US6095718A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Subsurface fluid drainage and storage systems
Assignee: Invisible Structures Inc
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Filing: 1998-10-09
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Granted: 2000-08-01
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Expires: 2018-10-09
Abstract
Abstract There is provided by the invention a subsurface drainage system which promotes efficient and controlled subsurface drainage of fluids, such as irrigation water, applied to the surface of land such as a football field. A drain core apparatus is provided that provides rapid infiltration and later movement of subsurface fluids, but which is resistant to settling, compacting and crushing. The drain core is a thermoplastic mat having crush-resistant support members integrated with and upon a backing grid which holds the support members in spaced relation to one another. Fluid flowing into and through the drain core is collected and stored in a fluid storage container. The fluid storage container is adapted to be buried beneath the ground, and has an easily assembled internal support structure composed of vertically layered thermoplastic mats. The mats permit fluids to flow freely within the container, and yet lend vertical and structural stability to the container. Subsurface fluids gathered by the system may be re-applied to the surface to conserve water, fertilizer, and the like, to minimize evaporation, and to minimize water pollution.
Inventors
- 👤 William Walter Bohnhoff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:11
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03F; E03F5/00; E03F5/10; E03F5/101; E02; E02B; E02B11/00; E03F1/00; E03F1/002; E03F1/005; E01; E01C; E01C13/00; E01C13/02; E01C13/08; E01C13/083; E01C3/00; E01C3/006; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A10/00; Y02A10/30; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for containing fluids, said apparatus comprising: a flexible, impermeable envelope enclosing a fluid reservoir said envelope including a port to permit fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of said container; and means within said reservoir for supporting said envelope vertically and horizontally, said means comprising at least two vertically stacked laterally extensive mats, each said mat comprising: a backing grid having a plurality of intersecting struts defining grid openings therebetween; and a plurality of spaced support members projecting from said backing grid, whereby fluid may flow vertically through said backing grid and laterally between said support members.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for containing fluids, said apparatus comprising: a flexible, impermeable envelope enclosing a fluid reservoir said envelope including a port to permit fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of said container; and means within said reservoir for supporting said envelope vertically and horizontally, said means comprising at least two vertically stacked laterally extensive mats, each said mat comprising: a backing grid having a plurality of intersecting struts defining grid openings therebetween; and a plurality of spaced support members projecting from said backing grid, whereby fluid may flow vertically through said backing grid and laterally between said support members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said support members comprises a tubular member upstanding substantially perpendicularly from said backing grid and possessing a central longitudinal axis extending through an intersection of said struts forming said grid, whereby fluid may flow vertically through the interior of said tubular member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said support members are substantially cylindrical.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said support members are disposed upon said backing grid in a uniform substantially rectangular array defined by a plurality of substantially perpendicular rows and columns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said support members of said at least two vertically stacked mats are substantially vertically aligned.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising means for maintaining said support members in substantially vertical alignment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for maintaining comprises an elongated clip insertable into the interior of at least two vertically adjacent aligned support members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
A fluid container, comprising: a flexible, substantially fluid impermeable envelope; at least two stacked mats disposed within said envelope, each of said mats comprising: a backing grid having a plurality of intersecting struts defining grid openings therebetween; and a plurality of spaced support members projecting from said backing grid; and said mats forming fluid flow paths within said container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
A fluid container, comprising: a flexible, substantially fluid impermeable envelope; at least two stacked mats disposed within said envelope, each of said mats comprising: a backing grid having a plurality of intersecting struts defining grid openings therebetween; and a plurality of spaced support members projecting from said backing grid; and said mats forming fluid flow paths within said container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fluid container of claim 8, wherein each of said support members comprises a tubular member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The fluid container of claim 9, wherein at least some of said support members on said stacked mats are disposed in at least partial axial alignment forming fluid flow paths through at least some of said support members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fluid container of claim 8, wherein each of said support members is substantially cylindrical.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
The fluid container of claim 8, wherein at least two of said support members on said stacked mats are tubular and disposed in at least partial axial alignment forming a fluid flow path; and a retaining member securing said at least two support members in said at least partial axial alignment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fluid container of claim 12, wherein said retaining member comprises an elongated member extending through said at least two support members.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fluid container of claim 13 wherein said retaining member comprises a clip having two elongated substantially transverse flanges connected along a common longitudinal edge.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
95 words
A fluid container, comprising: a flexible, substantially fluid impermeable envelope; at least two vertically stacked mats disposed within said envelope, each of said mats comprising: a backing grid having a plurality of intersecting struts defining grid openings therebetween; and a plurality of spaced tubular support members projecting from said backing grid; and said mats forming fluid flow paths within said container; and at least two of said support members on said stacked mats disposed in at least partial axial alignment forming at least one vertical fluid flow path through said at least two support members.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
95 words
A fluid container, comprising: a flexible, substantially fluid impermeable envelope; at least two vertically stacked mats disposed within said envelope, each of said mats comprising: a backing grid having a plurality of intersecting struts defining grid openings therebetween; and a plurality of spaced tubular support members projecting from said backing grid; and said mats forming fluid flow paths within said container; and at least two of said support members on said stacked mats disposed in at least partial axial alignment forming at least one vertical fluid flow path through said at least two support members.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fluid container of claim 15 wherein each of said support members is substantially cylindrical.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fluid container of claim 15, further comprising a retaining member securing said at least two support members in said at least partial axial alignment.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fluid container of claim 17, wherein said retaining member comprises an elongated member extending through said at least two support members.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fluid container of claim 18, wherein said retaining member comprises a clip having two elongated substantially transverse flanges connected along a common longitudinal edge.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fluid container of claim 19, wherein said clip comprises a cap portion having a lateral extent sufficient to prevent passage of said clip member completely through said grid openings.
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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) | 2003-08-01 | 2004-01-31 | 2004-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-08-01 | 2008-01-31 | 2008-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-08-01 | 2012-01-31 | 2012-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |