Fishing bait, moldable composition for producing fishing bait, method for producing fishing bait, and use of the moldable composition

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fishing bait, a moldable composition for making the fishing bait, a method for making the fishing bait, and the use of the moldable composition. The moldable composition includes a base solution containing water, a gelling agent, and a plasticizer. The moldable composition further includes at least one crosslinking agent in the volume of the base solution.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fishing bait, a moldable composition for making the fishing bait, a method for making the fishing bait, and uses of the moldable composition. [Background technology]

[0002] Artificial soft baits are often manufactured from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These types of bait are not biodegradable and can be harmful to the environment. Biodegradable baits often break down easily and become useless too quickly, and their properties are far from optimal. The following are examples of prior art documents related to the present invention. 1. JP 2002-223670 A 2. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 52-112594 3. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005 / 120611 4. China Patent Application Publication No. 105432577 5. JP2011-525128A (Publication showing well-known technology) 6. JP2015-500024A (Publication showing well-known technology) 7. US Patent Application Publication No. 2004 / 0146541 (statement showing known art) dedication) 8. US Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0049419 (statement showing known art) dedication) Summary of the Invention

[0003] Brief description of the invention The object of the present invention is to provide a fishing bait, a mouldable composition for producing the fishing bait, a method for producing the fishing bait and a use of the mouldable composition in order to solve the above mentioned problems. The object of the present invention is achieved by the fishing bait, the mouldable composition for producing the fishing bait, the method for producing the fishing bait and the use of the mouldable composition, which are characterised by what is stated in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0004] The fishing bait of the present invention is biodegradable and durable. The fishing bait of the present invention offers several advantages. The fishing bait can be used in the same way as existing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) soft fishing baits. The fishing bait acts as a natural bait for all types of fishing, including sport fishing and commercial fishing. The fishing bait material is non-toxic to the fish, the fishing bait user, and the environment, meaning the material is environmentally friendly and safe. The material breaks down in water into harmless components. Decomposition occurs in both fresh and salt water. The material is also compostable.

[0005] The material is easy to work with, i.e. it is not sticky, slimy, messy or smelly. The bait can be clear and transparent if desired. When the bait material becomes wet, i.e. absorbs water, the bait becomes very sensitive to movement and prone to vibration, i.e. the bait moves a lot and moves easily.

[0006] The rate at which the material dissolves in water, as well as the density, softness, and stretchiness of the material can be controlled and adjusted by recipe. The aroma, flavor, and color release can be controlled simultaneously. The material can be aerated or foamed to increase the buoyancy of the fishing bait.

[0007] In addition to the flavors and scents added to the bait during manufacturing, the material absorbs liquids so that flavors and scents can be added during use.

[0008] The production process is sustainable as it generates less waste and is cost-effective. The fishing bait can be injected directly into the final retail packaging. Furthermore, the manufacturing process allows for the combination of different densities, colors and flavors in the same product.

[0009] Certain terms are used herein. By moldable composition is meant that it can be shaped by pouring it into a mold. The mold is allowed to stand until the moldable composition has solidified. The mold can be an open mold or a closed mold.

[0010] By plasticizers we mean ingredients that increase the flexibility and softness of the bait. Water is excluded, since it is used in any case as an ingredient of the moldable composition.

[0011] By additives for attracting fish is meant any ingredient that may attract fish. The additives may be visual attractants such as colours, flavours or scents such as the smell of food that fish eat or pheromones.

[0012] By cross-linking agent is meant an agent selected for its ability to cross-link a particular gelling agent, which increases the strength of the bait and gives the bait predictable degradation characteristics that can be tailored as desired by varying the amount of cross-linking agent (i.e., by adjusting the degree of cross-linking) and / or by modifying the cross-linking agent itself.

[0013] Fishing bait means bait used to catch fish, crustaceans such as crabs, or mollusks such as octopus. Its main use is to catch fish. To manufacture the fishing bait, a moldable composition is first made. The moldable composition comprises a base solution comprising water, a gelling agent and a plasticizer. The gelling agent can be a protein-containing gelling agent or a polysaccharide-containing gelling agent. The gelling agent can comprise an animal-derived component or a plant-derived component. Animal-derived components include, for example, gelatin and collagen. Plant-derived components include, for example, pectin and agar. Gelatin and collagen belong to the protein-containing components. Pectin and agar belong to the polysaccharide-containing components. The preferred gelling agent is gelatin, although other gelling agents can be used alone or in addition to gelatin.

[0014] Any gelatin can be used, but the preferred choice is fast-setting gelatin with an average molecular weight of at least 120 kDa. The average molecular weight can be at least 130 kDa or at least 140 kDa. The average molecular weight is determined by gel chromatography. The gelatin can have a proportion with a molecular weight of more than 100 kDa, the proportion being at least 35% by weight of the total amount of gelatin. Such gelatin can be obtained from various collagen-containing materials, in particular connective tissue or bones of pigs, cows, poultry or fish.

[0015] In addition to water and gelling agents, the base solution contains a plasticizer that enhances the flexibility and softness of the fishing bait. The plasticizer can be a sugar alcohol such as sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, erythritol, or glycerol. A preferred sugar alcohol is glycerol. The sugar alcohol contributes favorable rheological properties to the molding composition.

[0016] A gelling agent such as gelatin is dissolved in water and a plasticizer such as a sugar alcohol is added. Glucose syrup can also be added.

[0017] The base solution may contain 5-50% by weight gelatin, 5-50% by weight water, and 15-60% by weight sugar alcohol. The base solution may contain 0-50% by weight glucose syrup. That is, it is possible that the base solution does not contain glucose syrup. The glucose syrup is preferably a highly hydrolyzed glucose syrup having a dextrose equivalent of 50 or more, preferably 60 or more.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the base solution may comprise 10-15% by weight gelatin, 30-35% by weight water, 10-15% by weight glucose syrup, and 35-45% by weight sugar alcohol such as glycerol.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the base solution may comprise 25-30% by weight gelatin, 25-30% by weight water, 20-25% by weight glucose syrup, and 20-25% by weight sugar alcohol such as glycerol.

[0020] According to yet another embodiment, the base solution may comprise 10-15% by weight gelatin, 30-35% by weight water, and 50-55% by weight sugar alcohol, such as glycerol.

[0021] According to yet another embodiment, the base solution may comprise 25-35% by weight gelatin, 30-40% by weight water, and 30-40% by weight sugar alcohol, such as glycerol.

[0022] A base solution of the moldable composition is first prepared. The gelatin component is dissolved in hot water having a temperature of about 70-80°C. A plasticizer is then added, such as a sugar alcohol, e.g., glycerol, and glucose syrup if included in the particular recipe. A salt component may also be added to the base solution. The salt component may include one salt or a mixture of different salts. The salt component may also include adjuvants.

[0023] The base solution is preferably boiled using a slight overpressure and then treated under negative pressure so that the water evaporates. The dry matter content of the base solution can be adjusted by evaporation.

[0024] After the base solution contains the desired solid content, at least one additive for attracting fish can be added. The additive for attracting fish can be a visual attractant such as a color, or a flavor or scent, such as the scent of the food that fish eat. Suitable flavor or scent-based attractants are, for example, fish oil, fish meal, mollusks (such as mussels) and animals with jointed legs (such as crustaceans). If necessary, the attractant can be ground or crushed in a manner suitable for use in fishing bait. Suitable visual attractants are, for example, colors and glitter, which may be biodegradable. In addition to the additive for attracting fish, the additive can include, for example, a pH adjuster or a preservative, such as a salt or acid.

[0025] A crosslinking agent is also added to the base solution to form a moldable composition. The crosslinking agent is selected to have the ability to crosslink the particular gelling agent. Preferred crosslinking agents are those found in nature or their synthetic equivalents. Suitable crosslinking agents are plant-derived crosslinkers, such as plant-derived polyphenols or extracts containing plant-derived polyphenols. Plant-derived polyphenols include, for example, oleuropein, tannic acid, gallic acid, and hydroxycinnamic acids. Hydrocinnamic acids include caffeic acid, caftaric acid, and ferulic acid. Plant-derived polyphenol-containing extracts include, for example, olive leaf extract, coffee, and grape juice.

[0026] According to one embodiment, a crosslinking agent derived from a plant is used. A polyphenol derived from a plant or an extract containing polyphenol derived from a plant, such as an olive leaf extract, is used as a crosslinking agent in a molding composition comprising a base solution containing gelatin, water, and a sugar alcohol, such as glycerol. In addition to the base solution and the crosslinking agent, the molding composition comprises at least one attractant for attracting fish. The gelatin may be a fast-setting gelatin having an average molecular weight of at least 120 kDa, preferably at least 130 kDa, more preferably at least 140 kDa. The molding composition may comprise biodegradable fibers.

[0027] In general, the crosslinking agent can be selected from among non-toxic crosslinking agents capable of crosslinking the particular gelling agent. The crosslinking agent can belong to aldehydes, dialdehydes, isocyanates, diisocyanates, carbodiimides, and alkyl dihalides.

[0028] Crosslinkers can play a dual role in moldable compositions. In addition to crosslinking properties, the crosslinker can act as an additive to attract fish. For example, the crosslinker can have a bright color that attracts fish.

[0029] The moldable composition may contain biodegradable fibers that may belong to natural, artificial or regenerated fibers. The fibers may be, for example, cellulose, regenerated cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) or polylactic acid (PLA). The fibers give the bait extra strength. They also fine-tune the texture of the bait. The properties of the fibers, for example their length, are selected to be compatible with the other components of the bait. The distribution of the fibers in the moldable composition may be an important factor. The length of the fibers may be at most 2 mm. The fibers may be thin and flexible. Their share in the moldable composition may be at most 2% by weight.

[0030] The base solution, additives and crosslinking agent form a moldable composition. The pH of the moldable composition is preferably about 5.5, i.e. the pH should be slightly acidic. The moldable composition is molded into fish bait by pouring the composition into a casting mold. The temperature of the molded composition is preferably at least 80°C during molding. The casting mold may be a separate mold or may be part of the sales package. That is, the fishing bait is molded directly into a tray that forms part of the sales package. The fishing bait may resemble, for example, a small fish, a worm, or other aquatic animal that a particular fish species eats.

[0031] In addition to the above components, the moldable composition may include a lubricant. The lubricant may include a long chain fatty acid and / or a long chain alcohol. Another lubricant may include, for example, erucamide, oleamide, stearamide, or behenamide. Yet another lubricant may be a vegetable-based wax having a melting point below 100°C.

[0032] The moldable composition may also include particles whose purpose may be to adjust the weight and / or set and / or solubility of the bait. Such particles include nanoclays, which are nanoparticles of clay minerals such as montmorillonite, bentonite, kaolinite, hectorite, halloysite, etc.

[0033] The bait begins to cool in the casting mold. At the same time, the bait material begins to crosslink. The material can become sufficiently hard soon after molding.

[0034] The physical properties of the bait can be adjusted by the crosslinker. The amount and characteristics of a particular crosslinker affect the physical properties of the bait. Because the crosslinker spreads throughout the entire volume of the base solution, the bait has stable properties throughout its volume, and therefore, it has predictable degradation characteristics. The degradation characteristics can be adjusted by the choice of crosslinker and its amount. In relation to gelatin, it is possible to use other gelatins instead of fast-setting gelatin, since the crosslinker helps the gelatin solidify.

[0035] The final product, i.e. the bait, contains 65-95% by weight dry matter and 5-35% by weight water. Preferably, the final product contains 85-90% by weight dry matter and 10-15% by weight water. The low moisture content increases the shelf life of the bait and allows closed moulds to be used as there is no need for evaporation from the moulds. Closed moulds are advantageous as they allow a perfect three-dimensional shape of the bait. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1a] Figure 1a shows an example of fishing bait. [Figure 1b] Figure 1b shows a fishing hook. [Figure 1c] FIG. 1c shows the bait of FIG. 1a impaled on the hook of FIG. 1b. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] Detailed Description of the Invention Fig. 1a shows an example of a fishing bait 1. The fishing bait 1 may have the shape of a fish as shown in Fig. 1a. The shape may attract predatory fish. Fig. 1b shows a fishing hook 2, which may for example be a fishing hook attached to the line of a fishing rod. The fishing bait 1 is impaled by the fishing hook 2 in Fig. 1c.

[0038] Bait samples were prepared and evaluated by testing the following functions: A. How soft the material is B. How much the material can stretch before breaking C. How well the material will hold up to the attachment of the hook and subsequent use D. How tightly the material is held on the hook E. How well does the material withstand a 2 hour water bath followed by 12 hours of dry air?

[0039] Samples were given a rating of 1 (bad) to 10 (good). Target ratings were 7 (minimum) to 10 (maximum).

[0040] A mixture was prepared containing an additive for attracting fish and a cross-linking agent, the cross-linking agent being olive leaf extract, the amount of which in the mixture was 20% by weight. EXAMPLES

[0041] Example 1 A base solution containing 26.1 kg of gelatin with a gel strength of 280g (280 bloom), 63.9 kg of water, 26.3 kg of corn syrup, and 78.8 kg of glycerol was boiled. The water was evaporated in a vacuum chamber with a negative pressure of -0.6 to -0.33 bar and a temperature of 92.5 to 99.5°C to reach a total solids content of 80% by weight. To form a moldable composition, a mixture containing an additive for attracting fish and a crosslinking agent was added to the base solution. The amount of the mixture was 9% by weight of the total mass of the moldable composition. The moldable composition was poured into a greased mold to form a fishing bait.

[0042] The following results were obtained: A.9 B.7 C.7 D.9 E.5

[0043] Example 2 A base solution containing 62.2 kg of gelatin with a gel strength of 280g (280 bloom), 62.2 kg of water, 53.7 kg of corn syrup, and 53.7 kg of glycerol was boiled. The water was evaporated in a vacuum chamber with a negative pressure of -0.6 to -0.33 bar and a temperature of 92.5 to 99.5°C to reach a total solids content of 80% by weight. To form a moldable composition, a mixture containing an additive for attracting fish and a crosslinking agent was added to the base solution. The amount of the mixture was 9% by weight of the total mass of the moldable composition. The moldable composition was poured into a greased mold to form a fishing bait.

[0044] The following results were obtained: A.9 B.7 C.8 D.9 E.6

[0045] Example 3 A base solution containing 26.5 kg of gelatin with a gel strength of 280 g (280 bloom), 65 kg of water and 103.5 kg of glycerol was brought to a boil. The water was evaporated in a vacuum chamber with a negative pressure of -0.6 bar and a temperature of 92°C to 96°C to reach a total solids content of 80% by weight. To form a moldable composition, a mixture containing an additive for attracting fish and a crosslinking agent was added to the base solution. The amount of the mixture was 9% by weight of the total mass of the moldable composition. The moldable composition was poured into a greased mold to form a fishing bait.

[0046] The following results were obtained: A.9 B.9 C.9 D.9 E.6~7

[0047] Example 4 A base solution containing 30 kg of gelatin with a gel strength of 300 g (300 bloom), 35 kg of water, and 35 kg of glycerol was boiled. The water was evaporated in a vacuum chamber to reach a total solids content of 80% by weight. A mixture containing additives for attracting fish and a cross-linking agent was added to the base solution to form a moldable composition. The amount of the mixture was 9% by weight of the total mass of the moldable composition. The moldable composition was poured into greased molds to form fishing baits.

[0048] The following results were obtained: A.9 B.9 C.9 D.9 E.7

[0049] It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that as technology advances, the concept of the present invention can be implemented in various ways. The present invention and its embodiments are not limited to the above examples, but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. forming a base solution comprising water, gelatin, and a sugar alcohol at a temperature of at least 70°C; Boiling the base solution; evaporating water under negative pressure to adjust the dry matter content of the base solution; adding a crosslinking agent to the entire base solution after evaporating the water from the base solution to form a moldable composition; and pouring the moldable composition into at least one mold to form a fishing bait; 16. A method for producing a fishing bait comprising:

2. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the method includes adding at least one additive to attract fish to the base solution.

3. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the method includes adding fibers to the base solution.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the method comprises cooling the bait to ambient temperature.

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