WO2015031669A1

WO2015031669A1 - Liquid covering disks and systems

Info

Publication number: WO2015031669A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/053248
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matt ALIROL
Original assignee: Alirol Matt
Priority date: 2013-08-28
Filing date: 2014-08-28
Publication date: 2015-03-05
Also published as: US20150059079A1

Abstract

Liquid covering disks configured to float on the surface of a body of liquid, including a body with an aperture at a periphery of the body, the aperture configured to allow a liquid to pass through, a plurality of ribs projecting from the body, and a wall protruding at the periphery of the body. A portion of the body, a portion of the plurality of ribs, and a portion of the wall define a cavity allowing a volume of a gas to be trapped in the cavity when the disk is deployed on the surface of the body of liquid. In some examples, a system of floating disks covers the surface of a body of liquid. Each disk includes an interlocking element configured to interact with a complementary interlocking element at an adjacent disk to form a floating arrangement of disks.

Description

LIQUID COVERING DISKS AND SYSTEMS

Related Applications

[Θ0Θ1] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Nonprovisional Patent Application, Serial No.

14012848, filed on August 28, 2013, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

Background

[0ΟΘ2] The present disclosure relates generally to liquid covering disks and systems. In particular, this disclosure describes floating disks including a shape and a structure that provide stability to the disks and adherence to the surface when the disks are deployed on a surface of a body of liquid.

[0003] Ponds, reservoirs, and open tanks are often used to store and treat liquids. Liquids having large open surfaces are common in the fields of chemical production, anodizing, galvanizing, plating, dying, sewage treatment, oil waste storage, and other such fields. In many of these fields, unimpeded access to the liquid is desired. However, having large open liquid surfaces may lead to evaporation of the stored liquid, unintended plant and organism growth on the liquid surface, emission of noxious fumes, and exposure to wildlife.

[Θ0Θ4] Reducing fluid loss, toxic vapors emission, and heat loss are major environmental and financial concerns. Reducing evaporation and heat transfer is influenced by a variety of factors, such as wind conditions above the liquid surface, liquid temperature, environment temperature, liquid density, and the concentration of the substance evaporating in the air. Reducing evaporation will also reduce noxious fumes.

[Θ0Θ5] Some liquid covers presently understood in the art are polygonal shaped covers designed to be placed on the surface in concert, covering the liquid body. Examples of references describing such covers include US Patents 4270232 and 8342352 and European Patent No. 1,897,234. The com orporated by reference for all purp

[0008] in h blown off the surface of the ponds gns that are less affected by the w

[0007] As a he range of applications in which s that protect against the harms lis bodies, and of limited cost to ma o the needs existing in the field a

[ΘΟ08] The

ms. In some examples, a disk configured to float on the surface of a body of liquid includes a body, a plurality of ribs projecting from the body, and a sidewali protruding at the periphery of the body. The body has a top surface, a bottom surface, and an aperture at a periphery of the body. The aperture is configured to allow a liquid to pass through. A portion of the body, a portion of the plurality of ribs, and a portion of the sidewa!i define a cavity allowing a volume of a gas to be trapped in the cavity when the disk is deployed on the surface of the body of liquid and providing buoyancy to the disk.

[0ΟΘ9] in some embodiments, the body may include a polygonal shape, in other embodiments, the plurality of ribs radiate outward from the center of the polygonal shape towards the edges of the polygonal shape. In some embodiments, the plurality of ribs extend from the top surface and from the bottom surface of the body, in further embodiments, the ribs have a height above the body that decreases from a center of the body towards the periphery of the body.

[0010] in some embodiments, the body includes a cross-sectional profile that decreases from a center of the body to the periphery of the body, in other embodiments, the sidewali protrudes from the top surface and from the bottom surface. The sidewali may include a concave portion and/or a convex portion. In further embodiments, the aperture is positioned adjacent the sidewali. In some embodiments, the sidewali includes a sigmoidal curvature along the periphery of the body. In other embodiments, the aperture follows a contour of the curvature.

[0011] The inventive subject matter further contemplates a system for covering a surface of a body of liquid, including a plurality of disks configured to float on the surface of the body of liquid. The plurality of disks unite when floating on the surface of the body of liquid to form an arrangement offloating disks. Each of the plurality of disks includes an interlocking element configured to interact with a complementary interlocking element at an adjacent disk to assist in keeping the arrangement of floating disks together.

[0012] The interlocking elements may include a portion of the sidewali, a curvature of the sidewali, and/or a sigmoidal curvature of the sidewali extending from the bottom surface of the body and an inverse curvature

[0013] in fu d includes a plurality of disks con body having a substantial polygo urface and a bottom surface, a plu e body, each rib having a height a periphery of the body, a sidewali phery of the body and coupled to

[Θ014] A po dewali define a cavity allowing a vo he surface of the body of liquid. Th d to form an arrangement of float configured to

interact with a complementary interlocking element at an adjacent disk to assist in keeping the arrangement offloating disks together.

[0015] The foregoing embodiment may further include a plurality of apertures at the periphery of the body, the aperture allowing a liquid to pass through the top surface and the bottom surface, in some embodiments, the plurality of ribs are arranged in a pattern that is substantially identical at the top surface and at the bottom surface of the body. In other embodiments, the body includes a cross-sectional profile that that decreases from a center of the body towards the periphery of the body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] FIG.1 is a perspective view of an arrangement of liquid covering disks.

[0017] FIG.2 is a perspective view of a liquid covering disk.

[0018] FIG.3 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the liquid covering disk shown in

FIG.2.

[0019] FIG.4 is a close up view of the texture of the material forming the liquid covering disk shown in FIG.1.

[0020] FIG.5 is a top plan view ofthe liquid covering disk of FIG.2.

[0021] FIG.6 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid covering disk of FIG.2 along line 6-8 in FIG.

5.

[0022] FIG.7 is a cross-sectional view' of the liquid covering disk of FIG.2 along line 7-7 in FIG.

5.

[0023] FIG.8 is a side elevation view of the liquid covering disk of FIG.2.

[0024] FIG.9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the arrangement of liquid covering disks of

FIG.1, illustrating interlocking features between disks.

[0025] FIG.10 is an exploded cross-sectional view of interlocking features of liquid covering disks of FIG.9,

[Θ028] FIG.

[Θ027] FIG.

[0028] FIG.

[0029] FIG.

[0Ο3Θ] FIG. hich includes spherical chambers.

[0031] FIG.

[0032] FIG.

[Θ033] FIG.

[Θ034] FIG. wn in FIG.17 along line 19-19.

[Θ035] FIG. disk, which

udes cylindrical chambers. Detailed Description

[0036] The disclosed liquid covering disks and systems will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.

[0037] Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various liquid covering disks are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example, instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.

[0038] The inventive subject matter provides systems and liquid covering disks that reduce evaporation, heat loss, reduce foam formation and emission of noxious or toxic fumes from an open liquid surface by forming a floating arrangement of liquid covering disks. The liquid covering disks include a body, a plurality of ribs projecting from the body, and a sidewali protruding at the periphery of the body. A portion of the body, a portion of the plurality of ribs, and a portion of the sidewali define a cavity.

[0039] A liquid covering disk including a number of such open cavities allows a volume of a gas to be trapped in the cavity when the disk is deployed on the surface of the body of liquid thereby providing buoyancy to the disk. Additionally, cavities with an open side facing the surface of the body of liquid provide the disks wit isks that are generally similar in s y of liquid to form an arrangemen mplementary interlocking elements

[Θ04Θ] The g plane, for example a triangular llow or solid. Some embodiments f the specific gravity of the liquid to

[Θ041] With ce of a body of liquid and liquid c a body 120 having a top surfac of body 120. Apertures 132 are co as a sidewali

116 protruding vertically at periphery 122 of body 120 and a plurality of ribs 124 projecting vertically from body 120.

[0042] A plurality of channels 126 are formed by portions of body 120, portions of ribs 124, and portions of sidewail 116. The channels are formed by ribs 124, protuberance 148, sidewall 116, and top surface 112. Each rib 24 has two surfaces which define faces of channels 126.

[0043] On each major side of disk 100, channels 126 slope downwards towards apertures 132 proximate sidewail 116. Channels 126 serve to direct water and other debris towards apertures 132 to allow the water and debris to exit channels 126 through apertures 132 on whatever side of disk 100 is oriented upwards. Of course, the channels on the side of disk 100 oriented downwards will be wholly or partially submerged in the liquid body.

[0044] As can be seen in Figs.2, 5 and 6, disk 100 includes a set of cavities 118 and cavities

144. Cavities 118 are disposed along the periphery of disk 100 whereas cavities 144 are located at the center of disk 100. Cavities 118 are defined by a portion 136 of body 120, portions 138 and 140 of ribs 124, and portion 141 of sidewail 116. Cavity 144 is defined by a substantially cylindrical protuberance 148 that projects from body 120 at the center of the hexagonal shaped body 120.

[0045] When floating on the surface of a body of liquid a volume of a gas, such as air, may be trapped in cavities 118 and 144 between the surface 128 of the body of liquid 130 and the surfaces of the cavities. The trapped volume of gas imparts increased stability and buoyancy to disk 100. Trapping air below the bottom surface of the disk in the cavities increases the buoyancy of the disk,

[0046] Cavities 118 and 144 increase the stability of liquid covering disk through pressure equilibrium principles. When a pocket of air is trapped in cavities 118 and 144 by the surface of a liquid, the pressure of that pocket of air will be in equilibrium with the local atmospheric pressure. Attempts to separate the disk from the surface of the liquid will have the effect of increasing the volume of the chamber of air sealed in the cavities, increasing the volume of the sealed chamber will decrease the air pressure within the s ressure. The net result is that disk wind or other forces because the a air sealed in cavities 118 and 144

[0047] Whe the rib faces and push the liquid c tween them. The liquid covering dge to edge relationship with gen r example, a system 190 for cove n in FIG.1. [Θ048] Liqu at loss and evaporation, suppres r toxic fumes from a body of liquid ring disk 100

floats with top surface 112 approximately above surface 128 of a body of liquid 130 and bottom surface 114 approximately below surface 128 of body of liquid 130. Of course, the disk may flip over from time to time, reversing the orientation of the top and bottom surfaces.

[0049] Body 120 of disk 100 has a substantially hexagonal shape in a horizontal plane. Top surface 112 includes a substantially cylindrical protuberance 148 that projects from body 120 at the center of the hexagonal shaped body 120. Although protuberance 148 is substantially cylindrical in shape with a substantially flat top, this disclosure also contemplates protuberances that implement different designs as well.

[0050] A plurality of ribs 124 radiate from protuberance 148 extending from body 120. In particular, twelve trapezoidal ribs 124 on each side of disk 100 radiate out from protuberance 148 towards periphery 122 of body 120 where they merge with sidewall 116. As one can see in FIG.2, the height of ribs 124 gradually descends as they approach sidewall 116 and merges with the sidewall at equal height. The outer edges of the ribs, i.e., the end of the ribs away from the top/bottom surface, defines the contours of the disk, for example contour 134 of disk 100.

[0051] Liquid covering disk 100 further includes a sidewall 116, formed by a projection of the hexagonal periphery of top surface 112 and bottom surface 114. In some embodiments, sidewall 116, top surface 112, and bottom surface 114 are coupled such that they form a unified body.

[0052] Sidewall 116 generally follows periphery 122 of hexagonal shaped body 120. However, at each side of the hexagonal shape, sidewall 116 includes a curvature, for example sigmoida! curvature 152. Curvature 152 includes a concave portion 154, where the sidewall deviates slightly inward, relative to the side of the hexagonal shape, towards the center of the body, and a convex portion 156, where the sidewall deviates slightly outward, relative to the side of the hexagonal shape, towards the center of the body.

[0053] Apertures 132 serve as a port that allows an amount of liquid to pass through freely. For example, apertures 132 are formed in body 120 proximate sidewall 116 and allow water and debris to flow through back in ry reduce or prevent water from b

[0054] Ape collection of liquid covering disks s allowed to easily pass through pattern may otherwise substantia th additional apertures or ports.

[0055] Bott milar shape, size, and topograph shape, i.e., concave portions at t versa. [Θ058] For bed in detail.

However, bottom su ribs that are

substantially the same shape and size as the corresponding parts on top surface 112. Sidewall 116, however, along the sides of the polygonal shaped body includes a portion wherein the curvatures are the opposite of the curvatures at the top surface, in particular, at top surface 112 sidewali 116 includes sigmoidal curvature 152 whereas at bottom surface 114, sidewali 116 includes sigmoidal curvature 158, which is positioned as the inverse to sigmoidal curvature 152.

[0057] For example, FIG.1 shows a split in sidewali 116 where a concave portion 160 curves inward below convex portion 156 of curvature 152 and a convex portion 162 curves outward below concave portion 154 of curvature 152. Although the patterns formed by the ribs 124 of top surface 112 and bottom surface 114 are substantially similar, this is not specifically required, and liquid covering disks with different top surfaces and bottom surfaces are equally within this disclosure.

[0058] Additional openings 164 and 166 are provided in the portions of body 120 where sidewali

116 curves outward, i.e., in top surface 112 and bottom surface 114 at the convex portions 156 and 162, respectively, of side wall 116. Openings 164 and 166 assist the disk in settling into a substantially fiat position on the surface of the body of liquid and to communicate fluid between channels 126 and the body of liquid on which disk 100 floats. In some embodiments, the body, ribs, and sidewali may include additional openings.

[0059] Body 120 has a cross-sectional thickness that decrease from the center to edge 146 to facilitate dispersion of rain water and to avoid standing water. For example, the center of top surface 112 is at a higher elevation relative to its lateral periphery 122. However, in some embodiments liquid covering disks may include a substantially flat top surface and/or bottom surface. In other embodiments, either the top surface, bottom surface, or both, may include a depression, or lowers in elevation as one approaches the center, for example in combination with an opening.

[0060] The outer contours of the ribs follow a similar profile. Ribs 116 create channels which guide rain to the edges of the disks. Ribs 116 provide structural support to the disk and provide resistance to wind. The contour of the disk is determined by the height of the ribs and the sidewali.

[0061] The tance that is desired. The cavitie mbodiments, the size of the cavitie he surface of the body of liquid.

[0062] in o t least about

0.5 inches. In anoth of surface of body of liquid. In s 60% of the overall height of the

[0063] FIG. and sidewali.

Disk 100 has a total channels at the bottom surface shape and 6 cavities at the periph

[0064] Cavities 118 and 144 may capture a given amount of a gas when a liquid covering disk is placed in water or other liquid. The size and volume of the cavities may be selected to create desired buoyancy and surface adhesion characteristics. For example, the size and volume of the cavities may be selected to cause the buoyant force of the gas enclosed in cavities 118 and 144, combined with any buoyant force created by the density of the disk's construction material, to be sufficient to maintain the disk afloat on the body of liquid with its lower contours at a predetermined depth below the surface of the body of liquid.

[0085] in some embodiments, the disk may have cavities that are enclosed. In other embodiments, the disk may have cavities that are enclosed and filled with foam and other solids that are generally understood to include pockets of trapped gas. Further example embodiments may include cavities that are enclosed and partially filled with a fluid. In some examples, dense substances may be added to the body to provide more stability to the disk while positioned in a liquid body.

[0066] Liquid covering disks may hold differing quantities of gas into the cavities. By adjusting the shape of the body and the pattern of the ribs and sidewail, the size of the cavities is modified and the liquid covering disks may be designed to float at different depths, for example from about 10% to about 60% submerged when deployed on a body of liquid. These modifications may also be useful in adapting liquid covering disks for use in liquids of varying densities.

[0067] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate details of an interlocking mechanism 172 as used in an arrangement 142 of floating disks disposed in edge to edge relationship, interlocking mechanism 172 includes portions of substantially identical disks 100 with curvatures on the sides of adjacent disks complementing and overlapping each other.

[0068] FIGS.9 and 10 show disks 100, here referred to as a first disk 174 and a second disk

176, having interlocking elements 168 and 170, respectively, interlocking element 168 is formed, for example, by the concave portions 54, 60 and convex portions 56, 62 of sidewail 116, as described above, on disk 168. Compl s 54, 60 and convex portions 56, curvatures of each respective disk

[0069] The al body and include protruding a rtions. The concave and convex elements of adjacent disks.

[007Θ] Liqu attern and a hexagonal shape, b k coverings. For example, the dis nal, elliptical, or non-polygonal sha mplimentarily configured projection when viewed

from above. [0071] Turning attention to FIGS. 11-19, additional examples of a liquid covering disks are described. The liquid covering disks described hereafter includes many similar or identical features to liquid covering disk 100. Thus, for the sake of brevity, each feature of liquid covering disks 200, 300, 400, and 500 will not be redundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between liquid covering disks 200, 300, 400, 500 and liquid covering disk 100 will be described in detail and the reader should reference the discussion above for features substantially similar between the liquid covering disks.

[0072] FIGS.11 and 12 illustrate a second example of a liquid covering disk. Liquid covering disk 200 has a body 220, a sidewali 216, a plurality of channels 228, and plurality of ribs 224. Body 220 is substantially triangular shaped. Sidewali 216 projects around periphery 222 of body 220 similar to sidewali 116, described above, and including interlocking mechanism 272 having sigmoidal curvatures 252 and 258 along the sides of the substantially triangular shaped body 220. Ribs 224 radiate from a center cavity 244.

[0073] FIGS.13 and 14 illustrate a third example of a liquid covering disk. Disk 300 has a body

320, a sidewali 316, a plurality of cavities 318, a plurality of channels 326, and plurality of ribs 324. Body 320 is substantially rectangular shaped. Sidewali 316 projects around periphery 322 of body 320, similar to sidewali 116 described above.

[0074] Disk 300 includes interlocking mechanism 372 having sigmoidal curvatures 352 and 358 along the sides of the substantially rectangular shaped body 320. Ribs 324 radiate from a center of disk 300. A central cavity may be formed at the center of the disk in addition or alternatively to the periphery cavities 318.

[0075] FIGS.15 and 16 illustrate a fourth example of a liquid covering disk. Disk 400 has a body 420, a sidewali 416, a plurality of channels 426, and a plurality of ribs 424. Sidewali 416 projects around periphery 422 of body 420, similar to sidewali 116 described above, including interlocking mechanism 472 having sigmoidal curvatures 452 and 458 along the sides of the substantially hexagonal shaped body 420. R f disk 400 is similar to the pattern

[0078] A ke 00 lies in the placement of six sp e hexagonal shaped disk 400. S form part of body 420, with sym 14. In some embodiments, sphe assists with buoyancy of disk 400 material and contribute to the stab

[Θ077] FIGS body 520, a sidewali 516, a plura y of ribs 524. Ribs 524 radiate from f ribs of disk

100, described above with reference to FIGS.1-10. [0078] A key difference between liquid covering disk 500 and liquid covering disks described above is that vertices 518 are solid as opposed to hollow cavities or chambers, in the present example, vertices 518 are made from the same material as the other components of disk 500. However, the material forming vertices may be selected to impart desired buoyancy characteristics, such as a variety of structural foams.

[0079] The profile of disk 500 is conducive to stacking disks on top of each other during manufacturing and installation. Further, the profile of disk 500 is conducive to the disks sliding past each other when deploying the disks into a body of liquid.

[0080] interlocking mechanism 572, having sigmoidal curvatures 552 and 558 along the sides of the substantially hexagonal shaped body 520, is substantially identical to interlocking mechanism 172 described above.

[0081] FIG.20 shows a sixth example of a liquid covering disk, namely, liquid covering disk 600.

Liquid covering disk 600 is substantially similar to liquid covering disks described above, including to liquid covering disk 400, and includes a plurality of channels 826. As the reader can see in FIG.20, however, liquid covering disk 600 cylindrical chambers or cavities 696 instead of the spherical chambers included in liquid covering disk 400. Cylindrical chambers 696 may be open or unplugged, as shown in FIG.20, or closed off or plugged to trap a volume of air within the cylindrical chamber. Plugging or unplugging the chambers will change the buoyancy of the liquid covering disk, with disks having plugged chambers being more buoyant.

[0082] The disks may be made of a material which resists chemicals, UV, and abrasion from friction between adjacent disks. FIG.4 shows an example of a suitable material, an engineered micro- structure 180, which may be used for the body of the liquid covering disk,

[0083] in some embodiments, liquid covering disk 100 and all of its components are made of an ultraviolet stabilized material, such as ultraviolet stabiiized high density polyethylene (HDPE). The use of ultraviolet stabilized egrity during outdoor use over an dding carbon black to the polyeth otection and stabilization. In othe ed by adding carbon black to the ropylene, for example in a ratio of

[Θ084] Exa olypropylene, high density polyeth stabilization. An expanded HDPE

[Θ085] in so ng a process that expands plast techniques. Conventional foamin d require the

use of potentially harmful foaming agents. One suitable solid state plastic expansion process is the Adair® process utilized by MicroGREEN Polymers, Inc.

[0086] Other suitable materials include an expanded polypropylene using a glass bubble or an expanded HDPE using a glass bubble.

[0087] in some embodiments, the disk may be formed in one piece but using a different materials and/or different color for the main body and ribs. Other embodiments may be formed as an assembly of parts, for example, a body provided with distinct ribs and a sidewal!. Further example embodiments may be made by joining a top portion and a bottom portion to form disks as described above, in many examples, many features at the top surface and the bottom surface of the disks are identical, which simplifies manufacturing.

[0088] Some example embodiments of liquid covering disks may be made by injection molding techniques. For example, each half of a liquid covering disk may be made by an injection molding technique. The molded halves are then fused together using a hot plate, which allows for a "perfect weld" when working with high-density polyethylene. Other joining techniques can also be used, such as ultrasonic welding, high frequency welding, friction welding, spin welding, laser welding, hot gas welding, free-hand welding, and the like.

[0089] Other embodiments of liquid covering disks may be made by blow molding techniques.

Blow molding may be desirable where high speed fabrication is required. Using blow molding techniques, disks can be made in one simple operation, removing the need for welding two halves.

[0090] Other example embodiments of liquid covering disks may be made by a combination of injection molding with air injection technologies which reduce the original polymer density and improve insulation properties,

[0091] Blow molding agents and glass spheres may be added to reduce density and improve physical properties. Some rib patterns may increase the disk's rigidity and thereby offset the increased elasticity and softne n be added separately from the e has been introduced. Adding two material injection molding me nto the moid by respectively diffe f resins and colors.

[0092] Liqu as "top" and

"bottom" to better i vering disks according to this dis and 500 may be turned over 180 his may be particularly useful in onally.

Industrial Applicability

[0093] The inventions described in this application may be made by a variety of industrial processes, including by injection molding, blow molding, or 3D printing. Further, the inventions described herein may be used in industrial contexts, such as waste water containment applications and municipal water isolation applications.

[0094] The inventions described above may be alternatively described according to the non- limiting embodiments described below.

[0095] in a first embodiment for a disk configured to float on the surface of a body of liquid, the disk comprises a body including a top surface, a bottom surface, and an aperture at a periphery of the body, the aperture configured to allow a liquid to pass through the aperture, a plurality of ribs projecting from the body, a sidewail protruding at the periphery of the body, and a cavity defined by a portion of the body, a portion of the plurality of ribs, and a portion of the sidewail, the cavity allowing a volume of a gas to be trapped in the cavity when the disk is deployed on the surface of the body of liquid, wherein the volume of gas trapped in the cavity serves to fluid dynamically resist the disk separating from the surface of the body of liquid on which the disk floats.

[0096] In some examples of the first embodiment of a disk, the body defines a polygonal shape.

The plurality of ribs may radiate outward from the center of the polygonal shape towards the edges of the polygonal shape.

[0097] in certain examples, the plurality of ribs extend from the top surface and from the bottom surface of the body, in some examples, the plurality of ribs have a height above the body that decreases from a center of the body towards the periphery of the body. In further examples, the body includes a cross-sectional profile that decreases from a center of the body to the periphery of the body, in some examples, the sidewail protrudes from the top surface and from the bottom surface, in certain examples, the sidewail includes a concave portion, in further examples, the sidewail includes a convex portion. In certain instances, the

[0098] in o phery of the body. The aperture m

[0099] in a the system comprises a plurality k comprising a body including a to the aperture allowing a liquid to p ding from the body at the peripher d a portion of the sidewail define n the disk is deployed on the sur ating on the surface of the body o e plurality of disks includes an int g element at

an adjacent disk to assist in keeping the arrangement offloating disks together. [0100] in some examples of the second embodiment, the interlocking element includes a portion of the sidewalk In certain examples, the interlocking element includes a curvature of the sidewalk In further examples, the interlocking element includes a sigmoidai curvature of the sidewall extending from the bottom surface of the body and an inverse curvature extending from the top surface at a corresponding location of the body.

[01Θ1] in a second embodiment for a system for covering a surface of a body of liquid, the system comprises a plurality of disks configured to float on the surface of the body of liquid, each disk comprising a body having a substantial polygonal shape in the horizontal floating plane, the body including a top surface and a bottom surface, a plurality of ribs projecting from the top surface and the bottom surface of the body, each rib having a height above the body that decreases from the center of the body towards the periphery of the body, a sidewall protruding from the top surface and from the bottom surface at the periphery of the body and coupled to at least some of the plurality of ribs, wherein a portion of the body, a portion of the plurality of ribs, and a portion of the sidewall define a cavity allowing a volume of a gas to be trapped in the cavity when the disk is deployed on the surface of the body of liquid, wherein the plurality of disks unite when floating on the surface of the body of liquid to form an arrangement of floating disks, and wherein each of the plurality of disks includes an interlocking element configured to interact with a complementary interlocking element at an adjacent disk to assist in keeping the arrangement offloating disks together.

[0102] in some examples of the second embodiment, the body defines a plurality of apertures at the periphery of the body, the apertures allowing a liquid to pass through the top surface and the bottom surface, in certain examples, the plurality of ribs are arranged in a pattern that is substantially identical at the top surface and at the bottom surface of the body. In further examples, the body includes a cross- sectional profile that that decreases from a center of the body towards the periphery of the body.

[0103] The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility.

While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite "a" element, "a first" element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

[Θ1Θ4] Applicants) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious, inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. A disk configured to fioat on the surface of a body of liquid, comprising:

a body including a top surface, a bottom surface, and an aperture at a periphery of the body, the aperture configured to allow a liquid to pass through the aperture;

a plurality of ribs projecting from the body;

a sidewali protruding at the periphery of the body; and

a cavity defined by a portion of the body, a portion of the plurality of ribs, and a portion of the sidewali, the cavity allowing a volume of a gas to be trapped in the cavity when the disk is deployed on the surface of the body of liquid, wherein the volume of gas trapped in the cavity serves to fluid dynamically resist the disk separating from the surface of the body of liquid on which the disk floats.

2. The disk of claim 1 , wherein the body defines a polygonal shape.

3. The disk of claim 2, wherein the plurality of ribs radiate outward from the center of the polygonal shape towards the edges of the polygonal shape.

4. The disk of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ribs extend from the top surface and from the bottom surface of the body,

5. The disk of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs have a height above the body that decreases from a center of the body towards the periphery of the body.

6. The disk of claim 1, wherein the body includes a cross-sectional profile that decreases from a center of the body to the periphery of the body.

7. The and from the bottom surface.

8. The

9. The

10. The

11. The e along the periphery of the body

12. The disk of claim 11 , wherein the aperture follows a contour of the curvature.

13. A system for covering a surface of a body of liquid, comprising:

a plurality of disks configured to float on the surface of the body of liquid, each disk comprising a body including a top surface, a bottom surface, and an aperture at a periphery of the body, the aperture allowing a liquid to pass through, a plurality of ribs projecting from the body, a sidewall protruding from the body at the periphery, and wherein a portion of the body, a portion of the plurality of ribs, and a portion of the sidewall define a cavity allowing a volume of a gas to be trapped in the cavity when the disk is deployed on the surface of the body of liquid;

wherein the plurality of disks unite when floating on the surface of the body of liquid to form an arrangement offloating disks; and

wherein each of the plurality of disks includes an interlocking element configured to interact with a complementary interlocking element at an adjacent disk to assist in keeping the arrangement offloating disks together.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the interlocking element includes a portion of the sidewall.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the interlocking element includes a curvature of the sidewall.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the interlocking element includes a sigmoida! curvature of the sidewall extending from the bottom surface of the body and an inverse curvature extending from the top surface at a corresponding location of the body,

17. A sy

a plurality of omprising a bo ne, the body including a top surfa

a plu e body, each rib having a height a periphery of the body,

a sid periphery of the body and couple

wherein a po dewall define a cavity allowing a vo he surface of

the body of liquid; wherein the plurality of disks unite when floating on the surface of the body of liquid to form an arrangement offloating disks; and

wherein each of the plurality of disks includes an interlocking element configured to interact with a complementary interlocking element at an adjacent disk to assist in keeping the arrangement of floating disks together.

18. The system of claim 17, the body defines a plurality of apertures at the periphery of the body, the apertures allowing a liquid to pass through the top surface and the bottom surface.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the plurality of ribs are arranged in a pattern that is substantially identical at the top surface and at the bottom surface of the body.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the body includes a cross-sectional profile that that decreases from a center of the body towards the periphery of the body.