Fishing – trapping – and vermin destroying – Traps – Insect
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-22
2001-03-13
Ark, Darren W. (Department: 3643)
Fishing, trapping, and vermin destroying
Traps
Insect
C043S114000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199315
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for catching fleas living in the living environment of human being. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flea catching method which comprises effectively attracting and catching fleas which are parasitic on animals such as dog and cat and an apparatus therefor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As methods for killing fleas living in the living environment of human being there have been heretofore used an insecticidal method using an insecticide and a method which comprises attracting fleas to light, and then catching them.
The former method using an insecticide is disadvantageous in that the insecticide used remains indoor or may harm pets. This method is also disadvantageous in that it takes time to use such an insecticide.
On the other hand, the latter method which comprises attratcing fleas to light, and then catching them is desirable in that it is free from the disadvantageous of the former method.
As a proposed method which comprises attracting fleas to light, and then catching them there has heretofore been known a method which comprises attracting fleas to light from a miniature bulb disposed above a tray, and then catching them by an adhesive sheet attached to the bottom of the tray. There has also been known a flea attracting catcher comprising a catcher having an adhesive sheet and a chemical illuminant provided thereabove.
However, these techniques leave something to be desired in the effect of attracting/catching fleas.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to eliminate the difficulties of the foregoing prior art techniques. More particularly, the object of the present invention is to provide a flea catching method which can effectively attract and catch fleas living in the life space of human being at a high efficiency without harming the living environment of human being and an apparatus therefor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The inventors made extensive studies of conditions under which fleas can be fairly attracted to light and caught. As a result, it was found that the foregoing object of the present invention can be accomplished by the following methods and apparatus:
(1) A method for catching a flea, which comprises a step of preparing a light source and a catching means, a step of emitting light effective for attracting fleas from said light source, a step of irradiating the flea catching zone with light from said light source in such a manner that at least one point apart from the end of said catching means at the maximum moving distance made by one leap of a flea has an illuminance effective for attracting fleas, and a step of catching fleas which have been attracted to light from the light source by said catching means.
(2) The method for catching a flea according to the above item (1), which comprises a step of allowing light from the light source to be reflected by a reflective surface, and a step of irradiating the flea catching zone with light from the light source and light reflected by the reflective surface in such a manner that at least one point apart from the end of the catching means at the maximum moving distance made by one leap of a flea has an illuminance effective for attracting fleas.
(3) The method for catching a flea according to the above item (1) or (2), wherein the light source comprises a high brightness-light emitting diode and light from the high brightness-light emitting diode has a luminous intensity of not less than 0.3 [cd] and a main wavelength of from 400 to 600 nm.
(4) An apparatus for catching a flea which comprises a light source capable of emitting light effective for attracting fleas, and a catching portion having an adhesive surface which slopes downward from the side thereof at which the light source is disposed, the catching portion being disposed on a flea catching zone along the direction of irradiation with light from the light source, wherein the flea catching zone is irradiated with light from the light source in such a manner that at least one point apart from the end of the catching means at the maximum moving distance made by one leap of a flea has an illuminance effective for attracting fleas, and a step of catching fleas which have been attracted to light from the light source by the catching means.
(5) The apparatus for catching a flea according to the above item (4), wherein the adhesive surface comprises a reflective surface which allows light from said light source to be reflected into the flea catching zone and the flea catching zone is irradiated with the reflected light together with light from the light source in such a manner that at least one point apart from the end of said catching means at the maximum moving distance made by one leap of a flea has an illuminance effective for attracting fleas.
(6) The apparatus for catching a flea according to the above item (4) or (5), wherein said light source comprises a high brightness-light emitting diode and light from the high brightness-light emitting diode has a luminous intensity of not less than 0.3 [cd] and a main wavelength of from 400 to 600 nm.
Preferred embodiments of the flea catching methods as described in the above items (1) to (3) according to the present invention will be described hereinafter.
The aforementioned method for catching a flea, wherein the reflective surface slopes towards the side reached by light from said light source.
The aforementioned method for catching a flea, wherein the angle of inclination of said reflective surface with respect to the installation surface is from 5 to 60°.
The aforementioned method for catching a flea, wherein the reflective surface is disposed below said light source and above the installation surface along the direction of irradiation with light from the light source.
The aforementioned method for catching a flea, wherein the light reflected by said reflective surface is effective for attracting fleas.
The aforementioned method for catching a flea, wherein the total reflectance of said reflective surface is not less than 50%.
The aforementioned method for catching a flea, wherein the catching means comprises at least one of an adhesive sheet and an electric insect killing device.
The aforementioned method for catching a flea, wherein the reflective surface is adhesive.
The aforementioned method for catching a flea, wherein the light source is allowed to go on and off.
The aforementioned method for catching a flea, wherein the flashing frequency of the light source is not more than 30 Hz.
Preferred examples of the flea catching apparatus as described in the above items (4) to (6) according to the present invention will be described hereinafter.
The aforementioned apparatus for catching a flea, wherein the angle of inclination of the reflective surface with respect to the installation surface is from 5 to 60°.
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Kamei Masaharu
Nishikawa Masaru
Suzue Mitsuyoshi
Tanouchi Masaru
Ark Darren W.
Earth Chemical Co., Ltd.
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
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