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US-12616176-B2 - Fish tank filter

US12616176B2US 12616176 B2US12616176 B2US 12616176B2US-12616176-B2

Abstract

The invention discloses a fish tank or aquarium filter assembly system that utilizes a plurality of stacked and compressed disc filters with a plurality of cross-sectional grooves for filtering debris in the fish tank, eliminates the need to use common fabrics such as socks as the filtering technique, and utilizes the pattern of grooves on the disc filters to be arranged in a pattern that filters debris in a more efficient manner than existing filters.

Inventors

  • Douglas Smith
  • Michelle Smith

Assignees

  • Douglas Smith
  • Michelle Smith

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20220820

Claims (9)

  1. 1 . An aquarium water filter assembly comprising: a. a spine comprising: i. a top end, ii. a bottom end, and iii. a plurality of vertical supports extending from the bottom end to the top end of the spine forming a hollow center and at least one opening between the plurality of vertical supports; b. a plurality of disc filters wherein each disc filter comprises: i. a top and bottom surface, ii. a central aperture that forms an inner perimeter, and iii. an outer perimeter, iv. wherein the top surface comprises a plurality of first grooves extending diagonally from the inner perimeter to the outer perimeter with respect to the inner perimeter, v. wherein the bottom surface comprises a plurality of second grooves extending diagonally from the inner perimeter to the outer with respect to the inner perimeter that is opposite of the direction of the first grooves on the top surface, and vi. each of the plurality of disc filters is coupled to the spine along the plurality of vertical supports so that when the plurality of disc filters are stacked on the plurality of vertical supports together the first and second grooves between each of the disc filters are orthogonal to each other, c. a sleeve comprising a bottom end and a top end, whereby: i. the bottom end of the sleeve is coupled to the bottom end of the spine and encapsulates the plurality of disc filters; and ii. the bottom end of the sleeve comprises an opening configured to allow water flow through the bottom end; d. a lid comprising a vent configured to allow water to flow through the vent wherein the lid is coupled to the top end of the sleeve; e. a key, wherein the key comprises a top end and a bottom end such that the top end of the key is coupled to the lid and the bottom end of the key is coupled to the top end of the spine; wherein the bottom end of the key further comprises a first plate and a second plate that is rotatably coupled to the first plate, and wherein the key is vertically adjustable with respect to the spine.
  2. 2 . The aquarium water filter assembly in claim 1 further comprising a media cup, wherein the media cup comprises a vent and is coupled to the bottom end of the sleeve.
  3. 3 . The aquarium water filter assembly of claim 1 further comprising an o-ring, wherein the o-ring is secured between the bottom end of the spine and the bottom end of the sleeve.
  4. 4 . The aquarium water filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the first plate comprises a first tab and the second plate comprises a second tab such that when the first and second tabs are aligned, the key can be removed from the spine.
  5. 5 . The aquarium water filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the top end of the key is threadably coupled to the lid.
  6. 6 . The aquarium water filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is cylindrical.
  7. 7 . The aquarium water filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the spine further comprises a plurality of circular couplings wherein the circular couplings are coupled to the vertical supports.
  8. 8 . The aquarium water filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the plurality of the first grooves and the plurality of the second grooves are between 20 and 400 microns wide.
  9. 9 . The aquarium water filter assembly of claim 2 wherein the assembly creates a water flow from the outer perimeters of the plurality of disc filters to the inner perimeters of the disc filters out through the vent in the media cup.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates to water filtration devices. More specifically, this invention relates to the use of disc water filtration devices that are used in typical residential and commercial saltwater “marine” fish tanks or aquariums. Description of the Related Art Any discussion of the prior art in the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that the prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. A typical residential/commercial saltwater fish tank includes a finite volume of water. To keep the tank healthy, the water must remain clean and free from contaminants and particulate matter like fish waste in the form of ammonia in urine and feces, as well as algae and other debris that accumulates over time inside the tank. The water cannot maintain stagnant and must circulate. The waste is typically captured in a filter as the water is circulated. At typical type of filter utilizes a disposable sock. In many existing disposable sock filter devices for fish or reef aquariums, the socks are usually made of a filter material such as a cloth or felt that resemble a tube sock with a plastic rim attached to the top. Sock filters are made to sit in the compartment of the sump area designed for water filtration. In sock or bag-type filter devices, the filter material is made of cloth or felt. Dirty water is pumped and circulated from the tank and through the sock filter so that debris is captured and retained in the sock. In order to prevent these filters from clogging and restricting water flow through the sock, the filters must be removed periodically for cleaning or disposed of. The cleaning procedure involves first removing any accumulated solid debris in a sink, and then washing or laundering the sock to remove any smaller debris particles. The procedure can be messy, time consuming, and expensive. Other issues can arise using a sock filter. The sock can collapse and reduce the effective filtration surface area. Additionally, the sock itself can lose its effectiveness over time because after several cleanings the material can lose its thickness. Also, when laundering the sock, the washing machine can transport residual detergents and phosphates, which can then be introduced into the tank. Finally, the socks themselves are not recyclable and must be replaced frequently due to wear, which reduces filtration efficiency. The present invention overcomes the limitations in the prior art in that it offers a solution that provides optimum water filtration that eliminates the need for using materials and methods that are messy, inefficient, and can introduce harmful chemicals to the tank environment. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is summarized below only for purposes of introducing embodiments of the invention. The ultimate scope of the invention is to be limited only to the claims that follow the specification. It is an object of this invention to provide a filter assembly for filtering water in a fish or reef tank or aquarium. It is a further object of the is invention for the filter assembly to include a sleeve apparatus. It is a further object of this invention for the filter apparatus to comprise a plurality of discs. It is a further object of this invention for the discs to be stacked and compressed on a spine. It is a further object of this invention for the spine to be fitted tightly into the sleeve by pressing the spine assembly downward so that the assembly sits vertically in the sleeve. It is a further object of this invention that the discs comprise of grooves. It is a further object of this invention that the assembly further comprise an O-ring. It is a further object of this invention that the assembly further comprise vented lid. It is a further object of this invention that the assembly further comprise a media cup. It is a further object of this invention that the assembly further comprise a key. It is a further object of this invention that the grooves on the disc diagonally grooved on both sides of each disc. It is a further object of this invention that each groove extends in a direction that is opposite of the grooves on the opposite side of the disc. It is a further object of this invention that the assembly is sealed using the O-ring. A person with ordinary skill in the relevant art would know that any shape or size of the elements described below may be adopted. Any combinations of suitable number, shape, and size of the elements described below may be used. Also, any materials suitable to achieve the object of the current invention may be chosen as well. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the following figures, like reference numbers refer to similar elements and steps throughout the figures. FIG.