Compact aquarium filter

• US 5,002,660 A
• Filed: 06/07/1988
• Issued: 03/26/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, National Westminster Bank PLC
• Original Assignee: Aquaria, Inc. (Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fisher, John, Sherman, Robert, Reinoehl, Robert F., Pitts, Leonard, Fuerst, Charles O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fisher, Richard V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Millard, Wanda L.
• Application Number:
  US07/203,671
• Time in Patent Office: 1,022 Days
• Field of Search: 210/169, 210/416.2, 210/248, 119/3, 119/5, 119/2, 119/4
• US Class Current: 210/167.27
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 63/045 Filters for aquaria

Abstract

An aquarium filter is disclosed that provides an overflow window for indicating a blocked filter cartridge. The filter cartridge extends across the full width of the filter box and includes an overflow weir, or lip. The overflow weir forms part of the filter structure and controls the flow of water when the filter cartridge is blocked. Since the filter cartridge extends across the width of the filter box, the size of the filter for a given flow rate is reduced. The filter provides the feature of overflow indication in a more compact and efficient structure than otherwise possible.

Claims

1. A filter for treating aquarium water, comprising a filter box having a front wall with an overflow lip and an overflow window, a rear wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall;

a filter cartridge extending from the first side wall to the second side wall to divide the filter box into an intake water reservoir and a discharge reservoir;

an inlet tube for discharging aquarium water into the intake water reservoir of the filter box;

an overflow ramp extending from the intake water reservoir, over the filter cartridge and forward to the overflow window so that untreated water flows over the ramp when the filter cartridge becomes clogged to indicate that the filter has become clogged and the ramp further defining a passage for the inlet tube.