Bait Tank

The present invention is directed towards an improved tank which is particularly useful in keeping bait alive. Fishermen have for a long time experienced problems in maintaining bait over extended periods of time. This is particular so on extended fishing trips. There have been several attempts to solve this problem, as indicated by a number of patents that have issued in this field.

One such patent is U.S. Pat. No. 4,146,989, entitled, "Bait Tank". This patent discloses a storage tank within a housing. The housing has a water inlet between the circumference of the tank and the housing. It is connected to a vertical water inlet means along the storage tank. Water is pumped into the bottom inlet under pressure and is forced up through the vertical inlet. It is released from the vertical inlet into the tank through a series of holes spaced from the bottom of the tank to the top of tank. On the opposite side of the tank is a water outlet means similar in construction to the water inlet means and consisting of ports along the wall of the storage tank so that water can escape into a vertical outlet channel located between the tank and the housing. This water is then drained from the bottom of the water outlet channel.

In another modification as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,797,160, entitled, "Self Flushing Live Bait Container for Power Boats", the bait container is hung on the rear of the power boat and a tube from the top of the container is attached to a vertical pipe suspended on the stern of the boat. At the bottom of that pipe is a scoop. As the boat proceeds through the water, water is forced through the pipe by entering the forward end of the scoop and from thence into the top of the bait container. There are perforations on the side of the tank to allow the water to escape.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bait tank or bag which can sustain live bait over a long period of time.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a bait tank or bag which is particularly useful in prolonging the life of anchovies and other baits.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a portable tank or bait bag which can be used aboard a boat on a fishing trip.

The present invention utilizes a tank or bag having a liquid inlet means at or near the top, and preferably should be below the tank's water level when full to prevent splashing and bubble formation. The internal portion of this means is designed to inject water into the tank or bag in a circular manner. It then circulates in a spiral fashion around the tank or bag and gradually descends towards the bottom. At or near the lower level of the water in the tank or bag, there is an outlet which in turn is connected to a pipe or pocket that rises along the outside wall of the tank or bag. This pipe or pocket extends as high as the desired water level in the tank or bag. Because of the spiral circulation and the outlet near or on the bottom, debris is flushed from the tank or bag. Also, a bait filter may be used at the bottom of the tank or bag in association with the outlet. Mesh around the bait filter has a porosity sufficient to let fish scales and debris out of the tank or bag, but small enough to prevent the bait from entering the pipe or pocket along side the tank or bag.

Scales or bubbles can lodge in the gills and kill the bait. This tank or bag eliminates both problems.

In a preferred embodiment, the tank or bag is circular or has rounded corners and the interior is essentially free of obstructions. This is particularly important with anchovies, which are very fragile. It may also be important to provide a light for use with anchovies, which will otherwise die overnight. A light can be adopted to the tank or bag.

A preferred cover for the tank or bag has a central opening with a depending rim. This helps to control splashing in the tank or bag.

A flow restriction on the inlet is ideally adjusted to allow water turnover three to five times per hour.

FIG. 1 is perspective view illustrating the improved bait tank.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view partially in section illustrating the flow of liquid through the tank and out through the external piping.

FIG. 3 is a partially segmented exploded view illustrating a novel interlock system between the top of the tank and the cover.

FIG. 4 is the same as FIG. 3 but with the cover in place.

FIG. 5 is a detailed illustration of the interlock between the cover and the tank taken along the line 5--5.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a second liquid outlet means.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the tank illustrating interlocking flanges as twist-on lock means.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modification of the improved bait tank.

Referring to the figures wherein the same elements have the same numbers throughout, FIG. 1 shows an improved bait tank 1 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the tank has a circular side wall 3, fluid outlet means 5, handle 7, top 9, opening 13, an inwardly depending lip 15 to control splash, and means for locking the top to the tank proper illustrated at 16. The outlet means consists of a "T" or horizontal pipe 17 extending from the lower portion of the tank and terminating in drain plug 18. The horizontal pipe 17 is connected to a vertical pipe 19 and an elbow 21 is at the top of pipe 19.

In FIG. 2 the flow of liquid is illustrated commencing with inlet 23 which injects the fluid in a spiral motion as illustrated by line 25 until it emerges from the bottom of the tank through horizontal pipe 17 and then up through vertical pipe 19 through elbow 21 and is then discharged.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary exploded view showing locking bolt 16 in depending exterior lip 10 of cover 9 and slot 27 in depending rim 29 of tank 1. Slot 27 runs from the bottom of depending rim 29 through the top thereof. When cover 9 is put on over tank 3, shaft 28 of bolt 16 fits in slot 27 and nut 24 on shaft 28 is located between depending rim 29 and depending exterior lip 10. Cover 9 is pressed down until bolt 16 is below the lower edge of depending rim 29. A bevel 30 on the lower edge of depending rim 29 at the bottom of slot 27 facilitates the rotation of cover 9, and bolt 16 then is locked under depending rim 29, shown in phantom.

FIG. 4 is the same as FIG. 3 but shows cover 9 in position over rim 29. It also illustrates the relationship of locking bolt 16 to slot 27.

FIG. 5 illustrates, in detail, a cross-section view taken along the line 5--5 in FIG. 4 showing, in fragment, a portion of tank 1, a portion of cover 9, depending exterior lip 10, depending rim 29, bolt 16 protruding through opening 31 in depending lip 10 and in position in slot 27 of depending rim 29. Also illustrated is nut 24 abutting against the inner surface of depending rim 29. The nut 24 is positioned between the lip 10 and the rim 29.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of fluid outlet means 5 in which elbow 21 is connected to a second horizontal pipe 35 and through elbow 37 to depending pipe 39. From there, it can be connected to any convenient discharge means, not shown.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of tank 1 and shows multiple ribs 41 projecting inwardly to provide strength to the container, central recess 43 and interlocking flanges 45. By means of the recess 43 and flanges 45, tank 1 can be secured to the deck of a boat or other flat surface through interlocking flanges which twist on the boat or a molded base that can be mounted to the deck or swim step mounted on the boat. (not shown)

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the present invention in which tank 1 is a square or rectangular structure. This view also shows the external connection of inlet pipe 23. This square structure has more stability and is preferably used aboard a ship.

The tank of the present invention can be made of any number of materials but obviously non-corrosive materials are preferred. If the tank is to be a portable tank, it is preferably made of plastic, such as polyethylene; on the other hand if it is only to be used in relatively permanent position, it can be made of non-corrosive metal. In addition, the tank of the present invention may be oval (not shown), but in general it should be relatively smooth on the inside with little or no protrusions, particularly if it is going to be used for transporting anchovies. The tank may also be of a flexible bag material with or without reinforcing structures to maintain a preferred shape. Also, the standpipe may be a fabric pocket, not shown.

Also, the invention can be accessorized with a bait tank light (not shown) to illuminate the bait and a bait filter 49 with a porosity which lets scales and debris pass out of the tank or bag, but keeps the bait fish from escaping.

The invention has been described with relation to preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will readily recognized that modifications and adaptations are obvious and are within the scope of the present invention.