Patent US3916833A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3916833A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Aqueous crustacean culture system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-03-04
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Granted: 1975-11-04
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Expires: 1994-03-04
Abstract
Abstract An aqueous culture system having a plurality of vertically superimposed compartments adapted for submersion in water and sized for individual housing of crustaceans; a plurality of food particle platforms one each associated with and accessible to each compartment and a plurality of food particle descent passages aligned with the platforms in an arrangement providing substantially equal distribution to the platforms of heavier than water food particles delivered onto the top of the water in which the compartments are submerged. The system also provides for the use of excess food and waste products in supporting a continuous life cycle within the aqueous habitat.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven A Serfling
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:29
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K61/00; A01K61/50; A01K61/59; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A40/00; Y02A40/80; Y02A40/81
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
An array of vertically superimposed compartments adapted for submersion in water and each sized to house, and each having a bottom adapted to support, a crustacean; each said bottom being subdivided into contiguous particleretaining and particle-passing areas, each of said particlepassing areas being formed for support of a crustacean and for conjoint gravitation therethrough of food particles and animal waste, said particle-retaining areas being each formed for support of food and animal waste particles; said particle-retaining areas at different levels being horizontally offset one from the other and collectively providing when viewed in plan a substantially complete coverage of the horizontal dimensions of said array, whereby heavierthan-water food particles distributed onto the water surface overlying said array will gravitate into distributed portions on said particle-retaining areas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
An array of vertically superimposed compartments adapted for submersion in water and each sized to house, and each having a bottom adapted to support, a crustacean; each said bottom being subdivided into contiguous particleretaining and particle-passing areas, each of said particlepassing areas being formed for support of a crustacean and for conjoint gravitation therethrough of food particles and animal waste, said particle-retaining areas being each formed for support of food and animal waste particles; said particle-retaining areas at different levels being horizontally offset one from the other and collectively providing when viewed in plan a substantially complete coverage of the horizontal dimensions of said array, whereby heavierthan-water food particles distributed onto the water surface overlying said array will gravitate into distributed portions on said particle-retaining areas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, a water tank for containing said compartments; said particle passage areas being formed for descent of surplus food and crustaceans waste products therethrough for gravitation of said products to the bottom of said tank; and means for supporting said compartments in elevated position over said tank bottom to provide a fish channel therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, adapted for use in conjunction with aqueous animals selected of a small size and species consuming crustacean wastes and diseased crustaceans, said compartments having openings therein smaller than said crustaceans and larger than said aqueous animals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, water in said tank having a top surface above said array; and means for depositing food particles on said top surface substantially uniformly over said array.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, a plurality of trays each having a bottom wall, side walls and at least one partition wall, said trays being stacked one upon another in a vertical tier with said bottom, side and partition walls defining said compartments and with the bottom wall of an upper tray defining the top of compartments formed by the adjacent lower tray; and said tray bottom walls being formed to provide said particle supporting and particle passing areas for each compartment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, a plurality of said particle-retaining areas being distributed over the bottom of each compartment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, each of said particle-retaining areas comprising a cup-shaped, food particle retaining receptacle.
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) | 1978-11-03 | 1979-05-05 | 1979-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-03 | 1983-05-05 | 1983-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-03 | 1987-05-05 | 1987-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |