The continuous cycle trap, as its name suggests, is designed to operate without interruptions. A well-known example of this type of trap is the German patent Finis with its complex and ingenious operation, introduced in the early 1900s.
The mouse, attracted by the bait, enters the trap made entirely of metal, finding itself on a swinging platform that, activated by its weight, causes the door to close behind it. The bait, which has attracted the rodent, is positioned in two niches protected by a net on the sides of the first space. This prevents the mouse from consuming the food, eliminating the need to reload the trap. With no alternatives, the mouse climbs upwards, activating an intermediate trap door that pushes the rodent to continue towards the upper part of the trap. In the upper part, the mouse finds a new space whose floor is mobile, causing it to fall into a container below filled with water. The movement of the floor activates a lever connected to the door, causing the trap to reopen and allowing the cycle to continue.