GB2407468A

GB2407468A - Aquatic habitat container

Info

Publication number: GB2407468A
Application number: GB0325263A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Douglas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-10-29
Filing date: 2003-10-29
Publication date: 2005-05-04
Also published as: EP1696722A1; WO2005051077A1; GB0325263D0

Abstract

An aquatic habitat container 10 comprises a base 12 having a surrounding wall 14 to define a cavity 16, the container being moulded from a foamed plastics material, and a glazing 20 being provided as part of said wall allowing a user to view the contents of said container through the glazing in aperture 18; wherein the glazing and the container wall are watertightly joined together. The container may be provided with a partition member (Fig 7, 48) which divides the container cavity into a main and sub cavity. The sub cavity may house a filtration means (Fig 6, 40) for the aquatic habitat. A combination of projections (Fig 5a, 32) and reticulated layer (Fig 5a, 34) defines a further cavity which may assist in the distribution of oxygenated water within the container 10.

Description

1 2407468 P710085GB Improvements in or Relating to Aquatic Habitat

Containers The present invention relates to aquatic habitat containers and in particular to aquatic habitat containers for outdoor use. Habitat containers according to the present invention may be utilised to house fish, amphibians, aquatic plants and other water dwelling organisms.

Aquatic habitats in the form of ponds are a popular addition to domestic gardens. The creation of such a pond can be expensive and time consuming, as can be the upkeep of the pond once created. In order to view the contents of the pond such as, for example, ornamental fish, one is typically required to stand at the edge of the pond. This however may present safety problems where small children are concerned. Attempts have been made to provide glazed fish tanks for outdoor use, however problems have been encountered in both keeping such tanks sufficiently cool in summer months and warm in winter months.

According to the present invention there is provided an aquatic habitat container comprising a base having a surrounding wall to define a cavity, the container being moulded from a foamed plastics material and the wall begin provided with a glazed viewing aperture.

The manufacture of the container from a foamed plastics material ensures that water contained therein is insulated from heat loss during periods of cold weather and further is insulated form gaining heat energy during periods of warm weather. The provision of a viewing aperture enables observers to view the contents of the container without having to stand directly above it.

The container is preferably formed in a single piece in a moulding operation.

Advantageously the container is formed with a portion of the wall that is thinner than the remainder of the wall. This thin wall portion preferably corresponds in shape and position to the viewing aperture and is removable to provide said aperture. In an alternative embodiment the container may be moulded with an aperture therein. The container may be moulded with two apertures therein seprated by a section of wall. In such an embodiment the wall section may be removed to provide a single, larger aperture. The container is preferably provided with alignment means in the vicinity of the viewing aperture which aid in the positioning of a glazing panel. The alignment means may comprise one or more formations of the container which are formed during moulding of the container. In a preferred embodiment the alignment means comprises a recess of the wall. The recess preferably corresponds to the intended size and shape of a glazing panel. The container may be provided with a plurality of glazed viewing 1 0 apertures The base of the container may be provided with a plurality projections extending into the container cavity. The projections may take the from of spaced pillars. In use, the projections may support an overlying member such that a space is defined between the container base and the member. The pillars maybe adapted to receive extension members thereupon. Such members may be provided with a recess within which the pillars are received. In an alternative embodiment the base of the container may be provided with a plurality of recess within which extension members may be received.

The space may accommodate a distribution means operable to distribute fluid to the cavity of the container. The fluid may, for example comprise oxygenated water or a combination of water and air. The distribution means may comprise a conduit having an inlet connectable to a fluid source and at least one outlet. The distribution means may comprise a plurality of interconnected conduits. The overlying member may be substantially the same shape as the container base and is provided with one or more apertures through which fluid from the distribution means may pass to the container cavity. Preferably the overlying member is reticulated.

The container may be provided with a partition which divides the container cavity into a main cavity and sub cavity. The sub cavity may advantageously be utilised to accommodate a filtration means for an aquatic habitat provided within the container.

The partition is arranged so as to allow the communication of water between the main and sub cavities. Such communication may be enabled by the provision of one or more apertures in the partition. Alternatively the partition may be configured such that one or more communication spaces are defied between the partition, and the wall and base of the container. An upper edge of the partition may be sized such that, in use, it lies below the surface of water in the container. In a preferred embodiment an upper edge of the partition is sized such that, in use, it lies below the surface of water in the container, while a conduit extends through a lower portion of the partition between the main cavity and the sub cavity.

The base of the container is advantageously provided with a drain hole to permit draining of the container. The drain hole may be below the sub cavity.

The partition member may advantageously be located and retained by features of the container wall and/or base. The partition member may be retained and located by a recess of the container. Such a recess may be formed during moulding of the container.

The partition member may be provided with a portion having a surface which is provided a substantially the same height as the upper edge of the container wall. Said portion may co-operate with the upper edge of the container wall to define a support upon which an item may be fitted. The container may be provided with a plurality of partition members.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I shows a perspective view of a container according to the present invention; Figures 2 and 3 show partial perspective views of two different viewing apertures of a container according to the present invention; Figures 4a to 4c show partial cross-sectional views of a wall of a container according to a feature of the present invention; Figure 5a shows a cross-sectional view of a container having a textured base according to a feature of the present invention; Figure 5b and 5c show a cross-sectional views of a containers having an alternatively configured textured bases; Figure 6 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a filter arrangement of a container according to a feature of the present invention; Figures 7 and 8 show top plan views of containers having corner partitions according to a feature of the present invention, Figure 9 shows a perspective view of an alternative corner partition according to an aspect of the present invention, and Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a cover for a container according to the present invention.

Referring firstly to figure 1 there is shown an aquatic habitat container generally designated 10. The container comprises a base 12 having a wall 14 extending upwardly therefrom to define an interior cavity 16. The container 10 has an open top allowing access to the cavity. In the embodiment shown the base 12 is rectangular with the wall 14 extending upwardly from the four sides thereof. The container 10 is additionally provided with an aperture 18 in the wall 14 to allow the interior cavity 16 to be viewed.

The aperture 18 is glazed with a transparent member 20 which will be described in greater detail below. In use, the container 10 is filled with water to create an aquatic habitat for aquatic plants and animals.

While the embodiment shown has a substantially rectangular base 12 it will be appreciated that the container 10 may be created in other shapes. The combiner 10 is of single piece construction and formed from foamed polyurethane. The foamed polyurethane is typically provided by mixing isocyanate and polyol And pouring the mixture into a mould. The isocyanate and polyol react to produce/a foam which fills the mould. The foamed polyurethane typically has a density of 2/'and the container may be provided with walls having a thickness of approximately 50 mm. The formation of the container 10 in a single piece by a moulding operation eliminates the problems normally associated with the sealing of separate component parts to make a watertight container. The mould utilised to form the container can be textured so that a corresponding texture is applied to the container 10. The texture may be such that the container 10 has the appearance of being formed from a solid piece of material, for example stone. Alternatively the container may be textured so as to give the appearance that it is constructed from wooden planks. It will be appreciated that by moulding the container 10 from a foamed plastics material, the container may be textured both inside and out. The use of foamed polyurethane also ensures that the container 10 weighs significantly less than one of corresponding size and shape in stone. Furthermore the foamed polyurethane acts as a thermal insulator to water contained within the cavity 16.

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of an optional cover generally designated 70. The cover 70 is manufactured from the same foamed plastics material as the container 10 and is shaped to fit within the space bounded by the wall 14 such that it floats on the surface of the water within the container 10. The cover 70 may be textured, for example with raised contours 72. The cover 70 may further be provided with one or more through apertures 74. Such apertures 74 may be formed in the cover 70 during moulding thereof or, alternatively, may be cut into the cover 70 after it has been moulded. One or more corner cut-outs 76 may be provided so as to accommodate, for example, aquatic plants growing within the container 10 or a water cascade feature adapted to deliver water to the container 10. In use, the cover 70 reduces the transmission of sunlight to the interior of the container 10 and thereby reduces the possibility of unwanted algae formation. The cover 70 also acts as a thermal insulator preventing the loss of heat from the water surface, and further prevents predatory bird life from reaching fish which may be within the container 10.

Figures 2 and 3 show containers 10 having two differently shaped viewing apertures 18.

The container 10 of figure 2is shown with a substantially rectangular shaped aperture 18, while the container 10 of figure 3 is shown with an abstract shaped aperture 18. It will be appreciated that the container 10 according to the present invention may be provided with a viewing aperture 18 of any desired shape. Furthermore the container may be provided with multiple apertures 18.

Figures 4a to 4c illustrate a method by which a viewing aperture 10 may be provided in a container according to the present invention. The container 10 is moulded with a section 22 of the wall which has a reduced thickness compared to the rest of the wall 14. The wall section 22 is flanked on the interior side 24 by a rebate 26 and on the exterior side 28 by an indentation 30. The indentation 30 conforms to the shape of the intended viewing aperture and is sized such that it is fully within the boundary of the rebate 26. It will thus be appreciated that the wall section 22 forms a continuous web in the wall 14 between the rebate 26 and the indentation 30. While a continuous web of wall section 22 is advantageous, the web may be partial such that the a number of smaller apertures may be performed in the wall 14. A viewing aperture of required size may subsequently be realised by removing portions of wall section 22 provided between adjacent apertures.

After the container 10 has been moulded the wall section 22 may be removed by any suitable means to define the viewing aperture 18. A transparent member 20 is subsequently introduced into the rebate 26 and secured in such a manner to effect a watertight seal with the wall 14. The rebate 26 serves to locate the transparent member 20 and it will be appreciated that water pressure within the container 10 acts to urge the transparent member 20 against the wall 14. The transparent member 20 may be manufactured from glass, toughened glass or a plastics material such as perspex.

Typically the transparent member may have a thickness of between 6 to 10 millimetres.

Figure 5a shows a cross-sectional view of a container 10 wherein the base 12 is provided with a plurality of projections 32 which support a reticulated layer 34. The projections 32 may comprise a plurality of individual pillars having a height of between to 20 millimetres. The reticulated layer 34 in turn may support a layer of sand, gravel or like material of an appropriate size so as to not pass through the reticulations.

The combination of the projections and reticulated layer defines a further cavity or space 36 which may be utilised to assist in the distribution of oxygenated water within the container 10.

Figures 5b and 5c show alternative embodiments of containers 10 having a base 12 adapted to support a reticulated layer 34. The container 10 of figure 5b is provided with a plurality of spigots 78 upon which may be mounted short tubular members 80. The container of figure 5c is provided with a plurality of recesses 82 within which are received spherical members 84. In use, the reticulated layer 34 rests upon the tubular or spherical members 80,84.

As will be described in greater detail below, the container 10 may be provided with filtration means to remove impurities from water contained therein and pump means operable to re-oxygenate and distribute water which has passed through the filtration means. The space 36 provided below the reticulated layer 34 can be used to accommodate a distribution means for water delivered by the pump means. The distribution means may comprise one or more conduits 38 connected to the pump outlet. Such a conduit 38 may comprise a length of pipe having apertures provided in the wall thereof.

Figures 6 to 9 illustrate how the aforementioned pump and filtration means may be accommodated within a container 10 according to the present invention. Figure 6 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a corner of a container 10 according to the present invention. Positioned at the wall 14 of the container is a filtration means, generally designated 40, comprising a layer of biomedia 42 over which are provided three layers of filtration foam 44. Each layer of filtration foam 44 has a thickness of approximately 30 millimetres. The layer of biomedia 42 comprises known biomedia material contained in mesh bags for ease of handling and has a depth of approximately to 250 millimetres. Positioned within the biomedia 42 towards the base 12 of the container 10 is a pump 46. The filtration means 40 are bounded on two sides by the wall 14 of the container l O and on a third side by a partition member 48. As can readily be observed in figures 7 to 9 the partition member 48 extends diagonally between the two sides of the wall 14 to define a substantially triangular space 50 within which the filtration means 40 are sited. The filtration foam and biomedia 44,42 may be provided within a cup (not shown) which conforms to the shape of the triangular space 50.

Referring back now to figure 6, the upper edge 52 of the partition member 48 is lower than the upper edge 54 of the wall 14. In use, the upper edge 52 of the partition member 48 is submerged below the free surface 56 of water contained within the container 10 so as to enable water to pass from the cavity 16 of the container 10 to the triangular space SO. The lower edge 58 of the partition member 48 is received in a slot of the base 12. The pump 46 is provided with an outlet conduit 86 which extends through the partition member 48. The conduit 86 is provided with a non- return valve 88, the purpose of which will be described in greater detail below.

The pump 46 is arranged such that when it is operation thereof draws water through the filtration foam 44 and biomedia 42 to the pump inlet, while the pump outlet is positioned to deliver filtered water through the outlet conduit 86 and into the container cavity 16. As described above, the pump outlet may be arranged to deliver water to a distribution means positioned in a lower portion of the container. Periodically the filtration means 40 require cleaning. To assist in this task the container 10 is provided with a drain plug 90 positioned in the base 12 so as to be within the triangular space 50.

Removal of the plug 90 permits the space 50 to be drained without the need to drain the container 10 as a whole. The non-return valve 88 provided in the pump outlet conduit 86 prevents the back flow of water through the pump 46 into the space 50 Figures 7 and 8 illustrate how the partition member 48 may be fitted to the container 10.

The wall 14 of the container 10 is provided with recesses 60,62 within which the partition member 48 is received and retained. Advantageously the recesses 60,62 are formed during moulding of the container 10 and are textured so as to retain adhesive therein. As can be readily seen the recesses 62 are provided on either side of a corner of the container 10. In the rectangular embodiment of the container 10 shown recesses 62 are provided in portions of the wall 14 which do not include the viewing aperture 18.

Figure 9 shows a container 10 with a revised partition member 64. The revised member 64 has a portion 66 of the upper edge 68 which extends upwardly to the level of the upper edge 54 of the wall 14. The portion 66 and wall 14, being at substantially the same height, may be utilised to support an additional feature such as, for example, a decorative object or a further container. Where a further container is utilised, a pump may be arranged to supply water thereto which, in turn may cascade back to the container 10.

Claims

Claims 1. An aquatic habitat container comprising a base having a

surrounding wall to defied a cavity, the container being moulded from a foamed plastics material and the wall begin provided with a glazed viewing aperture.
2. A container as claimed in claim l wherein the container is formed in a single piece in a moulding operation.

lO
3. A container as claimed in claim l or claim 2 wherein the container is formed with a portion of the wall that is thinner than the remainder of the wall, said thin wall portion being removable and corresponding in shape and position to the viewing aperture.
4. A container as claimed in claim l or claim 2 wherein the container is moulded with an aperture therein.
5. A container as claimed in claim 4 wherein the container is moulded with two apertures separated by a section of wall.
6. A container as claimed in claim 5 wherein wall section is removable to provide a single, larger aperture.
7. A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the container is provided with alignment means in the vicinity of the viewing aperture which aid in the positioning of a glazing panel.
X. A container as claimed in claim 7 wherein the alignment means comprise one or more formations of the container which are formed during moulding of the container.
9. A container as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the alignment means comprises a recess ot the wall.
10. A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the base of the container is provided with a plurality projections extending into the container cavity.
11. A container as claimed in claim 10 wherein the projections take the from of spaced pillars.
12. A container as claimed in claim 11 wherein the pillars are adapted to receive extension members thereupon.
13. A container as claimed in claim 12 wherein said extension members are provided with a recess within which the pillars are received.
14. A container as claimed in claim 10 wherein the base of the container is provided with a plurality of recess within which extension members defining the projections may be received.
15. A container as claimed in any of claims 10 to 14 wherein the projections support an overlying member such that a space is defined between the container base and the members.
16. A container as claimed in claim 15 wherein the space accommodates a distribution means operable to distribute fluid to the cavity of the container.
17. A container as claimed in claim 16 wherein the distribution means comprise a conduit having an inlet connectable to a fluid source and at least on outlet.
18. A container as claimed in any of claims 15 to 17 wherein the overlying member is substantially the same shape as the container base and is provided with one or more apertures through which fluid from the distribution means may pass to the container cavity.
19. A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the container is provided with a partition member which divides the container cavity into a main cavity and sub cavity.
20. A container as claimed in claim 19 wherein the sub cavity is utilised to accommodate a filtration means for an aquatic habitat provided within the container.
21. A container as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20 wherein the partition member is arranged so as to allow the communication of water between the main and sub cavities.
22. A container as claimed in claim 21 wherein said communication is enabled by the provision of one or more apertures in the partition member.
23. A container as claimed in claim 21 wherein the partition is configured such that one or more communication spaces are defied between the partition member, and the wall and base of the container.
24. A container as claimed in any of claims 19 to 23 wherein an upper edge of the partition member is sized such that, in use, it lies below the surface of water in the container.
25. A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the base of the container is provided with a drain hole to permit draining of the container.
26. A container as claimed in any of claims 19 to 25 wherein the partition member is located and retained by features of the container wall and/or base.
27. A container as claimed in claim 26 wherein the partition member is retained and located by a recess of the container.
28. A container as claimed in any of claims 19 to 27 wherein the partition member is provided with a portion having a surface which is provided at substantially the same height as the upper edge of the container wall.