US3900004A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic circulating hatchery
Assignee: Penn-Plax Plastics Inc
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Filing: 1974-04-01
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Granted: 1975-08-19
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Expires: 1994-04-01
Abstract
Abstract An automatic circulating fish hatchery is provided for detachable assembly with an aquarium as needed, with the hatchery having a separable nursery for receiving and segregating baby fish from the hatching parent and from the general aquarium environment. The nursery, after receiving the baby fish, may be detached and moved to a separate aquarium without exposure to adult fish. Included herewith are means for simply removing the baby fish from the hatching parent to the separable nursery, and means for accommodating more than one pregnant adult fish at the same time. The detachable hatchery and its separable nursery are also provided with constant circulation until transfer of the separable nursery to another aquarium.
Inventors
- 👤 Marvin A Goldman
- 👤 Jerome N Goldman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:23
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K61/00; A01K61/10; A01K61/17; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A40/00; Y02A40/80; Y02A40/81
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
In a hatchery assembly for an aquarium and having a hatchery tank for separAting and accommodating adult pregnant fish, and a source of compressed air, the combination which comprises a. a separable nursery tank for disposal on said hatchery tank; b. means dividing said hatchery tank into a separate adult pregnant fish retention area, said dividing means allowing passage of hatched baby fish therethrough; c. flow communication means between said source and said hatchery and nursery tanks; d. openings in said hatchery tank allowing water flow from an aquarium into said tank; e. means in said flow communication means causing continuous flow of water through said hatchery tank to said nursery tank; f. openings in said nursery tank spaced from the bottom thereof, allowing continuous circulation and water overflow therethrough, said openings being dimensioned to prevent the passage of baby fish therethrough; g. an opening in the bottom of said hatchery tank below said dividing means; h. a first nipple integral with said hatchery tank defining said opening; i. a second nipple disposed adjacent said nursery tank defining an opening thereto; j. said second nipple having an opening connected to said source; k. an annular stack centrally of said nursery tank and integral therewith; l. said stack being in flow communication with said second nipple; and m. a flexible line joining said first and second nipple.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
In a hatchery assembly for an aquarium and having a hatchery tank for separAting and accommodating adult pregnant fish, and a source of compressed air, the combination which comprises a. a separable nursery tank for disposal on said hatchery tank; b. means dividing said hatchery tank into a separate adult pregnant fish retention area, said dividing means allowing passage of hatched baby fish therethrough; c. flow communication means between said source and said hatchery and nursery tanks; d. openings in said hatchery tank allowing water flow from an aquarium into said tank; e. means in said flow communication means causing continuous flow of water through said hatchery tank to said nursery tank; f. openings in said nursery tank spaced from the bottom thereof, allowing continuous circulation and water overflow therethrough, said openings being dimensioned to prevent the passage of baby fish therethrough; g. an opening in the bottom of said hatchery tank below said dividing means; h. a first nipple integral with said hatchery tank defining said opening; i. a second nipple disposed adjacent said nursery tank defining an opening thereto; j. said second nipple having an opening connected to said source; k. an annular stack centrally of said nursery tank and integral therewith; l. said stack being in flow communication with said second nipple; and m. a flexible line joining said first and second nipple.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A hatchery assembly as described in claim 1, which also includes a. a foraminous divider gate for dividing said retention area into two retention areas for pregnant fish.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A hatchery assembly as described in claim 1, which also includes a. a nursery tank support tray removably supported on said hatchery tank, said second nipple being integral therewith; and b. an upstanding annular nipple integral with said support tray for receiving said nursery tank stack when said nursery tank is disposed on said tray.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A hatchery assembly as described in claim 3, in which a. the adjacent walls of said hatchery tank and said nursery tank support tray have integral cooperating tongue-in-groove abutments for supporting said tray on said hatchery tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A hatchery assembly as described in claim 4, in which a. one of the walls of said detachable nursery tank has an overhanging lip for supporting cooperation with the top of the adjacent hatchery tank wall.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
184 words
In a hatchery assembly for an aquarium, and having a hatchery tank for separating and accommodating adult pregnant fish, and a source of compressed air, the combination which comprises a. a separable nursery tank for disposal on said hatchery tank; b. means dividing said hatchery tank into a separate adult pregnant fish retention area, said dividing means allowing passage of hatched baby fish therethrough; c. flow communication means between said source and said hatchery and nursery tanks; d. openings in said hatchery tank allowing water flow from an aquarium into said tank; e. means in said flow communication means causing continuous flow of water through said hatchery tank to said nursery tank; f. openings in said nursery tank spaced from the bottom thereof, allowing continuous circulation and water overflow therethrough, said openings being dimensioned to prevent the passage of baby fish therethrough; g. a platform integral with said hatchery tank and disposed in said flow communication means for removably receiving said nursery tank; and h. cooperating means on said platform and said nursery tank for connecting said nursery tank to said flow communication means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
184 words
In a hatchery assembly for an aquarium, and having a hatchery tank for separating and accommodating adult pregnant fish, and a source of compressed air, the combination which comprises a. a separable nursery tank for disposal on said hatchery tank; b. means dividing said hatchery tank into a separate adult pregnant fish retention area, said dividing means allowing passage of hatched baby fish therethrough; c. flow communication means between said source and said hatchery and nursery tanks; d. openings in said hatchery tank allowing water flow from an aquarium into said tank; e. means in said flow communication means causing continuous flow of water through said hatchery tank to said nursery tank; f. openings in said nursery tank spaced from the bottom thereof, allowing continuous circulation and water overflow therethrough, said openings being dimensioned to prevent the passage of baby fish therethrough; g. a platform integral with said hatchery tank and disposed in said flow communication means for removably receiving said nursery tank; and h. cooperating means on said platform and said nursery tank for connecting said nursery tank to said flow communication means.
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) | 1978-08-18 | 1979-02-17 | 1979-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-18 | 1983-02-17 | 1983-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-18 | 1987-02-17 | 1987-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |