US3716025A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vertical tank system for fish rearing
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-11-30
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Granted: 1973-02-13
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Expires: 1990-11-30
Abstract
Abstract A self-contained system for rearing and harvesting fish commercially, e.g., catfish or the like. The system includes a vertically disposed cylindrical tank having a roof positioned over the open upper end thereof. A cone-shaped bottom member of the tank collects toxic matter and decomposed food and provides s sump which is communicated with a closable dump valve. Also included are primary and secondary aeration units which jointly provide multilevel aeration from a source of air. An automatic portion feeder is included which is connected with an outside water source and has discharge structure communicated with the interior of the tank for conveying and discharging optimum portions of feed into the tank. The temperature of the water within the tank is thermostatically controlled within an optimum temperature range by structure provided and adapted for this purpose. A remote control panel is included which is electrically connected to certain disclosed structure to conveniently operate the totally self-contained system. Also included is a circular grid which is adapted to be raised to a discharge outlet that communicates with a loading chute. Raising the grid is effective to urge the fish through the discharge outlet hence the loading chute for loading the harvested fish onto a suitable conveyance.
Inventors
- 👤 B Lawson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:03
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K61/00; A01K61/80; A01K61/10; A01K63/00; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A40/00; Y02A40/80; Y02A40/81
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A vertical tank system for rearing cat fish commercially consisting of: a. a round open-top tank having a roof positioned thereon, a cone shaped bottom member providing a sump and discharge means closable by a dump valve, b. a primary aeration unit installed within a bottom portion of said tank and connected by pipe means extending through a wall portion of the tank to a source of air under pressure, c. a secondary multilevel aeration and feeder unit within said tank and connected with said source of air, d. an automatic portion feeder connected to an outside water source having discharge means communicating with the interior of said tank, e. a thermostatically controlled gas operated water heater positioned near the tank having coils extending within a bottom portion of the tank, to maintain a desired constant temperature in said tank, f. an electrically operated circular grid lift positioned within the tank near the bottom thereof and adapted to be raised to a discharge outlet means provided in the tank and a loading chute communicating with said discharge outlet means for harvesting fish, g. and a remote control panel connected with an electrical circuit means to operate the primary and secondary aeration units, the portion feeder, water heater and grid lift.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A vertical tank system for rearing cat fish commercially consisting of: a. a round open-top tank having a roof positioned thereon, a cone shaped bottom member providing a sump and discharge means closable by a dump valve, b. a primary aeration unit installed within a bottom portion of said tank and connected by pipe means extending through a wall portion of the tank to a source of air under pressure, c. a secondary multilevel aeration and feeder unit within said tank and connected with said source of air, d. an automatic portion feeder connected to an outside water source having discharge means communicating with the interior of said tank, e. a thermostatically controlled gas operated water heater positioned near the tank having coils extending within a bottom portion of the tank, to maintain a desired constant temperature in said tank, f. an electrically operated circular grid lift positioned within the tank near the bottom thereof and adapted to be raised to a discharge outlet means provided in the tank and a loading chute communicating with said discharge outlet means for harvesting fish, g. and a remote control panel connected with an electrical circuit means to operate the primary and secondary aeration units, the portion feeder, water heater and grid lift.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
210 words
A vertical tank system for rearing cat fish commercially consisting of: a. a round open-top tank having a roof positioned thereon, a cone shaped bottom member providing a sump and discharge means closable by a dump valve, b. a primary aeration unit installed within a bottom portion of said tank and connected by pipe means extending through a wall portion of the tank to a source of air under pressure, c. a secondary multilevel aeration and feeder unit within said tank and connected with said source of air, d. an automatic portion feeder connected to an outside water source having discharge means communicating with the interior of said tank, e. a thermostatically controlled gas operated water heater positioned near the tank having coils extending within a bottom portion of the tank, to maintain a desired constant temperature in said tank, f. an electrically operated circular grid lift positioned within the tank near the bottom thereof and adapted to be raised to a discharge outlet means provided in the tank and a loading chute communicating with said discharge outlet means for harvesting fish, g. and a remote control panel connected with an electrical circuit means to operate the primary and secondary aeration units, the portion feeder, water heater and grid lift.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
210 words
A vertical tank system for rearing cat fish commercially consisting of: a. a round open-top tank having a roof positioned thereon, a cone shaped bottom member providing a sump and discharge means closable by a dump valve, b. a primary aeration unit installed within a bottom portion of said tank and connected by pipe means extending through a wall portion of the tank to a source of air under pressure, c. a secondary multilevel aeration and feeder unit within said tank and connected with said source of air, d. an automatic portion feeder connected to an outside water source having discharge means communicating with the interior of said tank, e. a thermostatically controlled gas operated water heater positioned near the tank having coils extending within a bottom portion of the tank, to maintain a desired constant temperature in said tank, f. an electrically operated circular grid lift positioned within the tank near the bottom thereof and adapted to be raised to a discharge outlet means provided in the tank and a loading chute communicating with said discharge outlet means for harvesting fish, g. and a remote control panel connected with an electrical circuit means to operate the primary and secondary aeration units, the portion feeder, water heater and grid lift.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
A vertical tank system for rearing cat fish as defined in claim one wherein said primary automatic feeder uses an electric water pump connected to a circular chamber to siphon pellet food from storage hopper through check valve, then forces it under pressure through said pipe means past the check valves into said tank at different levels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A vertical tank system for rearing cat fish as defined in claim one wherein said secondary top attached multilevel aeration and feeder unit using said outside source of compressed air siphons feed from hopper through check valves and sends it to various levels in said tank by means of flexible hoses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
A vertical tank system as defined in claim one wherein said constant demand air comPressor (outside source of air) connected by said pipe means through a wall portion of said tank to a circular bottom mounted aeration distributor with sieve type oxygenator valves is used to supply and maintain proper oxygen level in water of said tank.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
A vertical tank system as defined in claim 1 wherein said gas operated, thermostatically controlled heater supplies hot water to said circular distributor coil, bottom mounted, in said tank to maintain a constant 70* to 80* temperature ideal for rearing catfish. Said thermostats are mounted above said distributor coil and said tank walls as a means of reading average temperature in depth of said tank.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
164 words
A vertical tank system as defined in claim 1 wherein said circular grid is suspended from said roof by means of a nylon cable connected to a winch operated by an electric motor and guided by tracks attached vertically to said tank walls. When in operation an automatic switch starts the pump of said outside water source forcing water into the top of said tank through said pipe means set at 45* to a center line creating a circular movement of water around said tank walls. As the level of water rises, fish are forced out said discharge outlet in said tank upper walls and down said attached chute from which the excess water is drained through sieve bottom. The fish will be carried on into a suitable conveyance for transporting by force of gravity. Said grid lets the original volume of water stay inside said tank while slowly floating the fish in said tank, up, out said discharge outlet and down said chute.
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) | 1976-02-13 | 1976-08-14 | 1977-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-13 | 1980-08-14 | 1981-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-13 | 1984-08-14 | 1985-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |