Portable chemical spill control device

Abstract

A portable chemical spill control device includes an expansive sheet of material (preferably multiple layers that include at least one layer of absorbent material) and having upper and lower surfaces and a periphery that defines a circumference. The sheet of material is of a material that is resistant to fluid attacks so that spills deposited upon the upper surface are contained on the upper surface. A peripheral bead includes a foldable portion that extends around the expansive sheet of material, the bead including an elongated tensile member and a folded portion that holds the elongated tensile member to the absorbent sheet of material. A connection joins the peripheral bead to the expansive sheet of absorbent material in a configuration that envelops the tensile member with the foldable portion. The elongated tensile member can be moved between open and folded positions wherein the tensile member subjects the expansive sheet of material to tension in an open position that maximizes its circumference, and wherein in the folded position the tensile member folds to provide multiple loops.

1 . A portable chemical spill control device, comprising: 
 (a) an expansive multi-layered sheet of material having at least one layer of absorbent material and having upper and lower surfaces and a periphery that defines a circumference, the sheet of material being resistant to chemical fluid attack so that spills deposited upon the upper surface are contained on the upper surface;    (b) a peripheral bead that includes a foldable portion that extends around the expansive sheet of material, said bead including an elongated tensile member and a folded portion that holds the elongated tensile member to the absorbent sheet of material;    (c) a connection that joins the peripheral bead to the expansive sheet of material in a configuration that envelops the tensile member with the foldable portion;    (d) wherein the elongated tensile member can be moved between “open” and “folded” portions, wherein the tensile member subjects the expansive sheet of material to tension in said open position that maximizes the circumference of the expansive sheet of material, and wherein in said folded position the tensile member folds to provide multiple loops positioned next to each other and generally abutting.    
   
   
       2 . The portable chemical spill control device of  claim 1  wherein the tensile member is of a metal material.  
   
   
       3 . The portable chemical spill control device of  claim 2  wherein the tensile member is steel.  
   
   
       4 . The portable chemical spill control device of  claim 1  wherein the expansive sheet of material includes a layer of polypropylene material.  
   
   
       5 . The portable chemical spill control device of  claim 1  wherein the connection includes stitching.  
   
   
       6 . The portable chemical spill control device of  claim 3  wherein the tensile member is a spring steel strip of material.  
   
   
       7 . The portable chemical spill control device of  claim 4  wherein the sheet of material includes a layer of a polypropylene-universal material.  
   
   
       8 . The portable chemical spill control device of  claim 1  wherein the layers include a layer that includes polymeric material.  
   
   
       9 . The portable chemical spill control device of  claim 1  wherein the layers include at least one polymeric layer.  
   
   
       10 . The portable chemical spill control device of  claim 1  wherein the layers include at least one polymeric absorbent layer.  
   
   
       11 . A portable chemical spill control device, comprising: 
 (a) an expansive multi-layered sheet of material having a layer that is absorbent and one layer that is substantially fluid impervious, the sheet of material having upper and lower surfaces and a periphery that defines a circumference, the sheet of material being resistant to chemical fluid attack so that spills deposited upon the upper surface are contained on the upper surface;    (b) a peripheral bead that includes a foldable portion that extends around the expansive sheet of material, said bead including an elongated tensile member and a folded portion that holds the elongated tensile member to the absorbent sheet of material;    (c) a connection that joins the peripheral bead to the expansive sheet of material in a configuration that envelops the tensile member with the foldable portion;    (d) wherein the elongated tensile member can be moved between “open” and “folded” portions, wherein the tensile member subjects the expansive sheet of material to tension in said open position that maximizes the circumference of the expansive sheet of material, and wherein in said folded position the tensile member folds to provide multiple loops positioned next to each other and generally abutting.    
   
   
       12 . The portable chemical spill control device of  claim 11  wherein the tensile member is of a metal material.  
   
   
       13 . The portable chemical spill control device of  claim 12  wherein the tensile member is steel.  
   
   
       14 . The portable chemical spill control device of  claim 11  wherein the expansive sheet of material includes a layer of polypropylene material.  
   
   
       15 . The portable chemical spill control device of  claim 11  wherein the connection includes stitching.  
   
   
       16 . The portable chemical spill control device of  claim 13  wherein the tensile member is a spring steel strip of material.  
   
   
       17 . The portable chemical spill control device of  claim 14  wherein the sheet of material includes a layer of a polypropylene-universal material.  
   
   
       18 . The portable chemical spill control device of  claim 11  wherein the layers includes a polymeric material.  
   
   
       19 . The portable chemical spill control device of  claim 11  wherein the layers include at least one polymeric layer.  
   
   
       20 . The portable chemical spill control device of  claim 11  wherein the layers include at least one polymeric layer and at least one absorbent layer.