Patent US3707948A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3707948A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oyster spawning facility
Assignee: OCEANOGRAPHY MARICULTURE IND
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Filing: 1970-12-01
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Granted: 1973-01-02
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Expires: 1990-12-01
Abstract
Abstract A single closed system facility is provided for both preconditioning and inducing oysters to spawn. The facility comprises an insulated cabinet having vertically arranged, slidably disposed trays or drawers which are supplied with water from a plurality of pipes, each conducting water of a different temperature, so that the temperature of the water in each tray may be selectively controlled by valving the proportion of the water being received therein from the respective pipes. Drain pipes from the trays feed into a vertical pipe disposed outside the cabinet which feeds into a filtering and collecting basin, from which the filtered water is pumped and returned to its source. Operatively, the upper trays may be used for conditioning oysters placed therein by providing water thereto and feeding the same with artificially grown food according to a prescribed program for a predetermined period of time. After this time, the oysters may be placed in the lower trays, wherein the water is maintained at a predetermined temperature most desirable for inducing the oysters to spawn. After spawning and fertilization of the eggs, removal from the spawning trays may be accomplished by siphoning the same into a nearby aquarium tank.
Inventors
- 👤 J Dunathan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:15
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K61/00; A01K61/50; A01K61/54; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A40/00; Y02A40/80; Y02A40/81
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
An oyster spawning facility comprising: an insulated cabinet having a plurality of trays slidably disposed in openings therein; a plurality of water supply tanks; means for maintaining the water in each of said water supply tanks at a different temperature; means for conducting water from each of said tanks to each of said trays; means for regulating the flow of water from each of said tanks into each of said trays to selectively control the temperature of water in each tray; and, means for continuously circulating water between said trays and said water supply tanks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
An oyster spawning facility comprising: an insulated cabinet having a plurality of trays slidably disposed in openings therein; a plurality of water supply tanks; means for maintaining the water in each of said water supply tanks at a different temperature; means for conducting water from each of said tanks to each of said trays; means for regulating the flow of water from each of said tanks into each of said trays to selectively control the temperature of water in each tray; and, means for continuously circulating water between said trays and said water supply tanks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of trays are vertically arranged to be disposed at different levels in said cabinet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
The invention according to claim 2, wherein said water conducting means comprises: vertically oriented conduits equal in number to said water tanks being disposed adjacent said insulated cabinet; horizontally oriented conduits, one each leading from each of said vertically oriented conduits to each of said different levels of said trays; and, means connecting said vertically oriented conduits respectively with said water supply tanks, for supplying water of each of said temperatures to each of said trays.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention according to claim 3, wherein said flow regulating means comprises a valve in each of said horizontally oriented conduits for each of said trays for controlling the amount of water at each temperature being delivered to each of said trays.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention according to claim 2, wherein said water circulating means comprises: a sump; means for draining water from each of said trays into said sump; conduit means connecting said sump and said water supply tanks; and, a pump for moving water from said sump through said conduit means to said water supply tanks.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention according to claim 5, further including filter means in said sump.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention according to claim 5, wherein said draining means comprises: a vertically oriented drain conduit disposed adjacent to said cabinet; horizontally oriented drain conduits, one each leading from each of said different levels of said trays to said vertically oriented drain conduit; and, means for draining water from each of said trays to the horizontally oriented drain conduit disposed at the respective level thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention according to claim 7, wherein said means for draining water from each of said trays comprises a flexible hose adapted to connect each respective tray with its respective horizontally oriented drain conduit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention according to claim 2, further comprising insulated doors for covering each of said openings in said insulated cabinet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention according to claim 9, wherein at least the lowermost of said doors are arranged to open downwardly for permitting ready observation of said trays in said openings covered thereby without removing said trays.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention according to claim 2, wherein said trays are vertically arranged in pairs, each pair being disposed at a different level in said cabinet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
179 words
An oyster spawning facility comprising: an insulated cabinet having a plurality of trays slidably disposed in openings therein, said trays being vertically arranged in pairs disposed at different levels in said cabinet; a plurality of water supply tanks; means for maintaining the water in at least one of said water supply tanks at a temperature of approximately 10* C.; means for maintaining the water in at least one other of said water supply tanks at a temperature of approximately 35* C.; means for maintaining the water in at leasT one other of said water supply tanks at ambient temperature; means for conducting water from each of said water supply tanks to each of said trays; means for regulating the flow of water from each of said water supply tanks into each of said trays to selectively control the temperature of water in each of said trays; a sump; means for draining water from each of said trays into said sump; filter means in said sump; and, means for pumping filtered water from said sump to said water supply tanks.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
179 words
An oyster spawning facility comprising: an insulated cabinet having a plurality of trays slidably disposed in openings therein, said trays being vertically arranged in pairs disposed at different levels in said cabinet; a plurality of water supply tanks; means for maintaining the water in at least one of said water supply tanks at a temperature of approximately 10* C.; means for maintaining the water in at least one other of said water supply tanks at a temperature of approximately 35* C.; means for maintaining the water in at leasT one other of said water supply tanks at ambient temperature; means for conducting water from each of said water supply tanks to each of said trays; means for regulating the flow of water from each of said water supply tanks into each of said trays to selectively control the temperature of water in each of said trays; a sump; means for draining water from each of said trays into said sump; filter means in said sump; and, means for pumping filtered water from said sump to said water supply tanks.
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) | 1976-01-02 | 1976-07-03 | 1977-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-02 | 1980-07-03 | 1981-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-02 | 1984-07-03 | 1985-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |