Electrocuting Patents (Class 43/112)
  • Publication number: 20040159040
    Abstract: A mosquito trap includes a lower housing, a fan holder mounted on the lower housing for sequentially holding a lamp holder and a fan to a top of the fan holder, a lamp connected to the lamp holder, a high-tension screen connected to the lamp holder to enclose the lamp therein, a winding means provided below the fan holder for a power cord to wind therearound, and a lampshade connected to the lower housing to enclose the fan holder, the fan, the lamp holder, the lamp, and the high-tension screen therein. The lamp emits light to induce mosquitoes and the fan produces a suction flow to suck surrounding mosquitoes to the high-tension screen, at where the trapped mosquitoes are killed by a high tension A bottom cap provided at a bottom of the lower housing can be opened to dump bodies of killed mosquitoes conveniently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: Chung Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20040111953
    Abstract: An electric or electronic animal trap wherein the housing includes a pair of spaced electrodes or charge plates in a killing chamber intermediate the trap entrance and a source of bait. Interposed in the pathway to the electrodes is at least one diverter which discourages a target animal from reversing direction before it is electrocuted. In one embodiment, juxtaposed to the entrance are at least two diverter members angularly offset relative to each other to define a maze-like path to lead a target animal to the charge plates for electrocution while discouraging reversal of direction and protecting against direct access to the charge plates through the entrance opening by children, pets or non-target species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Anderson, Michael J. Gehret, David W. Swift, Christopher T. Rich
  • Publication number: 20040111952
    Abstract: An electric or electronic animal trap wherein the housing includes a pair of spaced electrodes or charge plates in a killing chamber intermediate the trap entrance and a source of bait. Interposed in the pathway to the electrodes is at least one diverter which discourages a target animal from reversing direction before it is electrocuted. In one embodiment, juxtaposed to the entrance are at least two diverter members angularly offset relative to each other to define a maze-like path to lead a target animal to the charge plates for electrocution while discouraging reversal of direction and protecting against direct access to the charge plates through the entrance opening by children, pets or non-target species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Anderson, Michael J. Gehret, David W. Swift, Christopher T. Rich
  • Patent number: 6688035
    Abstract: A method and device is described for producing carbon dioxide and water vapor, together as an insect attractant, near an insect killing field. The invention describes an economical and convenient way of producing the insect attractant by utilizing paraffin in combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Daniel Shichman
  • Patent number: 6665979
    Abstract: A trap for killing gravid mosquitoes which includes a vessel containing water, an electrocution device with a rough inner surfaced frame supported by a floating ring floating above the water, and a walled structure with an opening on the upper ½ portion of one side of the walls. The vessel with the floating electrocution device is arranged inside of the walled structure to form a tree hole-like trap. The present invention provides an apparatus to kill the gravid mosquitoes, also a method to control the mosquitoes by providing an environment to accommodate the mosquitoes' favored breeding behavior needs and uses water as an attractant to lure the mosquitoes into attempting to land or breed on the rough surface of the electrocution device and be killed. This method can kill the gravid mosquitoes before they lay eggs without any use of chemical poisons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: Gene C. Hsu
  • Publication number: 20030192229
    Abstract: An insect killing system optimized for mosquitoes uses multiple thermal gradients to simulate the breathing of, and body heat emitted by, animals, including human beings and fowl, to attract insects for subsequent electrocution and/or trapping. Mosquitoes are attracted to a mosquito-killing device for electrocution and/or trapping. Heat is generated within the device such that a heat gradient between an outer surface of the device and the atmosphere surrounding the device is created thereby emulating emission of body heat by an animal. At least one mosquito attractant, such as an aromatic, a pheromone, or moisture, is emitted from the device. And an airflow is created that sucks mosquitoes, which have been attracted to the outside of the device, into the device for electrocution and/or trapping by the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: Artic Products, LLC
    Inventor: Alvin D. Wilbanks
  • Patent number: 6618984
    Abstract: A sunlight and water utilized compound mosquito attraction apparatus and an energy efficient sunlight powered mosquito killing system, which can be integrated into a complete mosquito attraction and killing system, solely use natural resources of sunlight and water to perform functions of mosquito attraction and killing. Comprising a multi-function solar utilizer and a standing water container, the sunlight and water utilized compound mosquito attraction apparatus synthetically and complementarily utilizes sunlight and water. To use sunlight to kill mosquito with less size and less cost of group of solar cells and with functional time beyond daytime, the energy efficient sunlight powered mosquito killing system uses two energy reservoirs and a periodic control process of letting the system alternatively in electricity supply state and electricity non-supply state. The specific physical form of the integrated mosquito attraction and killing system also allows zero maintenance effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Guining Li
  • Patent number: 6609330
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling fire ants. A method is disclosed for controlling colonies of fire ants in the environment. The method includes first providing a stimulating source that, when activated, will attract fire ants to contact the stimulating source and become agitated to a point that ants from a common colony will attack each other. Thereafter, the stimulating source is activated to cause the fire ants to cluster around the stimulating source, become agitated, and attack each other. The stimulated fire ants then are urged into a tightly confined space to exacerbate the attack reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Inventor: Lynn Byron Heitman
  • Patent number: 6594944
    Abstract: An apparatus for collecting insects comprising (i) a source of propane, (ii) a propane burner arranged to combust propane from the source of propane so as to produce carbon dioxide and water vapor as products of combustion for attracting insects, and (iii) an insect collector located in proximity to the propane burner for collecting insects attracted to the propane burner. The use of a propane burner provides the desired products of combustion including carbon dioxide and water vapor as well as heat for mimicking the breathing of animals to attract biting insects using readily available propane tanks. The convection of heat from the propane burner is further beneficial because a flow of carbon dioxide and water vapor through the collector may be achieved without the additional requirement of fans or any other complex arrangement of parts. The collector may comprise an electrical grid which does not require a light for attracting insects as do conventional electrical grids for pest control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: Daniel Chura
  • Patent number: 6594946
    Abstract: A mosquito and biting insect attracting apparatus that 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 heat for the thermal lure and the source of CO2 are provided by a propane flame. The thermal lure includes a structure that surrounds a propane burner and that is heated by the burner to a temperature that is similar to that of a small animal, such as 95 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit. The structure includes a series of baffles and conduction elements that permit the structure to have a substantially constant heat signature, which is desirable for attracting mosquitoes and other biting insects. A mechanism may be provided for trapping or killing the attracted mosquitoes, such as an adhesive substance or an electronic grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: The Coleman Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Nolen, Doug Winner, Judith Brooks, John Laverack, Greg Weaver, Randy May, Robert Mosher, Richard Long, Bob Bruno
  • Patent number: 6594945
    Abstract: A cockroach trap includes an open-topped base and a cover pivotally connected to the base. The base is provided on sidewalls with a plurality of entrances closed with inward openable one-way trapdoors, and on a bottom with a bait compartment and two multipolar metal conductors that provide alternately arranged positive and negative poles. The cover is provided on a top with an AC/DC control circuit, an output of which is connected to the two metal conductors. A periodic/manual discharge selector switch is provided on the control circuit for selecting a discharge manner of the two metal conductors to kill any cockroach trapped in the base at minimized power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: Mu-Chung Fu
  • Patent number: 6591545
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for killing mosquitoes outdoors and in the neighborhood of a building normally occupied by humans or animals, has an electrical grid for killing the mosquitoes and which is suitable for mounting adjacent the building and is connectable to a supply of voltage, the grid separating an interior space, usually within the surrounding grid, from the atmosphere outside of the building, and being such that, when the grid is attached to a voltage supply, mosquitoes are killed on attempting to pass through the grid. A duct connects the interior space to the interior of the building so that air containing carbon dioxide produced by occupants of the building passes through the duct and into the interior space where it attracts mosquitoes to the grid for electrocution. Preferably, the apparatus includes a fan for pulling air containing carbon dioxide from inside the building through the duct and into said interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Inventor: Jean-Guy Brunet
  • Patent number: 6568124
    Abstract: An insect killing system optimized for mosquitoes uses multiple thermal gradients to simulate the breathing and body heat from animals, including human beings and fowl, to attract insects for subsequent electrocution. The system comprises an elongated, generally parallelepiped housing supported upon a lower base. A heating tower shrouded by the housing supports a spaced apart, generally pyramidal roof. Several slits penetrate the base to permit air entry. An internal fan draws air into the base where the air mixes with scents, pheromones, and/or moisture. Mixed air is blown into and through the heating tower. An internal baffle divides the tower interior into separate, spaced apart compartments. A lower compartment houses a heater, and an adjacent upper compartment vents warmed air to atmosphere, creating numerous separate streams of warmed air that, to an insect, emulate human breathing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Arctic Products, LLC
    Inventor: Alvin D. Wilbanks
  • Patent number: 6564503
    Abstract: In an apparatus for trapping and killing insects using an electric discharge between electrodes to count and/or kill insects or the like, the present invention presents a technology to almost certainly count and/or kill the insects or the like even when the applied voltage is set low. In an insect-trapping/killing apparatus as an embodiment of the invention, when an insect or the like enters the space between an outer electrode and a central electrode, an electric discharge passes through the insect or the like, whereby the insects or the like is killed. After that, the central electrode is rotated in a preset direction to remove the insect or the like downwards by the frictional force. Since the removing mechanism as described above solves the problem of the clogging of the space between electrodes by the insect or the like, the distance between the electrodes can be set as small as the size of the body of the insect or the like, and the applied voltage can be set accordingly low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Elm, Inc.
    Inventors: Takakazu Miyahara, Shoichi Izumi, Hidemi Kamiwada, Kaoru Takemura
  • Patent number: 6560918
    Abstract: An insect trap (10) is operable in either an electrocuting mode or non-electrocuting mode. Further, an integral grid tester (96) is used to test whether or not power is being supplied to the grid (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Dean Nelson
  • Publication number: 20030070345
    Abstract: A mosquito and biting insect attracting apparatus that 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 heat for the thermal lure and the source of CO2 are provided by a propane flame. The thermal lure includes a structure that surrounds a propane burner and that is heated by the burner to a temperature that is similar to that of a small animal, such as 95 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit. The structure includes a series of baffles and conduction elements that permit the structure to have a substantially constant heat signature, which is desirable for attracting mosquitoes and other biting insects. A mechanism may be provided for trapping or killing the attracted mosquitoes, such as an adhesive substance or an electronic grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: James A. Nolen, Doug Winner, Judith Brooks, John Laverack, Greg Weaver, Randy May, Robert Mosher, Richard Long, Bob Bruno
  • Publication number: 20030070346
    Abstract: A mosquito and biting insect attracting apparatus that 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 heat for the thermal lure and the source of CO2 are provided by a propane flame. The thermal lure includes a structure that surrounds a propane burner and that is heated by the burner to a temperature that is similar to that of a small animal, such as 95 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit. The structure includes a series of baffles and conduction elements that permit the structure to have a substantially constant heat signature, which is desirable for attracting mosquitoes and other biting insects. A mechanism may be provided for trapping or killing the attracted mosquitoes, such as an adhesive substance or an electronic grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Doug Winner, Judith Brooks, John Laverack, Greg Weaver, Bob Bruno
  • Publication number: 20030061757
    Abstract: An apparatus for attracting and killing insects, the apparatus comprising: a fuel storage tank containing a fuel; a flame generating member in communication with the fuel; a first thermally conductive surface proximate to the flame generating member; a heat sink; at least one thermoelectric generator with a hot side thermally coupled to the first thermally conductive surface and a cool side thermally coupled to the heat sink, the thermoelectric generator producing a voltage and a current proportional to a temperature difference between the hot side and the cool side; an electronic circuit electrically coupled to the thermoelectric generator, the electronic circuit configured to convert the voltage and the current into an increased voltage differential; and, a conductive grid electrically coupled to the electronic circuit, wherein the fuel is combusted on the flame generating member, thereby producing carbon dioxide, water vapor and heat, and the heat increases a temperature of the first thermally conductive s
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventor: Clinton G. Askin
  • Publication number: 20030056426
    Abstract: An insect trap (10) is operable in either an electrocuting mode or non-electrocuting mode. Further, an integral grid tester (96) is used to test whether or not power is being supplied to the grid (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas Dean Nelson
  • Patent number: 6530173
    Abstract: An improved non-toxic, non-chemical, non-polluting, inexpensive electronic apparatus to control the population of many species of flies both indoors and outdoors around poultry and animal enclosures and food processing facilities which attracts and then kills the flies with a burst of high voltage oscillations that is applied to an exposed grid network of closely spaced parallel conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventors: David P. Meade, Robert H. Richardson
  • Patent number: 6530172
    Abstract: An apparatus for killing insects, the apparatus including an electrical mechanism for killing insects, an inner shell, the inner shell being surrounded by the electrical mechanism, and a mosquito attracting device within the inner shell. The insect attracting device includes a fan, a heat source, and a source of CO2. The inner shell has a plurality of openings in the inner shell for ejecting heated air and CO2 from within the inner shell, the openings being formed by indentations in the surface of the inner shell, each indentation being open at one end so as to form an opening which lies substantially perpendicularly to the extending axis of the inner shell. The insect attracting device further includes a mechanism for closing the source of CO2 and for stopping the fan when the temperature within the inner shell goes below the temperature. The insect attracting device further includes a moisture source, and an insect attractant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Lenz
  • Publication number: 20030000126
    Abstract: An apparatus for killing insects, the apparatus including electrical means for killing insects, an inner shell, the inner shell being surrounded by the electrical means, and a mosquito attracting device within the inner shell. The insect attracting device includes a fan, a heat source, and a source of CO2. The inner shell has a plurality of openings in the inner shell for ejecting heated air and CO2 from within the inner shell, the openings being formed by indentations in the surface of the inner shell, each indentation being open at one end so as to form an opening which lies substantially perpendicularly to the extending axis of the inner shell. The attracting device further includes means for closing the source of CO2 and for stopping the fan when the temperature within the inner shell goes below said temperature. The insect attracting device further includes a moisture source, and an insect attractant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Michael A. Lenz
  • Publication number: 20020129540
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for collecting insects comprising (i) a source of propane, (ii) a propane burner arranged to combust propane from the source of propane so as to produce carbon dioxide and water vapor as products of combustion for attracting insects, and (iii) an insect collector located in proximity to the propane burner for collecting insects attracted to the propane burner. The use of a propane burner provides the desired products of combustion including carbon dioxide and water vapor as well as heat for mimicking the breathing of animals to attract biting insects using readily available propane tanks. The convection of heat from the propane burner is further beneficial because a flow of carbon dioxide and water vapor through the collector may be achieved without the additional requirement of fans or any other complex arrangement of parts. The collector may comprise an electrical grid which does not require a light for attracting insects as do conventional electrical grids for pest control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventor: Daniel Chura
  • Publication number: 20020129539
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for killing mosquitoes outdoors and in the neighborhood of a building normally occupied by humans or animals, has an electrical grid for killing the mosquitoes and which is suitable for mounting adjacent the building and is connectable to a supply of voltage, the grid separating an interior space, usually within the surrounding grid, from the atmosphere outside of the building, and being such that, when the grid is attached to a voltage supply, mosquitoes are killed on attempting to pass through the grid. A duct connects the interior space to the interior of the building so that air containing carbon dioxide produced by occupants of the building passes through the duct and into the interior space where it attracts mosquitoes to the grid for electrocution. Preferably, the apparatus includes a fan for pulling air containing carbon dioxide from inside the building through the duct and into said interior space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventor: Jean-Guy Brunet
  • Publication number: 20020112394
    Abstract: An improved non-toxic, non-chemical, non-polluting, inexpensive electronic apparatus to control the population of many species of flies both indoors and outdoors around poultry and animal enclosures and food processing facilities which attracts and then kills the flies with a burst of high voltage oscillations that is applied to an exposed grid network of closely spaced parallel conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: David P. Meade, Robert H. Richardson
  • Patent number: 6421952
    Abstract: An insect attracting and exterminating apparatus includes a body having an upper housing, a lower housing, and a rim which hangs over the lower housing a sufficient amount to shelter the lower housing from the weather. An inner electrical wire mesh and an outer electrical wire mesh are mounted in a spaced apart relationship in the lower housing. The inner and outer wire meshes are electrically connected to an AC power source and are spaced apart by electrical insulators, such as plastic, porcelain, etc., for killing insects in that area when activated. The upper housing is made out of firm material, such as metal, and is removably attached to a security light source by clamps or other known devices. The upper housing includes an AC-DC converter for converting AC voltage into DC voltage, and providing DC power to the inner electrical wire mesh and outer electrical wire mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventor: Keith D. Vascocu
  • Publication number: 20020073610
    Abstract: An improved non-toxic, non-chemical, non-polluting, inexpensive electronic apparatus to control the population of many species of flies both indoors and outdoors around poultry and animal enclosures and food processing facilities which attracts and then kills the flies with a short burst of high voltage oscillations that is applied to an exposed pair of closely spaced parallel conductors or an exposed grid network of closely spaced parallel conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: David P. Meade, Robert H. Richardson
  • Patent number: 6401383
    Abstract: An improved non-toxic, non-chemical, non-polluting, inexpensive electronic apparatus to control the population of many species of flies both indoors and outdoors around poultry and animal enclosures and food processing facilities which attracts and then kills the flies with a short burst of high voltage oscillations that is applied to an exposure pair of closely spaced parallel conductors or an exposed grid network of closely spaced parallel conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventors: David P. Meade, Robert H. Richardson
  • Patent number: 6305122
    Abstract: A mosquito killing apparatus includes an electroshock unit to which a high voltage applies, a heater to generate heats, a carbon dioxide (CO2) gas introduction inlet connected to discharging portions for discharging carbon dioxide (CO2) gas around the electroshock unit, and a protection cover provided outside the electroshock unit for covering the electroshock unit. The carbon dioxide (CO2) gas introduction inlet can be connected to carbon dioxide (CO2) gas generating means of various types, and a carbon dioxide (CO2) gas staying unit is formed around the electroshock unit to stay the carbon dioxide (CO2) gas introduced from the carbon dioxide (CO2) gas introduction inlet to surely electrocute attracted mosquitoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignees: Chuba Electric Power Co., Inc., Chuba Seiki Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Kenzou Iwao, Kiyoshi Makiya, Tetsuya Aoki, Yoshihiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 6283064
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided an elongated deterrent strip for mounting to an inanimate object to discourage birds and other pests from resting on that object. The strip comprises a base of electrically non-conductive material. The strip in lateral cross-section has peripheral edges normally lying in a plane and a raised concave center portion. The base has spaced notches along each edge to provide flexibility to the base, whereby the base may be bent both out of the plane and within the plane. The strip further comprises two electrically conductive wires secured to and extending along the upper surface of the base, over the notches. The wires are spaced so that pest's feet will contact both wires when perched on the base. The wires are connectable to an energy source so that the bird or other pest's feet will short the wires when it is perched on the strip, giving a mild shock to the pest to discourage it from continuing its perch on the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Contech Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Djukastein, Roger Snow
  • Patent number: 6223464
    Abstract: An apparatus for repelling ground termites from an area surrounding a structure. The apparatus is connected to a power source and includes first second sets of electrodes positioned in a ground area on opposing sides of the structure. A first lead line is connected between the first set of electrodes and the power source for supplying an electrical current to the first set of electrodes and a second lead line is connected between the second set of electrodes and the power source for supplying an electrical current to the second set of electrodes. The electrical current supplied to the first and second sets of electrodes is delivered to the ground in which the first and second sets of electrodes is positioned and flows through the ground between the first and second sets of electrodes forming a barrier region within which any termites will be electrocuted. The first and second sets of electrodes preferably include at least four electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventors: Nelson M Nekomoto, Jerry S Chang
  • Patent number: 6202343
    Abstract: A dedicated, vacuum operated, electrical capture device has a shaped capture housing having an inner rim carrying conductors for killing or stunning a pest, to cause the pest to release itself from its position on a surface, and a vacuum suction motor assembly to pull the pest through a telescoping section to a final section of tubing which is accessible to facilitate disposal of the pest. A pest collection compartment situated along the air intake tube includes a flexible door for convenient disposal of the collected pests. The pest collection compartment preferably contains a transparent section so that the user can know when the pest has been withdrawn into the device, will know that the pest is dead, and so that the user can dispose of the pest, preferably without touching it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: DAKA Development Ltd.
    Inventor: Pat Y. Mah
  • Patent number: 6195932
    Abstract: An electronic insect killer apparatus which generates a musical song, noise or display in response to detecting the electrocution of an insect. The apparatus provides a light source for attracting insects to a pair of electrodes which electrocute insects which come in close proximity thereto. The apparatus monitors the load current delivered to the apparatus and activates a music player when the detected load current exceeds a predefined threshold associated with electrocution of an insect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Steve A. Aicher
  • Patent number: 6192622
    Abstract: A high frequency power source (4) and (5) supplies electromagnetic waves (10-100 MHz) that are supplied to a single or a pair of plates (10) that surround a trunk of the infested tree. The electromagnetic waves are used to kill red palm weevils and trees stem borers within the trunk of the tree. The plates are cylindrical, half cylindrical or flat, with insulated metal sheets that surround the trunk and upper roots of the infected tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventor: Yosri Moh'd Taher Haj-Yousef
  • Patent number: 6134826
    Abstract: A compact insect trapping appliance uses an efficient ultraviolet light mounted from underneath a protective dome to both attract insects and to enable the user to position the appliance to selectively direct the ultraviolet light in a desired direction, away from a line of sight of people near the appliance. The inner walls of the upper, partially open chamber carries a low voltage grid array for deleteriously affecting and disabling insects which alight on the inner walls of the upper chamber. This low voltage grid array produces a low voltage current, and acts fairly slowly and silently to disorient and disable the insect as it makes contact. Once the insect gets becomes sufficiently disabled, it will likely fall directly into, or by its own movements, slide into an entry hole of an conical surface and through a narrow neck of a sound suppression chamber within the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventor: Pat Y. Mah
  • Patent number: 6105306
    Abstract: A portable electronic insect-killing device includes a handle connected to an insulating frame which has top and bottom frame portions, and a plurality of negative and positive bare wires which extend alternately from the top to bottom frame portions in a plane. The top frame portion has a front surface adjacent and parallel to the plane of the wires, and a plurality of shallow recesses in the surface to receive the negative and positive wires. Adjacent shallow recesses are spaced apart from each other via deep isolating valleys which are indented from the front surface to a depth greater than the depth of the shallow recesses. The shallow recesses and deep isolating valleys have substantially the same length along the direction of the bare wires so that the top frame portion is free of any part to bridge adjacent shallow recesses, thereby preventing possible occurrence of short-circuiting when the surface of the top frame portion is wetted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: Hsi-Hsiung Teng
  • Patent number: 6098633
    Abstract: A hair comb has a handle (1) having an arcuate portion (2) and a finger grip portion (3). The handle is connected to a spine (4) into which are secured two parallel planes of rows of teeth (10). The teeth (10) are spaced so that a first row of teeth (11) are more widely spaced than a second row of teeth (12), the teeth having a cylindrical cross-section and rounded end tips (13). The spacing between the rows of teeth are such that as the teeth move through hair, the first row perform a first coarse combing for head lice, nits and eggs and the second row of teeth perform a more fine filtering of head lice, nits and eggs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventor: Shantilal Pabari
  • Patent number: 6077039
    Abstract: An electric fan having induce illumination and shock device is composed of a fan provided with a transparent housing at the top end of the rod. The inner net with a fixed pieces around the edge thereon, is fastened with the outer net of the fan. The arrangement allows for the fan to blow the air, to illuminate the darkness at night, and to shock the mosquitoes without any obstacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventor: Ming Chun Hsu
  • Patent number: 6055766
    Abstract: An apparatus for attracting and destroying insects is disclosed. The apparatus simulates a host animal and has an electrified grid constructed and arranged for intercepting the flight of the insect around the apparatus, thereby increasing the efficiency of the apparatus in destroying insects. The 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignees: Biosensory Insect Control Corporation, United States of America
    Inventors: James A. Nolen, David L. Mathieu, Daniel Kline
  • Patent number: 6050025
    Abstract: An insect killing system optimized for mosquitoes uses multiple thermal gradients to simulate the breathing and body heat from animals, including human beings and fowl, to attract insects for subsequent electrocution. The system comprises an elongated, generally parallelepiped housing supported upon a lower base. A heating tower shrouded by the housing supports a spaced apart, generally pyramidal roof. Several slits penetrate the base to permit air entry. An internal fan draws air into the base where the air mixes with scent and pheromones. Mixed air is blown into and through the heating tower. An internal baffle divides the tower interior into separate, spaced apart compartments. A lower compartment houses a heater, and an adjacent upper compartment vents warmed air to atmosphere, creating numerous separate streams of warmed air that, to an insect, emulate human breathing. The baffle restricts air flow to create a pressure differential while ensuring adequate residence time to sufficiently warm the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Inventor: Alvin D. Wilbanks
  • Patent number: 6032406
    Abstract: An insect trap device comprising a housing, the housing having an interior which is in communication with the atmosphere outside the device, the housing containing:(i) an insect attractant source;(ii) means for generating an ion wind to facilitate dispersal of the insect attractant source into the atmosphere outside the housing; and(iii) insect retaining means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: University of Southampton
    Inventors: Philip Edwin Howse, John Farrell Hughes, Graham Leslie Hearn
  • Patent number: 6018904
    Abstract: A vermin-protective foot piece mounted on the bottom of an apparatus to support the apparatus on a flat surface and to prohibit vermin from entering the apparatus, which produces an electric shock when a vermin creep up a cylindrical base of the foot piece and touches two adjacent naked wires on the foot piece, causing the vermin to be killed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Inventor: Chien-yu Lee
  • Patent number: 6009662
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cockroach-trap mainly including a box having a top cover and a bottom tray pivotally hinged together, a metal net spread over inner surfaces of the box and being formed by alternately and densely arranging conductors of different polarities, and an intermittent-high-voltage generating circuit electrically connected to two conductors extended from the metal net. The box is provided with at least one entrance which is not covered by the metal net. When the box is closed, two pin holes separately provided on the top cover and the bottom tray opposite to the hinges together form a socket to receive a plug connected to a power source, so that power can be supplied to the intermittent-high-voltage generating circuit for the circuit to generate intermittent high voltage on the metal net. Cockroaches entering into the closed box can be killed by the high voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Inventor: Shih-Hsin Chang
  • Patent number: 5979107
    Abstract: An improved non-toxic, non-chemical, non-polluting, inexpensive electronic apparatus to control the fly population within an animal or poultry enclosure which kills by destroying the nervous system of the fly with a brief burst of high voltage oscillations that is applied to a pair of closely spaced parallel conductors every 3 to 4 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventors: Robert H. Richardson, David P. Meade
  • Patent number: 5968401
    Abstract: A non-toxic extermination device is disclosed herein having an RF radiation generator providing microwave, high frequency waves for penetration through solid obstacles such as walls, floors, partitions or the like. The generated waves are characterized as being effective to cause insect internal molecular friction to generate deadly heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: Stephen Roy
  • Patent number: 5967084
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the movement of snails or slugs having a non-conductive carrier comprising an upstanding wall surface formed with an outwardly projecting step, a first elongate conductor mounted on the carrier with its uppermost longitudinal edge generally level with the lower margin of the step and a second elongate conductor mounted on the carrier with its lowermost longitudinal edge either adjacent the lower edge of the step or overlapping that edge. A low voltage source is connected to each elongated conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignees: Sidney Klemantaski, Edwin C. Hernicht, Trevor J. Jones
    Inventor: Sidney Klemantaski
  • Patent number: 5878526
    Abstract: A scent dispensing electronic bug killer device 10 including a housing member 20 having at least one opening 22, an electrical grid member 30, and a bait holder 40 disposed within the housing member 20 and a fan element 43 for forcibly dispersing the scent from the bait holder 40 through the opening 22 to lure roaches 50 into contact with the electrical grid member 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventors: Roger A. Brigalia, Sr., Arthur S. Hardy
  • Patent number: 5799436
    Abstract: An apparatus for attracting and destroying insects includes a housing, a canister secured to the housing and containing carbon dioxide, and a discharge device for discharging the carbon dioxide from the canister and into the housing. The apparatus further includes a source of octenol provided in the housing, and a device for introducing and mixing the octenol with the carbon dioxide within the housing. The mixture of carbon dioxide and octenol is released from the housing for attracting insects. A heat source is also provided for further attracting insects, and an electric grid secured to and surrounding the housing destroys the insects upon their contacting the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Biosensory Insect Control Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Nolen, William Mallow
  • Patent number: 5732503
    Abstract: An ant blockading apparatus includes: an electric shock circuit board secured on a supporting column standing on a base member laid on a surface, and a platform mounted on an upper portion of the supporting column and positioned above the electric shock circuit board for placing a container of food or the like on the platform; the electric shock circuit board having a plurality of positive electrodes concentrically or parallelly formed on a bottom of the circuit board and electrically connected to a positive pole of a power source, and a plurality of negative electrodes concentrically or parallelly formed on the bottom of the circuit board and electrically connected to a negative pole of the power source, each positive electrode juxtapositional to each negative electrode having an electrically insulative medium sandwiched in between the positive and negative electrodes, whereby upon creeping of an ant over the positive and negative electrodes to shortcircuit the electrodes and the power source, an electric sh
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Inventor: Chin-Yen Cheng
  • Patent number: 5657576
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for attracting insects, especially black flies and mosquitoes, in which the physical effects associated with the skin areas of prey-animals are simulated. Basic elements of the apparatus include warmed elastic-walled holders of pulsed fluid which may be in the form of elastic tubing through which warm fluid flows in pulses arranged to produce various physical effects associated with the underlying vasculature. Power for fluid heating and pulsing action may be provided by solar electrical, mechanical, nuclear, chemical or other source. Killing of insects or collection of live or dead insects may be accomplished by trapping or execution electrically, mechanically, or chemically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignees: James Nicosia, Nicholas Reinhardt
    Inventor: James Nicosia