Patents Assigned to Kepner Plastics Fabricators, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20190127938
    Abstract: A compactable containment boom with an elongated flotation portion and a weighted skirt has a pull through compaction rope guided internally down the center of the boom. Pulling on an end rope that extends outside the boom compacts the boom longitudinally in an accordion-like fashion. After the boom is compacted, the excess rope is coiled and stored in a pocket on an end of the boom. The pocket is then closed with a releasable and reusable closure to keep the rope inside, and a portion of the rope outside the pocket is tied off to a loop on an end fitting of the boom to keep the rope taut and the boom compacted. The boom alternatively may be compacted by securing the end of the compaction rope to a fixed location, then manually shoving or sliding the boom up the rope into a compacted state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Applicant: KEPNER PLASTICS FABRICATORS, INC.
    Inventor: Frank Meyers
  • Patent number: 9340941
    Abstract: A collection basin for use adjacent a vessel or structure in open water for collecting material from the vessel or structure to prevent its dissemination in the water. The collection basin includes a floating boom spaced from the vessel, and a tension cable to deploy the basin. At respective ends, flaps are formed to prevent escape of the captured material out of the ends of the basin. The flaps are formed with connection means such as flexible magnets that attach to the ferrous material of the vessel or structure to provide a fluid seal and maintain the basin in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Kepner Plastics Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Meyers
  • Publication number: 20140219723
    Abstract: A collection basin for use adjacent a vessel or structure in open water for collecting material from the vessel or structure to prevent its dissemination in the water. The collection basin includes a floating boom spaced from the vessel, and a tension cable to deploy the basin. At respective ends, flaps are formed to prevent escape of the captured material out of the ends of the basin. The flaps are formed with connection means such as flexible magnets that attach to the ferrous material of the vessel or structure to provide a fluid seal and maintain the basin in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: KEPNER PLASTICS FABRICATORS, INC.
    Inventor: Frank Meyers
  • Publication number: 20140044491
    Abstract: A standoff system for keeping a containment boom or other floating barrier device spaced at a desired standoff distance away from a structure. The system includes an inner side member, an outer side member, and a plurality of compression members disposed between the side members. The system has a collapsed configuration in which the distance between the inner and outer side members is less than the desired standoff distance, and a deployed configuration in which the distance between the side members is greater than or substantially equal to the desired standoff distance. Alternatively, the system can be collapsed longitudinally by moving the adjacent compression members into abutting relationship with each other. The system is towed into place in the collapsed configuration, and once in place, is transformed into the deployed configuration by applying tension to the side members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: KEPNER PLASTICS FABRICATORS, INC.
    Inventors: Frank Meyers, John A. Brown
  • Publication number: 20120263536
    Abstract: A standoff system for keeping a containment boom or other floating barrier device spaced at a desired standoff distance away from a structure. The system includes an inner side member, an outer side member, and a plurality of compression members disposed between the side members. The system has a collapsed configuration in which the distance between the inner and outer side members is less than the desired standoff distance, and a deployed configuration in which the distance between the side members is greater than or substantially equal to the desired standoff distance. Alternatively, the system can be collapsed longitudinally by moving the adjacent compression members into abutting relationship with each other. The system is towed into place in the collapsed configuration, and once in place, is transformed into the deployed configuration by applying tension to the side members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: KEPNER PLASTICS FABRICATORS, INC.
    Inventors: Frank Meyers, John A. Brown
  • Patent number: 8137031
    Abstract: A standoff system for keeping a containment boom or other floating barrier device spaced at a desired standoff distance away from a structure. The system includes an inner side member, an outer side member, and a plurality of compression members disposed between the side members. The system has a collapsed configuration in which the distance between the inner and outer side members is less than the desired standoff distance, and a deployed configuration in which the distance between the side members is greater than or substantially equal to the desired standoff distance. Alternatively, the system can be collapsed longitudinally by moving the adjacent compression members into abutting relationship with each other. The system is towed into place in the collapsed configuration, and once in place, is transformed into the deployed configuration by applying tension to the side members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Kepner Plastics Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Meyers, John A. Brown
  • Publication number: 20110097153
    Abstract: A standoff system for keeping a containment boom or other floating barrier device spaced at a desired standoff distance away from a structure. The system includes an inner side member, an outer side member, and a plurality of compression members disposed between the side members. The system has a collapsed configuration in which the distance between the inner and outer side members is less than the desired standoff distance, and a deployed configuration in which the distance between the side members is greater than or substantially equal to the desired standoff distance. Alternatively, the system can be collapsed longitudinally by moving the adjacent compression members into abutting relationship with each other. The system is towed into place in the collapsed configuration, and once in place, is transformed into the deployed configuration by applying tension to the side members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: KEPNER PLASTICS FABRICATORS, INC.
    Inventors: Frank Meyers, John A. Brown
  • Patent number: 7862258
    Abstract: A standoff system for keeping a containment boom or other floating barrier device spaced at a desired standoff distance away from a structure. The system includes an inner side member, an outer side member, and a plurality of compression members disposed between the side members. The system has a collapsed configuration in which the distance between the inner and outer side members is less than the desired standoff distance, and a deployed configuration in which the distance between the side members is greater than or substantially equal to the desired standoff distance. Alternatively, the system can be collapsed longitudinally by moving the adjacent compression members into abutting relationship with each other. The system is towed into place in the collapsed configuration, and once in place, is transformed into the deployed configuration by applying tension to the side members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Kepner Plastics Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Meyers, John A. Brown
  • Publication number: 20080267717
    Abstract: A standoff system for keeping a containment boom or other floating barrier device spaced at a desired standoff distance away from a structure. The system includes an inner side member, an outer side member, and a plurality of compression members disposed between the side members. The system has a collapsed configuration in which the distance between the inner and outer side members is less than the desired standoff distance, and a deployed configuration in which the distance between the side members is greater than or substantially equal to the desired standoff distance. Alternatively, the system can be collapsed longitudinally by moving the adjacent compression members into abutting relationship with each other. The system is towed into place in the collapsed configuration, and once in place, is transformed into the deployed configuration by applying tension to the side members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: KEPNER PLASTICS FABRICATORS, INC.
    Inventors: Frank Meyers, John A. Brown
  • Patent number: 6767162
    Abstract: A rapidly deployable breakwater is disclosed having a primary barrier containing liquid under pressure, and one or more overtopping barriers. The primary barrier floats at, and extends substantially below, the surface of the water, while the overtopping barriers are positioned on the primary barrier and extend substantially above the surface of the water, the combination being adapted to attenuate wave action in open water. The liquid in the primary barrier is pressurized to a level substantially greater than the pressure of the surrounding water, and such pressure may be maintained or varied during the period of deployment of the breakwater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Kepner Plastics Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Meyers, John A. Brown
  • Patent number: 5480261
    Abstract: An improved heat-resistant surface contaminant containment boom is described, which has a floatation section incorporating refractory materials and spacing materials providing an air-gap around an inner float assembly which can be formed of less heat-resistant and more flexible materials. Further, the boom provides a water wicking action which draws water into the boom to be converted to steam. Provision is made for the steam to escape from the boom removing heat therefrom allowing the float assembly within to remain at a cooler temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Kepner Plastics Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Meyers, John A. Brown, Robert Reidel