USRE35272E
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for lining landfills, reservoirs, hazardous waste disposal sites and the like
Assignee: GSE Environmental LLC
•
Filing: 1994-08-18
•
Granted: 1996-06-11
•
Expires: 2014-08-18
Abstract
Abstract An improved method and a product for waterproofing soil utilizing a flexible plastic sheet for providing a water barrier and for providing a means of reflecting light sufficient to prevent damage to the sheet and the underlying soil from direct sunlight comprising a uniform density or multiple-density plastic sheet material which has been manufactured to a desired thickness to contain an upper surface cpable of reflecting light.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael C. Mathieson
- 👤 Mark W. Cadwallader
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 03:23
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B27/00; B32B27/32; B32B27/06; B32B27/18; B32B27/20; B32B27/34; E; E02; E02D; E02D31/00; E02D31/002; E02D31/004; B32B2250/00; B32B2250/03; B32B2307/00; B32B2307/40; B32B2307/416; B32B2307/70; B32B2307/72; B32B2307/722; B32B2323/00; B32B2323/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24273; Y10T428/24942; Y10T428/2495; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31855; Y10T428/31909; Y10T428/31913
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 55
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A thermoplastic liner for outdoor fluid containment areas having a bottom and sidewalls comprising an inclined portion covering the sidewalls of said containment area and a planar portion covering the bottom of said containment area, raid thermoplastic liner having an upper surface and a lower surface in contact with said containment area, said upper surface being light reflective, said liner being adapted to sufficiently reflect incident radiation, reduce exposed liner temperature, and prevent adverse effects due to solar heating.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A thermoplastic liner for outdoor fluid containment areas having a bottom and sidewalls comprising an inclined portion covering the sidewalls of said containment area and a planar portion covering the bottom of said containment area, raid thermoplastic liner having an upper surface and a lower surface in contact with said containment area, said upper surface being light reflective, said liner being adapted to sufficiently reflect incident radiation, reduce exposed liner temperature, and prevent adverse effects due to solar heating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A thermoplastic liner as in claim 1, wherein said thermoplastic is constructed of a uniform density polyethylene having a density equal to or greater than 0.93 gm/cm 3 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A thermoplastic liner as in claim 1, where in said upper surface of said liner contains an ultraviolet light stabilizer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
83 words
A thermoplastic liner as in claim 1, wherein said thermoplastic is constructed of a multi-density composite, comprising an upper layer of polyethylene forming said upper surface and having a density equal to or greater than 0.93 grams/cm 3 , a central core layer of polyethylene integrally bonded underneath said upper layer and having a density equal to or less than 0.92 grams/cm 3 , and a lower layer of polyethylene forming said lower surface and being integrally bonded underneath said central core layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A uniform density thermoplastic liner as in claim 2, wherein said upper surface of said liner encompasses about ten percent (10%) of the overall thickness of said plastic liner.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A multi-density composite thermoplastic liner of claim 4, wherein skid upper and lower layers have the same thickness and the thickness of said central core layer is st least three times the thickness of said upper layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A multi-density composite thermoplastic liner of claim 4, wherein said upper and lower layers are 10 mil in thickness and said central core layer is 40 mil in thickness.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A multi-density composite thermoplastic liner of claim 4, wherein said lower polyethylene layer is constructed from polyethylene having a density equal to or greater than 0.93 grams/cm 3 .
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A multi-density composite thermoplastic liner of claim 4, wherein raid lower polyethylene layer is constructed from polyethylene having a density greater than 0.92 grams/cm 3 .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A multi-density composite thermoplastic liner of claim 4, wherein said lower polyethylene layer is light reflective.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A multi-density composite thermoplastic liner of claim 4, wherein said central core layer contains carbon black in sufficient concentration to help prevent ultraviolet light oxidative initiated degradation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
91 words
A thermoplastic liner for outdoor fluid containment areas having a bottom and sidewalls comprising an inclined portion covering the sidewalls of said containment area and a planar portion covering the bottom of said containment area, said thermoplastic liner having an upper surface and a lower surface in contact with said containment area, said upper surface being light reflective, said liner being adapted to sufficiently reflect incident radiation, reduce exposed liner temperature, and prevent adverse effects due to solar heating, wherein said upper surface of raid liner is pigmented with white pigment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
91 words
A thermoplastic liner for outdoor fluid containment areas having a bottom and sidewalls comprising an inclined portion covering the sidewalls of said containment area and a planar portion covering the bottom of said containment area, said thermoplastic liner having an upper surface and a lower surface in contact with said containment area, said upper surface being light reflective, said liner being adapted to sufficiently reflect incident radiation, reduce exposed liner temperature, and prevent adverse effects due to solar heating, wherein said upper surface of raid liner is pigmented with white pigment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A thermoplastic liner of claim 12, wherein said white pigment is a titanium oxide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A thermoplastic liner of claim 12, wherein said upper surface covers a layer that is darker than said upper surface, so that damage to said upper surface is more apparent.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
100 words
A thermoplastic liner for outdoor fluid containment areas having a bottom and sidewalls comprising an inclined portion covering the sidewalls of said containment area and s planar portion covering the bottom of said containment area, said thermoplastic liner having an upper surface and a lower surface in contact with said containment area, said upper surface being fight reflective, said liner being adapted to sufficiently relect incident radiation, reduce exposed liner temperature, and prevent adverse effects due to solar heating, wherein said upper surface of said liner is pigmented with a pigment having a coefficient of reflection between 0.5 and 1.0.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
100 words
A thermoplastic liner for outdoor fluid containment areas having a bottom and sidewalls comprising an inclined portion covering the sidewalls of said containment area and s planar portion covering the bottom of said containment area, said thermoplastic liner having an upper surface and a lower surface in contact with said containment area, said upper surface being fight reflective, said liner being adapted to sufficiently relect incident radiation, reduce exposed liner temperature, and prevent adverse effects due to solar heating, wherein said upper surface of said liner is pigmented with a pigment having a coefficient of reflection between 0.5 and 1.0.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
A thermoplastic liner of claim 15, wherein said upper surface covers a hyer that is darker than said upper surface, so that damage to said upper surface is more apparent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
95 words
A thermoplastic liner for outdoer fluid containment areas having a bottom and sidewalls comprising an inclined portion covering the sidewalls of said containment area and a planar portion covering the bottom of said containment area, said thermoplastic liner having an upper surface and a lower surface in contact with said containment area, said upper surface being light reflective, said liner being adapted to sufficiently reflect incident radiation, reduce exposed liner temperature, and prevent adverse effects due to solar heating, wherein said upper surface of said liner contains an ultraviolet light stabilizer employing a hindered amine.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
95 words
A thermoplastic liner for outdoer fluid containment areas having a bottom and sidewalls comprising an inclined portion covering the sidewalls of said containment area and a planar portion covering the bottom of said containment area, said thermoplastic liner having an upper surface and a lower surface in contact with said containment area, said upper surface being light reflective, said liner being adapted to sufficiently reflect incident radiation, reduce exposed liner temperature, and prevent adverse effects due to solar heating, wherein said upper surface of said liner contains an ultraviolet light stabilizer employing a hindered amine.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
81 words
A thermoplastic liner for outdoor fluid containment areas having a bottom and sidewalls comprising an inclined portion covering the sidewalls of said containment area and s planar portion covering the bottom of said containment area, said thermoplastic liner having an upper surface and a lower surface in contact with said containment area, said upper surface being light reflective and toughened, said liner being adapted to sufficiently reflect incident radiation, reduce exposed liner temperature, and prevent adverse effects due to solar heating.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
81 words
A thermoplastic liner for outdoor fluid containment areas having a bottom and sidewalls comprising an inclined portion covering the sidewalls of said containment area and s planar portion covering the bottom of said containment area, said thermoplastic liner having an upper surface and a lower surface in contact with said containment area, said upper surface being light reflective and toughened, said liner being adapted to sufficiently reflect incident radiation, reduce exposed liner temperature, and prevent adverse effects due to solar heating.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
A thermoplastic liner as in claim 18, wherein said upper surface of said liner is toughened by creating turbulence in said upper surface during manufacture thereby leaving aspirates in said upper surface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
129 words
A thermoplastic liner for outdoor fluid containment areas having a bottom and sidewalls comprising an inclined portion covering the sidewalls of said containment area and a planar portion covering the bottom of said containment area, said thermoplastic liner having an upper surface and a lower surface in contact with said containment area, wherein said thermoplastic liner is constructed of a multi-density composite, comprising an upper layer of polyethylene forming said upper surface and having a density equal to or greater than 0.93 grams/cm 3 , a central core layer of polyethylene integrally bonded underneath said upper layer and having a density equal to or less than 0.92 grams/cm 3 , and a lower layer of polyethylene forming said lower surface and being integrally bonded underneath said central core layer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
129 words
A thermoplastic liner for outdoor fluid containment areas having a bottom and sidewalls comprising an inclined portion covering the sidewalls of said containment area and a planar portion covering the bottom of said containment area, said thermoplastic liner having an upper surface and a lower surface in contact with said containment area, wherein said thermoplastic liner is constructed of a multi-density composite, comprising an upper layer of polyethylene forming said upper surface and having a density equal to or greater than 0.93 grams/cm 3 , a central core layer of polyethylene integrally bonded underneath said upper layer and having a density equal to or less than 0.92 grams/cm 3 , and a lower layer of polyethylene forming said lower surface and being integrally bonded underneath said central core layer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
A multi-density composite thermoplastic liner of claim 20, wherein said upper and lower byers have the same thickness and the thickness of said central core layer is at least three times the thickness of said upper layer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
A multi-density composite thermoplastic liner of claim 20, wherein said upper and lower layers are 10 mil in thickness and said central core layer is 40 mil in thickness.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
A multi-density composite thermoplastic liner of claim 20, wherein said lower polyethylene layer is constructed from polyethylene having a density equal to or greater than 0.93 grams/cm 3 .
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
A multi-density composite thermoplastic liner of claim 20, wherein said lower polyethylene layer is constructed from polyethylene having a density greater than 0.92 grams/cm 3 .
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
A multi-density composite thermoplastic liner of claim 20, wherein said central core layer contains carbon black in sufficient concentration to help prevent ultraviolet light oxidative initiated degradation.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for waterproofing an area of soil comprising the steps of: (a) forming a flexible plastic sheet including a means for reflecting light sufficiently to prevent damage to said sheet and soil from solar heating and ultraviolet and incident radiation comprising a plastic sheet material containing an upper surface capable of reflecting light and an underside surface; (b) covering the soil to be waterproofed with a plurality of said flexible plastic sheets with said upper surface facing up; (c) aligning said sheets in an abutting fashion to create a seam region between adjoining sheets; and (d) permanently joining said abutting sheets to provide a continuous and uninterrupted barrier of plastic facing the area from which water is to be barred.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for waterproofing an area of soil comprising the steps of: (a) forming a flexible plastic sheet including a means for reflecting light sufficiently to prevent damage to said sheet and soil from solar heating and ultraviolet and incident radiation comprising a plastic sheet material containing an upper surface capable of reflecting light and an underside surface; (b) covering the soil to be waterproofed with a plurality of said flexible plastic sheets with said upper surface facing up; (c) aligning said sheets in an abutting fashion to create a seam region between adjoining sheets; and (d) permanently joining said abutting sheets to provide a continuous and uninterrupted barrier of plastic facing the area from which water is to be barred.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 26, wherein said plastic sheet is formed from a uniform density polyethylene having a density equal to or greater than 0.93 grams/cm 3 .
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 26, wherein said upper surface of said liner is formed with a white pigment.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 26, wherein said upper surface of said liner is formed with a pigment having a coefficient of reflection between 0.5 and 1.0.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 26, wherein said upper surface of said liner is ultraviolet light stabilized.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 30, wherein said stabilizer is a Hindered Amine Light Stabilizer.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 26, wherein said upper surface of said liner is roughened.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 32, wherein said upper surface of said liner is toughened by creating turbulence in said upper surface during manufacture thereby leaving asperities in said upper surface.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
83 words
A method as in claim 26, wherein said plastic sheet is formed from a multi-density composite, comprising an upper layer of polyethylene forming said upper surface and having a density equal to or greater than 0.93 grams/cm 3 , a central core layer of polyethylene integrally bonded underneath said upper layer and having a density equal to or less than 0.92 grams/cm 3 , and a lower layer of polyethylene forming said underside surface and being integrally bonded underneath said central core layer.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 27, wherein said upper surface of said liner encompssses about ten percent (10) of the overall thickness of said uniform density plastic liner.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as in claim 34, wherein said upper and lower layers are formed with the same thickness and the thickness of said central core layer is formed to be at least three times the thickness of said upper layer.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 34, wherein said upper and lower layers are formed to be 10 mil in thickness and said central core layer is formed to be 40 mil in thickhess.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 28, wherein said white pigment is a titanium oxide.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 34, wherein said lower polyethylene layer is constructed from polyethylene having a density equal to or greater than 0.93 grams/cm 3 .
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 34, wherein said lower polyethylene layer is constructed from polythylene having a density equal to or greater than 0.92 grams/cm 3 .
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 34, wherein said lower polyethylene layer is pigmented with a fight reflective material.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 34, wherein said central core layer is pigmented with carbon black in sufficient concentration to help prevent ultraviolet light oxidative initiated degradation.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
91 words
A thermoplastic liner for outdoor fluid containment areas having a bottom and sidewalls comprising an inclined portion covering the sidewalls of said containment area and a planar portion covering the bottom of said containment area, said thermoplastic liner having an upper surface and a lower surface in contact with said containment area, said upper surface being light reflective, said liner being adapted to .[.sufficiently reflect incident radiation, reduce exposed liner temperature, and.]. prevent adverse effects due to solar heating, said upper surface having light reflective material mixed into thermoplastic liner material.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
91 words
A thermoplastic liner for outdoor fluid containment areas having a bottom and sidewalls comprising an inclined portion covering the sidewalls of said containment area and a planar portion covering the bottom of said containment area, said thermoplastic liner having an upper surface and a lower surface in contact with said containment area, said upper surface being light reflective, said liner being adapted to .[.sufficiently reflect incident radiation, reduce exposed liner temperature, and.]. prevent adverse effects due to solar heating, said upper surface having light reflective material mixed into thermoplastic liner material.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
22 words
The liner of claim 43 wherein the upper surface is formed by coextruding a layer containing light reflective pigment onto another layer.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for waterproofing an area of soil comprising the steps of: (a) forming a flexible plastic sheet .[.including a means for reflecting light sufficiently to prevent damage to said sheet and soil from solar heating and ultraviolet and incident radiation.]. comprising a plastic sheet material containing an upper surface capable of reflecting light and an underside surface; (b) forming said upper surface by mixing reflective material into the plastic sheet to form a reflective layer; (c) covering the soil to be waterproofed with a plurality of said flexible plastic sheets with said upper surface facing up; (d) aligning said sheets in an abutting fashion to create a seam region between adjoining sheets; and (e) permanently joining said abutting sheets to provide a continuous and uninterrupted barrier of plastic facing the area from which water is to be barred.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for waterproofing an area of soil comprising the steps of: (a) forming a flexible plastic sheet .[.including a means for reflecting light sufficiently to prevent damage to said sheet and soil from solar heating and ultraviolet and incident radiation.]. comprising a plastic sheet material containing an upper surface capable of reflecting light and an underside surface; (b) forming said upper surface by mixing reflective material into the plastic sheet to form a reflective layer; (c) covering the soil to be waterproofed with a plurality of said flexible plastic sheets with said upper surface facing up; (d) aligning said sheets in an abutting fashion to create a seam region between adjoining sheets; and (e) permanently joining said abutting sheets to provide a continuous and uninterrupted barrier of plastic facing the area from which water is to be barred.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 45 wherein said forming steps include the step of coextruding a plastic layer containing light reflective material onto another plastic layer.
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) | 1999-06-11 | 1999-12-11 | 2000-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-06-11 | 2003-12-11 | 2004-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-06-11 | 2007-12-11 | 2008-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |