US3815547A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Filtering device
Assignee: Metaframe Corp
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Filing: 1972-10-13
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Granted: 1974-06-11
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Expires: 1992-10-13
Abstract
Abstract A filtering device for use with an aquarium filled with a liquid has a lower porous filtering portion positioned below the surface level of the liquid and an upper non-porous portion positioned above the level of the liquid. The filtering device is arranged in a generally vertical plane in the aquarium to form first and second compartments. A pump, of any conventional type, is provided to pump the liquid from one compartment to the other and to cause a differential surface level of the liquid in the compartments, this causing a flow of liquid through the lower porous portion of the filtering device from the compartment having the higher liquid level to the compartment having the lower liquid level. A hole is provided in the upper non-porous portion, normally located above the liquid level, to permit liquid to flow from one of the compartments to the other in the event that the lower porous portion becomes clogged to thereby prevent normal filter flow - as when the filtering device must be cleaned or replaced. The filtering device advantageously includes at least one higher porosity portion facing the compartment having the higher liquid level and at least one lower porosity portion facing the compartment having the lower liquid level.
Inventors
- 👤 A Willinger
- 👤 A Dinnerstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:33
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K63/00; A01K63/04; A01K63/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A filtering device for an aquarium including a plurality of vertical walls, the filtering device comprising a substantially planar porous section of filtering material having an upper horizontal edge when mounted in the aquaruim and being removably positioned in a substantially vertical plane spaced from at least one of the vertical walls to form first and second compartments within the aquarium; pumping means for pumping liquid from one of said compartments to the other of said compartments over said horizontal edge of said filtering material, said pumping means and said porous section being fully removable from the aquarium by lifting the same in an upward direction without disturbing sand or ornamental devices disposed in the aquarium, whereby when pumping action occurs the level of the liquid in said other compartments tends to exceed the level in said one compartment, the differential level causing a flow of the liquid through said porous section from said other compartment to said one compartment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A filtering device for an aquarium including a plurality of vertical walls, the filtering device comprising a substantially planar porous section of filtering material having an upper horizontal edge when mounted in the aquaruim and being removably positioned in a substantially vertical plane spaced from at least one of the vertical walls to form first and second compartments within the aquarium; pumping means for pumping liquid from one of said compartments to the other of said compartments over said horizontal edge of said filtering material, said pumping means and said porous section being fully removable from the aquarium by lifting the same in an upward direction without disturbing sand or ornamental devices disposed in the aquarium, whereby when pumping action occurs the level of the liquid in said other compartments tends to exceed the level in said one compartment, the differential level causing a flow of the liquid through said porous section from said other compartment to said one compartment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A filtering device as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for maintaining said planar porous section in said vertical plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A filtering device as defined in claim 1, in combination with an aquarium which is rectangular and having a pair of longer vertical opposite sides, and a pair of shorter vertical opposite sides wherein said planar porous section extends between and substantially against a pair of said opposite sides.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A filtering device as defined in claim 3, wherein said pair of sides is the shorter pair.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A filtering device as defined in claim 1, wherein said planar porous section comprises a perforated water impervious panel and a filter panel adjacent to said perforated impervious panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A filtering device as defined in claim 5, wherein said filter panel is made from a polyester plastic floss bonded into a coherent layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A filtering device as defined in claim 5, wherein said filter panel is made from a plastic foam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A filtering device as defined in claim 1, wherein said filter panel is made from a double porosity material having a first lower porosity portion facing said one compartment and a second higher porosity portion facing said other compartment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A filtering device as defined in claim 5, wherein said impervious panel is substantially coextensive with said filter panel, said impervious panel having a lower perforated portion and an upper portion, the liquid being permitted to flow through the perforations in said lower portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
119 words
A filtering device as defined in claim 1, in combination with an aquarium having vertical sides each defining an upper horizontal rim, said upper horizontal rims being substantially coextensive with said upper horizontal edge, further comprising aperture means provided in said upper portion proximate to said upper horizontal edge, whereby clogging of the filter which reduces the porosity of the filter and thus the flow of the liquid from said other to said one compartments causes the liquid to rise excessively above a normal level and return from said other to said one compartments through said aperture means when the level in said other compartment reaches the level of said aperture means without flowing over said upper horizontal rims.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A filtering device as defined in claim 10, wherein said aperture means comprises at least one hole formed in said upper portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A filtering device as defined in claim 1, wherein said porous section is positioned in the aquarium so that the volume of said one compartment is substantially smaller than the volume of said other compartment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A filtering device as defined in claim 12, further comprising a mass of activated carbon positioned inside said one compartment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A filtering device as defined in claim 12, further comprising an aquarium heater positioned inside said one compartment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
163 words
An aquarium comprising a plurality of vertical sides each defining an upper rim; a substantially planar porous section of filter material having an upper horizontal edge substantially coextensive with said upper rims when mounted in the aquarium and being removably positioned in a substantially vertical plane spaced from at least one of said vertical walls to form first and second compartments within the aquarium; pumping means for pumping liquid from one of said compartments to the other of said compartments over said horizontal edge of said filtering material, said pumping means and said porous section being fully removable from the aquarium by lifting the same in an upward direction without disturbing sand or ornamental devices disposed in the aquarium, whereby when pumping action occurs the level of the liquid in said other compartment tends to exceed the level in said one compartment, the differential level causing a flow of the liquid through said porous section from said other compartment to said one compartment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
163 words
An aquarium comprising a plurality of vertical sides each defining an upper rim; a substantially planar porous section of filter material having an upper horizontal edge substantially coextensive with said upper rims when mounted in the aquarium and being removably positioned in a substantially vertical plane spaced from at least one of said vertical walls to form first and second compartments within the aquarium; pumping means for pumping liquid from one of said compartments to the other of said compartments over said horizontal edge of said filtering material, said pumping means and said porous section being fully removable from the aquarium by lifting the same in an upward direction without disturbing sand or ornamental devices disposed in the aquarium, whereby when pumping action occurs the level of the liquid in said other compartment tends to exceed the level in said one compartment, the differential level causing a flow of the liquid through said porous section from said other compartment to said one compartment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
120 words
An aquarium as defined in claim 15, wherein said planar porous section comprises a perforated water impervious panel and a substantially coextensive filter panel, said impervious panel having a lower perforated portion through the liquid normally flows and an upper portion provided with aperture means proximate to said upper horizontal edge, whereby clogging of the filter which reduces the porosity of the filter and thus the flow of the liquid from said other to said one compartments causes the liquid to rise excessively above a normal level and return from said other to said one compartment through said aperture means when the level in said other compartment reaches the level of said aperture means without flowing over said horizontal rims.
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) | 1977-06-10 | 1977-12-10 | 1978-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-10 | 1981-12-10 | 1982-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-10 | 1985-12-10 | 1986-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |