Formable aquatic coverings for preventing biofouling
AssigneeBiofouling Technologies, Inc.
InventorsFletcher Eyster, Fred Zucker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The instant invention describes an anti-biofouling structure for placement onto structures or surfaces that are exposed to aquatic environments. Embedded within the anti-biofouling structure are agents that can diffuse out of the structure and prevent the formation and/or accumulation of plant and animal species build-up that creates biofouling. The instant invention also describes a system for preventing biofouling of an object stored in an aquatic environment which includes the anti-biofouling structure, and a protective cover element constructed and arranged to fit various structures, such as boat propellers.
Claims15
An anti-biofouling structure for securement around or onto an object exposed to an aquatic environment, the structure comprising:
- a flexible covering material formed from a plurality of interwoven fibers that form a lattice-like configuration that allows passage of at least some of said aquatic environment therethrough;
- wherein said covering material comprises at least one anti-fouling agent coated thereon or embedded therein and configured to interact with the at least some of said aquatic environment;
- wherein said covering material is securable about at least a portion of said object to cover the at least a portion of the object to reduce formation of biofouling organisms along the at least a portion of said object that is covered, and
- wherein the anti-biofouling structure is formable so as to be capable of being expanded three-dimensionally, radially, longitudinally, or combinations thereof for positioning at least partially around the object to mirror a contour of the portion of the object being covered.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.