USO0RE41442E
(19) United States (12) Reissued Patent
(10) Patent Number:
Morgan et al. (54)
(75)
(45) Date of Reissued Patent:
INSULATED REMOVABLE POND COVER
Inventors: William Deyo Morgan, Bloomington,
3,374,918 A
*
3/1968 Creith ...................... .. 220/216
*
1/1969
i *
'
i
.
Brock
.. 52/3021
3,462,040 A * 8/1969 James
Edma’ MN(US) .
Jul. 20, 2010
3,420,022 A
MN (Us); Michael Allan Morgan,
(73)
US RE41,442 E
,
orris
3,862,876 A * .
3,933,628 A
ASSlgneei indusggal&M%lvggnmentalconceptsi 11°" ma, ( )
220/208 et a1. ................ .. 210/86
1/1976
3,980,199 A 3,991,900 A 4,038,447 A
1/1975 Graves Varani ....................... ..
9/1976 Kays ....... .. 11/1976 Burkeetal. *
7/1977
Brock ....................... .. 428/72
(21) Appl.No.: 08/828,330
4.135.257 A : 21979 1/1979 Ka Lff?(eeta.1 4,137,575 A
(22)
4,139,117 A 4,169,050 A
Filed:
Mar. 28, 1997
*
2/1979 Dial ......................... .. 220/218 9/1979 Ser?ing et a1.
Related US. Patent Documents
Reissue of: (64) Patent No.:
(51)
(52)
_
(commued)
5,400,549
Issued;
Man 28, 1995
Appl. No.:
08/139,835
CA
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
1253266
Flledl
Oct. 22,
CA
2060479
8/1992
CA
2096852
8/1992
2/1994 5/1994 4/1995
Int'Cl' E04B 7/00 B65D 88/34
(2006.01) (200691)
CA CA CA
2116354 2102590 2173831
E04H 4/10 C02F 1/00
(200691) (2006.01)
DE wo
2004656 wo 93/11330
US. Cl. ................. .. 52/23; 52/5; 4/498; 160/2311; 220/216; 210/D1G. 9
(58)
210/12
220/227 220/219
* *
8/1971 6/1993
OTHER PUBLICATIONS “
Field of Classi?cation Search .................. .. 52/345,
52/3099, 222, DIG. 13, 23, 408, 409, 745.06, 52/7451, 748.1, 502.1, 63; 4/498, 503; 160/231.1; 403/291, 393; 210/DlG. 9; 220/216; 405/129.45,
4/1989
”
ProposalsforPond Membrane, N°V~821984~
Parsons, “Onifarm biogas production,” Cooperative Exten sion, Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service, 1984.
405/129.9
See application ?le for complete search history. (56)
Primary ExamineriRobert J Can?eld (74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiFulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
References Cited
(57) U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 2,952,024 A 3,004,769 A
* 9/1960 Bartolucci * 10/1961 Turner
3,104,775 A
*
9/1963
3,148,384 A
*
9/1964 Baitolucciet a1.
3,313,443 A 3,330,118 A
3,355,745 A
4/1967 7/1967
Champagnat ............. .. 220/220
Dial et a1. ................. .. 220/219 Biais ......................... .. 405/53
An insulated removeable pond cover for settling ponds. The pond cover comprises a plurality of sealed panel units con taining insulation. The panel units are linked together by means of a system of cables Which pass through grommets in
the panel units. 36 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
* 12/1967 JannuZZi
7
._
ABSTRACT
7
/
3% L
A
01 71
m,
US RE41,442 E Page2
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
5,067,182 A * 11/1991 Koelsch 5,074,427 A
* 12/1991
Siemerink 61111. ......... .. 220/218
4,192,025 A *
3/1980 Hinsperger
5,197,239 A *
4,197,595 A
4/1980 Dearng
5,265,976 A
11/1993
1/1981
Ballu .................... .. 210/242.3
5,505,848 A
4/1996
10/1981 Zachary ....................... .. 55/36
5,546,615 A
8/1996 Chamness
*
3/1984 Wilsonetal. ............. .. 220/227
5,562,759 A
>1< 10/1996
Morganetal‘
*
3/1985 Gerber ..................... .. 220/219 5/1986 Walker
5,587,080 A 5,652,972 A
12/1996 * 8/1997
Landine et 31, ___________ __ 210/603 Chartrand .................... .. 4/506
5,861,095 6,047,415 6,136,194 6,505,445
* *
*
4,244,819 A
4,294,589 A 4,438,863 A 4,503,988 A 4,590,714 A
4,603,790 A 4,620,396 A 4672691 A 4,678,375 A
8/1986 * 11/1986 6/1987 7/1987
4,749,606 A
*
4,780,351 A 4916937 A
* 10/1988 4/1990
6/1988
Gerber ..................... .. 220/219 Bjorntwedt De Game etal- ------------- -- 4/499 Gagle et a1. ............... .. 405/270 Moore --------- --
A A
3/1993 Glynnetal. Russell ...................... .. 405/52 Landine et 31‘
___________ __ 210/170
1/1999 Vogeletal' 210/605 4/2000 Brown ......................... .. 4/498 A * 10/2000 Vogel 613.1. ............... .. 210/605 B2 >1< 1/2003 Johnson et 31‘ _ 52/223‘3
428/166
6,508,247 B1 *
1/2003
Karales .................... .. 126/564
Czempoyesh ------------- -- 428/122 Robertson etal~ --------- -- 405/270
2003/0066789 A1 * 2003/0070365 A1 *
4/2003 4/2003
Morgan @1211. ............ .. 210/120 Martin .......................... .. 52/3
5,022,101 A
*
6/1991 Gosselin etal.
5,050,341 A
*
9/1991
Breezer et a1. ............ .. 47/59R
* cited by examiner
US. Patent
L
Jul. 20, 2010
Sheet 1 0f5
/’
7
FIGJ‘
US RE41,442 E
US. Patent
Jul. 20, 2010
Sheet 2 0f5
US RE41,442 E
US. Patent
Jul. 20, 2010
Sheet 3 0f5
“//
US RE41,442 E
?/
////%////5
/ /§ //1//@ // FIG. 3
AMENDED
US. Patent
Jul. 20, 2010
Sheet 4 0f5
Fl G. L},
US RE41,442 E
US. Patent
Jul. 20, 2010
Sheet 5 0f5
FlG.5_
US RE41,442 E
US RE41,442 E 1
2
INSULATED REMOVABLE POND COVER
Matter enclosed in heavy brackets [ ] appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue speci?ca tion; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.
mets 5 of adjacent casings 1 are lined up in vertical spaced relationship to each other, a cable 7 is passed through the openings of the grommets 5, is formed into a loop above the panels 1 and is secured in position by a cable clamp 11 attached to the cable 7 beneath the casings 1. A heavy tie down cable 12 is then passed through all the loops of the
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
cables 7 in the row and is secured at either end to an anchor post such as a concrete deadhead, in a conventional manner such as tying the cable 12 to a rod with a nut at either end and
securing the cable 12 with a cable clamp. If wind getting
Man-made, usually rectangular, settling ponds are used
underneath the cover is a problem, additional cables can be
for holding sewage and industrial wastes, which are
passed through the cable loops 7 perpendicular to cable 12 at
examples of wastewater. These ponds are usually covered by
either end and in the middle of the series of casings 1. Once the pond cover has been secured in position, it will ?oat upon the liquid in the pond, and it can be removed when
a large one-piece geomembrane which has gas and water collection systems and is usually not insulated. These pond covers are laid on-site and secured by an anchoring trench. Because of their size, they are difficult to remove.
the pond needs to be dredged. We claim:
The present invention is an insulated removable pond cover which is made in sections which are held together by means of a series of grommets and cables. The cables are secured to a series of concrete deadheads.
20
The primary advantage of the invention is that it is removable, thus allowing the pond to be dredged and re-used. Another advantage is that the insulation results in
heat being retained in the pond, thus speeding biodegrada
25
1. A pond cover comprising a plurality of panel units linked together; means for insulating said pond cover, said
insulating means comprising a generally rectangular layer of insulation wherein each of said panel units is ?lled internally with said layer of insulation and is sealed at either end and
along either side by welding; and means for linking said panel units together and securing said pond cover in position on a pond, said linking
tion of organic material.
means comprising grommets disposed along said DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view of two of the panels.
30
FIG. 2 is a top perspective view showing two full panels
through said vertical spaced grommets and formed into a loop projecting above said panel units, and said secur
and parts of four other panels, starting from one edge of the pond cover on the left.
ing means including a second cable which is disposed through [the] an entire row of said loops and is
FIG. 3 is the view ofFIG. 2further showing a tank or
pond and aqueous solution. FIG. 4 is the view ofFIG. 2further showing an anchor. FIG. 5 is the view ofFIG. 2further showing an anchoring
35
40
The present invention is an insulated removable pond cover which is made in sections which are held together by means ofa series ofgrommets 5 and cables I2. The cables
meansfor insulating thepond cover, the insulating means
20. Thesepond covers are laid on site and may be secured by
either side by welding; and means for linking the panel units together and securing
tank or other such container 22 known to those skilled in the art. Such container 22 may hold an aqueous solution 23 or
thepond cover in position on apond, the linking means 50
art.
The pond cover comprises a plurality of generally rectan gular casings or panel units 1 linked together. The number and size of the casings 1 will vary depending upon the size of 55
many rows as are needed. Generally each casing 1 will be
about seven and one-half feet wide and approximately forty feet long. Each casing 1 is ?lled with a layer of insulation 3 and then sealed at either end and along either side by a fusion weld 4. The casings 1 are made of a geomembrane (a high
60
Adjacent casings 1 are linked together in overlapping
the welded area 4 so as to not break the seal. The total
number of grommets 5 per casing 1 can vary. After the grom
comprising grommets disposed along the sealed end of each ofthe panel units, and each ofthe panel units is linked in vertical spaced relationship to an adjacent panel unit by at least one cable disposed through the vertical spaced grommets and formed into a loop pro jecting above the panel units, and the securing means including a second cable which is disposed through a row ofthe loops and is anchored at either ofits end to an anchoring means.
density polyethylene material). spaced relationship by means of a grommet and cable sys tem. Each casing 1 is provided with a plurality of grommets 5 at either end and along either side, positioned outside of
comprising a generally rectangular layer of insulation where each ofthepanel units is?lled internally with the layer ofinsulation and is sealed at either end and along
an anchoring trench 2I. Ihepond cover may overlie apond,
the pond to be covered, and the casings 1 are arranged in as
about the second cable are disposed through said grommets. 4. A pond cover comprising:
aplurality ofpanel units linked together;
I 2 are secured to a series of concrete deadheads or anchors 45
other material known to those having ordinary skill in the
anchored at either of its end to an anchoring means.
2. The pond cover ofclaim I, where the loops disposed through the grommets project both above and below the panel units. 3. The pond cover ofclaim I, where the loops disposed
trench. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
sealed end of each of said panel units, and each of said panel units is linked in vertical spaced relationship to an adjacent panel unit by at least one cable disposed
5. A cover and wastewater combination comprising: wastewater that includes sewage and/or industrial waste; at least two sealed panels positioned over the wastewater,
each panel having a side characterized by an edge and 65
a plurality ofopenings spaced apartfrom the edge; and the openings in one ofthe panels being positioned above the openings in the other panel, and afastener being disposed through at least two adjacent openings.
US RE41,442 E 4
3 6. The cover and wastewater combination of claim 5,
20. A cover comprising:
where the panels are rectangular.
a plurality ofpanels con?gured for use over wastewater,
7. The cover and wastewater combination of claim 5,
the panels being removably linked together with fasten ers disposed through overlapping openings of adjacent
where the panels comprise a geomembrane. 8. The cover and wastewater combination of claim 5,
panel portions;
where the panels are approximately seven and one-halffeet
wide and approximately forty feet long.
where each panel includes insulation material sealed inside, but not completely?lling, a void in the panel. 2]. The cover of claim 20, where each panel comprises
9. The cover and wastewater combination of claim 5,
where each panel includes insulation material sealed inside, but not completely?lling, a void in the panel. 10. The cover and wastewater combination of claim 9,
10
22. The cover of claim 2], where each panel includes
where the insulation material is sealed inside each panel by
multiple openings, the panels overlap, and the panels are
a weld.
removably linked together with fasteners.
1]. The cover and wastewater combination of claim 9,
23. A method ofmanipulating a cover comprising:
where the insulation material is rectangular.
linking at least two panels such that the panels are adja cent to each other, where each panel includes insulation
12. The cover and wastewater combination of claim 5,
where the panels further comprises a grommet circumscrib
ing each opening.
material that is sealed inside, but that does not com
13. A cover and wastewater combination comprising: wastewater that includes sewage and/or industrial waste;
pletely?ll, a void in the panel; and disposing the panels over wastewater that includes sew age and/or industrial waste.
and at least two sealed panels removably linked to each other, the panels being positioned over and in direct contact with the wastewater;
24. The method ofclaim 23, where each panel comprises
geomembrane. 25. The method ofclaim 23, where the insulation material
where each panel contains, but is not completely ?lled
is rectangular. 26. The method ofclaim 23, where each panel comprises openings, and the linking includes placing a fastener through at least one pair ofadjacent openings.
with, an insulation material. 14. The cover and wastewater combination ofclaim 13,
where each panel comprises a geomembrane. 15. The cover and wastewater combination ofclaim 13,
27. The method ofclaim 26, where the openings in each
where the insulation material is sealed inside each panel by a weld.
30
overlap, and the panels are removably linked to each other 17. A cover and wastewater combination comprising: wastewater that includes sewage and/or industrial waste;
35
relationship, the means comprisingfasteners and open
40
3]. The method ofclaim 30, where each panel comprises
geomembrane.
above the openings in another of the panels to form 45
18. A cover comprising: 50
panel comprising high density polyethylene material;
34. The method ofclaim 33, where the openings in each panel are adjacent to at least one edge of one side of the
panel.
and insulation material sealed inside each panel; where the insulation material inside each panel does not
completely ?ll the panel.
32. The method ofclaim 30, where the insulation material
is rectangular. 33. The method ofclaim 30, where each panel comprises openings, and the linking includes placing a fastener through at least one pair ofadjacent openings.
openings so as to removably link the overlapping pan els.
19. The cover of claim 18, where each panel includes
disposing at least two panels over wastewater that includes sewage and/or industrial waste, where the at least two panels are linked to each other and each
material sealed inside it.
where the openings in one of the panels are positioned
a plurality of panels removably linked together, each
anchoring the linked panels over the wastewater.
contains, but is not completely ?lled with, insulation
ings de?ned in each ofthe panels; pairs of openings of di?‘erent panels, and one of the fasteners is disposed through each pair of overlapping
28. The method of claim 26, where the linking includes orienting the panels in an overlapping relationship. 29. The method ofclaim 28, further comprising:
3 O. A method of covering wastewater, comprising:
at least two sealed panels removably linked together in overlapping relationship over the wastewater; and
means for removably linking the panels in overlapping
panel are adjacent to at least one edge of one side of the
panel.
16. The cover and wastewater combination ofclaim 13,
where each panel includes multiple openings, the panels
with fasteners.
geomembrane.
55
35. The method of claim 33, where the linking includes orienting the panels in an overlapping relationship. 36. The method ofclaim 35, further comprising: anchoring the linked panels over the wastewater.
multiple openings, the panels overlap, and the panels are
removably linked together with fasteners.
*
*
*
*
*
UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT No.
; RE4I,442 E
APPLICATION NO.
: 08/828330
DATED INVENTOR(S)
; July 20, 2010 : Morgan et a1.
Page 1 of 7
It is certified that error appears in the above-identi?ed patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby corrected as shown below:
Please delete RE41,442 in its entirety and insert RE41,442 as attached
Signed and Sealed this Twentieth Day of September, 2011
David J. Kappos Director 0fthe United States Patent and Trademark O?ice
Page 2 of 7
CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION (continued)
(191 United States 1151 Reissued Patent
(10) Patent Number:
Morgan Qt al(54)
(45) Date of Reissuetl Patent:
INSULATED REMOVABLE POND COVER
3,374,918 A 3.420.022 A
(75)
lnventors: William Deyn Morgan,Bloomingmn’ ’
{73) Awsigncc: Industrinl&Environmental l"°-1Edi“"‘MN
(22)
1/1969
Brock .... ,.
_
Mne28, 1997
52/3021
220/208
3/1971 Bandy e1 01 ................ .. 210/86 8/1972 Moms
3,862,876 A
1/1975
'
3:991:900 A
Appi, N11,; 08/828,330
Flliid;
3/1968 (1161111 ..................... .. 220/216 '
3,572,506 A 3,683,428 A "
4,038,447 A ..
Jul. 20, 2010
3,462,040 A ' 8/1969 James
MN (US); Michae] A||an Morgan, Edina MN (Us)
(211
us RE41,442 E
11/1976 ~
7/1977
4,135,257 A '
1/1979
4,137.575 A
'
2/1979
*
9/1979
4139.117 A 4,169,050 A
2/1979
Related US. Patent Documents
Reissue of:
(Continued)
(64) Parcnth»:
(5|)
152)
5,400,549
lqsued: App“ NO" [11ch [nt'CL £045 7/00
Mar. 28, 1995 08/ 1391835 Oct. 22, 1993
CA CA CA CA
(2006.01)
CA
8.65” 88/34
(2006-00
CA
2173331
M4" 4/10
(200610!)
DE
2004656
('02P 1/00
(2006.01)
wo
wo 93/11330
11.5.0. ................. .. 52/23;52/5;4/498;160/231.l;
220/216; 210/DIG, 9
1511)
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS 1253266 4/1989 2060479 8/1992 2096852 8/1992 2116554 2/1994 2102590 5,1994
Field of Classi?cation Search .................. .. 52/3-5,
52/3090, 222, DIG. 13, 23, 408, 409, 745.06,
SIB/745.1, 7481, 502.1, 63; 4/498, 503; 160/231.1; 403/291, 393; 210/016. 9; 220/216; 405/129.45,
4/1995 8/1971 ~
6/1993
OTHER PUBLIC/(110915
u
n
PY°P°SMS f°' P°"d Membrane, N°"-811984>
Parsons, “On—farm biogas production," Cooperative Exten sion, Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service, 1984.
405/ 129.9
See application file for complete search history. {5(1)
Primary Examinermkobert J Can?cld (74) Attorney, Agent, or Fir/m—Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
References Cited
(57) 11.8, PATENT DOCUMENTS 2,952,024 A
*
9/1960 Bartolucci
ABSTRACT
An insulated remoevable pond cover for settling ponds. The pond cover comprises a plurality of scaled panel units con
{004,760 A
‘ “1/1961
Turner
taining insulation. The panels units are linked together by
3,104.775 A
‘
9/1963
Chumpagnat ............. .. 220/220
3118,3114 A
“
9/1964 Bartolucci et al.
means of a system of cables which pass through grommets in
3,3l3,443 A 3,330,118 A
3355.745 A
L
4/1967 7/1967
Dial 61 al. ................. .. 220/219 Biais ......................... .. 405/53
the panel units. 36 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
‘ 11/1967 Jannuzli
/
ll
CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION (continued)
Page 3 of 7
US RE41,442 E PageZ
1.1.8. PATENT DOCUMENTS
5,067,182 A * 11/1991 K0e1sch 5,074,427 A
4,192.025 A
3/1980 Hinsperger
" 12/1991
Sicmerink elaL ......... .. 220/218
5‘197‘239 A 1' 3/1993 GMmctaL
“91595 A 4,244,819 A 4,294,589 A
‘
4/1980 Dwing 1/1981 1311110 .................... .. 210/242.3 10/1981 Zachary ...... .. 55/36
5,265,976 A 5505348 A 5545.615 A
11/1995 Russell ...................... .. 405/52 4/1996 Landing c1 31 .. 210/170 Q 3/1996 Chamness
4,438,863 A 4,503,988 A
'
3/1984 Wilson clal . 220/227 3/1985 Gclber ..................... .. 220/219
5‘562‘759 A 5,537‘030 A
1- 10/1996 Morgan c1a1. 12/1996 Landing :1 a1.
45901714 A 4,603,790 A 4.620396 A
‘
5/1986 Walker 8/1986 Gerber ..................... .. 220/219 “ 11/1986 ijmtwed!
5,652,972 A 536L095 A 6,047,415 A
' n: '
@136194 A
: 10/2000 vogd e131
4,672,691 A
6/1987 De Garieetal. ............. .. 4/499
41678375 A 4,749,606 A
7/1987 G?glw?k ~ 6/1988 MOOI‘C ....... ..
“
4.780351 A ' 10/1988 Czempvyesh 4,916,937 A
5.022.101 A 5,050,341 A
' 6,505,445 132 5 6508247 B] a
1/2003 Johnson 01 al. . 1/2003 Kai-3|“ _____ n
"428/121
2003/0066789 A1 ~
4/2003 Morgan @1111,
Robcnson cl a1? --------- -- 405/170
2003/0070305 A1 ~
4/2003
0/1091 (1085011110151. 9/1991 Breczeretal. ............ ._ 47/59R
'citcd by examiner
4/1990
* *
-- 405/270 .. 428/166
210/603
8/1997 Chartrand .................... 1. 4/506 1/1999 vogelelaL _______________ __ 210/605 4/2000 Brown .... .. 4/498
2|0/605 .. 52/2253 126/564
210/120
Martin .......................... .. 52/3
Page 4 of7
CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION (continued)
U.S. Patent
Jul. 20, 2010
Sheet 1 0f2
RE41,442 E
CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION (continued)
U.S. Patent
Jul. 20,2010
Page 5 of7
Sheet2 0f2
RE41,442 E
10
HG.2
AMEND
Page 6 of 7
CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION (continued)
US RE4I,442 E l
2 We claim: 1. A pond cover comprising a plurality of panel units
INSULATED REMOVABLE POND COVER
linked together; means for insulating said pond cover, said
Matter enclosed in heavy brackets [ ] appears in the
insulating means comprising a generally rectangular layer of original patent but forms no part of this reissue speci?ca tion; matter printed in italics indicates the additions 5 insulation wherein each of said panel units is ?lled internally with said layer of insulation and is sealed at either end and made by reissue. ' 7
along either side by welding; and
means for linking said panel units together and securing said pond cover in position on a pond, said linking
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF THE
INVENTION
means comprising grommets disposed along said
Man-made, usually rectangular, settling ponds are used
sealed end of each of said panel units, and each of said panel units is linked in vertical spaced relationship to an adjacent panel unit by at least one cable disposed
for holding sewage and industrial wastes, which are
examples of waslewaler. These ponds are usually covered by a large one-piece geomembrane which has gas and water collection systems and is usually not insulated. These pond
through said vertical spaced grommets and formed into a loop projecting above said panel units. and said secur ing means including a second cable which is disposed through [the] an entire row of said loops and is
covers are laid on-site and secured by an anchoring trench. Because of their size, they are dif?cult to remove. The present invention is an insulated removable pond cover which is made in sections which are held together by
anchored at either of its end to an anchoring means.
2. The pond cover of claim I, where lhe loops disposed through the grommets project both above and below the panel units. 3. The pond cover of claim 1, where the loops disposed about the second cable are disposed through said grommets.
means of a series of grommets and cables The cables are secured to a series of concrete deadheads.
The primary advantage of the invention is that it is
removablev thus allowing the pond to be dredged and
4. A pond cover comprising:
rcmscd. Another advantage is that the insulation results in
heat being retained in the pond, thus speeding biodegrada
25
tion of organic material.
where each ofthe panel units is ?lled internally with the layer ofinsulation and is sealed at either end and along either side by welding; and means for linking the panel units together and securing
FIG. 1 is a side view of two ofthe panels.
FIG. 2 is a top perspective view showing two full panels and parts of four other panels, starting from one edge of the
the pond cover in position on a pond, the linking means
pond cover on the left.
comprising grommets disposed along the sealed end of each oflhe panel units, and each oflhe panel units is
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 35
gular casings or panel units I linked together. The number and size of the casings 1 will vary depending upon the size of the pond 10 to be covered, and the casings 1 are arranged in about seven and one~half feet wide and approximately forty feet long. Each casing 1 is ?lled with a layer ofinsulation 3 and then sealed at either end and along either side by a fusion weld 4. The casings l are made of a geomembrane (a high
an anchoring means. 5. A cover and wastewarer combination comprising:
45
Adjacent casings l are linked together in overlapping spaced relationship by means of a grommet and cable sys tem. Each casing l is provided with a plurality of grommets 5 at either end and along either side. positioned outside of the welded area 4 so as to not break the seal. The total 50
numbcr of grommets 5 per casing I can vary. After the grom mets 5 of adjacent casings 1 are lined up in vertical spaced relationship to each other, a cable 7 is passed through the openings of the grommets 5, is formed into a loop above the panels 1 and is secured in position by a cable clamp 11 attached.lo the cable 7 beneath the casings 1. A heavy tie
linked in vertical spaced relationship to an adjacent panel unit by a! least one cable disposed through the vertical spaced grommets and formed into a loop pro jecting above the panel units, and the securing means including a second cable which is disposed through a row of the loops and is anchored at either of its end to
as many rows as are needed. Generally each casing 1 will be
density polyethylene material).
means for insulating the pond cover; the insulating means
comprising a generally rectangular layer of insulation
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The pond cover comprises a plurality of generally rectan
a plurality ofpanel units linked together;
wasrewaler that includes sewage and/or industrial waste, a! least two sealed panels positioned over the wastewater; each panel having a side characterized by an edge and
a plurality ofopenings spaced apartfrom the edge; and the openings in one of the panels being positioned above the openings in the other panel. and a fastener being disposed through at least two adjacent openings. 6. The cover and wastewaler' combination of claim 5,
where the panels are rectangular 7. The cover and waslewater combination of claim 5, where the panels comprise a geomembrone. 8. The Cover and wastewater combination of claim 5, where the panels are approximately seven and one-halffeet
wide and approximately forty ?ee! long.
down cable 12 is then passed through all the loops of the
9. The cover and wastewater combination of claim 5.
cables 7 in the row and is secured at either end to an anchor post 20 such as a concrete deadbead, in a conventional man ner such as tying the cable 12 to a rod with a not at either end
and securing the cable 12 with a cable clamp. If wind getting
where each panel includes insulation material sealed inside, but not completely?lling, a void in the panel. 10. The cover and wastewater combination of claim 9. where the insulation material is sealed inside each panel by
underneath the cover is a problem, additional cables can be
a weld.
passed through the cable loops 7 perpendicular to cable 12 at
II. The cover and wastewater combination of claim 9, where the insulation material is rectangular. 12. The cover and wastewaler combination of claim 5.
either end and in the middle of the series ofcasings 1. Once the pond cover has been secured in position, it will ?oat upon the liquid in the pond. and it can be removed when
where the panels further comprises a grommet circumscrib
the pond needs to be dredged.
ing each opening.
Page 7 of 7
CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION (continued)
US RE41,442 E 4
3
21. The cover of claim 20, where each panel comprises
l 3. A cover and wastewater combination comprising: wastewater that includes sewage and/or industrial waste;
geomembrane.
multiple openings, the panels overlap, and the panels are removany linked together with fasteners.
at least two sealed panels removany linked to each other: the panels being positioned over and in direct contact with the wastewater; where each panel contains, bit! is not completely ?lled
23. A method of manipulating a cover comprising: linking at least two panels such that the punch: are adja cent to each other, where each panel includes insulation
with, an insulation material. [4. The cover and wastewater combination of claim I 3,
material that is sealed inside, but that does not com
pleter?ll, a void in the panel; and
where each panel comprises a geomembrane 15. The cover and wastewater combination of claim 13, where the insulation material is sealed inside each panel by
disposing the panels over wastewater that includes sew age and/or industrial waste,
24. The method of claim 23, where each panel comprises
a weld.
geomembrane.
[6. The cover and wastewater combination of claim 13.
overlap, and the panels are removany linked to each other
with fasteners. 1 7. A cover and wastewater combination comprising: wastewater that includes sewage and/0r industrial waste;
through at least one pair ofadjacent openings. 2 7. The method of claim 26, where the openings in each panel are adjacent to at least one edge of one side of the
at least two sealed panels removably linked together in overlapping relationship over the wastewater; and
anel.
means for removany linking the panels in overlapping relationship, the means comprisingfasteners and open— 25
where the openings in one of the panels are positioned above the openings in another of the paneLs to form
pairs of openings of dijerent panels, and one of the openings so as to removany link the overlapping pan els.
contains, but is not completely ?lled with. insulation
18. A cover comprising:
material sealed inside it,
a plurality of panels removany linked together: each panel comprising high density polyethylene material;
31. The method of claim 30, where each panel comprises geomembrane.
35
insulation material sealed inside each panel; where the insulation material inside each panel does not
_
32. The method ofclaim 30, where the insulation material
is rectangulan 33. The method of claim 30, where each panel comprises openings, and the linking includes placing a fastener through at least one pair ofadjacent openings
completely?ll the panel. 19, The cover of claim 18, where each panel includes
multiple openings, the panels overlap, and the panels are
.
p 28. The method of claim 26. where the linking includes orienting the panels in an overlapping relationship 29. The method of claim 28, ?trther comprising: anchoring the linked panels over the wastewaten 30. A method of covering wastewater; comprising: disposing at least two panels over wastewater that includes sewage and/or industrial waste, where the at least two panels are linked to each other and each
fasteners is disposed through each pair of overlapping
and
'
25. The method ofclaim 23, where the insulation material is rectangular 26. The method of claim 23, where each panel comprises openings, and the linking includes placing a fastener
where each panel includes multiple openings, the panels
ings de?ned ineach of the panels;
.
22. The cover of claim 21, where each panel includes
and
40
removably linked together with fasteners.
34, The method of claim 33, where the openings in each panel are adjacent to at least one edge of one side of the
20, A cover comprising:
panel.
a plurality of panels con?gured for use over wastewater,
35. The method of claim 33, where the linking includes orienting the panels in an overlapping relationship. 36. The method ofclaim 35, further comprising:
the panels being removany linked together with fasten— ers disposed through overlapping openings ofadjacent panel portions; where each panel includes insulation material sealed inside, but not completely ?lling, a void in the panel.
45
anchoring the linked panels over the wastewater: ti
1!
it
its
4‘
