US4249480A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for rearing shrimp
Assignee: FARM FRESH SHRIMP CORP
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Filing: 1978-07-18
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Granted: 1981-02-10
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Expires: 1998-07-18
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for rearing shrimp through the larvae stage wherein the shrimp are subjected to controlled conditions and a common enclosure for the male and female adult shrimp is provided which permits uncontrolled access of the shrimp to one another and wherein the shrimp are maintained through a plurality of cycles of mating, spawning and hatching. The system is further provided with filtration means for filtering the medium of the common enclosure and with collecting means for collecting hatched shrimp at preselected times from the common enclosure medium as the medium moves into the filtration means.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles Dugan
- 👤 Timothy Dugan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:02
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K61/00; A01K61/50; A01K61/59; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A40/00; Y02A40/80; Y02A40/81
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for rearing shrimp under controlled conditions through the larvae stage comprising: providing a common enclosure having a medium therein and habitats disposed in the medium for male and female adult shrimp; maintaining the male and female adult shrimp in the common enclosure through a plurality of cycles of mating, spawning and hatching; filtering the medium in the common enclosure; and collecting hatched larvae at predetermined times from the enclosure medium as the medium is being conveyed during filtering.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for rearing shrimp under controlled conditions through the larvae stage comprising: providing a common enclosure having a medium therein and habitats disposed in the medium for male and female adult shrimp; maintaining the male and female adult shrimp in the common enclosure through a plurality of cycles of mating, spawning and hatching; filtering the medium in the common enclosure; and collecting hatched larvae at predetermined times from the enclosure medium as the medium is being conveyed during filtering.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein: the step of maintaining includes permitting free access of said adult shrimp to one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, further including the step of: maintaining the temperature of said medium at 28.5° C.; and providing light to said enclosure for 14 hours per day.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, further including the step of: stocking said common enclosure with a greater number of female adult shrimp than male adult shrimp.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein: the step of filtering includes creating movement of said medium; and the step of collecting includes inserting a collecting apparatus in the moving medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method in accordance with claim 5, wherein: the step of collecting includes providing light adjacent where the collecting apparatus is inserted in said medium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
110 words
Apparatus for rearing shrimp under controlled conditions through the larvae stage comprising: common enclosure means for housing male and female adult shrimp during a plurality of cycles of mating, spawning and hatching, said enclosure having a medium therein; means for filtering the medium in said enclosure, including a tank having a common wall with said enclosure, said common wall having an aperture, and means for moving said medium from said enclosure through said aperture and into said tank; and means for collecting hatched larvae at predetermined times from the enclosure medium as the medium is being conveyed during filtering through said aperture and into said tank by said moving means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
110 words
Apparatus for rearing shrimp under controlled conditions through the larvae stage comprising: common enclosure means for housing male and female adult shrimp during a plurality of cycles of mating, spawning and hatching, said enclosure having a medium therein; means for filtering the medium in said enclosure, including a tank having a common wall with said enclosure, said common wall having an aperture, and means for moving said medium from said enclosure through said aperture and into said tank; and means for collecting hatched larvae at predetermined times from the enclosure medium as the medium is being conveyed during filtering through said aperture and into said tank by said moving means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein: said enclosure includes habitats for said shrimp which open into a common area, thereby permitting freedom of access of said shrimp to one another.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein: said means for filtering filters said medium continuously.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein: said means for moving includes an air lift which conveys medium from the bottom of said tank into said common enclosure thereby raising the level of medium in said enclosure relative to the level of medium in said tank and inducing flow of medium from said enclosure through said aperture.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein: said filtration means includes a bio-filter comprising a bed of coral rock impregnated with nitrification bacteria.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein: said collection means includes a light source for directing light to the region of said medium adjacent said aperture.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 11, wherein: said apparatus further includes means for maintaining said light source on during the early morning hours.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein: said means for maintaining maintains said light source on during the hours of 2 a.m. to 7 a.m.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein: said collection means further includes: a collection box having mesh walls, and an intake means for receiving said medium as it passes from said aperture into said tank.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 15, wherein: said filtration means includes a conduit disposed within said aperture; and said intake means includes means for detachably connecting to said conduit.
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) | 1984-02-10 | 1984-08-11 | 1985-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-10 | 1988-08-11 | 1989-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-10 | 1992-08-11 | 1993-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |