Patent US4378291A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4378291A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High volume stationary skimmer
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1980-03-31
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Granted: 1983-03-29
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Expires: 2000-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A skimmer is provided for removing oil from the surface of a body of water. The skimmer comprises a funnel-shaped floating weir, a flexible disk suspended thereabove and having an edge contacting the water surface around the weir, suction for removing oil from the bottom of the weir and a vessel for collecting the removed oil.
Inventors
- 👤 John M. Ward
- 👤 Florian C. Demny
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:38
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B15/10; E02B15/106; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20; Y02A20/204; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/918; Y10S210/922; Y10S210/923
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for removing a pollutant from the surface of water comprising, a funnel-shaped weir, means for floating the weir in the water, a flexible disk with its center suspended above the weir and above the still water line and having an edge surface contacting the water adjacent but spaced from the circumference of the weir so as to form an airtight seal against the water, said disk being sufficiently flexible to follow the surface contours of waves, thereby preventing performance degrading wave reflections and air entrainment, means for applying suction to the weir, and means for transporting pollutant from the weir to pollutant collection means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for removing a pollutant from the surface of water comprising, a funnel-shaped weir, means for floating the weir in the water, a flexible disk with its center suspended above the weir and above the still water line and having an edge surface contacting the water adjacent but spaced from the circumference of the weir so as to form an airtight seal against the water, said disk being sufficiently flexible to follow the surface contours of waves, thereby preventing performance degrading wave reflections and air entrainment, means for applying suction to the weir, and means for transporting pollutant from the weir to pollutant collection means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the disk comprises sponge neoprene of 1/8" to 1/4" thickness.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the disk comprises any flexible buoyant material 1/8" to 1/4" thickness.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the center of the disk is suspended 1 to 4 inches above the still water line and 1/4 to 3/4 inches above the edge of the weir, and drapes downwardly from the center to form an airtight seal against the water.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3831756A
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US3745115A
Cited
US3707232A
Cited
US3810546A
Cited
US3814253A
Cited
JPS5234461A
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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) | 1986-03-28 | 1986-09-27 | 1987-03-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-03-28 | 1990-09-27 | 1991-03-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-03-28 | 1994-09-27 | 1995-03-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |