Abstract:
A fantasia aquarium, comprising a characterizing building and a plurality of see-through sealing walls, such that the aquarium provides a decorative function not only when it contains living water creatures within the water container, but also when the container contains no water creatures, allowing the aquarium to be appreciated as a piece of art-work, such that when the aquarium is empty for any reason, it can still act as a piece of decoration itself to decorate a room that conventional aquariums cannot. The fantasia aquarium also allows a viewer or a manufacturer to show off their artistic talents since the characterizing building can be decorated in many different ways, such as attaching paintings or figures onto the frame and integrally forming the decorations with the frame.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to an aquarium, and more particularly to a self-decorative water animal tank which has a characterizing building and a water tank having, such that the fantasia aquarium is decorative not only when it contains living animals within the water tank, but also when the panel is empty, allowing an aquarium itself to be appreciated as a piece of art-work, such that when the fantasia aquarium is empty for any reason, it can act as a piece of decoration itself.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Arts  
         [0004]     Most conventional aquariums are simply a transparent water tank made with glass panels, creating a water cavity to contain water and water creatures such as fish, and other related decorations such as sea weed and stones.  
         [0005]     Some fancier ones would perhaps include a top and a bottom rim, so as to provide a better appearance to a plain aquarium or fish tank, or some would vary in shape, so as to give the fish tank a less boring shape. Some smaller aquariums are in the form of cups or bowls. However, most aquariums are boring and plain.  
         [0006]     A plain fish tank of course can serve the fundamental function of holding water tightly within the tank, so as to keep fish alive in the tank. People can also appreciate the fish in the tank through the fish tank, such that the fish tank with fish would serve as a decoration to a home, and add liveliness to the home.  
         [0007]     The sole purpose of people buying a fish tank or an aquarium is to have fish put inside the fish tank. As a result, very seldom would people put emphasis on the fish tanks themselves. Which means that the tank themselves cannot be appreciated without fish being put inside.  
         [0008]     This would be fine until one day, for example, the owner does not want to keep fish anymore. The tank is then empty. Leaving empty a small tank is easy since one can simply put away the empty tank without thinking too much about it. But still, it does take up some space. Leaving empty a bigger tank, however, might create problems. The reason is that some people might not have the necessary storage space and leaving the big tank empty in the sitting room is not very presentable.  
         [0009]     In view of the above drawbacks of and the problems brought on by conventional fish tanks and aquariums, a better type of fish tanks and aquariums have to be provided so as to not only provide a home for the fish so as to decorate the home, but also act as a decoration of a home even without the presence of any fish or water creatures put inside.  
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
       [0010]     A main object of the present invention is to provide a fantasia aquarium, comprises a characterizing building, and at least one panel to sealingly form a container having a water cavity, wherein the container is to be placed within the characterizing building.  
         [0011]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fantasia aquarium, wherein the characterizing building allows the fantasia aquarium to be a piece of decoration or art work even when the water cavity does not contain any water or water creatures.  
         [0012]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fantasia aquarium, wherein a decoration on the characterizing building is capable of being simple and flat paintings or pictures.  
         [0013]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fantasia aquarium, wherein the decoration on the characterizing building is capable of protruding outwardly from the frame, so as to create a 3D effect, providing more liveliness.  
         [0014]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fantasia aquarium, wherein the decoration on the characterizing building allows the fantasia aquarium to have a theme, creating more decorative effect to the fantasia aquarium.  
         [0015]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fantasia aquarium, wherein the decoration on the characterizing building is replaceable, such that the decoration can be changed according to the occasion, season, festival and/or the viewer&#39;s desire.  
         [0016]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fantasia aquarium, wherein the container can be integrally formed on the frame, such that there are no detachable parts.  
         [0017]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fantasia aquarium, wherein the container can be detachably formed with the frame, such that the container can be taken out from the frame for cleaning.  
         [0018]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fantasia aquarium, wherein the frame is capable of being in different shapes, so as to provide more flexibility for the designer of such aquarium.  
         [0019]     Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a fantasia aquarium, comprising:  
         [0020]     a characterizing building defining a container site therewithin; and  
         [0021]     a container comprises at least one panel sealedy forming a water cavity, wherein the container is adapted for fitting onto the container site of the characterizing building.  
         [0022]     These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the fantasia aquarium according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the fantasia aquarium according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the fantasia aquarium according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the fantasia aquarium according to the above alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the fantasia aquarium according to the above alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0028]     Referring to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 2  of the drawings, a fantasia aquarium according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the container comprises a characterizing building  10 , and a plurality of see-through sealing walls  20 .  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIG. 1A  of the drawings, the characterizing building  10  comprises a displaying frame  11  and a 3-D figuring body  12 . The displaying frame  11  has a plurality of viewing windows  111  allowing a viewer to look into the fantasia aquarium, so as to see an aquatic being  5  within the fantasia aquarium.  
         [0030]     The characterizing building  10  allows the fantasia aquarium to be in the shape or appearance of different building structures, such as a palace or a house, meaning that the fantasia aquarium is no longer any ordinary aquarium or fish tanks where fish are simply being kept in a boring and tasteless fish tank.  
         [0031]     When the 3-D figuring body  12  is incorporated on the displaying frame  11 , meaning that the characterizing building  10  of the fantasia aquarium has an appearance of a building structure painted on the displaying frame  11 , the characterizing building  10  allows a viewer to imagine or picture their fish being kept, for example, in a palace. This is particularly suitable for kids and people who really love aquatic beings, so as to allow them to imagine that the fish is being kept in a home, just like human beings living in a comfy home.  
         [0032]     It is worth mentioning that, even when empty, the aquarium can be displayed as an art piece, because of its well decorated displaying frame  11 . As a result, even when the aquarium is left empty, meaning that no aquatic beings are placed in the fantasia aquarium, it may still be appreciated as a decoration placed in the house.  
         [0033]     The 3-D figuring body  12  is three-dimensional and outwardly protruding from the displaying frame  11 . The 3-D figuring body serves the purpose of creating a 3-D figuring contour of the characterizing building  10 .  
         [0034]     The plurality of see-through sealing walls  20  are sealedly provided on the viewing windows  111  of the displaying frame  11  respectively, so as to form an aqua reservoir  21  within the sealing walls  20 .  
         [0035]     The characterizing building  10  is custom-shaped for enhancing a fantasizing vision effect to create a virtual fantasia environment of said aqua reservoir  21  for the aquatic-being physically living in the aqua reservoir  21 .  
         [0036]     The fantasia aquarium allows a lot of rooms for creativity since the it can be made into different shapes and structures, allowing an owner to show off his/her personal taste. It can also help enhancing the decorations already in the house, allowing an owner who does not like conventional and plain fish tanks to have a change to keep fish and other aquatic beings in his/her house.  
         [0037]     It can be seen that the present invention can allow owners or manufacturers to customize their own aquariums, so as to blend in or enhance the interior design of their homes, or to put an accent to their homes.  
         [0038]     According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sealing walls  20  are integrally provided at the display frame  11  to form a one-piece integral structure of the characterizing building  10 . This would provide an integrated feeling to the fantasia aquarium, such that the aquarium looks realistically similar to the building structure it is representing.  
         [0039]     Also, the 3-D figuring body  12  is integrally protruded from the displaying frame  11 . The reason is that an integral sculpturing structure will be formed with the displaying frame  11 , so as to also produce a more realistic visual effect of the building structure, such that the aquarium would appear to be a one-piece, continuous, realistic, carefully design and manufactured art work.  
         [0040]     As an example, in order to provide a Christmassy feeling to the viewers, the displaying frame  11  of the characterizing building can be of a house, with chimneys, windows, and the 3-D figuring body  12  which has a Santa Clause figure, snow, reindeers and so forth on the displaying frame  11 . As can be imagined, the fantasia aquarium under the present invention itself can be appreciated as a piece of art, whether or not there are aquatic beings  5  therewithin.  
         [0041]     It is worth mentioning that although the fantasia aquarium can be made of all suitable material, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the characterizing building  10  and the sealing walls  20  are made from a plexiglass, which is transparent, durable, unbreakable, such that the fantasia aquarium is see-through but yet not easy to be damaged.  
         [0042]     The fantasia aquarium can therefore better sustain impacts during transportation than conventional aquariums and while installed. Furthermore, since it will not break as easily as conventional glass type aquariums, they are safer than conventional glass type aquariums to be installed at home, especially those with children living therein, since it prevents glass breaking and injuries even when the children decide to tamper with the aquarium.  
         [0043]     In order to provide a better aquatic condition, as well as a better visual effect for the aquatic beings  5 , the fantasia aquarium further comprises a light enhancing arrangement  30 . The light enhancing arrangement  30  comprises a light housing  31  and at least a light source  32 . The light housing  31  is supported by the displaying frame  11  and the light source  32  is received in the light housing  31  to illuminate the aqua reservoir  21  and to generate a light effect on the 3-D figuring body through the displaying frame  11 .  
         [0044]     The light enhancing arrangement  30  is provided for creating a light effect to the fantasia aquarium, through directly shining the light into the aqua reservoir  21  and onto the fish, so as to allow the fish to stand out, or by lighting up the 3-D figuring body  12 , so as to enhance the design and craftsmanship of the 3-D figuring body  12 .  
         [0045]     It is worth mentioning that, the light enhancing arrangement  30  also helps to provide a correct temperature to the aquatic being  5  within the fantasia aquarium. Different aquatic beings  5  such as different types of fish can survive under different temperature environment. Some needs to live in slightly warmer temperature while others in slightly colder temperature.  
         [0046]     Referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  of the drawings, alternatively, the sealing walls  20  do not have to be integrally provided at the display frame  11  to form. The displaying frame  11  comprises a plurality of boundary rims  112 . Within the boundary rims  112  defined the viewing windows  111 . And, in order to incorporate the sealing walls  20  on the displaying frame  11 , the boundary rims  112  has an outer decorative side  1121  where the 3-D figuring body are formed, and an inner sealing side  1122  sealedly mounting the respective sealing walls  20  thereon.  
         [0047]     Under this alternative, the 3-D figuring body  12  is also integrally protruded from the outer decorative sides  1121  of the displaying frame  11 .  
         [0048]     Referring to  FIG. 5  of the drawings, however, the 3-D figuring body  12  can also not be integrally protruded from the outer decorative sides  1121  of the displaying frame  11 . The displaying frame  11  further comprises a plurality of interchangeable faces  113 , where on each of the plurality of interchangeable faces  113  has the 3-D figuring body  12  integrally protruded. And, in order to mount the interchangeable faces  113  onto the displaying frame  11 , the interchangeable faces  113  also has a means for detechably mounting  1131  each of the interchangeable faces  113  on the outer decorative side  1121  of the displaying frame  11 . The means helps retaining the 3-D figuring body  12  on the displaying frame in position.  
         [0049]     The interchangeable faces allows the 3-D figuring body  12  on the displaying frame  11  to be changed, according to the mood of the owner or the decorations of the room.  
         [0050]     The means for detechably mounting  1131  each of the interchangeable faces  113  on the outer decorative side  1121  of the displaying frame  11  can be an adhering layer  1131 ′ provided on an opposite side  114  to the interchangeable faces  113  to adhere the interchangeable faces  113  to the displaying frame  11 , such that the interchangeable faces  113  can be attached to the displaying frame  11 , according to the preference, taste and desire of the viewers.  
         [0051]     Such a design will not only allow a easy fitting of the interchangeable faces  113  onto the displaying frame  11 , the viewer can also easily replace the interchangeable faces  113  from one to another, allowing the fantasia aquarium to have different appearances, such that the viewer can change the appearance of the aquarium according to his or her mood or preference, or any festive season.  
         [0052]     Alternatively, the means for detachably mounting  1131  each of the interchangeable faces  113  on the outer decorative side  1121  of the displaying frame  11  can be an adhering layer  1131 ′ provided on an inner side  114  to the interchangeable faces  113  to adhere the interchangeable faces  113  to the displaying frame  11 , such that the interchangeable faces  113  can be attached to the displaying frame  11 , according to the preference, taste and desire of the viewers  
         [0053]     Alternatively, for detechably mounting  1131  each of the interchangeable faces  113  on the outer decorative side  1121  of the displaying frame  11  comprises two magnetic layers  1131 ″ provided the inner side  114  of each of the interchangeable faces  113  and the outer decorative side  1121  of the displaying frame  11  respectively. The two magnetic layers  1131 ″ are provided for each of the interchangeable faces  113  to magnetically mount on the outer decorative side  1121  of the displaying frame  113 .  
         [0054]     Conventional aquariums serve the simple function of displaying fish and providing a shelter to the fish therein. When conventional aquariums contain no fish, the aquariums would look empty, dull and pathetic. They could only serve as decorations when fish or other water creatures are placed therewithin.  
         [0055]     In contrast, even when a fantasia aquarium under the present invention contains no fish, the fantasia aquarium itself has its own decorative value, since the 3-D figuring body  12  are incorporated to the frame  10 . When the fantasia aquarium contains no fish, the 3-D figuring body  12  would take the focus of the viewer, such that the viewer will not pay attention to the emptiness of the plurality of see-through sealing walls  20 .  
         [0056]     As a result, the owner of such a fantasia aquarium does not have to worry about where to store and hide the fantasia aquarium when he/she decides to discontinue from keeping any fish in the fantasia aquarium. The fantasia aquarium could stand alone without any fish or water creatures inside to be a piece of decoration or art work to be appreciated.  
         [0057]     Not only does the fantasia aquarium under the present invention have a decorative effect when the plurality of see-through sealing walls  20  is to be left empty, when water creatures are put within the container, it provides a theme to the water creatures.  
         [0058]     Hence, it can be easily seen that the fantasia aquarium under the present invention not only serve as a decoration by itself, it also enhances the decorative effect of aquariums, such that when water creatures are placed inside the plurality of see-through sealing walls  20  of such a fantasia aquarium, they do not appear to be simply swimming inside a plain and boring tank. They would appear to be swimming inside a house, a castle or any theme that the fantasia aquarium provides.  
         [0059]     It is worth mentioning that the structured frame  10 ′ is best to be made with water resistant material, such that the color and design of the structured frame  10 ′ will not be ruined by water, either water from the plurality of see-through sealing walls  20 , or water from the cleaning of the fantasia aquarium. Furthermore, if the structured frame  10 ′ is also incorporated with decorations  12 , the decorations  12  must best be water resistant, such as plastic or ceramics, so as to provide a longer life span of the fantasia aquarium.  
         [0060]     One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.  
         [0061]     It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.