The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 04, 1996
Filed:
Jul. 27, 1994
Paul E Chu, Englewood, NJ (US);
Other;
Abstract
The invention is a flexible portable container for leaking oil tanks which is designed to stop oil spills at their source by preventing the oil from entering the water. The invention in its preferred construction consists of flexible plastic sheets heat-sealed into a shape and size somewhat larger than the oil tank in which it will be used, except for very large tanks, in which multiple units of the invention are used. The top opening is provided with radiating expansion tubes attached to the perimeter of the opening with side arms reaching the adjoining tube. These tubes are inflated by the compressed gas or air compressor to which they are connected. They force the perimeter of said opening against the walls at the bottom of said tank. Built-in flotation tubes around said opening are then inflated to raise said opening to the surface of the liquid, thereby enclosing, except for said top, the remaining contents of said tank. The remaining oil is thereby prevented from entering the water to cause catastrophic damage. The operator pulls the draw-cord while deflating all the tubes to close the top, twists it and ties it to secure the contents even if the ship capsizes. The metal tank, even in its damaged condition, serves as a base and reinforcement for the flexible portable container. A simpler version of the flexible portable container having a draw-cord at the top and a tube directly below into which many magnets are inserted, is used on the outside of the gash. The magnets are arranged around said gash with the help of suitably equipped extensible poles to move said magnets around to surround said gash.