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US4240906A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Liquid media clarifier
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-09-28
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Granted: 1980-12-23
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Expires: 1999-09-28
Abstract
Abstract A composition for enhancing the clarity of liquid media, for example, in aquariums comprises a major amount by volume of vermiculite particles and a minor amount of filter medium particles. The vermiculite acts to improve the propagation of aerobic bacteria which, in turn, help to remove toxic waste products from the tank. A particularly preferred filter medium involves particles of molecular sieves. In addition, the composition preferably includes a minor amount of sodium chloride. The composition is used by combining it with conventional aquarium gravel.
Inventors
- 👤 Ellena L. Edmondson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:00
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K63/00; A01K63/04; C; C02; C02F; C02F3/00; C02F3/02; C02F3/10; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W10/00; Y02W10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A composition of matter useful to enhance the clarity of liquid media, for example, in an aquarium for containing living aquatic specimens consisting essentially of at least about 50% by volume of vermiculite particles capable of providing improved propagation of aerobic bacteria at the conditions present in said aquarium, said bacteria acting to convert waste products from said aquatic specimens, and at least about 5% by volume of particles of molecular sieves capable of removing components from said liquid media which can impart an undesirable color and/or odor to said liquid media and from about 0.1 to about 10% by volume of sodium chloride particles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A composition of matter useful to enhance the clarity of liquid media, for example, in an aquarium for containing living aquatic specimens consisting essentially of at least about 50% by volume of vermiculite particles capable of providing improved propagation of aerobic bacteria at the conditions present in said aquarium, said bacteria acting to convert waste products from said aquatic specimens, and at least about 5% by volume of particles of molecular sieves capable of removing components from said liquid media which can impart an undesirable color and/or odor to said liquid media and from about 0.1 to about 10% by volume of sodium chloride particles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein said sodium chloride particles comprise about 0.5% to about 8% by volume of said composition, and wherein said vermiculite particles comprise at least about 75% by volume of said composition and said molecular sieve particles are present in an amount in the range of about 5% to about 25% by volume of said composition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The composition of claim 2 wherein the majority, by volume, of all particles in said composition have diameters in the range of about 0.005 inch to about 0.35 inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
A method of enhancing the clarity of liquid media, in an aquarium for containing living aquatic specimens, said aquarium containing gravel at the bottom of the portion of said aquarium containing said specimens and said aquarium being equipped with an air lift pump for recirculating liquid media from below said gravel to said portion of said aquarium containing said specimens, said method comprising combining an effective amount of the composition of claim 2 with said gravel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The composition of claim 2 wherein said vermiculite particles comprise about 83% by volume of said composition, said molecular sieve particles comprise about 13% by volume of said composition and said sodium chloride particles comprise about 4% by volume of said composition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
A method of enhancing the clarity of liquid media, in an aquarium for containing living aquatic specimens, said aquarium containing gravel at the bottom of the portion of said aquarium containing said specimens and said aquarium being equipped with a pump for recirculating liquid medium from below said gravel to said portion of said aquarium containing said specimens, said method comprising combining an effective amount of the composition of claim 1 with said gravel.
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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) | 1983-12-23 | 1984-06-23 | 1984-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-23 | 1988-06-23 | 1988-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-23 | 1992-06-23 | 1992-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |