GB2402033A - Severable fish attractant capsules and lure - Google Patents

Abstract

The capsule 1 containing fish-attractant material (Fig 1, 3) has an elongate severable nipple 5 , extending outwardly therefrom, which has an internal bore of diameter decreasing progressively from a proximal end to a distal end. The nipple 5 can be cut at any point along its length to release the material at a rate predetermined by the location of the cutting point. A dorsal opening (Fig 6, 28) of the chamber 27, through which the capsule 1 is loaded, is closed, in use, with a cap 30, which in Fig 11 has a dorsal fin mounted thereto. The Caudal portion 31 in Fig 8 is detachable. The fin (Fig 5, 26) helps to align the lure.

Description

FISH ATTRACTANT CAPSULF,S AND LURE The present invention relates to

apparatus for releasing attractants or the like for use in fishing. More particularly, but not exclusively, it relates to capsules from which attractants may conveniently be dispensed, and apparatus such as lures from which attractant may be released.

It is a common practice when fishing for predatory fish to use artificial lures, of a generally pisciform shape, to attract the predator to the fisherman's hook. While these can be made visually to resemble prey fish, !d;5 - be drawn through the water to counterfeit prey movement, a fish's main seusory.perception is usually taste/smell. A predatory fish may thus be unwilling tic attack a lure which is not emitting an enticing À .,,, i, , . scent. - It is a well-known technique to use ground-bait to attract fish to the general vicinity of a fisherman, but fish can detect concentration gradients of scent, so it is preferable that attractants be associated with the actual fishing tackle. A baited hook will emit a scent for a while, but even bait injected with additional flavourings can lose a majority of its attractiveness lo a fish within a relatively short time.

I'here have hence been attempts to provide delayed-release or slowrelease systems for fish attractants to be incorporated into fishing tackle. The simpler of these, such as smearing fish oils and the like onto the surface of a lure, appear to provide little improvement in the "lifetime" ol' the scent emitted. The more complex attempted solutions have not, it appears, been adopted in practice to any significant extent.

It is hence an object of the present invention to provide a convenient container from which fish-attracting liquids may be dispensed gradually and controllably over a prolonged period. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a lure from which such l'ish attracting liquids can be dispensed.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a capsule containing f'ish-attractant material, comprising elongate severable nipple means extending outwardly therefrom.

Preferably, said elongate nipple means comprises an internal bore of diameter decreasing prom a proximal end to a distal end thereof.

Advantageously, said internal bore has a substantially conical or frustoconical profile.

The capsule may comprise a plastics material, preferably a flexible plastics material.

Said plastics material may comprise a material which is capable of being deposited or precipitated from aqueous solution, optionally gelatine.

Preferably, the fish-attractant material comprises a liquid.

Advantageously, the fish-attractant material comprises an oil or the like which is substantially insoluble in but miscible with water.

The fish-attractant material may comprise flavourings, enhancers, palatents and/or additives.

Said additives may comprise substances to promote the health of a fish.

I'he fish-attractant material may comprise an oil derived from fish, such as cod liver oil or salmon oil.

The capsule may optionally be provided with attachment means adapted to attach the capsule to fishing tackle means.

Preferably, said attachment means is adapted to attach the capsule to lure means, weight means or hook means of the fishing tackle means.

Alternatively' the attachment means may be adapted to attach the capsule to fishing line means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lure, mountable to fishing tackle means and comprising body means provided with internal chamber means connected to an exterior of the lure by restricted passage means and adapted to receive a capsule of lishattractant material.

Preferably, the passage means is adapted to receive nipple means of said capsule.

Advantageously, an end of the chamber means remote from the passage means may be open, so that a capsule may be inserted and removed therethrough.

Said open end may optionally be provided with removable or displaceable closure means.

Alternatively, the end of the chamber means remote from the passage means may be closed, and an end ol the chamber means adjacent lo or comprising the passage means may be detachably or displaceably removable to allow a capsule to be inserted into and/or removed from the chamber means.

The lure may be provided with at least one hook means, optionally at least two hook means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lure, mountable to fishing tackle means and comprising body means including chamber means connected to an exterior of the lure by passage means and holding a capsule of fish-attractant material, said capsule being provided with nipple means extending into the passage means.

Preferably, said capsule is provided with elongate nipple means.

Advantageously, the passage means and the elongate nipple means are so dimensioned that a tip of the nipple means may extend outwardly from an external end of the passage means.

The capsule may be provided with nipple means having an internal bore tapering distally of the capsule.

The capsule may be a capsule as described in the first aspect above.

The capsule is preferably held replaceably within the chamber means.

The capsule may be a friction fit within the chamber means.

Preferably, the passage means is so dimensioned that the nipple means of the capsule may be disposed therewithin, but not a remainder of the capsule.

An end of the chamber means remote lrom the passage means may be open, so that the capsule may be inserted and removed therethrough.

Said open end may optionally be provided with removable or displaceable closure means.

Alternatively, the end ot the chamber means remote from the passage means may be closed, and an end of the chamber means adjacent to or comprising the passage means may be detachably or displaceable removable to allow insertion and removal of the capsule.

The lure means may be provided with at least one hook means, optionally at least two hook means.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-section oi a capsule embodying the present invention; Figure 2 and 3 are longitudinal crosssections of known capsules; Figure 4 is a side elevation of a conventional form of lure; Figures 5 to 8 are longitudinal cross-sections of' four different lures embodying the invention; Figure 9 is a side elevation of a preferred capsule embodying the invention; Figure 10 is a longitudinal cross-section of a nipple of the capsule of'Figure 9; Figure 11 is a side elevation of a preferred form of lure embodying the invention; Figure 12 is a plan view of the lure oi'Figure 11; Figure 13 is a frontal elevation of' the lure of Figure I 1; Figure 14is a rear elevation of the lure of Figure I 1; and Figure 15 is a longitudinal cross-section of the lure of' Figure 1 1, taken along the line XV-XV, with its cap separated therefrom.

Referring now to the figures, and to Figure I in particular, a capsule I comprises an encapsulating wall 2 of gelatine or the like enclosing a charge of oil 3 or attractant flavouring of preselected volume. The attractant 3 can be a fish oil, for example, cod liver oil or salmon oil, which has been found to be particularly ef'f'ective, or another type of' flavouring. Other Devoured oils or flavoured substances may alternatively be used, including fruit flavoured oils or substances, such as strawberry.

The capsule I comprises a generally cylindrical main body 4 and an elongate generally f'rustoconical nipple 5. An internal diameter of the nipple 5 adjacent its tip 6 is around half of its internal diameter adjacent the main body 4. Thus, if the nipple 5 is severed along a line 7 adjacent the main body 4 of the capsule 1, an aperture is produced of around four times the area of an aperture formed by severing the nipple 5 along a line 8 adjacent its tip 6. Since the oil 3 is relatively viscous and said apertures are relatively restricted' a cut along line 7 produces a flow rate out of the capsule l of more than four times that produced by a cut along the line 8.

It is believed that capsules I can be produced having a nipple S with an internal diameter adjacent the tip 6 as little as one-fifth of that adjacent the main body 4. Thus, a user may select a wide variation in release rate of oil 3 prom the capsule 1, simply by selecting an appropriate point along the nipple 5 at which to sever it.

Although capsules provided with nipples and containing fish oil have been produced in the past, these have been capsules as shown in Figure 2, having a relatively short, stubby nipple to of substantially constant diameter, which, in effect, could only be severed along a single line 11. There is thus no convenient method of'adjusting a release rate from such a capsule 9.

Capsules of fish oil' particularly cod liver oil, are most commonly produced as rounded capsules 12, as shown in Figure 3, without a nipple or any other point at which they could be opened controllably. In general, such capsules 12 are normally used where their gelatins walls 2 are intended to dissolve to release the oil 3 within (for example, when taken as a human dietary supplement).

The provision of a nipple 5, 10 on a capsule 1, 9 thus renders it much easier to open up for gradual release of its contents, and the provision of a tapered nipple 5 allows for a significant degree of control over the rate of this release.

It is clearly preferable that release of fish oil (or any other attractant) into the water be closely associated with a lure visually counterfeiting a prey fish. A typical conventional lure 13 is shown in Figure 4. This has a generally pisciform body 14 moulded or cast in a resin or other plastics material, bearing markings 15. including "eyes" 16, resembling those of a genuine prey fish. Some such lures have an aluminised surface to simulate the shiny, almost metallic glint of many fish scales. Most lures 13 are provided with a ring mounting 17 on their "head" regions, to which a line 18 of a fishing tackle is attached, by which to draw the lure 13 through the water. A ventral ring mounting 19 and a caudal ring mounting 20 are also provided, each of which has a three-barbed fishhook 21 mounted thereto. It is also possible to mount tassels or the like (not shown) to the caudal ring mounting 20, to counterfeit tail fins.

The lure 13 is thus designed to entice a predatory fish into attempting to bite or swallow it, at which point one or more of the barbs of the fishhooks 21 will penetrate the predator's mouth parts, allowing it to be reeled in and caught.

However, if the predator is cautious, it may detect that the lure 13 does not taste/smell like a real fish, and reject the lure 13. As mentioned above, attractants such as fish oil smeared on the surface of the lure 13, or bait attached to the fishhooks 21 are initially interesting but rapidly dose their effect. However, if a rippled capsule 1, 9 is attached to the lure 13 and opened so that it releases a gradual flow of oil, etc. a scent trail will be established and maintained, leading to the lure 13 and potentially deceiving the predator into believing that it is attacking a real prey fish.

It is envisaged that a range of' mountings could be provided, into which the main body 4 of a capsule 1, 9 could be inserted, clipped, etc. and which could also be clipped, glued, etc to an existing conventional lure 13.

However, an externally-mounted capsule does risk altering the appearance of the lure 13 significantly, potentially sufficiently to make a predatory fish cautious. It may also not be very convenient to assemble together a lure 13, such a mounting and a capsule 1, 9, particularly in poor lighting conditions and at night, conditions under which many anglers operate.

Four improved lures 22, 23, 24, 25, shown in Figures 5 to 8, therefore have provision for internal mounting of' a capsule 1. (Note: each improved lure 22, 23, 24, 25 is used attached to a line 18 and provided with fishhooks 21 as shown in Figure 4, but these are omitted t'or clarity. 'I'hree of the lures 22, 24, 25 shown have a fin 26 extending outwardly from their "chin" regions. Water flow over this fin 26, which is a common feature of conventional lures, helps to align the respective lure 22, 24, 25 in the water to simulate the bottom-i'eeding behaviour of the particular fish being imitated).

A first improved lure 22 has a generally cylindrical chamber 27 within its body 14 dimensioned so that a pre-selected size of capsule 1 is a friction fit therein. A dorsal opening 28 ol' the chamber 27 is sut'f'iciently large to permit insertion of the capsule 1, while a ventral passage 29 extending t'rom an opposite end of the chamber 27 is so restricted that the nipple 5 of the capsule I can pass therethrough, but not the main body 4.

It is thus straightl'orward to load the capsule I through the dorsal opening 28 into the chamber 27 so that the nipple 5 is received by the ventral passage 29. Either the nipple 5 can be severed at a desired point before the capsule I is loaded into the chamber 27, or the lip 6 of the nipple 5 can conveniently be sliced off where it protrudes from an open end of the ventral passage 29, for example by running a blade along a ventral surface of the body 14 ol'thc lure 22. Where capsules 9 with short nipples 10 are used, the nipple must be severed before loading the capsule 9, but the severed nipple 10 can still be located positively within the ventral passage 29, allowing oil ctc to escape from its open end.

The second improved lure 23 is provided with a chamber 27 having a very short ventral passage 29. Thus a variable portion of the nozzle 5 extends out of the ventral passage 29 depending on how l:ar the capsule I is inserted down the chamber 27. The nozzle 5 may then conveniently be severed, flush with the surface of' the body 14 of the lure 23.

A third improved lure 24 has a chamber 27 which is provided with a cap 30 to close its dorsal opening after insertion of the capsule]. This produces a more streamlined body 14 prosaic. Ilowever, for some applications, it may be preferable to leave the dorsal opening 28 unblocked. The resulting turbulent flow thereacross may increase the attractiveness of the lure 22, 23 to some predators.

In some variations (not illustrated), channels may be provided in the walls of the chamber 27 to allow water to [low through the dorsal opening 28 into the chamber 27, around the capsule I and out through the ventral passage 29, helping to entrain the fish oil, etc. escaping from the nozzle 5.

A fourth improved lure 25 is provided with a chamber 27 which is closed at its dorsal end. A caudal portion 31 of the body 14 of the fourth lure 25 is detachable therefrom, to allow the capsule I to be loaded into the chamber 27. The ventral passage 29 of' the fourth lure 25 extends through the caudal portion 31, and is placed over the nozzle 5 of the capsule 1 when the caudal portion 31 of the body 14 is replaced. The capsule 1 is thus retained within the chamber 27, and the nozzle 5 protrudes from the ventral passage 29, ready to be severed, as described above.

The caudal portion 31 shown is a push-fit on to a remainder of the body 14, although it could be more securely held with a screw fitting or detent means, if preferred. The caudal portion 31 may also be hingeably mounted to a remainder ol the body 14.

In each case, the improved lure 22, 23, 24, 25 can be shaped and decorated to resemble a desired prey fish as closely as is required, with the capsule 1 in its chamber 27 being almost totally concealed. The lure 22, 23, 24, 25 will look more like a "real" fish, with the added benefit of a long-lasting trail of fish oil, or any other desired attractant for predator fish, extending away from the lure 22, 23, 24, 25. predator will be able to follow this trail right up to the lure and its attached fishhooks 21 believe it to he prey.

Such lures 22, 23, 24, 25 should therefore provide a fisherman with far superior performance to those currently in use.

A particularly useful form of' capsule I is shown in Figure 9. This comprises a generally cylindrical main body 4 and an elongate generally conical nipple 5, shown in more detail in Figure 10.

The nipple 5 has an internal diameter adjacent its tip 6 of approximately 0.25 millimetres, while its internal diameter measured along a line 7 adjacent its base, where it joins the main body 4, is approximately 3.0 millimetres. The walls 2 of the main body 4 and the nipple 5 are around 0. 3 millimetres thick throughout, and comprise gelatine or the like, rendering the capsule I sufficiently robust for routine handling but leaving the nipple 5 easy to sever at a desired point. The profile of the nipple 5 allows a user to select from a wide range of outflow rates from a severed nipple 5, depending on the point at which it is cut.

The capsule of Figure 9 is particularly suitable for a preferred form of lure 32, shown in Figures 11 to 15. This lure 32 has an elongate pisciforrn body 14, provided with a conventional ring mounting 17 at its "head" end to which a fishing line may be attached and ventral 19 and caudal 20 ring mountings to which fishhooks may be attached. It is also provided with a fin 26 or lip extending from its "chin" region. The body 14 of the lure 32 is moulded or cast in a resin or other plastics material, while in this case the lip fin 26 is made substantially at steel. Thus, not only does it help to align the lure 32 correctly in flowing water, but it also helps to weight a "head" end of the lure 32.

As for the improved lures 22. 23 24, 25 of Figures 5 to 8, the preferred lure 32 has an elongate generally cylindrical chamber 27 within its body 14, dimensioned to receive a preselected capsule 1. A ventral passage 29 extending from a first end of the chamber 27 is so restricted that the nipple 5 of the capsule I may pass therethrough, but not the main body 4 thereof. Ideally, the ventral passage 29 is tapered to correspond to the profile of the nipple 5.

A dorsal opening 28 oi the chamber 27, through which the capsule I is loaded, is closed, in use, with a cap 30, which in this case has a dorsal fin 33 for the lure 32 mounted thereto. This both increases the realistic appearance of the lure 32 and provides a convenient gripping point for manual removal and replacement of the cap 30. An inner portion of the cap 30 is configured to fit into the chamber 27. An inner face 34 of the cap is profiled to conform to an end of the preselected capsule I remote from the nipple 5 and so hold it securely in place.

In use, the cap 30 is removed from the dorsal opening 28 of the chamber 27, and the capsule I is loaded into the chamber 27 so that the nipple 5 is received by the ventral passage 29 and extends therefrom, outwardly of the lure 32. The cap 30 is replaced, holding the capsule I securely within the chamber 27. With the particular combination of capsule I and lure 32 shown, the nipple 5 may then be severed level with a ventral surface of the lure 32, giving a convenient discharge rate of oil, etc. from the capsule 1.

The discharge rate from the capsule 1 may be ai'i'ected by the angle to the horizontal at which it is held. In practice, the angle between a longitudinal axis of the chamber 27 and a longitudinal axis of the body 14 of the lure 32 should be relatively acute, preferably no more than thirty degrees. The preferred lure 32 shown has a shallower angle between these axes, of' approximately twenty degrees' which has been found to be particularly

suitable.

Claims (12)

1. A capsule containing fish attractant material and comprising elongate severable nipple means extending outwardly therefrom and having an internal bore of diameter decreasing progressively from a proximal end to a distal end thereof.

2. A capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein said internal bore has a substantially conical or frustoconical profile.

3. A capsule as claimed in either claim I or claim 2, provided with attachment means adapted to attach the capsule to fishing tackle means.

4. A capsule containing fish-attractant material substantially as described herein with reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings.

5. A fishing lure mountable to fishing tackle means and comprising body means provided with internal chamber means connected to an exterior of the lure by restricted passage means and adapted to receive a capsule of fish-attractant material.

6. A lure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the passage means is adapted to receive nipple means of said capsule.

7. A lure as claimed in either claim 5 or claim 6, wherein an end of the chamber means remote from the passage means is open, so that a capsule may be inserted and removed therethrough.

8. A lure as claimed in either claim 5 or claim 6, wherein an end of the chamber means adjacent to or comprising the passage means is detachably or displaceably removable to allow a capsule to be inserted into and/or removed from the chamber means.

9. A lure substantially as described herein with reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings.

10. A lure mountable to fishing tackle means and comprising body means including chamber means connected to an exterior of the lure by passage means and holding a capsule of fish-attractant material, said capsule being provided with elongate nipple means extending into the passage means.

A lure as claimed in claim 10, wherein the passage means and the elongate nipple means are so dimensioned that a tip of the nipple means extends outwardly from an external end of the passage means.

12. A lure as claimed in any one of claims 9 to I 1, wherein the capsule is provided with nipple means having an internal bore tapering distally ofthe capsule.