US3874175A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for containing waste materials
Assignee: ENVIRONETICS Inc
•
Filing: 1972-09-05
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1992-09-05
Abstract
Abstract A unique waste materials containment apparatus is provided for use in collecting and containing waste materials, such as livestock and animal waste. The apparatus includes a pit area that is typically lined with a resistant, liquid imprevious membrane, a floating cover assembly which covers the pit area and at the same time provides a unique gas inlet trap at the pit area inlet, an assembly to secure the pit liner and cover and a waste materials removal system, and in some instances agitation system, for maintaining the waste materials in a slurry condition and for removing the materials from the pit area. A method is also provided for collecting and containing waste materials in a covered pit area and utilizing the cooling effect of water evaporating from the cover surface to reduce the waste material temperature and discourage the growth of odor producing micro-organisms.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond S Winters
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:31
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01C; A01C3/00; A01C3/02; A01C3/028
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A waste containment means for collecting and containing waste materials comprising: means defining a pit area for containing liquid and solid waste materials having an inlet section adapted to receive said materials; cover means associated with and covering said pit area and acting in conjunction with the inlet section of said pit area to permit the entry of waste materials into said pit area and to restrain the escape of gases therefrom said cover means comprising a flexible membrane extending over the pit, in contact with the waste materials, said cover means being liquid and gas imperviouS; a layer of water overlying said cover means, said layer of water holding said cover means in contact with the waste materials thus cooling the waste materials; means to secure and suspend said cover means above said pit area; and waste material removal means associated with said pit area to remove waste materials therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A waste containment means for collecting and containing waste materials comprising: means defining a pit area for containing liquid and solid waste materials having an inlet section adapted to receive said materials; cover means associated with and covering said pit area and acting in conjunction with the inlet section of said pit area to permit the entry of waste materials into said pit area and to restrain the escape of gases therefrom said cover means comprising a flexible membrane extending over the pit, in contact with the waste materials, said cover means being liquid and gas imperviouS; a layer of water overlying said cover means, said layer of water holding said cover means in contact with the waste materials thus cooling the waste materials; means to secure and suspend said cover means above said pit area; and waste material removal means associated with said pit area to remove waste materials therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The waste material containment means of claim 1 in which said pit area is lined with a synthetic membrane, said membrane being liquid impervious and resistant to soil and livestock waste material micro-organisms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The waste material containment means of claim 2 in which said synthetic membrane is a thermoplastic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The waste material containment means of claim 2 wherein said synthetic membrane is polyvinyl chloride and the thickness of said membrane is in the range of about 10 to 30 mils.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The waste material containment means of claim 1 wherein said cover means has a leading outer edge portion corresponding to the inlet section of said pit area, being suspended above the inlet section of said pit area and acting in conjunction with said inlet section to permit the entry of waste materials into said pit area and to restrain the escape of gases from said pit area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The waste material containment means of claim 5 wherein the leading outer edge portion of said cover means is suspended above the inlet section of said pit area by suspension means extending across said inlet section, and wherein said leading outer edge of said cover means terminates and rests against the surface of said inlet section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The waste material containment means of claim 6 wherein said leading outer edge of said cover means terminates in a sealed loop adjacent said inlet section, and wherein weighting means are disposed within said loop to hold the leading outer edge of said cover means in contact with the inlet section of said pit area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The waste material containment means of claim 6 wherein said suspension means is a cable secured at opposite ends of said inlet section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The waste material containment means of claim 1 wherein said cover means has associated therewith, floatation means to permit said cover means to float on said waste material contained in said pit area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The waste material containment means of claim 9 wherein said floatation means are a plurality of buoyant pillows secured to said cover means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The waste material containment means of claim 1 wherein said cover means is a fiber reinforced thermoplastic.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The waste material containment means of claim 1 which is further characterized by having means for agitating said waste materials associated with said pit area.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
173 words
A waste containment means for collecting and containing waste materials comprising: means defining a sloped-walled pit area for containing liquid and solid waste materials, said pit area being lined with a liquid impervious liner means and having an inlet section adapted to receive said materials; liquid and gas impervious cover means associated with and covering said pit area and acting in conjunction with the inlet section of said pit area to permit the entry of waste materials and to restrain the escape of gases from said pit area, a portion of said cover means corresponding to and being suspended above said inlet section; a layer of water overlying said cover means, said layer of water holding said cover means in contact with the waste materials thus cooling the waste materials; means to secure said cover means above said pit area and to secure liner means within said pit area; and waste material agitation and removal means associated with said pit area means to agitate and remove waste materials from said pit area means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
173 words
A waste containment means for collecting and containing waste materials comprising: means defining a sloped-walled pit area for containing liquid and solid waste materials, said pit area being lined with a liquid impervious liner means and having an inlet section adapted to receive said materials; liquid and gas impervious cover means associated with and covering said pit area and acting in conjunction with the inlet section of said pit area to permit the entry of waste materials and to restrain the escape of gases from said pit area, a portion of said cover means corresponding to and being suspended above said inlet section; a layer of water overlying said cover means, said layer of water holding said cover means in contact with the waste materials thus cooling the waste materials; means to secure said cover means above said pit area and to secure liner means within said pit area; and waste material agitation and removal means associated with said pit area means to agitate and remove waste materials from said pit area means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The waste material containment means of claim 13 wherein said means to secure said cover means and said liner means is an anchor trench disposed around the perimeter of said pit area means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
57 words
The waste material containment means of claim 13 wherein the portion of said cover means corresponding to and suspending above said inlet section is supported by a suspension cable disposed along the length of said inlet section, said portion of said cover means engaging the surface of said inner section to form a movable trap means therewith.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The waste material containment means of claim 13 wherein said cover means has associated therewith, floatation means to permit said cover means to float on said waste material contained in said pit area.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |