DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of net making. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a composite twine for constructing a predator net for aquaculture.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Aquaculture is a fast-growing industry born to cater to consumers of seafood where aquatic organisms are grown from fingerlings to adulthood in grow out cages, which are then protected by a predator net. An important function of the predator net is to protect the aquatic organisms inside the cage from marine predators such as sharks, sea lions, seals and the like.
[0004] Predator nets are typically made of nylon as nylon offers good resistance to salt-water corrosion and it strong and tough to hold the aquatic organisms inside. Nylon, however, suffers from being flexible, which means that, even though the nylon nets may be anchored strongly, they can be pushed or forced to extend because of their elasticity. When predators such as the ones mentioned above push against the nylon nets, they are still able to reach the aquatic organisms inside the cages and feed on them, causing significant losses to the aquaculture industry. Further, the predators tend to gnaw on the nylon nets and since nylon is not tough enough to resist the gnawing of the predators on its fibres, ultimately the nylon net breaks through, allowing the predators free access to the aquatic organisms inside the grow out cage. Nylon is also susceptible to long term problems such as loss of strength and toughness due to absorption of water. There can be up to a 40-50% reduction in strength of nylon after 3 to 4 years of being submerged in water. Moreover, the locations of aqua farms are becoming more diverse and tough for the industry. The main problem associated with aqua farms with locations, there is that aquatic predators, such as sharks and seals. The predators are very sharp in find out the locations for food and have ability frequently visit the same locations. The large numbers of fish enclosed within the aqua cages area are naturally an attractive food source to the predators and as consequences are predators may attack the nets in a try to get way in. Once the predators may achieve to get entry in the netted area, the fish livestock will off course be spoiled. Even the unsuccessful predator attacks can generate the large holes in the nets permitting the farmed fish to get away as illustrated in FIG 5.
[0005] It has been attempted to minimize the problem of predator attack by making the provision of an auxiliary barrier adjacent and specific distance maintained from the net containing the farmed fish. The metallic threads/wires were used for making meshes and in the core of the net or in production of the auxiliary barrier. Such net meshes are heavy and difficult to dealing with and do not always provide an adequate amount of predator resistance. Existing predator resistance nets do not posses characteristics like bite resistance, mesh stiffness, bending resistance, sustain environmental impact, easy to clean and the like.
[0006] There is, therefore, a requirement in the art for a material to construct a predator net for aquaculture that can adequately protect the aquatic organisms being reared inside it. The material is preferred to have a long operational life and not be toxic to the environment.
[0007] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0008] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0009] A general object of the present invention is to provide a composite twine for making a net structure for aquaculture.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a composite twine for making a net structure for aquaculture that has a property to repel predators.
[0011] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a net structure for aquaculture.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a net structure that has a longer life.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a net structure for aquaculture which has ability to prevent the predator attacks.
[0014] Another object of disclosure the net should not have ability to harm the predator.
[0015] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a composite twine for deterring the predator from aqua cages.

SUMMARY
[0016] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of net making. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a composite twine for constructing a predator net for aquaculture.
[0017] In an aspect the present disclosure provides for a net structure for deterring predators in aquaculture. The net structure may include a plurality of composite twines connected to each other at a plurality of predefined points to form a net. Each composite twine may be made of high bite resistant, heat resistant and flexible material and may further include a hybrid core having a first predefined diameter, an outer cover enclosing the hybrid core along the length of each composite twine. The outer cover may be of a second predefined diameter. The hybrid core may further include an inner core and an outer shell running parallel to one another along the length of the composite twine. The inner core may be made of a hollow tube structure having a third predefined diameter, and may be filled with a repellent material.
[0018] In an embodiment, the inner core may be made of mono or multifilament polymer yarns having a mix of high melting polymers and low melting polymers to offer rigidity and resistance to wear and abrasion.
[0019] In an embodiment, the repellent material may be any or a combination of at least one non-toxic dye and at least one non-toxic deterrent.
[0020] In an embodiment, a monofilament polymer or one or metal wires may be configured inside the inner core offering additional strength to said inner core.
[0021] In an embodiment, the repellent material may be micro encapsulated, the repellent material may be capped in a biodegradable material having super disintegrators for quick release of the repellent material during rupture of the inner core by predator attack.
[0022] In an aspect the present disclosures provides for a method to construct a net structure. The method may include the steps of barring a raw net, the barring may be done on at least two sides using bars, in order that the net does not get entangled; stretching the net along the width of the net at a first predefined temperature around the softening point of the low melting yarn for a first predefined time period; and stretching the net along the length of the net at a second predefined temperature around the melting point of the low melting yarn for a second predefined time period.
[0023] In an embodiment, the method further includes the step of stretching the net along the width and the length of the net that may be set based on desired net parameters such as hanging ratio, mesh size, depth mesh and netting weight.
[0024] In an embodiment, the method further includes the step of cooling the stretched net, and one or more iterations of heating and subsequent cooling of the stretched net may be performed to provide a rigid twine conforming to the stretched shape.
[0025] In an embodiment, the method further includes the step of joining one or more meshes of the net to one another with a composite twine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0026] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of a net structure for aquaculture to protect against predators, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0028] FIGs. 2A and 2B illustrate exemplary representation of the rope structure that is used to make the proposed net structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram for a method to construct a net structure from the proposed composite twine, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0030] FIGs. 4A and 4B illustrate exemplary representations of incise section of the proposed composite twine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary representation of an existing predator net being damaged.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0033] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0034] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0035] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. These exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention disclosed may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure). Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
[0036] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non – claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0037] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of net making. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a composite twine for constructing a predator net for aquaculture that deter or repel the attack by aquatic predators, such as sea lion, sea bream, shark and the like.
[0038] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a composite twine, which includes: an outer shell that includes one or more polymer yarns; and an inner core. The inner core includes a combination of: a low melting polymer multifilament; and any or a combination of a polymer monofilament and a polymer multifilament, wherein said polymer multifilament is different from said low melting polymer multifilament. The composite twine also includes a hollow tube disposed within the inner core along length of the inner core, said hollow tube adapted for storage of a fluid, wherein the upon puncture in wall of the hollow tube, the fluid is allowed to flow through the puncture.
[0039] In another embodiment, the fluid can be a repellent fluid, which can be selected from a group comprising black piper, piperine and denatonium benzoate and a combination thereof.
[0040] In another embodiment, the inner core can include one or more metal wires.
[0041] In another embodiment, the any or a combination the polymer monofilament and the polymer multifilament can be selected, independently, from the group comprising polyester, polyolefin and polyamide.
[0042] In another embodiment, the composite twine comprises a braided outer cover made from any or a combination of monofilament and multifilament polymer yarns.
[0043] In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for making a rigid twine from the composite twine. The method includes the steps of: stretching the composite twine at a pre-defined temperature to a desired length; and cooling the stretched composite twine, wherein, one or more iterations of heating and subsequent cooling of the stretched composite twine is performed to provide a rigid twine conforming to the stretched shape.
[0044] In another embodiment, the predefined temperature can range from 80 °C to 100 °C.
[0045] In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a net structure for aquaculture constructed from a composite twine. The composite twine includes: an outer shell that includes one or more polymer yarns; and an inner core. The inner core includes a combination of: a low melting polymer multifilament; and any or a combination of a polymer monofilament and a polymer multifilament, wherein said polymer multifilament is different from said low melting polymer multifilament. The composite twine also includes a hollow tube disposed within the inner core along length of the inner core, said hollow tube adapted for storage of a fluid, wherein the upon puncture in wall of the hollow tube, the fluid is allowed to flow through the puncture.
[0046] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of a net structure for aquaculture to protect against predators, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the net structure 100 (hereinafter, also referred to as “net”) acts as a physical barrier between the organisms being reared for aquaculture and any predatory aquatic life that prey on the organism being reared. The net 100 can be made of a composite twine 102 that has a composite structure and is adapted for high bite resistance and further, possesses predator repellent properties.
[0047] FIGs. 2A and 2B illustrate exemplary representation of the rope structure that is used to make the proposed net structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The net 100 can be made of a composite twine 102 that can include a hybrid core and an outer cover, the outer cover enclosing the hybrid core along the length of the composite twine 102. The composite twine 102 can be flexible to allow for bending and flexing of the composite twine 102 during manufacturing and during operational life. The composite twine 102 can have a high bite resistance such that its structure is not easily compromised and can withstand biting attempts by predatory aquatic life (or predator) that attempts to threaten organisms being reared in the aquaculture. In another embodiment, the net 100 made from the composite twine 102 can be stretched to a desired shape and upon being subjected to a heating - cooling cycle, can form a net structure 100 conforming to the stretched shape.
[0048] In another embodiment, the hybrid core of the composite twine 102 can have an inner core and an outer shell, running parallel to one another along the length of the composite twine 102.
[0049] In another embodiment, the inner core can be made of mono or multifilament polymer yarns, which can include a mix of high melting polymers and low melting polymers such as vinyl chloride, polyester, polyolefin, silicon and polyamide but not limited to the like. When heated to a softening point of the low melting polymer, the low melting polymers soften and begin to bind with the high melting polymers and, upon cooling, the low melting polymers bind to the high melting polymer yarns and the inner core becomes stiff. The inner core, after the heating-cooling cycle, thus is a matrix of “solidified” polymer yarns to offer rigidity and high melting polymer to offer resistance to wear and abrasion.
[0050] In another embodiment, one or metal wires can be provided in the inner core, offering additional strength to the inner core. The one or more metal wires used can be made of stainless steel. Alternatively, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) monofilament but not limited to it, can also be provided in the inner core offering additional strength to the inner core.
[0051] In another embodiment, the outer shell can be made of mono or multifilament polymer yarns, which can include high melting polymer yarns that provide the hybrid core toughness against wear and abrasion. In an exemplary embodiment, the high melting polymer can be any or a combination of polyolefin homopolymer yarn, other polyolefin yarns, mix of polyolefin and polyamide yarns and a mix of polyolefin and polyester yarns.
[0052] In another embodiment, the composite twine 102 can include a hollow tube structure 202 that is provided in the hybrid core of the composite twine 102. The hollow tube structure 202 can be flexible to allow for bending and flexing of the tube structure during manufacturing and during operational life. The hollow tube structure 202 can be filled with a repellent material (or repellent). The repellent can be any that repels the predator that attempts to threaten organisms being reared in the aquaculture.
[0053] In another embodiment, the outer cover of the composite twine 102 can be made from mono or multifilament polymer yarns and can be manufactured using braiding machinery. Examples of mono or multifilament polymer yarns from natural and synthetic origin may include cellulose, wool, polyester, polyolefin and polyamide but not limited to the like.
[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more metal wires in the inner core can have a cumulative diameter of about 0.16 mm but not limited to it; a first predefined diameter of the hybrid core can range from about at least 0.5mm to about 2mm but not limited to it; and a third predefined diameter of the hollow tube structure 202 depends on the diameter of the hybrid core and can range from about 0.6mm to about 1mm but not limited to it.
[0055] In another exemplary embodiment, a predefined diameter of the composite twine 102 depends on the application of the net 100 made of the composite twine 102 and can range from about 3mm to about 10 mm but not limited to it.
[0056] In another exemplary embodiment, the repellent can be from at least one deterrent group that may include natural or synthetic sources such as, without limitations, black piper, piperine and denatonium benzoate, capsaicin, neem extract, and denatonium saccharide.
[0057] Alternatively, the repellent can be from at least one dye such as squid dye, red colour dye, fluorescent dye, fluorescein, rhodamine, oregon green, eosin, and Texas red but not limited to the like. The repellent material can be liquid, powder, paste, gel, and microencapsulated form of suspension/emulsion.
[0058] In another embodiment, when the predator bites into the composite twine 102, the bite resistance of the composite twine 102 prevents damage to the composite twine 102. However, in case the composite twine 102 is damaged, the hollow tube structure 202 is bitten into and the repellent is secreted from the hollow tube structure 202, which drives away the predator. In an exemplary embodiment, the repellent material may be micro encapsulated and capped in a biodegradable material having super disintegrators for quick release of the repellent material during rupture of the inner core by predator attack.
[0059] In an exemplary embodiment, the repellent material can be any that does not cause toxicity to the predator or to the aquatic environment.
[0060] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram for a method to construct a net structure from the proposed composite twine, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the method 300 includes the steps of: barring a raw net, where the raw net may be barred on at least two sides using bars, in order that the net does not get entangled, stretching the net along the width of the net at a first predefined temperature around the softening point of the low melting yarn for a first predefined time period; and stretching the net along the length of the net at a second predefined temperature around the melting point of the low melting yarn for a second predefined time period.
[0061] In another embodiment, a raw net is composed of the composite twine which has not yet been subjected to a heat treatment. In another embodiment, at step 302, the method 300 may include barring the raw net. The raw net may be barred on at least two sides using bars, in order that the net does not get entangled. In an exemplary instance, the bars have rings which can be used to hook the net.
[0062] In another embodiment, at step 304, the method 300 may include stretching the net along the width of the net (interchangeably referred to as depthway stretching) at a first predefined temperature around the softening point of the low melting yarn for a first predefined time period. The raw net may be stretched along the width of the net in a depthway stretch machine. The depthway stretch machine may be set based on desired net parameters such as hanging ratio, mesh size, depth mesh and netting weight but not limited to the like.
[0063] The heat initiates melting of the low melting polyester multifilament in the core leading to a desired knot tightness.
[0064] In an exemplary embodiment, the first time period of stretching may be about two minutes but not limited to it at a first temperature of about 80 °C but not limited to it. After two minutes, the raw net may be allowed to cool.
[0065] In another embodiment, at step 306, the method 300 may include the step of stretching the net along the length of the net (also referred to as legthway stretching or stretching lengthway) at a second predefined temperature around the melting point of the low melting yarn for a second predefined time period. The raw net may be stretched along the length of the net in a lengthway stretch machine. The lengthway stretch machine may be set based on desired net parameters such as hanging ratio, mesh size, depth mesh and netting weight but not limited to the like.
[0066] In another embodiment, the raw net being at a second temperature around the melting point of the low melting polyester multifilament.
[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, the second temperature for lengthway stretching may be about 100 °C but not limited to it.
[0068] In another exemplary embodiment, the meshes of the net may be further joined to one another using a suitable twine such as braided nylon twine with a mean diameter of at least 5mm but not limited to it.
[0069] In another embodiment, upon cooling, the stretched raw net acquires stiffness due to the “solidification” of the molten yarn. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more of such net structures can be used to make the net structure 100 of the present disclosure.
[0070] FIGs. 4A and 4B illustrate exemplary representations of incise section of the proposed composite twine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated In FIG. 4A an incise section of the proposed composite twine is shown which further shows a mode of delivery of deterrent is done by breaking of flexible tubing located in the core of the proposed composite twine. FIG. 4B illustrates a lab trial of working of the proposed composite twine of the predator net in the field after assault done by any predator. The deterrent has rapidly dispersed in water after cut done to flexible tube.
[0071] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive patent matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “includes” and “including” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ….and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc. The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practised with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0072] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0073] The present disclosure provides for a net that prevents the predator attacks to protect the fish in aqua farms.
[0074] The present disclosure provides for a net that improves fish production and is beneficial to farmers.
[0075] The present disclosure provides for a net that is not harmful to predators.
[0076] The present disclosure provides for a net that helps to secure the life of predators by discontinuing the lethal techniques.
[0077] The present disclosure provides for a net that has non toxic deterrent for deterring predators from aqua cages.

,CLAIMS:1. A net structure for deterring predators in aquaculture, said net structure comprising:
a plurality of composite twines, said plurality of composite twines are connected to each other at a plurality of predefined points to form a net, wherein each composite twine is made of high bite resistant, heat resistant and flexible material, said composite twine further comprises:
a hybrid core, said hybrid core having a first predefined diameter;
an outer cover, the outer cover enclosing the hybrid core along the length of each said composite twine, said outer cover having a second predefined diameter, wherein the hybrid core further comprises:
an inner core and an outer shell, said inner core and said outer shell running parallel to one another along the length of the composite twine, and wherein the inner core is made of a hollow tube structure having a third predefined diameter, wherein said hollow tube structure is filled with a repellent material.
2. The net structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner core is made of mono or multifilament polymer yarns having a mix of high melting polymers and low melting polymers to offer rigidity and resistance to wear and abrasion.
3. The net structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the repellent material is any or a combination of at least one non-toxic dye and at least one non-toxic deterrent.
4. The net structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein a monofilament polymer or one or metal wires is configured inside the inner core offering additional strength to said inner core.
5. The net structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the repellent material is micro encapsulated, the repellent material is capped in a biodegradable material having super disintegrators for quick release of the repellent material during rupture of the inner core by predator attack.
6. A method to construct a net structure, said method comprising:
barring a raw net, wherein the raw net is barred on at least two sides using bars, in order that the net does not get entangled;
stretching the net along the width of the net at a first predefined temperature around the softening point of the low melting yarn for a first predefined time period; and
stretching the net along the length of the net at a second predefined temperature around the melting point of the low melting yarn for a second predefined time period.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein stretching the net along the width and the length of the net is set based on desired net parameters such as hanging ratio, mesh size, depth mesh and netting weight.
8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said method further comprises :
cooling the stretched net, wherein one or more iterations of heating and subsequent cooling of the stretched net is performed to provide a rigid twine conforming to the stretched shape.
9. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said method further comprises joining one or more meshes of the net to one another with a composite twine.