US5133276A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flotation units
Assignee: Formex Manufacturing Inc
•
Filing: 1991-01-11
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Granted: 1992-07-28
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Expires: 2011-01-11
Abstract
Abstract A block of expanded polystyerene (EPS) foam is encapsulated with one or more plastic strips within a resilient shell of high molecular weight plastic such as polyethylene. The method and process utilizes heat and pressure (e.g., one hundred fifty tons) to seal and bond the foam in a protective cover with the seam fused together with all the strength and integrity of the original material. The units may be used as part of a dock flotation system.
Inventors
- 👤 John Alesi, Jr.
- 👤 Robert L. Browning
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 02:10
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C66/00; B29C66/40; B29C66/41; B29C66/43; B29C66/433; B29C44/00; B29C44/34; B29C44/56; B29C44/569; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C65/78; B29C65/7858; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/13; B29C66/133; B29C66/70; B29C66/72; B29C66/727; B29C66/71; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/706
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A floatation unit comprising: a. a closed shell comprising: i. a first section; and ii. a second section fused to the first section to form the shell; b. a buoyant material encapsulated within and rigidly bonded to the shell, thereby precluding movement of the buoyant material relative to the shell; and c. a plurality of members detached from each other and securely positioned wholly within the shell adjacent the buoyant material by the rigid bond between the buoyant material and the shell, for attaching the unit to a structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A floatation unit comprising: a. a closed shell comprising: i. a first section; and ii. a second section fused to the first section to form the shell; b. a buoyant material encapsulated within and rigidly bonded to the shell, thereby precluding movement of the buoyant material relative to the shell; and c. a plurality of members detached from each other and securely positioned wholly within the shell adjacent the buoyant material by the rigid bond between the buoyant material and the shell, for attaching the unit to a structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A flotation unit according to claim 1 in which the shell is made of a resilient polymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A flotation unit according to claim 1 in which the first section comprises a first protruding peripheral edge and the second section comprises a second protruding peripheral edge fused to the first peripheral edge to seal the first and second sections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A flotation unit according to claim 1 in which the members are made of polyethylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A floatation unit according to claim 1 in which the buoyant material is a solid foam block.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A flotation unit according to claim 5 in which the foam block is made of expanded polystyrene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A flotation unit according to claim 1 in which the plurality of members comprises at least four members positioned approximately quadrilaterally within the shell.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
129 words
A flotation unit comprising: a. a resilient, closed polymer shell comprising: i. a first section having a first peripheral edge; and ii. a second section having an exterior surface, having a second peripheral edge fused to the first peripheral edge to seal the first and second sections and thereby form the shell, and defining means for securely receiving a strap for binding the unit to another structure, which means comprises a recess in the exterior surface; b. a buoyant material encapsulated within and rigidly bonded to the shell, thereby precluding movement of the buoyant material relative to the shell; and c. a member, positioned wholly within the shell and securely positioned by the shell adjacent the buoyant material, for directly fastening the unit to and buoying a non-buoyant dock.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
129 words
A flotation unit comprising: a. a resilient, closed polymer shell comprising: i. a first section having a first peripheral edge; and ii. a second section having an exterior surface, having a second peripheral edge fused to the first peripheral edge to seal the first and second sections and thereby form the shell, and defining means for securely receiving a strap for binding the unit to another structure, which means comprises a recess in the exterior surface; b. a buoyant material encapsulated within and rigidly bonded to the shell, thereby precluding movement of the buoyant material relative to the shell; and c. a member, positioned wholly within the shell and securely positioned by the shell adjacent the buoyant material, for directly fastening the unit to and buoying a non-buoyant dock.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A flotation unit according to claim 8 further comprising a plurality of members, each detached from one another and securely positioned by the shell adjacent the buoyant material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A flotation unit according to claim 9 in which the members are made of polyethylene and are arranged approximately quadrilaterally within the shell.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A flotation unit according to claim 8 in which the buoyant material is a solid expanded polystyrene block and the member is made of polyethylene.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
147 words
A flotation unit comprising: a. a resilient, closed polymer shell comprising: i. a first section having a first protruding peripheral edge; and ii. a second recessed section having a second protruding peripheral edge fused to the first peripheral edge to seal the first and second sections and thereby form the shell, which recess is adapted securely to receive a strap for binding the unit to a non-buoyant dock; b. a buoyant material comprising a solid expanded polystyrene block encapsulated within and rigidly bonded to the shell, thereby precluding movement of the buoyant material relative to the shell; and c. four polyethylene members detached from each other, securely positioned wholly within the shell along the perimeter of the buoyant material by the rigid bond between the buoyant material and the shell, and arranged approximately quadrilaterally within the shell, for directly fastening the unit to and buoying the dock.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
147 words
A flotation unit comprising: a. a resilient, closed polymer shell comprising: i. a first section having a first protruding peripheral edge; and ii. a second recessed section having a second protruding peripheral edge fused to the first peripheral edge to seal the first and second sections and thereby form the shell, which recess is adapted securely to receive a strap for binding the unit to a non-buoyant dock; b. a buoyant material comprising a solid expanded polystyrene block encapsulated within and rigidly bonded to the shell, thereby precluding movement of the buoyant material relative to the shell; and c. four polyethylene members detached from each other, securely positioned wholly within the shell along the perimeter of the buoyant material by the rigid bond between the buoyant material and the shell, and arranged approximately quadrilaterally within the shell, for directly fastening the unit to and buoying the dock.
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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) | 1995-07-28 | 1996-01-27 | 1996-07-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-28 | 2000-01-27 | 2000-07-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-28 | 2004-01-27 | 2004-07-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |