Fly trap with multiple light patterns

Abstract

An insect trap using attractant light, comprising a source of insect attractant light and a housing that can be mounted on a generally planar or flat mounting surface. The housing and the source of light cooperate to form a bidirectional or a multidirectional (overlapping or non-overlapping) pattern of insect attractant light. The housing comprises one, two or more openings for the insect attractant light that is reflected and radiated onto the flat mounting surface. The housing and the source of insect attractant light can cooperate to form a light pattern directed in a continuous display pattern that can surround the housing. The housing openings further facilitate the entry of flying insect pests into the trap. As the insects enter the trap, they are immobilized on an insect immobilization surface mounted within the trap. Cooperation between direct radiant light, reflected light and the position of the housing and insect immobilization surface forms at least two (preferably non-overlapping) light displays that can substantially increase capture rates when compared to prior traps. The trap can also display a light pattern substantially surrounding the trap housing.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A flying insect trap, using insect attractant light displayed onto a substantially planar mounting surface, said trap comprising: 
 (a) means for mounting the flying insect trap on the planar mounting surface;    (b) at least one source of insect attractant light;    (c) at least one insect immobilization surface; and    (d) a housing, the housing configured to cooperate with the source of insect attractant light such that light from the source is directed into at least three insect attracting light patterns formed on the planar mounting surface.    
     
     
         2 . The trap of  claim 1  wherein the housing comprises three sides and one of each of the three patterns is formed on one of each of the three sides of the housing.  
     
     
         3 . The trap of  claim 1  wherein each light pattern comprises radiated light.  
     
     
         4 . The trap of  claim 1  wherein each light pattern comprises both reflected and radiated light.  
     
     
         5 . The trap of  claim 1  wherein the three insect attracting light patterns are separated by about 120 degrees.  
     
     
         6 . The trap of  claim 1  wherein the housing is configured to cooperate with the source of insect attractant light such that light from the source is directed into four insect attracting light patterns formed on the planar mounting surface.  
     
     
         7 . The trap of  claim 6  wherein the four insect attracting light patterns are separated by about 90 degrees.  
     
     
         8 . The trap of  claim 1  wherein the source of insect attractant light comprises at least one source of ultraviolet light.  
     
     
         9 . The trap of  claim 1  wherein the insect immobilization surface comprises an adhesive surface.  
     
     
         10 . The trap of  claim 9  wherein the adhesive surface is mounted on the planar mounting surface.  
     
     
         11 . The trap of  claim 9  wherein the adhesive surface is mounted on a portion of the housing.  
     
     
         12 . The trap of  claim 1  wherein the planar mounting surface comprises a wall surface.  
     
     
         13 . The trap of  claim 1  wherein the planar mounting surface comprises a ceiling surface.  
     
     
         14 . The trap of  claim 1  wherein the housing comprises at least one internal reflecting surface positioned such that light from the source is directed onto the planar mounting surface.  
     
     
         15 . The trap of  claim 14  wherein the reflecting surface is a planar reflecting surface.  
     
     
         16 . The trap of  claim 14  wherein the reflecting surface is a curved reflecting surface.  
     
     
         17 . The trap of  claim 1  wherein the trap further comprises an insect attractant composition.  
     
     
         18 . The trap of  claim 1  wherein the housing comprises a one piece housing surrounding the source of insect attractant light.  
     
     
         19 . The trap of  claim 18  wherein the housing comprises an open rectangular parallelepiped, said open, rectangular parallelepiped having two parallel surfaces comprising openings for the insect attractant light.  
     
     
         20 . The trap of  claim 1  wherein the housing comprises three openings.  
     
     
         21 . The trap of  claim 1  wherein the housing comprises four openings.  
     
     
         22 . The trap of  claim 1  wherein the light patterns are non-overlapping.  
     
     
         23 . The trap of  claim 1  wherein the trap shape is a regular geometric pattern.  
     
     
         24 . The trap of  claim 1  further including three light sources, each light source creating a separate light pattern.  
     
     
         25 . The trap of  claim 24  wherein at least one of the three light sources is an ultraviolet bulb.  
     
     
         26 . The trap of  claim 24  wherein the three light sources are ultraviolet bulbs having a tubular configuration.  
     
     
         27 . The trap of  claim 1  wherein the housing includes a triangular planar plate.  
     
     
         28 . A flying insect trap, using insect attractant light displayed onto a substantially planar mounting surface, said trap comprising: 
 (a) means for mounting the flying insect trap on the mounting surface;    (b) at least three sources of insect attractant light, including: 
 (i) a first source;  
 (ii) a second source; and  
 (iii) a third source;  
   (c) at least one insect immobilization surface;    (d) a housing having a triangular configuration, the housing comprising at least three side openings, including: 
 (i) a first side opening located on a first side of the housing;  
 (ii) a second side opening located on a second side of the housing;  
 (iii) a third side opening located on a third side of the housing; and  
   (e) the first, second, and third side openings configured to partially enclose the first, second, and third sources of insect attractant light and cooperate with the sources of insect attractant light such that light from the sources is directed onto the planar mounting surface to form at least three non-overlapping insect attracting light patterns, including: 
 (i) a first light pattern;  
 (ii) a second light pattern spaced 120 degrees from the first light pattern; and  
 (iii) a third light pattern spaced 120 degrees from the second light pattern.