Separator Mounted On Top Edge Of Aquarium Wall Patents (Class 210/167.27)
  • Patent number: 9357753
    Abstract: A filter intake suction guard for an aquarium or fish pond filter having a tubular filter intake tube. The suction guard having a substantially enclosed hollow housing with an outlet opening defined therein for receipt of a filter intake tube therein with a first open end of the filter intake tube in fluid communication within the housing interior. The housing also having a first wall which is spaced apart from the first open end of the filter intake tube, and having a plurality of intake openings defined therein and which are configured and dimensioned to prevent fish from entering the housing interior but allow water to enter the housing interior and exit the housing interior via the first open end of the filter intake tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventor: Joseph Tutewohl
  • Patent number: 8702981
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are wedge-shaped filter cartridges having a maximized upstream surface area. The filter cartridges are modular and may be stacked in a filter cartridge system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Central Garden & Pet Company
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Lutz, Phillip C. Bartoszek, Marco Pierobon, Luca Bezzegato, Fabio Bellia
  • Patent number: 8303811
    Abstract: An aquarium filter element having a removable insert. The removable insert may include a chemical agent or biological agent for treating aquarium water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Central Garden and Pet Company
    Inventor: Brad L Mihlbauer
  • Patent number: 7927483
    Abstract: An aquarium filter arrangement including a filter housing and a filter cartridge having self-spacing structure. The self-spacing structure being designed to automatically space the filter cartridge in an operable filtering position. The operable filtering position being a position at which the filter cartridge is seated against a single rib formed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Tetra Holding (US), Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Barry Huehn
  • Patent number: 7918995
    Abstract: A filtering device for an aquarium which can easily perform maintenance, inspection and repair of a pump is provided. The present invention is directed to a filtering device for an aquarium to be installed outside an aquarium 1. The device includes a casing 20 open to the atmosphere, a filtration zone Z2 formed in the casing for filtrating water W introduced from the aquarium 1, a discharge pump 35 for sending the water passed through the filtration zone Z2 to an outside of the casing and discharging it into the aquarium, a functional component zone Z1 formed in the casing and separated from the filtration zone Z2, and a functional component unit 3 having the discharge pump 25 and a unit frame 31 for supporting the discharge pump 35. The functional component unit 3 is insertably and detachably accommodated in the functional component zone Z1 of the casing 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tominaga Jyushi Kogyosho
    Inventors: Ryuzo Arita, Kazutoshi Tominaga
  • Patent number: 7771592
    Abstract: An aquarium filter assembly is mounted to an aquarium tank and defines a water flow path therethrough from upstream to downstream from an inlet to an outlet. A replaceable filter element is mounted in a filter chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Newa Tecno Industria s.r.l.
    Inventors: Brad L. Mihlbauer, Christopher L. Hawker, David R. Troop, II, Lonnie Austin Ready, Giacomo Guoli, Fabio Bellia
  • Publication number: 20100101987
    Abstract: An aquarium filter arrangement including a filter housing and a filter cartridge having self-spacing structure. The self-spacing structure being designed to automatically space the filter cartridge in an operable filtering position. The operable filtering position being a position at which the filter cartridge is seated against a single rib formed in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Tetra Holding (US), Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Barry Huehn
  • Patent number: 7670484
    Abstract: A filter cartridge including a filtering body having first and second porous filter walls. The second porous filter wall having a density that is different than the first porous filter wall. The density of the second porous filter wall being defined by interstitial spaces. The filter cartridge further including discrete chemically filtering particles that are captured within the interstitial spaces of the second porous filter wall when the filtering body is in a vertical filtering orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Tetra Holding (US), Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Newman, Donald Barry Huehn
  • Patent number: 7658842
    Abstract: A filter cartridge assembly including a carrier and a filter element. The carrier including a water collection cup that collects water from the filter element when the filter cartridge assembly is held in an inverted orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Tetra Holding (US), Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Barry Huehn, Joseph Roark, Jeffrey Warden
  • Patent number: 7651609
    Abstract: An aquarium filter arrangement including a filter housing and a filter cartridge having self-spacing structure. The self-spacing structure being designed to automatically space the filter cartridge in an operable filtering position. The operable filtering position being a position at which the filter cartridge is seated against a single rib formed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Tetra Holding (US), Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Barry Huehn
  • Patent number: 7651610
    Abstract: A water aerating and dirt collecting device for an aquarium includes a pumping device having a paddle device for pumping and circulating the water contained within the aquarium, a receptacle having an entrance coupled to the pumping device for receiving the water from the pumping device and for agitating the water and for generating an eddy current, and a casing having an inlet port coupled to the receptacle for receiving a filtered dirt from the receptacle and having a mouth coupled to the pumping device for allowing an air in the casing to be drawn into the pumping device. The receptacle includes a tubular member for collecting the filtered dirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Inventor: Hsueh Lee Tsai
  • Patent number: 7638044
    Abstract: An aquarium filter having a filter housing with a rounded bottom. The filter housing including a housing input that directs water into an interior chamber such that the water sweeps across the rounded bottom to reduce or eliminate dead spots and reduce particulate settlement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Tetra Holding (US), Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Barry Huehn, Joseph Roark, Jeffrey Warden
  • Patent number: 7628913
    Abstract: An aquarium filter cartridge including activated carbon or the like and a housing wherein the water traces an S-shaped path is disclosed. In the S-shaped path the water flows horizontally through a floss type filter, downward to the bottom of the housing, horizontally into the bottom of the carbon cartridge, up through the carbon filter, and out the top or upper side of the housing back into the aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: J.W. Pet Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Willinger
  • Patent number: 7618534
    Abstract: An aquarium filter assembly is mounted to an aquarium tank and defines a water flow path therethrough from upstream to downstream from an inlet to an outlet. A replaceable filter element is mounted in a filter chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Newa Tecno Industria s.r.l.
    Inventors: Brad L. Mihlbauer, Christopher L. Hawker, David R. Troop, II, Lonnie Austin Ready, Giacomo Guoli, Fabio Bellia
  • Patent number: 7601259
    Abstract: An aquarium filter assembly is mounted to an aquarium tank and defines a water flow path therethrough from upstream to downstream from an inlet to an outlet. A replaceable filter element is mounted in a filter chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Newa Tecno Industria s.r.l.
    Inventors: Brad L. Mihlbauer, Christopher L. Hawker, David R. Troop, II, Lonnie Austin Ready, Giacomo Guoli, Fabio Bellia
  • Patent number: 7601258
    Abstract: An improved water return system for water reservoirs such as aquariums and ponds that provides a return of filtered water through a series of holes rather than a curved weir or spillway. The use of the holes provides for high oxygenation of the water prior to its return to the water reservoir to the benefit of life in the water reservoir. Further, the use of the holes provides reduced noise upon the return of the water because of the surface tensions attracting adjacent streams to each other. Also, placement of the holes provides a damming effect for the filter media that can become a site for the cultivation of beneficial bacteria that are necessary to remove ammonia and nitrites from the water by positioning the media mostly out of water, thereby allowing necessary oxygen to be freely available to grow bacteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Inventor: Leon Helfet
  • Patent number: 7594998
    Abstract: An aquarium filter assembly includes a housing having a filter cartridge and a water pump and defining a flow path therethrough from upstream to downstream from an inlet to an outlet. A replaceable filter element is mounted in one or more designated orientation positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Newa Tecno Industria s.r.l.
    Inventors: Brad L. Mihlbauer, David R. Troop, II, Lonnie Austin Ready, Giacomo Guoli, Fabio Bellia
  • Publication number: 20090223885
    Abstract: An aquarium filter assembly is mounted to an aquarium tank and defines a water flow path therethrough from upstream to downstream from an inlet to an outlet. A replaceable filter element is mounted in a filter chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Brad L. Mihlbauer, Christopher L. Hawker, David R. Troop, II, Lonnie Austin Ready, Giacomo Guoli, Fabio Bellia
  • Patent number: 7569139
    Abstract: An aquarium filter assembly includes a housing having a filter cartridge and a water pump and defining a flow path therethrough from upstream to downstream from an inlet to an outlet. A replaceable filter element is mounted in one or more designated orientation positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Newa Tecno Industria S.r.l.
    Inventors: Brad L. Mihlbauer, David R. Troop, II, Lonnie Austin Ready, Giacomo Guoli, Fabio Bellia
  • Publication number: 20090120859
    Abstract: A water aerating and dirt collecting device for an aquarium includes a pumping device having a paddle device for pumping and circulating the water contained within the aquarium, a receptacle having an entrance coupled to the pumping device for receiving the water from the pumping device and for agitating the water and for generating an eddy current, and a casing having an inlet port coupled to the receptacle for receiving a filtered dirt from the receptacle and having a mouth coupled to the pumping device for allowing an air in the casing to be drawn into the pumping device. The receptacle includes a tubular member for collecting the filtered dirt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: Hsueh Lee Tsai
  • Publication number: 20090120860
    Abstract: A water aerating and dirt collecting device for an aquarium includes a pumping device having a paddle device for pumping and circulating the water contained within the aquarium, a receptacle having a three housing members coupled to the pumping device, a vessel disposed on an upper housing member and having a tubular member for forming a peripheral chamber and for allowing an air bubble and a dirt to flow upwardly through the tubular member and to be collected in the peripheral chamber of the vessel, a cap attached to the vessel and having an exit coupled to a dirt collector for collecting the dirt, and having a mouth coupled to the pumping device for vacuuming purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: Hsueh-Lee Tsai
  • Publication number: 20090120853
    Abstract: A single tank configuration of a fish tank or livewell includes an outer container; an inner container installed inside the outer container, the inner container having a first end with an entry hole and a second end with an exit hole; and a pump installed between the inner and outer containers at one end of the fish tank or livewell for facilitating water circulation inside the fish tank or livewell. The inner and outer containers have an elongated shape. A double tank configuration of a fish tank or livewell includes two single tanks; connecting pipes for connecting the two single tanks to each other; and at least one pump installed between the two single tanks (130), the at least one pump being connected to the connecting pipes (150) for facilitating water circulation in the two single tanks. In each of the tank configurations, an endless water stream is formed in one straight direction within the tank and the water speeds can be adjusted by the pump(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: KEEPALIVE, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Vento
  • Publication number: 20090114581
    Abstract: An aquarium filter assembly is mounted to an aquarium tank and defines a water flow path therethrough from upstream to downstream from an inlet to an outlet. A replaceable filter element is mounted in a filter chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Brad L. Mihlbauer, Christopher L. Hawker, David R. Troop, II, Lonnie Austin Ready, Giacomo Guoli, Fabio Bellia
  • Publication number: 20090107900
    Abstract: An aquarium filter assembly is mounted to an aquarium tank and defines a water flow path therethrough from upstream to downstream from an inlet to an outlet. A replaceable filter element is mounted in a filter chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: Newa Tecno Industria s.r.l.
    Inventors: Brad L. Mihlbauer, Christopher L. Hawker, David R. Troop, II, Lonnie Austin Ready, Giacomo Guoli, Fabio Bellia
  • Publication number: 20090071886
    Abstract: An aquarium filter assembly includes a housing having a filter cartridge and a water pump and defining a flow path therethrough from upstream to downstream from an inlet to an outlet. A replaceable filter element is mounted in one or more designated orientation positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Newa Tecno Industria s.r.l.
    Inventors: Brad L. Mihlbauer, David R. Troop, II, Lonnie Austin Ready, Giacomo Guoli, Fabio Bellia
  • Publication number: 20090045112
    Abstract: An aquarium filter having a filter housing with a rounded bottom. The filter housing including a housing input that directs water into an interior chamber such that the water sweeps across the rounded bottom to reduce or eliminate dead spots and reduce particulate settlement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Donald Barry Huehn, Joseph Roark, Jeffrey Warden
  • Publication number: 20090045114
    Abstract: A filter cartridge assembly including a carrier and a filter element. The carrier including a water collection cup that collects water from the filter element when the filter cartridge assembly is held in an inverted orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Donald Barry Huehn, Joseph Roark, Jeffrey Warden
  • Patent number: 7488417
    Abstract: An aquarium filter assembly includes a filter assembly body, a water supply section and a filtered water section, the aquarium filter assembly being adapted for liquid connection with an aquarium, a removable filter cartridge caddy within the filter assembly body, a base with an outer peripheral wall extending upwardly from the base and an inner peripheral wall extending upwardly from the base surrounding an opening in the base, a support for a filter cartridge, a lift handle, a removable cover connectable to an upper portion of the support; a multi-paneled filter cartridge of filter material with a space between the panels removably supportable on the support; and a water supply assembly to supply water from the aquarium to the filtered water section, such that water flows from the water supply section through the filter cartridge supported by the caddy, into the filtered water section of the filter assembly body and then into the aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Mars Fishcare North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacques Jean Chauquet, Yves André René Grosse, Gary Lee Jones, Joel Martin Goldstein
  • Patent number: 7429321
    Abstract: An aquarium filter cartridge including activated carbon or the like and a housing wherein the water traces an S-shaped path is disclosed. In the S-shaped path the water flows horizontally through a floss type filter, downward to the bottom of the housing, horizontally into the bottom of the carbon cartridge, up through the carbon filter, and out the top or upper side of the housing back into the aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: JW Pet Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Willinger
  • Patent number: 7425274
    Abstract: An aquarium filter which is constructed of a housing which includes a module. The module is divided into a plurality of different sections. A separate filter cartridge is to be mounted within each section. Each filter cartridge is to be removable and replaceable in conjunction with its specific section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Inventor: Leon Helfet
  • Publication number: 20080210612
    Abstract: An aquarium filter cartridge including activated carbon or the like and a housing wherein the water traces an S-shaped path is disclosed. In the S-shaped path the water flows horizontally through a floss type filter, downward to the bottom of the housing, horizontally into the bottom of the carbon cartridge, up through the carbon filter, and out the top or upper side of the housing back into the aquarium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: JW PET COMPANY INC.
    Inventor: Jonathan WILLINGER
  • Patent number: 7416659
    Abstract: A filter arrangement for filtration of a primary fluid, the filter arrangement having a filtration region and a bypass region. The bypass region is a sealed region containing a secondary fluid having a specific gravity different than a specific gravity of the primary fluid. The bypass region providing a bypass pathway for flow of the primary fluid during extended use of a clogged filter cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Tetra Holding (US), Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel A. Newman
  • Patent number: 7316775
    Abstract: A filter including a filter housing having a spillway and a pneumatic intake assembly that draws water from an aquarium into the filter housing. The filter housing being configured to internally mount to the aquarium. The filter housing having first and second chamber oriented in a side-by-side arrangement such that water flows in a generally horizontal direction through a filter cartridge positioned between the first and second chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Tetra Holding (US), Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Carley, Mark G. Agresta
  • Patent number: 7316776
    Abstract: An improved aquarium filtration system is provided which includes a bio-reactor chamber. The bio-reactor chamber includes a plurality of bio-balls which have a high surface area for collecting bacteria for biological filtration. The bio-reactor includes one or more pumps for pumping both water and air into the bio-reactor chamber. Preferably, the oxygenated water creates protein laden foam and the bio-reactor chamber includes a removable protein collector. To this end, the bio-reactor chamber includes a vertical column for carrying the protein laden foam into the removable collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Inventor: Eric Kieselbach
  • Publication number: 20070251867
    Abstract: An aquarium filter assembly is mounted to an aquarium tank and defines a water flow path therethrough from upstream to downstream from an inlet to an outlet. A replaceable filter element is mounted in a filter chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventors: Brad L. Mihlbauer, Christopher L. Hawker, David R. Troop, Lonnie Austin Ready, Giacomo Guoli, Fabio Bellia
  • Patent number: 7273547
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a filtering apparatus including a filter device externally hitched on a wall surface of an aquarium. A water pump pumps water stored in the aquarium into the filter device. The filter device is formed so that the water pumped from the water pump is divided into a first flow which is returned into the aquarium unfiltered, and a second flow which is filtered through a filter element and then returned into the aquarium in dependence on a siphon effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Suisaku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Soichi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7252762
    Abstract: An aquarium filter arrangement including a filter housing and a filter cartridge positionable within a filter chamber of the filter housing. The filter arrangement includes a hinged cover connected to the filter housing. The hinged cover is designed to collect condensation when the cover is in an open position, and empty the collected condensation into the filter chamber when the cover is closed. The filtering housing also includes guides located above the filter chamber. The filter cartridge can be positioned within the guides during maintenance of the aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Tetra Holding (US), Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph C. Carley
  • Patent number: 7241379
    Abstract: An aquarium filter arrangement including a filter housing and a filter cartridge positionable within a filter chamber of the filter housing. The filter arrangement includes a hinged cover connected to the filter housing. The hinged cover is designed to collect condensation when the cover is in an open position, and empty the collected condensation into the filter chamber when the cover is closed. The filtering housing also includes guides located above the filter chamber. The filter cartridge can be positioned within the guides during maintenance of the aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Tetra Holding (US), Inc.
    Inventor: Mark G. Agresta
  • Patent number: 7179373
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing foreign matter from water at selected levels in an aquarium utilize a valving mechanism placed between a skimmer adjacent the upper surface of the water and a lower inlet adjacent the lower bottom of the aquarium, the valving mechanism being operated selectively to control the relative volume of the flow of water through the skimmer and through the lower inlet, and a corresponding continuous withdrawal of water, together with entrained foreign matter, passed through either one or both the skimmer and the lower inlet so as to remove foreign matter from selected levels in the aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Imagine Gold, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Horst Wehmeyer, Klaus W. Woltmann