Claims
- 1. A method for removing or controlling the spread of an oily contaminant from an aqueous environment comprising the step of contacting said oily contaminant with a structure comprising:
- a plurality of sheets having major surfaces and edges comprising oleophilic and hydrophobic fibers,
- said sheets arranged in superposition to form a generally layered structure having one or more surfaces comprising sheets edges or folds,
- means for maintaining said sheets in said generally layered structure,
- said layered structure having a surface formed by said sheet folds or edges that is equal to or greater than the other surfaces of the layered structure, and
- maintaining said structure so that said oily contaminant contacts at least one said surface comprised of sheet ends or edges.
- 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said sheets have a basis weight in the range of from about 14 to about 140 gsm and comprise generally continuous filaments having an average diameter in the range of from about 10 to about 40 microns and formed from a thermoplastic polyolefin.
- 3. The method of claim 2 wherein said sheets are pattern bonded spunbond sheets and said thermoplastic polyolefin comprises polypropylene.
- 4. The method of claim 2 wherein said sheets form a continuous web folded in a serpentine manner.
- 5. The method of claim 2 wherein said sheets are bonded by a patterned application of heat and pressure and have a strip tensile of at least 0.5 Kg M-F in the weakest direction.
- 6. The method of claim 2 wherein said sheets have macropores formed within said sheets.
- 7. The method of claim 2 wherein said means for maintaining said sheets in said layered structure comprise a core through the sheets and a compression cap causing the sheet ends to flare in use.
- 8. The method of claim 2 including the additional step of combination of said structure with one or more other such structures as a catenated boom and spaced so that, in use, a generally continuous barrier is formed.
Parent Case Info
This is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 07/920,968, filed on Jul. 28, 1992 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,463.
US Referenced Citations (23)
Foreign Referenced Citations (4)
Number |
Date |
Country |
9180-209 |
Jul 1991 |
AUX |
2433078 |
Apr 1980 |
FRX |
1543836 |
Apr 1979 |
DEX |
135895 |
Jun 1979 |
DEX |
Divisions (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
920968 |
Jul 1992 |
|