Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BIODEGRADABLE FISHING BAIT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a biodegradable
fishing bait based on non-toxic materials that look
and feel like plastic with added florescent and
luminous colors and scents.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Over the last many years, there have been
tremendous improvements in the quality of fishing
baits, most based on plastics. This includes both
texture and content of the baits. More sophisticated
fishing baits even include phenomes which are
biologically attractive to varying fish species.
However, most plastics once opened have a tendency to
lose their scent in a few weeks. In addition, they
are not biodegradable.
There is presently a need for a
biodegradable fish bait which retains and preferably
increases the visual and/or biological attractiveness
to the intended fish species while at the same time
does not contaminate the waters where fish species are
found. Biodegradable fish baits which have been
produced for the market so far have been unsuccessful,
primarily due to the short life and limited
attractiveness of such fishing bait.
The fishing bait of the present invention
looks and feels like plastic but it is not, with
possible added florescent and luminous colors as well
as various natural and artificial scents and/or oils
topped off with a non-toxic freeze dry fish food base
to improve its effectiveness further.
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With the ever increasing concern of the
environment, this bait is the answer to a major
question of our fishing industry for a reliable,
environmentally safe fish bait.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to
provide a biodegradable fish bait.
It is another object of the present
invention to provide an effective biodegradable base
material for varied fishing baits.
It is yet another object of the present
invention to increase the field effectiveness of
fishing baits.
It is still another object of the present
invention to lower the manufacturing cost of fishing
baits.
It is yet a further object of the present
invention to provide a long field life fishing bait.
It is yet another object of the invention to
create a bait that retains its physical properties
without special storage needs.
Other objects and a more complete
understanding of the invention may be had by referring
to the following description and drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The structure, operation, and advantages of
the presently disclosed preferred embodiment of the
- 30 invention will become apparent when consideration of
the following description is taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a generic flow chart of a method
of manufacturing of fishing bait incorporating the
invention.
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Figure 2 is a flow chart of a method of
manufacturing a specific salt water sea squid fishing
bait embodying the invention.
Figure 3 shows the chemical formulas for
KelcoGel Gellan Gum (top view) and for Native Gellan
Gum (bottom view), and
Figure 3 is a drawing of a molded fishing
bait incorporating the invention with the application.
DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
This present application is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. 08/472,557, BIODEGRADABLE
FISHING BAIT, Patrick Riley, Inventor.
This fishing bait is 100~ biodegradable and
its main bulk ingredients are USP FCC approved. The
bait does not need refrigeration to retain its
potency, and has a relatively indefinite shelf life.
The fishing bait of this application will not lose its
scent because the scents themselves preferably are 100
pure. When the scents are introduced to fresh or salt
water, freshness is maintained for an extended period,
unlike plastic.
The blending of oils, scent and fine
particles of fish food (such as freeze dry bait and/or
trash fish) of the invention provides for a quality
fish bait. Further, if the bait presented is torn,
ripped, or lost it will totally dissolve within a few
months, not disturbing the environment of the water
fished. The bait can be molded to perfection in
various shapes and sizes and styles while remaining
extremely soft and pliable. It also holds hooks very
well.
The basic generic method of manufacture of
the invention begins with a base material chosen to be
suitable for a particular application (step A of fig
1). This base material can be either unitary or of
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multiple components depending on the particular
application desired.
Once the appropriate base material has been
selected, it is heated to an increased temperature and
agitated until it is cured (step B of fig 1). In
certain applications, due to the choice of the base
material, it may be appropriate for the base material
to be heated before certain selected secondary
components are added thereto, or minor modifications
made that are needed in the addition of components in
order to maximize the potential of the selected base
material.
Once the base material has been cured, its
temperature is reduced below a critical number (step C
in fig 1). The critical number is selected in view of
the nature of the cured base material as well as in
consideration of subsequently added materials. For
example, the later described freeze dry powder and
KelcoGel F might burn in a salt water plasticide
material if the temperature is not below 212 . Thus,
adding these materials without cooling the base
material to this number will physically damage them.
It is particularly important to avoid burning,
scorching, or other types of damage that would provide
an artificial smell to the bait or which would cause a
breakdown of the components (such as the oils). As
the bait materials gel at low temperatures this is
possible. An additional example in the selected
freshwater embodiment, the freeze dry materials mix
better with the multi-component base material at an
even further reduced temperature of 120~ This is due
to primarily to the nature of the base material and
not physical damage to the added materials.
Once the temperature has been reduced below
a certain point (step D in fig 1), the additional
components are added. Typically, these are scents,
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freeze dry materials and/or oils or other materials
having certain sensitivities (this is opposed to
certain chemical colors, preservatives and other
relatively insensitive materials which could be added
at virtually any step in the process).
Once the additional components have been
added, the entire mixture is agitated (step E in fig
1) to ensure a thorough distribution of the added
components throughout the base material. The length
of the agitation should be such as to not structurally
damage the cohesiveness of the base material.
After the combination of base material and
components have been thoroughly mixed, they are then
poured or injected into molds or extruded so as to
form the fishing bait (step F in fig 1).
The above method of manufacture would be
modified in accord with the specific base materials
and additional components in order to produce the
desired product.
The following principles are to be
preferably followed: 1. Gums separate between a
range of 35-55% and preferably
40-50% of PVC,
2. Fish meal particles in a
range of 15-35% and preferably
about 20-30% of PVC,
3. Oils to ease separation in a
range of about 5-15% and
preferably 10% of PVC,
4. Pigment particles to add
separation in a range of 5-25%
and preferably 10-20% of PVC,
5. Chemicals added to 100% of
PVC compound equal 100
(Dissipation Release)
Examples of base materials include:
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Li~uid Plastic (Plasticide) Non-Toxic - This
chemical is preferably used and is cooked at 300~ to
350~ to activate, and is blended with gums to break
down molecules of plastic. The following is an
example:
1. Poly vinyl chloride 50~
2. Exposidized soybean oil 8%
3. Adipate ester 12%
4. Phophite chealator 10%
5. Heat stabilizer 10%
6. Fume silica 10%
PVC Formula 100%
(See Salt Water Squid Formula)
Gum Base preferably KelcoGel - A powder
form, dry ASP FCC approved material made from lily
pads. The following is an example:
Chemical and physical properties, composition -
Purified Gellan Gum high
molecular weight, anionic
polysaccaride MW 5xlO
Daltons.
form - Dry free flowing powder,
powder color cream to white
when cooked. Particle
size 95% through 40 mesh,
381 micron heavy metals, not
more than 2 PPM. Arsnic not
more than 2 PPM, total plate
count not more than 10,000
colonies per gram.
Gellan gum is a high-molecular weight extracellar
Heteropolysaccharide produced by fermentation of pure
culture of Pseudmonas Elodea (chemical formula top fig
3).
KelcoGel Gellan Gum Benefits:
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l. Gellan Gum exhibits good stability over
a wide range of PH levels 35 to 8Ø
2. High gel strength, Gellan gums forms
gels at extremely low gum levels as low as 0.05%. Gel
strength can be increased by manipulating both gum and
Icon concentration.
3. Gellan Gum blends well with all PVC
compounds and has high heat resistant to burning.
Other gums such as starches, guar gums, locust bean
gum, xanthan gum, gum arabic, carboxymethcellulose,
alginates, methyicellulose, gum karaya, gum
tragecanth, etc. could also be utilized. More
information on KelcoGel Gums can be found in the
KelcoGel Gellan Gum brochure put out by Kelco, a
division of Merck Company of Whitehouse Station, New
Jersey by Merck in 1993, the contents of which are
incorporated by reference. Gums add biodegradability
to the plastic base material with increasing gums
hastening the breakdown.
GlYcerin - This optionally is used in order
to aid the coagulation and softness to the bait. See
shrimp flavor formula.
Examples of additional components include:
Freeze Dryinq Process - This is typically
timed 24 hours each cycle for every one pound freeze
dry material. 20% of body flesh is recovered, with
the remaining 80% being fluids. When completed the
freeze dry flesh is ground and refined to granulated
powder. The preferred freeze drying material sources
for salt water include bait fish such as squid,
shrimp, clam, sardine, anchovy, herring, mackerel,
mullet, conch, pin fish, crab, cigar minnow, ballhoa,
bonito and for fresh water include crayfish, minnows,
worms, maggots, shrimp, salmon, egg, lizard, squid and
for both all species of fresh and salt water bait and
trash fish. The freeze dry particles and a scent to
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the bait and/or in combination with the later
described oils facilitates biodegradability for
example by increasing pore openings. 1/4, 1/16 and
.020 mesh sizes are typically used.
NITROGENATED FISH MEAL POWDER: Protein base 58% to
80% dried. Processed through 95% mesh 40% = 381
Micron particles per gram 400-450.
Oils or BodY Fluid - While the freeze drying
process is being implemented, the body fluids are
being removed and distilled. They are then used as
oils to reintroduce to formula such as squid (Squich)
oil, shrimp oil, crayfish oil, claim oil, herring oil,
sardine oil, herring oil, manhadden oil, anchovy oil,
etc. Oils can be also purchased from other
manufacturers and or made separately and used in this
formula.
Other examples of additional components
include:
Florescent Colors - These non-toxic pigments
are purchAss~, typically for example from Day Glo
Corp. The following preferred pigments used are ZQ
series. Example: Blaze Orange ZQ.15, Signal Green
ZQ.18 and all ZQ colors. These pigments have a high
resistance to heat and hold color for long periods of
time. The coloring is also preferably natural as
color is important to some fish like tuna and
swordfish that visualize the bait.
Color - Non-toxic, titanium dioxide R-900 is
used for blending other colors for example White Mask
TI pure by Dupont. It is used and is excellent for
lightening of colors to give brilliance.
Phosphorescent P1000 color piqment
(non-toxic) - This pigment is used for high glow of
product and is easily applied in various amounts to
give a brighter glow to bait. Preferably the
phosphorescent colors are selected to match and/or
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complement the florescent colors so that yellow glows
yellow, green green, etc.
Potassium Sorbate - A powder preservative
can be used to prevent mold and/or to extend shelf
life particularly for fresh water applications. It is
used in a dry white powder form. ASP FCC approved.
Other preservatives could also be utilized.
The generic method of manufacture would be
modified in view of the specific base materials,
various relative levels of components and additional
components selected for a given fishing bait. In that
it has been found that one basic formula works well,
Albeit preferably slightly modified between salt and
fresh water applications. These formulas - one for
salt water, one for fresh water - are herein
specifically set forth as further examples of how the
method works. These basic secondary formulas can be
modified with little difficulty to produce most types
of fich;n~ bait in accord with the teachings of this
application.
Here are the following steps that should be
followed to insure a soluble protein organic based
bait. A perfect salt water sea squid (fig 2). This
sample small lot method produces two sea squid in a 2
cavity mold - squid size 24 inches long, weight per
squid 8 ounces (128 grams) total. The amounts of
materials would be increased for bulk production
proportionately.
Begin with a pot. Add 16 ounces of cold
white milky plastic to the pot, add 4 tablespoons of
P1000 phosphorescent, 1 tablespoon florescent color
and 1 tablespoon of titanium dioxide to the pot and
agitate until blended thoroughly (step A in fig 2 -
again since the colors are non-temperature sensitive
they can be added at any time). For 5 gallons: 5
-
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gallons of PVC compound as set forth before = 512
ounces.
Put the pot on a burner and bring its
temperature to substantially 340 . Then stir until
the base material becomes cured. This should take
about 3-4 minutes after the temperature has been
reached (step B in fig 2).
Thereafter reset the burner to 230~, (for
reducing the materials temperature) and agitate the
materials in the pot for substantially 1 minute until
the material reaches 230 (step C in fig 2).
It is now ready to add additional
components. While maintaining the materials
temperature at 230~, add 2 tablespoons liquid squich
oil (squid oil) and stir until blended, and drop the
materials temperature to 212 . This is important so
marsh cheeze as to not burn the freeze dry powder or
KelcoGel F powder subsequently added. Freeze dry
powders include nitrogenated fish meal, shrimp,
crayfish, squid, minnow, cricket, worm, herring,
sardine or other powders 22 ounces (704 grams). Oils
include mixed manhadden, shrimp, crayfish, squid,
50/50 mix, 50~ manhadden, 50% other oils or other (16
ounces per 5 gallon mix).
When the temperature reaches 212~, add 1
tablespoon of KelcoGel F powder, and 1 tablespoon
freeze dry squid to the materials (step D in fig 2).
Gellan Gums 22 ounces per 5 gallon mix (704 grams).
Thereafter, agitate the materials for 30
seconds until they become fluffy (step E in fig 2).
Subsequently pour or inject the materials
into a two cavity mold to produce two sea squids (step
F in fig 2). Note that it is preferred that the mold
can be coated with a small amount of freeze dry
material, the materials gently poured into open top
molds, and a small amount of freeze dry material
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sprinkled on top of the open molding. This produces a
squid having freeze dry materials extending all the
way to all surfaces, providing a well preforming bait.
As is apparent, the above secondary method
begins with the generic method and develops upon it in
recognition of the particular base material and
secondary components actually selected.
The resultant salt water fishing bait is
constituted of substantially (or multiples thereof):
16 ounces cold white milky plastic
1 tablespoon KelcoGel F powder
2 tablespoons oil
1 tablespoon freeze dry
1 tablespoon florescent color
1 tablespoon Titanium Dioxide
4 tablespoons phosphorescent
The plastic and KelcoGel provide a quality
substance to the body of the bait. The KelcoGel
further aids in separating the molecules of the
plastic so it is biodegradable (50% quickly,
substantially 100% in 4-5 months). The oil and freeze
dry add a chemical attractiveness to the bait
(preferably matching or complementary) and also to aid
in the biodegrading process. The color and dioxide
provide the basic, normally natural, coloring for the
bait. The phosphorescent adds visibility to the bait
in the depths of the sea.
Once the base materials of the body of the
bait has its needed quality, the other components can
be varied to produce bait having differing scent
and/or color properties.
one type of fresh water formulization would
be to utilize the same process as the salt water
f;chin~ bait utilizing freeze drys and oils suitable
for fresh water use in combination with a
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preservative. This formulization would be
particularly appropriate if a "look alike" type
molding process was to be utilized (such as forming
cray fish, worms, etc.) or if a higher density coined
shape bait was desired.
It has been found that an excellent fresh
water bait can be established by utilizing a further
modification of the organic base formulization to
produce a dairy product/sweet enhancer formulization,
preferably in a round or cubical shape (i.e. salmon
eggs).
The first modification is to utilize 32
ounces of cold white milky plastic in step A of fig 2
(instead of 16 ounces). This creates a mixture having
a higher volume.
The second modification is to add 4 ounces
of cheddar cheeze powder (or other dairy component)
and 8 ounces of miniature marshmallows (or other sweet
enhancer such as sugar) in step C of fig 2.
The third modification is to add 1
tablespoon of a native or high acyl Gellan Gum (such
as KelGum) and a preservative (such as Potassium
Sorbate) to the mixture. Although this can
technically be done at any time (these materials can
survive the higher temperatures) it is preferred that
they be added at the additional components for ease of
application.
Again the coloring freeze dry and oil
components preferably would be altered as appropriate
to watch the intended application. For example baby
pink coloring with salmon flavor freeze dry and oil to
produce a salmon egg bait.
The last modification is to blow air through
the materials at high speed for 1 minute while
agitating so as to lower the density of the bait
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13
before forming the preferred round or cubical shape
(step F in fig 2).
The fact the bait floats and is sweet makes
it into an effective bait.
NOTE: As with the sea water example, in
this method differing components can change
particularly with various freeze dry and oil
ingredients - some of the latter two are stronger than
others.
The resultant fresh water fishing bait is
constituted of substantially (or multiples thereof):
32 ounces cold white milky plastic
1 tablespoon KelcoGel F powder
2 tablespoon oil
1 tablespoon freeze dry
1 tablespoon florescent
1 tablespoon phosphorescent
1 tablespoon native gellan gum
4 ounces cheddar powder
8 ounces miniature marshmallows
3 tablespoons potassium sorbate
The following are example colors and flavors
suitable for both formulas:
1. COLOR - Sunrise Yellow, minnow shad flavor GLO
2. COLOR - Melon Orange, shrimp flavor GLO
3. COLOR - Mist Green, crayfish flavor GLO
4. COLOR - Baby Pink, salmon egg flavor GLO
5. COLOR - White, squid flavor GLO
6. COLOR - Off White, low glow, clam flavor GLO
7. COLOR - Brown, worm, nightcrawler flavor GLO
The following are flavors especially
suitable for the fresh water formula:
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1. Sneezy Cheezy (Cheddar)4 colors GLO
2. Cheddar Corn 4 colors GLO
3. Marshmallow Cheddar4 colors GLO
4. Banana MarshmallowYellow hue GLO
5. Strawberry Marshmallow Orange hue GLO
6. Garlic Cheddar Light Yellow hue GLO
7. Anise Cheddar flavor Brown hue GLO
All fruit and cheese flavors are used with
all fresh fruits. Cheddar is a commercial blend of
powder from Kraft Cheese, marshmallow ingredient is
made from sugar, molasses and gelatin gum base.
The plastic, gellan gum, KelcoGel F and
glycerin provide the quality to the body of the
bait. The freeze dry and oil add a chemical
attractiveness to the bait (again preferably matching
or complementary). The color provides the coloring
for the bait while the phosphorescent adds visibility.
In all instances the addition of organic material to
non-organic splits the molecules of the plastic
accelerating the biodegradability of the bait. The
gums, freeze dry powder, and the phosphorescents are
good representatives.
Again, once the quality of the body of the
bait is established, the other components can be
varied to produce baits having differing scents and/or
coloring properties.
There are other adaptations as well.
However the method is adapted, it produces a extremely
cost effective bio-protein bait for commercial
fishermen. Refrigeration is not needed and the
product has indefinite shelf life. Further, it is
easily handled and stored, most particularly in
wax-lined boxes. When it used with phosphorescent
coloring, it will glow in the dark for hours when
exposed to natural or black light. Further, there are
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thousands of baitings possible for significantly less
cost than with commercial bait. Further, the bait
developed is suitable for use with automatic baiters.
In experimentation, it was found that the bait has a
40 to 60% recovery rate so that it might be reused.
This is particularly so since the baits are water
activated (the longer they sit in the water, the more
effective they become). Further, upon separation from
the hooks, the bait is biodegradable (breaking down
without harm to the environment).
Although this invention has been described
in its preferred form with a certain degree of
particularity, it is to be understood that numerous
changes can be made without deviating from the
invention as hereinafter claimed. For example,
although Kelgum has been disclosed, Guar Gum or other
materials could be substituted. Further, other base
materials and/or additional components could be
utilized with the basic method without deviating from
the invention as claimed.
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WHAT IS CLAIMED
Claim 1. A method of manufacturing fishing
bait including the steps of heating a base material
until it is cured, adding additional components
including freeze dry flavoring material and a gum at a
temperature below 212~, adding coloring at some point,
mixing the base material and additional components at
a reduced temperature, and forming the fishing bait.
Claim 2. The method of claim 1
characterized in that said base material includes
plastic.
Claim 3. The method of claim 1
characterized in that said gum is gellan.
Claim 4. The method of claim 1
characterized by the additional step of adding a
material adding a florescent component.
Claim 5. The method of claim 4
characterized by the additional step of a material
adding phosphorescence component.
Claim 6. The method of claim 1
characterized by adding a dairy product and sweet
enhancer.
Claim 7. The method of claim 6
characterized in that the dairy product and sweet
enhancer are added with the additional components.
Claim 8. The method of claim 1
characterized by adding a preservative.
(~ANCELLED / ~NNULE
