Bait container assembly

A bait container assembly for sifting worms from dirt includes a tube, which defines an interior space and which has opposed ends that are open. Each of a pair of lids is hingedly engaged to a respective opposed end of the tube. The lid is selectively engageable to the tube to close the respective opposed end. A grate engaged to the tube defines a pair of compartments within the interior space. The grate sifts worms from dirt positioned in one of the compartments upon inversion of the tube.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to container assemblies and more particularly pertains to a new container assembly for sifting worms from dirt.

The prior art relates to container assemblies for fishing bait, and in particular worms. Prior art container assemblies may comprise containers for minnows having strainers, containers having a spiked axle or rotating screw positioned therethrough for lifting worms to a surface of dirt positioned in the containers, and containers accessible from opposing faces.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a tube, which defines an interior space and which has opposed ends that are open. Each of a pair of lids is hingedly engaged to a respective opposed end of the tube. The lid is selectively engageable to the tube to close the respective opposed end. A grate engaged to the tube defines a pair of compartments within the interior space. The grate is configured to sift worms from dirt positioned in one of the compartments upon inversion of the tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As best illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 7, the bait container assembly10generally comprises a tube12, which defines an interior space14and which has opposed ends16that are open. The tube12may be cylindrical, as shown inFIGS. 1-7, although the present invention anticipated the tube12being alternately shaped, such as, but not limited to, rectangularly box shaped, ovally shaped (when viewed from a respective opposed end16of the tube12), and the like.

Each of a pair of lids18is hingedly engaged to a respective opposed end16of the tube12. The lid18is selectively engageable to the tube12to close the respective opposed end16. Each lid18has a first fastener20engaged thereto. The first fastener20is complementary to a second fastener22, which is engaged to the tube12. The first fastener20is positioned to selectively engage the second fastener22to removably secure the lid18to the tube12to close an associated opposed end16thereof. The first fastener20and the second fastener22may comprise a latch24, as shown inFIG. 2, or other fastening means, such as, but not limited to, clasps, screw tops, and the like. The latch24may be spring loaded.

A grate26engaged to the tube12defines a pair of compartments28within the interior space14. The grate26is configured to sift worms from dirt positioned in one of the compartments28upon inversion of the tube12.

The grate26is selectively engageable to the tube12, as shown inFIG. 1, so that the grate26is selectively removable therefrom. The grate26is one of a set of grates26. Each grate26of the set of grates26has a respective mesh size30so that the set of grates26comprises grates26having a variety of mesh sizes30. A respective grate26is selectively engageable to the tube12to sift worms of an associated size. Having grates26of a variety of mesh sizes30allows the user to select a grate26having a mesh size30appropriate for the worms that are positioned in the tube12.

The set of grates26comprises a first grate32, which has a mesh size30of 1.27 centimeters, and a second grate34, which has a mesh size30of 0.64 centimeters. The first grate32is configured to retain large worms thereupon and the second grate34is configured to retain large and small worms thereupon.

A ridge36is engaged to the tube12and positioned in the interior space14. The ridge36is positioned to engage the grate26as the grate26is inserted into the tube12. The ridge36is positioned substantially equally distant from the opposed ends16of the tube12so that the compartments28are substantially volumetrically equivalent. The compartments28being substantially volumetrically equivalent permits a user to repeatedly invert the tube12to obtain a worm, as upon each inversion, the dirt passes from one compartment28to the other, with the worms being retained upon the grate26. The worms traverse the grate26slowly and reenter the dirt.

A handle38is engaged to the tube12and is positioned perpendicularly to the opposed ends16. The handle38is configured to be grasped in a hand of a user, positioning the user to invert the tube12. The handle38comprises a pair of D-rings40and a bar42. Each D-ring40is hingedly engaged to the bar42proximate to a respective opposed limit44thereof. The handle38is selectively positionable in a deployed configuration, wherein the bar42is distal from the tube12, and a stowed configuration, wherein the bar42is positioned in substantial abutment with the tube12.

A pair of strap rings46is engaged to the tube12proximate to a respective opposed end16. Each strap ring46is configured to selectively engage a coupler48engaged to a respective opposing end50of a strap52to engage the strap52to the tube12. The strap52can be positioned over a shoulder of the user to carry the tube12and contents thereof.

In use, the worms and dirt are positioned in one of the compartments28and a respective grate26is inserted so that it engages the ridge36. When a worm is required, the user grasps the handle38and inverts the tube12. The dirt passes through the grate26, which retains the worms thereupon. The user opens a respective lid18to access a worm. The worms migrate through the grate26to reenter the dirt, positioning the user to again invert the tube12to obtain another worm, as required.