US4728536A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for insulating an ice rink
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-10-29
•
Granted: 1988-03-01
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Expires: 2006-10-29
Abstract
Abstract Temporarily insulating frozen surfaces, such as ice rinks, from the ambient air by spreading a metastable liquid foam over the ice surface to remain thereon when the ice surface is not in use, then prior to the next use period, removing the aged, partially frozen foam. Fire fighting foam liquids are preferred embodiment foaming agents.
Inventors
- 👤 William G. Burley
- 👤 John S. Burley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 08:09
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63C; A63C19/00; A63C19/12; E; E01; E01H; E01H4/00; E01H4/02; E01H4/023; F; F25; F25C; F25C3/00; F25C3/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/915
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for reducing the refrigeration load on frozen surface during non-operating periods which comprises: applying a metastable liquid foam directly on the frozen surface upon commencement of a non-operating period of time, thereby insulating the frozen surface from the ambient air; allowing the foam layer to remain quiescent throughout the non-operating period, during which period the foam undergoes aging and at least partial freezing; and at the expiration of the non-operating period removing the aged and frozen foam from the frozen surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for reducing the refrigeration load on frozen surface during non-operating periods which comprises: applying a metastable liquid foam directly on the frozen surface upon commencement of a non-operating period of time, thereby insulating the frozen surface from the ambient air; allowing the foam layer to remain quiescent throughout the non-operating period, during which period the foam undergoes aging and at least partial freezing; and at the expiration of the non-operating period removing the aged and frozen foam from the frozen surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 1 which further comprises resurfacing the frozen surface at the same time as the aged and frozen foam is being removed from the surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 which further comprises applying a foam layer of at least 2" in thickness.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 which further comprises applying a foam containing a biodegradable proteinatious foaming agent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 which further comprises adding at least about 1% of a foam liquid concentrate to water then foaming the resulting mixture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 5 which further comprises discontinuing refrigeration of the frozen surface while the foam layer is present thereon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB1528447A
Cited
US4281802A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-03-01 | 1991-08-31 | 1992-03-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-01 | 1995-08-31 | 1996-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-01 | 1999-08-31 | 2000-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |