Combined Patents (Class 119/247)
  • Patent number: 5693220
    Abstract: An aquarium filtration system for semi-aquatic animals, such as turtles, frogs and the like, which provides for collection and removal of waste material or debris generated within the aquarium while also providing for an artificial pond and a sunning platform for the semi-aquatic animals. The filtration system includes a multi-layer reverse flow filter, a plurality of collecting tubes which support the reverse flow filter, an inclined ramp structure providing exit and entry between the artificial pond and sunning platform while also serving as a filter structure, and a biological filtration unit which also provides a sunning platform. The filtration system provides for a circulating flow of water contained within the aquarium through filter media while creating an artificial pond and sunning platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Sceusa
  • Patent number: 5579723
    Abstract: Described is a process for determining excitants, attractants, incitants and stimulants for members of the Penaeus genus of the Class Crustacea including but not limited to Penaeus setiferus, Penaeus aztecus and Penaeus vannamei, as well as apparatus for carrying out such process. The apparatus for carrying out the process includes static tank means, flow-through tank means and Y-maze means each equipped with variable-focus camera means taken alone or in combination with one another. The variable-focus camera means platform is also described and is part of our invention. Also described is a method for exciting and/or attracting and/or stimulating and/or inciting members of the Penaeus genus of the Class Crustacea including but not limited to Penaeus setiferus, Penaeus aztecus and Penaeus vannamei (referred to collectively as Penaeus spp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignees: International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Alan O. Pittet, Phillip G. Lee, Jennifer C. Ellis
  • Patent number: 5551378
    Abstract: The aquarium display system includes an aquarium tank, having a bottom wall portion, a rear side, and a front transparent wall portion viewable from a viewing location facing the front transparent wall portion and vertically displaced from the aquarium tank. The transparent front wall portion of the aquarium tank is inclined at an oblique angle to a horizontal plane to refract light from within the aquarium tank to the viewing location. This allows an increased volume within the tank to be viewable from the viewing location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: California Aquariaum Supply
    Inventor: Craig A. Dewalt
  • Patent number: 5535702
    Abstract: A sea current generator aquarium including an air-tight water chamber located at one end of the aquarium with an opening into the aquarium extending across the bottom of the chamber. A constant flow air pump connected to the top of the water chamber for pumping air therein and expelling water therefrom out of said opening into the aquarium and an air valve positioned in an duct connecting the top of the water chamber to atmosphere in an actuating means for cycling the air valve from an opened to a closed position whereby in its opened position, the air valve and duct exceed the capacity of the pump and allow the elevated water column in the aquarium to move back into the water chamber through said opening until the water level is stabilized and thereby creating a back and forth current of water within the bottom regions of the aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Inventor: Badr Idbeis
  • Patent number: 5474030
    Abstract: Described is a process for determining excitants and attractants for members of the Penaeus genus of Crustacea including but not limited to Penaeus setiferus and Penaeus vannamei, as well as apparatus for carrying out such process. The apparatus for carrying out the process includes "static" tank apparatus, "flow through" tank apparatus and "Y-maze" apparatus, each equipped with a camera device and each taken alone or in combination with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignees: International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Alan O. Pittet, Phillip G. Lee, Jennifer C. Ellis
  • Patent number: 5467739
    Abstract: A pump transfers water from an aquarium into a top container and an overflow container that are inserted into an aquarium, lowering the water level within the aquarium, and thereby creating the effect of a tide pool at low tide. Water is pumped into the overflow container when the top container is filled, while drainage holes in the overflow container continue to allow some of the water to flow back into the aquarium. As the overflow container fills with water, its increasing weight pulls down a lever connected to a flapper, uncovering a drain in the top container, thereby draining water pumped into the top container through the drain, and completely draining the overflow container, in turn raising the water level in the aquarium, thereby creating the effect of a tide pool at high tide. When the overflow container is completely drained, the lever is raised, closing the drain, and the cycle is repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Inventor: Jeff D. Boschert
  • Patent number: 5413070
    Abstract: The aquarium display system includes an aquarium tank, having a bottom wall portion, a rear side, and a front transparent wall portion viewable from a viewing location facing the front transparent wall portion and vertically displaced from the aquarium tank. The transparent front wall portion of the aquarium tank is inclined at an oblique angle to a horizontal plane to refract light from within the aquarium tank to the viewing location. This allows an increased volume within the tank to be viewable from the viewing location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: California Aquarium Supply Co.
    Inventor: Craig A. DeWalt
  • Patent number: 5365884
    Abstract: An ornamental assembly for use in a non-aquatic viewing cage of the like is disclosed. The ornamental assembly includes a body member formed from a natural indiscriminate piece of driftwood and a fastening assembly for semi-permanently fixably securing the body member to any surface of the viewing cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Inventor: Richard L. Jones
  • Patent number: 5263772
    Abstract: An aquarium stand (10) is provided for a removable aquarium tank (44) and has an upper horizontally extending guide track provided by channels (80, 74) receiving border frames (58, 62) of the tank in horizontal sliding relation and providing keyed flush fit preventing lateral shifting movement of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: All-Glass Aquarium Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald R. Ritzow