GB2445323A

GB2445323A - Applicator for filling bait bags

Info

Publication number: GB2445323A
Application number: GB0806521A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carl Tiller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-04-11
Filing date: 2008-04-11
Publication date: 2008-07-02
Also published as: GB0806521D0

Abstract

An applicator for use in fishing in particular for filling PVA bags with fishing bait. The applicator comprising a main body having an elongate shape having a slit extending along the entire length of the main body. The slit functions to allow the applicator to be used when filling a bait bag with a hook and line and bait combination as it allows easy removal of the applicator from the line once the bag has been filled.

Description

APPLICATOR

The present invention relates to an applicator for use in fishing, and in particular an applicator for filling PVA bags with fishing bait.

PVA bags are widely used in fishing as a means to locahse pieces of fishing bait around the hook bait. The PVA bags are filled with bait and attached to the end of a fishing line near to the hook. The fishing line with the bag thereon is then cast, after which the bag dissolves in the water, fl-eeing the bait, but the use of the bags during casting ensures that the bait is maintained in the vicinity of the hook.

Applicators for filling such PVA bags using a rigid tube, which is slid inside the bag to hold it open, arc known. An example is the "Korum PVA system". This systcm aids the filling of a PVA stocking (which can be fled at both ends to create a bagl, but the filled bag must be subsequently attached to the fishing mainline by passing the hook into the bag, or pulling the hook through the bag with a needle, or having a detached hook link pre-prepared pulled through the bag with a needle then attached via a snap shut swivel. In addition, with such a system, the fishing hook and any weights attached to the line remain outside the PVA bag.

The present invention provides an improved applicator, in particular which can be used for fill ng PVA bags directly on the fishing line allowing the angler to place his hook link and fishing weight into the PVA bag.

Thus, in a first embodiment the present invention provides an applicator for filling PVA bags with fishing bait, said applicator comprising a main body having an elongate shape with a length of 50 to 300mm, an external cross-section of 100 to 5000 mm2 and a hollow core with a cross-section of 90 to 4500 mm2, said main body further having a slit extending along the length of the main body.

Preferably, the applicator has a length of at least 150mm and/or up to 250mm.

Preferably, the applicator has an external cross-section of at least 750mm2 and/or up to 1500 mm2.

Preferably, the applicator has hollow core with cross-section of at least 700mm2 and/or up to 1400 mm2.

The most suitable dimensions will be based on the size of the PVA bag to be filled.

In particular, the external cross-section is selected such that the applicator can fit inside the PVA bag, and the length of the applicator is preferably at least as long as the PVA bag.

The size of the PVA bag is itself generally dependent on the type of angling e.g. Carp, sea or match fishing, and therefore the size of the applicator will be different for such applications. The cross-section of the core, hereinafter the internal cross-section, is preferably maximised (within the constraints of the external cross-section), in particular so that weights of various shapes and sizes as may be required may be placed inside the PVA bag.

A wall thickness of the applicator of at least 1mm to 2mm is typical to ensure a suitable robustness to the applicator.

The external and internal cross-sections of the main body may vary along its length, as may the wall thickness, but preferably they are approximately constant.

The applicator may be made of any suitable material. Suitable materials include metals, such as aluminium and stainless steel, but plastic materials are preferred, such as polypropylene or polyarylamide (e.g. Txef (trademark)). The preferred material is polypropylene.

In one aspect the applicator is rigid such that the applicator is not easily deformable or breakable.

Alternatively, the applicator may be semi-rigid such that the applicator may be squeezed to reduce its external cross-section. In this aspect one of the edges which normally form the slit along the length of the body may be pushed together to reduce the external cross-section. This enables the applicator to be used with bags of smaller dimensions than the "normal" external cross-section of the applicator. The applicator should have a high enough elasticity that it returns to its original dimensions when removed from the PVA bag, reforming the slit in the main body.

For avoidance of doubt, in this aspect the dimensions of the applicator as claimed are those of its "undeformed" state.

The shapes formed by the external and internal shapes of the applicator are not especially critical. In general, however, the internal and external cross-sections are, independently, of polygonal or cylindrical shape. Preferably, the internal and external cross-sections are of the same shape, and most preferably, the applicator has cylindrical internal and external cross-sections.

The slit in the main body allows the applicator of the present invention to be used to fill a PVA bag attached directly to the fishing mainline. The width of the slit is not -3 especially critical as long as a fishing line may be passed through it lengthways. The width is typically at least 0.5mm and/or up to 15mm, preferably at least 1mm andlor tip to 10mm.

Tn a preferred embodiment the applicator may also comprise a means to aid filling which is attached at one end of the main body. A particularly suitable example is a flared section of increasing cross-section. This effectively expands the open area of the applicator at one end and acts as a funnel. The means to aid filling may be attachable to the main body to aid filling and detachable from thereafler, but preferably is a permanent part of the applicator.

Where thc means to aid filling is a permanent part of the applicator the slit in the main body should extend along the length of the applicator to aid in the application of the hook link and weight to the PVA bag and as a means to remove the applicator from the main line.

The applicator according to the present invention allows for filling of PVA bags directly on the fishing line. Because of this, both the fishing hook and any weights which are normally attached to the fishing line, may also be placed and sealed inside the PVA bag with the bait.

This has the advantage that the PVA bag filled with bait does not need to be separately attached to the fishing mainline after filling.

In addition, since both the fishing hook and any weights can be sealed inside the PVA bag with the bait, the hooks and weights are not able to become tangled or snagged whilst sinking, for example on weeds, when the line is cast.

In a second embodiment, the present invention provides a process for filling a PVA bag using the applicator described above.

In a preferred aspect of this second embodiment, the process for filling a PVA bag with fishing bait comprises: i) placing the applicator inside the PVA bag, ii) placing a fishing hook attached to a fishing line into the PVA bag, iii) filling the bag with fishing bait via the applicator core, iv) removing the applicator and sealing the top of the bag.

The fishing line to which the fishing hook is attached preferably also has a fishing weight attached thereto, which fishing weight is also placed inside the PVA bag.

PVA bags are widely available in the fishing industry, and any suitable PVA bag may be used in the present invention. The bags may be formed of "complete" sheets of PVA or may be in the form of a mesh or stocking.

PVA bags may also be provided iii the fonri of individual bags or a PVA tube or mesh, usually provided on a roll, may be used fi-om which a suitable length to form a bag is cut.

The PVA bags may be sealed by any suitable means. Mesh bags, for example, may be sealed by tying a knot there in. Bag ties formed of string are also known as are PVA cable ties.

In a most preferred aspect of the present invention, there are used individual PVA bags which are provided with a sealing tape integrated therein. By "integrated therein" is meant that the tape is permanently attached to the bag. The tape is suitably also made of PVA.

A preferred PVA hag has a tape that is woven into the top of the bag, the two ends of which can be simply pulled to close the bag and tied off to seal it.

This has the advantage that the tape is not easily lost and that the bag can be easily scaled without the bait falling out whilst a string or other separate means to seal the bag is located.

In another embodiment, therefore, the present invention provides a PVA bag which is provided with a tape that is woven into the top of the bag, the two ends of which can be pulled to close the bag.

The invention will now be illustrated with respect to Figure 1 and the following

Example.

Figure 1 shows a cylindrical applicator according to the present invention. The applicator has a length of 205mm, an external crosssection of 1017mm2 (36mm outer diameter, and an internal cross-section of 804mm2 (34nmi inner diameter). A slit is provided along the length of the applicator, having a width of 10mm (+1-2mm).

Example

In use, the applicator according to Figure 1 is placed inside a PVA bag, into which is placed a fishing line having a baited hook attached on the end and a weight. Bait is then placed into the PVA bag (via the end of the applicator at the open end of the PVA bag).

The applicator is then removed lengthways from the PVA bag, leaving the hook, weight --5 and bait in the PVA bag. The applicator is removed from the fishing line by passing the fishing line through the slit in the applicator. The PVA bag is sealed by tying off the top of the bag, leaving a sealed PVA bag, containing the hook, weight and bait attached to the fishing line and ready for immediate casting.

Claims

Claims: 1. An applicator for filling PVA bags with fishing bait, said

applicator comprising a main body having an elongate shape with a length of 50 to 300mm, an external cross-section of 100 to 5000 mm2 and a hollow core with a cross-section of 90 to 4500 mm2, said main body thither having a slit extending along the length of the main body.
2. An applicator according to claim I having a length of 150 to 250mm, an external cross-section of 750 to 1500 mm2 and a hollow core with cross-section of 700 to 1400 mm2.
3. An applicator according to claim I or claim 2 wherein the internal and external cross-sections are, independently, of polygonal or cylindrical shape.
4. An applicator according to claim 3 wherein the applicator has cylindrical internal and external cross-sections.
5. An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims which also comprises a means to aid filling attachcd at onc end of the main body.
6. A process for filling of PVA bags with fishing bait which process uses the applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
7. A process according to claim 6 which comprises: i) placing the applicator inside the PVA bag, ii) placing a fishing hook attached to a fishing line into the PVA bag, iii) filling the bag with fishing bait via the applicator core, iv) removing the applicator and sealing the top of the bag.
8. A process according to claim 7 wherein the fishing line to which the fishing hook is attached also has a fishing weight attached thereto, which fishing weight is also placed inside the PVA bag.