Abstract:
Apparatus for attracting wild game, such as deer, to a selected area is provided. A liquid attractant for the game is pumped from a reservoir through a nozzle for dispersal as a mist in or near the area. A battery-powered pump may be activated remotely.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to apparatus and method for use in hunting wild animals. More particularly, apparatus for pumping a spray of animal attractant into the air when activated by a remote operator is provided. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    The use of attractants for wild animals is widely known. One well-known procedure, for example, is the placing of urine from female deer to attract bucks into an area where hunters are located. Other procedures and attractants are used for other wild animals. 
         [0005]    A wide variety of techniques has been suggested for placing the attractant, which is normally a liquid. One simple approach is for the hunter to pour the attractant onto one or more pads and to attach the pads to trees around the hunting site. The problem with this method is that no true dispersal of the pheromones takes place. The liquid applied to the pads dries rapidly and the pad becomes ineffective. Another product on the market uses pre-packaged aerosol cans filled with scented liquid. The can may be attached to a battery-operated device to push the button on the can, which in turn disperses the scent. A few limitations of this method of application are that the product in the aerosol can lack the freshness of other attractants, decreasing its effectiveness. Another limitation is the lack of choices the canned attractants provide, since all scents are not available in all areas of the country. 
         [0006]    Other approaches have been described in the patent literature. U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,664 discloses a device for attracting animals. It includes a provision for a radio-controlled mechanism to operate stimulators, including rattling antlers and scent sprays. A scent-containing bottle is operatively joined to a pressurized aerosol spray canister. Transmitted radio signals operate the scent-dispersing mechanism. U.S. Patent Application US 2004/0064995 discloses dispersal of animal scents in liquid bubbles. The bubbles are created by hand operations. U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,643 discloses a fan designed to assist in removal of scent from a liquid-retaining sponge member. A flow of air is directed over the sponge member and liquid in the sponge generates an odor to attract animals. U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,689 discloses an animal scent-dispersing apparatus for laying a scent trail while a user is walking to a selected location. It includes a liquid-absorbing dragging material with a container or animal scent. The container includes a spraying mechanism to release the scent from the container and onto the dragging material. 
         [0007]    What is needed is a device for spraying animal scents that is simple to manufacture and use, that requires minimum maintenance and supply of parts and that affords maximum versatility in selection of scents and pattern of dispersal. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0008]    A pump, battery, remote control unit and reservoir mounted inside an enclosure are provided. The inlet of the pump receives liquid containing a selected scent. The liquid is contained in a reservoir. The outlet of the pump is attached to a misting nozzle, which is mounted outside of the enclosure. The pump is electrically connected to the battery. The enclosure may be attached to an object such as a tree using a mounting strap that may be provided with the enclosure. A hunter may activate the pump via remote control. Instead of a remote control operation, operation of the motor may be activated by wireless motion detectors or by a timer, which are well known in the art. The nozzle then disperses particles of the liquid (usually containing pheromones) into the air around the desired area. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a sketch of one embodiment of components of the scent dispersal system. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a schematic of one embodiment of an electrical circuit for operation of the system. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a drawing of the system in operation when attached to a support. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , scent-disperser system  10  is shown. Case  12  encloses some of the components of the system. Enclosed is battery  13 , which may be a rechargeable battery. A battery charger (not shown) may be enclosed within case  12  or may be externally connected to battery  13 . The battery charger may be solar powered. Motor  14  drives pump  15 , which is used to disperse a liquid through outlet tube  21  and nozzle  22 . Outlet tube  21  may connect to a plurality of tubes and nozzles  22 , which may be arranged in a preferred pattern around case  12 . 
         [0013]    Pump  15  receives liquid through inlet tube  17 , which may include filter  17 A. The distal end of tube  17  is immersed in the liquid in container  18 , which may be a 4 oz. bottle adapted to receive tube  17 . Multiple reservoirs for different scents may be included within cabinet  12 . Motor  14  may be activated when a radio signal is received by receiver  19 . Receiver  19  may include a timer that provides an output voltage for a specific time, such as 5 seconds. The timer may be adjustable for varying time intervals. On/off switch  20  may be used to disconnect battery  13  when the system is not in use. 
         [0014]      FIG. 2   b  shows a sketch of the electrical circuit for one embodiment of system  10 . Battery  13  connects to switch  20 , which may be used to deactivate the system or turn it off when not in use. Radio receiver  19  provides power from battery  13  to motor  14  when activated by receipt of a radio signal at antenna  25 . Sending unit  30 A ( FIG. 2   a ) may be used to activate motor  14  by operating button  27  or  28 . As an alternate method for activating pump  14 , timer  32  may be connected and provide power from battery  13  to motor  14  when timer  32  establishes electrical connection. Timer  32  may be set for time of connection and duration of connection. Extra buttons, such as  27  or  28 , may be used to activate other apparatus attached to and operated along with unit  10  or one button may be used to activate multiple units. One such other apparatus may be a built-in speaker for game calls. Game calls may be provided by digital recordings, as is well known in the art, and may be remotely activated. 
         [0015]      FIG. 3  shows cabinet  12  of system  10  attached to a tree using strap  30 , which may be furnished with system  10 . Nozzle  22  is shown providing spray  29 . Case  12  may be colored in a camouflage manner as shown. 
         [0016]    Battery  13  is preferably a 12 volt battery having a capacity of at least 1.3 ampere-hours. Such batteries are available from a variety of sources. Preferably such battery may be charged and discharged numerous times to provide a long lifetime source of power. 
         [0017]    Motor  14  and pump  15  preferably provide a selected output pressure of liquid at a selected flow rate. Preferable flow rates are normally in the range from about 0.2 oz/min to about 1 oz/min. A minimum pressure from pump  15  is preferably selected to produce a spray from a selected nozzle size. For example, a nozzle having an orifice of 0.015 inch was found to require a pressure of at least about 45 psi at a flow rate of about 0.5 oz/min to produce a spray of fine particles. Nozzle  22  may be selected from orifice sizes commonly available in industry. The pump is preferably a commonly used DC powered pump-motor combination with at least about 35 psi output at a selected flow rate. Motor efficiency is desired to conserve battery power. 
         [0018]    Inlet tube  17  ( FIG. 1 ) is preferably plastic tubing. Attached to the distal end of tubing  17  is preferably filter  17 A. Filter  17 A may be a filter commonly used for liquids. The filter will decrease the probability of clogging of nozzle  22 . A 4 oz bottle is suitable for vessel  18 . 
         [0019]    Remote receiver  19  is of the type that is commonly available and used for car alarms, door locks and other remotely operated apparatus utilizing DC power. It may be activated by key chain remote transmitter  30  ( FIG. 1 ) or other transmitters known in the art. 
         [0020]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific details, it is not intended that such details should be regarded as limitations on the scope of the invention, except as and to the extent that they are included in the accompanying claims.