Receptacles – Stationary tank
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-06
2001-11-20
Pollard, Steven (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Stationary tank
C220S004120, C220S661000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318581
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention concerns a discharge outlet for use with a double wall tank assembly used for storing and dispensing large quantities of liquid. More particularly, it is concerned with a sealing boot for the discharge outlet which enables the liquid to be dispensed through openings in the side walls of the inner tank and outer vessel of the double wall tank assembly.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Storage of liquid in bulk is well known, and has evolved in importance due to environmental concerns over the escape of chemicals. In the past, it was common to store chemicals underground in large tanks where gravity was used to fill the vessels and the contents were periodically pumped for use. However, the problems associated with leading underground storage tanks has increased the usage of above ground storage tanks. Typically, one or more above-ground vessels have been placed in a “tank farm” where a concrete pad and berm help to contain and capture any problem. Rainwater received in the containment area must be monitored and treated if leakage is detected. This has proven very expensive, as the rainwater represents a large volume of liquid even though the leakage is isolated.
As a result, storage containers have been developed which include a double walled construction. Examples of containment tanks utilizing such construction are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,287,986 to Frost and U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,752 to Harding, Jr. While the double walled construction therein is an improvement over single walled tanks, they require filling and discharge to be accomplished from atop the tanks. This requires extra energy to be expended in pumping the liquid. The need to prevent leakage from a double walled containment tank assembly has thus not heretofore permitted effective discharge openings through the sidewalls of the component inner and outer tanks. Thus, there has developed a need for a containment tank assembly which is capable of use in a variety of environments, minimizes, leakage, and has reduced energy demands.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These objects have largely been met through the discharge outlet and sealing boot of the present invention. That is to say, the present invention effectively seals openings provided in the sidewalls of a containment tank assembly having an inner tank and an outer vessel. Moreover, the discharge outlet includes a sealing boot which captures liquid which might leak into the containment area between the inner tank and outer vessel. Advantageously, the sealing boot is flexible and thus accommodates relative movement between the inner tank and outer vessel, such as may be encountered by expansion of the inner tank during filling and external forces applied to the outer vessel.
The discharge outlet of the present invention broadly includes an inner tank flange assembly, an outer vessel flange assembly, and a sealing boot interconnecting the two flange assemblies, piping or conduit is preferably provided which extends from the inner flange assembly exteriorly of the outer vessel for attachment of a valve, piping or the like to effect the transfer of liquid from the tank. The sealing boot is preferably of a flexible material and is provided in the shape of a tire, whereby liquid leaking may be readily visually detected and repair of the inner tank assembly may be effected without deterioration of the containment capabilities of the double wall tank assembly. The piping of the discharge outlet, which is positioned relatively near the bottom of the side of the double wall tank assembly, may be further provided with additional piping interiorly of the inner tank and include a pipe opening near the bottom wall of the inner tank, thereby facilitating removal of most of the liquid within the inner tank when it is desired to be emptied.
These and other advantages of the discharge outlet of the present invention will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art with reference to the drawings and the following description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 665349 (1901-01-01), Sewall
patent: 963454 (1910-07-01), Meinecke
patent: 1330868 (1920-02-01), Harrison
patent: 1520230 (1924-12-01), Flath
patent: 1544024 (1925-06-01), Moeller et al.
patent: 1551007 (1925-08-01), Bruns
patent: 1970940 (1934-08-01), Laube
patent: 1983118 (1934-12-01), Bourque
patent: 2043045 (1936-06-01), Krinard
patent: 2185026 (1939-12-01), Goecke
patent: 2637459 (1953-05-01), Jordan
patent: 2777295 (1957-01-01), Bliss et al.
patent: 3111074 (1963-11-01), Kennard, Jr. et al.
patent: 3125388 (1964-03-01), Costantini et al.
patent: 3304852 (1967-02-01), Lande
patent: 3338010 (1967-08-01), Waugh
patent: 3352443 (1967-11-01), Sattelberg et al.
patent: 3383004 (1968-05-01), Closner
patent: 3473689 (1969-10-01), Hutter
patent: 3760972 (1973-09-01), McKirnan
patent: 3930590 (1976-01-01), Ebbrell
patent: 4425743 (1984-01-01), Bartur
patent: 4513550 (1985-04-01), Kotcharian
patent: 4519415 (1985-05-01), Carn
patent: 4533062 (1985-08-01), Krautkramer
patent: 4584802 (1986-04-01), Casselman et al.
patent: 4651894 (1987-03-01), Ebert
patent: 4697618 (1987-10-01), Youtt et al.
patent: 4714170 (1987-12-01), Scott
patent: 4840283 (1989-06-01), Lillywhite et al.
patent: 4871081 (1989-10-01), Ershig
patent: 4934553 (1990-06-01), McCarthy
patent: 4960222 (1990-10-01), Fields, III
patent: 4976912 (1990-12-01), Madle et al.
patent: 5033638 (1991-07-01), Cruver et al.
patent: 5056680 (1991-10-01), Sharp
patent: 5060815 (1991-10-01), Wendling et al.
patent: 5117810 (1992-06-01), Threatt
patent: 5161690 (1992-11-01), Foshaug
patent: 5165569 (1992-11-01), Furuhashi et al.
patent: 5201432 (1993-04-01), Elvin-Jensen
patent: 5201435 (1993-04-01), Harding et al.
patent: 5285922 (1994-02-01), Harding
patent: 5287986 (1994-02-01), Frost
patent: 5333752 (1994-08-01), Harding, Jr.
patent: 5374026 (1994-12-01), Spurrier et al.
patent: 5430927 (1995-07-01), Rogers
patent: 5490603 (1996-02-01), Davis
patent: 5495695 (1996-03-01), Elliott, Jr.
patent: 5544777 (1996-08-01), Watson
patent: 5544974 (1996-08-01), Berg et al.
Hovey Williams Timmons & Collins
Pollard Steven
Snyder Industries, Inc.
LandOfFree
Discharge outlet for double wall containment tank assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Discharge outlet for double wall containment tank assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Discharge outlet for double wall containment tank assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2604589