Patent US5566731A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5566731A
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Marine vessel fuel spill prevention device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1995-04-20
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Granted: 1996-10-22
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Expires: 2015-04-20
Abstract
Abstract A device to capture, contain and collect hydrocarbon fuels such as gasoline and diesel before they can be spilled or leaked from the ventilation valve or fuel intake port of the fuel tank of a vessel and on to the surface of the water during fueling operations at marine fueling facilities. The device is formed as a low-profile box with a floor section and upright wall sections having stratified layers of a textile material and a solidifying polymer enclosed within a outer envelope of textile material. A seamed area at the center of the device with slits in the textile material allows the device to circumscribe the annular conduit of a device passing through the seamed area.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert W. Holland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:43
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H21/00; B63H21/38; B63H21/386; B63B; B63B17/00; B63B17/0027; B63B17/0036; B63B25/00; B63B25/02; B63B25/08; B63B25/082; C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/68; C02F1/681; C09; C09K; C09K3/00; C09K3/32; E; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B15/10; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20; Y02A20/204; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/918; Y10S210/922; Y10S210/924; Y10S210/925; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/13; Y10T428/1352; Y10T428/1355; Y10T428/1359; Y10T428/1362; Y10T428/1366; Y10T428/139; Y10T428/1393; Y10T428/23; Y10T428/233; Y10T428/234; Y10T428/239; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24033; Y10T428/24273; Y10T428/24281; Y10T428/24298; Y10T428/24314; Y10T428/24479; Y10T428/24562; Y10T428/24628; Y10T428/24661; Y10T428/24802; Y10T428/24826
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
A method of containing, collecting and removing hydrocarbon backflow and overflow at the fuel intake port of the fuel tank of a vessel being fueled before the hydrocarbons spill onto the surface of the water proximate a marine fueling facility dock area, comprising the steps of: providing a spill containment device formed as a pillow having an outer envelope layer of textile material, a plurality of chambers formed in stratification therein by internal layers of textile material with a polymer material disposed with the chambers of the device having a property of acting to absorb and solidify liquid hydrocarbon substances coming into contact with the device and migrating to its interior, a plurality of quilting seams formed in the device to define hydrocarbon absorption consolidation points within the device and establish the chambers as distinct hydrocarbon absorption units within the device, and a plurality of folding wicking segments at the center of the device; placing the spill containment device on the hull or deck of the vessel with the wicking segments at the center of the device centered over the opened fuel intake port; and inserting a fuel filling nozzle through the wicking segments at the center of the device, folding the wicking segments into the fuel intake port with the fuel filling nozzle to allow fuel forced out of the fuel intake port to come in contact with the containment device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
232 words
A method of containing, collecting and removing hydrocarbon backflow and overflow at the fuel intake port of the fuel tank of a vessel being fueled before the hydrocarbons spill onto the surface of the water proximate a marine fueling facility dock area, comprising the steps of: providing a spill containment device formed as a pillow having an outer envelope layer of textile material, a plurality of chambers formed in stratification therein by internal layers of textile material with a polymer material disposed with the chambers of the device having a property of acting to absorb and solidify liquid hydrocarbon substances coming into contact with the device and migrating to its interior, a plurality of quilting seams formed in the device to define hydrocarbon absorption consolidation points within the device and establish the chambers as distinct hydrocarbon absorption units within the device, and a plurality of folding wicking segments at the center of the device; placing the spill containment device on the hull or deck of the vessel with the wicking segments at the center of the device centered over the opened fuel intake port; and inserting a fuel filling nozzle through the wicking segments at the center of the device, folding the wicking segments into the fuel intake port with the fuel filling nozzle to allow fuel forced out of the fuel intake port to come in contact with the containment device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: removing the device containing solidified hydrocarbons after completion of fueling; re-using the device until it is fully saturated with spilled hydrocarbons; replacing the device containing solidified hydrocarbons with a fresh device having a capacity to absorb and solidify hydrocarbons; and disposing of the replaced absorbent device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
134 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the spill containment device is formed as a low profile box by a pillow-like floor section surrounded on its periphery by a belt section of upright walls, each section having an outer envelope layer of textile material, a plurality of chambers formed in stratification therein by internal layers of textile material with a polymer material disposed within the chambers of the device having a property of acting to absorb and solidify liquid hydrocarbon substances coming into contact with the device and migrating to its interior, a plurality of quilting seams formed in the device to define hydrocarbon absorption consolidation points within the device and establish the chambers as distinct hydrocarbon absorption units within the device, and a plurality of folding wicking segments at the center of the device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-22 | 2000-04-22 | 2000-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-22 | 2004-04-22 | 2004-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-22 | 2008-04-22 | 2008-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |