Elastic-Lid Bait Container for Trap Refilling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional bait containers in commercial fishing traps are prone to bait loss and damage due to crustaceans' claws, requiring frequent replacement and time-consuming refilling processes.

Innovation Solution

A bait container with a closed sidewall and openable top made of rigid material, secured to the trap with elastic connectors, allowing easy access for crustaceans while resisting claw damage and simplifying refilling by integrating with the trap's door mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional bait bags are used, then the bait can be easily inserted and secured, but the bags are easily torn by crustacean claws leading to bait loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of bait insertionVSAvoidresistance to crustacean claws

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a rigid container with a flexible lid that can be opened and closed. The rigid body provides claw resistance while the flexible lid allows easy bait insertion and removal. This combination resolves the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability against crustacean claws.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The container combines rigid material for the body (resistant to claws) with a flexible material for the lid (easy to open and close). This composite structure simultaneously achieves both ease of bait insertion and resistance to crustacean damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If bait bags are securely tied in traps, then the bait is held in place, but the process of tying and untying becomes time consuming when refilling hundreds of traps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebait retention in trapVSAvoidtime for tying and refilling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is designed to be dynamically openable and closable, allowing quick bait replacement. The elastic connector provides automatic retention when closed, eliminating the need for time-consuming tying while maintaining reliable bait security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic connector automatically secures the lid when closed, providing self-service bait retention without requiring manual tying. This eliminates the time-consuming tying process while ensuring reliable bait retention in the trap.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the bait container is made of rigid material, then it resists crustacean claws, but it becomes more difficult to open and refill

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to claw damageVSAvoidease of opening for refilling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container is segmented into a rigid body and a separate flexible lid. The rigid body provides claw resistance while the flexible lid is easy to open and close. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible lid contrasts with the rigid body, providing ease of opening and closing. The flexible material allows simple manual operation while the rigid body maintains resistance to crustacean claws, resolving the contradiction between durability and operability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Productivity

If traditional bait bags are used, then they can be quickly inserted, but they require regular replacement when torn or depleted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial bait placement efficiencyVSAvoidservice life of bait container

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic lid allows for easy bait replenishment without removing the entire container. The rigid body with flexible lid enables both quick initial insertion and extended service life through simple refilling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The container enables continuous operation by allowing quick bait refilling without removal. The rigid body withstands crustacean claws throughout extended use, while the flexible lid facilitates continuous bait replenishment, extending the service life significantly compared to traditional bags.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution ensures longer bait retention, reduces bait loss, and significantly saves time in refilling, as the container remains in place and is refilled without removing it from the trap.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic connector having two ends may be affixed on one end to the openable top and on the other end to the bottom of the trap, the elasticity of the connector securing the lid in a closed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11369097B2Bait container

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 BRAWN PATRICIA

AI summary

A bait container that is attached to inside of a trap, the bait container having a sidewall that forms an enclosure along with a cover that may open and close, a first connector that connects the cover to a door on the trap and a second connector that has some elasticity and that connects the cover to a lower or bottom portion of the container or the trap, the second connector securing the cover in a closed position when the trap door is closed and the first connector opening the cover when the trap is open such that the cover to the bait container is opened or closed as a user opens and closes the door to the trap.