UNIT FOR INTERCEPTING AND CAPTURING CRAWLING INSECTS AND ALIKE AND FOR MONITORING THEIR PRESENCE

Abstract

There is disclosed an apparatus for intercepting and capturing crawling insects, comprising: a receptacle base, the receptacle base having an outer wall and an inner landing forming an entrapment cavity therebetween; and a removable lid adapted to engage the inner landing and substantially cover the receptacle base while forming a continuous opening between the lid and the outer wall of the receptacle base. A replaceable pad and a removable tray may be positioned between the receptacle base and removable lid to attract, immobilize, and exterminate insects. The apparatus is suitable for at least partially supporting the weight of an article placed thereon. In an embodiment, the article is a piece of furniture, and a plurality of units are positioned to each receive one leg of the piece of furniture thereon, such as a bed, sofa, upholstered items, and chairs. The apparatus is also suitable for use with any other articles which require protection from crawling insects.

Claims

1. An apparatus for intercepting and capturing crawling insects, comprising: a receptacle base, the receptacle base having an outer wall and an inner landing forming an entrapment cavity therebetween; and a removable lid adapted to engage the inner landing and substantially cover the receptacle base while forming a continuous opening between the lid and the outer wall of the receptacle base.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is adapted to at least partially support the weight of an article placed thereon.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a plurality of studs adapted to function as support columns between the receptacle base and the lid, thereby to maintain the continuous opening between the removable lid and the outer wall of the receptacle base.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the plurality of studs are formed on the receptacle base.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receptacle base and the removable lid are adapted to mechanically couple at the inner landing.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receptacle base and the removable lid are adapted to mechanically couple at the plurality of studs adapted to function as support columns between the receptacle base and the lid.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a replaceable pad adapted to be inserted between the receptacle base and the removable lid.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the replaceable pad includes an aperture corresponding to the location of the inner landing.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the replaceable pad includes a plurality of apertures to correspond to the location of the inner landing and the plurality of studs adapted to function as support columns between the receptacle base and the lid.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner landing or one or more of the plurality of studs adapted to function as support columns between the receptacle base and the lid include a mechanical feature to position the removable pad at a desired height between the receptacle base and the removable lid.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, the replaceable pad comprises at least one surface made of an adhesive material to immobilize any crawling insects that have reached the replaceable pad.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a removable tray adapted to be positioned around the inner landing, and between the receptacle base and the removable lid.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the removable tray includes an outer wall and an inner wall to form a recessed basin for holding at least one of an insect attractant and an insecticide.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of raised apertures corresponding to the location of the inner landing and any studs adapted to function as support columns between the receptacle base and the lid.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the insect attractant is a pheromone.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the insect attractant is an insect bait.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the removable tray is substantially flat.

18. A replaceable pad for the apparatus of claim 1, the replaceable pad including one or more apertures to accommodate any support structures between the receptacle base and the removable lid of the apparatus.

19. The replaceable pad of claim 18, further comprising at least one surface made of an adhesive material to immobilize any crawling insects that have reached the replaceable pad.

20. A removable tray for the apparatus of claim 1, the removable tray including one or more apertures to accommodate any support structures between the receptacle base and the removable lid of the apparatus.

21. The removable tray of claim 20, wherein the removable tray includes a recessed receptacle for holding one or more of an insect attractant and an insecticide.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctively claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. The invention, however, both in structure and operation may be better understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the subjoined claims and the accompanying drawings of which:

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a front elevation view the apparatus for intercepting and capturing crawling insects and alike and for monitoring their presence in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a prospective view of a receptacle-basis support of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0041] FIG. 3 reproduces FIG. 1 on which line A-A indicates a cross-section in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0042] FIG. 4 depicts cross-section A-A of FIG. 3 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment

[0043] FIGS. 5 shows an exploded prospective view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0044] FIG. 6 shows a front elevation view of the closing-carrying lid indicated in FIG. 1, showing a leg foot in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0045] FIG. 7 shows an exploded perspective view of the apparatus provided with a pad, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0046] FIGS. 8A-8C show an alternative embodiment of an apparatus having a different shape in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0047] FIGS. 9A-9E shows a receptacle base portion of the apparatus of FIGS. 8A-8C in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0048] FIGS. 10A-10E shows a removable lid portion of the apparatus of FIGS. 9A-9E in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0049] FIGS. 11A-11E show a pheromone tray in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0050] FIGS. 12A-12E show an insect bait tray in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0051] FIGS. 13A-13E shows an insect bait tray in accordance with another illustrative embodiment.

[0052] FIGS. 14A-14E show a flat tray in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0053] FIGS. 15A-15E shows a larger flat tray in accordance with another illustrative embodiment.

[0054] FIG. 16 shows an adhesive pad in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] As a caveat, it is to be agreed, that terms, such as top, bottom upper, vertical horizontal, upward, downward and inward are conventionally employed in the present specification with reference to the normal horizontal position, in which a UNIT FOR INTERCEPTING AND CAPTURING CRAWLING INSECTS AND ALIKE AND FOR MONITORING THEIR

[0056] PRESENCE is used. A reference numeral 10 is generally used to designate the aforementioned unit, which, for the simplification of the specification, will be further called unit.

[0057] In an aspect, there is disclosed an apparatus for intercepting and capturing crawling insects, comprising: a receptacle base, the receptacle base having an outer wall and an inner landing forming an entrapment cavity therebetween; and a removable lid adapted to engage the inner landing and substantially cover the receptacle base while forming a continuous opening between the lid and the outer wall of the receptacle base.

[0058] The apparatus is suitable for at least partially supporting the weight of a piece of furniture placed thereon. In typical use, a plurality of units are positioned to each receive one leg of the piece of furniture thereon (e.g. bed, sofa, upholstered items, chairs, etc.).

[0059] In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a plurality of studs adapted to function as support columns between the receptacle base and the lid, in order to maintain the continuous opening between the removable lid and the outer wall of the receptacle base.

[0060] In another embodiment, the receptacle base and the removable lid are adapted to mechanically couple at the inner landing.

[0061] In another embodiment, the receptacle base and the removable lid are adapted to mechanically couple at the plurality of studs adapted to function as support columns between the receptacle base and the lid.

[0062] In another aspect, the apparatus further comprises a replaceable pad adapted to be inserted between the receptacle base and the removable lid.

[0063] In an embodiment, the replaceable pad includes an aperture corresponding to the location of the inner landing.

[0064] In another embodiment, the replaceable pad includes a plurality of apertures to correspond to the location of the inner landing and the plurality of studs adapted to function as support columns between the receptacle base and the lid.

[0065] In another embodiment, the inner landing or one or more of the plurality of studs adapted to function as support columns between the receptacle base and the lid may include a mechanical feature to position the removable pad at a desired height between the receptacle base and the removable lid.

[0066] In another embodiment, the replaceable pad comprises at least one surface made of an adhesive material to immobilize any crawling insects that have reached the replaceable pad.

[0067] In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a removable tray adapted to be positioned around the inner landing, and between the receptacle base and the removable lid.

[0068] In another embodiment, the removable tray includes an outer wall and an inner wall to form a continuous basin for holding an insect attractant.

[0069] In another embodiment, the removable tray includes a recessed basin for holding an insect attractant, and a plurality of raised apertures corresponding to the location of the inner landing and any studs adapted to function as support columns between the receptacle base and the lid.

[0070] In another embodiment, the removable tray is substantially flat to support a replaceable pad thereon.

[0071] In an embodiment, the insect attractant is a pheromone.

[0072] In another embodiment, the insect attractant is an insect bait.

[0073] In another aspect, there is disclosed a replaceable pad for an apparatus for intercepting and capturing crawling insects, the replaceable pad including one or more apertures to accommodate any support structures between a receptacle base and a removable lid of the apparatus.

[0074] In an embodiment, the replaceable pad comprises at least one surface made of an adhesive material to immobilize any crawling insects that have reached the replaceable pad.

[0075] With reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrative embodiments of unit will now be described.

[0076] As shown in FIGS. 1-5, unit 10 constitutes a combination of a receptacle-basis support 100 and a closing-carrying lid 200, which is positioned on a top of the former and with which is releasable engaged.

[0077] Describing now in detail, in this illustrative embodiment, receptacle-basis support 100 constitutes a monolithic, rigid body. Receptacle-basis support 100 incorporates: a lower, horizontal flat base 105, generally circular and adapted for resting on a floor or on ground; an outer wall 110 extending upwardly and inwardly from lower, horizontal flat base 105 and having, generally, when laterally viewed, a frustoconical-like shape; a generatrice (not shown) of outer wall 110 forming an obtuse, external angle with lower, horizontal flat base 105, outer wall 110 performing the role of an angled ramp and being covered with asperities 115 is creating a climbing rough texture surface, tangible attractive for crawling insects; a top 120 extending from an upper end of outer wall 110, flat shaped and horizontally disposed and having, substantially, a small size and is ring-like shaped; an inner wall 125 extending downwards and outwards from top 120 is abutting on lower, horizontal flat base 105; a generatrice (not shown) of inner wall 125 forming an external obtuse angle with lower, horizontal flat base 105; inner wall 125 having a slippery, glassy surface; four cylindrical solid studs 130, all positioned on a circular circumference and having the same size, being equally spaced among themselves and being equidistant from inner wall 125, are extending upwards from lower, horizontal flat base 105 and protruding vertically above a horizontal plan incorporating top 120; a lower carrier sleeve for landing 135, hollow cylinder shaped and jutting out of lower, horizontal flat base 105 and having a topmost surface 140 coplanar with top 120; a partially obstructing, horizontal wall 145, disposed in an interior of carrier sleeve top 120 for landing 135 and retracted from topmost surface 140 and from back surface of lower, horizontal flat base 105 is traversed by a quadrilateral aperture 150; a circular depression 155 in back surface of lower, horizontal flat base 105 forming a zone 160 encompassing quadrilateral aperture 150.

[0078] Closing-carrying lid 200, like receptacle-basis support 100, constitutes a rigid body. Closing-carrying lid 200, viewed from a top, incorporates: an annular area 205 incrementally increasing in height from an external margin; a circular indented zone 210 circumscribed by annular area 205; Closing-carrying lid 200, viewed from a bottom, incorporates: four hollow cylinders 215 vertically projecting out from a bottom, horizontal flat surface 220 of closing-carrying lid 200, all positioned as to assure a corresponding coaxiality with four cylindrical solid studs 130 and having an internal diameter compatible with an external diameter of four cylindrical solid studs 130 so that a easy sliding is assured; a height hl of each one of the four hollow cylinders 215 is basically shorter than a height h2 of four cylindrical solid studs 130; an upper carrier sleeve for landing 225, hollow cylinder shaped and jutting out of a bottom, horizontal flat surface 220 of closing-carrying lid 200 and generally having a lowermost surface 230 commensurate with topmost surface 140 of lower carrier sleeve for landing 135; and a pair of thin and narrow cantilevered strips 235 providing flexibility and extending downwards from a bottom of upper carrier sleeve for landing 225; each of the pair of thin, narrow, cantilevered strips 235 being provided at a lower end with a spike-spur 240 including an inclined portion that protrudes outward toward the exterior.

[0079] To achieve an engagement of receptacle-basis support 100 with closing-carrying lid 200, four cylindrical solid studs 130 should reach bottoms of four hollow cylinders 215, lower carrier sleeve for landing 135 should contact upper carrier sleeve for landing 225 and spike-spurs 240, provided with inclined portions, should escape and snap behind horizontal flat base 105, after being squeezed during a passage through quadrilateral aperture 150, and, thus, an engagement is achieved; for disengagement, use is made of two fingers {not shown) positioned in circular depression 155 and squeezing spike-spurs 240.

[0080] Once engaged, a circular opening 0 between top 120 extending from an upper end of outer wall 110 of receptacle-basis support 100 and bottom, horizontal flat surface 220 of closing-carrying lid 200 is formed. An entrapment cavity C in the interior of receptacle-basis support 100 for captured crawling insects is established.

[0081] Outer wall 110 performing the role of an angled ramp and being covered with asperities 115 provides an attractive, easy upwards climbable surface for crawling insects. After reaching top 120 and by continuing their forward movement, crawling insects attain inner wall 125. The latter obliquely extending downwards and outwards and having a slippery, glassy surface forms a precipice-chute causing the falling of crawling insects into entrapment cavity C wherein they are trapped.

[0082] Among crawling insects (bed bugs, ants, cockroaches, spiders, beetles etc.), bed bugs always cause a greater nuisance. They are predominant in apartment buildings and in hotels. A significant increase of national and international travel contributes greatly to their propagation. Generally, one can say that the infestation with bed bugs in new places is the result of relocation of furniture and belongings.

[0083] The users of unit 10 are primarily the residents of homes and apartments, hotels and employees of pest control companies who want to detect the presence of crawling insects in specific zones.

[0084] Unit 10 is primarily, but not exclusively, conceived and adapted to be positioned under every leg LF of a piece of furniture (bed, sofa, upholstered items, chairs, etc.). Unit 10 can also be placed in kitchens and laundry rooms. When it is mentioned that leg LF is supported by an unit 10, one must infer that it refers to circular, indented zone 210 of closing-carrying lid 200, wherein a bottom of a leg LF is lodged.

[0085] To immobilize the bed bugs already captured, various sticky products are used. In a variant of the above described unit 10, use is made of a pad P having a flat, substantially thin, circular shape, the latter having a circumference commensurate with that of the bottom of entrapment cavity C, on which it is superimposed. Pad P is formed from a pair of congruent layers: a bottom layer BL made of cardboard material and a top layer TL made of an adhesive material. Besides the fact that pad P is defined by above mentioned circumference, it is also traversed by a central aperture CA commensurate and coaxial with lower carrier sleeve for landing 135 of receptacle-basis support 100 and by four apertures FA commensurate and coaxial with four cylindrical solid studs 130 of receptacle-basis support 100.

[0086] FIGS. 8A-8C show an alternative illustrative embodiment of an apparatus having a rectilinear shape. As will be appreciated, this alternative embodiment includes analogous features identified by the same reference numerals as used and described for the illustrative circular unit shown in FIGS. 1-7, and functions in an analogous manner. However, as best shown in FIG. 8B, FIG. 9B and FIG. 10B, the topmost surface 140 of lower carrier sleeve for landing 135 may extend all the way to reach removable carrying lid 200, rather than meeting a landing 225 (see FIG. 5) on the bottom side of removable carrying lid 200.

[0087] More particularly, FIGS. 9A-9E show a receptacle base 100 corresponding to the features and function of receptacle base 100 shown in FIGS. 1-7. This rectilinear shaped receptacle base 100 also includes an outer wall 110 and an inner landing 135 forming an entrapment cavity C therebetween. FIGS. 10A-10E show a removable carrying lid 300 corresponding to removable carrying lid 200 which is adapted to engage the inner landing 135 of the receptacle base 100, and substantially cover the receptacle base 100 while forming a continuous opening O (see FIG. 8B) between the lid and the outer wall of the receptacle base.

[0088] As will be appreciated, the function of this rectilinear shaped unit is substantially the same as the circular shaped unit of FIGS. 1-7, but this rectilinear shaped unit may be more esthetically pleasing when matched with legs of an article having a rectilinear shape.

[0089] Now referring to FIGS. 11A-11E, shown is a removable tray 300 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. As shown, the removable tray 300 includes an outer wall 310 and an inner wall 320 to form a continuous basin 330 for holding an insect attractant. A raised aperture 335 provides an opening for an inner landing 135 of a receptacle base 100, as illustrated for example in FIG. 2. As an example, the insect attractant is a pheromone, or an insect bait. Optionally, the removable tray 300 may also include an insecticide for exterminating a crawling insect which comes into contact with or ingests the insecticide.

[0090] Now referring to FIGS. 12A-12E, shown is another type of removable tray 400 for holding an insect attractant in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. In this embodiment, the removable tray 400 includes an outer wall 410, an inner wall 420, and a recessed basin 430 formed in the tray 400 for holding an insect attractant, and a plurality of raised apertures 435, 440 corresponding to the location of the inner landing 135, and any studs 130 adapted to function as support columns between the receptacle base 100 and the lid 200. This allows the removable tray 400 to cover a larger area than the removable tray 300 of FIGS. 11A-11E, and hold a larger quantity of insect attractant, either alone or together with an insecticide.

[0091] FIGS. 13A-13E show yet another type of removable tray 400 which functions substantially the same as the removable tray of FIGS. 12A-12C, but can cover a large surface area.

[0092] Now referring to FIGS. 14A-14E, shown is another type of removable tray 500 which has a substantially flat surface 510. This flat removable tray 500 is adapted to support a replaceable pad 600 (see FIG. 16) thereon, or another type of insert for trapping an insect. As shown, the removable tray 500 also includes a number of apertures 535, 540 corresponding to the location of the inner landing 135, and any studs 130 adapted to function as support columns between the receptacle base 100 and the lid 200.

[0093] FIGS. 15A-15E show another removable tray 500 which functions substantially the same as the removable tray of FIGS. 14A-14E, but can cover a larger surface area. In this embodiment, the enter aperture 535 for accommodating an inner landing 135 is significantly raised above the other apertures 540 for receiving any studs 130.

[0094] Now referring to FIG. 16, shown is an adhesive pad 600 with an adhesive surface 610 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. This adhesive pad 600 may be an integral part of a multilayer replaceable pad referenced and shown in FIG. 7, or may be a separately replaceable layer which may be placed on a supporting surface, such as the substantially flat removable trays of FIGS. 14A-14E, and FIGS. 15A-15E. These replacement pads also include suitably located apertures 635, 640 to accommodate an inner landing 135, and any studs 130. As will be appreciated, these adhesive pads 600 should be replaced after a period of time as they become less effective as an insect adhesive, or as the pads collect a significant number of insects over time.

[0095] As required, a detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

[0096] More generally, while the illustrative examples and use case described above is in the context of protecting furniture from crawling insects, it will be appreciated that the apparatus can be used for any type of article requiring protection from crawling insects, and for monitoring for their presence. As an illustrative example, the article placed on the apparatus may be a container for horticulture, where the possibility of infestation from one or more types of insects needs to be monitored during shipping. By providing an effective insect barrier which can trap any crawling insects attempting to gain access to the contents of the container, the apparatus may be used as a simple and effective insect presence monitoring tool.

[0097] Thus, in an aspect, there is provided an apparatus for intercepting and capturing crawling insects, comprising: a receptacle base, the receptacle base having an outer wall and an inner landing forming an entrapment cavity therebetween; and a removable lid adapted to engage the inner landing and substantially cover the receptacle base while fonning a continuous opening between the lid and the outer wall of the receptacle base.

[0098] In an embodiment, the apparatus is adapted to at least partially support the weight of an article placed thereon.

[0099] In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a plurality of studs adapted to function as support columns between the receptacle base and the lid, thereby to maintain the continuous opening between the removable lid and the outer wall of the receptacle base.

[0100] In another embodiment, the plurality of studs are formed on the receptacle base.

[0101] In another embodiment, the receptacle base and the removable lid are adapted to mechanically couple at the inner landing.

[0102] In another embodiment, the receptacle base and the removable lid are adapted to mechanically couple at the plurality of studs adapted to function as support columns between the receptacle base and the lid.

[0103] In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a replaceable pad adapted to be inserted between the receptacle base and the removable lid.

[0104] In another embodiment, the replaceable pad includes an aperture corresponding to the location of the inner landing.

[0105] In another embodiment, the replaceable pad includes a plurality of apertures to correspond to the location of the inner landing and the plurality of studs adapted to function as support columns between the receptacle base and the lid.

[0106] In another embodiment, the inner landing or one or more of the plurality of studs adapted to function as support columns between the receptacle base and the lid include a mechanical feature to position the removable pad at a desired height between the receptacle base and the removable lid.

[0107] In another embodiment, the replaceable pad comprises at least one surface made of an adhesive material to immobilize any crawling insects that have reached the replaceable pad.

[0108] In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a removable tray adapted to be positioned around the inner landing, and between the receptacle base and the removable lid.

[0109] In another embodiment, the removable tray includes an outer wall and an inner wall to form a recessed basin for holding at least one of an insect attractant and an insecticide.

[0110] In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a plurality of raised apertures corresponding to the location of the inner landing and any studs adapted to function as support columns between the receptacle base and the lid.

[0111] In another embodiment, the insect attractant is a pheromone.

[0112] In another embodiment, the insect attractant is an insect bait.

[0113] In another embodiment, the removable tray is substantially flat.

[0114] In another aspect, there is provide a replaceable pad for the apparatus for intercepting and capturing crawling insects, the replaceable pad including one or more apertures to accommodate any support structures between the receptacle base and the removable lid of the apparatus.

[0115] In an embodiment, the replaceable pad further comprises at least one surface made of an adhesive material to immobilize any crawling insects that have reached the replaceable pad.

[0116] In another aspect, there is provided a removable tray for the apparatus for intercepting and capturing crawling insects, the removable tray including one or more apertures to accommodate any support structures between the receptacle base and the removable lid of the apparatus.

[0117] In an embodiment, the removable tray includes a recessed receptacle for holding one or more of an insect attractant and an insecticide.

[0118] The embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: