WO2020096463A1 - Method for assembly of a fish cage, a kit of parts for assembling a fish cage and a fish cage - Google Patents

Method for assembly of a fish cage, a kit of parts for assembling a fish cage and a fish cage Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2020096463A1
WO2020096463A1 PCT/NO2019/050241 NO2019050241W WO2020096463A1 WO 2020096463 A1 WO2020096463 A1 WO 2020096463A1 NO 2019050241 W NO2019050241 W NO 2019050241W WO 2020096463 A1 WO2020096463 A1 WO 2020096463A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bottom unit
wall element
fish cage
water
buoyancy
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/NO2019/050241
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Alf Reidar Sandstad
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Spring Innovation AS
Original Assignee
Spring Innovation AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Spring Innovation AS filed Critical Spring Innovation AS
Priority to CA3118403A priority Critical patent/CA3118403A1/en
Priority to EP19881558.1A priority patent/EP3876709A4/en
Priority to US17/291,516 priority patent/US20220071179A1/en
Priority to AU2019375738A priority patent/AU2019375738B2/en
Publication of WO2020096463A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020096463A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K61/00—Culture of aquatic animals
    • A01K61/60—Floating cultivation devices, e.g. rafts or floating fish-farms
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K61/00—Culture of aquatic animals
    • A01K61/10—Culture of aquatic animals of fish
    • A01K61/13—Prevention or treatment of fish diseases
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
    • Y02A40/80—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in fisheries management
    • Y02A40/81—Aquaculture, e.g. of fish

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for assembly of a fish cage.
  • the fish cage comprises a bottom unit having a buoyancy exceeding a weight of the bottom unit.
  • the bottom unit comprises a body configured impermeable to water.
  • the fish cage further comprises at least one wall element configured impermeable to water
  • the invention further relates to a kit of parts for assembling a fish cage, an assembled fish cage and use of the fish cage.
  • a mitigating measure against salmon louse is closed fish cages. These are watertight or essentially watertight cages where the supply of water can be controlled.
  • WO 2010/099590 discloses a floating closed-containment tank for cultivating marine species.
  • the tank is made up of panels forming a bottom portion and a side por- tion connected to the bottom portion.
  • the panels making up the bottom portion are formed like cake slices and connected to form a circular bottom.
  • a drawback with the prior art is that the tank must be assembled prior to deployment to sea.
  • a first object of the invention is to provide a method for assembling a fish cage at a location of its intended use.
  • a second object of the invention is to provide a method for assembling a fish cage at reduced cost compared with prior art fish cages.
  • the bot tom unit comprises a body configured impermeable to water
  • the invention has the effect that a fish cage may be assembled at the intended location of use, for example at the location of an offshore fish farm. This simplifies transportation, which in turn may render it profitable to fabricate the different elements of a fish cage at a yard located far away from the fish farm.
  • the invention has a further effect that assembly may be performed using a smaller crane than would be required for deployment of a pre- assembled fish cage. When assembled, the fish cage forms a watertight cage for keeping fish. A watertight fish cage reduces the risk of surrounding water with presence of para sites reaching the fish.
  • the body of the bottom unit expands over an area and may have a circular shape, a hex agonal shape or another shape. In an operable position, the body may form a downwards pointing cone, or an upwards pointing cone, or another shape.
  • the at least one wall ele ment may be arranged along a peripheral portion of the body. When assembled, the at least one wall element forms a continuous wall. Continuous wall meaning a wall that has no open ends and forms a path that starts and ends at the same point.
  • the at least one wall element may be one continuous element, such as a ring, or several wall elements configured to be interconnected such that they form a continuous wall. In one embodiment where there are multiple wall elements, each of the wall elements may be curved such that when assembled they form a circle, or another shape which forms a continuous wall.
  • the buoyancy of the bottom unit exceeds the weight of the bottom unit such that it floats when placed on water.
  • the buoyancy of the bottom unit is sufficient to keep the at least one wall element at least partly above a surface of the water after con nection of the at least one wall element to the body of the bottom unit.
  • the at least one wall element comprises a first receiv- ing element and the body comprises a second receiving element, wherein the method comprises a step of:
  • the connection between the at least one wall element and the body is simplified.
  • the first receiving ele ment and the second receiving element forms a rigid connection.
  • the first receiving ele ment and the second receiving element are complementary, such as a male plug and a female receptacle, e.g. a pin and a hole.
  • the receiving elements are configured such that the at least one wall element is guided in place during engagement between the receiving elements, for example by a pin and a guide such as a slot.
  • the connection between the body and the at least one wall element may be bolted and/or welded.
  • the method comprises:
  • the water for filling the spacing may be supplied from various water locations, for example water from the water body surrounding the fish cage or water from a reservoir, e.g. a tank on a vessel.
  • the water may be from a depth substantially below the surface of the water body, for example 50 metre or 100 metre depth. Presence of louse in the water are less likely at these depths.
  • This embodiment of the invention is also a step in preparing the fish cage for operation. In operation, the spacing will be near filled with water.
  • the method comprises:
  • the draught is altered in a controlled manner as the assembly is gradually lowered or raised by filling or draining the spacing.
  • a speed of lowering may be adjusted by a rate of filling or draining.
  • the bottom unit further comprises one or more buoy ancy elements having a controllable buoyancy, wherein the method comprises:
  • the draught may be altered without changing the water level in the spacing.
  • the draught may also be altered by controlling the buoyancy of the one or more buoyancy elements in addition to changing a water level in the spacing.
  • the buoyancy elements may be controlled to skew an orientation of the assembly in the water body by adjusting the buoyancy of one buoyancy element more than another.
  • the method further comprises:
  • the method further comprises:
  • the method further comprises:
  • the method further comprises:
  • kit of parts for assembling a fish cage comprising;
  • the bot tom unit comprises a body being impermeable to water
  • At least one wall element being impermeable to water, the at least one wall being config ured to be connected with the body, thereby defining a spacing impermeably separated from a water body.
  • kit of parts can be assembled on a surface of a water body.
  • the kit of parts has several benefits:
  • - transportation may be performed using smaller vessels as compared to conventional fish cages.
  • the bottom unit provides a floatable foundation for assembling the fish cage on the water.
  • the at least one wall element may be displaced, e.g. lifted, by means of a crane from the transportation vessel directly onto the floating bottom unit.
  • the body comprises a first receiving element and the at least one wall element comprises a second receiving element configured to engage with the first receiving element, thereby forming a connection.
  • the first and second receiving element is used to form a rigid connection between the body of the bottom unit and the at least one wall element in an efficient manner.
  • the body comprises a controllable port configured to provide liquid communication between said spacing and the water body. The controllable port allows for controlled water filling or draining of the spacing when the kit of parts is assembled.
  • the bottom unit comprises one or more buoyancy ele ments having a controllable buoyancy. The buoyancy elements allow for lowering of the assembled kit of parts without filling the spacing with water.
  • the object of the invention is further obtained by means of a fish cage comprising:
  • the bot- tom unit comprises a body configured impermeable to water
  • At least one wall element configured impermeable to water, the at least one wall element being connected to the body, thereby defining a spacing impermeably separated from a water body.
  • the body comprises a first receiving element and the at least one wall element comprises a second receiving element in engagement with the first receiving element, thereby forming a connection.
  • the fish cage further comprises a controllable port arranged in the body configured to provide liquid communication between the spacing and the water body.
  • the controllable port allows for controlled water filling or draining of the spacing from a bottom and upwards.
  • the port is arranged in the at least one wall element.
  • the fish cage comprises multiple control lable ports, wherein at least one controllable port is arranged in the body and at least one controllable port is arranged in the at least one wall element.
  • the fish cage further comprises one or more buoyancy elements having a controllable buoyancy.
  • the fish cage may comprise multiple buoyancy ele ments arranged with even spacing around the fish cage.
  • the fish cage may comprise four buoyancy elements.
  • the one or more buoyancy elements may extend from the bottom unit to a top portion of an uppermost wall element.
  • the bottom unit and each of the at least one wall elements may comprise a section of a buoyancy element, said sections forming a contin uous buoyancy element.
  • Fig. 1 shows a fish cage assembled according to the invention
  • Fig. 2a shows a step in the assembly of the fish cage according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 2b shows a step in the assembly of the fish cage according to another embod iment of the invention
  • Fig. 3a shows another step in the assembly of the fish cage according to the em bodiment in figure 2a;
  • Fig. 3b shows another step in the assembly of the fish cage according to the em bodiment in figure 2b;
  • Fig. 4a shows a further step in the assembly of the fish cage according to the em- bodiment in figure 3a;
  • Fig. 4b shows a further step in the assembly of the fish cage according to the em bodiment in figure 3b;
  • Fig. 5a shows a further step in the assembly of the fish cage according to the em bodiment in figure 4b;
  • Fig. 5b shows a fish cage assembled according to the embodiment in figure 2b, 3b,
  • Fig. 6 shows a step in the assembly of the fish cage according to a further em bodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 7 shows several fish cages being transported on a vessel
  • Fig. 8a shows an embodiment of a bottom unit with a body shaped as a down
  • Fig. 8b shows an embodiment of a bottom unit with a body shaped as an upwards pointing cone
  • Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of the bottom unit comprising four buoyancy ele ments
  • Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of the fish cage comprising four buoyancy elements.
  • Figure 1 shows a fish cage 1 assembled according to the invention, the fish cage 1 float ing on the surface 40 of a water body 4.
  • the fish cage 1 comprises a bottom unit 2 and a wall 3 formed by four wall elements 30a,b,c,d connected to a body 20 of the bottom unit 2.
  • Each of the four wall elements 30a,b,c,d are also connected to an adjacent wall element 30a,b,c,d.
  • the body and the wall elements 30a,b,c,d define a spacing 5 impermeably separated from the water body 4.
  • the bottom unit 2 comprises a rigid material such as steel, fibreglass or concrete.
  • the bottom unit 2 is fabricated as one solid element but may also be fabricated as a truss work of beams covered by plates or a watertight cloth (not shown).
  • the body 20 comprises a watertight flexible material such as synthetic rubber or plastic (not shown). The body 20 may be stretched out inside or over a truss work of beams (not shown).
  • the bottom unit 2 is kept floatable by its shape. Thus, the weight of water displaced by a submerged portion of the bottom unit 2 exceeds the weight of the bottom unit 2.
  • the bottom unit 2 comprises air-filled voids (not shown) creating additional buoyancy. The voids are located between an underside and an upper side of the bottom unit 2.
  • the bottom unit 2 comprises floatable materials such as
  • the wall elements 30a,b,c,d also comprise a rigid material such as steel, fibreglass or concrete.
  • the wall elements 30a,b,c,d may comprise a truss work of beams covered by plates or a watertight cloth.
  • the wall elements 30a,b,c,d comprise a first receiving element (not shown) and the body 20 comprises a second receiving element (not shown).
  • the first receiving element and the second receiving element are connected to form the connection between the wall ele ments 30a,b,c,d and the body 20.
  • the connection forms a watertight seal between the spacing 5 and the water body 4.
  • the receiving elements may be a threaded bolt and a complementary threaded hole, a bolt and a nut, a pin and a hole or other types of ele- ments configured to be connected.
  • the receiving elements may be flanged struts configured to be connected.
  • the wall elements 30a,b,c,d and the body 20 may also be welded to form a permanent connection.
  • the connection between adjacent wall elements 30a,b,c,d may be similar to the connection between the wall elements 30a,b,c,d and the body 20.
  • Figure 2a and 2b show a step in the assembly of the fish cage 1 wherein a first wall ele ment 30a, 31 a is connected to the body 20 of the bottom unit 2.
  • Figure 2a shows an em bodiment of the invention where the wall element 30a has a height FI equal a full height of the assembled fish cage 1 .
  • Figure 2b shows an embodiment of the invention where the wall element 31 a has a height h equal to a portion of the full height of the assembled fish cage 1.
  • Figure 3a and 3b show another step in the assembly of the fish cage 1 wherein a second wall element 30b, 31 b is connected to the body 20 of the bottom unit 2.
  • the height of the wall elements 30b, 31 b are similar to that of the wall elements 30a, 31 a in figure 2a and 2b respectively.
  • Figure 4a and 4b shows a further step in the assembly of the fish cage 1 wherein a third wall element 30c, 31 c is connected to the body 20 of the bottom unit 2.
  • the third wall ele ments 30c, 31 c are also connected to first wall element 30a, 31 a and second wall element 30ab, 31 b.
  • FIG. 1 shows the assembled fish cage 1 of the embodiment in figure 2a, 3a, and 4a, wherein a fourth wall element 30d is connected to the body 20 of the bottom unit 2 and the adjacent wall elements 30a, 30b.
  • Figure 5a shows a further step in the assembly of the fish cage 1 according to the embod iment in figure 2b, 3b, and 4b, wherein a fourth wall element 31 d is connected to the body 20 of the bottom unit 2 and the adjacent wall elements 31 a, 31 b.
  • Figure 5b shows an as Sild fish cage 1 comprising three rows of wall elements 31 a,b,c,d.
  • a height H1 of the fish cage 1 in figure 5b may be similar to or different from that of the wall element 30a in figure 2a.
  • the bottom unit 2 and the al ready connected wall elements 31 a,b,c,d may be lowered at least partly in the water body 4.
  • Figure 6 shows a step in the assembly of the fish cage 1 according to a further embodi ment of the invention, wherein a first wall element 31 is to be connected to the body 20 of the bottom unit 2.
  • the first wall element 31 forms a con tinuous circumferential wall around the body 20.
  • the body 20 and the wall element 31 may form a plane shape different from circular, such as square, rectangular, hexagonal or another shape.
  • a height h2 of the wall element 31 may be similar to the height H of the wall element 30a in figure 2a, the height h of the wall element 31 a in figure 2b, or it may be another height.
  • several wall elements 31 may be connected on top of each other.
  • Figure 7 shows four bottom units 2 and sixteen wall elements 30 being transported on a floating vessel 6.
  • the bottom units 2 and the wall elements 30 may be assembled into four fish cages 1.
  • the bottom units 2 are shown to be stacked on top of each other and the wall elements 30 are placed next to each other.
  • Figure 8a shows an embodiment of the bottom unit 2 wherein the body 20 forms a down wards pointing cone, in an operable position.
  • the figure shows a perspective view of the bottom unit 2 and a cross-section of the body 20.
  • Figure 8b shows an embodiment of the bottom unit 2 wherein the body 20 forms an upwards pointing cone, in an operable posi- tion.
  • the figure shows a perspective view of the bottom unit 2 and a cross-section of the body 20.
  • the shape of the body 20 is not limited to these em bodiments, but that it may form a different shape, for example flat, in another embodiment.
  • FIG 9 shows an embodiment of the bottom unit 2 comprising four buoyancy elements 7.
  • the buoyancy elements 7 are shown to be evenly distributed around the body 20.
  • Figure 10 shows an embodiment of the fish cage 1 comprising four buoyancy elements 7, where in the buoyancy elements 7 extends upwards along the wall elements 31 .
  • the buoyancy elements 7 are shown to extend to the same height as the wall elements 31.
  • the buoyan cy elements 7 may extend to a different height in another embodiment.
  • the buoyancy elements 7 have a controllable buoyancy, meaning that a buoyancy force acting on the buoyancy elements 7 may be adjusted.
  • the buoyancy elements 7 are filled or drained for water to adjust their buoyancy.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Marine Sciences & Fisheries (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Farming Of Fish And Shellfish (AREA)
  • Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)

Abstract

It is described a method for assembly of a fish cage (1). The fish cage (1) comprises a bottom unit (2) having a buoyancy exceeding a weight of the bottom unit (2). The bottom unit (2) comprises a body (20) configured impermeable to water. The fish cage (1) further comprises at least one wall element (30a-d, 31a-d) configured impermeable to water. The method comprises providing the bottom unit (2) on a surface (40) of a water body (4). The method further comprises connecting the at least one wall element (30a-d, 31a-d) to the body (20), thereby defining a spacing (5) impermeably separated from the water body (4).

Description

METHOD FOR ASSEMBLY OF A FISH CAGE, A KIT OF PARTS FOR ASSEMBLING A FISH CAGE AND A FISH CAGE
The invention relates to a method for assembly of a fish cage. The fish cage comprises a bottom unit having a buoyancy exceeding a weight of the bottom unit. The bottom unit comprises a body configured impermeable to water. The fish cage further comprises at least one wall element configured impermeable to water
The invention further relates to a kit of parts for assembling a fish cage, an assembled fish cage and use of the fish cage.
The aquaculture industry is faced with several challenges, one being parasites, and in particular salmon louse. A mitigating measure against salmon louse is closed fish cages. These are watertight or essentially watertight cages where the supply of water can be controlled.
Fabrication and transportation of such structures are a demanding task that require dedi cated yards and specialized vessel. This contributes to driving up the overall cost of fish cages. In some cases, it might be required to fabricate the fish cage far from the installa tion site, thus requiring transportation over a long distance.
Solutions for modular fish cages that may be fabricated and transported in pieces to some degree exist. However, these must be assembled onshore or on a vessel prior to being towed out to an installation site or deployed to the sea. Towing is a time-consuming task and deploying an assembled fish cage at sea requires vessels with large lifting capacity. Thus, there is a need for a less cost and time-consuming way and a simpler way of as sembling a fish cage at sea.
Document WO 2010/099590 discloses a floating closed-containment tank for cultivating marine species. The tank is made up of panels forming a bottom portion and a side por- tion connected to the bottom portion. The panels making up the bottom portion are formed like cake slices and connected to form a circular bottom. A drawback with the prior art is that the tank must be assembled prior to deployment to sea.
In particular, a first object of the invention is to provide a method for assembling a fish cage at a location of its intended use. A second object of the invention is to provide a method for assembling a fish cage at reduced cost compared with prior art fish cages.
These objects are obtained by means of a method for assembly of a fish cage, wherein the fish cage comprises:
- a bottom unit having a buoyancy exceeding a weight of the bottom unit, wherein the bot tom unit comprises a body configured impermeable to water, and
- at least one wall element configured impermeable to water,
wherein the method comprises:
- providing the bottom unit on a surface of a water body;
- connecting the at least one wall element to the body, thereby defining a spacing imper- meably separated from the water body. The invention has the effect that a fish cage may be assembled at the intended location of use, for example at the location of an offshore fish farm. This simplifies transportation, which in turn may render it profitable to fabricate the different elements of a fish cage at a yard located far away from the fish farm. The invention has a further effect that assembly may be performed using a smaller crane than would be required for deployment of a pre- assembled fish cage. When assembled, the fish cage forms a watertight cage for keeping fish. A watertight fish cage reduces the risk of surrounding water with presence of para sites reaching the fish.
The body of the bottom unit expands over an area and may have a circular shape, a hex agonal shape or another shape. In an operable position, the body may form a downwards pointing cone, or an upwards pointing cone, or another shape. The at least one wall ele ment may be arranged along a peripheral portion of the body. When assembled, the at least one wall element forms a continuous wall. Continuous wall meaning a wall that has no open ends and forms a path that starts and ends at the same point. The at least one wall element may be one continuous element, such as a ring, or several wall elements configured to be interconnected such that they form a continuous wall. In one embodiment where there are multiple wall elements, each of the wall elements may be curved such that when assembled they form a circle, or another shape which forms a continuous wall.
The buoyancy of the bottom unit exceeds the weight of the bottom unit such that it floats when placed on water. In an embodiment, the buoyancy of the bottom unit is sufficient to keep the at least one wall element at least partly above a surface of the water after con nection of the at least one wall element to the body of the bottom unit.
In an embodiment of the invention, the at least one wall element comprises a first receiv- ing element and the body comprises a second receiving element, wherein the method comprises a step of:
- displacing the at least one wall element to the body so that the first receiving element engages with the second receiving element.
By means of the first receiving element and second receiving element, the connection between the at least one wall element and the body is simplified. The first receiving ele ment and the second receiving element forms a rigid connection. The first receiving ele ment and the second receiving element are complementary, such as a male plug and a female receptacle, e.g. a pin and a hole. In an embodiment, the receiving elements are configured such that the at least one wall element is guided in place during engagement between the receiving elements, for example by a pin and a guide such as a slot. In an other embodiment, the connection between the body and the at least one wall element may be bolted and/or welded.
In an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises:
- lowering the bottom unit and the at least one wall element connected to the body at least partly in the water body by filling water in the spacing.
By lowering the bottom unit and the at least one wall element connected to the body at least partly in the water body, a top portion of the at least one wall element is positioned closer to the water surface, thus reducing a required lifting height of objects to be lifted from a vessel to the fish cage. The water for filling the spacing may be supplied from various water locations, for example water from the water body surrounding the fish cage or water from a reservoir, e.g. a tank on a vessel. In one embodiment the water may be from a depth substantially below the surface of the water body, for example 50 metre or 100 metre depth. Presence of louse in the water are less likely at these depths. This embodiment of the invention is also a step in preparing the fish cage for operation. In operation, the spacing will be near filled with water. In an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises:
- altering a draught of the bottom unit and the at least one wall element connected to the body by changing a water level in the spacing.
By changing the water level in the spacing, the draught is altered in a controlled manner as the assembly is gradually lowered or raised by filling or draining the spacing. A speed of lowering may be adjusted by a rate of filling or draining.
In an embodiment of the invention, the bottom unit further comprises one or more buoy ancy elements having a controllable buoyancy, wherein the method comprises:
- altering a draught of the bottom unit and the at least one wall element connected to the body by controlling the buoyancy of the one or more buoyancy elements.
By controlling the buoyancy of the one or more buoyancy elements, the draught may be altered without changing the water level in the spacing. The draught may also be altered by controlling the buoyancy of the one or more buoyancy elements in addition to changing a water level in the spacing. In an embodiment, the buoyancy elements may be controlled to skew an orientation of the assembly in the water body by adjusting the buoyancy of one buoyancy element more than another.
In an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises:
- connecting at least one further wall element to a wall element already connected to the body. By connecting at least one further wall element to a wall element already connected to the body, a volume of the spacing is increased. The at least one further wall element may be connected to a top portion of the wall element already connected to the body. In an em bodiment, further wall elements may be connected to an already connected wall element, thus increasing the volume of the spacing even further. The at least one further wall ele- ment may be connected to the wall element already connected to the body such that the wall elements forms an even surface. An even surface should be understood as there being no angle between the at least one further wall element and the wall element already connected to the body. This also applies to further wall elements connected to an already connected wall element. In an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises:
- transporting the bottom unit and the at least one wall element to an installation site by means of a vessel. Transporting the bottom unit and the at least one wall element to an installation site by means of a vessel is cheaper than transporting conventional rigid watertight fish cages. Further, since the fish cage may be assembled on site, thus transported in pieces, the vessel may be smaller than for transportation of conventional fish cages. In an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises:
- stacking a plurality of bottom units on top of each other onboard a vessel.
By stacking a plurality of bottom units on top of each more fish cages can be transported on the same vessel.
In an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises:
- stacking a plurality of wall elements on top of each and/or next to each other onboard a vessel.
By stacking a plurality of wall elements on top of each and/or next to each other even more fish cages can be transported on the same vessel.
The object of the invention is further obtained by means of a kit of parts for assembling a fish cage, the kit of parts comprising;
- a bottom unit having a buoyancy exceeding a weight of the bottom unit, wherein the bot tom unit comprises a body being impermeable to water, and
- at least one wall element being impermeable to water, the at least one wall being config ured to be connected with the body, thereby defining a spacing impermeably separated from a water body.
In contrast to conventional fish cages configured to be assembled, the kit of parts can be assembled on a surface of a water body. The kit of parts has several benefits:
- transportation may be performed using smaller vessels as compared to conventional fish cages.
- the bottom unit provides a floatable foundation for assembling the fish cage on the water.
- the at least one wall element may be displaced, e.g. lifted, by means of a crane from the transportation vessel directly onto the floating bottom unit.
In an embodiment of the invention, the body comprises a first receiving element and the at least one wall element comprises a second receiving element configured to engage with the first receiving element, thereby forming a connection. The first and second receiving element is used to form a rigid connection between the body of the bottom unit and the at least one wall element in an efficient manner. In an embodiment of the invention, the body comprises a controllable port configured to provide liquid communication between said spacing and the water body. The controllable port allows for controlled water filling or draining of the spacing when the kit of parts is assembled. In an embodiment of the invention, the bottom unit comprises one or more buoyancy ele ments having a controllable buoyancy. The buoyancy elements allow for lowering of the assembled kit of parts without filling the spacing with water.
The object of the invention is further obtained by means of a fish cage comprising:
- a bottom unit having a buoyancy exceeding a weight of the bottom unit, wherein the bot- tom unit comprises a body configured impermeable to water, and
- at least one wall element configured impermeable to water, the at least one wall element being connected to the body, thereby defining a spacing impermeably separated from a water body.
In an embodiment of the invention, the body comprises a first receiving element and the at least one wall element comprises a second receiving element in engagement with the first receiving element, thereby forming a connection.
In one embodiment of the invention, the fish cage further comprises a controllable port arranged in the body configured to provide liquid communication between the spacing and the water body. The controllable port allows for controlled water filling or draining of the spacing from a bottom and upwards. In another embodiment, the port is arranged in the at least one wall element. In a further embodiment, the fish cage comprises multiple control lable ports, wherein at least one controllable port is arranged in the body and at least one controllable port is arranged in the at least one wall element.
In an embodiment of the invention, the fish cage further comprises one or more buoyancy elements having a controllable buoyancy. By controlling the buoyancy of the buoyancy elements, lowering of the fish cage in the water body may be done without filling the spac ing with water. In an embodiment, the fish cage may comprise multiple buoyancy ele ments arranged with even spacing around the fish cage. In another embodiment, the fish cage may comprise four buoyancy elements. In a further embodiment, the one or more buoyancy elements may extend from the bottom unit to a top portion of an uppermost wall element. In an even further embodiment, the bottom unit and each of the at least one wall elements may comprise a section of a buoyancy element, said sections forming a contin uous buoyancy element. The object of the invention is further obtained by means of use of a fish cage according to any of the above embodiments.
In the following is described examples of preferred embodiments illustrated in the accom panying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 shows a fish cage assembled according to the invention;
Fig. 2a shows a step in the assembly of the fish cage according to an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2b shows a step in the assembly of the fish cage according to another embod iment of the invention; Fig. 3a shows another step in the assembly of the fish cage according to the em bodiment in figure 2a;
Fig. 3b shows another step in the assembly of the fish cage according to the em bodiment in figure 2b;
Fig. 4a shows a further step in the assembly of the fish cage according to the em- bodiment in figure 3a;
Fig. 4b shows a further step in the assembly of the fish cage according to the em bodiment in figure 3b;
Fig. 5a shows a further step in the assembly of the fish cage according to the em bodiment in figure 4b; Fig. 5b shows a fish cage assembled according to the embodiment in figure 2b, 3b,
4b and 5a;
Fig. 6 shows a step in the assembly of the fish cage according to a further em bodiment of the invention;
Fig. 7 shows several fish cages being transported on a vessel;
Fig. 8a shows an embodiment of a bottom unit with a body shaped as a down
wards pointing cone; Fig. 8b shows an embodiment of a bottom unit with a body shaped as an upwards pointing cone;
Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of the bottom unit comprising four buoyancy ele ments, and Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of the fish cage comprising four buoyancy elements.
The figures are depicted in a simplified manner, and details that are not relevant to illus trate what is new with the invention may have been excluded from the figures. The differ ent elements in the figures may necessarily not be shown in the correct scale in relation to each other. Equal reference numbers refer to equal or similar elements. Figure 1 shows a fish cage 1 assembled according to the invention, the fish cage 1 float ing on the surface 40 of a water body 4. The fish cage 1 comprises a bottom unit 2 and a wall 3 formed by four wall elements 30a,b,c,d connected to a body 20 of the bottom unit 2. Each of the four wall elements 30a,b,c,d are also connected to an adjacent wall element 30a,b,c,d. The body and the wall elements 30a,b,c,d define a spacing 5 impermeably separated from the water body 4.
The bottom unit 2 comprises a rigid material such as steel, fibreglass or concrete. The bottom unit 2 is fabricated as one solid element but may also be fabricated as a truss work of beams covered by plates or a watertight cloth (not shown). In an embodiment, the body 20 comprises a watertight flexible material such as synthetic rubber or plastic (not shown). The body 20 may be stretched out inside or over a truss work of beams (not shown).
The bottom unit 2 is kept floatable by its shape. Thus, the weight of water displaced by a submerged portion of the bottom unit 2 exceeds the weight of the bottom unit 2. In another embodiment, the bottom unit 2 comprises air-filled voids (not shown) creating additional buoyancy. The voids are located between an underside and an upper side of the bottom unit 2. In an embodiment, the bottom unit 2 comprises floatable materials such as
Styrofoam to further increase the buoyancy.
The wall elements 30a,b,c,d also comprise a rigid material such as steel, fibreglass or concrete. The wall elements 30a,b,c,d may comprise a truss work of beams covered by plates or a watertight cloth. The wall elements 30a,b,c,d comprise a first receiving element (not shown) and the body 20 comprises a second receiving element (not shown). The first receiving element and the second receiving element are connected to form the connection between the wall ele ments 30a,b,c,d and the body 20. The connection forms a watertight seal between the spacing 5 and the water body 4. The receiving elements may be a threaded bolt and a complementary threaded hole, a bolt and a nut, a pin and a hole or other types of ele- ments configured to be connected. In one embodiment, the receiving elements may be flanged struts configured to be connected. The wall elements 30a,b,c,d and the body 20 may also be welded to form a permanent connection. The connection between adjacent wall elements 30a,b,c,d may be similar to the connection between the wall elements 30a,b,c,d and the body 20. Figure 2a and 2b show a step in the assembly of the fish cage 1 wherein a first wall ele ment 30a, 31 a is connected to the body 20 of the bottom unit 2. Figure 2a shows an em bodiment of the invention where the wall element 30a has a height FI equal a full height of the assembled fish cage 1 . Figure 2b shows an embodiment of the invention where the wall element 31 a has a height h equal to a portion of the full height of the assembled fish cage 1.
Figure 3a and 3b show another step in the assembly of the fish cage 1 wherein a second wall element 30b, 31 b is connected to the body 20 of the bottom unit 2. The height of the wall elements 30b, 31 b are similar to that of the wall elements 30a, 31 a in figure 2a and 2b respectively. Figure 4a and 4b shows a further step in the assembly of the fish cage 1 wherein a third wall element 30c, 31 c is connected to the body 20 of the bottom unit 2. The third wall ele ments 30c, 31 c are also connected to first wall element 30a, 31 a and second wall element 30ab, 31 b. The height of the wall elements 30c, 31 c are similar to that of the wall ele ments 30a, 31 a in figure 2a and 2b respectively. Figure 1 shows the assembled fish cage 1 of the embodiment in figure 2a, 3a, and 4a, wherein a fourth wall element 30d is connected to the body 20 of the bottom unit 2 and the adjacent wall elements 30a, 30b.
Figure 5a shows a further step in the assembly of the fish cage 1 according to the embod iment in figure 2b, 3b, and 4b, wherein a fourth wall element 31 d is connected to the body 20 of the bottom unit 2 and the adjacent wall elements 31 a, 31 b. Figure 5b shows an as sembled fish cage 1 comprising three rows of wall elements 31 a,b,c,d. A height H1 of the fish cage 1 in figure 5b may be similar to or different from that of the wall element 30a in figure 2a. After the connection of each row of wall elements 31 a,b,c,d the bottom unit 2 and the al ready connected wall elements 31 a,b,c,d may be lowered at least partly in the water body 4. This enables the consecutive row of wall elements 31 a,b,c,d to be connected at the same elevation above the water surface 40 as the previous row of wall element 31 a,b,c,d. Lowering the bottom unit 2 and the connected wall elements 31 a,b,c,d may be done by filling a partial spacing 5a defined by the bottom unit 2 and the connected wall elements 31 a,b,c,d.
Figure 6 shows a step in the assembly of the fish cage 1 according to a further embodi ment of the invention, wherein a first wall element 31 is to be connected to the body 20 of the bottom unit 2. When connected to the body 20, the first wall element 31 forms a con tinuous circumferential wall around the body 20. It should be understood that in another embodiment, the body 20 and the wall element 31 may form a plane shape different from circular, such as square, rectangular, hexagonal or another shape. A height h2 of the wall element 31 may be similar to the height H of the wall element 30a in figure 2a, the height h of the wall element 31 a in figure 2b, or it may be another height. In one embodiment, several wall elements 31 may be connected on top of each other.
Figure 7 shows four bottom units 2 and sixteen wall elements 30 being transported on a floating vessel 6. The bottom units 2 and the wall elements 30 may be assembled into four fish cages 1. The bottom units 2 are shown to be stacked on top of each other and the wall elements 30 are placed next to each other.
Figure 8a shows an embodiment of the bottom unit 2 wherein the body 20 forms a down wards pointing cone, in an operable position. The figure shows a perspective view of the bottom unit 2 and a cross-section of the body 20. Figure 8b shows an embodiment of the bottom unit 2 wherein the body 20 forms an upwards pointing cone, in an operable posi- tion. The figure shows a perspective view of the bottom unit 2 and a cross-section of the body 20. It should be understood that the shape of the body 20 is not limited to these em bodiments, but that it may form a different shape, for example flat, in another embodiment.
Figure 9 shows an embodiment of the bottom unit 2 comprising four buoyancy elements 7. The buoyancy elements 7 are shown to be evenly distributed around the body 20. Figure 10 shows an embodiment of the fish cage 1 comprising four buoyancy elements 7, where in the buoyancy elements 7 extends upwards along the wall elements 31 . The buoyancy elements 7 are shown to extend to the same height as the wall elements 31. The buoyan cy elements 7 may extend to a different height in another embodiment. The buoyancy elements 7 have a controllable buoyancy, meaning that a buoyancy force acting on the buoyancy elements 7 may be adjusted. In one embodiment, the buoyancy elements 7 are filled or drained for water to adjust their buoyancy.
It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodi ments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any refer ence signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.
The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

C l a i m s
Method for assembly of a fish cage (1 ), wherein the fish cage (1 ) comprises:
- a bottom unit (2) having a buoyancy exceeding a weight of the bottom unit (2), wherein the bottom unit (2) comprises a body (20) configured impermeable to wa ter, and
- at least one wall element (30a-d, 31 a-d) configured impermeable to water, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the method comprises:
- providing the bottom unit (2) on a surface (40) of a water body (4);
- connecting the at least one wall element (30a-d, 31 a-d) to the body (20), there by defining a spacing (5) impermeably separated from the water body (4).
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one wall element (30a-d, 31 a-d) comprises a first receiving element and the body (20) comprises a second receiving element, wherein the method comprises a step of:
- displacing the at least one wall element (30a-d, 31 a-d) to the body (20) so that the first receiving element engages with the second receiving element.
The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the method comprises:
- lowering the bottom unit (2) and the at least one wall element (30a-d, 31 a-d) connected to the body (2) at least partly in the water body (4) by filling water in the spacing (5).
The method according to claim 3, wherein the method comprises:
- altering a draught of the bottom unit (2) and the at least one wall element (30a- d, 31 a-d) connected to the body (2) by changing a water level in the spacing (5).
The method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the bottom unit (2) further com prises one or more buoyancy elements (7) having a controllable buoyancy, wherein the method comprises:
- altering a draught of the bottom unit (2) and the at least one wall element (30a- d, 31 a-d) connected to the body (20) by controlling the buoyancy of the one or more buoyancy elements (7).
The method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising:
- connecting at least one further wall element (31 a-d) to a wall element (31 a-d) al ready connected to the body (20).
7. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising:
- transporting the bottom unit (2) and the at least one wall element (30a-d, 31 a-d) to an installation site by means of a vessel (6).
8. A kit of parts for assembling a fish cage (1 ), the kit of parts comprising:
- a bottom unit (2) having a buoyancy exceeding a weight of the bottom unit (2), wherein the bottom unit (2) comprises a body (20) being impermeable to water, and
- at least one wall element (30a-d, 31 a-d) being impermeable to water, the at least one wall element (30a-d, 31 a-d) being configured to be connected with the body (20), thereby defining a spacing (5) impermeably separated from a water body (4).
9. The kit of parts according to claim 8, wherein the body (20) comprises a first re ceiving element and the at least one wall element (30a-d, 31 a-d) comprises a second receiving element configured to engage with the first receiving element, thereby forming a connection.
10. The kit of parts according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said body (20) comprises a controllable port configured to provide liquid communication between said spac ing (5) and the water body (4).
1 1 . The kit of parts according to any of the claims 8 to 10, wherein the bottom unit (2) comprises one or more buoyancy elements (7) having a controllable buoyancy.
12. A fish cage (1 ) comprising:
- a bottom unit (2) having a buoyancy exceeding a weight of the bottom unit (2), wherein the bottom unit (2) comprises a body (20) configured impermeable to wa ter, and
- at least one wall element (30a-d, 31 a-d) configured impermeable to water, wherein the at least one wall element (30a-d, 31 a-d) being connected to the body (20), thereby defining a spacing (5) impermeably separated from a water body (4).
13. The fish cage (1 ) according to claim 12, wherein the body (20) comprises a first receiving element and the at least one wall element (30a-d, 31 a-d) comprises a second receiving element in engagement with the first receiving element, thereby forming a connection.
14. The fish cage (1 ) according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising a controllable port arranged in the body (20) configured to provide liquid communication be tween the spacing (5) and the water body (4).
15. The fish cage (1 ) according to any of the claims 12 to 14, further comprising one or more buoyancy elements (7) having a controllable buoyancy.
Figure imgf000016_0001
PCT/NO2019/050241 2018-11-06 2019-11-05 Method for assembly of a fish cage, a kit of parts for assembling a fish cage and a fish cage Ceased WO2020096463A1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA3118403A CA3118403A1 (en) 2018-11-06 2019-11-05 Method for assembly of a fish cage, a kit of parts for assembling a fish cage and a fish cage
EP19881558.1A EP3876709A4 (en) 2018-11-06 2019-11-05 FISH CAGE ASSEMBLY METHOD, FISH CAGE ASSEMBLY PARTS KIT AND FISH CAGE
US17/291,516 US20220071179A1 (en) 2018-11-06 2019-11-05 Method for assembly of a fish cage, a kit of parts for assembling a fish cage and a fish cage
AU2019375738A AU2019375738B2 (en) 2018-11-06 2019-11-05 Method for assembly of a fish cage, a kit of parts for assembling a fish cage and a fish cage

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20181424 2018-11-06
NO20181424A NO344977B1 (en) 2018-11-06 2018-11-06 Method for assembly of a fish cage, a kit of parts for assembling a fish cage and a fish cage

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2020096463A1 true WO2020096463A1 (en) 2020-05-14

Family

ID=70611995

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NO2019/050241 Ceased WO2020096463A1 (en) 2018-11-06 2019-11-05 Method for assembly of a fish cage, a kit of parts for assembling a fish cage and a fish cage

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US20220071179A1 (en)
EP (1) EP3876709A4 (en)
AU (1) AU2019375738B2 (en)
CA (1) CA3118403A1 (en)
CL (1) CL2021001200A1 (en)
NO (1) NO344977B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2020096463A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2022229065B2 (en) * 2021-03-02 2023-09-21 Seafarming Systems As Floating aquaculture system with means for elevating structures of the aquaculture system
NO346937B1 (en) * 2021-06-16 2023-03-06 Aquafloat Floating structure for installation in water, a closed ring-structure and a tubular element for building a floating structure, and a method for building a vertical structure
CN115053846B (en) * 2022-08-16 2022-11-22 射阳县射阳港对虾养殖二公司 Piston structure for aquatic animal breeding cage with buoyancy adjusting function
NO20221306A1 (en) 2022-12-06 2024-06-03 Fjordmerd As Aquaculture system for raising aquatic organisms and method of raising aquatic organisms

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100224136A1 (en) * 2005-01-26 2010-09-09 Papadoyianis Ernest D Aquaculture production system
US20110308473A1 (en) * 2009-03-03 2011-12-22 Agrimarine Industries Inc. Solid wall closed containment aquaculture system
US20120234829A1 (en) * 2011-10-21 2012-09-20 Sean Michael Lovelace Portable Reservoir Frame
US20150114958A1 (en) * 2013-10-28 2015-04-30 Jerry W. Noles, Jr. Modular Fluid Storage Tank

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4036390A (en) * 1975-10-17 1977-07-19 Morse California Co. Plastic tank panels and joint assembly
CA2120968A1 (en) * 1994-04-11 1995-10-12 John E. Huguenin Variable buoyancy ballast assembly for fish incubator
US6481378B1 (en) * 2000-09-11 2002-11-19 Fishfarm Tech Ltd. Fish farming system and method
US6860219B1 (en) * 2003-03-17 2005-03-01 Harry Edward Dempster Technique and platform for fabricating a variable-buoyancy structure
NO321069B1 (en) * 2004-06-30 2006-03-13 Fosen Seafarming Systems As Container for use in water and method of building such
ATE427652T1 (en) * 2006-02-21 2009-04-15 Tencate Geosynthetics Netherla METHOD FOR CONNECTING 2 FLEXIBLE GRIDS AND A FISH CAGE
NO331196B1 (en) * 2008-08-08 2011-10-31 Maritime Oppdrett As Cages for placement in water
KR101185861B1 (en) * 2011-09-28 2012-09-27 대한민국 Submersible fish cage by a central buoyancy control
GB2547417B (en) * 2016-02-11 2019-10-16 Sogn Ind As Fish tank and method
NO342560B1 (en) * 2016-11-15 2018-06-18 Hans Gude Gudesen Modular structures and method for construction thereof
NO343420B1 (en) * 2017-08-15 2019-03-04 Spring Innovation As Floatable container for fish farming

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100224136A1 (en) * 2005-01-26 2010-09-09 Papadoyianis Ernest D Aquaculture production system
US20110308473A1 (en) * 2009-03-03 2011-12-22 Agrimarine Industries Inc. Solid wall closed containment aquaculture system
US20120234829A1 (en) * 2011-10-21 2012-09-20 Sean Michael Lovelace Portable Reservoir Frame
US20150114958A1 (en) * 2013-10-28 2015-04-30 Jerry W. Noles, Jr. Modular Fluid Storage Tank

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of EP3876709A4 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CL2021001200A1 (en) 2021-12-10
CA3118403A1 (en) 2020-05-14
NO344977B1 (en) 2020-08-10
EP3876709A1 (en) 2021-09-15
EP3876709A4 (en) 2022-08-17
US20220071179A1 (en) 2022-03-10
NO20181424A1 (en) 2020-05-07
AU2019375738B2 (en) 2022-07-14
AU2019375738A1 (en) 2021-05-20

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
AU2019375738B2 (en) Method for assembly of a fish cage, a kit of parts for assembling a fish cage and a fish cage
EP3426024B1 (en) Semi-submersible fish farming system
KR101626663B1 (en) Submersible fish cage apparatus
EP3687286B1 (en) Semi-submersible spar-type offshore fish farm with detachable and pivotable coupling assembly
MX2011002385A (en) MARINE CENTRAL, FUNDAMENT OF MARINE CENTRAL AND CONSTRUCTION METHOD OF A MARINE CENTRAL.
WO2008081229A2 (en) Submersible mooring grid
EP3849302B1 (en) Bottom-founded semi-submersible spar-type offshore fish farm and method of installing the same
NO344724B1 (en) An aquatic system
EP3742895B1 (en) Semi-submersible spar-type offshore fish farm with an adjustable ballast system
NO346813B1 (en) Floating aquaculture system with means for elevating structures of the aquaculture system
KR100963763B1 (en) Deep Sea Semi Submerged Cultivator
JP2007135429A (en) Aquatic vegetation constructing method and aquatic vegetation facilities
KR102244364B1 (en) Assembly-type pontoon of multi functiona
KR19990055863A (en) Aquaculture Equipment
KR20150021988A (en) Structure of floating fish cage
GB2598807A (en) Underwater mooring system
NO20171477A1 (en) Installation for cultivating marine biomass
NO349583B1 (en) Cultivation structure for low trophic organisms
US20160200504A1 (en) Stable floating device for reducing evaporation in open pools
KR101246709B1 (en) Artificial island for fishing with marine farm
KR101947320B1 (en) The method using submersible marine aquaculture apparatus
KR101973337B1 (en) A submerge type aquaculture brim apparatus
RU2334390C1 (en) Device for hydrobionts cultivation
KR20190030532A (en) Dual layer of artificial reef
NO20200755A1 (en) Fish farming system

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 19881558

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

DPE1 Request for preliminary examination filed after expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed from 20040101)
ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 3118403

Country of ref document: CA

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2019375738

Country of ref document: AU

Date of ref document: 20191105

Kind code of ref document: A

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2019881558

Country of ref document: EP

Effective date: 20210607