PAD FOR CONTAINING LIQUID SPILLS

Abstract: A pad (1), system and method of collecting and containing liquid leaks and spills, comprising a flexible, liquid-impervious pad (1) having a bottom (3) and inflatable sides (6), a pair of tethers (12) connected at one end to one end of the pad (1), and a pair of poles (16) detachably connectable at one end thereof to the tethers (12). The poles (16) are used to position the uninflated pad (1) under a source of leakage or spillage, after which the poles (16) are disconnected from the tethers (12) and the sides (6) of the pad (1) are inflated.

Description: PAD FOR CONTAINING LIQUID SPILLS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates to a flexible, liquid impervious pad having inflatable sides for positioning under a vehicle or other source of liquid spills in order to contain the spill. Description of Prior Art U. S. Patent No. 5,308,670 discloses a pad for containing liquid or semiliquid spills wherein the pad has hollow side portions which are expanded in use by insertion therein of a hose. That construction is limited in not being able to contain large volume liquid ispills as might occur, for example, from a tank truck or other large liquid containers. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art by providing a pad having sides which can be inflated with air to form a container having a relatively great depth, hence capable of containing large liquid spills. The uninflated pad is positioned under a leaking or spilling container with use of a pair of poles detachably connected at one end to one end of the pad. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the pad of the invention, and showing the method and means for inflating the sides of the pad. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a set of poles used to position the pad under a truck or other source of liquid spillage. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In Fig. 1 there is shown a container pad, denoted generally by the numeral 1, comprising two sheet of polyvinyl chloride, such as 20 mil PVC sheeting, welded together on the inside, as at 2, to form a bottom 3, and on the outside, as at 4, to form inflatable sides 6. The pad 1 is provided with an air valve 7, of known type, to inflate sides 6, e.g. through an air hose 8 connected at the other end to a compressed air cannister 9. A pressure relief valve 11, of known type, communicates with the interior of the sides 6 to prevent over-inflation and rupture thereof. Tethers 12 are welded at one end, as at 13, to the bottom 3. Tethers 12 may be connected, as by caps 14, to one end of each of a pair of poles 16 which can be used to position the pad 1 under the source of a liquid leakage or spillage. Poles 16 may be provided in segments of, e.g. about 3 feet in length. Multiple segments may be joined together, by connectors 17. As shown in Fig. 2, normally four poles, connectable to form two six foot lengths, are sufficient for most purposes, e.g. positioning a collection pad under a leaking truck tank. In operation, poles 16 are connected to tethers 12 and an uninflated pad is pushed into position under the source of leakage. The poles then may be disconnected from tethers 12, and the sides 6 of the pad 1 are inflated with compressed air. Pads may be constructed of any desired size, for example, from a volume of 50 to 2500 gallons. Multiple pads may be used for largest spillages. The spill collection system of the invention is useful in catching and containing leaks and spillages of hazardous materials such as hydrocarbon fuels, industrial chemicals and the like. The pads provide a capability, not only of containing such materials so that the environment is not polluted, but such materials may be recovered and used for their intended purpose. A convenient approach to use of the invention is to put one or more pads, in uninflated and rolled up state, aboard a vehicle transporting fuels, chemicals, etc., so that, in case of accidental leaks or spills, the pads can be used immediately thereby lessening the adverse effects of the spill. The collection pads of the invention are easily and simply made of relatively inexpensive materials and may be thrown away after use. Poles 16, e.g. of PVC, and the compressed air cylinder 9 may be reused.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. A pad for collecting and containing liquid spill comprising a bottom and inflatable sides made of a flexible an liquid impermeable material. 2. A pad according to claim 1, wherein the pad is formed o two sheets of material welded together at a first, inner positio to form the bottom and at a second, outer position to form th inflatable sides. 3. A pad according to claim 2, further comprising an air valve through which air can be admitted to inflate the sides of the pad. 4. A pad according to claim 3, further comprising a pressure relief valve in a side of the pad to prevent over-inflation and rupture of the inflated sides. 5. A pad according to claim 3, further comprising a pair of tethers affixed to one end of the pad. 6. A pad according to claim 5, wherein the tethers are affixed to the bottom of the pad. 7. A pad according to claim 3, wherein the material is polyvinyl chloride. 8. A pad according to claim 7, wherein the polyvinyl chloride is in the form of sheeting having a thickness of about 20 mils. 9. A system for collecting and containing liquid leaks and spills, comprising a flexible, liquid-impermeable pad having a bottom and inflatable sides, a pair of tethers affixed to one end of the pad, and a pair of poles detachably connected to the other end of the tethers and serving as means to position the pad under a source of leakage or spillage. 10. A system according to claim 9, wherein the pad is made of polyvinyl chloride sheets. 11. A method of collecting and containing liquid leaks and spills, comprising providing a flexible and liquid-impermeable pad having a bottom, inflatable sides and a pair of tethers each having one end thereof affixed to one end of the pad, detachably connecting to the other end of each tether an elongated pole, with use of the poles positioning the uninflated pad under a source of leakage or spillage, and inflating the sides of the pad. 12. A method according to claim 11, further comprising disconnecting the poles from the tethers after the pad is in position under the leak or spill.

Inventors: SAYLOR STEVEN, SAYLOR, STEVEN
Applicants: SAYLOR STEVEN, SAYLOR, STEVEN
Application year: 1995
Main classification: F16K23
IPC codes: F16N31