US3696788A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for hatching crustacea
Assignee: Ocean Protein Corp
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Filing: 1970-12-08
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Granted: 1972-10-10
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Expires: 1990-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A tank apparatus and method for providing advantageous environment for the hatching and early development of crustacean larvae. A plurality of hatching chambers, each having an adjacent larval chamber, with a low bulkhead separating the larval chamber from the hatching chamber. Light sources near the larval chambers cause the larvae to migrate to the latter chambers when the water level is above the bulkhead and the screening is removed. A removable screen mesh can be mounted atop the bulkhead to contain the larvae in the larval chamber. A spray arrangement is also provided to wash down the walls forming the larval chamber portion of the hatching tank to prevent larvae from jumping out and air is supplied to the hatching tank.
Inventors
- 👤 John J Day
- 👤 Paul S Hirschman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:48
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K61/00; A01K61/50; A01K61/59; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A40/00; Y02A40/80; Y02A40/81
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A hatching tank for crustacea larvae comprising, means for draining water from said tank, means for preventing said larvae from being drained from the tank by said drain means, and means for supplying fluid to the tank wall above the normal level of water in the tank to prevent the larvae from jumping out of the tank.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
57 words
A hatching tank for crustacea larvae comprising, means for draining water from said tank, means for preventing said larvae from being drained from the tank by said drain means, and means for supplying fluid to the tank wall above the normal level of water in the tank to prevent the larvae from jumping out of the tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A hatching tank as in claim 1, further comprising means for inducing the larvae to migrate to various portions of the tank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The hatching tank as in claim 1 further comprising means for isolating a female, egg bearing crustacean within a predetermined portion of the overall confines of said tank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The hatching tank of claim 3 wherein said means for isolating the female crustacean comprises a container which can be immersed into the fluid of said container while holding the female crustacean therein, said container having at least one opening to permit the larvae to migrate therefrom into the fluid of the tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A hatching tank as in claim 4 further comprising means for inducing the hatched larvae to migrate from the container to various portions of the tank.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A hatching tank as in claim 1 wherein said tank is generally circulaR, said fluid supply means comprising a ring located adjacent the top of the tank and of the same general shape as the tank for supplying the fluid to various parts of the tank preventing the larvae from jumping out of the tank.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
50 words
The method of providing a suitable environment for the hatching and early development of crustacean larvae comprising the steps of: hatching the crustacea larvae in a tank of water, and discharging fluid onto the interior wall of the tank to prevent the crustacea larvae from jumping out of the tank.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
50 words
The method of providing a suitable environment for the hatching and early development of crustacean larvae comprising the steps of: hatching the crustacea larvae in a tank of water, and discharging fluid onto the interior wall of the tank to prevent the crustacea larvae from jumping out of the tank.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said crustacea are hatched by placing a female crustacean in the fluid within the confines of the tank.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the step of placing the female crustacean in the tank comprises the step of placing the female in a container having at least one opening therein through which the larvae migrate to other portions of the tank.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the step of placing the female crustacean in the tank comprises: a. physically isolating a female crustacean bearing fertilized eggs in a hatching chamber containing water, said hatching chamber being in fluid communication with a larval chamber and b. inducing newly hatched larvae to migrate from said hatching chamber to said larval chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of inducing the larvae to migrate from the container to other portions of said tank.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said inducing step comprises illuminating said other portions of said tank.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said inducing step comprises illuminating said larval chamber relative to said hatching chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
92 words
A tank for containing fluid to provide suitable environment for the hatching and early development of crustacea larvae, comprising: a. means forming a hatching chamber, b. means forming a larval chamber adjacent thereto, c. means forming a passage way between the hatching and larval chambers, d. inducing means to induce said larvae to migrate from said hatching chamber to said larval chamber, and e. fluid discharge means for supplying fluid to wash down the interior of the walls of the larval chamber above the level of the fluid contained in said larval.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
92 words
A tank for containing fluid to provide suitable environment for the hatching and early development of crustacea larvae, comprising: a. means forming a hatching chamber, b. means forming a larval chamber adjacent thereto, c. means forming a passage way between the hatching and larval chambers, d. inducing means to induce said larvae to migrate from said hatching chamber to said larval chamber, and e. fluid discharge means for supplying fluid to wash down the interior of the walls of the larval chamber above the level of the fluid contained in said larval.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The tank of claim 14 wherein said fluid supply means comprises means for surrounding a major portion of the tank wall defining the larval chamber for supplying a plurality of streams of fluid to said wall.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-10 | 1976-04-10 | 1976-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-10 | 1980-04-10 | 1980-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-10 | 1984-04-10 | 1984-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |