US3788079A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for collecting a floating liquid
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-05-26
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1992-05-26
Abstract
Abstract A floating liquid such as an oil spill is collected under a sheet with weighted periphery. The sheet is deployed by spreading it horizontally over the liquid surface, after which the periphery submerge, confining and centrally concentrating the liquid. The sheet retains the liquid for subsequent pumping into a vessel.
Inventors
- 👤 D Reynolds
- 👤 W Kirk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:48
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B15/08; E02B15/0814; E02B15/0857; E02B15/0864; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20; Y02A20/204; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/918; Y10S210/922; Y10S210/923
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for collecting a liquid floating upon the surface of a body of water comprising, in combination, a flexible folded sheet impervious to liquid, weight means attached to the peripheral edge of said sheet and formed around a space, explosive means within said space, a support, and means for attaching said sheet, weight means and explosive means to the support in an arrangement operative to propel said weight means in a direction away from said support upon detonation of the explosive means, whereby detonation of the explosive means over the floating liquid causes the sheet to be spread over the floating liquid in a horizontal configuration permitting the weight means to submerge said peripheral edge to confine a quantity of the floating liquid under the sheet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for collecting a liquid floating upon the surface of a body of water comprising, in combination, a flexible folded sheet impervious to liquid, weight means attached to the peripheral edge of said sheet and formed around a space, explosive means within said space, a support, and means for attaching said sheet, weight means and explosive means to the support in an arrangement operative to propel said weight means in a direction away from said support upon detonation of the explosive means, whereby detonation of the explosive means over the floating liquid causes the sheet to be spread over the floating liquid in a horizontal configuration permitting the weight means to submerge said peripheral edge to confine a quantity of the floating liquid under the sheet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the support is a floating vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including a fitting extending through the sheet for pumping out said confined quantity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including strands connecting the weight means with the support, whereby the weight means are drawn together by the support to concentrate said confined quantity in a more compact mass upon the submergence of the support in the water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the support is a closed container having an end detachable therefrom, the sheet being constructed and arranged to be rapidly expelled with said weight means and said explosive means through said detachable end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, in which the container is elongate with laterally extending fin means deflectable by an air stream to orient the longitudinal dimension of the container substantially parallel to the air stream with said end facing downstream, whereby when the container falls through the air said end faces vertically upward, whereby the container may be dropped through the air.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including flotation means attached to the sheet and constructed and adapted to suspend a central portion thereof over the surface of the confined liquid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, including a vent iN the suspended central portion of the sheet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, in which the vent comprises a check valve.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
176 words
The method of collecting a first liquid initially floating upon a second liquid, the first liquid having an interface with atmospheric air, comprising the steps of disposing in the air at a distance vertically spaced above the first liquid a flexible, foled, liquid impervious sheet having weighted peripheral edges surrounding explosive means, and with the sheet in said position, detonating said explosive means thereby rapidly unfolding and spreading the sheet by propelling said peripheral edges freely and horizontally in the air over a predetermined area of the first liquid, allowing said peripheral edges of the spread sheet to fall by gravity into the first liquid and to submerge below the interface of the first and second liquids, thereby confining a quantity of the first liquid within said predetermined area between interfaces thereof with the sheet and with the second liquid, whereby said peripheral edges are drawn together as they further submerge by gravity in the second liquid to reduce substantially the horizontal area of said confined quantity and to concentrate it in a more compact mass.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
176 words
The method of collecting a first liquid initially floating upon a second liquid, the first liquid having an interface with atmospheric air, comprising the steps of disposing in the air at a distance vertically spaced above the first liquid a flexible, foled, liquid impervious sheet having weighted peripheral edges surrounding explosive means, and with the sheet in said position, detonating said explosive means thereby rapidly unfolding and spreading the sheet by propelling said peripheral edges freely and horizontally in the air over a predetermined area of the first liquid, allowing said peripheral edges of the spread sheet to fall by gravity into the first liquid and to submerge below the interface of the first and second liquids, thereby confining a quantity of the first liquid within said predetermined area between interfaces thereof with the sheet and with the second liquid, whereby said peripheral edges are drawn together as they further submerge by gravity in the second liquid to reduce substantially the horizontal area of said confined quantity and to concentrate it in a more compact mass.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 10, including the step of venting air confined under the sheet to the atmosphere.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 11, including the step of providing buoyant flotation means to suspend a portion of the sheet above the surface of said confined first liquid.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
185 words
The method of collecting a first liquid initially floating upon a second liquid, the first liquid having an interface with atmospheric air, comprising the steps of disposing in the air at a distance vertically spaced above the first liquid a flexible, folded, liquid impervious sheet having central flotation means and weighted peripheral edges, and with the sheet in said position, rapidly unfolding and spreading the sheet by propelling said peripheral edges freely away from said flotation means and horizontally in the air over a predetermined area of the first liquid, allowing said peripheral edges of the spread sheet to fall by gravity into the first liquid and to submerge below the interface of the first and second liquids, thereby confining a quantity of the first liquid within said predetermined area between interfaces thereof with the sheet and with the second liquid, whereby said peripheral edges are drawn together as they further submerge by gravity in the second liquid to reduce substantially the horizontal area of said confined quantity and to concentrate it in a more compact, freely floating mass at and beneath said flotation means.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
185 words
The method of collecting a first liquid initially floating upon a second liquid, the first liquid having an interface with atmospheric air, comprising the steps of disposing in the air at a distance vertically spaced above the first liquid a flexible, folded, liquid impervious sheet having central flotation means and weighted peripheral edges, and with the sheet in said position, rapidly unfolding and spreading the sheet by propelling said peripheral edges freely away from said flotation means and horizontally in the air over a predetermined area of the first liquid, allowing said peripheral edges of the spread sheet to fall by gravity into the first liquid and to submerge below the interface of the first and second liquids, thereby confining a quantity of the first liquid within said predetermined area between interfaces thereof with the sheet and with the second liquid, whereby said peripheral edges are drawn together as they further submerge by gravity in the second liquid to reduce substantially the horizontal area of said confined quantity and to concentrate it in a more compact, freely floating mass at and beneath said flotation means.
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) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |