Abstract
The present invention discloses a mouse house coated with an adhesive to trap a mouse or rats. The mouse house comprises a flat sheet and end sections or stands. The flat sheet could be quickly curled into a tube. The end sections are configured to provide support to the tube of the mouse house. The flat sheet further comprises an adhesive at the center portion to trap the mouse inside the tube. If a mouse or a rat enters into a tunnel or passageway of the mouse house, it will get stick to the adhesive on the surface of the flat sheet or tube of the mouse house. The user could dispose the trapped or dead mouse along with the tube in the trash without seeing or touching it.
Claims
1. A mouse house for trapping rodents, comprising: a flat sheet configured to twist into a tube, wherein the tube having open ends on both sides, thereby enabling the rodents to enter into the tube, wherein the interior surface and walls of the tube is coated by an adhesive agent; at least two stands comprise an opening in its center region, configured to receive and support both ends of the tube.
2. The mouse house of claim 1, is made of a sturdy and biodegradable chipboard.
3. The mouse house of claim 1, wherein the tube comprises a hole on a top portion, wherein the hole is configured to enable a user to place a bait inside the tube for attracting and trapping the rodents.
4. The mouse house of claim 1, further comprises a cover, removably affixed to the hole on the top portion of the tube.
5. The mouse house of claim 1, wherein the adhesive agent is covered by a peel-off protective shield.
6. The mouse house of claim 5, wherein the peel-off protective shield is configured to protect the adhesive agent until just prior to installation of the mouse house.
7. The mouse house of claim 5, wherein the peel-off protective shield is a silicone treated paper shield.
8. The mouse house of claim 1, wherein the adhesive agent is applied on the interior surface and walls of the flat sheet in a cross pattern.
9. The mouse house of claim 1, wherein the adhesive agent is a permanently tacky polymeric adhesive.
10. A mouse house for trapping rodents, comprising: a flat sheet configured to twist into a tube, wherein the tube having open ends on both sides, thereby enabling the rodents to enter into the tube, wherein the interior surface and walls of the tube is coated by an adhesive agent, said adhesive agent is covered by a peel-off protective shield; wherein the tube comprises a hole on a top portion, wherein the hole is configured to enable a user to place a bait inside the tube for trapping the rodents, and at least two stands comprise an opening in its center region, configured to receive and support both ends of the tube.
11. The mouse house of claim 10, is made of a sturdy and biodegradable chipboard.
12. The mouse house of claim 10, further comprises a cover, removably affixed to the hole on the top portion of the tube.
13. The mouse house of claim 10, wherein the peel-off protective shield is configured to protect the adhesive agent until just prior to installation of the mouse house.
14. The mouse house of claim 10, wherein the peel-off protective shield is a silicone treated paper shield.
15. The mouse house of claim 10, wherein the adhesive agent is applied on the interior surface and walls of the flat sheet in a cross pattern.
16. The mouse house of claim 10, wherein the adhesive agent is a permanently tacky polymeric adhesive.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and structures disclosed herein. The description of a method step or a structure referenced by a numeral in a drawing is applicable to the description of that method step or structure shown by that same numeral in any subsequent drawing herein.
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a mouse house for trapping a mouse in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of a mouse house in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a mouse house in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 4A shows an assembling process of the mouse house in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 4B shows an assembling process of the mouse house in an embodiment of the present invention
[0019] FIG. 4C shows an assembling process of the mouse house in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 5A shows a top view of the flat sheet or tube of the mouse house in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 5B shows a side view of the flat sheet or tube of the mouse house in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 6A shows a front view of the end section or stand in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 6B shows a side view of the end section or stand in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 7A shows a front view of the mouse house in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 7B shows a side view of the mouse house in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 7C shows a side view of the tube of the mouse house in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of a mouse trapped in the mouse house in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 8B shows a perspective view of a mouse stuck or trapped in the tube of the mouse house in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 8C shows a mouse trapped in the tube of the mouse house in an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0030] A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, the perspective view of a mouse house 100 for trapping a mouse 102 is illustrated. In one embodiment, the mouse house 100 is an innovative rodent or mouse trapping product. The mouse house 100 has been designed to adhesively retain a mouse inside a tube 108 out of sight. In one embodiment, the mouse house 100 could be made of a material, but not limited to, a sturdy and biodegradable chipboard. In one embodiment, an adhesive could be applied substantially on the surface of the mouse house 100 excluding the edges. The mouse house 100 comprising a flat sheet 108 (shown in FIG. 3) form that is quickly curled into a tunnel or tube shape. In one embodiment, the chipboard has a thickness of about 0.022 and it will support up to 16 ounces when rolled into the tube. In one embodiment, the mouse house 100 could be placed at, but not limited to, a house, office, at the floor and ceiling in the area such as stores and warehouses. After placing the mouse house 100, the mouse or a rat 102 could be entered into a tunnel or passageway 110 (shown in FIG. 2) of the flat sheet or tube 108 (shown in FIG. 3) and sticks to an adhesive agent applied to the surface of the flat sheet or tube 108 (shown in FIG. 3).
[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, the top perspective view of the mouse house 100 is illustrated. In one embodiment, the mouse house 100 could be shipped and stored in a flat configuration that could be easily assembled and put to use immediately. In one embodiment, the mouse house 100 comprises a flat chipboard that is quickly curled into the tube shape and at least two stands (104 and 106). The flat sheet or tube 108 of the mouse house 100 could be coated with a cross pattern of adhesive 114 (shown in FIG. 3). In one embodiment, the two stands (104 and 106) are configured to provide support on both ends of the tube 108 of the mouse house 100. On each end of the tube 108, the stands (104 and 106) could lift the tube 108 off the surface slightly. Both ends of the tube 108 remain open for the mouse or rat 102 to enter from either direction. In one embodiment, the user could place a bait inside the tube 108 via the bait hole 120 (shown in FIG. 5A) by removing the bait cover 112. The bait inside the tube 108 could attract the mouse 102.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 3, the exploded view of the mouse house 100 is illustrated. In one embodiment, the plurality of stands (104 and 106) of the mouse house 100 are removably attached to the tube 108. The stand 104 further comprises a hole 116 and another stand 106 comprises a hole 118. The holes (116 and 118) are relieved with slits to allow easy insertion and retention of the tube 108 upon assembly.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 4A-4C, the perspective views of an assembling process of the mouse house 100 is illustrated. In one embodiment, the mouse house 100 is available on the retail outlet shelves in the flat form. The chipboard sheets or paper has 0.022 thickness and it is supplied to the die cutting machine in large rectangular sheets, which are pre-printed with a logo. The sheets are automatically fed into the die cutter and the trap components are cut to shape. After cutting, the various components are separated and stacked together. The end pieces (104 and 106) are completed and set aside. The flat sheet or tube 108 with the bait hole 120 (shown in FIG. 5A) in the middle is subjected to a robotic spreader that lays on a thin layer of the permanently tacky polymeric adhesive 114 (shown in FIG. 5A). Over this adhesive 114 (shown in FIG. 5A), the two sections of the silicone treated paper 122 (shown in FIG. 5A) is positioned to shield the adhesive 114 (shown in FIG. 5A) and prevent it from bonding to anything until the mouse house 100 is set up. The flat sheet 108 is inverted and the repositionable adhesive is sprayed around the bait hole 120 (shown in FIG. 5A). The bait hole 120 (shown in FIG. 5A) could be covered by the bait cover 112 so it could be partially removed, the bait inserted into the trap, and then the cover 112 is pressed back down onto the tube 108. Finally, the flat sheet or center section 108 and two end pieces (104 and 106) are gathered together and placed in the point-of-sale bag with a cardboard pre-printed header pin hanger.
[0035] The central section of the flat sheet or tube 108 is coated with an adhesive 114 (shown in FIG. 3) and protected with a silicone treated paper shield/peel-off protective shield 122 (shown in FIG. 5A). The silicone treated paper shield 122 (shown in FIG. 5A) could be removed from the adhesive 114 (shown in FIG. 3) before folding into the tube. After removing the silicone treated paper shield 122 (shown in FIG. 5A) from the adhesive 114 (shown in FIG. 3), the flat sheet 108 could be rolled into the tube. The user could place or insert the tube 108 into the holes (116 and 118) of the end sections or stands (104 and 106). In one embodiment, the one end of the tube 108 is inserted into the one end section or stand 104 via the hole 116 and another end of the tube 108 is inserted into another section or stand 106 via the hole 118. The inexpensive product could be deployed almost anywhere and provide high efficiency.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 5A, the top view of the flat sheet or tube 108 of the mouse house 100 is illustrated. In one embodiment, the flat sheet or tube 108 could be coated with the cross pattern of adhesive 114. In one embodiment, the cross pattern of adhesive 114 could be covered with a backing or peel-off paper 122. The backing or peel-off paper 122 could be easily removed from the cross pattern of adhesive 114 before use. The cross pattern of adhesive 114 could be, but not limited to, a permanently tacky polymeric adhesive. The cross pattern of adhesive 114 could tightly grip the animal's or mouse's 102 (shown in FIG. 1) feet. The adhesive 114 is set back to allow the mouse 102 (shown in FIG. 1) in the tunnel or passageway 110 to walk toward the bait before being captured or trapped. The adhesive 114 meets when the flat sheet 108 is rolled and covers the lower .sup.rd of the tube for optimum capture capability. In one embodiment, after rolling, the flat sheet 108 could be taped to retain the tube shape. In one embodiment, the adhesive 114 is shaped to provide a walkway for the mouse or rodent to go farther into the tube 108 before the trap. This makes sure the adhesive 114 held closer to the center of the tube 108 so it is not near to either ends for an easier disposal.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 5B, the side view of the flat sheet or tube 108 of the mouse house 100 is illustrated. In one embodiment, the flat sheet or tube 108 provided with a bait hole 120. The bait hole 120 could be covered via a bait cover or a tab 112. In one embodiment, the bait cover 112 is configured to cover the bait hole 120 of the flat sheet or tube 108. In one embodiment, a repositionable adhesive is sprayed around the bait hole 120. The repositionable adhesive holds the bait cover 112 so it could be partially removed, the bait inserted into the tube 108, and then covered the bait hole 120 with the bait cover 112 by pressing back down onto the tube 108.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the front and side views of the end section or stand 104 is illustrated. In one embodiment, the end section of stand 104 could be provided with a hole 116. The hole 104 has a circular shape. The end pieces or stands (104 and 106) are stamped to a shape is typical die cutter and two are supplied in each package. The hole 116 is relieved with slits to allow easy insertion and retention of the tube 108 (shown in FIG. 2) upon assembly. The end section or stand 104 holds the tube up off the floor and protects it from unwanted intrusion by other pests. Mice are very agile and could easily access the tube 108 via the tunnel or passageway 110 to get the bait.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 7A, the front view of the mouse house 100 is illustrated. In one embodiment, the mouse house 100 shape helps to define the product and make it different in a crowded market. The tube 108 provides rigidity to the assembly after insertion and could support up to 16 ounces without degradation. Typical mice are 1.0 to 1.5 ounces in weight. Referring to FIG. 7B, the side view of the mouse house 100 is illustrated. In one embodiment, the bait cover or tab 112 is secured to the tube 108 in the flat form using repositionable adhesive and is pulled up to drop the bait into to the tube 108 for trapping the mice. After placed the bait inside the tube 108, the bait cover or tab 112 could be pressed down to seal the hole 120 of the tube 108. The bait in the tube 108 could attract the rodent to move inside the tube 108. In another embodiment, the bottom edges of the tube 108 supports are scored but not bent. These scoring lines allow the bottom edge of the capture tube 108 to be lowered closer to the floor by simply bending the bottom edge of the support to be folded over. The score lines just make it easier to fold and allow the bend to be parallel to the edge.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 7C, the side view of the tube 108 of the mouse house 100 is illustrated. If the mouse 102 (shown in FIG. 1) is trapped, the tube 108 could be removed from the end sections or stands (104 and 106). After removing the tube 108 from the stands (104 and 106), the ends of the tube 108 could are rolled up or twisted and could be disposed of in the trash. The mouse house 100 could be placed almost anywhere where the rodents have paths and the user does not have to worry about any pets triggering them.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 8A, the perspective view of a mouse 102 trapped in the mouse house 100 is illustrated. As the mouse or rodent 102 goes in to get the bait inside the tube 108, then the adhesive 114 (shown in FIG. 3) catches the mouse or rodent 102. Once the mouse or rodent 102 is stuck to the adhesive 114 (shown in FIG. 3) then it cannot escape from the tube 108 of the mouse house 100. The tube 108 has capable to stand on the end sections or stands (104 and 106) without any degradation. In one embodiment, the bottom of the tube 108 could be secured via a tape or sticker 124. The tape or sticker 124 secures the long seam of the tunnel 110 on the bottom of the tube 108. Referring to FIG. 8B, the perspective view of a mouse stuck in the tube 108 of the mouse house 100 is illustrated. If the mouse or rodent 102 is stuck in the tube 108 via the adhesive 114, the user could easily remove the tube 108 from the end sections or stands (104 and 106).
[0042] Referring to FIG. 8C, the perspective view of the tube 108 twisted or rolled ends are illustrated. In one embodiment, the user could twist or roll both ends of the tube 108 once it is removed from the end sections or stands (104 and 106). After twisting the ends of the tube 108, the user could be disposed of the tube 108 with the dead mouse 102 into the trash. The mouse house 100 allows the user to dispose of the dead mouse without using hands. The flat end sections or stands (104 and 106) are placed in the recycle bin to reduce the impact on the environment. Then the user acquires another trap, sets it up, and waits for the next capture.
[0043] The mouse house 100 is designed to be aesthetic and effective in the application. The relative ease of manufacture and the inexpensive components provide good marketability for the manufacturer. The user benefits from improved application and easy disposal of the captured pest, which provides considerable market interest in the product.
[0044] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. It should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.
[0045] The foregoing description comprise illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings in the foregoing descriptions. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used only in generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein.
