Fishing – trapping – and vermin destroying – Traps
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-23
2001-03-20
Rowan, Kurt (Department: 3643)
Fishing, trapping, and vermin destroying
Traps
C043S114000, C043S121000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202339
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for trapping and monitoring mice and insects.
FIG. 4
illustrates a prior art apparatus for trapping mice. This apparatus is designated generally by the numeral
60
and includes an enclosed box or container
62
having a bottom wall
64
, and side walls
66
. The side walls
66
include one or more mouse holes
68
and a lid or top
70
which frictionally slides over the top of the box and encloses it. Within the box is a V-shaped deflector
72
comprised of first and second V walls
74
,
76
. A glue board
78
is positioned on the bottom wall
64
within the box
60
and includes a very tacky upper surface which when encountered by mice grips them and holds them against further movement.
Prior art devices such as device
60
have been constructed of metal, and include a lid
70
which is opaque. Because of the opaque lid it is not possible to ascertain whether or not the apparatus has entrapped any mice without first removing the lid.
Apparatus
60
is often used in areas where insects also are present. Examples may be warehouses, grain storage areas, factories, offices, or homes. One recent concept for insect control involves the step of monitoring the particular types of insects which are present in any given location. After ascertaining the type of insect present, it is then possible to formulate a treatment process for eliminating that particular type of insect. This process eliminates the use of unnecessary insecticides or other treatment measures which are not specifically adapted for the type of insect present.
Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is the provision of an improved apparatus and method for trapping and monitoring mice and insects.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an apparatus and method which enables the user to see the contents of the apparatus without removing the lid.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an apparatus and method for trapping and monitoring mice and insects which permits both mice and insects to enter the apparatus and become trapped therein.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved apparatus and method for trapping and monitoring mice and insects which permits the monitoring of the type of insects present, the trapping of mice, and also the provision of an enclosed bait for eliminating insects.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved apparatus and method for trapping and monitoring mice and insects which is constructed of plastic and therefore has reduced manufacturing cost.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an apparatus and method for trapping and monitoring mice and insects which is economical to manufacture, durable in use, and efficient in operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A combined mouse and insect trap comprises a container having side walls, a bottom wall, and a top wall forming an enclosed compartment. A tacky substance covers at least a portion of the bottom wall within the compartment. The tacky substance has the property of being able to grip and hold a mouse or an insect whenever the mouse or insect come into contact with the tacky substance.
One or more mouse holes are provided in the side walls of the container. The mouse holes are sized to permit a mouse to enter through them into the compartment. In addition to the mouse holes, there are one or more insect holes in the side walls. The insect holes are sized too small to permit a mouse to enter, but they are sized to permit insects to enter the compartment. An attractant material is within the compartment capable of attracting mice or insects by sense of smell.
One feature of the invention is a top wall which is transparent to permit viewing the contents of the compartment from outside the compartment.
Another feature of the invention is the provision of one or more diverter panels within the compartment adjacent the mouse holes for diverting a mouse entering the compartment through one of the mouse holes toward the tacky substance. The diverter panels divide the compartment into two sub compartments. The mouse holes communicate with one of the sub compartments, and the insects holes communicate with both of the sub compartments.
An insect bait may be stored within one of the two sub compartments, and one or more pheromone mounting holes may be provided in the side walls of the container. A pellet of pheromone material is mounted within each of the pheromone mounting holes and is exposed to the interior of the compartment. As used in this application the term “pheromone” refers to an attractant which draws insects and/or mice to the interior of the compartments. The attractant usually attracts animals or insects by their sense of smell, but attractants which appeal to the other senses are also included in the term pheromone as used herein.
The tacky substance referred to in the present application refers generally to any of a plurality of glues or adhesives presently used in glue boards or glue traps commercially available. The glue boards or glue traps include a paper board backing material having a highly tacky adhesive material on its upper surface. When the mice or insects contact the adhesive material they stick to it and are unable to free themselves.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2962836 (1960-12-01), Hughes
patent: 3908302 (1975-09-01), Carr
patent: 3913259 (1975-10-01), Nishimura
patent: 3940874 (1976-03-01), Katsuda
patent: 4161079 (1979-07-01), Hill
patent: 4244134 (1981-01-01), Otterson
patent: 4395842 (1983-08-01), Marguilies
patent: 4619071 (1986-10-01), Willis
patent: 4694604 (1987-09-01), Mitchell
patent: 4709503 (1987-12-01), McQueen
patent: 4709504 (1987-12-01), Andric
patent: 4819371 (1989-04-01), Cohen
patent: 5148625 (1992-09-01), Saleman
patent: 5303501 (1994-04-01), Seemann
patent: 5396729 (1995-03-01), Vejvoda
patent: 5398442 (1995-03-01), Musket
patent: 5438792 (1995-08-01), Monett
patent: 5572825 (1996-11-01), Gehret
patent: 5673509 (1997-10-01), Gatewood
Kness Mfg. Co., Inc.
Rowan Kurt
Zarley McKee Thomte Voorhees & Sease
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