Formable aquatic coverings for preventing biofouling

Abstract

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.

What is claimed: 
     
         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.