Shapable protective covers for preventing liquids from flowing into vertical drains

Abstract

Shapable protective covers for vertical drains and other holes to prevent spills and other liquids from flowing therein are disclosed. The shapable protective covers include a backing layer with a malleable shapable core and a pliable, tacky sealing layer. The pliable, tacky sealing layer may be secured to the other layers by a bonding layer adhered to or partially embedded in at least one of the layers. The shapable protective covers may be positioned over a vertical drain such that an exposed surface of a pliable, tacky sealing layer contacts a portion of the surface surrounding the vertical drain, thereby preventing liquids from passing through the drain.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective cover for installation over a drain comprising:
 a shapable backing layer;   a bonding layer attached to the shapable backing layer; and   a pliable, tacky sealing layer attached to the bonding layer structured and arranged to block spills from entering the drain.   
     
     
         2 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , wherein the shapable backing layer comprises a shapable layer at least partially embedded in a durable polymer layer. 
     
     
         3 . The protective cover of  claim 2 , wherein the shapable layer comprises metal. 
     
     
         4 . The protective cover of  claim 2 , wherein the shapable layer comprises expanded metal sheet, perforated metal sheet, wire screen, wire cloth, or cross-laid metal strips. 
     
     
         5 . The protective cover of  claim 2 , wherein the shapable layer comprises parallel metal strips. 
     
     
         6 . The protective cover of  claim 2 , wherein the shapable layer is substantially co-extensive with the durable polymer layer. 
     
     
         7 . The protective cover of  claim 2 , wherein the shapable layer has an area less than 50 percent of an area of the durable polymer layer. 
     
     
         8 . The protective cover of  claim 2 , wherein the shapable layer is fully embedded inside the durable polymer layer. 
     
     
         9 . The protective cover of  claim 8 , wherein a portion of the durable polymer layer is infused into a portion of the bonding layer. 
     
     
         10 . The protective cover of  claim 2 , wherein the durable polymer layer has a thickness of from about 0.01 to about 0.25 inch, and comprises natural rubber, synthetic rubber, nitrile rubber, thermoplastic olefin, polyvinyl chloride and/or chlorosulfonated polyethylene. 
     
     
         11 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , wherein the bonding layer is a low density bonding layer having a density of less than 0.26 ounces per cubic inch, a thickness of from about 0.02 to about 0.25 inch, and a weight per area of less than 20 ounces per square yard. 
     
     
         12 . The protective cover of  claim 11 , wherein the low-density bonding layer comprises entanglement fibers comprising polyester, polypropylene, poly(ethylene propylene), polyvinylchloride, fiberglass, nylon, cotton and/or urethane. 
     
     
         13 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , wherein the low-density bonding layer comprises fleece. 
     
     
         14 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , wherein the pliable, tacky sealing layer has a thickness of from 0.01 to 2 inches. 
     
     
         15 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , wherein the pliable, tacky sealing layer has a length of at least 1 foot and a width of at least 1 foot. 
     
     
         16 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , wherein the pliable, tacky sealing layer has a durometer hardness of less than 30 shore A. 
     
     
         17 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , wherein the pliable, tacky sealing layer comprises urethane, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride and/or silicone. 
     
     
         18 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive layer between the bonding layer and the shapable backing layer. 
     
     
         19 . The protective cover of  claim 19 , wherein the adhesive layer comprises a hot melt adhesive. 
     
     
         20 . A method of making a shapable protective cover for installation over a drain, the method comprising adhering a pliable, tacky sealing layer to a shapable backing layer comprising a shapable layer at least partially embedded in a polymer layer. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the pliable, tacky sealing layer is adhered to the shapable backing layer with a bonding layer.