US 12,351,284 B2
Formable aquatic coverings for preventing biofouling
Fletcher Eyster, Jupiter, FL (US); and Fred Zucker, Jupiter, FL (US)
Assigned to BIOFOULING TECHNOLOGIES, INC., Aberdeen, NC (US)
Filed by Biofouling Technologies, Inc., Aberdeen, NC (US)
Filed on Apr. 5, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/131,081.
Application 18/131,081 is a continuation of application No. 17/035,886, filed on Sep. 29, 2020, granted, now 11,623,716.
Application 17/035,886 is a continuation of application No. 15/802,593, filed on Nov. 3, 2017, abandoned.
Application 15/802,593 is a continuation of application No. 13/973,516, filed on Aug. 22, 2013, abandoned.
Application 13/973,516 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/177,098, filed on Jul. 6, 2011, granted, now 8,541,439, issued on Sep. 24, 2013.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/361,725, filed on Jul. 6, 2010.
Prior Publication US 2023/0242224 A1, Aug. 3, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B63B 59/04 (2006.01); A01N 25/34 (2006.01); B63B 17/00 (2006.01); B63H 20/36 (2006.01); C07D 498/18 (2006.01); C09D 5/16 (2006.01); E02B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC B63B 59/045 (2013.01) [A01N 25/34 (2013.01); B63B 59/04 (2013.01); C07D 498/18 (2013.01); C09D 5/1625 (2013.01); E02B 17/0017 (2013.01); B63B 2017/0045 (2013.01); B63H 20/36 (2013.01); Y10T 428/1345 (2015.01); Y10T 428/24273 (2015.01)] 17 Claims
 
1. An anti-biofouling device for securement around or onto an object exposed to an aquatic environment, the device comprising:
a flexible material formed from a plurality of interwoven fibers that form a lattice-like or mesh configuration that allows passage of at least some of the aquatic environment therethrough;
one or more securing members connected to the flexible material and configured to enable securement around or onto the object exposed to the aquatic environment; and
at least one anti-fouling agent applied to, coated on, or embedded in the plurality of interwoven fibers that form the lattice-like or mesh configuration of the flexible material, wherein the lattice-like or mesh configuration of the flexible material still enables passage of the at least some of the aquatic environment therethrough, and such that the at least some of the aquatic environment passing through the lattice-like or mesh configuration interacts with the at least one anti-fouling agent,
wherein, when the flexible material is secured around or onto the object, the flexible material provides a protective enclosure within the aquatic environment for at least a portion of the object, wherein at least one of the flexible material or the at least one anti-fouling agent of the protective enclosure acts on the at least some of the aquatic environment that has passed through the protective enclosure to the object so as to reduce formation of biofouling organisms on the object exposed to the at least some of the aquatic environment.