Patent Application
20090045086
The present disclosure relates generally to devices for use in the aquatics industry, and various methods associated with such devices. More particularly, this disclosure relates to methods and devices associated with aquarium filters.
To maintain an ecological balance within an aquarium, it is necessary to clean the aquarium water. Cleaning is often accomplished by pumping water from the aquarium to a filter housing. In the filter housing, the water is filtered through a filter element and then returned to the aquarium. Through normal filtering operations, various particulates become trapped in the filter element, requiring the aquarium owner to regularly service (e.g., maintenance and/or replace) the filter element. Typically, the filter element requires service about every four weeks.
There are various reminders that either inherently occur, or that can be set up, to remind the aquarium owner to service the filter element. For example, one reminder is the observation of water overflowing a filter element, indicating to the owner that the filter element is clogged. Another reminder is a measure stick that can be attached to the aquarium. The measure stick can include a calendar to note the last or upcoming service date, or have floats that indicate high water levels caused by a clogged filter element.
In general, improvements to accommodate ease-of-use and convenience for the aquarium owner have been sought with respect to such methods and devices for providing reminders of and/or determining when filter element service is needed.
The present disclosure relates to a time strip actuator that actuates a time strip using mechanical force. A variety of examples of desirable product features or methods are set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing various aspects of the disclosure. The aspects of the disclosure may relate to individual features as well as combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the claimed invention.
Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
Referring now to
The cover 14 of the time strip actuator 10 is attached to the holder 12 at a hinged connection 30. The hinged connection 30 permits the user to selectively position the cover 14 in an open position to access the compartment 18 of the holder 12, and a closed position (
Referring now to
In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 10 includes first and second projections 32, 34. The first projection 32 is located adjacent to the first end wall 20 of the holder and the second projection 34 is located adjacent to the free end 40 of the cover 14. While activation of the time strip occurs by mechanical forces generated between both projections 32, 34, it will be understood that the actuator 10 can be provided with only one projection arranged and constructed to activate a time strip, in accordance with the principles disclosed. The first and second projections 32, 34 are further illustrated as hemispherical projections, but can be configured as or provided with other alternative shapes that cause activation of the time strip.
Referring still to
Referring back to
The time strip 16 generally includes a time-indicating material 36 that cooperates with time indicia 38 to inform a user of the time elapsed since activation of the time strip 16. The time-indicating material 36 is contained with a pocket 62 (e.g., a pouch, bubble, or capsule). In one embodiment, the time-indicating material 36 is ink that migrates along the time strip when released from the pocket 62—the progression of time since activation (i.e., the rupturing of the pocket) being shown by the ink's migration along the time indicia 38.
The presently disclosed actuator 10 mechanically actuates the time strip 16 using mechanical force generated in the process of closing the cover 14. In particular, when the user closes the cover 14, the projections 32, 34 pinch or squeeze the pocket 62 of the time strip 16 to rupture the pocket 62 and release the time-indicating material 36. This eliminates the need for the user to remember to activate, or even know how to activate (i.e. manually rupture the pocket), the time strip. Instead, simply by closing the cover 14, the user automatically ruptures the pocket 62 containing the time-indicating material, and begins the timing cycle for aquarium service.
Referring to
In particular, to activate the time strip 16, the strip is oriented such that the pocket 62 is positioned adjacent to or on the projection 32 of the holder 12. After the cover 14 is closed, the time indicia 38 of a properly oriented time strip are visible through the window 44. If the time strip 16 is not properly oriented within the compartment 18, the time indicia 38 will not be visible to the user, thereby signaling to the user that the time strip must be re-oriented. The window 44 aids in verifying proper orientation so that time strip activation occurs. Additionally, after actuation, the window 44 permits a user to view the elapsed time noted by the time indicia 38 without having to open the cover 14.
Referring back to
Referring to
In particular, and referring now to
The cover 114 of the time strip actuator 100 is attached to the filter cover 174 in relation to the recess 178 at a hinged connection 130. The hinged connection 130 permits the user to selectively position the actuator cover 114 in an open position to access the recess 178, and a closed position to secure and enclose the time strip 16 within the recess 178. The cover 114 includes a hinged end 142 and a free end 140. A lip or tab 160 (
Referring now to
In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 100 includes first and second projections 132, 134. The first projection 132 is located within the recess 178 adjacent to the second end wall 122 of the recess 178, and the second projection 134 is carried by the cover 114 adjacent to the hinged end 142 of the cover 114. In the illustrated embodiment, the recess projection 132 is integrally formed on the bottom wall 128 of the recess 178; and the cover projection 134 is integrally formed on an interior surface 154 of the cover 114. While activation of the time strip occurs by mechanical forces generated between both projections 132, 134, it will be understood that the actuator 10 can be provided with only one projection arranged and constructed to activate a time strip, in accordance with the principles disclosed.
In use, the time strip 16 is placed within the recess 178 of the filter cover 174. In one embodiment, an adhesive strip 146 can be provided to secure the time strip 16 to the bottom wall 128 of the recess 178. As previously described, the time-indicating material of the time strip cooperates with the time indicia 38 to inform a user of the time elapsed since activation of the time strip 16.
The presently disclosed actuator 100 of this second embodiment mechanically actuates the time strip 16 using mechanical force generated in the process of closing the cover 114. In particular, when the user closes the actuator cover 114, the projections 132, 134 pinch or squeeze the pocket 62 (
Also similar to the previous embodiment, the cover 114 includes a viewing window 144. The viewing window 144 is formed in the cover 114 at a location corresponding to the location of the time indicia 38 provided on the time strip 16. The viewing window 144 not only provides a user convenient visual access to the time strip 16, but also aids in verifying that the time strip is properly oriented within the recess 178, as previously described.
In general, the time strip actuator embodiments disclosed are designed for use with an aquarium filter assembly to aid in reminding a user of when filter element service is needed. The time strip actuator can be a separate component of the aquarium filter assembly, as illustrated in
The above specification provides a complete description of the present invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, certain aspects of the invention reside in the claims hereinafter appended.
