Abstract:
The present invention provides an enclosure for storing hunting apparel while imparting either a natural or artificial scent to the stored hunting apparel to mask the human scent, thereby improving the hunting of big game animals. The container has an apparel storage compartment and a scent source storage compartment. The container may be comprised of a rigid portable enclosure, a non-rigid portable enclosure, or a cabinet.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a container for storing and treating hunting apparel and, more particularly, to a container for imparting a scent to hunting apparel, or for reducing or masking the human scent on hunting apparel, thereby improving the hunting of game.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The hunting of game is an increasingly popular sport. Game, as used in this document, is meant to include animals typically characterized as deer, elk and other mammals having superior olfactory senses capable of detecting the presence of humans.  
           [0003]    One of the most widely hunted and popular game animals is the deer. Deer and other game animals have an acute sense of smell and can detect the presence of humans and articles associated with humans from great distances. It has been estimated by experts that deer have an olfactory sensitivity greater than 4,000 times that of humans.  
           [0004]    Many scents detectable by game animals are imparted to and emanate from hunting apparel. On a hunting trip, camouflage coats, vests, overalls and hunting pants are often worn several times between washings. Repeated exposure of a garment to the human scent concentrates human scents and exacerbates the problem of detection by game. Laundry detergents and other cleaning agents used on clothes contain chemicals and perfumes that combine with human scents to make the hunter even more easily detected by game. Dogs, fuels and other animals and materials contacted by hunters contribute to detection by game.  
           [0005]    There are existing methods and devices for preventing detection of the hunter by game. Hunters often reduce the chance of detection by applying a covering scent on their hunting apparel to mask the human scent. Hunting apparel can be stored in enclosures designed to prevent contamination by the human scent and to mask contamination by human related articles. Scented agents can be applied to the hunter&#39;s body or to hunting apparel to absorb or mask the human scent. Knight, U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,378, discloses an enclosure for hunting apparel having a power source and a motor for turning a circulation fan, also having a perforated shelf separating two compartments otherwise connected through a duct containing a scent cartridge for imparting a selected scent to air circulated across the hunting apparel. However, the integration of a portable power source and electrically-driven motor makes the forced air circulation enclosure cumbersome to those hunters who prefer to travel light.  
           [0006]    What is needed is a portable hunting apparel enclosure for imparting a selected scent to hunting apparel and having no heavy forced power circulation, power sources or motors. What is needed is a portable hunting apparel enclosure for imparting a selected scent to hunting apparel that can be easily transported to and assembled in the field.  
           [0007]    It is desirable that the portable hunting apparel enclosure be constructed of a lightweight and water resistant material such as coated or waxed cardboard. It is desirable that the portable hunting apparel enclosure does not require heavy components, such as batteries or a motor. It is desirable that the hunting apparel enclosure has a compartment for storing a selected scent source for imparting a masking odor to the hunting apparel stored therein.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The present invention, a portable hunting apparel enclosure, generally relates to an enclosure for storing and transporting hunting apparel, for imparting a natural scent to the hunting apparel stored therein, and for otherwise masking the human scent using scented agents or one or more scent absorbing mediums. The scented agent may be a natural scent source such as pine needles, leaves, dirt or even an animal hormone, or scent absorbing medium such as activated charcoal.  
           [0009]    One embodiment of the present invention is a portable enclosure that is a field assembled compartmentalized corrugated waxed cardboard box with one or more internal apparel storage compartments and one or more compartments for receiving and storing a scent source. The enclosure may be constructed of water resistant and corrugated cardboard which can be inexpensively pre-fabricated and compactly packaged for light transport and easy field assembly. The preferred embodiment comprises an easily assembled and collapsible cardboard grid placed in the bottom of a collapsible cardboard box. The collapsible grid may support a perforated shelf in a position generally parallel to the bottom of the collapsible box and supporting the perforated shelf in a position to allow the scent emanating from the scent source to permeate to all sides of stored hunting apparel that is stored upon and supported by the perforated shelf. Alternatively, the hunting apparel may rest on the grid itself.  
           [0010]    In one embodiment, two parallel sheets of perforated cardboard form a channel down the center of the collapsible box. A compartment formed within the channel defines the scent source storage compartment, and the space between the side of each sheet opposite the scent source compartment and the adjacent top, bottom or inside wall of the enclosure defines two apparel storage compartments. The perforations in the sheets and in the hunting apparel shelf allow the scent from the scent source to diffuse and permeate from the scent source and throughout the storage compartments of the enclosure. The top or a side of the enclosure may be securable in the closed position and openable to provide access to the hunting apparel storage compartments and to the scent source compartment. Handles may be formed into or coupled to the sides of the enclosure for facilitating portability of the enclosure once assembled.  
           [0011]    The exterior surface of the enclosure may be adapted for absorbing sunlight energy for warming hunting apparel and the scent source stored in the enclosure. For example, the outside of the container may be a dark color, whereby setting the container with the dark side disposed towards the sun would supply sufficient heat energy absorption to raise the temperature inside the enclosure, thereby increasing the concentration of the scent in the air within the enclosure. Optionally, a small heat source, with an energy source comprising either batteries or a standard electrical outlet, may be disposed in the enclosure for increasing the temperature in the enclosure before moving the enclosure to the field and thereby increasing the scent concentration in the air surrounding the hunting apparel. The higher scent concentration increases the rate of scent absorption by the hunting apparel, which is highly desirable when hunting apparel is placed in the enclosure after use to be conditioned for the next day&#39;s use. Thus, either the small heat source powered by batteries or standard electrical provisions or a radiation absorbing media, would suffice as a heat source for this invention.  
           [0012]    An alternative embodiment of the present invention is a non-rigid baglike enclosure shaped much like a common gym bag. In one embodiment, the enclosure is made of water resistant 600 DENIER polyester and has an internal lining made of 210 DENIER nylon coated with 2× polyurethane to provide an additional barrier to moisture. The enclosure has a carrying strap or handles coupled to the enclosure to facilitate carrying the enclosure into the field on a hunting trip. The non-rigid enclosure may comprise one or more apparel storage compartments that can be opened and closed with a zipper, with the zipper going from the front of one side of the bag, along the one side, across the back and along the other side of the bag to give maximum wide access to the apparel storage compartments within. Optionally, a small heat source, with an energy source selected from batteries or a standard electrical outlet may be disposed within the enclosure for increasing the temperature in the enclosure and thereby increasing the scent concentration in the air surrounding the hunting apparel. The heat source may be powered using a cigarette lighter or other auxiliary power source. The enclosure may be adapted for retaining heat within the enclosure after disconnect from an external heat source. The higher scent concentration from warming the scent source increases the rate of scent absorption of scent by the hunting apparel, which is highly desirable when hunting apparel is placed within the enclosure after use to be conditioned for the next day&#39;s use. Alternatively, the outside of the enclosure may be a dark color and the exterior may be designed for solar absorption so that simply setting the enclosure in the sun would supply sufficient heat energy to raise the temperature inside the enclosure, thereby increasing the concentration of the scent in the air within the enclosure. Thus, either a small heat source powered by batteries, standard electrical means, or by car cigarrette lighter adapter or through the use of dark colored coverings for the enclosure, radiation energy would suffice as a heat source for this invention.  
           [0013]    Another alternative embodiment of this invention comprises a rigid cabinet for imparting a scent from a scent source to hunting apparel stored therein. This embodiment may be constructed of furniture quality wood and may comprise casters to facilitate moving of the cabinet enclosure on a floor. A plastic laminate interior liner retards scent from the scent source from absorbing into the porous wood from which the rigid enclosure is made. The cabinet enclosure may have double doors on the front that open to allow maximum wide access to the apparel storage compartments. A rubber strip seals around the edges of the doors at the interface where the doors meet the periphery of the cabinet. This seal helps prevent the scent from the scent source from escaping the enclosure. A laminated wall runs vertically through the interior of the cabinet to divide the cabinet into two apparel storage compartments. In one compartment of the cabinet, a bar is provided for hanging hunting apparel stored using clothes hangers. A wire basket is provided in the scent source storage compartment for holding and supporting it the scent source off of the floor or bottom of the enclosure for better air circulation around the scent source. The wire basket can be removed for easy access and replenishment. Optionally, a small electrical resistance heat source that may be powered by a conventional electrical outlet or by portable batteries, such as through a cigarette lighter or auxiliary power source in a vehicle may be disposed within the enclosure for increasing the temperature in the enclosure and thereby increasing the scent concentration in the air surrounding the hunting apparel. The higher scent concentration increases the rate of scent absorption by the hunting apparel, which is highly desirable when hunting apparel is placed in the enclosure after use to be scent-conditioned for the next day&#39;s use. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a rigid portable enclosure for storing hunting apparel.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 shows an exterior perspective view of non-rigid portable enclosure for storing hunting apparel in its closed position.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 shows an interior perspective view of the non-rigid enclosure with the top zipper opened to expose the interior storage compartment.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a rigid cabinet enclosure for storing hunting apparel. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the portable enclosure  10  for storing hunting apparel. The enclosure  10  comprises a back  14 , front  13 , sidewalls  12 , bottom  18  and top  11 . In one embodiment, the enclosure and its internal components comprise water resistant or waxed corrugated cardboard. Any lightweight, rigid and water resistant material would be acceptable, for example, wax-coated cardboard or expanded foam polystyrene. A support grid  15  is placed on the bottom  18  to support the perforated shelf on which hunting apparel rests when stored in the enclosure  10  so that the scent emanating from the scent source can permeate throughout the enclosure  10  and through the hunting apparel stored therein. Alternatively, the grid  15  itself may support the hunting apparel without a perforated shelf.  
         [0019]    The preferred embodiment of the enclosure comprises an air flow channel formed by two generally parallel dividers  16  installed near the center of the enclosure  10 . Each inner divider  16  has a plurality of perforations  17  therethrough to facilitate air circulation between and through the compartments. The inner dividers  16  are given structural support at the top by inner wall supports  20  inserted through slots  23  in the dividers  16 .  
         [0020]    The area between the dividers  16  comprises a scent storage compartment  21 . The scent storage compartment  21  receives the scent source, for example, a scent bar with an artificial scent or a leaf bag containing debris from the hunting site to impart a natural scent. The scent emanating from the scent source diffuses through the perforations  17  from the scent storage compartment  21  into the apparel storage compartments  22  thereby permeating through the hunting apparel and imparting the scent from the scent source to the hunting apparel. The apparel storage compartments  22  are formed between the walls of the dividers  16  and the adjacent sidewalls  12  of the enclosure  10 . In one embodiment, the top  11  is hinged with the back  14  of the enclosure  10  by folding the top portion of the elongated back  14  forward to form the top  11 . However, the top  11  does not have to be hinged to the back  14 , and any means of either opening or removing the top  11  to provide access to the storage compartments  22  is acceptable.  
         [0021]    It may be desirable to seal the apparel storage compartments  22  from the exterior environment to prevent the scent from inside the container  10  from escaping the enclosure. A seal also serves to maximize the concentration of a selected scent exposed to permeate the hunting apparel in the apparel storage compartments  22 . In one embodiment, a flap  18  is formed around the perimeter of the top  11  and perpendicular to the top  11 . The flap  18  extends over the outside edges of the sidewalls  12  and front  13  when the top  11  is closed thereby providing a seal for the enclosure  10 . Handles  24  may be disposed in the side walls  12  for ease of carrying. Optionally, a small heat source with an energy source comprising batteries or a standard electrical outlet may be disposed within the enclosure for increasing the temperature within the enclosure and thereby increasing the scent concentration in the air surrounding the hunting apparel. The higher scent concentration increases the rate of scent absorption by the hunting apparel, which is highly desirable when hunting apparel is placed in the enclosure after use to be conditioned for the next day&#39;s use. Alternatively, the outside of the container may be a dark color, whereby simply setting the container outside in the sun would supply sufficient heat to raise the temperature inside the enclosure and thereby increasing the concentration of the scent in the air in the enclosure.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 shows an exterior perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention, a scented non-rigid enclosure  30  shaped much like a common gym bag. The enclosure  30  is constructed with a back  34 , front  33 , sidewalls  35 , bottom  32  and top  31 . In one embodiment, these components of the enclosure  30  are made of water resistant  600  DENIER polyester fabric; however, any flexible material is acceptable, including canvas, as long as the material is suitable for exposure to the elements encountered at a hunting site.  
         [0023]    Two handle straps  36  are connected to the sides  36  on the non-rigid enclosure to facilitate carrying. These handle straps  36  are coupled to the enclosure preferably by sewing, although any means of attaching the handle straps  36  would be acceptable. Each handle strap  36  is connected at its ends to form a “U” shape and, when each handle is pulled towards the top  31 , a handle clasp  37  clasps the handle straps  36  together for ease of carrying. One side of the top  31  is sewn to the front  33 . The other three sides of the top  31  are held to the side walls  35  and back  34  with a zipper  38 . The preferred embodiment is a self-repairing nylon zipper, but any material for the zipper  38  is acceptable. Any means for closing the top that would ensure a good seal to contain the scent within the enclosure would be acceptable, for example, VELCRO®. A shoulder strap  41  may be coupled to each sidewall  35  to facilitate ease of carrying. Optionally, a small heat source having an energy source selected from batteries or a standard electrical outlet may be disposed within the enclosure for increasing the air temperature within the enclosure and thereby increasing the scent concentration in the air surrounding the hunting apparel. The higher scent concentration increases the rate of scent absorption by the hunting apparel, which is highly desirable when hunting apparel is placed within the enclosure after use to be conditioned for the next day&#39;s use. Alternatively, the outside of the enclosure may be a dark color, whereby simply setting the enclosure in the sun would supply sufficient heat to raise the temperature inside the enclosure, thereby increasing the concentration of the scent in the air within the enclosure.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 3 shows an interior perspective view of the non-rigid enclosure  30 , a non-rigid portable container for storing and imparting a scent to hunting apparel.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cabinet-type enclosure  50  embodiment of the invention, a cabinet enclosure for storing and imparting a selected scent to hunting apparel. The enclosure  50  is constructed with a back  56 , front doors  54 , sidewalls  53 , bottom  52  and top  51 . In the preferred embodiment, these components are constructed of furniture quality oak veneer. However, any rigid material would be suitable, for example, other woods, cardboard or plastic, as long as they provide the structural support required of the enclosure  50  or have additional support members added as necessary to support the cabinet. The scent storage compartment  58  of the enclosure  50  is formed in the space between the bottom  52  and a horizontal divider  60  attached to the sidewalls  53  and back  56 . Any means of attaching the horizontal divider  60  to the sidewalls  53  and back  56  is acceptable. The divider  60  has a plurality of perforations  61 . An access door  64  to the scent compartment is provided. Alternatively, the doors  64  may extend downward so that, upon opening the doors  64 , access to the scent storage compartment  58  is provided along with access to the apparel storage compartments  59 . The scent storage compartment  58  receives the scent source, either a scent bar with an artificial scent or a leaf bag containing debris from the hunting site, to impart a natural scent to hunting apparel stored within the enclosure  50 . The scent source may be stored within a wire basket  62 . The scent source basket  62  may be attached to a slide to allow the wire basket  62  to slide out, or it could merely rest on the bottom  52  of the enclosure. The scent emanating from the scent source diffuses through the vent holes  61  from the scent storage compartment  58  to the apparel storage compartments  59  permeating the hunting apparel and allowing the hunting apparel to absorb the scent. The apparel storage compartments  59  are formed between the top  51 , the sidewalls  53  and the divider  60 . In one embodiment, a vertical apparel compartment divider  57  is attached to the back  56 , divider  60  and the top  51 . Two front doors  54  are connected to the cabinet enclosure with hinges to the sidewalls  53 . The front doors  53  close to form the front of the enclosure  50 , and open to provide wide access to the apparel storage compartment  59  and to the scent source compartment  58 . A separate scent source door may be used to isolate the scent source storage compartment  58 . A rubber strip  64  around the interior edge of the front doors  53  provides sealing between the edges of the top  51 , bottom  52 , sidewalls  53 , and the apparel compartment divider  57 . It is desirable to seal the apparel storage compartments  59  and the scent source storage compartment  58  from the environment to prevent the scent inside the enclosure  50  from escaping to the outside and to maximize the concentration of the scent available to permeate hunting apparel stored within the apparel storage compartments  58 . The apparel compartment divider  57  defines two distinct apparel compartments  59  and also serves to minimize scent concentration loss from the container  50  when a door  54  is opened, especially if the hunter gains access to only one apparel storage compartment  58  by opening only one door  54 . In one embodiment, at least one storage shelf  65  and at least one storage basket  66  attached to the shelf are included in the apparel storage compartment  59  for apparel storage. Casters  67  are attached to each bottom  52  corner to facilitate moving the cabinet  50  on a floor. Optionally, a small heat source, with an energy source of batteries or a standard electrical outlet, may be disposed within the enclosure for increasing the temperature within the enclosure and thereby increasing the scent concentration in the air surrounding the hunting apparel. The higher scent concentration increases the rate of scent absorption by the hunting apparel which is highly desirable when hunting apparel is placed in the enclosure after use to be conditioned for the next day&#39;s use.  
         [0026]    While the foregoing is directed to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.