Patent Abstract:
The invention is a zero edge or infinity aquarium for viewing aquatic life. The design offers unobstructed viewing through a smooth lens of water on the sides and the top. The aquarium is constructed of a transparent material and water is circulated over the top of and along the outside of the sidewall before being collected in a gutter and drain box. The top edge and corners of the aquarium are rounded to aid in the flow of water. The water is then returned to the interior of the aquarium via an infeed. The infeed may comprise a sump, pump, piping, valving, and a return outlet. It offers a unique view of the contents as there appears to be no lid, edge, or structure within the water.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to a zero edge aquarium or an infinity aquarium which is an aquarium without visible structures. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Aquariums often have rims, supports, covers or edges that obstruct the view of the contents. Additionally the surface of the water of most aquariums is disturbed by the flow of bubbles or other discharges. The turbulence obstructs the view of the contents and can create noises that detract while viewing contents of the aquarium. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An aquarium according to this invention is useful for containing and viewing aquatic life. A preferred embodiment of this invention offers unobstructed viewing through a smooth lens of water on the sides and the top. This is often referred to as a zero edge aquarium or an infinity aquarium. The aquarium is constructed of at least partially from a transparent material and water is circulated over the top of and along the outside of the sidewall before being collected in a gutter and a drain box and optionally a drain channel. The top edge and corners of the aquarium are rounded to aid in the flow of water. The water is then returned to the interior of the aquarium via an infeed. The infeed may comprise a sump, pump, piping, valving, and a return outlet. The aquarium can be virtually any shape or size. It offers a unique view of the contents as there appears to be no lid, edge, or structure within the water. Additional prefiteration or filtration is employed per the needs of the aquarium. Another preferred embodiment provides a smooth fluid surface and smooth flow over the sides to offer clean and quiet viewing of the contents. This is done by the design of the aquarium tank and the flow components. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above-mentioned and other features of this invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a partial exploded view of an aquarium according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  shows a detail view of a radiused upper edge of a sidewall according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 3  shows a partial side view of an aquarium according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 4  shows a partial side view of a drain channel and a sump according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 5  shows a partial side view of a drain channel and a prefilter according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; and 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view an aquarium according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  shows a partial exploded view of aquarium  20 . Both fresh and saltwater aquariums  20  typically have sidewalls  22  where fluid  62 , typically water, occupies at least a part of interior volume  34 . Fluid  62  may have a saline nature from the addition of salts or minerals or variations in pH according to the practices of keeping aquatic life. Aquatic life is diverse ranging from, but not limited to, plankton, algae, corals, crustaceans, muscles, fish, sharks, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. 
   Aquarium  20  is made of any suitable at least partially transparent or substantially transparent material adapted for viewing. These are such as, but not limited to, glass, acrylics, polycarbonates, etc. According to at least one preferred embodiment of the invention, materials of construction have a refractive index that approximates that of fluid  62 . Sidewall  22  can be a variety of thickness depending on the shape, size, height of aquarium  20 . According to one embodiment of the invention, sidewall  22  has a thickness of about ⅛″ to 2″ or more. In at least one embodiment of the invention sidewall  22  is ½″ thick acrylic. In another embodiment of the invention the sidewall  22  is 5 mm glass. 
   One or more sidewalls  22  preferably form interior volume  34  along with bottom. Interior volume  34  is adaptable to aquarium  20  needs and ranges from a fraction of a gallon to thousands of gallons. 
   According to at least one of the preferred embodiments of the invention, aquarium  20  does not have a top, lid, roof, or cover. This allows unobstructed viewing of contents of aquarium  20 . 
   Other embodiments of the invention may include a partial or total cover with or without the addition of lighting. 
   According to other preferred embodiments of the invention, sidewalls  22  are constructed without supports or structures that block views of aquarium  20  contents. Sidewalls  22  are capable of taking on any of a number of shapes as viewed from top perimeter  36 . Such shapes include, but are not limited, to circle, triangle, square, rectangle, trapezoid, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, decagon, regular polygon, irregular polygons, combinations of arcs/curves of equal or varying diameters, or combinations of curves/arc and straight segments/lengths. 
   According to one embodiment of the invention, at least a part of sidewall  22  is not transparent. This is beneficial when placing aquarium  20  against another surface such as a wall. 
   According to at least one preferred embodiment of the invention, sidewalls  22  are substantially vertical. According to other embodiments of the invention, sidewalls  22  are inwardly and/or outwardly angled. Angles of the sidewalls  22  may be adjusted depending upon the properties of fluid  62  such as viscosity, surface tension, and affinity for materials of sidewall  22 . 
   As shown  FIG. 2 , according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least a part of sidewall  22  has radiused upper edge  28  which allows fluid  62  to flow over radiused upper edge  28  without creating significant ripples or turbulence in fluid surface  70  or on outer surface  26  of sidewall  22 . Radiused upper edge  28  creates a smooth lens of fluid  62  on fluid surface  70  and sidewall  22 . Smooth lens creates a zero edge aquarium or an infinity aquarium. 
   Curvature of radiused upper edge  28 , or bullnose edge, maybe may be varied depending on viscosity of fluid  62 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , in at least one of the embodiment of the invention, some of corners  38  formed by the union of sections of sidewalls  22  are rounded to minimize ripples or turbulence of fluid  62 . Corners  38  allow for containment of fluid  62  to avoid escaping or leakage and enhance viewing of contents of the aquarium  20  since there is a smooth lens of fluid on top and sides. An additional benefit is that noise of fluid  62  splashing or gurgling is minimal. Attention is given while producing corner  38  or seam to minimize visual impact. According to at least one embodiment of this invention, square or right angle corners  38  have one or both of the two adjoining pieces of material rounded off and then bull nosing outer corner  38  where two radiused upper edges  28  meet. 
   Fluid  62  preferably flows along at least a portion of outer surface  26  of sidewall  22 . According to one embodiment of the invention, entire top perimeter  36  of aquarium  20  includes fluid  62  flowing over radiused upper edge  28 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , according to other embodiments of this invention, at least one backwall  66  replaces a sidewall  22  with varying height so that fluid  62  does not flow over on all sides. According to this embodiment of the invention, top edge  68  of backwall  66  is preferably above fluid surface  70 . The open top and overflowing sidewalls  22  create a large surface area which allows oxygen to become dissolved in fluid  62 . 
   According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, outer surface  26  of sidewall  22  is smooth so as to maintain virtually ripple-free flow of fluid  62 . Alternatively, sidewall  22  of aquarium  20  may include texture/uneven surfaces or even protuberances to produce a more rippled flow. 
   According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, gutter  24  is positioned along bottom perimeter of sidewall  22 . Fluid  62  flows over radiused upper edge  28  and along sidewall  22  to gutter  24 . Gutter  24  is in fluid communication with sidewall  22 . This allows gutter  24  to collect fluid  62  from outer surface  26  of sidewall  22 . In at least one preferred embodiment of this invention, gutter  24  extends entire length of lower perimeter of sidewall  22 . Other embodiments of this invention, may include gutter  24  along only a portion of lower perimeter of sidewall  22 . 
   According to one embodiment of this invention, gutter  24  is positioned above or below bottom of sidewall  22  of aquarium  20 . Gutter  24  is a suitable size to contain the volume of fluid  62  flowing down sidewall  22  as it flows to drain box  30 . 
   Gutter  24  is made of materials relatively impervious to fluid  62  such as: glass, metal, plastic, wood, etc. Gutter  24  may be of various shapes including, but not limited to, square or U-shaped troughs/conduit. According to an embodiment of the invention, gutter  24  is integral to aquarium  20 . According to other embodiments of the invention, gutter is detachable relative to sidewalls  22 . 
   According to one embodiment of this invention, filler material such as gravel is positioned in gutter  24  and allows fluid  62  to flow on, through, or below filler material. 
   According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, fluid  62  in gutter  24  flows to at least one drain box  30 . Drain box  30  is preferably integral to aquarium  20 . Still other embodiments of this invention may include drain box  30  affixed with suitable fasteners such as adhesive or screws. 
   Drain box  30  may be made of materials relatively impervious to fluid  62  such as: glass, metal, plastic, wood, etc. In at least one embodiment of the invention, fluid  62  flows in drain box  30  in a step-like fashion and drain box  30  directs fluid  62  away from outer perimeter of aquarium  20 . 
   Other embodiments of this invention may include fluid  62  flowing into gooseneck within drain box  30 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, prefilter  48  is installed in the drain box  30 . Prefilter  48  removes particles from fluid  62  and minimizes splashing or gurgling of fluid  62  in drain box  30 . According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, prefilter  48  is installed adjacent or touching drain aperture  70  or a hole in the gutter. This additionally minimizes splashing or gurgling of fluid  62 . Suitable material for prefilter  48  include, but are not limited to, sponge (natural or man-made), foam, sand, activated carbon, etc. According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, fluid  62  from drain box  30  flows to infeed  32  for return to aquarium  20 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , according to a preferred embodiment of this invention, fluid  62  flows from drain box  30  through drain channel  40  before infeed  32 . Drain channel  40  may be made of materials that are relatively impervious to fluid  62  such as: glass, metal, plastic, wood, etc. 
   According to a preferred embodiment, drain channel  40  has legs on a side which are positionable between engaged and disengaged position that facilitates maintenance of aquarium  20  or infeed  32 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , according to one preferred embodiment of this invention, filter media  44  is positioned in drain channel  40 . Suitable material of filter media  44  include, but are not limited to, sponge (natural or man-made), foam, sand, activated carbon, etc. Selection of filter media  44  is made by one skilled in keeping of aquariums  20 . 
   According to one embodiment of the invention, filter media  44  is placed on lattice structure or egg crate for support. An additional benefit of filter media  44  is reduced splashing and gurgling of fluid  62 . 
   According to one embodiment of the invention, baffle  46  is positioned in drain channel  40  to direct flow and minimize splashing and gurgling of fluid  62 . An additional benefit of baffle  46  is minimizing evaporation of fluid  62 . According to one embodiment of the invention, baffle  46  is horizontal. According to additional embodiments of this invention, baffle  46  is sloped. Baffle  46  is made of same or similar materials to drain channel  40 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , according to one embodiment of the invention, fluid  62  then reaches infeed  32  which returns fluid  62  to aquarium  20 . According to one embodiment of the invention, infeed  32  includes sump  50 . Sump  50  collects fluid  62  before returning to aquarium  20 . 
   In at least one embodiment of the invention, sump  50  includes weir element  52  to separate sump  50  into two or more sections. Weir element  52  is an arrangement of flow modifiers including, but not limited, to baffles, weirs, and dams. Weir element  52  is useful for providing calm fluid  62  to inlet of a circulating force. 
   According to one embodiment of the invention, a circulating force is pump  54 . Pump  54  is in fluid communication with sump  50  and may be internal or external to sump  50 . Pump  54  provides motive force to fluid  62 . Typical motive force means include, but are not limited to, centrifugal pumps, rotary pumps, submersible pumps, positive displacement pumps, diaphragm pumps, peristaltic pumps, and ejectors/eductors. According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, pump  54  is a mag  12 . 
   According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, pump  54  has a discharge pressure and flowrate sufficient to return fluid  62  to aquarium  20  including head and line losses while creating desired flows over radiused upper edge  28 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , according to one embodiment of this invention, infeed  32  further comprises check valve  56  or other back flow preventing device. Check valve  56  reduces loss of fluid  62  if pump  54  is not in operation. According to other embodiments of this invention, infeed  32  includes isolation valve  58 . Isolation valve  58  is located after fluid  62  flows through check valve  56 . Isolation valve  58  allows for maintenance on check valve  56 . A type of isolation valve  58  maybe, but is not limited to, gate, globe, plug, ball, butterfly, or pinch. According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, fluid  62  flows from pump  54  through check valve  56  and then through isolation valve  58  before returning to aquarium  20 . 
   Return outlet  60  is located at aquarium  20  and provides a means for returning fluid  62  to aquarium  20 . According to one embodiment of the invention, return outlet  60  may be a simple bulkhead fitting or hose. 
   According to other embodiments of this invention, return outlet  60  has diffusing characteristics that minimize rippling of fluid surface  70 . 
   According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, return outlet  60  comprises orifices as shown in  FIG. 3 . According to other embodiments of the invention, return outlet  60  includes the use of cover plates, baffles, goosenecks, and/or porous media such as pebbles/rocks. According to other embodiments of the invention a combination of nozzles, flow modifiers and/or media comprise return outlet  60 . 
   According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, return outlet  60  is substantially centrally positioned on bottom of aquarium  20 . According to an embodiment of this invention, return outlet  60  is positionable anywhere in fluid communication with interior volume  34 . According to an embodiment of this invention, return outlet  60  may also be positioned on sidewalls  22  as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
   According to other embodiments of the invention, return outlet  60  creates turbulence and/or bubbles with nozzles for a fountain-like or agitation effect. 
   In fluid communication is defined as liquid flowing between two components with little loss of liquid. Some common means of providing fluid communication include but are not limited to pipe, tube, hose, fittings, and valves with joints that are welded, threaded, glued, interference fit, coupled, or other mechanically fastened means. Materials of construction of fluid communication means are compatible with fluid  62  and include, but not limited to, plastics (PVC, CPVC, ABS, HDPE, rubber, neoprene, etc.) and metals (iron, steel, stainless steel, brass, copper, alloys, etc.). Often physically placing two objects next to each other can be sufficient to result in fluid communication. 
   According to an embodiment of the invention, aquarium  20  maybe positioned on suitable stand that conceals drain box  30  and infeed  32 . Stand is constructed of wood, metal, plastic or other material capable of bearing the mass of filled aquarium  20  at a convenient height. According to one embodiment of the invention, stand uses hingeless doors to conceal the internals. According to one embodiment of this invention, stand includes ability to level aquarium  20  with respect to floor. Additional embodiments of this invention include light fixture mounted from stand and/or aquarium  20 . 
   While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0