US4754571A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Terrarium/aquarium combination
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-09-12
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Granted: 1988-07-05
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Expires: 2006-09-12
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for humidifying indoor air is provided, and includes an open-topped container, having means for circulating air therethrough. Substrate material is provided in the container, the substrate material being suitable for the growth of plants. Means for circulating water through said substrate material is provided, thereby to maintain a substantially constant water content therein. Air circulated past the vicinity of said substrate will tend to retain moisture.
Inventors
- 👤 Wolfgang Riechmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:55
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G9/00; A01G9/24; A01G9/246; A01K; A01K63/00; A01K63/003; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A40/00; Y02A40/10; Y02A40/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
In combination, an aquarium and a terrarium, said aquarium and terrarium being in a common container and being separated from one another by a partition of predetermined height, said combination including an integrated water circulation system, said water circulation system including a primary pump, a primary filter with a filter pump, at least one conduit extending from said primary pump for carrying a flow of clean filtered water over said terrarium to said aquarium, and at least one conduit extending from said terrarium to said filter pump and filter for carrying a flow of water to said filter for cleaning; said terrarium being supplied with water from said aquarium by means of an overflow of water over said partition; said terrarium comprising a hydroponic substrate; a filter plate disposed between said hydroponic substrate and the at least one conduit leading from said terrarium to said filter pump and filter, whereby water is permitted to freely flow from said substrate to said filter; ventilation means associated with the terrarium; said ventilation means comprising an electric fan provided with a first timer means for actuating the fan at a predetermined time and for a predetermined duration, whereby the climate associated with a selected ecosystem may be simulated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
In combination, an aquarium and a terrarium, said aquarium and terrarium being in a common container and being separated from one another by a partition of predetermined height, said combination including an integrated water circulation system, said water circulation system including a primary pump, a primary filter with a filter pump, at least one conduit extending from said primary pump for carrying a flow of clean filtered water over said terrarium to said aquarium, and at least one conduit extending from said terrarium to said filter pump and filter for carrying a flow of water to said filter for cleaning; said terrarium being supplied with water from said aquarium by means of an overflow of water over said partition; said terrarium comprising a hydroponic substrate; a filter plate disposed between said hydroponic substrate and the at least one conduit leading from said terrarium to said filter pump and filter, whereby water is permitted to freely flow from said substrate to said filter; ventilation means associated with the terrarium; said ventilation means comprising an electric fan provided with a first timer means for actuating the fan at a predetermined time and for a predetermined duration, whereby the climate associated with a selected ecosystem may be simulated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is also provided photosynthesis promotion means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein said photosynthesis promotion means comprises a light source capable of emitting radiation in a spectrum corresponding to the spectrum necessary for promoting the light photosynthesis reaction in a selected plant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A combination as claimed in claim 3 wherein said light source is coupled with a second timer, whereby the diurnal cycle in said selected ecosystem may be simulated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A combination as claimed in claim 4, wherein said aquarium contains fresh water, and said primary filter contains filter elements suitable for filtering fresh water aquarium water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A combination as claimed in claim 5, wherein said filter elements includes at least one elements selected from the group including an ion filter medium, floss and sponge.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A combination as claimed in claim 4, wherein said aquarium contains salt water, said primary filter contains filter elements suitable for filtering salt water aquarium water, and said primary pump is disposed between said filter and said aquarium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
A combination as claimed in claim 7, further including an overflow pipe from a first reservoir beneath said terrarium to said filter elements, whereby water is permitted to flow from said first reservoir through said elements by gravity, to a second reservoir, said primary pump being associated with said second reservoir, to draw water from said second reservoir and deliver it to said aquarium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A combination as claimed in claim 8, further including a heater disposed between said second reservoir and said primary pump, to heat said water to a desired temperature to sustain aquatic life.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A combination as claimed in claim 9, further including a UV sterilizer disposed between said second reservoir and said primary pump to sterilize water.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A combination as claimed in claim 10 wherein said filter elements include at least one elements chosen from the group including floss, coral sand, sponge and an ion filter medium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
A combination as claimed in claim 11 further including a secondary filter, with a secondary pump, associated with said second reservoir, for drawing a portion of the water passing through said primary filter through a tortuous passageway filled with coral rock and coral sand to which lactose has been added, thereby to reduce nitrates in said water to nitrogen gas.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A combination as claimed in claim 12 further including a tertiary filter disposed beneath the floor of said aquarium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
73 words
A combination as claimed in claim 13 wherein the floor of said aquarium is divided into front and rear parts by a vertical partition, one of said parts defining a worm-bed, and the other of said parts being further divided into three sub-parts by two transversely extending partitions, the outer two of said three sub-parts housing an inlet for said tertiary filter; and the centermost sub-part housing an outlet for said tertiary filter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A combination as claimed in claim 14, wherein each of the three sub-parts is provided with a filter plate covered with coral sand, and beneath said filter plate, said inlet or said outlet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A combination as claimed in claim 15 wherein said inlets and said outlets comprise perforated tubes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
A combination as claimed in claim 16 wherein said inlet is connected to a tertiary pump provided with a cartridge filter, the outlet from said cartridge filter being connected to the perforated outlet tubes in said outermost sub-parts.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A combination as claimed in claim 17 including heater and UV sterilizer elements between said cartridge filter and said perforated outlets.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
58 words
A combination as claimed in claim 18 wherein said worm-bed comprises a filter plate having coral sand on it, an outlet pipe extending above the sand at one side of the plate, an inlet extending above the sand at the other side of the plate, and an air stone with an associated air pump, situated in said outlet.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
58 words
A combination as claimed in claim 17 wherein said worm-bed comprises a filter plate having coral sand on it, an outlet pipe extending above the sand at one side of the plate, an inlet extending above the sand at the other side of the plate, and an air stone with an associated air pump, situated in said outlet.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
58 words
A combination as claimed in claim 18 wherein said worm-bed comprises a filter plate having coral sand on it, an outlet pipe extending above the sand at one side of the plate, an inlet extending above the sand at the other side of the plate, and an air stone with an associated air pump, situated in said outlet.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-07-05 | 1992-01-04 | 1992-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-07-05 | 1996-01-04 | 1996-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-07-05 | 2000-01-04 | 2000-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |