Apparatus for Acquisition and Study of Invertebrate Species

Abstract

This invention allows safe and easy capture, secure containment, visual examination and release or other disposition of small invertebrate specimens. It interfaces with a vacuum cleaner or other source of negative air pressure and is comprised of three main parts or segments: A collection segment used in capturing and containing insect specimens and the like, an attachment segment used in attaching the apparatus to a vacuum cleaner or similar suctioning device, and an intermediate screen segment used to attach these two segments and keep the specimens from being sucked into the suctioning device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for acquisition and study of invertebrate specimens, comprising: a collection segment used in capturing and containing insects and the like, wherein said collection segment includes a nozzle section configured as a generally cylindrical tube which has an open end for collection purposes and thereafter flares to form an enlarged collection chamber, all of the foregoing being formed from transparent material for easy viewing of any specimens captured; an attachment segment used in attaching the apparatus to a vacuum cleaner or similar suctioning device; and an intermediate screen segment used to attach these two segments together and keep specimens from being sucked into the suctioning device, said segment including an air permeable webbing, lattice structure, screen, grid, or netting transverse to the direction of air flow through the collection segment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURE

[0013] The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention will be set forth with particularity in the claims to be filed with a subsequent non-provisional application. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further object and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 provides an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention having a spring biased snap down lid, illustrating its component parts and certain preferred dimensions thereof.

[0015] FIG. 2A provides a side view of a second embodiment of the invention having a non-spring biased frictional lid, illustrating its component parts.

[0016] FIG. 2B provides a perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention having a non-spring biased frictional lid, illustrating its component parts.

[0017] FIG. 2C provides a side disassembled perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention having a non-spring biased frictional lid, further illustrating its component parts.

DESCRIPTION

[0018] Turning to FIG. 1, which provides further guidance and information in regard to the invention, it will be seen that the invention is comprised of: (i) A collection segment 1 used in capturing and containing insects and the like, (ii) an attachment segment 2 used in attaching the apparatus to a vacuum cleaner or similar suctioning device, and (iii) an intermediate screen segment 3 used to attach these two segments and keep specimens from being sucked into the suctioning device.

[0019] The collection segment 1 includes a nozzle section 1A that is advantageously configured as a generally cylindrical tube which has an open end 1B for collection purposes and thereafter flares at transition 1C to form an enlarged collection chamber 1D, all of the foregoing being formed from transparent material for easy viewing of the specimens captured. The enlargement at the transition 1C is sufficient to effect a substantial slowing of the air flow 4 being pulled through collection chamber section 1D and screen 3B, helping to prevent injury to the specimens collected when impacting screen 3B as they are carried through collection segment 1 by air flow 4. The embodiment shown shows a doubling of radius for the collection chamber 1D producing a quadrupling of the cross-sectional area for chamber 1D versus that of nozzle section 1A. Hence the rate of air flow 4 is reduced to ¼ of that in section 1A. This has as its purpose a substantial decrease in the chance of injury to the specimens on impacting screen 3B. It is considered that an increase between 2 and 3 times the radius of the input nozzle 1A is optimal, with the larger increase being more suitable for more vulnerable specimens such as butterflies and moths. However, for ordinary uses, the doubling of the diameter provides a good balance between reducing impact speed without creating an overly wide and therefore more awkward and cumbersome device. In addition to the foregoing primary purpose, the increase in cross-sectional area also provides an enlarged area of screen 3B for specimens to be spread out upon, rather than piling them on top of each other, which could also be injurious as well as an enlarged collection area/volume overall.

[0020] Segment 1 is joined to an intermediate segment 3 that includes a screen, grid, netting, or other air permeable webbing or lattice structure 3B transverse to the direction of air flow 4 through the collection segment 1. This allows air to flow through the enlarged collection chamber 1D in response to the negative pressure gradient while retaining insects in said collection chamber 1D. The reverse, enlarged end of said collection segment is screw threaded 1F, allowing it to interface with and connect to a mating adjacent threaded surface 3A in the intermediate segment 3. The intermediate segment is likewise provided with another threaded surface (not shown) allowing it to interface with and connect to a mating adjacent threaded surface 2A of the attachment segment 2. The attachment segment tapers down from its enlarged end adjacent threaded surface 2A in successive step sections 2B, 2C, 2D with diameters chosen to allow it to interface and connect in and to varying diameters of hoses, suction tubes or other orifices provided in or leading to a variety of possible suctioning/vacuum apparatuses.

[0021] The open collection end 1B of segment 1 is also provided with a spring biased lid 1E1 with a latch 1E2 that can be released, allowing the lid 1E1 to snap close over the open nozzle end 1B and prevent the escape of any of the creatures captured in the device after the suction/vacuum is turned off. The collection segment 1, with the intermediate segment 3 attached thereto, can then be conveniently unscrewed and removed from its connection with the attachment segment 2 and placed as a separate unit on a table or other surface for better examination and study of specimens therein, thereby further facilitating the goals of the invention in terms of specimen collection for examination and study. After this, the specimen(s) can be released by opening the lid 1E1 and/or by removing intermediate segment 3 from collection segment 1. Alternately, if the specimen or specimens are to be preserved for long-term collection, dissection, or similar uses, they can be quickly and simply euthanized by chemical means while still imprisoned in the collection chamber 1D. By way of example, this may be advantageously be done using an ether soaked cotton ball. If the surface on which the collection segment 1 rests is suitable, such an ether soaked cotton ball can be place thereon and conjoined segments 1 and 3 (with segment 3 at the bottom) can be placed over the cotton ball with the lid 1A1 closed, allowing euthanizing fumes to pass through lattice/screen 3B and permeate the collection chamber 1D. Alternately, while collection chamber 1D is sitting on a suitable flat surface, lid 1A1 can be opened briefly and a suitable euthanizing agent can be deposited in chamber 1D via open collection end 1B.

[0022] FIGS. 2A-2C provide alternate views of most of the foregoing and also illustrate an alternative cap or lid for the device. In contrast to the spring-biased snap down lid 1E1 illustrated in FIG. 1, the foregoing drawing figures illustrate a more simply configured structure, frictional lid 10A, which snugly fits within collection end 1B and is assisted in its function by a o-ring. Lid 10A also has a connection loop 10B by which it can be attached to a similar connection loop 10C on collection segment 1.

PARTS LIST

[0023] 1 Collection segment [0024] 1A Nozzle section of collection segment 1 [0025] 1B Open collection end of collection segment 1 [0026] 1C Transition from nozzle section to containment section [0027] 1D Collection chamber/section [0028] 1E1 Lid for open collection end [0029] 1E2 Latch for lid for open collection end [0030] 1F Threaded end of collection segment [0031] 2 Attachment segment [0032] 2A Threads for attachment to intermediate segment [0033] 2B, 2C, 2D Successive step down sections of attachment segment [0034] 3 Intermediate segment [0035] 3A threads for attachment to collection segment [0036] 3B Screen [0037] 4 Air flow direction indicator arrow [0038] 10A Frictional lid [0039] 10B Connection loop [0040] 10C Connection loop

[0041] In view of the foregoing, it should be clear that numerous changes and variations can be made without exceeding the scope of the inventive concept outlined. Accordingly, it is to he understood that the embodiment(s) of the invention herein described is/are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiment(s) is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.