US3977969A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Containment and riddance of oil spills
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
•
Filing: 1971-10-26
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Granted: 1976-08-31
•
Expires: 1991-10-26
Abstract
Abstract The invention is a method of clearing oil spills by chemically treating theurface of the oil spill with a polymer of high molecular weight having jelling properties thereby causing the oil to coagulate. The oil is then easily raked off the surface of the water.
Inventors
- 👤 David M. Zall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:24
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/68; C02F1/681; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/918; Y10S210/922; Y10S210/925
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
44 words
A method of removing oil spills from water which comprises: treating the oil spill with a high molecular weight polymer selected from the group consisting of the polymer of polyethylene-oxide and the polymer of polyacrylamide; and skimming off the coagulated oil from the water.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
44 words
A method of removing oil spills from water which comprises: treating the oil spill with a high molecular weight polymer selected from the group consisting of the polymer of polyethylene-oxide and the polymer of polyacrylamide; and skimming off the coagulated oil from the water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said treating comprises spreading the polymer of high molecular weight on the surface of the oil spill.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of treating the oil spill with an absorbent before skimming off the coagulated oil.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said absorbent is finely divided carbon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3229769A
Cited
US3252899A
Cited
US3407138A
Cited
US3674683A
Cited
US3567660A
Cited
US3657125A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-31 | 1980-03-01 | 1980-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-31 | 1984-03-01 | 1984-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-31 | 1988-03-01 | 1988-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |