Fishbowl cleaning method and apparatus
A pitcher is provided as a preferred form of apparatus for use in a fishbowl cleaning procedure. The pitcher has a side wall extending from a floor to a rim. Holes are formed in the side wall spaced above a floor and below the rim. Water and fish can be poured from a fishbowl into the pitcher. The fish and residual water remain within the pitcher below lowermost holes in the side wall. Excess water drains through the holes in the side wall. The fishbowl can then be cleaned or otherwise reconfigured. Finally, the pitcher can be tilted to pour the residual water and the fish from the pitcher back into the fishbowl.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/077,595, filed on Mar. 17, 2008.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe following invention relates to containers for transfer of fish and water from a fishbowl or aquarium, such as for washing. More particularly, this invention relates to a method for cleaning a fishbowl utilizing a container with strategically placed holes in a side wall thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONFishbowls and other aquariums require periodic cleaning. Such cleaning typically involves washing inside surfaces of the glass and potentially cleaning out gravel and other structures contained within the fishbowl. Such cleaning is typically most effective when the fish are first removed from the fishbowl.
Removing fish from the fishbowl can be accomplished following a variety of different methods. Perhaps the most common method is to utilize a net to catch the fish. When such a net is utilized, the fish encounters both mental and physical stress. Physical stress is associated with the amount of time that the fish is “out of water” when the net is lifted out of the water. Also, portions of the net coming into contact with the fish can damage protective films that collect on the scales of the fish or otherwise do damage to the scales or other portions of the fish by coming in direct contact with the fish.
Such removal of the fish also is believed to cause the fish to encounter significant psychological stress. First the fish endure a chase experience where the fish are attempting to avoid being caught by the net. Second, the fish undergo the experience of having been caught in the net and being unable to free themselves. Third, the fish undergoes the stress associated with being removed from the water. Fourth, the fish is put in a container that usually is different from the water in the fishbowl.
The physical and mental stress the fish encounter can cause the fish to be more susceptible to disease or premature death. Furthermore, many individuals desire to minimize physical and emotional stress to the fish in recognition of the animal's right to be free from unnecessary harm. Accordingly, a need exists for a better way to remove fish from a fishbowl than utilizing a net.
If a pitcher or other container is used and the contents of the fishbowl or other aquarium are merely poured into this separate container, further difficulties are encountered. If the container is too small, the container must be repeatedly emptied until the filling procedure also results in the fish going from the fishbowl into the container. If the container is too large, the fish can be transitioned into the container fairly easily but then the problem occurs when the fish must be captured for return back into the fishbowl. Hence, merely pouring all of the contents of the fishbowl into a separate container is generally not completely effective.
Some water changing apparatuses are built into the fishbowl or aquarium. For instance, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2006/0196442 to Holms teaches a dual-purpose cap and jar-aquarium with a series of small apertures in the cap to allow aquarium water to be changed. However, Holms requires either purchasing of an aquarium of this type or specially modifying an aquarium for this purpose, rather than having the freedom to solve the problem for use with existing fishbowls and other aquariums. Also, Holms cannot completely empty the aquarium for cleaning.
Other inventions are known in the prior art for containing live fish and which include holes therein to allow water to pass into and out of such enclosures. For instance, bait containers for containing fish which are intended to be used as live bait are in the form of enclosures having holes therein. However, these enclosures are complete including an upper portion thereof, and so are not effective for pouring of contents of a fishbowl or aquarium into such enclosures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONWith this invention an apparatus is provided in the form of a pitcher. Water from a fishbowl or aquarium can be poured into the pitcher and the pitcher has an open upper end surrounded by a rim to easily collect the water poured out of the fishbowl. The pitcher uniquely includes a plurality of holes in a side wall thereof. These holes allow water to pass out of the pitcher as the water is being poured into the pitcher. The pitcher also preferably includes a floor so that the pitcher can rest upon a substantially horizontal surface.
The holes are spaced above this floor by a minimum distance that defines a space which can readily hold the fish therein. For instance, lowest holes could be perhaps three inches above the floor. All of the water in the fishbowl can be poured into the pitcher and flow out of the holes in the side wall. The pitcher will ultimately contain any fish and just enough water between the lowermost holes and the floor for holding the fish while the fishbowl can be readily cleaned.
Once the fishbowl is cleaned and water has been added to the fishbowl, the fish and remaining water in the pitcher can be poured from the pitcher back into the fishbowl. The entire process can occur while the pitcher is within a separate basin or sink to collect the water that pours out of the holes in the side wall of the pitcher.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a method for easily and reliably removing fish from a fishbowl, such as for cleaning of the fishbowl or other aquarium.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for capturing a fish without traumatizing the fish or doing any physical damage to the fish.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a pitcher for receiving fish and water from an aquarium in a small amount, such as when the aquarium is to be cleaned.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for cleaning a fishbowl which is simple enough to be performed by young children.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an enclosure which is open on an upper end so that water from a fishbowl or other aquarium can be readily poured thereinto and which has holes in a side wall thereof to allow draining of water and leaving only fish and a small amount of water within the enclosure.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a pitcher for receiving fishbowl or aquarium water which can fit within a separate basin or sink so that a minimum of spilled water occurs while transferring water out of the fishbowl.
Other further objects of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the included drawing figures, the claims and detailed description of the invention.
Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral 10 is directed to a pitcher (
In essence, and with particular reference to
More specifically, and with particular reference to
The pitcher 10 is preferably sufficiently rigid so that it maintains the same shape regardless of whether it is full or empty or whether it is upright or angled. The pitcher 10 has a generally cylindrical form with a circular floor 20 defining a lower end of the pitcher 10 and an upper end surrounded by a rim 14. This rim 14 surrounds an opening into which water W and fish F can be readily poured into the pitcher 10.
A handle 12 preferably extends from the pitcher 10 near the rim 14. This handle 12 preferably first extends substantially horizontally and then bends to extend substantially vertically downward. The handle 12 could alternatively join back to the side wall 30 of the pitcher 10, but most preferably remains open at a lower end thereof. Most preferably, the handle 12 is formed so that it can nest within other handles when the pitcher 10 is nested within other pitchers 10 of like form. The handle 12 also is preferably a thin walled structure having a thickness similar to that of the side wall 30.
A spout 16 preferably extends from the rim 14 on a side of the rim 14 opposite the handle 12. This spout 16 facilitates pouring of water and the fish F out of the pitcher 10 such as when returning the water W and fish F back into the fishbowl A (
The side wall 30 extends from the floor 20 up to the rim 14 and is preferably substantially cylindrical in form, with a slight taper so that the rim 14 is greater in diameter than the floor 20, allowing pitchers 10 of like size and shape to be rested together. This side wall 30 is preferably 1/32 of an inch thick and has just enough rigidity so that it maintains its form whether full or empty. In this way, a weight of the pitcher 10 can be minimized to make it as easy to handle as possible. In one embodiment the rim 14 can have a diameter of four and a half inches while the floor 20 can have a diameter of three inches. Most preferably, the floor 20 is entirely flat so that the pitcher 10 is stable when resting upon a substantially horizontal surface. If desired, the floor 20 could be formed with a larger diameter to further enhance stability of the pitcher 10 when resting upon a horizontal surface. Furthermore, all of the dimensions of the pitcher 10 could be scaled up or down to change an overall size of the pitcher 10 or to change proportions of the various different components of the pitcher 10.
With continuing reference to
In the preferred embodiment, the holes 40 are 5/32 of an inch in diameter. However, holes slightly larger or smaller can also be effective. Most preferably, the holes 40 are no larger than ¼ of an inch. The holes are preferably provided in a three by five array of fifteen holes with five holes in a lowermost horizontal row, five holes in a middle row and five holes in an upper row. The holes 40 in the lowermost row define a height for the surface S of the water W within the pitcher 10 containing the fish F. The holes 40 in the middle and upper rows remove excess water W more efficiently during the initial pouring process when a large rate of inflow of water W into the pitcher 10 might be experienced, to help prevent overflow of the pitcher 10.
Holes of 5/32 of an inch diameter have been found by experiment and study of appropriate literature on fish to be sized appropriately to both efficiently remove water W from the pitcher 10 and also be small enough to preclude nearly all species of fish commonly sold via retail fish stores from passing therethrough once the fish are mature. Typically, fish continue to grow throughout their life. Fish are defined as mature once they are past an egg stage and past a fry stage when they might otherwise be exceedingly small.
The holes 40 could alternatively take on a variety of different configurations. For instance, the holes could be staggered or provided in various different patterns, even conceivably patterns that spell words or provide other attractive symbols. The holes might even be provided in a pattern which spells a trademark for the pitcher 10 product.
The holes 40 could be in some shape other than circular, with circular holes merely being easy to form by a drill. The term holes 40 is broadly meant to include not only holes that might be drilled through the side wall 30, but also to include fenestrations within a screen structure or any other openings in the side wall 30 through which water W can pass. For instance, in one embodiment a large hole might be provided and then covered with a screen structure with fenestrations in the screen small enough to preclude fish from passing therethrough. Such fenestrations would be considered to be holes within the meaning of this invention.
Most preferably, the holes 40 are grouped together in a specific region on the side wall 30 that places the holes closer to the handle 12 than to the spout 16. In particular, the holes 40 are preferably not directly beneath the handle 12, but slightly to the side of the handle 12 but still closer to the handle 12 than to the spout 16. The preferred position for the holes 40 is perhaps best illustrated in
In use and operation, and with particular reference to
The pitcher 10 is then placed upon a horizontal surface. Most preferably, this surface is within a basin B, such as a sink (
Once sufficient water W has poured into the pitcher 10 to reach the holes 40, the water W pours through the holes 40 and down the drain D (
Once all of the water W has been poured from the fishbowl A, the fish F remains within the water W at a lower portion of the pitcher 10 (
If it is desired to minimize return of residual water A along with the fish F back into the aquarium A, the pitcher 10 can be finally tilted somewhat at an angle toward the holes 40 so that some of the residual water W remaining within the pitcher 10 can be removed (
Finally, the pitcher 10 can be tilted in an opposite direction towards the spout 16 and the remaining residual water W and fish F can be poured back into the fishbowl A (
This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodiment of the invention and a best mode for practicing the invention. Having thus described the invention in this way, it should be apparent that various different modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. When structures are identified as a means to perform a function, the identification is intended to include all structures which can perform the function specified.
Claims
1. An apparatus for cleaning a fishbowl, the apparatus comprising in combination:
- an enclosure;
- said enclosure adapted to contain water;
- said enclosure having an open upper end and a closed lower end;
- said enclosure having a side wall extending from said upper end to said lower end;
- a plurality of holes in said side wall, each of said holes spaced above said lower end and below said upper end;
- said plurality of holes including at least one lowermost hole, said lowermost hole located closer to said lower end than to said upper end; and
- said lowermost hole unobstructed laterally on an exterior side of said side wall to allow water to flow through said lowermost hole laterally and then down away from said enclosure.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said enclosure includes a handle coupled thereto, said handle adapted to be gripped by a hand of a user for maneuvering of said enclosure.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said enclosure includes a spout on said upper end.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said enclosure includes a floor adjacent said lower end, said floor being substantially flat, said floor adapted to rest upon a substantially horizontal surface supporting portions of said enclosure above said floor upon the substantially horizontal surface.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said holes in said side wall are spaced from each other horizontally to form a substantially horizontal line parallel with said floor.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said holes are spaced from said floor at least two inches.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said holes are at least as small as a quarter of an inch in width.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said closed lower end has a smaller diameter than said open upper end, sufficient to facilitate nesting of like enclosures at least partially inside one another.
9. A pitcher for temporary storage of fish, the pitcher comprising in combination:
- an enclosure;
- said enclosure adapted to contain water;
- said enclosure having an open rim defining an upper end of said enclosure;
- said enclosure having a floor defining a lower end of said enclosure;
- said enclosure having a side wall extending from said floor to said rim;
- a plurality of holes in said side wall, each of said holes spaced above said floor and below said rim;
- wherein said side wall is substantially cylindrical in form with said floor being substantially circular and said rim being substantially circular; and
- wherein said floor has a smaller diameter than said rim, sufficient to facilitate nesting of like pitchers at least partially inside one another.
10. The pitcher of claim 9 wherein a handle extends from said side wall, said handle adapted to be gripped by a hand of a user; and
- wherein said pitcher includes a spout on a side of said rim opposite said handle.
11. The pitcher of claim 10 wherein said holes are closer to said handle than to said spout.
12. The pitcher of claim 9 wherein said holes are provided in a three by five array, five holes wide and three holes high, with each of the three rows of holes extending substantially horizontally and parallel with said floor.
13. The pitcher of claim 9 wherein said holes are at least as small as a quarter of an inch in width.
14. A pitcher for temporary storage of fish, the pitcher comprising in combination:
- a water containing enclosure;
- said enclosure having an open rim defining an upper end of said enclosure;
- said enclosure having a floor defining a lower end of said enclosure;
- said enclosure having a side wall extending from said floor to said rim;
- a plurality of holes in said side wall, each of said holes spaced above said floor and below said rim; and
- wherein said floor has a size smaller than said rim, sufficient to facilitate nesting of like pitchers at least partially inside one another.
15. A method for safely removing a fish from an aquarium, such as for cleaning the aquarium, the method including the steps of:
- selecting an apparatus including an enclosure; the enclosure having an open upper end and a closed lower end; the enclosure having a side wall extending from the upper end to the lower end; and a plurality of holes in the side wall, each of the holes spaced above the lower end and below the upper end;
- pouring the water and fish from the aquarium into the upper end of the apparatus; and
- allowing water to drain out of the apparatus through the holes with water and the fish remaining below the holes and above the lower end of the enclosure.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein said pouring step is preceded by the step of placing the apparatus in a water collection basin.
17. The method of claim 15 including the further step of tilting the apparatus to further pour water through the holes and reduce water remaining within the apparatus.
18. The method of claim 15 including the further step of pouring remaining water and the fish from the apparatus back into the aquarium.
19. The method of claim 15 including the further step of configuring the apparatus of said providing step to include the closed lower end having a smaller size than the open upper end, sufficient to facilitate nesting of like apparatuses at least partially inside one another with the closed lower end fitting within the open upper end.
20. The method of claim 15 wherein said allowing step includes the step of keeping the apparatus upright with the open upper end above the closed lower end, and with water draining out of the apparatus through the holes in the side wall.
21. The method of claim 15 wherein said providing step includes providing the plurality of holes with at least one lowermost hole, the lowermost hole located closer to the lower end than to the upper end, the lowermost hole unobstructed laterally on an exterior side of the side wall to allow water to flow through the lowermost hole laterally and then down away from the enclosure.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 2, 2011
Publication Date: Dec 1, 2011
Inventor: Tasvir S. Virk (Roseville, CA)
Application Number: 13/136,480
International Classification: B65D 8/04 (20060101);