Description

UPBRINGING AND INCUBATING MECHANISM FOR

AQUARIUM FRIES

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to apparatuses for incubating fry and, more particularly, to an apparatus for incubating fry which is constructed such that the fry can be raised in an aquarium in a state in which the fry are isolated from mature fish, thus preventing the fry from being caught by the mature fish. Background Art

[2] Generally, incubation containers for fry are manufactured by plastic injection molding and are attached to inner surfaces of aquariums such that they are partially immersed in the aquariums to predetermined depths. Female mature fish are caged in the incubation containers to spawn therein. The reason for caging the mature fish is to isolate fry from the mature fish, because the mature fish may catch and eat what the mature fish spawn.

[3] A conventional representative example of such an incubation container for fry was proposed in Korean Utility Model Registration No. 3054260 (CONTAINER FOR INCUBATING AND RAISING FRY OF AQUARIUM FISH), which is shown in FIG. 1.

[4] As shown in the drawing, in the conventional technique, to improve circulation of water in an incubation container 100, water flow ports 110 covered with nets are formed at predetermined positions on the sidewalls of the incubation container 100 made of plastic. Thanks to this construction, water can smoothly circulate in an aquarium through the incubation container 100. However, in the conventional technique, fry may undesirably pass through the water flow ports 110 covered with the nets, so that there is a problem because the fry are not reliably isolated from the mature fish. Furthermore, a separate means for fastening the nets to the plastic incubation container 100 is required. In addition, if the fastening means is corroded by water, the nets may be undesirably removed from the incubation container 100, thus causing a problem of frequent replacement of the incubation container 100.

[5] Moreover, although the conventional technique has the water flow ports to improve the water circulation, water circulates through the water flow ports only because of natural circulation. Therefore, purified water cannot be sufficiently supplied to female mature fish which spawn, with the result that the female mature fish may not spawn well because of stress. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[6] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for incubating fry which can be selectively constructed such that fry and mature fish are isolated in an incubation container or such that the fry are set loose.

[7] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for incubating fry in which circulation of water in the incubation container is improved by continuously feeding an appropriate amount of purified water into the incubation container, thus maintaining water in the incubation container clear, thereby reducing stress felt by the mature fish.

[8] A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for incubating fry which is constructed such that several incubation containers and fry containers may be installed and the number of incubation containers and fry containers can be varied depending on the number of mature fish and fry. Technical Solution

[9] In order to accomplish the above objects, a first invention provides an apparatus for incubating fry installed in an aquarium such that the apparatus isolates the fry from mature fish, the apparatus including: an incubation container being open on upper and lower ends thereof, with through holes formed through opposite sidewalls of the incubation container, each of the through holes having a size that prevents the fry from passing therethrough, and a suction plate provided on one sidewall of the incubation container; a bottom plate provided in a lower end of the incubation container, the bottom plate having a through hole allowing the fry to pass therethrough; a fry container removably mounted to the lower end of the incubation container, the fry container having through holes, each having a size that prevents the fry from passing therethrough; and a water feed pipe provided through the incubation container, the water feed pipe having in a surface thereof a plurality of water feed holes to feed purified water, drawn into the water feed pipe, into the incubation container and the fry container.

[10] A second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, a partition is removably installed in the incubation container to partition a space in the incubation container into left and right spaces.

[11] A third invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, guides are provided on two respective opposite edges of the lower end of the incubation container, whereby the fry container is removably mounted to the incubation container by sliding the fry container between and along the guides.

[12] A fourth invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first through third

inventions, the apparatus further includes a floating member provided on the incubation container, the floating member containing air therein to prevent the incubation container from sinking in the aquarium even when the suction plate of the incubation container is detached from the aquarium.

[13] A fifth invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first through third inventions, opposite ends of the water feed pipe protrude outwards from the incubation container and have respective male and female fitting structures such that when the incubation container comprises a plurality of incubation containers, the water feed pipes of the incubation containers are coupled to each other in a line.

[14] A sixth invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first through third inventions, a pressure release hole is formed in a first end of the water feed pipe, the pressure release hole having a diameter larger than a diameter of each of the water feed holes, and a pressure adjustment cap is inserted into the first end of the water feed pipe, the pressure adjustment cap adjusting a degree to which the pressure release hole opens to adjust a pressure, at which water fed into a second end of the water feed pipe is discharged into the incubation container through the water feed holes.

[15] A seventh invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the apparatus further includes a cover plate hinged to a portion of the incubation container to selectively open or close the upper end of the incubation container.

Advantageous Effects

[16] According to the apparatus for incubating fry of the present invention obtained by the above objects and the technical solution for accomplishing the objects, the construction of the apparatus can be selectively varied such that fry and mature fish are isolated in an incubation container or such that the fry are set loose. Therefore, it is not required to prepare several kinds of incubation containers, thus reducing expenses.

[17] Furthermore, in the present invention, an appropriate amount of purified water is continuously fed into the incubation container, thus improving circulation of water in the incubation container. Thereby, water in the incubation container can be maintained clear, thus reducing stress felt by the mature fish, and promoting spawning of the mature fish.

[18] Moreover, in the present invention, several incubation containers and fry containers may be coupled to each other and the number of incubation containers and fry containers can be varied depending on the number of mature fish and fry. Therefore, space for installation of the incubation containers and fry containers can be reduced. In addition, several mature fish can spawn at a similar time in spaces separated from each other. Brief Description of the Drawings

[19] FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing one example of a combination fry upbringing container and fry incubating container for aquarium fish, according to a conventional technique;

[20] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an apparatus for incubating fry, according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[21] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the fry incubating apparatus according to the first embodiment;

[22] FIG. 4 is a side view of the fry incubating apparatus according to the first embodiment;

[23] FIG. 5 is a side view showing a modification of a support plate of the fry incubating apparatus according to the first embodiment;

[24] FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of one example of a water feed pipe of the fry incubating apparatus according to the first embodiment;

[25] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one example of a floating member of the fry incubating apparatus according to the first embodiment;

[26] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an apparatus for incubating fry, according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[27] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the coupling of a fry container to the fry incubating apparatus according to the second embodiment. Mode for the Invention

[28] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[29]

[30] <First embodiment

[31] An apparatus for incubating fry according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 through 7.

[32] The fry incubating apparatus according to the first embodiment includes an incubation container 10, a bottom plate 20, a fry container 40 and a water feed pipe 50.

[33] As shown in FIG. 2, the incubation container 10 is open on the upper and lower ends thereof. A plurality of through holes H, each of which has a size that does not allow the fry to pass therethrough, is formed through each of the opposite sidewalls of the incubation container 10.

[34] Furthermore, a glass suction plate 11 is provided on one surface of the incubation container 10 and is attached to a glass plate 1 of an aquarium, so that the incubation container can be maintained in a state in which it is immersed in the aquarium to a predetermined depth. Here, preferably, the glass suction plate 11 comprises a plurality of glass suction plates 11 to maintain the incubation container 10 horizontal and vertical,

but, as shown in FIG. 5, the orientation of the incubation container 10 may be set in such a way that the glass suction plate 11 is disposed at an upper position on the incubation container 10 and a container leveling protrusion 1 IA is further provided on the surface of the incubation container 10 to prevent the bottom of the incubation container 10 from being inclined due to the attachment of the glass suction plate 11 to the glass plate of the aquarium.

[35] In addition, seating protrusions 15 for seating the bottom plate thereon are provided on the four respective corners of the bottom of the incubation container 10.

[36] Preferably, the incubation container 10 is made of transparent material to allow a user to observe mature fish and fry and give to the mature fish and fry the impression that the interior and exterior of the incubation container are of a single continuous space.

[37] As well, a catch 13 having an appropriate size is provided on the lower end of each of the sidewalls of the incubation container 10, so that the fry container 40 is mounted to the incubation container 10 using the catches 13. An insert hole 13A is vertically formed through each catch 13.

[38] A cover plate 14 is provided on the upper end of the incubation container 10 to prevent mature fish which are in the incubation container from breaking the water surface and escaping from the incubation container. The cover plate 14 is hinged to a predetermined portion of the incubation container 10 using a hinge pin P.

[39] Meanwhile, a floating member 12 may be provided at a predetermined position on the incubation container 10 to prevent the incubation container 10 from being completely immersed in the water even if the glass suction plate 11 of the incubation container 10 is detached from the glass plate of the aquarium. Referring to FIG. 7, as one example of the floating member 12, tubes 12A which are closed on the opposite ends thereof and filled with air may be provided on the upper ends of the respective opposite sidewalls of the incubation container 10.

[40] Alternatively, as another example of the floating member 12, box-shaped bodies (not shown) having predetermined sizes may be provided on the upper ends of the respective opposite sidewalls of the incubation container 10. Here, each box-shaped body may be open on the lower end thereof, such that air freely enters the box- shaped body through the open lower end thereof. In this case, the incubation container is installed in the aquarium such that lower portions of the box-shaped bodies are immersed in water. Then, air in the box-shaped bodies cannot be discharged from the box-shaped bodies, so that the incubation container 10 can float on the water.

[41] Meanwhile, a partition 30 is removably provided in the incubation container 10, so that the space of the incubation container 10 is partitioned into two parts, a left and a right part, by the partition 30. The partition 30 functions to partition the living space of

mature fish in the incubation container 10 so as to solve a problem of the mature fish dying as a result of fighting amongst themselves.

[42] Furthermore, guide protrusions 17 are provided on the inner surface of the incubation container 10, so that the partition 30 can be removably installed in the incubation container 10 in such a way as to insert the partition 30 between the guide protrusions 17 in a sliding manner so that the partition 30 can be removably installed in the incubation container 10. A notch 31 is formed in the lower edge of the partition 30 at a position corresponding to a protruding handle 25 of the bottom plate 20, which will be explained later, so as to prevent interference with the protruding handle 25. A plurality of through holes H, each of which has a size that does not allow the fry to pass therethrough, is formed through the partition 30. The reason for this, in other words, the prevention of the passing of the fry through the partition 30, is to guide the fry into the fry container 40 through the bottom plate 20.

[43] Meanwhile, the bottom plate 20 which is seated onto the seating protrusions 15 in the incubation container 10 has a size corresponding to the cross-section of the incubation container 10 such that the bottom plate 20 can be inserted through the upper end of the incubation container 10 thereinto. Depressions 23 are formed in the bottom plate 20 at positions corresponding to the respective guide protrusions 17 to avoid interference between the bottom plate 20 and the guide protrusions 17 when the bottom plate 20 is inserted into the incubation container 10 through the upper end thereof.

[44] Furthermore, the protruding handle 25 is provided on the central portion of the bottom plate 20 to allow the user to hold the protruding handle 25 such that the bottom plate 20 can be easily installed onto or removed from the bottom of the incubation container 10.

[45] In addition, a plurality of through holes 21, each of which has a size that allows the fry to pass therethrough, is formed through the bottom plate 20.

[46] The fry container 40 is removably mounted to the lower end of the incubation container 10. A plurality of through holes H, each of which has a size that does not allow the fry to pass therethrough, is formed in the fry container 40.

[47] Furthermore, a locking plate 41 protrudes upwards from the upper end of each of the opposite sidewalls of the fry container 40, so that when the fry container 40 is mounted to the incubation container 10, the locking plate 41 is inserted into the insert hole 13A of the corresponding catch 13. A hook 42, which is hooked to the corresponding catch 13 when the locking plate 41 is inserted into the insert hole 13 A, is provided on the end of each locking plate 41. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 2, the hook 42 has a triangular shape which has a downward inclined surface, and the locking plate 41 is made of elastic material.

[48] Here, the shape of the hook 42 is only one example used for purposes of illustration

and, thus, it may be modified into various other shapes.

[49] Meanwhile, the water feed pipe 50 is provided at a predetermined position through the upper end of the incubation container 10 and has a length appropriate to pass through the incubation container 10 in the widthwise direction. That is, the opposite ends of the water feed pipe 50 protrude predetermined lengths outwards from the sidewalls of the incubation container. Preferably, male/female fitting structures are provided on the opposite ends of the water feed pipe 50 such that several water feed pipes 50 can be coupled to each other in a line, so that several incubation containers 10 can be arranged in line and purified water can be fed into the incubation containers 10 by a single purification pump (not shown). Here, purified water is fed into the incubation container 10 through a plurality of water feed holes 51 which is formed through the surface of the water feed pipe 50.

[50] As shown in FIG. 6, a water pressure adjustment cap 53 is tightened into one end of the water feed pipe 50 such that the degree to which the water pressure adjustment cap 53 can be tightened into the end of the water feed pipe 50 is adjustable. A pressure release hole 52 is formed through the end of the water feed pipe 50 so that the opening degree of the pressure release hole 52 is adjusted by the water pressure adjustment cap 53. Therefore, as the opening degree of the pressure release hole 52 is reduced by tightening the water pressure adjustment cap 53 into the water feed pipe 50, the pressure of water which is discharged through the water feed holes 51 is increased (the case of FIG. 6a). Conversely, as the opening degree of the pressure release hole 52 is increased by loosening the water pressure adjustment cap 53 from the water feed pipe 50, the pressure of water which is discharged through the water feed holes 51 is reduced (the case of FIG. 6b).

[51] Here, it is preferable that the water pressure adjustment cap 53 be coupled to the water feed pipe 50 such that the water pressure adjustment cap 53 is prevented from being undesirably removed from the water feed pipe 50 by the pressure of water, despite being of a structure capable of being tightened to or loosened from the water feed pipe 50. For this, in this embodiment, a thread engagement method is applied to the coupling between the water pressure adjustment cap 53 and the water feed pipe 50, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[52] Meanwhile, the incubation container 10 may be used without the water feed pipe 50.

In this case, that is, in the case where the water feed pipe 50 is removed from the incubation container 10, if the holes through which the water feed pipe 50 is installed in the incubation container 10 are not closed, the mature fish may escape from the incubation container through the holes. Therefore, in the case where the water feed pipe 50 is removed, the holes are closed by stoppers G.

[53] The operation of the apparatus for incubating fry according to this embodiment of the

present invention will now be described.

[54] First, in the case where the other aquarium fish which are in the aquarium are fry, the user puts mature fish into the incubation container 10 and removes the fry container 40 from the incubation container 10, such that fry which are born from the mature fish are free to go out of the incubation container 10 and be raised in the aquarium. Here, because the through holes 21 which allow the fry to pass therethrough are formed through the bottom plate 20 which is provided on the lower end in the incubation container, the fry which are born can go out of the incubation container 10 through the through holes 21. Therefore, the mature fish can be isolated from the fry by the incubation container 10, so that an event in which the mature fish eat the fry can be prevented.

[55] In the case where two mature fish are put into the incubation container 10, the partition 30 is inserted into the incubation container 10 along the guide protrusions 17 which are provided on the inner surface of the incubation container 10. Then, the space in the incubation container 10 is divided into two spaces. The two mature fish are put into and spawn in the two respective spaces in the incubation container 10. The problem of a death of the mature fish resulting from the mature fish fighting can be solved by the above-mentioned structure.

[56] Here, the installation of the bottom plate 20 and the partition 30 in the incubation container 10 are conducted in the sequence of seating the bottom plate 20 onto the seating protrusions 15 in the incubation container 10 and then inserting the partition 30 into the incubation container 10. Here, because the protruding handle 25 is provided on the bottom plate 20, the user holds the protruding handle 25 and moves the bottom plate 20. Furthermore, the depressions 23 are formed in the bottom plate 20 at positions corresponding to the guide protrusions 17, so that when the bottom plate 20 is inserted into the incubation container 10, the guide protrusions 17 are prevented from interfering with the installation of the bottom plate 20. In addition, the notch 31 is formed in the partition 30, so that when the partition 30 is inserted into the incubation container 10 along the guide protrusions 17 and placed onto the bottom plate 20, the protruding handle 25 is prevented from interfering with the installation of the partition 30.

[57] Meanwhile, the incubation container 10 is attached to the glass plate 1 of the aquarium using the glass suction plate 11 such that the incubation container 10 is immersed in the water in the aquarium to a predetermined depth. Thereafter, the cover plate 14, which has been opened to put the mature fish into the incubation container 10, is rotated around the hinge pin to cover the upper end of the incubation container 10. The closing of the cover plate 14 is to prevent the mature fish which have been put into the incubation container 10 from jumping over the water surface and escaping

from the incubation container 10.

[58] Furthermore, the water feed pipe 50 is provided through the upper end of the incubation container 10, so that water which has been purified by the purification pump is fed into the water feed pipe 50 and injected into the incubation container 10 through the water feed holes 51 of the water feed pipe 50. Here, the pressure at which water is injected into the incubation container 10 through the water feed holes 51 is adjusted by the pressure release hole 52 and the water pressure adjustment cap 53. That is, the degree to which the pressure release hole 52 opens is adjusted by adjusting a degree with which the water pressure adjustment cap 53 is tightened into the water feed pipe 50, thereby adjusting the pressure at which water is discharged through the water feed holes 51. For example, as the degree to which the pressure release hole 52 opens is reduced by tightening the water pressure adjustment cap 53 into the water feed pipe 50, the degree with which water is focused on the water feed holes 51 is increased so that the pressure at which water is discharged through the water feed holes 51 is increased (see, FIG. 6a). As the degree to which the pressure release hole 52 opens is increased by loosening the water pressure adjustment cap 53 from the water feed pipe 50, the amount of water which is dispersed to the pressure release hole 52 is increased so that the pressure at which water is discharged through the water feed holes 51 is reduced (see, FIG. 6b).

[59] In addition, water in the aquarium and water in the incubation container 10 are exchanged with each other through the through holes H formed through the opposite sidewalls of the incubation container 10. Relatively muddy water which has been in the incubation container 10 can be discharged from the incubation container 10 through the through holes H by feeding purified water through the water feed pipe 50.

[60] Moreover, the water feed pipe 50 has the male/female fitting structure such that it can be coupled to another water feed pipe 50. Therefore, even if several incubations containers 10 are arranged in a line by coupling the several water feed pipes 50 to each other, purified water can be fed into the incubation containers 10 only using a single purification pump.

[61] Meanwhile, in the case where the other fish which are in the aquarium are mature fish, the mature fish may catch and eat fry which go out of the incubation container 10 through the through holes 21 of the bottom plate 20. Therefore, the fry container 40 is mounted to the incubation container 10 such that the fry can be isolated from the mature fish which are not only in the incubation container 10 but are also in the aquarium.

[62] As such, in the case where the fry container 40 is mounted to the incubation container 10, the fry can move from the incubation container 10 into the fry container 40 through the through holes 21 of the bottom plate 20. Moreover, after the spawning

of the mature fish has been completed, it is no longer required to place the mature fish in the incubation container 10. Therefore, to increase the living space of the fry, the mature fish are removed from the incubation container 10 and the partition 30 and the bottom plate 20 are also removed from the incubation container 10. Thus, the fry can freely move and be safely raised in the space defined by the incubation container 10 and the fry container 40.

[63] Furthermore, since the through holes H that do not allow the fry to pass therethrough are formed in the incubation container 10 and the fry container 40, the fry can be prevented from escaping from the incubation container 10 or the fry container 40 and thus be prevented from being caught by the other mature fish in the aquarium, while water in the aquarium and water in the incubation container and the fry container can circulate freely.

[64] The operation of mounting the fry container 40 to the incubation container 10 or removing it therefrom will be explained below.

[65] The insert holes 13A are vertically formed through the respective catches 13, which are provided on the lower ends of the opposite sidewalls of the incubation container 10. The locking plates 41 having the hooks 42 are provided on the respective opposite sidewalls of the fry container 40. Thus, the fry container 40 is mounted to the incubation container 10 by inserting the hooks 42 into the corresponding insert holes 13A and locking the hooks 42 to the corresponding catches 13. The fry container 40 can be separated from the incubation container 10 by unlocking the hooks 42 from the corresponding catches 13.

[66] In detail, when the locking plates 41 having the hooks 42 are inserted into the corresponding insert holes 13 A, the locking plates 41 are elastically bent while the catches 13 are fitted over the corresponding hooks 42 along the inclined surfaces of the hooks 42. When the hooks 42 completely pass through the corresponding insert holes 13 A, the locking plates 41 are returned to their original states and, thereby, the hooks 42 are hooked to the corresponding catches 13. To separate the fry container 40 from the incubation container 10, the hooks 42 are pressed inwards and pushed downwards. Then, the locking plates 41 are elastically bent, and they along with the hooks 42 are removed from the insert holes 13 A.

[67]

[68] <Second embodiment

[69] Next, an apparatus for incubating fry according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of this embodiment, the same reference numerals are used to designate components which are the same or similar to those of the first embodiment.

[70] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the apparatus for incubating fry, according to the

second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the fry incubating apparatus according to the second embodiment.

[71] As shown in the drawings, in this embodiment, a fry container 40 is removably mounted to an incubation container 10 in a drawing sliding manner. In detail, guides 60 are provided on two respective opposite edges of the lower end of the incubation container 10. Here, the guides 60 may be integrally formed with the incubation container 10 or, alternatively, they may be coupled to the incubation container 10 by an attaching or fitting method.

[72] The fry container 40 is open on the upper end thereof. Furthermore, the fry container

40 is mounted to or removed from the incubation container 10 by sliding it between the guides 60. For this, the fry container 40 has guide grooves 44 corresponding to the respective guides 60.

[73] Through holes H are formed through the opposite sidewalls and the bottom surface of the fry container 40, in the same manner as that of the first embodiment.

[74] Moreover, a handle may be provided on the fry container 40 to facilitate the installation or removal of the fry container 40, but, as in this embodiment, the fry container 40 may have no separate handle, because the fry container 40 can be mounted to or removed from the incubation container 10 by pushing the sidewalls of the fry container 40 along the guides 60.

[75] As such, in the case where the fry container 40 has a drawer sliding structure, the installation or removal of the fry container 40 becomes easier than that of the locking coupling structure of the first embodiment. Therefore, even when the incubation container 10 is in a state of having been installed in the aquarium, the fry container 40 can be easily mounted to or removed from the incubation container 10.

[76] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the scope and spirit of the invention are defined by the accompanying claims, and various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the claims.