U.S. patent application number 14/543094 was filed with the patent office on 2015-03-12 for bed bug trap.
The applicant listed for this patent is Satnam Singh, Kailash C. Vasudeva. Invention is credited to Satnam Singh, Kailash C. Vasudeva.
Application Number | 20150068105 14/543094 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46925382 |
Filed Date | 2015-03-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150068105 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vasudeva; Kailash C. ; et
al. |
March 12, 2015 |
BED BUG TRAP
Abstract
A bed bug trap includes heat, carbon dioxide and/or
semiochemicals (pheromones and/or kairomones), to attract and trap
bed bugs. The trap may be combined with the appearance and/or
function of another appliance, such as an air freshener. The
release of semiochemicals may be combined with the release of air
freshening compositions. The device preferably is powered, but not
necessarily. The bed bug trap may provide one attraction mode, or
two attraction modes, namely one which uses heat, carbon dioxide
and/or kairomones to attact bed bugs seeking a meal, and the other
which uses pheromones to attract bed bugs seeking a safe harbor,
i.e. a hiding place. The two different modes may operating
simultaneously in different areas, or the trap may be switchable
between modes, for example via a timer, or in response to some
trigger such as a light sensor. Alternatively, one mode may operate
continuously, for example the mode in which bed bugs are attracted
to a harboring location, while the other mode, for example the mode
in which bed bugs are attracted to a feeding location, may be
operated only intermittently. The bed bug trap may be combined with
a wide variety of appliances, such as air fresheners, alarm clocks,
clock radios, humidifiers, desk or table lamps, power bars,
etc.
Inventors: |
Vasudeva; Kailash C.;
(waterloo, CA) ; Singh; Satnam; (Kitchener,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Vasudeva; Kailash C.
Singh; Satnam |
waterloo
Kitchener |
|
CA
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
46925382 |
Appl. No.: |
14/543094 |
Filed: |
November 17, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13437032 |
Apr 2, 2012 |
8904701 |
|
|
14543094 |
|
|
|
|
61470229 |
Mar 31, 2011 |
|
|
|
61483830 |
May 9, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
43/114 ;
43/123 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01M 1/103 20130101;
A01M 1/14 20130101; Y02A 50/374 20180101; A01M 1/023 20130101; Y02A
50/30 20180101; F21V 33/004 20130101; G04C 23/00 20130101; A61L
9/00 20130101; F21S 6/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
43/114 ;
43/123 |
International
Class: |
A01M 1/10 20060101
A01M001/10; G04C 23/00 20060101 G04C023/00; F21V 33/00 20060101
F21V033/00; A61L 9/00 20060101 A61L009/00; F21S 6/00 20060101
F21S006/00 |
Claims
1. A bed bug trap, having bed bug attracting means and bed bug
trapping means within a housing, where the housing also provides
the function of a complementary appliance.
2. A bed bug trap as in claim 1, wherein said complementary
appliance is an air freshener adapted to dispense an air freshening
composition.
3. A bed bug trap as in claim 2 wherein said dispensing of an air
freshening composition being combined with release of at least one
semiochemical for attracting bed bug.
4. A bed bug trap as in claim 3, wherein said air freshening
composition and at least one semiochemical are embodied in a puck
which gradually releases said air freshening composition and said
at least one semiochemical.
6. A bed bug trap as in claim 5, where said semiochemical is a
pheromone to attract bed bugs seeking a harboring location.
7. A bed bug trap as in claim 6, where said semiochemical is a
kairomone, said bed bug trap being further characterized by a
heating element used to provide heat as a bed bug attractant, and
to warm said an air freshening composition to stimulate or enhance
its release.
8. A bed bug trap as in claim 7, further comprising a removable
element which includes a glue strip for capturing bed bugs, whereby
bed bugs may be removed from the trap by removing the removable
element.
9. A bed bug trap as in claim 1, wherein said bed bug attracting
means comprises at least two of the group consisting of: carbon
dioxide, from carbon dioxide generating or dispensing means; heat,
generated by a heat source; and at least one semiochemical, from
semiochemical emitting means.
10. A bed bug trap as in claim 9, wherein said bed bug attracting
means has two bed bug attraction modes, namely a first mode
providing a first said semiochemical for attracting bed bugs
seeking a harboring location to a first area of said trap, and a
second mode providing a second said semiochemical for attracting
bed bugs seeking a feeding location to a second area of said
trap.
11. A bed bug trap as in 1, wherein said complementary appliance is
an desk lamp.
12. A bed bug trap as in 1, wherein said complementary appliance is
an clock.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional application based on U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/437,032, which is based on and
claiming the benefit of provisional application Ser. No.
61/470,229, filed Mar. 31, 2011, and provisional application Ser.
No. 61/483,830, filed May 9, 2011.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to bed bug traps, especially but not
necessarily in combination with other appliances. In particular,
the invention provides a bed bug trap with a combination of bed bug
attractants, and which may include the function and appearance of a
complementary appliance, such as an air freshener, clock, radio,
lamp or the like.
[0003] Bed bug traps of various types have been gaining increasing
prominence and attracting increased market attention as the bed bug
problem, well known outside North America, becomes more pronounced
in North America.
[0004] A significant problem associated with bed bug traps is that
their presence may be an undesirable indication to a guest that
there is a bed bug risk, whether that is in someone's home, or in a
commercial setting such as an office, or especially in a hotel
room, and especially in the developed world where there is a good
deal of paranoia around bed bug issues. This problem will often
deter the owner from deploying a trap, despite how the trap might
be otherwise highly desirable, since the owner wants to avoid the
stigma often associated with having bed bugs. This fear of stigma
certainly deters the owner from deploying a trap prophylactically,
as a means of detecting an imminent problem. Preferably, any
property owner who suspects a bed bug infestation or who wants to
guard against one should not be deterred from deploying a trap
prophylactically, so that an incipient problem can be dealt with
before it develops into a major infestation.
[0005] With any bed bug trap, it is of course desirable to attract
bed bugs to the trap. There are various known ways of doing this.
For example, it is well known that carbon dioxide and warmth act as
bed bug attractants, particularly when the bed bugs are seeking to
feed. A number of luring compositions are also known, including
various semiochemicals (pheromones and kairomones). It is known
that certain pheromones will attract bed bugs seeking a safe place
to harbor, and that certain kairomones will attract bed bugs
seeking a feeding location, such as a human host.
[0006] Throughout this specification, whenever the terms
"semiochemical" or "pheromone" or "kairomone" are used, it should
be understood that this is intended to mean only such of those
substances as are known to be attractants for bed bugs, or as may
become known to be attractants for bed bugs or believed to be
attractants for bed bugs.
[0007] Once the bed bugs have be lured to the trap, it is of course
important to actually trap them so that they do not escape. Various
means have also been employed to actually trap the bed bugs. These
include, for example, various pitfall configurations and glue
strips or the like.
[0008] In view of the preceding, it would therefore be advantageous
to combine the bed bug trap with another common appliance, not only
to avoid the appearance of a bed bug trap, but also to provide the
increased functionality of that appliance.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a
device which is effective as a bed bug trap, but which preferably
but not necessarily also provides the appearance and/or function of
another appliance, or of some device of unknown function.
[0010] When the trap is combined with an air freshener, for
example, the visitor or hotel room guest would just perceive the
device as an air freshener, not knowing that it also serves as a
bed bug trap.
[0011] The device preferably is powered, but not necessarily. In
the case of the bed bug trap being combined with a functioning air
freshener, for example, the air freshening feature may not require
power, and some bed bug traps do not require power.
[0012] The bed bug trap may include means for generating heat,
carbon dioxide and/or kairomones and/or pheromones, as will be
explained in greater detail later herein.
[0013] The bed bug trap may provide two attraction modes, one of
which uses heat, carbon dioxide and/or kairomones to attact bed
bugs seeking a meal, and the other of which uses pheromones to
attract bed bugs seeking a safe harbor, i.e. a hiding place. The
bed bug trap may have these two different modes operating
simultaneously in different areas, or may be switchable between
modes, for example via a timer, or in response to some trigger such
as a light sensor. Alternatively, one mode may operate
continuously, for example the mode in which bed bugs are attracted
to a harboring location, while the other mode, for example the mode
in which bed bugs are attracted to a feeding location, may be
operated only intermittently. Or of course the bed bug trap may be
designed to operate in just one of these modes, i.e either mimicing
a harboring location or a feeding location, but not both.
[0014] The bed bug trap may be given the appearance of, or be
combined with, a wide variety of appliances, such as air
fresheners, clock radios, humidifiers, desk or table lamps, power
bars, etc.. This list should not be considered exhaustive. In each
case, the device should have the general appearance of the
appliance, with the bed bug trap either completely hidden, or at
least not readily discernable.
[0015] Thus if a person sees the device in someone's home or office
or in a hotel room, for example, he or she is not alerted to a
possible bed bug concern. It is a further advantage of the device
that it may be used preventatively or prophylactically, whether or
not there is a known bed bug infestation. Thus a hotel may have
such a device in every room, simply to guard against the
development of an infestation, or to warn staff when there might be
a developing problem. If maintenance or cleaning staff find a bed
bug or bed bugs in the trap, they will know that more aggressive
measures may be needed.
[0016] In addition to the advantage of disguising the bed bug trap
function, the device may offer the advantage of combining two or
more functions in one device, so that the home owner or hotel
operator does not need to purchase separate devices. Furthermore,
in powered devices the power supply used for the apparent function
can be shared with the power needs of the hidden function, i.e. the
bed bug trap. Other features may be shared as well. For example, in
the case of an air freshener, the same means for releasing
kairomones and/or pheromones potentially may be used to release air
freshening compositions.
[0017] Further details of the invention will be described or will
become apparent in the course of the following detailed description
and drawings of specific embodiments of the invention, as
examples.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way
of example only, with reference to the attached drawings, in
which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic view of an early
conceptual design of one example of the invention, combining a bed
bug trap with an air freshener;
[0020] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a later example of
the invention, again combining a bed bug trap with an air
freshener;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a dual-mode bed bug
trap and air freshener;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the back of the FIG. 3
device;
[0023] FIG. 5 is front perspective view corresponding to FIG. 3,
but cut open to show the internal structure and features;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a front cutaway view of the interior of the FIG. 3
device, showing carbon dioxide generating tablets in contact with
water to generate carbon dioxide;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a front cutaway view similar to FIG. 6, with the
water level forced below the level of the carbon dioxide generating
tablets;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alarm clock or clock
radio or the like, incorporating a bed bug trap;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a cutaway perspective view of a desk lamp
incorporating a bed bug trap;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of an unpowered version
of the device, which may be especially suited to hotel use;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the FIG. 10 device;
and
[0030] FIG. 12 is a front cutaway perspective view corresponding to
FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] Basic examples of the invention
[0032] First and second examples of the invention are illustrated
in FIGS. 1 and 2. In these examples, a bed bug trap is combined
with an air freshener. As discussed above, the bed bug trap could
simply be given the appearance of an air freshener, or some other
common structure or appliance, but in these examples a functioning
air freshener is provided.
[0033] FIG. 1 is an early conceptual design, shown here to
illustrate the principle. FIG. 2 is a later embodiment. It should
be noted that these embodiments are somewhat different from each
other, having been produced at different times as the design has
evolved. For example, FIG. 1 shows a removable bottom plug as the
bed bug trap, instead of the replaceable drawer of FIG. 2, and
there are a number of other differences which will become apparent.
Except where otherwise noted, the following description relates to
FIG. 2. However, both drawings illustrate the same inventive
principle.
[0034] The device has a base plate 1 on which is mounted a bed bug
trapping element 2, which may comprise, for example, a textured
surface 3 which a bed bug can climb, leading to a pitfall 4.
Although not very visible in FIG. 2, the pitfall is essential an
annular channel at an upper edge of the textured surface 3, having
generally vertical smooth side walls, such that once the bed bug
falls in, it is unable to get out. The channel has one or more
holes in the bottom thereof, for bed bugs to exit, whereupon they
fall onto or are routed to a trapping glue surface 5 on a removable
and replaceable drawer 6. The glue may be any suitable glue which
is sufficient to capture bed bugs such that they cannot escape.
Pitfall traps for bed bugs are known in the prior art, and any
configuration of such a trap could be used, as could traps of other
types, including glue traps.
[0035] A main housing 7 is mounted over the base plate 1 and
trapping element 2, extending down to near the surface on which the
device rests, but leaving a small enough gap for bed bugs to
enter.
[0036] It is well known that bed bugs are attracted to warmth and
to carbon dioxide. Thus within the main housing 7, in a central
recess of the trapping element 2, is a small heating element 8
designed to produce a temperature preferably in the range of 37 to
39 degrees Celsius, to approximately mimic body heat. The housing
has vent holes 9 for the warmth to escape.
[0037] In a portion of the main housing 7 is a water chamber 10.
The water chamber may contain water, or preferably a number of
"water beads" or the like, which are highly absorbent beads which
fill with water and swell from about the size of a grain of rice up
to about 1/2 inch or 1-1.5 cm in diameter. Commonly used for
growing house plants, they retain a "wet" feel, and gradually give
up their water.
[0038] The main housing has a readily removeable lid 11, under
which is a carousel assembly 12. The carousel assembly has a number
of vertically-oriented slots, each to hold one of a number of
carbon dioxide generating tablets 13, which generate carbon dioxide
when in contact with water. One suitable brand is "CO.sub.2 Fizz
Tabs" sold by "Jungle Plant Care Solutions", for example. The
carousel assembly includes a ratchet mechanism (not shown) operated
by a spring-loaded lever 14 to index the mechanism one slot at a
time, to align a tablet with a fixed-location slot such that it
falls through that slot into the water chamber 70. The
aforementioned water beads are preferable to water, since they
produce a slower release of carbon dioxide.
[0039] The carbon dioxide escapes down a tube 15 in the water
chamber and out through the hole 16 to the area of the trapping
element 2. This encourages bed bugs to enter the device through the
small gap at the bottom of the main housing 7. Each carbon dioxide
tablet may last for 3 or 4 hours, and in the preferred embodiment
there are spaces for fifteen tablets. The tablets may be easily
replaced by flipping off the top of the upper housing, and
reloading the carousel. Since the device is not likely to be used
continuously, it is anticipated that in normal usage the carousel
will need to be recharged with tablets perhaps only every 3 or 4
weeks or more.
[0040] Other means of carbon dioxide production of course could be
used. For example, carbon dioxide could be released slowly or in a
programmed intermittent fashion, from a carbon dioxide cylinder.
Other means will be described later herein.
[0041] In the center of the upper part of the device, i.e. under
the lid 11, is a fragrance puck 17, which may be a conventional
fragrance puck, or which may be combined with a semiochemical to
release the semiochemical along with the fragrance. The fragrance,
and semiochemical if applicable, is slowly released by the puck, as
with conventional air fresheners, through vent holes 18 on the top
of the device. Preferably the lid 11 is secured to the main housing
7 in such a way that there is a small gap between the two, to
facilitate air flow. To enhance the release of the fragrance and/or
semiochemical, an optional heating element 8' may be provided
underneath or in the vicinity of the fragrance puck.
[0042] The device is provided with an on/off switch (not shown) for
the heating element 8, and for the optional heating element 8' if
applicable.
[0043] If desired, the device could be rendered automatic in
several ways. For example, the heating element could be on a timer,
to shut off after a certain amount of time. Or it could be
programmable, to operate only at certain intervals or certain times
of day, or in response to certain room conditions, such as whether
or not the room is dark, as determined by a light sensor
incorporated into the device.
[0044] Similarly, the carousel could be controlled to automatically
rotate to the next position only at some fixed or programmable time
interval. A warning light could be provided, either to show that
there are no remaining carbon dioxide tablets, or that there are
only a certain number remaining.
[0045] Preferably, the device is powered. Most simply, this may be
by a plug-in electrical cord, or by a plug protruding from the back
of the device if configured for wall mounting at an electrical
outlet. Alternatively, the power may be supplied from a battery
pack, using either disposable batteries, or preferably rechargeable
batteries.
[0046] In a powered version, the power may be employed to power a
small heating element, whether constantly or intermittently, to aid
in attracting bed bugs. The power may also be used by timing
elements, where intermittent operation is desired, or in the case
of a dual-mode device, to switch between modes (for example, by
opening and closing appropriate shutters, or rotating or lifting
movable parts).
Dual Mode Devices
[0047] It is known that bed bugs, when not seeking to feed, will
seek out safe hiding places or harbors, in what may be referred to
as harboring behavior. They are attracted to such harbors by
pheromones emitted by other bed bugs. Heat and carbon dioxide may
actually deter the bed bugs who are seeking safe harbor. Therefore,
in one mode of operation, the bed bug trap will release pheromones,
without heat and/or carbon dioxide.
[0048] It is also known that bed bugs, when hungry and seeking to
feed, will be attracted by heat, carbon dioxide and kairomones.
Therefore, in a second mode of operation, the bed bug trap will
provide one, two or preferably all three of these attractants, i.e.
heat, carbon dioxide and kairomones.
[0049] The bed bug trap may be designed to operate in only one of
these two modes, or may be designed as a dual-mode device. The dual
modes may operate simultaneously, in different areas of the device,
or a mechanism may be provided to switch from one mode to the
other. Such mechanisms may include, for example, in addition to
turning heat and carbon dioxide generation on and off: shutters
which open and close as desired, to switch between kairomones and
pheromones; a rotatable collar where rotation selectively opens and
closes certain ports for kairomone or phereomone release; a movable
body portion; or other like means.
[0050] In a two-mode device, various means can be employed to
determine when to switch between modes, if the design is such that
the two modes are not in simultaneous operation. Since bed bugs
seek harbor more often than they seek food, it is reasonable to set
the device for "harbor" mode most of the time, i.e. with no heat or
carbon dioxide, and with release of pheromones, not kairomones.
However, when a person is present, it may be preferable to switch
to "feeding" mode, i.e. with heat, carbon dioxide generation and
kairomones instead of pheromones, so that any bed bugs wanting to
feed hopefully will head for the bed bug trap instead of for the
person.
[0051] Switching between modes can be done on a time basis. Where
the device is integrated with a clock or clock radio, for example,
this is easily accomplished using the clock of the device. The trap
can be switched to feeding mode at a set time every day, for
example in the evening and night when a person is more likely to be
present, and can be set to harbor mode during the day.
[0052] Similarly, a light sensor can be provided, such that the
device is in harbor mode when there is light, but switches to
feeding mode when the light is off.
[0053] In many hotels, especially in Europe for example, power is
provided to the hotel room only when the occupant places his or her
key or key card in a slot near the door. The device could switch to
feed mode only when the room is powered, by plugging into an outlet
which is powered only when the room is powered, with automatic
switching back to harboring mode when the power is off. For
example, a solenoid could maintain the device in feeding mode as
long as there is power, but removing power could cause the device
to spring back to harboring mode.
[0054] In some hotels or "smart houses", especially as technology
progresses, the devices might be remotely controlled, for example
from the hotel front desk, so that the mode could be switched
remotely, either on demand, or in accordance with some programmed
schedule.
Dual Mode Air Freshener
[0055] FIGS. 3-7 illustrate another example of a bed bug trap
combined with an air freshener. In this example, an upper body 20
is supported above a base 21 by pedestals 22. The upper body is
separated from the base around the front and sides by a small gap
23. Bed bugs seeking to feed are attracted to climb the textured
ramp portions 24 around the front and sides of the base and thence
through the gap 23, where they then encounter a pitfall, falling
onto a surface 25 of the base. The surface 25 has one or more holes
26 through it, to which the bed bugs will migrate. When they fall
through the holes, they fall onto a glue strip 27 mounted on the
upper surface of a drawer 28. Either the drawer itself is removable
and replaceable as a complete assembly, or just the glue strip is
removable and replaceable, so that the presence of any bed bugs can
be detected, and they can be removed.
[0056] To attract bed bugs to this portion of the trap, preferably
heat, carbon dioxide and kairomones are provided, though it should
be appreciated that in some embodiments only one or two attraction
means might be employed. For example, in an unpowered version of
the device, only carbon dioxide and a semiochemical, e.g. a
kairomone, might be provided, to attract bed bugs seeking a feeding
location. As another example, only a semiochemical might be
provided, such as a kairomone to attract bed bugs seeking a feeding
location, or a pheromone to attract bed bugs seeking a hiding or
"harboring" location.
[0057] However, in the preferred version of this embodiment, heat,
carbon dioxide and kairomones are supplied to this portion of the
device, to attract bed bugs seeking a feeding location, and
additionally pheromones are supplied at a different portion of the
device to attract bed bugs seeking a harboring location. Air
freshening compositions may be released at either or both
locations. The device is thus a dual-mode device, i.e. attracting
both bed bugs wishing to feed, and bed bugs seeking to harbor.
[0058] The trap for bed bugs seeking a harboring location will now
be described, before turning to a description of the carbon dioxide
and heat generating means for the bottom portion of the device.
[0059] FIG. 4 shows the back of the device. Note that the gap 23
does not extend around the back of the device. Instead, there is an
essentially continuous back surface, which is sufficiently smooth
that bed bugs cannot climb it, except for a central portion 30. The
central portion 30 is sufficiently textured that bed bugs can climb
it, the intent being that they will do so to seek a harboring
location. At the top of the device is a compartment 31 with a cover
32 (the cover being shown in FIG. 4 only). In the compartment is a
removable and replaceable block or puck 33 which slowly gives off
pheromones, though small holes 34 to attract the bed bugs seeking
to harbor. Preferably, the composition of the puck 33 is such that
it emits not only pheromones, but also an air freshening
composition.
[0060] Bed bugs climbing the central portion 30 in response to the
pheromones reach a precipice 35, from which they fall down a chute
36 to the base of the device, onto the previously mentioned surface
25. From there, they migrate to the holes 26 and are captured on
the glue strip 27. If desired, partition walls 28 may be used to
block bed bugs which fall from the "harboring" trap from mingling
with bed bugs attracted to the "feeding" trap, so that when the
glue strip is replaced, it can be determined from which trapping
area the bed bugs arrived. However, in most cases that information
is not useful, so this feature is purely optional.
[0061] Instead of a chute 36 leading down to a shared pitfall trap
as just described, of course the harboring trap could be provided
with its own separate pitfall trap, for example at the upper
location, complete with a separate removable drawer and glue
strip.
[0062] Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, the carbon dioxide and heat
generation means for the lower portion of the device will now be
described. Of course it should be understood that any suitable
means of generating heat and/or carbon dioxide could be employed,
the following being just one example. For example, in an unpowered
device, a replaceable heat pack could be employed.
[0063] Preferably, however, the device is powered, whether by
plugging into an electrical outlet (preferably), or
battery-operated. A heating element 40 warms a block or puck 41 in
a lower portion of the upper body 20. The puck 41 releases
kairomones, and preferably also an air freshening composition,
whether or not the air freshening composition is also provided at
the harboring trap location. When provided at both locations, air
freshening will occur even if the puck at one location is fully
expended. The kairomones and optional air freshening composition
escapes via slots 43 in the front of the device, and/or into the
pitfall trap via small holes beneath the puck location (not
shown).
[0064] Above the compartment with the heating element 40 and puck
41 is a water tank 50, fillable from an opening 51. The tank is
partially divided into two sections, namely a fill portion and a
float portion, by a partition 52 which extends down from the roof
of the water tank but not all the way to the bottom of the
tank.
[0065] In the float portion is a float assembly 54, with several
floats 55. The float assembly floats up and down on a central post
(not visible in the drawings), but is prevented from dropping to
the bottom of the tank by float stops 56.
[0066] The center portion of the float assembly includes a
refillable slot which carries tablets 58 which generate carbon
dioxide on contact with water. The carbon dioxide so generated
falls down the tube 59 and into the pitfall trap area to attract
bed bugs thereto. So that the flow of carbon dioxide may be shut
off, the tube includes a carbon dioxide release valve (not
specifically shown), which may be operated for example via a manual
control 60 on the back of the device, or by automatic means such as
a timer or light sensor 61.
[0067] FIGS. 6 and 7 show the operation of the carbon dioxide
generation. In FIG. 6, the float assembly 54 has not dropped far
enough to contact the float stops 56. The lowermost tablet 58 is
therefore in contact with water, and generates carbon dioxide,
which rises in the float portion of the tank, and either falls down
the tube 59 at a rate set by the carbon dioxide release valve, or
fills the chamber if the valve is closed. In either event, as soon
as there is more carbon dioxide being produced than is being
dispensed, the water level in the float portion is displaced
downwardly until the floats 55 contact the stops 56 and the tablet
is no longer in contact with water. The production of carbon
dioxide is thus self-limiting, such that no more carbon dioxide is
produced than is needed.
Alarm Clock, Radio or the Like
[0068] FIG. 8 shows an example of an alarm clock 65, clock radio,
radio or the like according to the invention. The body of the
device has a base portion 66 with a slide-out drawer 67, the drawer
having a front face with a number of small holes 68. The interior
of the drawer includes a platform on which a
semiochemical-releasing medium 70, such as a pheromone impregnated
pad, is mounted. The pheromone escapes slowly through the small
holes, to attract bed bugs who are seeking a harboring location.
The bed bugs enter the body by climbing the ramped portion 72 of
the base, which has sufficient texture for them to be able to
climb, and then passing through a small gap 73 between the base
portion 66 and the upper body 75 of the device. (The front of the
drawer 67 is made sufficiently smooth that bed bugs cannot climb
it.) The bed bugs then encounter a pitfall, falling onto the
surface 76. A second slide-out drawer 77 under the surface 76 has
an elongated platform which carries a glue strip 78 or the like.
The surface 76 has one or several holes 79 in it, through which the
bed bugs fall and are captured by the glue strip. Both drawers are
removable and replaceable, so that the pheromone release may be
maintained, and so that captured bed bugs may be periodically
removed and disposed of.
[0069] If desired, the device could also be provided with a carbon
dioxide releasing function, a kairomone releasing function, and/or
heat so as to attract bed bugs seeking to feed. This could be
provided instead of the pheromone release, or in addition to the
pheromone release, preferably at a different location within the
body of the device, with the possibility of switching between
modes, i.e. between attracting bed bugs seeking a harboring
location, and bed bugs seeking a feeding location. The switching
could be based on time of day, for example, using the clock
function of the device. Heat, if employed, could be generated
inherently by the operation of the device, or a small heating
element could be provided.
Desk Lamp
[0070] FIG. 9 shows an example of a desk lamp 80 according to the
invention. The base of the lamp is configured as a pitfall trap,
there being a gap 81 between the bottom portion of the base, and an
upper portion 83 on which the lamp arm 84 and lamp 85 are mounted.
Bed bugs climb the textured outer surface 86 of the bottom portion,
and fall into the channel 87. From there, they migrate to a hole 88
and fall through it onto the upper surface of a removable and
replaceable drawer 89. As in other embodiments, this upper surface
of the drawer carries a glue strip to trap the bed bugs.
[0071] Preferably, the base includes a heating element 90 above a
kairomone puck 91, the heating element and kairomone serving to
attract bed bugs seeking to feed. The kairomone escapes into the
pitfall trap via a small port 92. Preferably, the base may also
include a pheromone-releasing puck 94, preferably with a pheromone
release passageway (not specifically illustrated) leading therefrom
towards a high pitfall 95 for attracting bed bugs seeking to
harbor. The outside of the lamp base is continuous and textured in
the area of the high pitfall so that bed bugs seeking a harboring
location can climb. Bed bugs fall from the high pitfall down onto
the channel 87 and thence ultimately through the hole 88 and onto
the glue strip.
Unpowered Versions
[0072] As discussed above, although powering the device is
preferable, especially for combining with other functions such as
an alarm clock, radio or clock radio, or to aid in switching
between modes, the invention is not limited to powered devices.
Even in a two-mode device where switching between modes is desired,
that may be accomplished manually, or for example by means of a
non-electric timer and timing mechanism. Carbon dioxide generation
is not power dependent, nor is the release of semiochemicals
(pheromones or kairomones). Heat, if desired, may be generated by
small heat packs such as those commonly sold in cold countries for
hand warming, where exposure to air produces a slow exothermic
reaction to generate warmth. Alternatively, the device could be
positioned near a plant, such that the plant acts as a carbon
dioxide source, and/or near a computer or lamp or other
heat-generating device, or near a room heating outlet.
[0073] In an unpowered version, for example, the device may be
given the appearance of a lamp base, sculpture, or appliance of
unknown function, i.e. a container or box where the guest cannot
determine what the function is.
[0074] Within the device, there may be a bed bug trap of the
pitfall type, for example, preferably but not necessarily with a
glue strip or the like to capture the bed bugs who fall in. There
may also be carbon dioxide generation by any suitable means as
described in the above examples or as further described below.
[0075] Preferably, the unpowered device also includes the two modes
described above, namely the use of a pheromone to attract bed bugs
to a harboring area, and the use of a kairomone, preferably with
carbon dioxide and/or heat, to attract bed bugs seeking to
feed.
[0076] FIGS. 10-12 show an example of such an unpowered device. The
device is intended to sit on the floor of a room, for example a
hotel room, perhaps in an unobtrusive location such as under a bed
or bedside table or desk. Alternatively, it could be mounted to a
wall or to the side of a bed frame or piece of furniture, by a
suction cup or cups, by an adhesive (a peel-back strip on the back
of the device, for example), or by the use of hook and pile
fastening material (e.g. Velcro brand fastening).
[0077] The device of FIGS. 10-12 provides two trapping modes,
without the use of power. Its basic structure is similar to that of
the device of FIGS. 3-7, as can readily be seen from a comparison
of the drawings, such that there is no need to repeat the full
description. Reference numbers corresponding to those of FIGS. 3-7
are shown in FIGS. 10-12 where appropriate. Where the device
differs from the device of FIGS. 3-7 is that carbon dioxide,
instead of being generated by tablets and water, is dispensed from
a carbon dioxide cartridge 96, the release being controlled by a
manual valve 97; and heat, instead of being generated by a heating
element, is generated by the aforementioned heat pack 98, or
alternatively by a battery-operated heating element in place of the
heat pack.
[0078] As with the device of FIGS. 3-7, this device includes an
upper area with a pheromone puck 99 to attract bed bugs seeking a
harboring location, and a lower area with a a kairomone puck 100,
pitfall trap, glue strip, etc. as in the device of FIGS. 3-7. A
chute 36 from the upper area preferably leads down to the base as
in the device of FIGS. 3-7, leading bed bugs ultimately through the
holes and onto the glue strip, as in the device of FIGS. 3-7.
[0079] Although this device preferably has heat, carbon dioxide and
both kairomone and pheromone release, it should be understood that
it could still function to attract bed bugs seeking a feeding
location with just kairomone, or just kairomone and carbon dioxide,
or just heat and carbon dioxide, or just heat and kairomone,
depending on the user's needs and desires and cost factors.
Alternatively, it could act to mimic a harboring location only, by
providing a pheromone without a kairomone, carbon dioxide or
heat.
[0080] Furthermore, it should be noted that it is not necessary
that there be a trapping means for both harboring and feeding
locations. Devices such as these may often be used primarily for
detection of a bed bug problem, often with no expectation that they
will be sufficient to actually rid the room of the problem once
detected. When functioning primarily as a detection device, the
harboring area in particular may not require trapping means; it
will be sufficient to examine the harboring area for the presence
of any bed bugs there (alive or dead), or for evidence that they
have been there.
Carbon Dioxide Production Methods
[0081] Carbon dioxide generation is primarily desirable when trying
to attract bed bugs seeking a feeding location. However, most of
the time bed bugs are more interested in finding a safe harboring
location, rather than a feeding location. In addition, a constant
supply of carbon dioxide would require excessively frequent
replacement. It is therefore preferable that the carbon dioxide
generation and use be intermittent. Even when trying to attract bed
bugs seeking a feeding location, it may not be necessary or
desirable to generate carbon dioxide continuously. Therefore, some
metering means and/or shutoff means is highly desirable, though in
some cases it may be acceptable or even desirable to have a
continuous slow release, despite the more frequent maintenance
which that may entail.
[0082] In addition to the carbon dioxide generation means described
above, other carbon dioxide generation means could include a
compressed carbon dioxide canister with a suitable metering valve;
a liquid acid, e.g. acetic acid (vinegar) with a solid carbonate,
e.g. sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), in tablet or powder form; a
solid acid, such as anhydrous citric acid with a solid carbonate,
e.g. sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and water; via fermentation
(e.g. yeast and sugar); or any other known method of producing
and/or dispensing carbon dioxide.
Semiochemical Release Mechanisms
[0083] The semiochemicals (pheromones and/or kairomones) can be
released by a variety of methods, including the following, for
example: [0084] a. A porous surface, such as felt, sponge, cork or
the like, saturated with the pheromone or kairomone, such that the
pheromone or kairomone is released as it evaporates. [0085] b. An
impregnated gel (such that the pheromone or kairomone is combined
with the gel material, and is released as it dries) [0086] c. The
pheromone or kairomone can be impregnated into an adhesive, exposed
by removing release paper (like magazine fragrance samples) [0087]
d. In a configuration like a mothball (where it reacts with
moisture in the air and eventually dissolves) [0088] e. In a
selectively permeable material, where the pheromones or kairomones
are in a container with a selectively permeable membrane lid, where
the membrane allows evaporated gas to pass through but not liquid.
[0089] f. In a "puck" or the like, in combination with air
freshening compositions or other substances.
[0090] In the case of the bed bug trap combined with an air
freshener, the pheromones or kairomones may conceivably be combined
with the air freshening composition. Thus when attempting to
attract bed bugs to a harboring location, for example, pheromones
may be released along with air freshening compositions. If the
device is a two-mode device as described above, and the mode to
attract bed bugs for feeding is activated, it may be that the
pheromone generation is continued, or that it is stopped along with
the release of the air freshening composition. Or, the air
freshening compositions may be released only when the "feeding
mode" is activated, i.e. along with kairomones, heat and/or carbon
dioxide generation. Or the air freshening compositions may be
released in both modes, including when operating simultaneously.
The heating element may be used to help produce the release of the
kairomones and of the air freshening composition.
[0091] The air freshening composition is not part of this
invention. Any conventional air freshening composition may be used,
in any convenient form, the replaceable "puck" form being
particularly useful, especially to the extent that it may
facilitate incorporating the desired semiochemicals. One puck may
combine a suitable pheromone with an air freshening composition,
and another may combine a suitable kairomone with an air freshening
composition.
Additional Variations
[0092] It will be evident to those knowledgeable in the field of
the invention that many variations on the examples described above
are conceivable within the scope of the invention. It should
therefore be understood that the claims which define the invention
are not restricted to the specific examples(s) described above.
[0093] For example, in some embodiments, a fan may be provided to
aid in the dispensing the semiochemical(s) and/or air freshening
composition. The fan may also generates warmth to aid in attracting
bed bugs.
[0094] As discussed above, various other appliances may be combined
with the bed bug trap in a complementary fashion, so as to provide
the same synergistic results with shared use of certain features,
such as a power supply for example. Another example, in addition to
those described above, is to incorporate a bed bug trap into a
power bar, by providing a compartment for a semiochemical puck, and
a harboring and/or feeding mode location or locations. The power
bar will normally generate sufficient warmth to act as an
attractant, and the on/off switch of the power bar may be used as a
trigger for activating the feeding mode.
[0095] Finally, it should be appreciated that the various traps
described above could conceivably be adapted to trapping other
insects which are responsive to heat, carbon dioxide and/or
semiochemicals, with such selections of semiochemicals as may be
appropriate for the particular insects. The selection of which
attractants to use may of course vary depending on the insect being
targeted, as may the specific configuration of the trapping
elements.
[0096] Further variations may be apparent or become apparent to
those knowledgeable in the field of the invention, within the scope
of the invention as defined by the claims which follow.
* * * * *