Apparatus for attracting mosquitoes and not attracting beneficial insects to electronic bug killers
US6860061B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 17, 2003 |
| Grant date | Mar 1, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 17, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01M2200/012
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for attracting mosquitoes to an electronic insect killing machine (i.e., bug zapper) is provided. The apparatus includes a converter device that fits over a fluorescent or ultraviolet light bulb of the bug zapper. The converter device controls radiant light and heat emitted by the light bulb to produce a desired level of heat to create a warm mass, or host simulator that simulates a blood host meal for biting insects. Mosquitoes and other biting insects, which have infrared vision, are attracted to the host simulator. When used with a scented lure that lures the mosquitoes and biting insects near the insect killer, the host simulator lures the mosquitoes and other insects to the killing device of the insect killer. The mosquitoes and biting insects are destroyed once lured to the killing device. The converter device also blocks most of the visible light emitted by the light bulb, and therefore does not lure beneficial insects, which are attracted to visible light, into the insect killer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.