Patent Description:
Conventional methods, such as covers and liners, such as that disclosed in document <CIT>, have a number of drawbacks. For example, conventional covers are often not strong enough to support the weight of an animal, such as a deer, or a child, or are otherwise made out of strong material that is expensive. Additionally, covers and liners offer little protection from flood damage or other natural disasters. A superior and more cost-efficient means of protecting basins is necessary.

A containment tube designed to fit within the dimensions of the basin is filled with a filling fluid and sits within the otherwise empty basin. The containment tube is made of a flexible and water-tight material and has a valve for filling and a valve for draining. When not filled, the containment tube can be rolled up and stored conveniently. When filled with a filling fluid, such as water or air, the containment tube takes the shape of the basin and sits within the basin to prevent unwanted debris, animals, and other items or living beings from entering the basin or contaminating the containment fluid. The filled containment tube may also prevent damage to the basin. The filled containment tube fits snugly within the walls of the basin and redistributes force evenly via hoop stress. In some embodiments, the containment tube has a zipper for ease of access to the interior of the tube for inspection or cleaning. Some embodiments include an exterior protective liner for protecting the containment tube from puncture.

The filled containment tube prevents objects from entering the basin. For example, the filled containment tube can support the weight of a small animal or child by re-distributing the weight throughout the tube, there preventing accidental injuries. Similarly, the containment tube protects the basin from damage by debris by inhibiting the debris from coming in contact with the basin, since the containment tube fills the interior of the basin. The containment tube also prevents unwanted fluid from filling and damaging the basin, such as flood damage or rain damage, because the unwanted fluid cannot enter water-tight containment tube nor can it seep through the contact between the water-tight containment tube and the walls of the basin. The containment tube can be manufactured to fit basins of different shapes and sizes in a relatively cost-effective manner. Additionally, the containment tube can be easily assembled and filled, and easily drained and put away for storage.

The Figures (FIG. ) and the following description relate to preferred embodiments by way of illustration only. It should be noted that from the following discussion, alternative embodiments of the structures and methods disclosed herein will be readily recognized as viable alternatives that may be employed without departing from the principles of the embodiments.

It is noted that wherever practicable, similar or like reference numbers may be used in the figures and may indicate similar or like functionality. The figures depict embodiments for purposes of illustration only.

A containment tube is water-tight and does not have any open sides. The containment tube is configured to receive a filling fluid, such as any liquid substance, such as water, wet concrete, other fluid, or even an expanding and hardening foam (such as polyurethane foam) or gas in certain configurations, which may be pumped into the tube. The containment tube is constructed from a waterproof and flexible material, such as vinyl-coated polyester, polyvisqueen or other material that prevents intrusion of fluid through its surface. In an embodiment, the polyvisqueen is between <NUM>-<NUM> millimeters in thickness. In some embodiments, the polyvisqueen is reinforced, for example, with an embedded webbing material such as nylon strands (e.g., string). The edges between pieces of water-tight material can be sealed together by at a seam using glue, pressing, wedge welding, or another sealing method.

A basin is a concave structure with an enclosed bottom and sides for holding a fluid and an open top, such as, swimming pools, fracking pools, above-ground tanks, in-ground tanks, and other means for containing relatively large quantities of fluids. The basin has a cross-sectional area and shape for both the bottom of the basin and the top opening of the basin. Some basins may have the same cross-sectional area and shape from the bottom to the top opening, whereas other basins may have different shape or size cross-section at one end. The basin also has a depth, which is the distance from the top opening of the basin to the bottom of the basin.

<FIG> show a schematic of a process of manufacture of a top portion or a base portion of a containment tube. For simplicity, this section primarily refers to the portion as the top portion. The process of manufacture is used to construct the necessary base portion of the containment tube as well, as described in greater detail below.

<FIG> shows a schematic of a sheet <NUM> of flexible, waterproof material. The sheet <NUM> has a length of <NUM> and a width of <NUM>, which are greater than or equal to the dimensions of the cross-section of the top opening of the basin (or the cross-section of the bottom of the basin, if in relation to the base portion). The sheet <NUM> may be assembled piecewise to be the desired dimensions by sealing seams <NUM> from multiple pieces of flexible, waterproof material. Piecewise assembly of the sheet <NUM> enables less material to be wasted, thereby keeping costs down, while maintaining the water-tight properties desired.

<FIG> shows a schematic of a sheet of <NUM> overlaid with an outline of a top portion <NUM>. The size and shape of the top portion <NUM> is determined based on the cross-sectional area of the top opening of the basin. The top portion <NUM> is substantially the same as the cross-sectional area of the top opening of the basin. The top portion <NUM> has a size dimensions slightly less than the size dimensions of the cross-sectional area of the top opening of the basin, such that the top portion of the containment tube will fit within and span substantially all of the cross-sectional area of the top opening of the basin (see <FIG> for an example). For example, the schematic of the top portion <NUM> depicted in <FIG> is circular in shape with a diameter <NUM>, and thereby is for a basin that has a cross-sectional top opening that is also circular in shape and has a diameter slightly greater than the diameter <NUM>. While the embodiment depicted in <FIG> show a circular top portion intended for a circular cross-sectional top opening, it should be noted that the top portion and corresponding cross-sectional top opening can be any shape, including but not limited to an oval, a triangle, a square, a rectangle, or a trapezoid.

<FIG> shows a schematic of the top portion <NUM>. The top portion <NUM> depicted in <FIG> is the top portion <NUM> of <FIG> that has been cut out from the sheet <NUM>. The top portion <NUM> has the sealed seams <NUM> of the larger sheet <NUM> and is waterproof and flexible even with the sealed seams <NUM>.

Because the containment tube has both a top portion and a bottom portion, the above process of manufacture must either be performed to produce both portions. In some embodiments, the process of manufacture is repeated to produce a second portion. In one embodiment, the process of manufacture is repeated with different cross-sectional areas or shapes, if the basin requires such in order for the containment tube to fit snugly. For example, a basin may be a pool with sides that slope inwards towards the bottom of the pool. Accordingly, the top portion will be of a larger size than the base portion. In another embodiment, where the top portion and the base portion are the same shape and size, both portions can be manufactured simultaneously by layering two sheets of waterproof material for cutting.

In some embodiments, the top portion has a first valve for filling the containment tube with a fluid. Similarly, in some embodiments, the top portion has a second valve for draining the fluid contained within the containment tube. Example fluid filling or draining apparatuses to attach to the valves may include a pump or hose or pipe, which may be supplied with fluid by a pump or gravity, and in the case of gas, a pressurized canister or compressor. In some embodiments, the top or bottom portion has a zipper for inspecting or cleaning the inside of the containment tube. These features can be added to the top and/or bottom portion after the stage of assembly shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> show a schematic of a process of manufacture of a side portion <NUM> of the containment tube. <FIG> shows a schematic of a two-dimensional view of a sheet <NUM> to be constructed into the side portion <NUM>. The sheet <NUM> is a made of a waterproof, flexible material, such as those previously discussed in the overview section and in relation to <FIG>. The sheet <NUM> has a height <NUM> and a width <NUM>. The height <NUM> and width <NUM> of the sheet <NUM> are determined dependent upon the dimensions of the basin. The height <NUM> is determined to be slightly less than or equal to the depth of the basin, such that when assembled, the containment tube fits within the basin. The length <NUM> is described in relation to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a schematic of a three-dimensional construction of the sheet <NUM> into the side portion <NUM>. To form the side portion <NUM>, the sheet <NUM> is positioned such that the heightwise edges are overlapped and sealed <NUM>. Thereby, the length <NUM> of the sheet <NUM> must be long enough that the sheet <NUM> can create the seal <NUM> and fit substantially within the basin while making contact with the walls of the basin. In practice, the length <NUM> of the sheet <NUM> may be equal to or slightly longer than the perimeter (or largest perimeter) of the basin, depending on the width of the overlap formed for the seal. Alternately, the length <NUM> can be described as that, when sealed <NUM>, the perimeter of the side portion <NUM> is the same as the perimeter of the top portion and the bottom portion (or the greater of the two if the top portion and bottom portion have different perimeters). For example, as shown in <FIG>, the side portion has the same diameter <NUM> as the top portion <NUM> of <FIG>.

The side portion <NUM> is assembled piecewise. That is, multiple pieces of flexible, waterproof material may be assembled piecewise with waterproof seams to achieve the desired height <NUM> and width <NUM> of the sheet <NUM>. In some embodiments, the piecewise assembly of the sheet <NUM> is similar to that of the sheet <NUM> of <FIG>. Additionally, after the side portion <NUM> is assembled from the sheet <NUM>, the height of the side portion <NUM> can be increased by stacking a second assembled side portion <NUM> on top and attaching with a waterproof seam around the circumference of the two side portions <NUM>.

<FIG> show a schematic of a process of assembly of a containment tube <NUM>, including the top portion 140A, the base portion 140B, and the side portion <NUM>. The top portion 140A and the bottom portion 140B refer to two physically distinct portions assembled by the process described in relation to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows an alignment <NUM> of the top portion 140A, the base portion 140B, and the side portion <NUM>. The top portion 140A is aligned above one opening of the side portion <NUM> and the bottom portion 140B is aligned below another opening of the side portion <NUM>, opposite the top portion 140A.

<FIG> shows the containment tube <NUM> constructed when the top portion 140A and the bottom portion 140B have been attached to the side portion <NUM>. The top portion 140A and the bottom portion 140B are attached to the edges of the side portion <NUM> by the seals <NUM> in accordance with the alignment <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The seals <NUM> are water-tight. In some embodiments, the seals <NUM> are air-tight. The seals <NUM> may be formed by the methods as described in the overview.

In one embodiment, after assembly of the containment tube <NUM>, the containment tube <NUM> may be put through various tests prior to use in the basin. For example, the containment tube <NUM> may be filled with a filling fluid to check that the seals <NUM> are strong and not leaking. To test for water-tightness of the seals, the containment tube <NUM> is filled with water or another liquid. To test for air-tightness of the seals, the containment tube is filled with air or another gas.

<FIG> shows an example of a filled containment tube <NUM> sitting within a basin <NUM>. The containment tube <NUM> may be the same or similar to the containment tube <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, the basin <NUM> is an above-ground swimming pool with a circular cross-section top opening and bottom. The containment tube <NUM> has a circular top portion that fits within and spans substantially all of a cross-sectional top opening of the basin <NUM>. That is, the containment tube <NUM> sits within the basin <NUM> such that the side-portions of the containment tube <NUM> are in contact with the side walls of the basin <NUM>, and the top and bottom portions of the containment tube <NUM> are sealed to the side portion and may or may not be in direct contact with the walls of the basin <NUM>. Thereby, the seals between the side portion and the top portion enable the containment tube <NUM> to span the entirety of the opening of the basin <NUM> and prohibit any objects from entering the basin <NUM>. Hence, while the top portion itself may or may not span the entirety of the cross-sectional top opening of the basin <NUM>, the top portion spans substantially all of the top opening to enable sealing with the side portion and enable containment tube <NUM> to prohibit entrance of objects into the basin <NUM>. While the basin <NUM> and the containment tube <NUM> are both circular in cross-sectional shape in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the basin <NUM> and the containment tube <NUM> can take on other cross-sectional shapes, including but not limited to oval, triangular, square, rectangular, or trapezoidal.

The top portion of the containment tube <NUM> has a first valve <NUM> and a second valve <NUM>. The first valve <NUM> is configured for receiving a filling fluid. The second valve <NUM> is configured for draining the filling fluid. In some embodiments, the containment tube <NUM> may have only one valve which is configured to both receive and drain a filling fluid. In other embodiments the first valve <NUM> or the second valve <NUM> may be located elsewhere on the containment tube such as the side portion or the bottom portion.

In some embodiments there is a protective sleeve between the containment tube <NUM> and the basin <NUM>. The protective sleeve is a flexible material, such as nylon. The protective sleeve protects the containment tube <NUM> from puncture, wear, or other damage that may be caused by the interior of the basin <NUM>. The damage could be caused by sharp edges or imperfections in the walls or bottom of the basin <NUM>, or be debris that had fallen into the basin <NUM> prior to the insertion of the containment tube <NUM>. In one embodiment, the protective sleeve covers the side portion of the containment tube <NUM>. In another embodiment, the protective sleeve covers the bottom portion of the containment tube <NUM>. In another embodiment, the protective sleeve covers both the side portion and the bottom portion of the containment tube <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a process <NUM> for creating a containment tube. A top portion is created <NUM> from a flexible and waterproof material, the top potion fits within a top opening of a basin. A bottom portion is created <NUM> from a flexible and waterproof material, the bottom potion fits within a bottom of the basin. A side portion is created <NUM> from a flexible and waterproof material. The top portion is sealed <NUM> to a first side of the side portion. The bottom portion is sealed <NUM> to a second side of the side portion, wherein the second side of the side portion is substantially opposite the first side of the side portion. Substantially opposite refers to the top portion and the bottom portion being opposite one another, though not necessarily parallel, and separated by the side portion.

An apparatus for preventing a fluid from entering a basin (<NUM>) can be provided. The apparatus comprises a containment tube (<NUM>; <NUM>) configured to fit within the basin (<NUM>) and receive a filling fluid. The containment tube (<NUM>; <NUM>) may comprise a top portion (<NUM>; 140A) that fits within and spans (i.e. that is suitable to fit within and span) substantially all of a cross-section of an opening of the basin (<NUM>); a base portion (140B) that fits within and spans (i.e. that is suitable to fit within and span) substantially all of a cross-section of a bottom of the basin (<NUM>); and a side portion (<NUM>) that connects the top portion (<NUM>; 140A) and the base portion (140B), wherein a part of the side portion (<NUM>) is (suitable to be) in contact with part of one or more walls of the basin (<NUM>), wherein the top portion (<NUM>; 140A) is sealed (<NUM>) to one edge (i.e. a first side) of the side portion and the base portion (140B) is sealed (<NUM>) to a second side of the side portion. The containment tube (<NUM>; <NUM>) is water-tight.

The apparatus may further comprise a protective sleeve that encompasses the side portion (<NUM>) of the water-tight containment tube (<NUM>; <NUM>), wherein the protective sleeve may (be suitable to) provide a protective barrier between one or more inner walls of the basin (<NUM>) and the water tight containment tube (<NUM>; <NUM>).

The protective sleeve may be comprised of a water-tight material.

The apparatus may further comprise a protective sleeve that encompasses the bottom portion of the water-tight containment tube (<NUM>; <NUM>), wherein the protective sleeve may (be suitable to) provide a protective barrier between one or more inner walls of the basin (<NUM>) and the water tight containment tube (<NUM>; <NUM>).

The vapor barrier may be comprised of a water-tight material.

The top portion (<NUM>; 140A) may comprise a first valve (<NUM>) configured to receive the filling fluid.

The top portion (<NUM>; 140A) may comprise a second valve (<NUM>) configured for draining the filling fluid.

The top portion (<NUM>; 140A) may comprise a water-tight zipper for opening the water-tight containment tube (<NUM>; <NUM>) for cleaning.

The top portion (<NUM>; 140A) and base portion (140B) may be circular and the containment tube (<NUM>; <NUM>) may be cylindrical in shape when filled with the filling fluid.

The basin (<NUM>) may be an empty fracking pool.

The basin (<NUM>) may be an empty swimming pool.

A method for creating a containment tube (<NUM>; <NUM>) may be provided, wherein the method comprises: (i) creating (<NUM>) a top portion (<NUM>; 140A) from a first flexible and waterproof material that fits within and spans substantially all of a cross-section of an opening of a basin (<NUM>); (ii) creating (<NUM>) a bottom portion from a second flexible and waterproof material that fits within and spans substantially all of a cross-section of a bottom of the basin (<NUM>); (iii) creating (<NUM>) a side portion from a third flexible and waterproof material; (iv) sealing (<NUM>) the top portion (<NUM>; 140A) to a first side of the side portion; and (v) sealing (<NUM>) the bottom portion to a second side of the side portion, wherein the second side of the side portion is substantially opposite the first side of the side portion.

The method may further comprise: placing the containment tube (<NUM>; <NUM>) within the basin (<NUM>); and filling the containment tube (<NUM>; <NUM>) with a filling fluid, such that some of the side portion (<NUM>) is in contact with part of one or more walls of the basin (<NUM>).

The method may further comprise: filling the containment tube (<NUM>; <NUM>) with a filling fluid prior to placing the containment tube (<NUM>; <NUM>) within the basin (<NUM>); testing the seals (<NUM>) for leaks; and draining the containment tube (<NUM>; <NUM>), wholly or partially.

The method may further comprise: encompassing the side portion of the containment tube (<NUM>; <NUM>) in a protective sleeve to provide a protective barrier between one or more inner walls of the basin (<NUM>) and the water tight containment tube (<NUM>; <NUM>).

The method may further comprise: encompassing the bottom portion of the containment tube (<NUM>; <NUM>) in a protective sleeve to provide a protective barrier between one or more inner walls of the basin (<NUM>) and the water tight containment tube (<NUM>; <NUM>).

Creating (<NUM>) the top portion (<NUM>; 140A), creating (<NUM>) the bottom portion, or creating (<NUM>) the side portion may further comprise: cutting the portion out of a sheet (<NUM>) of flexible and waterproof material;.

The top portion (<NUM>; 140A) may further comprise: a first valve (<NUM>), the first valve (<NUM>) configured for receiving the filling fluid; and a second valve (<NUM>), the second valve (<NUM>) configured for draining the filling fluid.

The first flexible and waterproof material, the second flexible and waterproof material, and the third flexible and waterproof material may be the same flexible and waterproof material,.

Claim 1:
An apparatus for preventing a fluid from entering a basin (<NUM>), the apparatus comprising:
a containment tube (<NUM>; <NUM>) configured to fit within the basin (<NUM>) and receive a filling fluid, further comprising:
a top portion (<NUM>, 140A) that is suitable to fit within and span substantially all of a cross-section of an opening of the basin (<NUM>);
a base portion (140B) that is suitable to fit within and span substantially all of a cross-section of a bottom of the basin (<NUM>); and
a side portion (<NUM>) that connects the top portion (<NUM>, 140A) and the base portion (140B), wherein a part of the side portion (<NUM>) is suitable to be in contact with part of one or more walls of the basin (<NUM>), wherein the top portion (<NUM>; 140A) is sealed (<NUM>) to a first side of the side portion and the base portion (140B) is sealed (<NUM>) to a second side of the side portion (<NUM>),
wherein the containment tube (<NUM>; <NUM>) is water-tight; and
wherein:
• the base portion (140B) is assembled piecewise from a plurality of pieces of flexible and waterproof material and having waterproof seams (<NUM>) that connect the plurality of pieces of material, and/or
• the side portion (<NUM>) is assembled piecewise from a plurality of pieces of flexible and waterproof material and having waterproof seams that connect the plurality of pieces of material.