PROTEIN SKIMMER CAP

Abstract

A protein skimmer cap is provided. A protein skimmer cap for attachment to a protein skimmer, the cap preventing outward spray of aquarium waste, comprising a surrounding member enclosing a center member and an end member. The center member is affixed to the center of the surrounding member and the end member is affixed to the center member. A method of employing the protein skimmer cap to prevent outward spray of aquarium waste from protein skimmer, comprising applying the end member of the protein skimmer cap onto a protein skimmer collection cup such that one or more air vents remain unblocked and the surrounding member encloses all of the one or more air vents.

Claims

1. A protein skimmer cap for attachment to a protein skimmer, said cap preventing outward spray of aquarium waste, comprising: a surrounding member enclosing a center member and an end member; said center member is affixed to the center of said surrounding member; said end member is affixed to said center member.

2. The protein skimmer cap of claim 1, wherein said surrounding member is concave shaped.

3. The protein skimmer cap of claim 1, wherein said surrounding member is rectangular shaped.

4. The protein skimmer cap of claim 1, wherein said surrounding member is weighted.

5. The protein skimmer cap of claim 1, wherein said center member is cylindrical shaped.

6. The protein skimmer cap of claim 1, wherein said center member is rectangular shaped.

7. The protein skimmer cap of claim 1, wherein said center member is weighted.

8. The protein skimmer cap of claim 1, wherein said center member is hollow.

9. The protein skimmer cap of claim 1, wherein said center member is solid.

10. The protein skimmer cap of claim 1, wherein said end member is concave shaped.

11. The protein skimmer cap of claim 1, wherein said end member is rectangular shaped.

12. The protein skimmer cap of claim 1, wherein said end member is circular shaped.

13. The protein skimmer cap of claim 1, wherein said end member is weighted.

14. The protein skimmer cap of claim 1, wherein said end member is hollow.

15. The protein skimmer cap of claim 1, wherein said end member is solid.

16. The protein skimmer cap of claim 1, wherein said protein skimmer cap is composed of plastic.

17. The protein skimmer cap of claim 1, wherein said protein skimmer cap is composed of clay.

18. The protein skimmer cap of claim 1, wherein said protein skimmer cap is built into a protein skimmer system.

19. A method of employing said protein skimmer cap from claim 1, to prevent outward spray of aquarium waste from protein skimmer, comprising: applying said end member of said protein skimmer cap onto a protein skimmer collection cup such that one or more air vents remain unblocked and said surrounding member encloses all of said one or more air vents.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view 100 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates an application 200 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates a section view before protein spray 300 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates a section view during protein spray 400 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates a hollow version 500 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 6 illustrates a solid version 600 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 7 illustrates a hollow version 700 in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter of this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

[0036] Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

[0037] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view 100 of a protein skimmer cap as in one embodiment. The protein skimmer cap is attached to a protein skimmer and employed to prevent the outward spray of aquarium waste comprises a surrounding member 102 enclosing a center member 104 and an end member 106, where the center member 104 is affixed to the center of the surrounding member 102 and the end member 106 is affixed to the center member 104. The protein skimmer cap may be manufactured in a variety of sizes to accommodate various protein skimmers models or can be built into a protein skimmer system. The protein skimmer cap may be composed from materials such as, but not limited to, plastic or clay.

[0038] FIG. 2 depicts an application 200 of a protein skimmer cap onto a lid 202 of a protein skimmer collection cup 204, as in one embodiment. The surrounding member 102 is shown encompassing the entire lid 202 of the protein skimmer collection cup 204. Air vents 206 on the surface of the lid 202 remained unblocked, allowing gas exchange between the protein skimmer collection cup 204 and the surrounding environment. In the embodiment shown, the surrounding member 102 is a concave shaped, the center member 104 is cylindrical shaped and the end member 106 is circular shaped. In other embodiments, the surrounding member 102 may be rectangular shaped. In other embodiments, the surrounding member 102 may be weighted to ensure stability of the protein skimmer cap onto the lid 202 of the protein skimmer collection cup 204.

[0039] A method of employing the protein skimmer cap to prevent the outward spray of aquarium waste from protein skimmer comprises applying the end member 106 of the protein skimmer cap onto a protein skimmer collection cup 204 such that one or more air vents 206 remain unblocked and the surrounding member 102 encloses all of the air vents 206. During maintenance, the protein skimmer cap may be easily removed off of the protein skimmer collection cup 204 and cleaned to reduce the presence of foul odors brought on by the decaying aquarium waste.

[0040] FIG. 3 depicts a section view before protein spray 300 of a protein skimmer cap placed onto a lid 202 of a protein skimmer collection cup 204 similar to FIG. 2, as in one embodiment. This embodiment also displays an end member 106 with a concave shape.

[0041] FIG. 4 depicts a section view during protein spray 400 of a protein skimmer cap placed onto a lid 202 of a protein skimmer collection cup 204, as in one embodiment. The aquarium waste 402, which is initially ejected from one or more air vents 206, is prevented from spraying outwards as the surrounding member 102 encompasses the entirety of the lid 202 of the protein skimmer collection cup 204. The containment of the spray by the protein skimmer cap shelters nearby accessories such as plumbing lines, wiring, the cabinet area and other equipment from damage, resulting in reduced maintenance time and effort.

[0042] FIG. 5 depicts a hollow version 500 of a center member 104 of a protein skimmer cap as in one embodiment. This embodiment also displays a solid end member 106 with a rectangular shape. In other embodiments, the center member 104 may be weighted to ensure stability of the protein skimmer cap onto the lid 202 of the protein skimmer collection cup 204.

[0043] FIG. 6 depicts a solid version 600 of a center member 104 of a protein skimmer cap as in one embodiment. In other embodiments, the center member 104 may be rectangular shaped.

[0044] FIG. 7 depicts a hollow version 700 of an end member 106 of a protein skimmer cap as in one embodiment. In other embodiments, the end member 106 may be weighted to ensure stability of the protein skimmer cap onto the lid 202 of the protein skimmer collection cup 204.

[0045] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments described were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.