Method and apparatus for toxic substance encapsulation

Abstract

A method of encapsulating a toxin on a contaminated surface includes providing a plastic air-tight substrate having first and second opposing surfaces. An adhesive substance is disposed on the first surface. The first surface of the plastic substrate is applied to the contaminated surface such that the plastic substrate is adhered to the contaminated surface, and such that the toxin is completely covered by the plastic substrate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bandage apparatus for encapsulating a toxin on a contaminated surface, the bandage apparatus comprising:
 a plastic air-tight substrate having first and second opposing surfaces;   an adhesive substance disposed on the first surface of the substrate, the adhesive substance being configured to be applied to the contaminated surface to thereby adhere the bandage apparatus to the contaminated surface;   an exterior layer oriented substantially parallel to the substrate, the substrate being disposed between the adhesive substance and the exterior layer; and   means for adhering the exterior layer to the substrate.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior layer is formed of plastic, and the adhering means comprises a layer of adhesive, texturing on the second opposing surface of the substrate, and/or texturing on an inner surface of the exterior layer. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior layer comprises a rubber non-skid coating, and the adhering means comprises an adhesive property of the rubber non-skid coating. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior layer comprises a layer of decorative wallpaper. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior layer comprises a layer of cushioning configured to resist puncturing. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a silicone crack-and-peel removable covering adhered to the first surface of the substrate by the adhesive substance. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bandage apparatus is at least twelve inches wide and at least twelve inches long. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bandage apparatus is an elongate strip that is wound up into a roll, and the elongate strip is perforated at substantially equally-spaced positions along a length of the strip. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive substance:
 is in a layer with a thickness of at least five mils;   has a viscosity of at least 30,000 centipoises at 250 degrees Fahrenheit;   a melt point above 180 degrees Fahrenheit;   a peel strength (PLI) of greater than eight pounds per linear inch;   a shear failure temperature of at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit; and   is flexible at 22 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.   
     
     
         10 . A bandage apparatus for encapsulating a toxin on a contaminated surface, the bandage apparatus comprising:
 a plastic air-tight substrate having first and second opposing surfaces, the substrate having a length of at least eight inches and a width of at least eight inches;   an adhesive substance disposed on the first surface of the substrate, the adhesive substance being configured to be applied to the contaminated surface to thereby adhere the bandage apparatus to the contaminated surface; and   an exterior layer adhered to and oriented substantially parallel to the substrate, the substrate being disposed between the adhesive substance and the exterior layer.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the exterior layer is formed of plastic. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the exterior layer comprises a rubber non-skid coating. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the exterior layer comprises a layer of decorative wallpaper. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the exterior layer comprises a layer of cushioning configured to resist puncturing. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a silicone crack-and-peel removable covering adhered to the first surface of the substrate by the adhesive substance. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the bandage apparatus is at least twelve inches wide and at least twelve inches long. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the bandage apparatus is an elongate strip that is wound up into a roll, and the elongate strip is perforated at substantially equally-spaced positions along a length of the strip. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the adhesive substance:
 is in a layer with a thickness of at least five mils;   has a viscosity of at least 30,000 centipoises at 250 degrees Fahrenheit;   a melt point above 180 degrees Fahrenheit;   a peel strength (PLI) of greater than eight pounds per linear inch;   a shear failure temperature of at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit; and/or   is flexible at 22 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.   
     
     
         19 . A bandage apparatus for encapsulating a toxin on a contaminated surface, the bandage apparatus comprising:
 a plastic air-tight substrate having first and second opposing surfaces;   an adhesive substance disposed on the first surface of the substrate, the adhesive substance being configured to be applied to the contaminated surface to thereby adhere the bandage apparatus to the contaminated surface;   a removable covering adhered to the first surface of the substrate by the adhesive substance; and   an exterior layer adhered to and oriented substantially parallel to the substrate, the substrate being disposed between the adhesive substance and the exterior layer.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the adhesive substance:
 has a viscosity of at least 25,000 centipoises at 250 degrees Fahrenheit;   a melt point above 175 degrees Fahrenheit;   a peel strength (PLI) of greater than seven pounds per linear inch;   a shear failure temperature of at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit.