
while other devices
rely upon incandescent bulbs. Mosquitoes and other flying insects sometimes
react to avoid
entrainment in airflows by vigorous flight activity, due to the reflexive
defensive reaction to the
detection of minute changes in air flow velocity and/or direction. As
described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,255,468, it is possible that mosquitoes actually can avoid being pulled into
conventional traps
and electrocution devices having fans, by sensing the changes in air flow
velocity and/or
direction prior to being captured in a strong air flow. Such devices however
generally only
generate a sufficient suction in close proximity to the intake or capture
aperture, thereby
allowing the flying insect to effect its escape.
[Para. 5.] Some prior art light-attractant devices also include a fan, with
the fan typically
designed to establish an air current such that any insect that approaches the
light attractant
close to the air intake will be irretrievably caught in the air flow and
pulled into the device.
Research suggests that updraft-type traps may be more effective in some
instances than
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downdraft types, as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,468. However, the
outflow of air creates
a turbulent airflow barrier acting to prevent some insects approaching the
intake aperture. To
alleviate this effect, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,243,458, there is described a device
that includes a fan
mechanism structured and arranged to provide a counter-flow effect, however,
in this case, the
outflow still provides a turbulent airflow acting to push insects away from
the intake aperture.
[Para. 6.] Thus, the prior art devices include an attractant, a fan to draw
insects into the
device, and either a trap for holding the insects, or a means for killing the
insects, such as
maceration, impact, or grid electrocution (for example, see U.S. Pat. Nos.
2,806,321, 3,041,773,
3,152,420, 4,908,978). However, there are ineffective and variable results
produced with each
of the prior art devices, as they require the insects to fly with precision
into an aperture, air
intake, or air current to be irretrievably caught into the device.
[Para. 7.] Accordingly, there is a need for an insect killer that is
relatively quiet,
aesthetically appealing, and more effective to attract, capture, and kill
species of insects.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[Para. 8.] The present invention overcomes many of the problems with prior art
traps and
killing devices.
[Para. 9.] The present invention is a flying insect capture apparatus where
flying insects
are able to enter the trap from a vicinity around the trap without requiring
precision of flight into
an aperture, air intake, or air current. The present invention provides for
establishing a host
target for flying insects through light, heat, and sensory emissions such that
flying insects are
attracted to the unit and enter a zone of differential pressure whereby they
become irretrievably
entrained in an air flow from beneath the unit or within close proximity to
the air column, and
thereby become captured into the trap where they may be killed and disposed
of.
[Para. 10.] The present invention utilizes a uniform flow air column that is
open to the
atmosphere wherein the air moves vertically as smooth laminar flow at an
increased relative
speed to the atmosphere thereby creating a differential pressure zone where
the pressure is
lowest at the interface between the air column and the atmosphere and
increases to
atmospheric pressure as you move radially away from the air column. When there
is a pressure
difference, the higher pressure body will convert that excess pressure into
kinetic energy which
will result in air being moved from outside the air column to inside the air
column, and the
resultant effect is to create an increased inescapable capture zone for
insects flying into the
differential pressure zone on approach to the air column.
[Para. 11.] The size of the differential pressure zone depends on the diameter
and velocity
of the uniform airflow of the air column. The velocity of the uniform airflow
of the air column
must exceed the maximum flight speed of the fastest flying insect sought to be
captured, and
preferably is two times the maximum flight speed of the fastest flying insect
sought to be
captured. For mosquitoes flying at a speed of 1.5 meters per second, the
velocity of the uniform
airflow of the air column should be preferably three meters per second.
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[Para. 12.] The velocity of the uniform airflow of the air column can be
established by
selection of the size of the fan assemblies and the airflow performance
capacity of the fan
assemblies or other known means for generating an air current. Fan assemblies
may be
classified into two major types with reference to their mechanical design. A
centrifugal fan
resembles a paddle wheel, and air enters near the centre of the wheel, turns
through a right
angle and moves radially outward by centrifugal action between the blades of
the rotating
impeller. Those blades may be straight or curved either backwards or forwards
with respect to
the direction of rotation. Each of these designs produces a distinctive
performance
characteristic. Inlet and/or outlet guide vanes may be fitted to vary the
performance of a
centrifugal fan. An axial fan relies on the same principle as an aircraft
propeller, although
usually with more blades. Air passes through the fan along flow-paths that are
essentially
aligned with the axis of rotation of the impeller and without changing their
macro-direction.
[Para. 13.] To achieve a uniform airflow of the air column of three meters per
second using a
fan with an exhaust duct diameter of 100 mm, the required airflow performance
capacity of the
fan is at least 52 cubic feet per minute.
[Para. 14.] The present invention differs from prior art devices in that the
differential
pressure zone is a generally increased area around the air column thereby
increasing the
capture zone without requiring precision of flight from flying insects into an
aperture or airflow in
close proximity to an intake.
[Para. 15.] Insects flying into or directed into the differential pressure
zone are drawn into
the air column where they are thereafter entrained in the vertical air flow
and into the capturing
apparatus. The increased air velocity of the air column relative to the
ambient air beyond the
device housing causes a pressure drop towards the air column and a resultant
force acting on
the flying insect which sucks it inward into the air column where it is
thereafter entrained into the
airflow and into the insect trap.
[Para. 16.] The uniform flow air column is established by directing air
upwards using any
device for creating a uniform non-turbulent air current, such as a fan. At
least one lower fan is
required, but preferably there are two fans operating in series configuration.
[Para. 17.] Where two fans are used in a series configuration, the first fan
is connected to a
power supply and arranged to draw airflow from below the insect capture
apparatus through a
first insect trap and providing uniform airflow from the first exhaust
vertically to form a uniform
flow open air column and through a second insect trap and into the intake of a
second fan
assembly located concentrically above the first fan at a specified physical
spacing. The second
fan is connected to a power supply and located concentrically above the first
fan as described
and further arranged to draw uniform airflow from the first exhaust defining
the open air column
and the ambient air beyond the air column through an insect trap into an
intake. The fan
assemblies and electrical devices may be enclosed in separate housings that
help contain and
guide the airflow, thereby increasing the efficiency of the system. The air
directed from the first
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fan can be further accelerated through known ducting means, such as reducing
the diameter of
the exhaust housing to create a reduced area and increased airflow.
[Para. 18.] To facilitate more uniform air flow through the open air column,
it is preferred that
the physical spacing between the two fan assemblies is established using known
means from
the range from one to 2.5 times the largest fan blade diameter. The physical
spacing is
preferably established using rigid thin rods with attachment means for
connecting the first fan
and second fan at the specified distance apart, so as to avoid or control any
independent sway
or movement of the first fan relative to the second fan.
[Para. 19.] Air is also drawn from below the insect capture device through the
intake of the
first fan through an insect trap and is accelerated through the fan upwards
into the intake of the
fan located above, and through a second trap where such air is then further
directed through the
fan upwards to exit the unit. The air directed from the bottom fan can be
further accelerated
through ducting means. The lower fan creates an air flow outside the body in
the vicinity of the
opening as air is drawn into the fan, and for drawing air in through the
opening and into an
insect capturing apparatus, for capturing upwardly flying insects in the air
flow.
[Para. 20.] The exhaust airflow of the unit may be directed upwards for
dissipation above the
unit or alternatively may be deflected a using a cover such that it is
exhausted away from the
insect capture device in a manner that creates a re-circulating air current to
resist the potential
escape of flying insects flying within proximity of the exhaust airflow.
Preferably the exhaust
airflow may be deflected such that it creates a uniform non-turbulent re-
circulating air current
where flying insects are unable to escape the air current and instead are
directed downwards to
enter the differential pressure zone or otherwise become entrained in the
airflow entering the
insect capture device. The exhaust airflow may be further used in combination
with a chemical
attractant to emit a plume of attractant and lure flying insects to the insect
capture device.
[Para. 21.] The air current capacity of the fans or other like devices may be
varied to suit the
size of the unit for mimicking a small or large animal, recognizing that the
differential pressure
zone is reduced in response to a reduction in air current capacity. Typical
fans utilized in the
present invention operate from at least 60 cubic feet per minute (cfm). Where
two fans are
used in a series configuration, each fan may have a different size or air
current capacity,
however preferably the upper fan is of greater size and increased air current
capacity than the
bottom fan.
[Para. 22.] Preferably the upper and lower body are comprised of metal
cylinders, with the
outside of the metal cylinder painted black to radiate energy most quickly.
The interior surface
of the upper and lower body may be mottled to produce irregular infrared
patterns (mottled
patterns of cooler and warmer areas). The upper and lower body of the device
may be sized to
create a visual image and thermal emission of various sized animals to present
as a suitable
host to flying insects, and may mimic a small animal in the case of attracting
mosquitoes and
other flying insects, or a larger animal in the case of midge species.
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[Para. 23.] An insect trap may be located at the intake of each fan thereby
trapping insects
as they fly into the intake of each fan. The insect trap is a structure made
from metal, plastic, or
paper fibre designed to inhibit passage of insects but allowing air to pass
substantially freely
through it. The insect trap is preferably designed to be disposable and
encourage insects to
enter but not leave when the operation of the fans is interrupted or
discontinued, such as with a
butterfly trap door opening in response to a negative pressure acting on it as
with the operation
of a fan, or a conically shaped mesh configured to frustrate the escape of
trapped insects. The
insect trap may comprise a screen material or the like or an adhesive covered
surface for
holding entrained insects.
[Para. 24.] Once insects are trapped within the insect capturing apparatus,
each trap may
be temporarily removed from the capture apparatus for emptying, or preferably
may be
permanently disposed of to prevent the escape or handling or live and dead
insects. The
trapped insects may be killed in situ or after evacuation of the trap by
various means, including
electrocution means located with the insect trap itself; dehydration and
starvation caused by
entrapment and heat generated by the capture apparatus; fatal impact into each
other and/or
trap surroundings; burning on disposal; chemical poisoning; simple waste
disposal, or
pulverization.
[Para. 25.] The insect attracting and capturing apparatus also comprises one
or more
means for attracting insects to the vicinity of the air column, such as
various light, thermal and
or odorants. Preferably the attracting means comprises two light sources and a
chemical
odorant.
[Para. 26.] In a preferred embodiment, the first light source emits UV
wavelengths with UV-
wavelength enhancing phosphors and may be located within the upper body such
that it is
visible to insects flying within the vicinity of the capture apparatus. The
second light source
may be of an incandescent or halogen type that emits infrared wavelengths and
heat, and is
located within the lower metal body such that it is visible to insects flying
within the vicinity of the
unit. The metal cylindrical lower body traps the heat energy of the second
light source, some of
which is dissipated as heat through the thin conductive skin of the cylinder
housing, and some
of which travels through the unit thereby causing the temperature of the unit
as whole to
increase relative to the atmosphere. The odorant may be located in the exhaust
of the upper
body such that the odorant is expelled with the exhaust airflow of the unit,
and may comprise a
carbon dioxide (CO2) emitting means or chemical means such as octenol.
Preferably, the
odorant is a CO2 emitting means, whereby CO2 is emitted in intervals as
opposed to
continuously to take advantage of flying insect sensitivities to detecting a
change in CO2
concentration rather than a certain threshold level.
[Para. 27.] The present invention provides for establishing a host target for
flying insects
through light, heat, and sensory emissions such that flying insects are
attracted to the unit and
enter a zone of differential pressure whereby they become irretrievably
entrained in an air flow
from beneath the unit or within close proximity to the air column, and thereby
captured into the
trap where they may be killed and then disposed.
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[Para. 28.] The present invention may be housed in a decorative housing to
suit a particular
aesthetic appearance and may be hung as a light fixture, affixed to a light
standard, located on
a base, or incorporated into other furniture such as an umbrella, planter, or
the like.
[Para. 29.] To capture flying insects that fly close to the ground, the insect
capture device is
positioned such that the opening of lower housing is at least one foot and
preferably about three
feet elevated above ground level. To capture other species that fly at higher
elevations, insect
capture device can be positioned at a higher elevation such as at six feet.
[Para. 30.] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide
an improved insect
attracting, capturing and killing apparatus, particularly effective for
capturing and killing
mosquitoes. !
[Para. 31.] It is another object of the present invention to provide an insect
attracting and
capturing device that takes advantage of the host-seeking behaviours of
insects such as
mosquitoes.
[Para. 32.] It is another object of the present invention to provide an insect
attracting and
capturing device that may be adapted to imitate the sensory emissions of small
and large
animals, depending on the target insects sought to be controlled or
eliminated.
[Para. 33.] It is another object of the present invention to provide an insect
attracting and
capturing device that does not require precision of flight of insects into an
aperture or airflow.
[Para. 34.] It is another object of the present invention to provide an insect
attracting and
capturing device that prevents the escape of insects such as mosquitoes as
they fly into close
proximity of the unit.
[Para. 35.] It is another object of the present invention to provide an insect
attracting and
capturing device that is economical, quiet and effective.
[Para. 36.] It is another object of the present invention to provide an insect
attracting and
capturing device that takes advantage of the anticipated increased capture
rates with updraft-
type traps but including means for killing the insects.
[Para. 37.] These and other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will
become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description of
the disclosed
embodiments and by reference to the accompanying drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[Para. 38.] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an insect attracting and capture
device
according to the invention.
[Para. 39.] FIG. 2A is a diagrammatic view showing the use of a butterfly trap
in a closed
position in combination with the device in FIG. 1.
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[Para. 40.] FIG. 2B is a diagrammatic view showing the use of a butterfly trap
in an open
position in combination with the device in FIG. 1.
[Para. 41.] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the insect attracting and capture
device in FIG.1
with a mounting bracket for attaching to a wall, pole or other rigid
structure.
[Para. 42.] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the insect attracting and capture
device in FIG.1
in a pedestal configuration.
[Para. 43.] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the insect attracting and capture
device in FIG.1
in a second embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[Para. 44.] Referring now to the insect capture device 10 illustrated in FIG.
1, there is a
lower housing 20 made from thermally conductive metal and an upper housing 40.
The lower
housing 20 contains an air intake opening 21 and encloses an electrical fan 22
and an insect
trap 24 positioned beneath the electrical fan 22. The electrical fan 22 draws
air from an area 23
that is generally exterior and beneath the capture device 10 into the intake
opening 21 and
through the trap 24. The generated airflow 26 is directed upwards through a
duct 28 and
exhaust 29 into an air column 30.
[Para. 45.] The lower housing 20 further contains a light source attractant
25, wherein said
light source is capable of emitting light of incandescent or infrared
wavelengths and generating
heat as an additional attractant means. The insect trap 24 positioned in the
lower housing 20 is
a mechanism or structure for inhibiting passage of insects but allowing air to
pass substantially
freely through it, and is positioned beneath the electrical fan 22. The insect
trap 24 may be
designed to be disposable, encourage insects to enter but not leave, and may
contain a screen
material or the like, or an adhesive covered surface for entrapping entrained
insects.
[Para. 46.] The lower housing 20 and upper housing 40 are separated using a
physical
means 66 such as a rod to define a space enclosing the air column 30 located
generally
concentrically beneath the air intake opening 41. The air column 30 is formed
from the airflow
26 as well as air drawn from an area 31 that is generally exterior to air
column 30. The air
within the air column 30 flows upwards at an increased velocity relative to
air from the area 31
that is generally radially exterior to air column 30, thereby causing a
differential pressure zone
32 where the pressure is lowest at the interface between the air column and
the atmosphere
and increases to atmospheric pressure as you move radially away from the air
column.
[Para. 47.] The upper housing 40 contains an air intake opening 41 and
encloses an
electrical fan 42 and an insect trap 44 positioned beneath the electrical fan
42. The electrical
fan 42 draws air from the air column 30 into the intake opening 41 and through
the insect trap
44. The exhaust airflow 46 is directed upwards and deflected using a cover 48
such that it is
exhausted away from the above the device 10 such that it creates a re-
circulating air current 47
where flying insects are unable to escape the air current 47 and instead are
directed to enter
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the differential pressure zone 32 or otherwise become entrained in the airflow
31 or airflow 23
entering the insect capture device.
[Para. 48.] The insect trap 44 positioned in the upper housing 40 is a
mechanism similar in
structure and function to the insect trap 24, and is a structure for
inhibiting passage of insects
but allowing air to pass substantially freely through it. The insect trap 44
is positioned beneath
the electrical fan 42. The insect trap 44 may be designed to be disposable,
encourage insects
to enter but not leave such as with a butterfly trap door or conically shaped
mesh, and may
contain a screen material or the like or an adhesive covered surface for
entrapping entrained
insects.
[Para. 49.] The upper housing 40 further contains means for attaching or
containing an
odorant or other chemical attractant 50 such that the exhaust airflow 46 is
utilized to expel
chemical attractant from the unit. The insect chemical attractant 50 may be a
liquid, solid, or
gas-emitter selected from those well known in the art, including an
appropriate insect
pheromone, carbon dioxide, a kairomone, octenol, or such as may yet be
discovered. The
insect chemical attractant 50 is mixed with the exhaust flow 46 and discharged
though openings
54 of a decorative housing 60 enclosing the upper housing 40.
[Para. 50.] The upper housing 40 further contains a light source attractant
52, wherein said
light source is capable of emitting light of ultraviolet wavelengths as an
additional attractant
means.
[Para. 51.] In the embodiment described in FIG. 1, fan 22 has a nominal 100 mm
opening
and produces from at least 60 cubic feet per minute of airflow. Fan 42 has a
nominal 150 mm
opening and produces from at least 80 cubic feet per minute of airflow from a
static position.
Power 90 can be provided to the device 10 to operate the each fan and lights
by any suitable
and convenient means, such as, for example, batteries, solar panels or line
power. The device
may attached to a standing fixture or suspended from a hook using attachment
means 64.
Flying insects 80 are drawn toward to the device 10 in reaction to the
combination of visual,
chemical, and thermal attractants. As the insects 80 follow their target-
seeking instincts, they
are led naturally to the differential pressure zone 32 or lower area 23 and
are drawn into the
device 10 through the air column 30 or suction from the lower fan assembly 22,
and are thereby
urged by suction flow 31 to enter the insect trap 44 or urged by suction flow
23 to enter the
insect trap 24.
[Para. 52.] Referring to the insect capture device illustrated in FIG. 2A,
there is a lower
housing 20 made from thermally conductive metal, comprising an air intake
opening 21 and
encloses an electrical fan 22 in a non-operating state and a butterfly trap 24
in a closed position
beneath the electrical fan 22 wherein the butterfly trap 24 remains in a
closed position when the
fan 22 is not operating, thereby not allowing trapped insects to escape.
Referring to insect
capture device illustrated in FIG. 2B, there is a lower housing 20 made from
thermally
conductive metal, comprising an air intake opening 21 and encloses an
electrical fan 22 in an
operating state and a butterfly trap 24 in a open position beneath the
electrical fan 22 wherein
the butterfly trap 24 remains in a open position when the fan 22 is operating,
thereby allowing
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insects to enter into the trap. The electrical fan 22 draws air from an area
23 that is generally
exterior and beneath the capture device 10 into the intake opening 21 and
through the trap 24.
The generated airflow and associated negative pressure allows the butterfly
trap 24 to open and
receive flying insects entrained in the airflow.
[Para. 53.] Referring to the insect capture device 10 illustrated in FIG. 3,
there is included a
bracket 70 made of metal, plastic or other low cost material attached to the
device 10 using
known attachment means (such as a nut and bolt arrangement, rivets, weld or
the like), and a
conduit means 75 within the bracket for housing the electrical connection 61
to a power source.
The bracket 70 is then attached to a wall 72 or other rigid structure such as
a pole and the like
to position the device 10 in an area for attracting and trapping flying
insects. The device 10 may
be partially enclosed within a decorative housing 60 designed to shield the
device 10 from
adverse weather conditions and suit the aesthetic appeal of the user.
[Para. 54.] Referring to the insect capture device 10 illustrated in FIG. 4,
there is included
a pedestal 80 made of metal, plastic or other low cost material attached to
the device 10 using
known attachment means (such as a nut and bolt arrangement, rivets, weld or
the like). The
pedestal 80 is designed for supporting the device 10 on a floor or other
surface 82 at an
elevation from one to three feet to position the device 10 in an area for
attracting and trapping
flying insects. The device 10 may be partially enclosed within a decorative
housing 60 designed
to shield the device 10 from adverse weather conditions and suit the aesthetic
appeal of the
user.
[Para. 55.] Referring to the insect capture device 10 illustrated in FIG. 5,
there is a lower
housing 20 made from thermally conductive metal and an upper housing 40. The
lower housing
20 contains an air intake opening 21 and encloses an electrical fan 22 and an
insect trap 24
positioned beneath the electrical fan 22. The electrical fan 22 draws air from
an area 23 that is
generally exterior and beneath the capture device 10 into the intake opening
21 and through the
trap 24.
[Para. 56.] The generated airflow 26 is directed upwards through a duct 28 and
exhaust 29
into an air column 30. The lower housing 20 further contains a light source
attractant 25,
wherein said light source is capable of emitting light of incandescent or
infrared wavelengths
and generating heat as an additional attractant means.
[Para. 57.] The insect trap 24 positioned in the lower housing 20 is a
mechanism or
structure for inhibiting passage of insects but allowing air to pass
substantially freely through it,
and is positioned beneath the electrical fan 22. The insect trap 24 may be
designed to be
disposable, encourage insects to enter but not leave, and may contain a screen
material or the
like, or an adhesive covered surface for entrapping entrained insects.
[Para. 58.] The lower housing 20 and upper housing 40 are separated using a
physical
means 66 such as a rod to define a space enclosing the air column 30 located
generally
concentrically beneath the air intake opening 41. The air column 30 is formed
from the airflow
26 as well as air from an area 31 that is generally radially exterior to air
column 30. The air
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within the air column 30 flows upwards at an increased velocity relative to
air from the area 31
that is generally radially exterior to air column 30, thereby causing a
differential pressure zone
32 where the pressure is lowest at the point of the air column and increases
with the radial
distance from the air column until it reaches general atmospheric pressure.
[Para. 59.] The upper housing 40 contains an air intake opening 41 and
encloses a frusto-
conical insect trap 44 positioned with its wide end at the intake opening 41
of a mesh bag and
its narrow end within the bag to encourage insects to enter but not leave the
trap 44. The
narrow end of the frusto-conical insect trap 44 is sized to channel the
airflow from the intake
opening 41 into the trap 44 and eliminate the escape capability of flying
insects. The frusto-
conical insect trap 44 comprises holes 45 within the sidewall and at the
narrow end which are
covered with a flexible flap 42A such that flap 42A is caused to open as shown
in 42B by the
airflow through the intake 41, and thus allow flying insects to enter the
trap. Flap 42A will close
when the insect capture device is not operating thereby preventing escape of
insects from the
trap 44. The trap 44 may be removed for emptying through a receptacle 47 or
disposed of
entirely. The insect trap 44 is a structure for inhibiting passage of insects
but allowing air to
pass substantially freely through it. The insect trap 44 may contain a screen
material or the like
or an adhesive covered surface for entrapping entrained insects.
[Para. 60.] The exhaust airflow 46 is directed upwards and deflected using a
cover 48 such
that it is exhausted away from the above the device 10 such that it creates a
re-circulating air
current 47 where flying insects are unable to escape the air current 47 and
instead are directed
to enter the differential pressure zone 32 or otherwise become entrained in
the airflow 31 or
airflow 23 entering the insect capture device.
[Para. 61.] The upper housing 40 further contains means for attaching or
containing an
odorant or other chemical attractant 50 such that the exhaust airflow 46 is
utilized to expel
chemical attractant from the unit. The insect chemical attractant 50 may be a
liquid, solid, or
gas-emitter selected from those well known in the art, including an
appropriate insect
pheromone, carbon dioxide, a kairomone, octenol, or such as may yet be
discovered. The
insect chemical attractant 50 is mixed with the exhaust flow 46 and discharged
though openings
54 of a decorative housing 60 enclosing the upper housing 40.
[Para. 62.] The upper housing 40 further contains a light source attractant
52, wherein said
light source is capable of emitting light of ultraviolet wavelengths as an
additional attractant
means. In the described embodiment, fan 22 has a nominal 100 mm opening and
produces
from at least 60 cubic feet per minute of airflow. Power 90 can be provided to
the device 10 to
operate the each fan and lights by any suitable and convenient means, such as,
for example,
batteries, solar panels or line power. The device 10 may attached to a
standing fixture or
suspended from a hook using attachment means 64.
[Para. 63.] Flying insects are drawn toward to the device 10 in reaction to
the combination of
visual, chemical, and thermal attractants. As the insects follow their target-
seeking instincts,
they are led naturally to the differential pressure zone 32 or lower area 23
and are drawn into
the device 10 via the air column 30 or suction from the lower fan assembly 22,
and are thereby
CA 02705167 2010-07-14
urged by suction flow 31 to enter the insect trap 44 or urged by suction flow
23 to enter the
insect trap 24.
[Para. 64.] While the foregoing descriptions include many details and
specificities, it is to be
understood that these have been included for purposes of explanation only, and
are not to be
interpreted as limitations of the present invention. Many modifications to the
embodiments
described above, such as providing additional fans, fan assemblies, fan
housings, fan
capacities, balancing plenums, and the selection of materials can be made
without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention, as is intended to be encompassed
by the following
claims and their legal equivalents.
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