Catcher basket assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a catcher basket assembly including a main body, at least one confining container for containing an animal, and at least one directing part in the main body, for assisting to direct the animal from the main body to the confining container. In use, the directing part directs an animal towards one or more confining container and the confining container enables the animal to be visually inspected and sorted without the need to make direct contact with the animal. The invention also relates to a catcher basket assembly for confining and sorting a crab. The invention also relates to a method of use of a catcher basket assembly.

Claims

1. A catcher basket assembly, for confining animals, the catcher basket assembly comprising: a main body; at least one confining container for containing the animal; and at least one directing part in the main body, for assisting to direct the animal from the main body to the at least one confining container, the directing part including at least one divider, wherein, the directing part and divider directs an animal towards the at least one confining container and the at least one confining container enables the animal to be visually inspected and sorted without the need to make direct contact with the animal, and wherein the at least one confining container includes a door movable between a substantially open state which permits the animal to pass into the confining container and a substantially closed state whereby the door substantially prevents the animal from leaving the confining container.

2. The catcher basket assembly of claim 1, wherein holes, slots or gaps are incorporated into the catcher basket assembly to enable free air flow and water flow to keep the animals comfortable during confinement and to enable visual inspection without the handler needing to handle the animal directly.

3. The catcher basket assembly of claim 2, wherein the visual inspection is chosen from the following group: to determine if the animal meets the local authority requirements to keep the animal; to determine the sex of the animal; to determine the size of the animal; or to determine any suitable features or characteristics of the animal to be considered.

4. The catcher basket assembly of claim 1, wherein the confinement is of a plurality of animals such that each individual animal is confined in a single confinement container.

5. The catcher basket assembly of claim 1, wherein the main body is of a stackable shape and wherein a plurality of stackable main bodies are supplied and the plurality of stackable main bodies are stacked to transport a plurality of animals.

6. The catcher basket assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one confining container includes a pair or pairs of opposed sides about a base and with a top, ends being formed in one pair of opposed sides and at least one end of the confining container includes a door.

7. The catcher basket assembly of claim 1 wherein the door is a trapdoor.

8. The catcher basket assembly of claim 1, wherein the door slides in a slot between a substantially open position wherein the animal is substantially confined.

9. The catcher basket assembly of claim 1, wherein a plurality of confining containers are included and each confining container is stacked within the main body once the confining container contains a captured animal.

10. The catcher basket assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one divider is a substantially rectangular divider.

11. The catcher basket assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one divider runs across the body to divide the body into two or more sections.

12. The catcher basket assembly of claim 11, wherein an animal moving from one section of the main body to another must enter one of the at least one confining containers.

13. The catcher basket assembly of claim 1, wherein the divider divides the main body and a confining container is placed so as to be substantially open and in this way the animal is prevented from entering another part of the body, other than the confining container.

14. The catcher basket assembly of claim 1, wherein the animal is directed by the divider to enter the desired confining container through a substantially open door.

15. The catcher basket assembly of claim 1, wherein two dividers are included, one to divide the main body in one direction and one to divide the main body in another direction.

16. The catcher basket assembly of claim 1, wherein one divider is included to divide a top section of the main body in two, but is open at a lower section enabling the animal to travel to the lower part of the main body.

17. A catcher basket assembly for confining crabs, the catcher basket assembly comprising: a main body; a plurality of confining containers for containing individual crabs each confining container having a door moveable between a closed and open state; a first divider across the main body leaving an opening between the base and the lower part of the divider, for assisting to direct the animal from the main body to the confining container; and a second divider running substantially perpendicular to the first, across the main body from an end to the first divider, between the base and the lower part of the divider for assisting to direct the crab from the main body to the confining container, wherein, the dividers direct a crab towards one or more substantially open confining containers, whereby in the closed state the door confines the crab therein, and the confining container enables the crab to be visually inspected and sorted without the need to make direct contact with the crab.

18. A method of use of a catcher basket assembly for confining an animal, the method comprising the steps: a) Providing a catcher basket assembly comprising: i. a main body; ii. at least one confining container for containing the animal; and iii. at least one directing part in the main body, for assisting to direct the animal from the main body to the at least one confining container, the directing part including at least one divider, wherein, the directing part and divider directs an animal towards the at least one confining container and the at least one confining container enables the animal to be visually inspected and sorted without the need to make direct contact with the animal, and wherein the at least one confining container includes a door movable between a substantially open state which permits the animal to pass into the confining container and a substantially closed state whereby the door substantially prevents the animal from leaving the confining container; b) Putting an animal in the main body; and c) Closing the door of the confining container once the animal is within the confining container.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising at least one step selected from the group: visually inspecting the animal, once contained; sorting the animals by size, sex or other characteristics, once contained; or stacking a plurality of confining containers in the main body for transportation or short term storage.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be described in connection with a non-limiting preferred embodiment, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of a catcher basket assembly with the boxes removed, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a plan view from above of the catcher basket assembly of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the catcher basket assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2;

(5) FIG. 4 is a side view of the catcher basket assembly of FIGS. 1 to 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the catcher basket assembly of FIGS. 1 to 4;

(7) FIG. 6 is an end view of the catcher basket assembly of FIGS. 1 to 5;

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the catcher basket assembly of FIGS. 1 to 6, with a box installed.

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the catcher basket assembly of FIGS. 1 to 7, showing how two boxes are installed with their doors open;

(10) FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the catcher basket assembly of FIGS. 1 to 8, showing the stacking arrangement of the boxes;

(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the catcher basket assembly of FIGS. 1 to 9, showing the stacked boxes;

(12) FIG. 11 is a view from above of the catcher basket assembly of FIG. 10, stacked with boxes;

(13) FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the catcher basket assembly of FIGS. 10 and 11;

(14) FIG. 13 is a plan view from above of the catcher basket assembly of FIGS. 10 to 12;

(15) FIG. 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view from above of the catcher basket assembly of FIG. 7;

(16) FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a box of FIGS. 7 to 13;

(17) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the box of FIG. 15 with the door open;

(18) FIG. 17 is a plan view from above of the box of FIG. 15 or 16;

(19) FIG. 18 is a longitudinal cross-section of the box of FIGS. 15 to 17; and

(20) FIG. 19 is an end view of the box of FIGS. 15 to 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION INCLUDING A BEST MODE

(21) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 19, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described, where catcher basket assembly 1, has basket 5 with base 10, opposed long sides 12 and 14 and opposed short sides 16 and 18. Catcher basket assembly 1 is in the form of a rectangular based crate or basket which is useful to stack and transport, either on a boat or on land. Handles 20 and 22 are included in short sides 16 and 18 in the form of cut-outs into which a person may place their hand. Other forms of handle could be used too, but basket 5 is designed to be a simple, stackable container, similar to crates used in the industry at present. Each of sides 12, 14, 16, and 18 are shown made of a strong plastics material as is common in the art. Metal or other materials could be used instead. Slots are included in each of the sides 12, 14, 16, and 18 to reduce the overall weight and to enable water to escape, and air to flow freely. Base 10 similarly, has a pattern of holes to enable liquid or waste to drain away and air to flow. Other forms of holes, slots or drainage may be used instead.

(22) As described so far, basket 5 is somewhat similar to a crate or basket used in the industry for display or transport of seafood. However dividers 24 and 26 are included, which are important to enable the safe directing and handling of the crabs through the whole process from catching, through sorting and transportation for sale. Dividers 24 and 26 are both generally rectangular dividers made of a plastics material, and can be seen in particular in FIGS. 3, 5 and 7. Divider 24 divides basket 5 into 2 generally equal halves by spanning from long side 14 to long side 16. Divider 24 is sized to block from the upper edge of basket 5 downwards but is open across the base. The gap between the base and the lowermost edge of divider 24 is sized so that the open door of a box 28 can fit underneath.

(23) Divider 26 runs from divider 24 to end 16 such that the base is divided into two parts, each suitable to fit a box 28. Use of dividers 24 and 26 guide crabs put in basket 5 towards a box 28. A crab cannot simply climb over or out or go elsewhere, the crab is directed to go under divider 24 and either left or right, due to divider 26.

(24) One or two boxes 28 can be placed on base 10 with trapdoors 30 raised out of slots 31, refer FIG. 16 in particular, and open so that a crab placed or tipped on base 5 can find their way inside. One trapdoor 30 at a time may be opened. Each box 28 has base 32 surrounded by opposed long sides 34 and 36 and short sides or ends 38 and 40. Short side or end 40 contains trapdoor 30 in slot 31. Top 42 completes box 28, to be able to contain an animal when trapdoor 30 is closed or release an animal when trap door 30 is open. The particular form of trapdoor 30 is a simple slide up and down mechanism which is held open by resting on slight projections, which are easily pushed passed to close trapdoor 30. The form of trapdoor 30 is convenient as it is very easily used and does not have complex moving parts that could become dirty or stop working. The simple sliding mechanism works very well for an item, as described being used in the seafood industry.

(25) Handle recess 44 for handle 46 enables a person to easily hook a hand or fingers around handle 46 and carry box 28. Other forms or handle may be used instead but the recess handle is useful as it does not interfere with the stackable cuboid shape of box 28. Box 28 is illustrated with a pattern of holes throughout the base 32, top 42 and sides 34, 36, 38 and 40. Each of these is formed of a plastics material and the holes enable the confined animal to breath and water drain away. The holes and slots throughout basket 5 and boxes 28 assist for flow and drainage of water and airflow which is all beneficial for the health of the crabs.

(26) The crabs (not shown) naturally move to crevices and protection and so find their way from the open body of basket 5 into box 28, looking for a cave or crevice to hide in, but finding an empty container instead. In addition basket 5 can be gently tipped to encourage movement of the crab into box 28. The apparatus is very simple to use in this way and does not interfere with the health of the crab, important for the crab but also the ultimate sale price. Once in box 28, trapdoor 30 can be released through a simple catch mechanism held up until pushed past the resistance to confine the crab. Once the crab is in box 28 it can be lifted up by the person safely, without the need to handle the crab itself. The crab is carefully confined, and safe from damage, but also the sharp claws are kept away from being able to nip a person. The crab can be measured and sexed within box 28 to see if the local requirements are met so that the crab can be kept. Very close inspection of the crab may be made safely as the crab is contained within the box. If the animal is too small or a female where females need to be returned, the crab can easily be released back into the water through use of trapdoor 30. For example, the crab can be quickly checked and sorted and if not suitable for sale returned to the water by tipping out of the container thorough an open trapdoor 30. The whole process is much less stressful for the crab, as it is quick and does not required a fight between the crab and handler. The handler also benefits and his or her hands are protected but the crab can be easily seen and sorted, giving confidence to perform the job efficiently.

(27) Two or more boxes 28 can be placed on base 5 at a time and crabs will quickly find their way in, to the cave or crevice like boxes, as directed. In use it is quite amazing, that the natural desire of the crabs to hide means they sort and separate themselves into the confining containers once in the clever inventive apparatus. Once in box 28 each crab can be contained and removed by handling box 28. The process can be repeated for multiple boxes until all the crabs are safely confined. Many boxes 28 can each be filled with a single animal and efficiently stacked for transport and sale. Boxes 28 are adapted to be stacked into basket 5 for transport as can be seen in particular in FIG. 9. 10 boxes 28 are shown stacked inside to transport the crabs as is convenient. Other configurations may be used instead, to safely stack the crabs, each confined in its own box 28. Other arrangements can also be used as the person skilled in the art would find useful to the particular application of the invention.

(28) Boxes 28 have improved stackability through use of raised square feet 48, which may rest in reciprocating recesses in some forms of the invention. Use of the feet prevents sliding so that boxes 28 can be maintained within basket 5. In this manner, the multiple stacked boxes advantageously can be transported distances safely, with the crabs contained. Both the main body and individual boxes may be stackable and include means to assist this stacking as would be understood by a person skilled in the art.

(29) In use, a commercial fisher may bring up a trap and have three mud crabs. These are tipped into basket 5 of catcher basket assembly 1. One at a time a mud crab may enter open trapdoor 30 and the fisher can release trapdoor 30 so it slides in slot 31 to close. At this point box 28 containing the mud crab may be removed. The size, condition and sex of the crab can be assessed visually through the open sides of box 28. If the crab is undersize trapdoor 31 is opened and the mud crab returned quickly and safely to the sea. If the mud crab is suitable to be kept it remains safe and comfortable in box 28. Another box 28 has in the meantime replaced the first and both boxes on base 10 now contain the remaining two crabs. Each can again be assessed and kept and the boxes put aside. The process may be repeated for the next crab pot, two crabs this time, tipped into assembly 1 and make their way into new open boxes 28. The process is repeated for all the crabs and once 10 collected these can be stacked in basket 5 for safe transportation.

(30) A fisher will use several sets of apparatus at the same time to speed up the capture, confinement and sorting of crabs. Once all sorted these can be stacked into basket 5 for transportation. Due to the safe confinement and gentle handling the process is easier on both the fisher and the crab. Good water and airflow makes it easier to keep the crabs comfortable for transportation to the port for direct sale or for further transportation to market or a customer.

(31) The whole process is more efficient, safer and better for the health and condition of the crab, most beneficial. The inventor has through a simple to use but sophisticated system overcome some significant problems for crab fishers. It is likely that the invention will be welcomed in the industry once made available.

(32) It is envisaged that other small animals either for research purposes, agriculture or in the foods industry may also be confined, handled and sorted using the assembly.

(33) It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that changes may be made to the embodiment disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its various aspects.

(34) TABLE-US-00001 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST: 1 Catcher basket assembly 5 Basket 10 Base 12 1.sup.st long side 14 2.sup.nd long side 16 1.sup.st short side 18 2.sup.nd short side 20 Handle of 16 22 Handle of 18 24 Divider (crossways) 26 Divider (lengthways) 28 Boxes 30 Trap door of 28 31 Slot for trap door 32 Base of 28 34 1.sup.st long side of 28 36 2.sup.nd long side of 28 38 1.sup.st short side of 28 40 2.sup.nd short side of 28 42 Top of 28 44 Handle recess 46 Handle 48 Feet 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70 72 74