Tank Within Tank Patents (Class 119/251)
  • Patent number: 12114646
    Abstract: In general, an enclosure is disclosed that includes a basin for storing water and an insert configured to be removably disposed within the basin and provide dry and wet sections that define a habitat for one or more amphibians and/or reptiles. Preferably, the insert includes an integrated filter arrangement that can be removed together, e.g., as a single unit, from the basin when cleaning is desired. More preferably, the insert includes a plurality of openings to allow water to drain via gravity into the basin as a user “pulls” the insert from the same. Accordingly, a user may then remove the insert from the basin without necessarily removing creatures from within the insert, and more importantly, from the habitat provided by the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
    Inventors: Brad L. Mihlbauer, Phillip C. Bartoszek, Ernie Katris, Lawrence E. Sternal
  • Patent number: 10571342
    Abstract: An advisory element of an acclimation system for an item being shipped from a source to a destination is provided with the item being disposable in a polybag. The advisory element is attachable to or is disposable remotely from the polybag. The advisory element is configured to receive shipment information input at the source, to sense environmental conditions to which the item and the polybag are exposed during shipment and at the destination and to calculate an acclimation time for the item based on the shipment information and the sensed environmental conditions. The advisory element is further configured to provide operational guidance to a user in accordance with the acclimation time at the destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Milnes David, William J. Green, Joseph Prisco, Robert T. Sanders, Sharon T. Spaulding, Hemphill M. Timothy
  • Patent number: 8813685
    Abstract: A method for keeping fish in a live and healthy condition, wherein the fish are placed in an endless flow fish tank, which occupies relatively little space, yet allows instinctively swimming fish to swim comfortably. Aerated water is pumped in one direction through a swim chamber, and water returns through a space between inner and outer container, through return flow piping, or through a second swim chamber which also serves as a return flow chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Keepalive, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Vento
  • Patent number: 8720377
    Abstract: An aquarium transfer container has an inner container with holes therein. A double siphon is created from the aquarium to the transfer container and then from the transfer container to drain. When all the foreign water in the transfer container has been replaced with aquarium water, the inner container is lifted out and set inside the aquarium to release the transferred fish/plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Stephen J. McLean
  • Patent number: 8156898
    Abstract: An apparatus for acclimating an aquatic organism, contained in a partially water filled plastic bag, to an environment in an aquarium includes an aquarium frame comprising a first portion exterior to the aquarium and a second portion interior to the aquarium. A bag holder is operable to hold a top of the plastic bag in an open position. The bag holder is positioned on the second portion where the top of the plastic bag is above a top level of water in the aquarium and a substantial portion of the plastic bag is below the top level. A dripping cup is operable to release water obtained from the aquarium into the plastic bag. The dripping cup is joinable to the first portion, whereby the aquatic organism is acclimated to a chemistry and temperature of the water in the aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventors: Le Quan Luong, Wai C. Chu
  • Publication number: 20120055413
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an acclimation and isolation device for aquatic animals that includes a case with a fastener on a lateral face thereof to coordinate with said case in an aquarium and a water entry apparatus to conduct the aquarium water into said case. The water entry apparatus includes a water inlet on a bottom of said case and a valve attached to said inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventor: Suk Choo KIM
  • Publication number: 20100206240
    Abstract: An endless flow fish tank, which occupies relatively little space, yet allows instinctively swimming fish to swim comfortably. Aerated water is pumped in one direction through a swim chamber, and water returns through a space between inner and outer container, through return flow piping, or through a second swim chamber which also serves as a return flow chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: KEEPALIVE, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Vento
  • Patent number: 7610878
    Abstract: An aquarium for jellyfish and other plankton species is described. The aquarium has a water container formed by two vertical front facets and a side surface between the front facets, the container having a polygonal, round or other shape when viewed from the front. A sealed chamber is located adjacent the water container with a water inlet that provides water to the chamber. A diffuser block provides a water passage from the sealed chamber to the water container. The diffuser block has a plurality of parallel channels so that water entering the container from the sealed chamber forms a plurality of jet streams along the side surface. This creates a laminar flow of water inside the water container near the side surface, which helps to keep the jellyfish suspended. The water container also has a discharge port covered with a screen to prevent the jellyfish from being sucked out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Inventor: James Boyd Stime, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090139457
    Abstract: An apparatus for acclimating an aquatic organism, contained in a partially water filled plastic bag, to an environment in an aquarium includes an aquarium frame comprising a first portion exterior to the aquarium and a second portion interior to the aquarium. A bag holder is operable to hold a top of the plastic bag in an open position. The bag holder is positioned on the second portion where the top of the plastic bag is above a top level of water in the aquarium and a substantial portion of the plastic bag is below the top level. A dripping cup is operable to release water obtained from the aquarium into the plastic bag. The dripping cup is joinable to the first portion, whereby the aquatic organism is acclimated to a chemistry and temperature of the water in the aquarium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Le Quan Luong, Wai C. Chu
  • Patent number: 7243613
    Abstract: A multi-chamber selective-exposure aquarium apparatus including: a first portion forming a first aquarium chamber having a first transparent primary wall; a second portion forming a second aquarium chamber having a second transparent primary wall; and a visual barrier device for selective exposure/non-exposure of the first and second transparent primary walls, whereby fish in each of the first and second aquarium chambers are selectively visually exposed/non-exposed to each other's presence. Fish in separate aquarium chambers are preferably male betta fish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventors: Debra A. Holms, Rory J. Holms
  • Patent number: 7174850
    Abstract: By directing the none-molting crustaceans to move into a predetermined area in a culture tank, the present invention discloses a multi-layered aquaculture system with shallow-water containers which is based upon the utilization of the methods and apparatus to eliminate their cannibalistic actions towards newly molted mates. This multi-layered aquaculture system for aquatic crustaceans comprises multi-layered containers for carrying the water body of culture and a means for generating an effect of bright and dark contrast at predetermined places within one or every afore-said containers. A means for arranging even water flow is further adapted to the containers with substantially no impact on the effect of the bright and dark contrast to take place at predetermined places.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Shyh-Min Tom Hsiao
  • Patent number: 7100535
    Abstract: A container 10 for rearing aquatic animals includes a floor portion 12 which defines a plurality of openings. A wall portion 100 bounds the floor portion 12 to form, together with the floor portion 12, a chamber for receiving the aquatic animals to be reared. A filter 105 is arranged in the openings of the floor portion 12. A closure plate 103 openably closes the openings in the floor portion 12. The invention extends also to a system which includes a plurality of the containers 10. The containers 10 are supported, in a partially immersed state in a vessel of the system. A circulating arrangement of the system circulates water through the containers 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Auckland Uniservices Limited
    Inventors: Peter Malcolm Cattin, Philip Stanley Crosier
  • Patent number: 7073463
    Abstract: An underwater terrarium capable of being submerged in an aquarium. The interior of the terrarium is sealed, so it may be submerged in a tank. The terrarium has a pair of air tubes for air intake and exhaust. The intake can be connected to a standard aquarium aerator to allow air for creatures living inside the terrarium. Also included is inside the terrarium is a light controlled by an electrical cord that runs outside the tank. The electrical cord includes a dimmer switch to control the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventor: Daniel A. Blakely
  • Patent number: 6415739
    Abstract: A tank is combined with a picture frame. The tank has a housing with a recessed portion extending into the interior of the tank. The recessed portion is preferably unitarily formed in a front panel of the tank. The recessed portion is reinforced. The tank preferably has a flat bottom to be used on a table top, and has mounting brackets so it may be hung on a wall. The tank may serve as a fish tank, or other tank, and is preferably a clear plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Inventors: James A. Orendorff, Cory L. Amos
  • Patent number: 5337701
    Abstract: The habitat or castle for maintaining a minicrab within an underwater environment, such as within an aquarium, comprises a top shell which can encase an air bubble therein, and a platform which engages within the top shell to provide a perch for the minicrab within the air bubble. A base is provided which rests within, for example, gravel in the bottom of the aquarium, and a plurality of positionable legs are provided to elevate the habitat above the base plate at one of a plurality of preselected positions available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Inventor: Steven A. Syers