Floating apparatus including watertight structure

Abstract

A floating apparatus is provided. The floating apparatus includes a watertight structure. The watertight structure includes a first layer and a second layer. The second layer is in direct contact with the inner surface of the first layer. The second layer is more absorbent than the first layer. The first layer may have high strength. The second layer may absorb liquid. Therefore, both the structural strength and watertight performance of the floating apparatus are enhanced.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A floating apparatus, comprising:
 a watertight structure, comprising:
 a first layer; and 
 a second layer in direct contact with an inner surface of the first layer, 
   wherein the second layer is more absorbent than the first layer.   
     
     
         2 . The floating apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first layer is substantially non-absorbent. 
     
     
         3 . The floating apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second layer is made of superabsorbent polymers. 
     
     
         4 . The floating apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second layer comprises a compressible material. 
     
     
         5 . The floating apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second layer substantially completely covers the inner surface of the first layer. 
     
     
         6 . The floating apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the watertight structure further comprises a third layer, the second layer is disposed between the first layer and the third layer, and the first layer and the third layer are made of the same material. 
     
     
         7 . The floating apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein a thickness of the first layer is different from a thickness of the third layer. 
     
     
         8 . The floating apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a pillar, wherein the first layer and the second layer constitute at least part of the pillar. 
     
     
         9 . The floating apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , further comprising a base, wherein the base is disposed under the pillar, and the base is connected to the pillar. 
     
     
         10 . The floating apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , further comprising a platform, wherein the platform is disposed on the pillar, and the platform is connected to the pillar. 
     
     
         11 . A floating apparatus, comprising:
 a base; and   a pillar disposed on the base, wherein the pillar comprises a watertight structure, and the watertight structure comprises:
 a first layer in contact with water; and 
 a second layer disposed on an inner side of the first layer, wherein the second layer is absorbent. 
   
     
     
         12 . The floating apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein a density of the base is greater than a density of the pillar. 
     
     
         13 . The floating apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein a diameter of the base is greater than a diameter of the pillar. 
     
     
         14 . The floating apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising a frame connected to a top portion of the pillar. 
     
     
         15 . The floating apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising a fluid ejection element, wherein flow out of the fluid ejection element flows toward a space inside the floating apparatus for collecting waste. 
     
     
         16 . A floating apparatus, comprising:
 a watertight structure comprising one or more odd layers made of a first material and one or more even layers made of a second material that is different from the first material, wherein a strength of the first material is greater than a strength of the second material.   
     
     
         17 . The floating apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the first material is substantially non-absorbent. 
     
     
         18 . The floating apparatus as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the first material comprises steel, aluminum, concrete, reinforced concrete (RC), steel reinforced concrete, fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The floating apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the second material comprises superabsorbent polymers. 
     
     
         20 . The floating apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of pillars, wherein the odd layers and the even layers constitute the pillars.