Title: Apparatus for collecting surface particle on body of water

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Abstract: An apparatus for sampling and collecting floating particulate matter on the surface of a body of water has parallel, laterally-spaced, longitudinal tracking floats supporting a rigid tubular frame. Secured to the frame are two parallel, horizontal hydrofoil bodies spaced apart from each other to form an intake opening. A funnel-shaped net with its wide end secured to the intake opening and its narrow end terminating in a collecting screen collects surface particulate matter which is caused to flow into the intake opening as the apparatus is towed on a body of water. The lower hydrofoil body maintains the intake opening at a predetermined depth below the water surface, while the upper hydrofoil body enables the apparatus to ride over swells. In an alternative embodiment, a canvas sail is disposed above said net to form an air capturing pouch which provides a lifting force to lift and maintain the net in an attitude generally parallel to the water surface. This attitude maintenance permits the skimming of a relatively thin layer of surface water and floating matter from the bulk water below.


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