Marine containment device

Abstract

A lionfish containment unit or device used to secure a venomous or non-venomous marine species while diving. Certain embodiments of the device allow for the entry of the specimen into the containment unit without the diver coming in direct contact with the specimen. The invention includes for displacement of air and water through weep holes and other manners that prohibit the venomous spines from protruding through.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims benefit of Applicant's prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 797,020, filed on Nov. 27, 2012, Confirmation No. 6742, which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]Aspects of the invention relate generally to the marine specimen holding device, more specifically to a containment assembly appropriate for use in containing marine specimens, including the venomous species Pterois Volitans and Pterois Miles, commonly known as lionfish.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Pterois Volitans and Pterois Miles, both commonly known in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico as lionfish, are a venomous invasive species from the Indo Pacific and the Red Sea. The two visually identical species were introduced into the Atlantic via the US aquarium trade sometime in the early to mid 1980's. Their current invaded range is from North Carolina to South America, including all of the Gulf of ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The present invention includes a containment assembly used by divers to contain venomous and non-venomous marine species that may harm the diver comprising of multiple embodiments, more specifically, of a body made of a puncture resistant or puncture proof material, as it pertains to the spines of the marine species, a flange that attaches to both sides of the body of the invention and a cap used to hold either a one-way funnel entry or a water and air displacement draining valve to said flange. The invention also embodies loops molded into the flange that allows the divers to secure the invention to them during a dive. With the invention secured, the diver enters the water to commence the dive.

[0012]With the speared specimen on the spearing device, the diver turns the spear with the specimen attached, so that the specimen can be pushed through the funnel entry of the invention. The action of pushing the specimen through the funnel will force the funnel to open and allow the specimen into the invention. This same action will also cause water from inside the invention to be displaced through the safety drain valve at the rear of the invention. This water displacement thru the rear will minimize the water displaced through the entry funnel, and the possibility of an already contained specimen “popping” out through the funnel. Once the specimen has passed through the funnel entry, the funnel will close around the spearing device. The action of removing the spearing device from the invention will bring the specimen into contact with the closed funnel and strip the specimen off the spearing device. With the specimen securely stowed inside the invention, the diver can move toward the next specimen.

Problems solved by technology

In heavily invaded sites, they have reduced the native fish population by up to 90% and continue to consume native fish at unsustainable rates.

Some use nets to capture them in protected sanctuaries that do not permit the use of a spearing device.

In humans, the lionfish venom can cause intense throbbing, sharp pain, tingling sensations, sweatiness and blistering.

This manner of containment is time consuming as well as labor intensive for the diver.

The hard plastic material of the bottle protects the diver from the spines, yet carrying a 5-gallon jug while diving will create an excessive amount of drag, exerting energy from the diver, again time consuming and labor intensive.

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