Fishing – trapping – and vermin destroying – Traps – Insect
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-17
2003-07-22
Ark, Darren W. (Department: 3643)
Fishing, trapping, and vermin destroying
Traps
Insect
C043S112000, C043S107000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06594946
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to insect traps, and more particularly to devices for attracting, and trapping or killing, mosquitoes and other biting insects.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Biting insects, such as mosquitoes and flies, can be an annoying, serious problem in man's domain. They interfere with work and spoil hours of leisure time. Their attacks on farm animals can cause loss of weight and decreased milk production. Worldwide, mosquito-borne diseases kill more people than any other single factor. Mosquitoes can be carriers of malaria, yellow fever, and dengue fever in humans. In the United States, mosquitoes spread several types of encephalitis, including the West Nile virus. They also transmit heart worms to cats and dogs.
People are not the primary blood hosts for mosquitoes and biting insects, especially in temperate climates. The major mosquito pests in the southeastern United States seem to prefer the host-odor of small herbivorous (vegetarian) mammals, such as rabbits, or birds. Mosquitoes that carry encephalitis seem to prefer avian (bird) blood hosts. These mosquitoes bite people when they get the chance, but they are better at tracking the scent of animals that are most abundant in their habitat.
Mosquitoes locate blood hosts by scent, sight and heat. From 100 feet away (30 meters) mosquitoes can smell a potential blood host's scent, especially the carbon dioxide (CO2) the blood host exhales. Similarly, biting flies can smell their prey from 300 feet (100 meters) away. Because CO2 is present in the atmosphere (plants take in CO2 and give off oxygen), mosquitoes respond to higher-than-normal concentrations, especially when the CO2 is mixed with host-odor. They follow a blood host's scent upwind, and can see a target at a distance of about 30 feet (10 meters).
People have tried a number of different methods to rid themselves of mosquitoes and other biting insects. One method that is often utilized is spraying or applying chemical insecticides. Although many chemicals work well to kill or repel mosquitoes, the chemicals often have a deleterious effect on the environment, including, but not limited to, killing beneficial insects. In addition, chemical insecticides are effective only for a limited amount of time, and thus must be continuously sprayed. Moreover, many types of mosquitoes and biting insects are capable of developing resistance to the chemical pesticides in a few generations (which may only take a few months for mosquitoes), and in the long run, that adaptation makes the species stronger.
Another method used to combat mosquitoes is bug zappers. In general, a bug zapper includes a fluorescent light source surrounded by an electrified grid. The theory behind these devices is that the mosquitoes are attracted to the light, and, upon flying to the light, will be electrocuted by the grid. In actuality, however, the bug zappers kill beneficial insects, and attract mosquitoes but don't kill them in significant numbers. Thus, individuals that are located near a bug zapper may actually experience more mosquito bites than those that are not.
Citronella candles and smoking coils are often used to repel mosquitoes and other insects. However, research has shown that, in general, an individual must stand within the smoky plume of the citronella to be protected. This, of course, is not desirable. Moreover, even when standing in the plume, citronella is only partly effective in reducing the probability of a mosquito bite. Encouraging natural predation of insects by setting up bird or bat houses in the backyard has also been unsuccessful in reducing local mosquito populations.
Recently, significant research and effort have been expended to develop devices that attract and trap or kill mosquitoes. In general, these devices attempt to replicate the mosquito-attracting attributes of a typical blood host, such as a rabbit or a bird. The devices may include, for example, a source of carbon dioxide, a source of octenol (an alcohol that is given off by mammalian blood hosts), and/or a heat source.
One such device is sold under the trademark “MOSQUITO MAGNET” and is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,243 to Wigton et al. The MOSQUITO MAGNET apparatus is an insect trapping device that generates its own insect attractants of carbon dioxide (CO2), heat, and water vapor through catalytic conversion of a hydrocarbon fuel in a combustion chamber. The hot insect attractants generated in the combustion chamber are diluted and cooled to a temperature above ambient temperature and below about 115 degrees Fahrenheit (F.) by mixing with air, and the mixture is exhausted downward through an exhaust tube. A counterflow of outside air is drawn into the trap though a suction tube that concentrically surrounds the exhaust tube. Biting insects are sucked into the suction tube and are captured in a porous, disposable bag connected to the other end of the suction tube. Additional chemical attractants may be used with the device to make the trap even more effective.
Although the MOSQUITO MAGNET device works well for its intended purpose, it is a very bulky device which cannot reasonably be taken to remote locations such as for camping, boating, or the like. These recreational activities are among the primary arenas where individuals may encounter mosquitoes and other biting insects. Moreover, due to its high suggested retail price ($700 to $1300, depending upon the model), it is far out of reach of the ordinary consumer. Thus, few people would actually purchase the MOSQUITO MAGNET, even if they have a pressing need for mosquito control.
Another example of an apparatus for attracting and destroying insects is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,766, and is sold under the trademark DRAGONFLY. The DRAGONFLY apparatus generally includes a source of carbon dioxide, a source of octenol, a device for emitting the carbon dioxide proximate the source of octenol to create a mixture of the carbon dioxide and octenol, a heating element, and an electrified grid. Insects are initially attracted to the apparatus by the odor associated with the mixture of carbon dioxide and octenol. As the insects fly closer to the apparatus, they are further attracted to the visual properties of the apparatus and then, at close range, they are attracted to the heat emitted by the heating element. In an attempt to fly closer to the heating element, the insects are intercepted by the electrified grid and destroyed.
Although the DRAGONFLY apparatus works well for attracting and capturing insects, its heating source and electrical grid are reliant upon an AC power supply, and thus the portability of the DRAGONFLY apparatus is limited to locations that can be reached by an electrical extension cord. This feature limits the use of the DRAGONFLY apparatus mostly to home use, and even limits the locations where it may be located around a home. Moreover, as with the MOSQUITO MAGNET device, the DRAGONFLY apparatus, at a suggested retail price of approximately $700, is priced out of the price range of the ordinary consumer.
There exists a need for a mosquito attractor and trap that is portable, so that it may be easily moved to a desired location, or used in outdoor recreation, such as camping or boating. Preferably, the mosquito trap may be produced and sold relatively inexpensively, so that it may be purchased by a typical consumer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a mosquito and biting insect attracting apparatus that is both portable and inexpensive to manufacture. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the mosquito and biting insect attracting apparatus includes a heat element (a thermal lure), a source of carbon dioxide (CO2), and a source of a chemical biting insect attractant, such as octenol. The thermal lure, the chemical biting insect attractant, and the CO2 simulate a small animal, thus attracting mosquitoes and other biting insects to the mosquito and biting insect attracting apparatus. A mechanism may be provided for trapping or killing the
Brooks Judith
Bruno Bob
Laverack John
Long Richard
May Randy
Ark Darren W.
Leydig Voit & Mayer Ltd
The Coleman Company Inc.
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