US4543016A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underground leachate barrier and method of making same
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-11-14
•
Granted: 1985-09-24
•
Expires: 2003-11-14
Abstract
Abstract The invention comprises a method for making an underground barrier for hazardous leachate that includes digging a trench under biodegradable slurry adjacent a contaminated area, placing a liquid impervious membrane on one side of the trench and securing it by an impervious plug of material lining the bottom of the trench adjacent the membrane's lower end. A drain pipe and risers are positioned in the slurry into which filter gravel is subsequently added.
Inventors
- 👤 Gilbert R. Tallard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 02:13
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02D; E02D19/00; E02D19/06; E02D19/12; E02D19/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A barrier for preventing underground leachate from flowing across a trench dug adjacent a contaminated area comprising: (a) a trench extending from ground surface to a fluid impervious stratum, (b) membrane means of fluid impervious material in said trench having an upper end adjacent the top of said trench and extending to a lower end adjacent the bottom of said trench, (c) plug means extending along said bottom of said trench in fluid sealing engagement with said lower end of said membrane means and said fluid impervious stratum, and (d) filter means extending from said plug means to said top of said trench.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A barrier for preventing underground leachate from flowing across a trench dug adjacent a contaminated area comprising: (a) a trench extending from ground surface to a fluid impervious stratum, (b) membrane means of fluid impervious material in said trench having an upper end adjacent the top of said trench and extending to a lower end adjacent the bottom of said trench, (c) plug means extending along said bottom of said trench in fluid sealing engagement with said lower end of said membrane means and said fluid impervious stratum, and (d) filter means extending from said plug means to said top of said trench.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A barrier as set forth in claim 1 further comprising drain means in said filter means for removing said leachate from said trench.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A barrier as set forth in claim 2 wherein said drain means comprises a drain pipe extending in said trench, intermediate said top of said trench and said plug means, and riser means connected to said drain pipe extending to the top of said trench for monitoring and removing leachate collected in said drain pipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A barrier as set forth in claim 1 wherein said membrane means is a sheet of synthetic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A barrier as set forth in claim 1 wherein said filter means comprises a gravel-type material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A barrier as set forth in claim 1 wherein said membrane means is located adjacent the side of said trench opposite said contaminated area.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of constructing a barrier for preventing underground leachate from flowing out of a contaminated area comprising the steps of: (a) digging a trench adjacent said contaminated area from the ground surface to a depth sufficient to reach a fluid impervious stratum, (b) filling said trench with a slurry during digging to support the sides of the trench during digging, (c) lining a side of said trench with a fluid impervious membrane means, and (d) providing plug means along the bottom of said trench in fluid sealing engagement with said membrane means and said fluid impervious stratum.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of constructing a barrier for preventing underground leachate from flowing out of a contaminated area comprising the steps of: (a) digging a trench adjacent said contaminated area from the ground surface to a depth sufficient to reach a fluid impervious stratum, (b) filling said trench with a slurry during digging to support the sides of the trench during digging, (c) lining a side of said trench with a fluid impervious membrane means, and (d) providing plug means along the bottom of said trench in fluid sealing engagement with said membrane means and said fluid impervious stratum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 7 further comprising the steps of: (a) installing a drain pipe in said slurry having risers to remove leachate collected in said drain pipe, and (b) adding filter gravel to said slurry.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 7 wherein said membrane means is a sheet of synthetic material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 7 wherein said membrane means is located adjacent the side of said trench opposite said contaminated area.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method according to claim 7 wherein said slurry is biodegradable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 7 wherein said slurry is biodegradable and comprises a mixture which includes at least a biopolymer, starch, bentonite and water.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
89 words
A barrier for preventing underground leachate from flowing across a trench dug adjacent a contaminated area comprising: (a) a trench extending from ground surface to a fluid impervious stratum, (b) membrane means of fluid impervious material in said trench having an upper end adjacent the top of said trench and extending to a lower end adjacent the bottom of said trench, and (c) plug means extending along said bottom of said trench in fluid sealing engagement with said lower end of said membrane means and said fluid impervious stratum.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
89 words
A barrier for preventing underground leachate from flowing across a trench dug adjacent a contaminated area comprising: (a) a trench extending from ground surface to a fluid impervious stratum, (b) membrane means of fluid impervious material in said trench having an upper end adjacent the top of said trench and extending to a lower end adjacent the bottom of said trench, and (c) plug means extending along said bottom of said trench in fluid sealing engagement with said lower end of said membrane means and said fluid impervious stratum.
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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) | 1988-09-23 | 1989-03-25 | 1989-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-09-23 | 1993-03-25 | 1993-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-09-23 | 1997-03-25 | 1997-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |