U.S. patent application number 13/748024 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-25 for shapable protective covers for preventing liquids from flowing into vertical drains.
This patent application is currently assigned to New Pig Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is New Pig Corporation. Invention is credited to Christopher R. Dilley, R. Douglas Evans, JR., Dane R. Jackson, Beth P. Powell.
Application Number | 20130185856 13/748024 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48795988 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130185856 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Powell; Beth P. ; et
al. |
July 25, 2013 |
SHAPABLE PROTECTIVE COVERS FOR PREVENTING LIQUIDS FROM FLOWING INTO
VERTICAL DRAINS
Abstract
Shapable protective covers for vertical drains and other holes
to prevent spills and other liquids from flowing therein are
disclosed. The shapable protective covers include a backing layer
with a malleable shapable core and a pliable, tacky sealing layer.
The pliable, tacky sealing layer may be secured to the other layers
by a bonding layer adhered to or partially embedded in at least one
of the layers. The shapable protective covers may be positioned
over a vertical drain such that an exposed surface of a pliable,
tacky sealing layer contacts a portion of the surface surrounding
the vertical drain, thereby preventing liquids from passing through
the drain.
Inventors: |
Powell; Beth P.; (State
College, PA) ; Dilley; Christopher R.; (Howard,
PA) ; Evans, JR.; R. Douglas; (Everett, PA) ;
Jackson; Dane R.; (Port Matilda, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
New Pig Corporation; |
Tipton |
PA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
New Pig Corporation
Tipton
PA
|
Family ID: |
48795988 |
Appl. No.: |
13/748024 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61589694 |
Jan 23, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/293 ;
156/60 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03F 5/0411 20130101;
A47K 1/14 20130101; Y10T 156/10 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/293 ;
156/60 |
International
Class: |
A47K 1/14 20060101
A47K001/14 |
Claims
1. A protective cover for installation over a drain comprising: a
shapable backing layer; a bonding layer attached to the shapable
backing layer; and a pliable, tacky sealing layer attached to the
bonding layer structured and arranged to block spills from entering
the drain.
2. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the shapable backing
layer comprises a shapable layer at least partially embedded in a
durable polymer layer.
3. The protective cover of claim 2, wherein the shapable layer
comprises metal.
4. The protective cover of claim 2, wherein the shapable layer
comprises expanded metal sheet, perforated metal sheet, wire
screen, wire cloth, or cross-laid metal strips.
5. The protective cover of claim 2, wherein the shapable layer
comprises parallel metal strips.
6. The protective cover of claim 2, wherein the shapable layer is
substantially co-extensive with the durable polymer layer.
7. The protective cover of claim 2, wherein the shapable layer has
an area less than 50 percent of an area of the durable polymer
layer.
8. The protective cover of claim 2, wherein the shapable layer is
fully embedded inside the durable polymer layer.
9. The protective cover of claim 8, wherein a portion of the
durable polymer layer is infused into a portion of the bonding
layer.
10. The protective cover of claim 2, wherein the durable polymer
layer has a thickness of from about 0.01 to about 0.25 inch, and
comprises natural rubber, synthetic rubber, nitrile rubber,
thermoplastic olefin, polyvinyl chloride and/or chlorosulfonated
polyethylene.
11. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the bonding layer is a
low density bonding layer having a density of less than 0.26 ounces
per cubic inch, a thickness of from about 0.02 to about 0.25 inch,
and a weight per area of less than 20 ounces per square yard.
12. The protective cover of claim 11, wherein the low-density
bonding layer comprises entanglement fibers comprising polyester,
polypropylene, poly(ethylene propylene), polyvinylchloride,
fiberglass, nylon, cotton and/or urethane.
13. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the low-density
bonding layer comprises fleece.
14. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the pliable, tacky
sealing layer has a thickness of from 0.01 to 2 inches.
15. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the pliable, tacky
sealing layer has a length of at least 1 foot and a width of at
least 1 foot.
16. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the pliable, tacky
sealing layer has a durometer hardness of less than 30 shore A.
17. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the pliable, tacky
sealing layer comprises urethane, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride
and/or silicone.
18. The protective cover of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive
layer between the bonding layer and the shapable backing layer.
19. The protective cover of claim 19, wherein the adhesive layer
comprises a hot melt adhesive.
20. A method of making a shapable protective cover for installation
over a drain, the method comprising adhering a pliable, tacky
sealing layer to a shapable backing layer comprising a shapable
layer at least partially embedded in a polymer layer.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the pliable, tacky sealing
layer is adhered to the shapable backing layer with a bonding
layer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/589,694 filed Jan. 23, 2012, which
is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to protective covers, and more
particularly relates to shapable covers for protecting vertical
drains, holes and the like from spills and unwanted liquids.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0003] It is often desirable to temporarily close off drains to
prevent various liquids from flowing therein. Particularly, when
handling hazardous liquids in the vicinity of a drain, such as a
storm drain or manhole, it is desirable to temporarily seal off the
drain to prevent any hazardous liquid that may be accidentally
spilled on the ground from entering the drain. Some known methods
of sealing off a drain to prevent the possible ingress of liquids
include providing custom fitted rigid covers, utilizing manual or
automatic cutoff valves, covering the drain with a flexible
material (e.g., canvas) and covering the flexible material with
dirt or sand, and utilizing a sheet of polyurethane, vinyls, and
other pliable materials to cover the drain. However, these known
methods of drain isolation have certain practical limitations to
their usefulness.
[0004] Utilizing custom fitted rigid covers or cutoff valves
requires extensive preparation and installation efforts.
Manufacturing a custom fitted cover and/or installing cutoff valves
are both time consuming endeavors. Neither a custom fitted cover
nor an installed cutoff valve can be easily adapted for use in
covering and isolating drains other than the one for which the
cover or valve was specifically designed, and they cannot be driven
over. Moreover, once a custom fitted cover or cutoff valve is in
place in a drain or drain system, neither is readily removable
and/or transportable to another location for use.
[0005] Utilizing a flexible material held in place by dirt, sand or
water to seal off a drain also presents certain problems in that
such a covering is difficult to work with and is cumbersome and
time consuming to implement in emergency situations. The effective
seal surrounding the drain is limited by the dirt or sand utilized
to hold the flexible material in place, and is further limited in
that the dirt or sand may be washed away or eroded during flooding.
In addition, water-filled drain blockers cannot be driven over.
Such a drain covering has limited reusability and transportability,
and the seal effectuated thereby has little resistance to the shear
forces of onrushing liquids.
[0006] Utilizing protective covers with pliable, tacky sealing
layers provides effective seals on horizontal surfaces. Examples of
such protective covers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,950,075;
8,117,686; and 8,230,530, which are incorporated herein by
reference. The inherent adhesion and weight of such covers help to
maintain contact with the surface. However, when applied to
vertical surfaces, the weight of the covers may not help to improve
the seal, and may work against adhesion due to gravity.
[0007] The present invention is directed toward overcoming one or
more the above-mentioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Shapable protective covers for vertical drains and other
holes to prevent spills and other liquids from flowing therein are
provided. The protective covers may be positioned over a vertical
drain such that an exposed surface of a pliable, tacky sealing
layer contacts a portion of the surface surrounding the vertical
drain, thereby preventing a liquid from passing through the drain.
The protective covers of the present invention include a backing
layer with a malleable shapable core and a pliable, tacky sealing
layer. The sealing layer may be secured to the other layers by a
bonding layer adhered to or partially embedded in at least one of
the layers.
[0009] An aspect of the present invention is to provide a
protective cover for installation over a drain comprising a
shapable backing layer, a bonding layer attached to the shapable
backing layer, and a pliable, tacky sealing layer attached to the
bonding layer structured and arranged to block spills from entering
the drain.
[0010] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
method of making a shapable protective cover for installation over
a drain. The method comprises adhering a pliable, tacky sealing
layer to a shapable backing layer that includes a shapable layer at
least partially embedded in a polymer layer.
[0011] These and other aspects of the present invention will be
more apparent from the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a partially schematic isometric view illustrating
a shapable protective cover installed over a drain having a
vertical portion in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a partially schematic side sectional view
illustrating layers that are used to form a shapable protective
cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a partially schematic side sectional view
illustrating the layers of FIG. 2 after they have been fused
together in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a partially schematic side sectional view
illustrating layers of a shapable protective cover in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a partially schematic side sectional view showing
layers of another shapable protective cover in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view illustrating layers of
a shapable protective cover in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0018] FIG. 7 is an exploded isometric view illustrating layers of
a shapable protective cover in accordance with another embodiment
of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 8 an exploded isometric view illustrating layers of a
shapable protective cover in accordance with a further embodiment
of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 9 an exploded isometric view illustrating layers of a
shapable protective cover in accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The present invention provides shapable protective covers
which prevent spills and/or other unwanted liquids from flowing
into vertical drains or holes. At least a portion of the liquid is
prevented from flowing into a drain or hole by the protective
cover. The spill or unwanted liquid may be any flowable material
such as hazardous liquids, storm water, hydrocarbons, chemicals,
debris, dirt, trash and the like which are desired to be kept out
of drains and the like. As used herein, the term "drain" means any
drain, hole or other opening such as a curb-style drain, a pipe
opening or the like through which it is desired to prevent the flow
of spills or unwanted liquids. A "vertical drain" is a drain having
at least a portion extending vertically such that an upper portion
of the drain is at a higher elevation than a lower portion of the
drain. For example, a curb-style drain may include a lower portion
that is substantially horizontal, and an upper portion that extends
upward from the horizontal portion at a 90 degree angle, or any
other angle having a vertical component.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a shapable protective cover 5 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention installed
over a curbside drain 6 having an opening 8 with horizontal and
vertical portions. The cover 5 is shapable such that it maintains
coverage over the drain opening 8, including the vertical portion
of the opening. The shapable protective cover 5 shown in FIG. 1 is
generally square in shape, however, any other suitable shape may be
used such as rectangular, round, etc.
[0023] As used herein, the term "shapable", when referring to the
protective cover, means that the cover may be bent or otherwise
formed into a desired shape that is retained after it has been bent
or otherwise formed. At least the bent or shaped portion may be
self-supporting such that the shaped portion maintains its shape
and does not sag or collapse under its own weight, and does not
require support from the drain or surrounding structure to maintain
its shape. The shapable protective cover may thus be formed into
the desired shape to provide a self-supporting, dimensionally
stable cover capable of protecting vertical openings. In certain
embodiments, the protective cover is sufficiently malleable such
that it can be formed by hand into shape without the requirement of
hand tools or other tools.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a side sectional view illustrating layers that may
be used to make a shapable cover in accordance with an embodiment
of the invention. The layers include melt-flowable sheets 10 and
11, a malleable shapable layer 12, and a bonding layer 14. FIG. 3
is a side sectional view of a backing layer 18 formed from the
layers shown in FIG. 2 after they are bonded or fused together.
During fusing, the melt-flowable sheets 10 and 11 flow through
openings in the shapable layer 12, thereby encapsulating it to form
upper and lower fused sheets 16a and 16b surrounding the shapable
layer 12. A portion of the lower fused sheet may be melted or
infused into a portion of the bonding layer 14, thereby adhering
the bonding layer 14 without completely encapsulating it.
[0025] FIG. 4 shows the protective cover 5 after a pliable, tacky
sealing layer 20 has been applied to the bonding layer 14. The
sealing layer 20 may be applied by any suitable method, such as
pouring onto the bonding layer 14 and curing, as more fully
described below.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the protective cover 5 can be positioned
for installation over a curb-style drain 6 with an opening 8 having
a vertical portion to prevent unwanted liquid from entering the
drain. The protective cover 5 adheres to the surface surrounding
the opening 8, forming a seal which is sufficient to prevent the
flow of at least some liquid past the protective cover 5. The
shapable layer 12 enables the protective cover 5 to conform to the
shape of the drain 6 while also supplying support. The pliable,
tacky sealing layer 20 creates an effective seal even when the
surface surrounding the drain is not smooth. The protective cover 5
may be utilized to cover virtually any type of vertical drain or
hole so long as at least a portion of the pliable, tacky sealing
layer 20 of the protective cover 5 is sized to extend beyond the
outer periphery of the drain opening 8 and form a sufficient seal
therearound. In one embodiment, the protective cover 5 can be
positioned over relatively large areas, e.g., at least 1 square
foot up to 25 square feet or more. The protective cover 5 can also
be used to cover drains that have both horizontal and vertical
openings, such as curb-style drains with grates in front of them.
The shapable protective cover 5 can have a length of from about 1
foot to about 12 feet or more, and a width of from about 1 foot to
about 12 feet or more. A protective cover 5 positioned over a drain
may be sized at least 2 or 3 inches greater than the length, width
and height of the drain.
[0027] Both the backing layer 18 and the pliable, tacky sealing
layer 20 may resist water, oil and many chemicals making the
shapable protective cover 5 suitable for use in many types of work
environments, including hazardous work environments. The shapable
protective cover 5 may be UV-resistant in order to resist damage
when exposed to various environments. The protective cover 5 may be
cleaned easily with soap and water and is reusable. The malleable
shapable layer 12 allows the cover 5 to be re-shaped many times for
use with various different shapes and sizes of drains.
[0028] The shapable layer 12 provides structural support to the
protective cover 5 in vertical applications. The shapable layer 12
may be made of flattened expanded metal, perforated metal, wire
screens, wire cloths, cross-laid metal strips or wires, parallel
metal strips or wires, woven metal strips, and the like. Expanded
metal may be more malleable than perforated metal, and may be
easier to shape by hand. Wire screens and cloths may have an
undulating surface due to the associated weaving, and can require a
thicker plastic or rubber layer to cover and fuse into the open
areas.
[0029] The melt-flowable sheets 10 and 11, and the fused layers 16a
and 16b foamed therefrom, may be liquid impermeable, and made from
flexible and durable materials. The melt-flowable sheets 10 and 11
can have tensile strengths at least 25 percent higher than the
tensile strength of the tacky sealing layer 18. The melt-flowable
sheets 10 and 11 can comprise any suitable material such as natural
rubber, synthetic rubber, nitrile rubber or plastics such as
thermoplastic olefin, polyvinyl chloride, chlorosulfonated
polyethylene and the like. Such materials may include UV-resistant
additives as well as any other additives that resist damage when
the cover 5 is exposed to various environments. In one embodiment,
the melt-flowable sheets 10 and 11 may be made of a composite
material. Examples of composite materials include rubber laminated
to plastic film, plastic film laminated to mesh, rubber laminated
to mesh and combinations thereof The thickness of the melt-flowable
sheets 10 and 11 typically ranges from 0.01 to 0.25 inch, while the
thicknesses of the fused layers 16a and 16b may have a total
thickness of from 0.02 to 0.5 inch.
[0030] In certain embodiments, the bonding layer 14 may comprise a
low-density material used to entangle the backing layer 18 and/or
the pliable, tacky sealing layer 20. As used herein, the term
"low-density bonding layer" means a deep pile or lofty material
having at least one surface comprising entanglement fibers that
extend from the layer to provide additional surface area and
attachment sites for the melt-flowable sheet 11 and/or pliable,
tacky sealing layer 20. The low-density bonding layer 14 may have a
density that is typically less than 0.26 ounces per cubic inch,
preferably from 0.02 to 0.1 ounces per cubic inch. The low-density
bonding layer 20 may have a typical thickness of at least 0.01
inch, for example, from 0.02 to 0.25 inch. In one embodiment, the
thickness is from 0.04 to 0.06 inch. The low-density bonding layer
14 typically has a weight per area of less than 20 ounces per
square yard, for example, from 1 to 10 ounces per square yard. The
low-density bonding layer 14 provides secure and permanent
attachment between the shapable backing layer 18 and the pliable,
tacky sealing layer 20,
[0031] The low-density bonding layer 14 may be non-woven and may
comprise entanglement fibers made of polyester, polypropylene,
poly(ethylene propylene), polyvinylchloride, fiberglass, nylon,
cotton, urethane and the like. In one embodiment, the low-density
bonding layer 14 comprises a base or backing layer from which the
entanglement fibers extend on one or both sides of the backing
layer. For example, the low-density bonding layer 14 may comprise
fleece made of polyester and having a thickness of 0.055 inch. The
fleece assists in the adhesion of the pliable, tacky sealing layer
20 to the shapable backing layer 18.
[0032] In one embodiment, the process of fusing the melt-flowable
sheets 10 and 11 through the open areas of the shapable layer 12,
and fusing the lower melt-flowable sheet 11 into the low-density
bonding layer 14, includes the use of heat and/or pressure to
achieve melt flow. The melt flow index of the sheets 10 and 11
should be matched to the press conditions. Enough heat, pressure
and dwell time should be used to fill the open areas, and can be
determined by routine experimentation. One method includes the use
of a hydraulic, heated, platen press. Other techniques include
vacuum pressing, hot roll lamination, and extrusion coating. A
hydraulic heated platen press may be particularly suitable because
higher softening-point thermoplastic films can be chosen to
increase temperature resistance, impact strength and resistance to
deflection. In certain embodiments, the pressing process may
include using uncured rubber sheets, pressing them together, and
then curing by vulcanization.
[0033] In one embodiment, the bonding layer 14 can be deposited on
the surface of the lower melt-flowable sheet 11 through hot air
roll laminating, or brought into contact with the melt-flowable
sheet 11 before it is cured or cooled so that the fibers or
protuberances in the Z direction or the openings or voids in the
bonding layer are at least partially embedded within the
melt-flowable sheet 11. Once the fibers of the low-density bonding
layer are embedded within, or otherwise adhered to, the
melt-flowable sheet 11, the rest of the layers of the backing layer
18 can be hot press laminated together. The pliable, tacky sealing
layer 20 can then be applied to the exposed surface of the backing
layer 18 including the bonding layer 14. As the pliable, tacky
sealing layer 20 cures or cools, the bonding layer 14 improves
adhesion between the backing layer 18 and the pliable, tacky
sealing layer 20.
[0034] The pliable, tacky sealing layer 20 is flexible and tacky
such that it conforms to irregularities or roughness in the spill
surface and adheres to the surface surrounding a drain to thereby
provide a seal between the backing layer 18 and surface which
reduces or eliminates the flow of spilled liquids. The pliable,
tacky sealing layer 20 is made of a different material from the
backing layer 18, and can comprise materials such as urethane,
polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride and/or silicone. The pliable tacky
layer 20 may have a hardness, as measured by a durometer, at least
10 percent less than the hardness of the backing layer 18. In one
embodiment, the pliable, tacky sealing layer has a durometer
hardness of less than 30 shore A. The pliable, tacky sealing layer
20 can comprise an inherently tacky material or can have a standard
tackifier applied to any exposed surface. The pliable, tacky
sealing layer 20 can have a tackiness such that it adheres to a
surface surrounding a drain or hole to prevent the flow of liquid
from entering the drain. In one embodiment, the pliable, tacky
sealing layer 20 has sufficient tackiness such that the sealing
layer adheres when pressed against a vertical wall. The tackiness
of the sealing layer 20 may also be measured by other test methods
known to those skilled in the art, such as rolling ball, peel and
probe tests. The pliable, tacky sealing layer 20 has a typical
thickness of from 0.01 to 2 inches.
[0035] In one embodiment, a mixture of various polyurethanes can be
used to make the pliable, tacky sealing layer 20. A typical
polyurethane mixture comprises from about 50 to about 80 weight
percent polyol, and from about 20 to about 50 weight percent
isocyanate. The liquid polyurethane is mixed and cured in a manner
which gives it a moderate degree of inherent tackiness to all
exposed surfaces of the polyurethane material. The molding and
curing process creates a substantially smooth exposed surface,
which may contain minor undulations. The polyurethane material is
soft, yet resilient, and thus may be easily severed by a user with
a knife. Surfaces of the polyurethane material which are exposed
when a portion of it is severed can also be inherently tacky. While
a process is described above for manufacturing polyurethane having
an inherent tackiness, one skilled in the art will appreciate that
other materials, such as, for example, vinyls, silicones and
rubbers, may also be modified to have an inherent tackiness.
[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates a shapable protective cover 30 similar to
the cover 5 shown in FIG. 4, except the low-density bonding layer
14 is adhered by an adhesive layer 32. The adhesive layer 32 may
comprise any suitable adhesive, such as a hot melt adhesive
comprising polyethylene, polypropylene, styrene butadiene rubber,
styrenes, nylon, or the like. For example, the adhesive layer may
comprise polyethylene having a thickness of about 0.002 inch.
[0037] FIGS. 6-9 are exploded isometric views illustrating various
embodiments of shapable layers in accordance with the present
invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the shapable layer 12
comprises expandable metal having openings 13 extending
therethrough. The shapable layer 12 is sandwiched between the upper
and lower heat-fusable layers 10 and 11, with the outer edge or
perimeter of the shapable layer 12 extending close to the outer
edges of the heat-fusable layers 10 and 11. The shapable layer 12
is thus substantially co-extensive with the upper and lower
heat-fusable sheets 10 and 11, except for a small area at the
perimeter of the layers 10 and 11.
[0038] The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is similar to the embodiment
shown in FIG. 6, except the shapable layer 12 is not substantially
co-extensive with the heat-fusable sheets 10 and 11. In this
embodiment, the shapable layer 12 is only provided is a selected
portion of the cover, thereby providing both shapable and
non-shapable areas. Such a configuration allows the shapable
portion to be positioned over a vertical portion of a hole or
drain, while providing a non-shapable or non-self-supporting region
for horizontal portions of the hole or drain. In the embodiment
shown, the shapable layer 12 covers approximately one-third of the
area of the heat-fusable sheets 10 and 11. However, the shapable
layer 12 may be provided in any other desirable proportion, for
example, from 10 to 90 percent, or from 25 to 50 percent, of the
overall area of the cover.
[0039] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the shapable layer
comprises cross-laid metal strips or wires 112 and 113. Such
cross-laid strips 112 and 113 may provide similar malleable and
shapable characteristics as the expanded metal embodiment shown in
FIG. 6.
[0040] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the shapable layer
includes parallel-laid strips 212. The strips 212 may be made of
metal, and may be in the form of wires, bars, ribbons or the like.
In this embodiment, the cover may be shapable in one axis by
bending the cover in a direction perpendicular to the lengths of
the parallel strips 112, but may be non-shapable in another axis
when the cover is bent in a direction parallel with the strips 112.
The cover shown in FIG. 9 may therefore be easily rolled or folded
with the parallel strips 212 running in an axial or longitudinal
direction with respect to the rolled or folded cover, while
maintaining shapable characteristics when the cover is bent or
otherwise shaped in a direction perpendicular to the strips
212.
[0041] The shapable protective covers of the present invention form
effective seals around vertical drains, are generally lightweight,
and are capable of quick and easy implementation even for large
drains. The durable protective covers are readily reusable and
transportable, and may be quickly implemented to seal a drain
and/or hole in an emergency situation. The malleable and shapable
core enables the protective cover to be formed many times. The
protective cover may be implemented for use with a variety of
different types and sizes of vertical drains and/or holes, and
forms a tight seal around the vertical drain/hole to block out
unwanted liquids from entering the drain or hole.
[0042] Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been
described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to
those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of
the present invention may be made without departing from the
invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *