Abstract The present invention comprises apparatus for initiating a fluid flow within a siphon tube from an aquarium to its associated filter tank. The novel apparatus comprises the addition of a vacuum duct with an upturned fluid trap to an otherwise conventional siphon tube; the detachable attachment of a siphon bulb to the trap outlet of the vacuum duct while both the aquarium and filter tank are full, with the filter tank pump being in an 37 off" condition; the squeezing of the siphon bulb in order to exhaust air from said bulb and ultimately out through the aquarium tank. The bulb is then released, thereby creating a pressure differential within the siphon tube which will cause the air within said tube to be drawn into the bulb. The removal of the trapped air within the siphon tube, and from the vacuum duct and its trap, will cause fluid to fill the siphon tube, and vacuum duct. A fluid flow will be initiated from the aquarium to the filter tank as the pump starts to pump fluid out of the filter tank into the aquarium. The air is locked out of both the siphon tube and duct by the fluid in the upturned trap. The siphon bulb is then removed until the next occasion on which it is necessary to interrupt the fluid flow for cleaning.
An aquarium filter system comprising an aquarium, a filter tank associated therewith and at least one siphon tube extending therebetween, said siphon tube comprising a generally U-shaped structure possessing a first long arm extending into said aquarium, a second short arm extending into said filter tank, and a vertically extended U-bend connecting said long arm and said short arm, the improvement wherein a tube of reduced diameter is provided with one end thereof in operative connection with said siphon tube at the apex of said U-bend, said reduced diameter tube traveling partially down one side of said U-bend adjacent said short arm and terminating in an abruptly U-shaped, open ended, upwardly turned fluid trap; and a siphon bulb detachably attached to said fluid trap, wherein compression of said siphon bulb expels air completely from said reduced diameter tube and said siphon tube, and wherein release of compression of said siphon bulb results in the expansion of said bulb and causes water to enter and fill said siphon tube, said reduced diameter tube and said fluid trap, whereby detachment of said siphon bulb from said fluid trap prevents the reentry of air into said reduced diameter tube and said siphon tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
An aquarium filter system comprising an aquarium, a filter tank associated therewith and at least one siphon tube extending therebetween, said siphon tube comprising a generally U-shaped structure possessing a first long arm extending into said aquarium, a second short arm extending into said filter tank, and a vertically extended U-bend connecting said long arm and said short arm, the improvement wherein a tube of reduced diameter is provided with one end thereof in operative connection with said siphon tube at the apex of said U-bend, said reduced diameter tube traveling partially down one side of said U-bend adjacent said short arm and terminating in an abruptly U-shaped, open ended, upwardly turned fluid trap; and a siphon bulb detachably attached to said fluid trap, wherein compression of said siphon bulb expels air completely from said reduced diameter tube and said siphon tube, and wherein release of compression of said siphon bulb results in the expansion of said bulb and causes water to enter and fill said siphon tube, said reduced diameter tube and said fluid trap, whereby detachment of said siphon bulb from said fluid trap prevents the reentry of air into said reduced diameter tube and said siphon tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The filter system of claim 1 further comprising an extension tube located in detachable attachment between said fluid trap and said siphon bulb.