US4503077A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for preserving fishing bait
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-01-24
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Granted: 1985-03-05
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Expires: 2003-01-24
Abstract
Abstract A method for preserving fishing bait, including worms, crickets, shrimp, crawfish, grasshoppers, frogs, minnows and other live bait organisms, which includes the steps of cleaning the bait organisms where such cleaning is necessary, pre-cooling the organisms where such pre-cooling is necessary, and subjecting the organisms to a freezing, condensing, evacuating and heating environment to remove water, and then separating and packaging the bait organisms. The freezing step is accomplished at a temperature below the eutectic of the selected of the bait organisms, and placing of the processed bait organisms in water restores the life-like appearance and odor of the organisms.
Inventors
- 👤 Truman V. Horton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:40
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23K; A23K30/00; A23K30/20; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S426/00; Y10S426/805
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for preserving worms for fishing bait comprising the steps of: (a) introducing said worms into a rotating screen whereby bedding material is removed from said worms; (b) placing said worms in a heaped mass on a flat surface for about 5 to about 10 minutes to allow the natural movement of said worms to work bedding material to the top of the heap to complete the removal of the bedding material from said worms; (c) precooling said worms; (d) freezing said worms at a temperature at least as low as the eutectic temperature of said worms; (e) condensing water vapour surrounding said worms; (f) evacuating air and non-condensable vapors surrounding said worms; and (g) slowly heating said worms to a temperature of about 20 degrees centigrade.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for preserving worms for fishing bait comprising the steps of: (a) introducing said worms into a rotating screen whereby bedding material is removed from said worms; (b) placing said worms in a heaped mass on a flat surface for about 5 to about 10 minutes to allow the natural movement of said worms to work bedding material to the top of the heap to complete the removal of the bedding material from said worms; (c) precooling said worms; (d) freezing said worms at a temperature at least as low as the eutectic temperature of said worms; (e) condensing water vapour surrounding said worms; (f) evacuating air and non-condensable vapors surrounding said worms; and (g) slowly heating said worms to a temperature of about 20 degrees centigrade.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for preserving worms for fishing bait comprising the steps of: (a) introducing said worms into a rotating screen whereby bedding material is removed from said worms; (b) placing said worms in a heaped mass on a flat surface for about 5 to about 10 minutes to allow the natural movement of said worms to work bedding material to the top of the heap to complete the removal of the bedding material from said worms; (c) precooling containers and placing said worms in said containers; (d) freezing said worms at a temperature at least as low as the eutectic freezing temperature of said worms; (e) condensing water vapor in the atmosphere surrounding said worms at a temperature of about minus 55 degrees centrigrade; (f) evacuating air and non-condensable vapors from the atmosphere surrounding said worms at a vacuum of about 100 microns; and (g) slowly heating said worms to a temperature of about 20 degrees centigrade.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for preserving worms for fishing bait comprising the steps of: (a) introducing said worms into a rotating screen whereby bedding material is removed from said worms; (b) placing said worms in a heaped mass on a flat surface for about 5 to about 10 minutes to allow the natural movement of said worms to work bedding material to the top of the heap to complete the removal of the bedding material from said worms; (c) precooling containers and placing said worms in said containers; (d) freezing said worms at a temperature at least as low as the eutectic freezing temperature of said worms; (e) condensing water vapor in the atmosphere surrounding said worms at a temperature of about minus 55 degrees centrigrade; (f) evacuating air and non-condensable vapors from the atmosphere surrounding said worms at a vacuum of about 100 microns; and (g) slowly heating said worms to a temperature of about 20 degrees centigrade.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 2 further comprising the step of introducing said worms into a vibrating screen after said heating, whereby said worms are separated for packaging.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-03-04 | 1988-09-03 | 1989-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-03-04 | 1992-09-03 | 1993-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-03-04 | 1996-09-03 | 1997-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |