CASE 0:20-cv-00358-ECT-HB Doc. 80-10 Filed 06/10/21 Page 1 of 5
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`CASE 0:20-cv-00358-ECT-HB Doc. 80-10 Filed 06/10/21 Page1of5
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`
`Exhibit 12
`Exhibit 12
`
`
`Page 1
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`OWTEx. 2141
`Tennant Company v. OWT
`IPR2021-00625
`
`

`

`United States Patent (19)
`Wikey
`
`3,891,535
`11
`{45)*June 24, 1975
`
`*) Notice:
`
`(54) AQUARIUM WATER TREATMENT
`APPARATUS
`76 Inventor: Arnold Wilkey, 5040 W. Newport,
`Chicago, Ill. 60641
`The portion of the term of this
`patent subsequent to Oct. 30, 1990,
`has been disclaimed.
`July 9, 1973
`(22 Filed:
`(21) Appl. No. 377,597
`Related U.S. Application Data
`63 Continuation of Ser. No. 123,342, March 11, 1971,
`Pat. No. 3,720,014.
`
`52 U.S. C. ........... 204/275; 204/DIG. 6; 204/149;
`210/169
`Int. Cl........ C02b 1182; BOlk 3/00; CO2b 3100
`51 )
`(58) Field of Search............... 204/149, 275, DIG. 6;
`210/169
`
`56)
`
`751,986
`
`References Cited
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`2, 1904 Kartzmark.......................... 204/149
`
`3,479,281
`3,769,196
`3,778,307
`
`l if 1969 Kikindai et al................. 204/149 X
`10/1973 Wikey................................. 204/275
`2f1973 Beer et al. ..........................
`171221
`
`FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS
`189,214
`if 1905 Germany ....................... 204/DIG. 6
`
`Primary Examiner-John H. Mack
`Assistant Examiner-A. C. Prescott
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Alter and Weiss
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Water treatment apparatus for use in aquariums and
`the like comprising the serial arrangement of spaced
`apart paralled disposed plates positioned in the water
`being treated. Consecutive plates are oppositely polar
`ized at a relatively low voltage. The polarization of the
`plates is periodically or randomly reversed. The appa
`ratus acts to kill bacteria, aerate and increase the cir
`culation of the water thereby improving the general
`environment of the aquarium.
`4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures
`
`
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`CASE 0:20-cv-00358-ECT-HB Doc. 80-10 Filed 06/10/21 Page 2 of 5
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`PATENTED JUN24 1975
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`CASE 0:20-cv-00358-ECT-HB Doc. 80-10 Filed 06/10/21 Page 3 of 5
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`CASE 0:20-cv-00358-ECT-HB Doc. 80-10 Filed 06/10/21 Page 4 of 5
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`15
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`25
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`3,891,535
`1
`2
`AQUARIUM WATER TREATMENT APPARATUS
`in fish tanks, aquariums and the like. A reversing power
`supply generally designated as 12 feeds power to the
`This invention is a continuation in part of my prior
`electrodes units 13 diagrammatically shown under
`application filed on Mar. 11, 1971, having Ser. No.
`water 14. The electrode unit comprises a plurality of
`123,342, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,720,014 and entitled
`5 juxtaposed plates or electrodes, such as electrodes 16
`WATER TREATMENT APPARATUS AND
`and 17. In a preferred embodiment of the invention,
`METHOD. This invention relates to water treatment
`the electrodes are plates made of platinum coated tita
`apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for im
`nium.
`proving the environment of the aquariums and the like.
`The consecutive plates are oppositely polarized. For
`Just as the death of natural bodies of water is caused
`example, when plate 16 is positively polarized, then
`10
`by cultural and natural eutrophication, fish tanks and
`plate 17 is negatively polarized. The conductor 18 is
`aquariums are also subject to the hazards of natural
`connected to plate 16 and 19 and then passes around
`pollution. Among the most prominent characteristics
`or through plate 17. There is no electrical connection
`of such nonusable polluted fish tank water are the high
`between plate 17 and conductor 18. The plate 21 is
`bacteria count and lack of oxygen. Of course, there are
`also connected to the alternate plates, Similarly, con
`other characteristics, such as a putrid smell and/or al
`ductor 23 is coupled to the alternate plate commencing
`gae, for example.
`with plate 17 at 24.
`In the past, aeration of fish tanks and aquariums has
`The plates are all shown mounted on an insulated rod
`been accomplished through the use of pumps and agita
`26 and separated from each other with insulated wash
`tors. The pumps and agitators are relatively inefficient
`ers, such as washer 27. In a preferred embodiment of
`and noisy. Furthermore, they fail to reduce the bacteria
`the invention, the washers are made from teflon.
`in the tank,
`The power supply 12 is shown schematically as com
`Accordingly, an object of this present invention is to
`prising a D.C. source, such as battery 28, which is con
`provide economical and efficient equipment for aerat
`nected to conductors 29 and 31.
`ing fish tanks and the like.
`Means are provided for periodically changing the po
`A related object of the present invention is to provide
`larity of the electrodes. As schematically shown in FIG.
`the apparatus for aerating water while sterilizing the
`1, a small synchronous motor is coupled to a source of
`Water.
`A.C. power. The motor 32 drives cam 33 through a
`A further object of this present invention is to pro
`drive shaft 34. As the cam rotates, it operates a pair of
`vide electrolysis equipment for use in sterilizing water,
`switches 36 and 37 simultaneously to interconnect con
`wherein the electrolysis equipment is resistant to resid
`ductors 29 and 31 to conductors 18 and 23, respec
`ual insulation.
`tively.
`Yet another object of the present invention is to pro
`It should be understood, of course, that any well
`vide electrolysis equipment, wherein such equipment
`known means for periodically or randomly changing
`utilizes a change of polarity to prevent residual insula
`the polarity of the alternate plates, such as plates 16
`tion.
`and 17, for example, can be used within the scope of
`Yet another object of this invention is to provide an
`aerating and circulating pump with no moving parts for
`this invention.
`In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
`use on fish ponds or aquariums.
`plates are maintained at a distance of 1/64 inch apart
`40
`Yet a further object of the invention is to provide low
`voltage, low current flow electrolysis equipment that
`by the insulators and a 6 volt D.C. source is utilized.
`The amperage between the plates, of course, depends
`can be used to both aerate and sterilize water to over
`come pollution.
`on the size of the plates and the conductivity of the
`water in which the electrodes are placed. Nonetheless,
`A preferred embodiment of the present invention uti
`lizes two or more plates spaced apart and insulated
`the relative amperage of the preferred embodiment is
`in the order of 4 amp. With the low voltage across the
`from each other. The plates are immersed in a fish tank
`or the like. A power source is provided for oppositely
`alternate plates, the water tends to electrolyze and
`polarizing juxtaposed plates. A low voltage field is peri
`break into its constituent gases; i.e., two parts hydrogen
`odically reversed to prevent any buildup of impurities
`and one part oxygen. With a platinum coated titanium
`50
`on the plates. Means may further be provided for carry
`plate, the bubbles of gas including oxygen are ex
`ing the released gases; i.e., the oxygen to the bottom of
`tremely small, and the plates themselves tend to resist
`the bodies of waters to enhance the aerating effect
`any buildup of residue of impurities thereon. In addi
`along with the sterilization of the water.
`tion, the reversing of the polarity also has tendencies to
`The foregoing and other objects and advantages of
`retain the plates in a clean condition so that they maxi
`55
`this invention and the manner of obtaining them will be
`mize the action of electrolysis obtained between the
`plates.
`more apparent, and the invention itself will be best un
`derstood by reference to the following description of an
`FIG. 2 shows utilization of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in
`embodiment of this invention taken in conjunction with
`a fish tank 39 where it is used for purifying and aerating
`the accompanying drawings, wherein:
`the water. The size of the fish tank is of little conse
`60
`FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the inventive water aer
`quence since more electrode units are added if re
`ating treatment apparatus;
`quired by the volume of water and number of fish in the
`aquarium.
`FIG. 2 shows the apparatus of FIG. 1 adapted for use
`in fish ponds or aquariums; and
`The electrode unit 13 is shown connected to a power
`FIG. 3 shows a further refinement of the apparatus of
`supply 12. The showing, of course, is schematic, and
`65
`FIG. 1.
`the plates of the unit are in actuality more closely
`In FIG. the number 11 generally shows the electrol
`packed together to be within the dimensions set forth
`ysis apparatus utilized for aerating and treating water
`in the description of the plates of FIG. 1.
`
`35
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`45
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`CASE 0:20-cv-00358-ECT-HB Doc. 80-10 Filed 06/10/21 Page 5 of 5
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`FIG. 3 teaches the device utilizing the electrolysis ap
`paratus 11 in a way, that among other things, over
`comes thermal stratification which may occur on larger
`aquariums. More particularly, FIG. 3 shows means for
`increasing the circulation of the water and intersper- 5
`sion of oxygen therein affected by the electrolysis. A
`circulating device, such as vertical tube 41, is provided
`which surrounds the electrolysis unit 13. The electroly
`sis unit is connected through conductors 18 and 23 to
`a source of power, such as power source 12. The bot
`tom 42 of tube 41 is open to enable the flow of water
`therein. The top 43 of tube 41 is also open and extends
`above the normal level of water in the tank. A pumping
`action in tube 41 is caused by the electrolysis action of
`apparatus 13. In fact, the level of the water in tube 41
`increases until water is flowing in the direction shown
`by arrows 44 in the horizontal tube 46 and back down
`through second vertical tube 47. The water that flows
`through the three tubes is forced therethrough by the
`electrolysis action and because of the electrolysis ac
`tion contains a plethora of oxygen bubbles. The hydro
`gen that is released in tube 41 escapes into the atmo
`sphere at opening 43. The water containing the oxygen
`bubbles passes back down through tube 47 which is
`open at the bottom portion 48 thereof to enable aer
`25
`ated water to flow therethrough and supply oxygen to
`the lower levels of the tank.
`For aquariums, the extra circulation increases the ox
`ygen in all levels of the tank and contributes to the
`health of the fish life in the aquariums.
`A sufficient number of such tube arrangements desig
`nated as 40 is placed in the aquarium to assure a proper
`supply of oxygen and incidentally to kill bacteria. The
`tubes 41, 44 and 47 can be made of plastic, glass or
`they can even be metallic.
`Thus, there is herein described an electrolysis unit
`uniquely suited for treating water by aeration and ster
`ilization. The water treated, as described herein, can
`either be for aquariums, fish ponds or fish tanks. The
`apparatus described herein effectively counteracts in
`40
`creased biochemical oxygen demand.
`While the above principles and advantages of the in
`vention have been described in connection with spe
`cific arrangements and apparatus, it is to be clearly un
`derstood that the description is only made by way of ex
`45
`ample and not as a limitation on the scope of the inven
`tion.
`I claim:
`1. Water treatment apparatus for aerating and steril
`izing fish tanks,
`said apparatus comprising at least one pair of elec
`trodes immersed in said fish tank,
`said electrodes being juxtaposed but non-contiguous
`to one another,
`a low voltage source for oppositely polarizing said
`55
`electrodes to cause electrolysis of the water to re
`lease gases for simultaneously sterilizing and aerat
`ing the water,
`
`3,891,535
`4
`means for periodically changing polarization to main
`tain the gaseous discharge at said electrodes,
`tube means surrounding said electrolysis unit in said
`fish tank,
`said tube means comprising a first vertical tube
`opened at the bottom thereof,
`said tube means further comprising a second vertical
`tube,
`said second vertical tube closed at the top and open
`at the bottom thereof,
`a horizontal tube joining said first and second vertical
`tubes, and
`said horizontal tube being located so as to be below
`the surface of the water when said fish tank is in op
`eration, whereby circulation for aeration is accom
`plished by the electrodes being energized to force
`water from said first vertical tube through said hor
`izontal tube and said second vertical tube to aerate
`the lower levels of said fish tank.
`2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said horizontal
`tube joins said second vertical tube at the top thereof
`so that the second vertical tube is closed at the top
`thereof.
`3. A water treatment apparatus for aerating and ster
`ilizing fish tanks,
`said apparatus comprising at least one pair of elec
`trodes immersed in said fish tank, said electrodes
`being juxtaposed but non-contiguous to one an
`other,
`a low voltage source for oppositely polarizing said
`electrodes to cause electrolysis of the water to re
`lease gases to simultaneously sterilize and aerate
`the water,
`means for periodically changing the polarization to
`maintain the gaseous discharge at said electrodes,
`tube means surrounding said electrolysis unit in said
`fish tank,
`a horizontal tube joining said first and second vertical
`tubes,
`said electrodes disposed within said first vertical
`tube,
`said first and second vertical tubes extending below
`the water line and open at said tube bottoms,
`said first vertical tube also open at the top and said
`second vertical tube closed at the top,
`said horizontal tube providing a conduit for circula
`tion of aerated water from said first vertical tube
`through said horizontal tube and down said second
`vertical tube into the water adjacent to the bottom
`of the tank.
`4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said electrodes
`are spaced 1/64 inch apart,
`said space maintained by insulators disposed between
`said electrodes, and
`said electrodes being platinum plated titanium in
`plate shape.
`
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