INSECTICIDE DEVICE

Technical field

The present invention relates to an insecticide device. More in particular, the invention concerns an insecticide device which exploits the generation of a high power voltage to kill insects such as mosquitos, flies, wasps and the like.

Background art

Insecticide devices are known which exploit the generation of a high power voltage to kill the insects which cross a certain region of space in which an electric field has been artificially produced.

The above devices can be of various types, in relation to the specific construction solution adopted.

For example, according to a number of construction solutions, such device comprises a support which can be rested on a surface, or which can be hang, or again which can be fixed to the wall, with which a number of metallic elements are associated, shaped for example like a cage; to the above metallic elements is applied, by a specific generator circuit, a high difference of electric potential, so as to create, among the metallic elements themselves, an electric field of such size as to instantly determine the death of the insects that cross it.

Patent AU 719 043 B2 shows for example an electrical device for killing insects comprising a strip of insulating material, having hydrophobic surface and bearing on at least one side conductor electrodes with opposite charges, in the shape of a belt, which extend parallel in length.

The manufacture of insecticide devices of known type involves the use of a high number of components which require laborious assembly operations and which determine high inventory costs. This concerns above all, but not only, the presence of metallic elements connected to the generator circuit which have to be assembled to the remaining parts of the structure, normally made of plastic material.

The above plastic parts are rather complex from a manufacturing viewpoint, inasmuch as they have to provide for areas of coupling to the metallic elements, to the generator circuit components and to the power cables connecting up the parts. All this must then be correctly assembled, with fairly high times and labor costs.

These problems make such products, which must have a price accessible to everyone, less competitive on the market.

Detailed description of the invention

The aim of the present invention is to solve the above problems by devising an insecticide device having innovative characteristics compared to prior art. In the ambit of this aim, a further object of the present invention is to provide an insecticide device having a high elimination capacity.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an insecticide device which comprises a fewer number of components compared to known devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an insecticide device which can be assembled quicker and more cheaply compared to known devices.

A further object of the invention is to provide an insecticide device of simple construction and functional concept, having surely reliable operation, versatile use and a relatively economic cost.

The above objects are achieved, according to the present invention, by the insecticide device according to claim 1 .

The insecticide device comprises a first electrically conductor element and a second electrically conductor element associated with a support member and reciprocally positioned so as to define between them a region of space, where an electric field is generated of an intensity able to kill the insects that cross it.

Said first electrically conductor element and second electrically conductor element comprise at least one respective portion made of electrically conductive polymer material. Preferably, said first electrically conductor element and second electrically conductor element are made entirely of electrically conductive polymer material.

The device comprises a power voltage generator circuit, to which are connected said first electrically conductor element and second electrically conductor element, said power voltage generator circuit being predisposed to generate said electric field in said delimited region of space.

The device comprises means predisposed for attracting the insects to be killed inside said region of space wherein said electric field is produced.

Preferably, said means predisposed for attracting the insects to be killed are of the light type.

Preferably, said light means comprise led lights.

Alternatively, said means predisposed for attracting the insects to be killed are of the olfactory type and comprise means which, when suitably heated, are predisposed for emitting attractive substances into the environment.

Preferably, said support member comprises a casing containing said first electrically conductor element and second electrically conductor element and predisposed during use to prevent the user coming into contact with the same first electrically conductor element and second electrically conductor element.

Preferably, said casing defines a cage structure having a substantially vertical extension during use. Preferably, said casing comprises a box-shaped body equipped externally with a plug connectable to a power supply socket.

Preferably, said first electrically conductor element and second electrically conductor element comprise a series of substantially threadlike elongated elements, connected at at least one relative ending part to a base element.

Preferably, said substantially threadlike elongated elements are parallel to each other and suitably distanced.

Preferably, said substantially threadlike elongated elements are connected at at least one relative ending part to a substantially transversal base element.

Preferably, said substantially threadlike elongated elements are connected at opposite ending parts to a respective pair of base elements with closed profile, so as to make a sort of cage.

Preferably, said base elements have a circular profile so as to define a first and a second substantially cylindrical cage having different diameters to allow the coaxial fitting of the second cage inside the first cage, between said first cage e said second cage being defined said region of space, where an electric field is generated of intensity able to kill the insects that cross it.

Preferably, said first cage and said second cage are reciprocally angled the one to the other so as to present said respective substantially threadlike elongated elements on angularly staggered diametric planes.

According to a different embodiment of the invention, said elongated elements are connected at an ending part to a comb-shaped transversal base element.

According to a different embodiment of the invention, the insecticide device comprises at least one sandwich element comprising a pair of said first electrically conductor elements between which a said second electrically conductor element is interposed.

Preferably, said first electrically conductor elements and said second electrically conductor element shaping said sandwich element consist of flat net elements.

Preferably, said power voltage generator circuit comprises a board on which contact surfaces of conductive material are provided, between which an adequate difference in electric potential is predisposed for being established and a first portion and a second portion respectively of said first electrically conductor element and of said second electrically conductor element abut said contact surfaces, so as to make the necessary power connections.

Preferably, said first portion and/or second portion are elastically deformable, so as to obtain a pre-charged elastic sliding contact on said contact surfaces.

Short description of drawings

The details of the invention will appear more evident from the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the insecticide device according to the invention, illustrated by way of example in the attached drawings, wherein:

figure 1 shows a perspective view, with parts removed for greater clarity, of the insecticide device according to the invention;

figure 2 shows an exploded and detailed perspective view of the first and of the second electrically conductor elements of the device according to the invention;

figure 3 shows a detailed perspective view, with parts removed for greater clarity, of the first and of the second electrically conductor elements assembled together;

figure 4 shows a perspective view, with parts removed for greater clarity, of a different embodiment of the insecticide device according to the present invention ;

the figure 5 shows an exploded perspective view of the same device;

figure 6 shows a perspective view, with parts removed for greater clarity, of another embodiment of the insecticide device according to the present invention;

figure 7 shows an exploded perspective view of the same device;

figure 8 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the insecticide device according to the present invention;

figure 9 shows a perspective view of the same device with the main components disassembled;

figure 10 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the insecticide device according to the present invention;

figure 1 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the same device;

figure 12 shows a perspective view of a detail of the same device;

figure 13 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the insecticide device according to the present invention.

Embodiments of the invention

With particular reference to figures 1 , 2 and 3, altogether by 1 has been indicated the insecticide device according to the present invention. The device 1 comprises a support member 2 with which are associated a first electrically conductor element 3 and a second electrically conductor element 4 reciprocally positioned so as to define between them a region of space 5. The support member 2 is predisposed to be rested on a surface.

The first electrically conductor element 3 and the second electrically conductor element 4 are connected to a power voltage generator circuit, indicated in the assembly by 6.

The power voltage generator circuit 6 is predisposed to generate, in the above region of space 5, or in any case in the proximity of this, an electric field of intensity able to instantly cause the elimination of the insects that cross it.

According to one aspect of the invention, the first electrically conductor element 3 and the second electrically conductor element 4 comprise at least a respective portion made of electrically conductive polymer material.

Preferably, the first electrically conductor element 3 and the second electrically conductor element 4 are made entirely of electrically conductive polymer material.

The electrically conductive polymer material used to make the conductor elements 3, 4 can be obtained by mixing various conductive materials with non-conductive plastic materials, until, for each different application, the right interaction is obtained between conductivity, shock resistance and polymer workability. By way of example, plastic materials can be used such as polyamide, acetate resins, polypropylene and the like. Various components are thus advantageously eliminated, e.g., electrical terminals or connectors, pieces to be welded or the like, used in the devices of known type, which represent a cost both for production and for storage. Consequently, assembly operations are considerably simplified.

It must be pointed out that the characteristics of the electrically conductive polymer material used are particularly adequate for this specific application inasmuch as in operating conditions the material undergoes high power voltages, but at the same time it is crossed by a low-entity electric current, therefore there are no particular problems regarding excessive overheating of the material itself.

The support 2 defines a casing containing the first electrically conductor element 3 and the second electrically conductor element 4 and predisposed during use to prevent the user from coming into contact with the same first electrically conductor element 3 and second electrically conductor element 4.

The support 2 comprises a lower resting base 33 to which is connected a cage structure better described below.

The first electrically conductor element 3 and the second electrically conductor element 4 are both substantially cage shaped, open at the top and bottom. In the case shown, the cage has a substantially cylindrical shape, but obviously different shapes can be envisaged, e.g., conical, prismatic, pyramidal or others still.

It should be observed that the elasticity of the electrically conductive material from which the conductor elements 3, 4 are made can permit the assembly in tubular form including starting with a flat molded piece.

The first electrically conductor element 3 and the second electrically conductor element 4 have different diameters, so they can be fitted coaxially the one in the other. This way, between the first electrically conductor element 3 and the second electrically conductor element 4 the above region of space 5 is defined, of opportune extension, wherein the electric field is generated.

More in detail, each electrically conductor element 3, 4 comprises a pair of opposite annular portions 34, reciprocally connected by a series of substantially threadlike elongated elements 35. Such substantially threadlike elongated elements 35 of each electrically conductor element 3, 4 are parallel to the longitudinal axis of these and are distributed angularly equidistant from one other.

In assembled configuration, the first external electrically conductor element 3 and the second internal electrically conductor element 4 are positioned the one with respect to the other so that the respective substantially threadlike elongated elements 35 are angularly staggered, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the conductor elements 3, 4: this way, the creation is ensured of an electric field as uniform as possible between the conductor elements 3, 4 themselves. The correct reciprocal positioning between the first electrically conductor element 3 and the second electrically conductor element 4 can be obtained by locking means 34a of the ring type or the like.

The first electrically conductor element 3 and the second electrically conductor element 4 provide for respective end portions 21 , 22 which extend from relative annular portions 34 arranged from a same side. In the case shown, the end portions 21 , 22 extend from the upper annular portion 34, according to a direction parallel to the axis of the conductor elements 3, 4, but it is obviously possible to envisage a different orientation.

The power voltage generator circuit 6, in itself known, comprises a board 29, on which are mounted a transformer and a condenser. The condenser has the plates connected to the first electrically conductor element 3 and to the second electrically conductor element 4. The voltage supplied by a specific battery becomes, at the transformer output, a high voltage of a few thousand volts which is applied, through the condenser, to the electrically conductor elements 3, 4. In particular, suitable electrically conducting contact surfaces 30 are provided on the board 29 for connecting to the end portions 21 , 22 of the electrically conductor elements 3, 4.

The insecticide device is equipped with means predisposed to attract the insects inside the region of space wherein the electric field is produced. In particular, such attractive means are made up of light means 36, e.g., led lights, efficacious especially in the evening and night hours. Alternatively, such attractive means can be of the olfactory type, both chemical and natural, or pheromones or the like, in a technically equivalent manner. More specifically, the light means 36 comprise opportune light sources 37 and a diffuser 38 crossed by the light emitted by the same light sources 37. The diffuser 38 is preferably fitted inside the second electrically conductor element 4, coaxial to this, in such a way that the insects, attracted by the light, are prompted to cross the region of space 5 where the electric field is produced.

The operation of the described insecticide device is easy to appreciate from the preceding description. When the device is switched on, a high-intensity electric field is produced inside the region of space delimited by the cages that make the conductor elements 3, 4. The light means 36 attract the insects inside the device and these, by crossing the electric field, are instantly killed. The large eliminating surface defined by the cages that make the conductor elements 3, 4 permits making the action of the device particularly effective. The described insecticide device therefore achieves the object of providing a high elimination capacity along with simple construction and operation.

It should be observed that the adoption of electrically conductor elements 3, 4 made of electrically conductive polymer material is advantageous in terms of the costs of the individual components and the costs of their assembly; furthermore, the number of total components of the device is considerably reduced.

Furthermore the connection between the electrically conductor elements 3, 4 and the contact portions 30 of the board 29is particularly easy and quick.

The figures 4 and 5 show a different embodiment of the insecticide device according to the present invention, of the type connectable to a power socket. In these figures, the elements corresponding to those of the preceding embodiment are indicated by the same reference numbers.

In this case, the support member 2 comprises a box-shaped body, indicated altogether by 39, having opportune openings to allow the insects to come in; the box-shaped body can, for example, consists of a pair of half-shells 40 coupled together, only one of which is shown in the figures. The half-shell 40 shown has a plug 41 for the power connection to the power socket.

The first electrically conductor element 3 and the second electrically conductor element 4 consist respectively of a sort of comb, wherein a slat 42, 42a and a series of elongated elements can be distinguished which extend from such slat in the shape of teeth 43, 43a, parallel to and equidistant from one another.

The first and the second electrically conductor element 3, 4 are assembled, inside the half-shell 40, in such a way that the teeth 43 of the one insert themselves in the spaces defined between the teeth 43a of the other.

In this way, the region of space 5 is defined between the teeth 43, 43a of the electrically conductor elements 3, 4wherein the electric field is generated having opportune intensity to kill the insects transiting in it.

The slats 42, 42a of the electrically conductor elements 3, 4 have holes 44 in which are coupled respective lock pins 45 shaped inside the half-shell 40.

The power voltage generator circuit 6 comprises a board 29, mounted on the bottom of the half-shell 40.

Inside the box-shaped body 39 of the device are furthermore mounted the board 29 of the power voltage generator circuit 6, the components of which are powered directly by the mains voltage, and the light means 36 predisposed for attracting the insects inside the box-shaped body 39 itself.

The light means 36 comprise light sources 37, e.g., led lights, mounted on an integrated circuit 46. Opposite the light sources 37, the diffuser 38 is arranged.

The electrical contact between the electrically conductor elements 3, 4 and the board 29, as well as between the integrated circuit 46 and the board 29 itself, is preferably done as in the previous embodiment, by elastic portions of conductive polymer material, in particular portions of the electrically conductor elements 3, 4, which abut respective coupling portions.

The figures 6 and 7 show a further embodiment of the insecticide device according to the present invention, of the type connectable to a power socket. In these figures, the elements corresponding to those of the previous embodiment are indicated by the same reference numbers.

Such device differs from the one previously described inasmuch as the box-shaped body 39 is designed to house a tablet and a bottle of liquid which, suitably heated, emit substances into the air which attract the insects towards the device itself. Such attractive means perform the same function carried out in the previous case by the light means and therefore represent a technical equivalent of the latter to be deemed included in the invention.

More in detail, in this case the box-shaped body 39 defines a first housing 47 for tablets of substance to be diffused in the environment and a second housing 48 for a bottle of liquid containing a substance to be diffused in the environment. The first housing 47 has a metal plate through which electrical current runs and on which the above tablets rest.

The second housing 48 has a hole in which a diffuser stem is inserted which draws from inside the bottle of liquid.

It is obviously possible to envisage for the box-shaped body 39 to have only the first housing 47 for the tablets of substance to be diffused in the environment or only the second housing 48 for a bottle of liquid containing a substance to be diffused in the environment.

The figures 8 and 9 show a further embodiment of an insecticide device according to the present invention, of the type able to be mounted on the wall. In these figures, the elements corresponding to those of the previous embodiments are indicated by the same reference numbers.

The device is constructively totally similar to the first described embodiment. In particular it provides for a support member 2 which defines a cage 50 inside which the conductor elements 3, 4 are housed. The cage 50 is closed at the top by a cap 49. The base 33 of the support member 2 is associable with a bracket 51 for wall mounting.

Yet another embodiment of the insecticide device according to the present invention is shown in the figures 10, 1 1 and 12. In such figures, the elements corresponding to those of the previous embodiments are indicated by the same reference numbers.

The device provides for a box-shaped body 39 predisposed for being hung or rested on a surface. The box-shaped body 39 consists of a pair of coupled half-shells 40, having respective gratings 40a for the attracted insects to come in.

Inside the box-shaped body 39 a pair of sandwich elements 52 are housed, each of which comprises a first electrically conductor element 3 and a second electrically conductor element 4 (see in particular figure 12). More in detail, the first electrically conductor element 3 can comprise a pair of flat net elements between which is interposed, like a sandwich, the second electrically conductor element 4. The assembly thus formed is assembled by a rim 53 which is provided with respective coupling pins 54.

Each sandwich element 52 is made entirely of electrically conductive polymer material.

Between the sandwich elements 52 are interposed the light means 36.

In this solution too, all the electrical contacts are made by reciprocal coupling between portions, if necessary elastic, of electrically conductive polymer material, or between the latter and opportune metal coupling surfaces.

The figure 13 shows a further embodiment of the insecticide device constructively totally similar to that shown in the figures 8 and 9 and distinguished from this inasmuch as the first electrically conductor element 3 and/or the second electrically conductor element 4 are made like a net with rhomboid meshes.

It must be pointed out that the conductor elements 3, 4 can be made with any geometry; in the event of their being made with net conformation, the net mesh can have any shape, and the elongated elements that make it up, and which reciprocally cross one another, can have any transverse cross-section.

It should be observed that the adoption of electrically conductor elements 3, 4 made of electrically conductive polymer material is advantageous in terms of the costs of the individual components and the costs of their assembly; furthermore, the number of total components of the device is considerably reduced.

The device is also lightweight and easy to handle.

Another advantage consists in the fact that the components, being made by molding of polymer material, can be widely customized and modified in terms of shapes, colors and the like, so as to achieve particular aesthetic results.

The elasticity of the polymer material makes the assembly of the components easier, with particular reference to making electrical contacts which are safe, inasmuch as elastically pre-charged.

The insecticide device described by way of example is susceptible to numerous changes and variations according to the different requirements. In the practical implementation of the invention, the materials employed, as well as the shape and the dimensions, may be different to those indicated by way of example.

Where the technical features mentioned in each claim are followed by reference marks, such reference marks have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the understanding of the claims and accordingly they do not have any limitative value as regards the purpose of each element identified by way of example by such reference marks.