FORMABLE AQUATIC COVERINGS FOR PREVENTING BIOFOULING
The instant invention describes an anti-biofouling structure for placement onto structures or surfaces that are exposed to aquatic environments. Embedded within the anti-biofouling structure are agents that can diffuse out of the structure and prevent the formation and/or accumulation of plant and animal species build-up that creates biofouling. The instant invention also describes a system for preventing biofouling of an object stored in an aquatic environment which includes the anti-biofouling structure, and a protective cover element constructed and arranged to fit various structures, such as boat propellers.
1 . A system for preventing or reducing biofouling of an object in an aquatic environment comprising the object and an anti-biofouling structure, the anti-biofouling structure comprising:
a flexible, water-permeable covering material; and
a composition consisting essentially of i) an anti-biofouling agent, and ii) a carrier,
wherein the flexible, water-permeable covering material prevents or reduces the formation of biofouling organisms on the surface of the object.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the anti-biofouling agent is a biocide.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the flexible, water-permeable covering material is made of a pliable plastic or natural fiber.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the flexible, water-permeable covering material is impregnated, encapsulated or coated with the anti-biofouling agent.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the water-permeability of the anti-biofouling structure is due to a fenestrated or mesh arrangement of fibers of the covering material.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the fenestrated or mesh arrangement is a woven pattern comprising horizontal and vertical elements with spacing there between.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the woven pattern is a knit with little or no spacing in between the horizontal and vertical elements.
8 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the fenestrated or mesh arrangement of fibers are made of natural fiber, synthetic fiber, plastic, metal, nylon, cotton, or any combination thereof.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the anti-biofouling structure is a formable structure that is expandable three-dimensionally, radially, longitudinally, or any combination thereof.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the anti-biofouling structure covers the object and mirrors the contours of the surface of the object.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the object is a pier post, buoy, oil rig structure, boat dock, boat propeller, or a portion of a boat.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the anti-biofouling structure is releasably or non-releasably secured to the object.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the anti-biofouling structure is secured to the object by being wrapped thereabout.
14 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the anti-biofouling structure is releasably secured to the object using an attaching element.
15 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the anti-biofouling structure is positioned over or about the object.
16 . An anti-biofouling structure for placement on or around an object exposed to an aquatic environment comprising:
a flexible, water-permeable covering material; and
a composition consisting essentially of i) an anti-biofouling agent, and a carrier,
wherein the flexible, water-permeable covering material prevents or reduces the formation of biofouling organisms on the surface of the object.
17 . A method of preventing or reducing the formation of biofouling organisms on the surface of an object comprising securing an anti-biofouling structure to the object,
wherein the anti-biofouling structure comprises:
a flexible, water-permeable covering material; and
a composition consisting essentially of i) an anti-biofouling agent, and carrier.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the object is a pier post, buoy, oil rig structure, boat dock, boat propeller, or a portion of a boat.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the anti-biofouling structure is releasably secured to the object.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the anti-biofouling structure is releasably secured to the object using an attaching element.
21 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the anti-biofouling structure is secured to the object by being wrapped thereabout.
22 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the anti-biofouling structure is positioned over or about the object.
23 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the anti-biofouling agent is a biocide.
24 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the flexible, water-permeable covering material is made of a pliable plastic or natural fiber.
25 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the flexible, water-permeable covering material is impregnated, encapsulated or coated with the anti-biofouling agent.
26 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the water-permeability of the anti-biofouling structure is due to a fenestrated or mesh arrangement of fibers of the covering material.
27 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the fenestrated or mesh arrangement is a woven pattern comprising horizontal and vertical elements with spacing there between.
28 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the woven pattern is a knit with little or no spacing in between the horizontal and vertical elements.
29 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the fenestrated or mesh arrangement of fibers are made of natural fiber, synthetic fiber, plastic, metal, nylon, cotton, or any combination thereof.
30 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the anti-biofouling structure is a formable structure that is expandable three-dimensionally, radially, longitudinally, or any combination thereof.