Patent US3595161A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3595161A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for refuse disposal
Assignee: Webbco Research & Dev Corp
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Filing: 1969-10-23
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Granted: 1971-07-27
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Expires: 1989-10-23
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for the disposal of solid waste material in which the refuse is transported out to sea to a disposal barge. The barge is provided with a large diameter telescoping pipe extending below the surface. The upper end of the pipe extends approximately 50 feet above the surface. The refuse is conveyed from the barge to the upper end of the pipe and discharged into the pipe. The accumulation of material in the pipe from the surface of the sea to the top of the pipe causes the material to be forced downward in the pipe until it reaches the 300 foot level below the surface. Water pressure at that level compresses virtually all of the refuse in the pipe so that it descends to the sea bottom. The end of the pipe is provided with a trap for any of the materials which will float even after being compressed at that depth.
Inventors
- 👤 Wells A Webb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:02
CPC Classifications
B; B09; B09B; B09B1/00; B09B1/002; B65; B65B; B65B35/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for refuse disposal at sea comprising an elongate vertical refuse disposal chamber, said chamber mounted on a floating vessel and extending a substantial distance above the surface of the sea and extendible to a depth below the surface at which the water pressure is sufficient to compress substantially all refuse in the chamber at that depth so that such refuse becomes nonbuoyant, and loading means for placing refuse in the disposal chamber at the upper end thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for refuse disposal at sea comprising an elongate vertical refuse disposal chamber, said chamber mounted on a floating vessel and extending a substantial distance above the surface of the sea and extendible to a depth below the surface at which the water pressure is sufficient to compress substantially all refuse in the chamber at that depth so that such refuse becomes nonbuoyant, and loading means for placing refuse in the disposal chamber at the upper end thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the chamber is open at the bottom thereof and including trap means mounted at the lowermost portion of the chamber for collecting refuse which is not rendered nonbuoyant, and means for raising the trap means for discharge of the collected refuse.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 2 and including means connected with the trap means for collecting liquid waste material caught in the trap means, and means for removing the liquid waste from the collection means and storing the liquid waste for disposal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 2 and including means for enclosing the buoyant waste in the trap means to prevent escape of the buoyant waste when the trap is raised.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and including means for admitting sea water into the chamber near the surface of the sea.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for the disposal of solid waste material at sea comprising the steps of placing the waste into an open ended chamber the top of which is substantially above the surface of the sea and the bottom of which extends to a depth below the surface at which the water pressure will render the waste substantially nonbuoyant, and continuing to add waste in order to compress the waste and force it down the chamber towards the bottom thereof.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for the disposal of solid waste material at sea comprising the steps of placing the waste into an open ended chamber the top of which is substantially above the surface of the sea and the bottom of which extends to a depth below the surface at which the water pressure will render the waste substantially nonbuoyant, and continuing to add waste in order to compress the waste and force it down the chamber towards the bottom thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The waste disposal method of claim 6 including the step of collecting adjacent the bottom of the chamber any buoyant waste material which exits from the chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The waste disposal method of claim 6 and including the step of accumulating any liquid waste which exits from the chamber, removing the liquid waste accumulation, and then storing the liquid waste for later disposal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The waste disposal method of claim 6 wherein the placing of the waste material is into a closed chamber by means of a pump.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The waste disposal method of claim 6 and including the step of adding sea water to the chamber to mix with the waste material about at the level of the sea surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
125 words
Apparatus for waste disposal at sea comprising a large diameter pipe mounted on a barge, said pipe extending about 50 feet above the surface of the sea and having a portion thereof extendible to a depth of about 300 feet below the surface, conveyor means for conveying refuse to the top of the pipe and depositing the refuse therein, means for raising and lowering thE extendible portions of the pipe, a closeable housing at the lowermost portion of the pipe for collecting waste matter which would float to the surface, means for raising the housing to the surface to permit discharge and collection of the waste material therein, and flexible means for removing liquid wastes from the housing and conveying them to a storage container.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
125 words
Apparatus for waste disposal at sea comprising a large diameter pipe mounted on a barge, said pipe extending about 50 feet above the surface of the sea and having a portion thereof extendible to a depth of about 300 feet below the surface, conveyor means for conveying refuse to the top of the pipe and depositing the refuse therein, means for raising and lowering thE extendible portions of the pipe, a closeable housing at the lowermost portion of the pipe for collecting waste matter which would float to the surface, means for raising the housing to the surface to permit discharge and collection of the waste material therein, and flexible means for removing liquid wastes from the housing and conveying them to a storage container.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 11 and wherein the extendible portion of the pipe is pivotally mounted on the barge to accommodate movement of the barge caused by wave motion and to permit storage of that portion adjacent the barge and including means to pivot the extendible portion of pipe from the vertical to the horizontal position adjacent the barge.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 11 and wherein the closeable housing is pivotally mounted at the lower end of the extendible pipe to permit movement thereof to a position above the surface of the sea when the extendible pipe is substantially horizontal so that the housing may be opened and the collected waste material therein discharged.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the extendible pipe may be lowered to a depth of at least 600 feet and including means for breaking up large pieces of woody waste material, means for combining the broken up pieces with water, and means for pumping the mixture of wood pieces and water under sufficient pressure to force the mixture to the bottom of the extendible pipe when it is fully extended.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |