Abstract:
A bait bucket with aerating and cooling functions is particularly adapted for use with live bait and includes an inner bucket, an outer bucket, and an insulated tube. A bottom exterior of the inner bucket includes a water cooling system which provides a cooling and an oxygenating function to the quantity of water contained within the inner bait bucket. The outer bucket includes a fan and a vent which provide circulation and additional cooling to water cooling system.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Mar. 26, 2010, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to live bait receptacles, and in particular, to an aerated and water conditioned container for live bait to optimize a life span of the live bait. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many fishermen use an air pump or aerator in their live-well container. Such pumps inject air into the water to increase its oxygen level. This increased oxygen level allows fish or other live bait to remain alive for longer periods of time. This increased time is critical when transporting bait fish on longer duration fishing outings. However, another parameter which may affect the health of the bait even more so than oxygen levels is that of water temperature. The poor insulation capability of most bait containers coupled with long fishing times mean that many bait fish die of heat before succumbing to the lack of oxygen. 
     A common attempt to overcome this problem is the use of ice which is placed in contact with or around the live bait container or simply added to the live bait water. The use of ice has many disadvantages, particularly the lack of temperature control. Water achieving too low of a temperature can be as deadly to the bait fish as when the water is too high a temperature. Additionally, the use of ice can lead to cold pockets in the water which can put the bait fish into shock when they swim through that area. When ice is placed directly in the live bait water, the chemicals commonly found in ice can also be deadly to the live bait. 
     Various devices have attempted to overcome the disadvantages of simply packing the bait bucket in ice or adding ice to the water. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference in several U.S. patents along with devices intended only to aerate the live bait water. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,772,867 issued to Cleckner discloses an aerator intended to introduce air into the water of a fish or bait tank in order to aerate the water and remove carbon dioxide. U.S. Pat. No. 3,217,444 issued to Howard discloses a live bait storing device also intended to provide water aeration powered by a self contained battery for maintaining the live bait fish in a healthy condition. U.S. Pat. No. 3,711,986 issued to Anderson discloses an aerated bait keeper having an inner bucket insertably fit within an outer bucket and an aerating tube to introduce oxygen into the water. U.S. Pat. No. 4,677,785 issued to Lambourn discloses an aerated live bait bucket also intended to introduce oxygen to the live bait water contained within the bucket. U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,017 issued to Clark et al. discloses a live bait transporter which provides aeration of the live bait water through an air bladder which bleeds air into the water when pressure is applied. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,831,310 issued to Frangullie discloses a live bait bucket having a plurality of chambers separated by partitions to keep the live bait separated and allows ice or hot water to be introduced as a temperature control as fluid flows between the chambers. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,151,810 issued to Wiggins discloses an aquarium with improved filter and temperature control system having a water filter compartment which contains a heart exchanger for heating or cooling water which is circulated between the filter compartment and the aquarium tank. U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,019 issued to McDougle discloses an enhanced filtration and water conditioning system for a bait tank having a water filtration unit and a refrigerant based heat exchanger to condition a quantity of water circulated through the filtration unit. 
     While these attempts may achieve their purported objective each suffers from one (1) or more disadvantage or deficiency related to design or utilization. Particularly, these attempts do not overcome the many of the disadvantages as described. Those attempts that may overcome these disadvantages utilize complicated temperature conditioning systems which are not suitable for convenient transportation during a fishing outing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has therefore recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a device in which both oxygen levels and temperature levels inside of a fishing bait container can be controlled in a manner so as to address the concerns as described above. In accordance with the invention, it is an object of the present disclosure to solve these problems. 
     The inventor recognized these problems and has addressed this need by developing an aerated and water conditioned container for live bait that provides the ability to keep fishing bait alive for longer periods of time in a manner which quick, easy, and effective and also enhances the overall fishing experience and success. The inventor has thus realized the advantages and benefits of providing a an outer bucket defining an interior chamber, an insulated tube insertingly fit within the outer bucket interior chamber, and an inner bucket defining an interior chamber to contain a volume of water and live bait which is insertingly fit within the insulated tube. A lid is removably attachable to the inner bucket. A water conditioning system is disposed between the inner bucket and the outer bucket and is in fluid communication with the volume of water to aerate and cool a circulating partial volume of water from the volume of water contained within the inner bucket interior chamber. 
     The water conditioning system includes a water block which is mounted to the inner bucket bottom surface. The water block has an inlet to receive the circulated partial volume of water and an outlet to dispense the circulating partial volume of water back into the inner bucket interior chamber. A thermoelectric heat pump is mounted below the water block to transfer heat from the water block. The thermoelectric heat pump has a cold side in contact with a bottom surface of the water block and a hot side opposite the cold side. A heat sink is mounted below the thermoelectric heat pump to dissipate heat from the thermoelectric heat pump. The heat sink has a base in contact with said thermoelectric heat pump hot side and a plurality of fins extending from the base. An inner fan is mounted below the plurality of fins to increase a heat dissipating flow of air over the fins. A water pump is in fluid communication between the inner bucket outlet, the inner bucket inlet, and the water block to circulate the circulating partial volume of water through a plurality of water tubes. An air pump is in fluid communication with at least one of the water tubes through an air tube for aerating the circulating partial volume of water. A power supply is provided for supplying electrical power to the water conditioning system. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an aerated and water conditioned container for live bait, according to a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partially exploded perspective view of the aerated and water conditioned container for live bait, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a cut-away view of an inner bucket, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a cooling system, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the inner bucket, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of an insulated tube, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a cut-away perspective view of an outer bucket, according to the preferred embodiment; and, 
         FIG. 8  is a section view of the aerated and water conditioned container for live bait depicting the major functional components, according to the preferred embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  aerated and water conditioned container for live bait 
               12  water 
               13  live bait 
               14  cooling system 
               20  inner bucket 
               21  inner bucket interior surface 
               22  inner bucket bottom surface 
               23   a  inner bucket thread 
               23   b  securing handle 
               23   c  inner bucket outlet 
               23   d  inner bucket inlet 
               24   a  water block 
               24   b  water block cover 
               24   c  fastening bracket 
               24   d  aperture 
               24   e  nozzle 
               24   f  thermoelectric cooler 
               24   g  heat sink 
               24   h  inner fan 
               25   a  air pump 
               25   b  air pump outlet 
               26   a  water pump 
               26   b  water pump inlet 
               26   c  water pump outlet 
               27  “T”-fitting 
               28  air tube 
               29  water tube 
               30  lid 
               31  lid handle 
               32  lid thread 
               40  insulated tube 
               41  upper opening 
               42  lower opening 
               50  outer bucket 
               51  outer bucket interior surface 
               52  outer bucket bottom surface 
               53  lip 
               54  vent 
               55  aperture 
               56  outer fan 
               60  power source connector 
               61  electrical wiring 
               62  sealant 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 7 . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 8 , depicting an aerated and water conditioned container for live bait (herein described as an “apparatus”)  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. In accordance with the invention, the present disclosure describes a transportable storage container for live bait  13 , such as those used in fishing or similar activates requiring a live lure. The apparatus  10  includes enhanced features such as an aerating, a cooling, and a ventilation means which enable the live bait  13  to stay alive for a longer amount of time. 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the apparatus  10  and  FIG. 2  shows a partially exploded view of the apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  includes an inner bucket  20  (see also  FIGS. 3 and 5 ), a lid  30 , an insulated tube  40  (see also  FIG. 6 ), and an outer bucket  50  (see also  FIG. 7 ).  FIG. 2  depicts the apparatus  10  in a partially exploded condition for illustration purposes only, it is understood that the apparatus  10  is intended to be manufactured as a single unit having the inner bucket  20 , the insulated tube  40 , and the outer bucket  50  adhered together or integrally molded as a unitary body. 
     The inner bucket  20  holds an amount of water  12  and a plurality of live bait  13 , which can include minnows, shiners, or other aquatic live lure. The inner bucket  20  provides for the aerating and cooling conditioning of the water  12  for the benefit of to the live bait  13 . This water conditioning allows the live bait  13  to survive within the apparatus  10  for a substantially longer period of time compared to a traditional bait bucket. 
     The lid  30  attaches to the inner bucket  20  to prevent the water  12  and live bait  13  from spilling out and to prevent contaminants from entering the inner bucket  20 . The lid  30  has a general disc-shape and is threadably secured to an upper inner surface of the inner bucket  20 . The lid  30  is preferably fabricated from materials such as, but not limited to: plastic, sheet metal, or the like. The lid  30  includes a lid handle  31  which provides a grip for the user to remove or attach the lid  30 . The lid handle  31  is disposed at a center location and is depicted as including a “T”-shaped member, although other shapes may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The lid handle  31  is preferably integrally molded onto an upper surface of the lid  30  through common plastic or metal manufacturing techniques. A bottom exterior of the lid  30  includes a lid thread  32  which matingly engages an inner bucket thread  23   a  formed on the upper interior surface of the inner bucket  20 . The inner bucket thread  23   a  and lid thread  32  create an air tight seal when threadably mated which prohibits water  12  and live bait  13  from leaking. The inner bucket thread  23   a  is integrally molded into the upper surface of an inner bucket interior surface  21 . 
     The insulated tube  40  provides for additional insulative cooling to the apparatus  10  by reducing the rate of heat transfer to maintain the water  12  at a desired temperature. The outer bucket  50  also assists in insulative cooling by retaining the inner bucket  20  and the insulated tube  40  in close contact. The apparatus  10  is preferably manufactured in various sizes to accommodate various user necessities. The apparatus  10  is preferably powered by a direct current (DC) power source connector  60  (see also  FIG. 7 ). 
       FIG. 3  shows a cut-away perspective view of the inner bucket  20 ,  FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of the cooling system  14 ;  FIG. 5  shows a bottom perspective view of the inner bucket  20 ; and,  FIG. 8  shows a section view of the apparatus  10 . The inner bucket  20  has a generally cylindrical shape with an open top and closed bottom surface  22 . The inner bucket  20  is retained within the outer bucket  40  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The inner bucket  20  has an outer diameter which is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the insulated tube  40  which allows placement within. The inner bucket interior surface  21   a  is generally cylindrical in shape and the inner bucket bottom surface  22  is generally flat. The inner bucket  20  is preferably fabricated from materials similar to the lid  30 . 
     The inner bucket bottom surface  22  provides a flat surface for attachment of the cooling system  14  which provides for the dissipation of heat from the water  12 . The cooling system  14  includes a water block  24   a , a thermoelectric cooler  24   f , a heat sink  24   g , and an inner fan  24   h . The cooling system  14  cools the water  12  through conduction by dissipating heat away from the inner bucket  20 . Water  12  is routed out of the inner bucket  20  through an inner bucket outlet  23   c  which is preferably a metal or plastic tubular fitting interconnected to a length of plastic water tubing  29  routed to a water pump  26   a . The water pump  26   a  pumps water  12  out of the inner bucket  20  and into the cooling system  14 . The water pump  26   a  is preferably a twelve volt direct current (12V DC) pump. It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that similar water pumps or other commercial devices can be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The pump  26   a  is housed within the outer bucket  50 . The water pump  26   a  is also interconnected by electrical wiring  61  to the power source connector  60  to receive electrical power during operation. 
     Water  12  enters the water pump inlet  26   b  and exits the water pump outlet  26   c  and flows into the water block  24   a . Ends of the water tubes  29  are fitted with a nozzle  24   e  which is coupled to an aperture  24   d  disposed through the water block  24   a . The nozzle  24   e  connects the water tube  29  to the water block  24   a  through the apertures  24   d . The water block  24   a  provides a path for water  12  to flow through during the cooling process. A water block cover  24   b  is attached within the inner bucket  20  and the water block  24   a  is attached to an underside surface of the inner bucket bottom surface  22  by a pair of fastening brackets  24   c . The fastening brackets  24   c  are fastened to the bottom surface  22  by mechanical fasteners, non-water soluble adhesives, material welding, or the like. The water block  24   a  is preferably sealed about an outer perimeter edge with a sealant  62 , such as epoxy, to prevent leakage from the inner bucket  20 . The water block  24   a  discharges cooled water  12  from another aperture  24   d  which is fitted with another nozzle  24   e  and a water tube  29  into a plastic or metal “T”-fitting  27 . 
     The “T”-fitting  27  is also attached to a length of air tubing  28  which is received from an air pump outlet  25   b  on an air pump  25   a . The air pump  25   a  oxygenates the water  12  and benefits the health of the live bait  13 . The air pump  25   a  is preferably a twelve volt direct current (12V DC) air pump which is interconnected to the power source connector  60  by electrical wiring  61  and is also housed within the outer bucket  50 . It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that similar air pumps or other commercial devices can also be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The “T”-fitting  27  is also attached to an inner bucket inlet  23   d  which is similar to the inner bucket outlet  23   c , yet the inlet  23   d  reintroduces cooled water  12  back into the inner bucket  20  through continuation of the water tube  29 . 
     A thermoelectric cooler  24   f  is positioned subjacent to and draws heat away from the water block  24   a . The thermo electric cooler  24   f  is preferably a Peltier cooler which utilizes the Peltier effect to create a heat flux between a junction of two (2) different materials. While a Peltier cooler is preferred, it can be appreciated that other types of solid state thermoelectric heat pumps can be utilized with equal effect. The thermoelectric cooler  24   f  is in physical contact with a base of the heat sink  24   g . The heat sink  24   g  is below the thermoelectric cooler  24   f  and dissipates the heat generated by the hot side of the thermoelectric cooler  24   f . An inner fan  24   h  is mounted below the fins of the heat sink  24   g  to increase the air flow over the heat sink fins to more efficiently dissipate heat. The inner fan  24   h  is preferably a brushless DC fan, yet other air circulation devices can be utilized with equal effect without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The heat sink  24   g  preferably has an internally threaded aperture at each corner to receive a fastener in order to connect the inner fan  24   h  below the fins. The thermoelectric cooler  24   f  and the inner fan  24   h  are preferably interconnected to the power source connector  60  by the electrical wiring  61 . 
     Thus the water cooling cycle includes the warmer water entering the water block  24   a  and being routed through the internal channels. The cold side of the thermoelectric cooler  24   f  is placed in physical contact with the underside of the water block  24   a . The cold side of the thermoelectric cooler  24   f  cools the water as it passed though the water block  24   a  from the inlet aperture to the outlet aperture. The heat sink  24   g  dissipates the heat from the hot side of the thermoelectric cooler  24   f . The inner fan  24   h  transfers the flow of air surrounding the heat sink  24   g  to further reduce the temperature. 
     An upper exterior perimeter edge of the inner bucket includes a pair of opposing securing handles  23   b  which engage overtop of an upper perimeter edge of the outer bucket  50 . Each securing handles  23   b  are integrally molded into the inner bucket  20  and have a generally downwardly curved shape that engages over the upper perimeter edge of the outer bucket  50  (see  FIG. 1 ) for attachment purposes. 
       FIG. 6  shows a bottom perspective view of the insulated tube  40 . The insulated tube  40  has a slightly tapered shape and includes an open top and an open bottom. The inner diameter of the insulated tube  40  is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the inner bucket  20  and slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the outer bucket  50 , such that the insulated tube  40  fits between the inner bucket  20  and the outer bucket  50 . An upper opening  41  of the insulated tube  40  receives the inner bucket  20 . A lower opening  42  of the insulated tube  40  provides access for routing of the electrical wiring  61  and associated components. The insulated tube  40  is fabricated from materials such as, but not limited to: plastic foam, fiberglass, or the like. 
       FIG. 7  shows a cut-away perspective view of the outer bucket  50 . The outer bucket  50  has a generally cylindrical shape with slightly tapered sidewalls having an open top. The outer bucket  50  receives a combination of the inner bucket  20  and insulated tube  40  as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  8 . The outer bucket  50  also includes an outer bucket interior surface  51  and a generally flat outer bucket bottom surface  52 . An upper exterior perimeter surface includes a generally annular lip  53  for securing handles  23   b  to grip over. The lip  53  also provides an outwardly protruding ledge for the user to grasp during transportation of the apparatus  10 . The outer bucket  50  is preferably substantially larger on a longitudinal axis than the inner bucket  30  and insulated tube  40 . This extra length provides an open area between the inner bucket bottom surface  22  and the outer bucket bottom surface  52 . The water pump  26   a , the air pump  25   a , water tubes  29 , and air tube  28  are stored within this open area. The inner fan  24   h  is also directed to exhaust the warm air from the heat sink  24   g  into the open area. The outer bucket  50  is preferably fabricated from materials similar to the lid  30 . 
     A side surface of the outer bucket  50  includes a vent  54  which provides an opening for a flow of air to enter or exit the open area of the outer bucket  50  to dissipate heat and circulate the air. The vent  54  includes a rectangular shape and includes a matrix of apertures  55  to assist in the circulation of the air. The vent  54  is integrally molded into the outer bucket  50 . 
     Opposing the vent  54  is an outer fan  56  provides an air pressure to force air in to or out from the open space of the outer bucket  50 . The outer fan  56  is affixed within an opening in the outer bucket  50  and is preferably a brushless DC fan. Electrical wiring  61  interconnects the outer fan  56  and a cooling system  14  (see  FIG. 3 through 5 ) to the power source connector  60 . The power source connector  60  is preferably an electrical adapter which is electrically connected to a twelve volt DC (12V DC) power supply within vehicles, yet other power sources may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the apparatus  10 ; removing the lid  30  from the inner bucket  20  via grasping the handle  31  and disengaging the lid thread  32  from the inner bucket threading means  23 ; filling the inner bucket  20  with a desired amount of water  12  and live bait  13 ; installing the lid  30  onto the inner bucket  20  via engaging the lid thread  32  to the inner bucket threading means  23 ; transporting the apparatus  10  to a vehicle and inserting the power source connector  60  into the vehicles adapter; enabling current to power the cooling apparatus  14  to cool the water  12 , operate the air pump  25   a  to oxygenate the water  12 , operate the water pump  26   a  to circulate the water  12 , and operate the fans  24   h ,  56  to circulate the air; and, providing the ability to keep live bait  13  alive for longer periods of time in a manner which is not only quick, easy, and effective, but enhances the fishing or other similar sport experience as well. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit to the precise forms disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.