US5897946A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Flowable material to isolate or treat a surface
Assignee: Aquablok Ltd
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Filing: 1996-07-17
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Granted: 1999-04-27
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Expires: 2016-07-17
Abstract
Abstract A flowable material to isolate or treat a surface consists of a plurality of manufactured composite particles. Each composite particle includes a core, and a sealant layer at least partially encapsulating the core. The core is relatively dense compared to the sealant layer, and the composite particle has a specific gravity greater than one. The sealant layer includes a clay mineral, a pozzolanic material and/or activated carbon. A sealant layer formed of a pozzolanic material creates a hardened underwater barrier layer. The sealant layer can also include natural fibers such as cellulose or man-made fibers such as glass, carbon or plastics to mechanically improve the geotechnical properties of the layer when hydrated. The composite particles can also include a material to treat the contaminants or otherwise improve the surrounding environment.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas J. Nachtman
- 👤 John H. Hull
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:18
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B3/00; E02B3/04; E02B3/12; E02B3/128; E02D; E02D3/00; E02D3/12; E02D2300/00; E02D2300/0037; E02D2300/004; E02D2300/0042; E02D2300/0051; E02D2300/0053; E02D2300/0054; E02D2300/0064; E02D2300/0068; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/25; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2982; Y10T428/2991; Y10T428/2993; Y10T428/2998
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A flowable material to isolate or treat a surface comprising a plurality of manufactured composite particles, wherein each composite particle comprises: a core, and a sealant layer at least partially encapsulating the core, the sealant layer comprising a hydratable sealant material that is capable of absorbing water and swelling, the core being relatively dense compared to the sealant layer, and the composite particle having a specific gravity greater than one, wherein the sealant layer when hydrated absorbs water and swells to form a barrier layer containing a continuous layer of the sealant material, the barrier layer having a low water permeability effective to prevent leakage of water and contaminants.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A flowable material to isolate or treat a surface comprising a plurality of manufactured composite particles, wherein each composite particle comprises: a core, and a sealant layer at least partially encapsulating the core, the sealant layer comprising a hydratable sealant material that is capable of absorbing water and swelling, the core being relatively dense compared to the sealant layer, and the composite particle having a specific gravity greater than one, wherein the sealant layer when hydrated absorbs water and swells to form a barrier layer containing a continuous layer of the sealant material, the barrier layer having a low water permeability effective to prevent leakage of water and contaminants.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A flowable material as defined in claim 1 wherein the barrier layer has a permeability of less than 1×10 -7 cm/sec. under a minimum hydraulic gradient of 1 cm/cm and wherein the sealant material is selected from the group consisting of clay minerals, pozzolanic materials, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A flowable material as defined in claim 1 which comprises a barrier layer on a land surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A flowable material as defined in claim 3 wherein the materials comprising the composite particles are relatively uniformly distributed in the barrier layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A flowable material as defined in claim 3 wherein the barrier layer provides a barrier to birds and rodents.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A flowable material as underwater claim 1 which comprises an underwater barrier layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A flowable material as defined in claim 1 wherein the sealant layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of clay minerals, pozzolanic materials, activated carbon, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A flowable material as defined in claim 1 wherein the sealant layer comprises a dry clay mineral.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A flowable material as defined in claim 1 wherein the sealant layer comprises an organically modified clay mineral.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A flowable material as defined in claim 1 wherein the sealant layer comprises activated carbon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A flowable material as defined in claim 1 wherein the composite particles are manufactured by compressing the sealant layer against the core.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A flowable material as defined in claim 1 wherein each composite particle additionally comprises a binder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
A flowable material as defined in claim 12 wherein the binder is water.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A flowable material as defined in claim 12 wherein the binder is selected from the group consisting of polymeric materials, glues, lignites, starch grafted polyacrylates, soybean oil lecithins, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A flowable material as defined in claim 1 wherein the composite particles are manufactured by coating the core with water and then applying the sealant layer around the coated core.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A flowable material as defined in claim 1 wherein each composite particle additionally comprises a material to improve the surrounding environment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
A flowable material as defined in claim 16 wherein the material to improve the environment is selected from the group consisting of bacteria, enzymes, fungi, algae, neutralizing agents, remedial chemicals, activated carbon, seeds, fertilizer, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A flowable material as defined in claim 16 wherein the composite particle contains fertilizer and a microorganism selected from bacteria, algae and fungi.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
A flowable material as defined in claim 1 wherein the composite particles have a median particle size, and at least about 50% to the particles have a particle size within the range from about 50% of the median particle size to about 200% of the median particle size.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A flowable material as defined in claim 1 wherein at least about 60% of the composite particles have a particle size less than 3/4 inch.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
A flowable material as defined in claim 1 wherein the composite particles are substantially resistant to erosion by water flow at an average velocity of 0.40 feet per second.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
A flowable material as defined in claim 1 wherein the composite particles are substantially resistant to freeze-thaw effects such that the composite particles return to a homogeneous state upon thawing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
110 words
A flowable material to isolate or treat a surface comprising a plurality of manufactured composite particles, wherein each composite particle comprises: a degradable core, and a sealant layer at least partially encapsulating the core, the sealant layer comprising a hydratable sealant material that is capable of absorbing water and swelling, the core being relatively dense compared to the sealant layer, and the composite particle having a specific gravity greater than one, wherein the sealant layer when hydrated absorbs water and swells to form a barrier layer containing a continuous layer of the sealant material, the barrier layer having a low water permeability effective to prevent leakage of water and contaminants.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
110 words
A flowable material to isolate or treat a surface comprising a plurality of manufactured composite particles, wherein each composite particle comprises: a degradable core, and a sealant layer at least partially encapsulating the core, the sealant layer comprising a hydratable sealant material that is capable of absorbing water and swelling, the core being relatively dense compared to the sealant layer, and the composite particle having a specific gravity greater than one, wherein the sealant layer when hydrated absorbs water and swells to form a barrier layer containing a continuous layer of the sealant material, the barrier layer having a low water permeability effective to prevent leakage of water and contaminants.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
42 words
A flowable material as defined in claim 23, wherein the degradable core is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of sand, small stones, rubber tire chips, sugar-based materials, pelletized paper, pelletized slow-hydrating clay mineral, high-density fertilizer, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
108 words
A flowable material to isolate or treat a surface comprising a plurality of manufactured composite particles, wherein each composite particle comprises: a core, and a sealant layer at least partially encapsulating the core, the sealant layer comprising a pozzolanic material that is capable of absorbing water and swelling, the core being relatively dense compared to the sealant layer, and the composite particle having a specific gravity greater than one, wherein the sealant layer when hydrated absorbs water and swells to form a barrier layer containing a continuous layer of the pozzolanic material, the barrier layer having a low water permeability effective to prevent leakage of water and contaminants.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
108 words
A flowable material to isolate or treat a surface comprising a plurality of manufactured composite particles, wherein each composite particle comprises: a core, and a sealant layer at least partially encapsulating the core, the sealant layer comprising a pozzolanic material that is capable of absorbing water and swelling, the core being relatively dense compared to the sealant layer, and the composite particle having a specific gravity greater than one, wherein the sealant layer when hydrated absorbs water and swells to form a barrier layer containing a continuous layer of the pozzolanic material, the barrier layer having a low water permeability effective to prevent leakage of water and contaminants.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
A flowable material as defined in claim 25 wherein the pozzolanic material is selected from the group consisting of gypsum, gypsum fines, portland cement, cement kiln dust, lime dust, stone dust, fly ash, plaster of Paris, and mixtures thereof.
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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) | 2002-04-26 | 2002-10-26 | 2003-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-04-26 | 2006-10-26 | 2007-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-04-26 | 2010-10-26 | 2011-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |