Patent ID: 7357860

Claim:
A skimmer system, comprising: a base defining a base chamber; a float assembly defining a float chamber; wherein said float assembly is freely slidable with respect to said base, and wherein said base and float chambers mutually communicate so as to collectively form a float-base chamber, said float assembly further comprising: a weir connected to an upper portion of said float assembly; and a flow channel extending between said weir and said float-base chamber; a conduit having an inlet communicating with said base chamber, said conduit extending exteriorly in relation to said float-base chamber; a pump connected with said conduit; and a selectively closeable air inlet connected to said conduit; wherein when said skimmer system is placed into a liquid, said float-base chamber is flooded with the liquid and air provided by said air inlet provides an air pocket in said float chamber selected such that the air renders said float assembly buoyant in the liquid; and wherein when said pump extracts the liquid from the float-base chamber, said float assembly slides in relation to said base such that said weir skims a top surface of the liquid into the flow channel.