Dispensing – Collapsible wall-type container – Plural container and/or compartment
Reexamination Certificate
2003-03-12
2004-09-14
Jacyna, J. Casimer (Department: 3751)
Dispensing
Collapsible wall-type container
Plural container and/or compartment
C222S001000, C222S095000, C222S096000, C222S105000, C222S133000, C222S134000, C222S145100, C222S145500, C222S386500, C222S386000, C222S387000, C222S389000, C222S395000, C222S401000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06789699
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to dispensers for dosing fluids in controlled amounts into other fluids.
In many process operations, it is necessary to dose a specific amount of a particular additive into a large amount of a base fluid, either on a batch or continuous basis. These operations may involve dosing a product with a small amount of additive to stabilise the product or alter its performance. Examples of additives that may be used in such operations include antioxidants, thermal stabilisers, pour point depressants, viscosity modifiers, de-icing additives, octane/cetane boosters and detergents. Examples of products that maybe treated with additives include molten polymers and hydrocarbon fluids, such as crude oil and crude oil derivatives, for example, gasoline and diesel.
It is often difficult to dispense the additive routinely at the correct dosage rate, particularly, when more than one additive is required. The operation is especially difficult when the relative ratio(s) of the dosing rates of the two (or more) additives is important.
The present invention provides a dispenser capable of dispensing at least one, preferably, two or more additives at a substantially constant ratio.
The present invention provides an apparatus for containing a fluid, said apparatus comprising
(a) a wall defining
(b) an interior, which comprises
(c) at least one collapsible partition, which, with said wall, itself or another of said partitions defines
(d) an internal chamber in said interior,
(f) a fluid product line leading from the internal chamber to an exit line, and
(j) means for reversibly closing said exit line.
In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises:
(a) a wall defining
(b) an interior, which comprises
(c) at least one collapsible partition which with said wall or another of said partitions defines
(d) at least two internal chambers in said interior, optionally (e) at least one means allowing transmission of pressure across said wall,
(f) a fluid product line leading from each chamber to
(g) a junction for product lines from at least two of said chambers to produce a mixed product,
(h) means for delivering a desired ratio of fluid products in said mixed fluid product,
(i) an exit line from said junction for said mixed fluid product,
(j) means for reversibly closing said exit line.
In another embodiment, the wall (a) defining the interior (b) and collapsible partition (c) need not be present, so the combination of the invention comprises (d) at least two chambers, (f) a fluid product line, (g) a junction line (g) delivery means (h), exit line (i) and reversible closure means (j). Preferably the combination is supported by a frame (k) at least partly surrounding chambers (d). As an alternative to the frame (k), other support means (l) (eg framework (m)) may be provided under the chambers (d). The framework (m) may take the form of a pallet base, for ease of movement. The other features (f-j) may then be protected or located in the support framework. Features d-j may otherwise be as described herein, apart from those requiring attachment to or bearing upon the container wall. The frame k may be open and may be rectangular for ease of transport and stacking, in particular may have an open frame on the bottom and sides of the chambers in use, but with an open top to allow access and action on the chambers to cause their depression e.g. via a plate and a heavy weight e.g. bricks, or full drums or a standing person.
The apparatus above (also referred to as “container”) may not be pressurizable to above 1.1 bar. Alternatively, the container may be so pressurizable, with the wall (a) and the interior (b) being closed, apart from the product line (f), junction (g) and/or exit line (i). Where the container is pressurizable, the wall (a) may be pressure resistant.
The apparatus of the present invention may further include an external chamber for containing the container. The container may have the wall (a), interior (b), partition (c), chambers (d), optional pressure transmission means (e), and product line (f). The external chamber section, on the other hand, may comprise the exit line (i) and the closure means (j).
The apparatus of the present invention is particularly useful for dosing mixed products into a line carrying flowing fluid. When used for such a purpose, the container is preferably pressurizable. Preferably also, the exit line (i) is capable of being brought into fluid communication with the main line.
In a modification of the apparatus described in the preceding paragraph, the main line has a side line in a loop between upstream and downstream locations. The container preferably bridges the loop and main lines. Where a pressure transmission means is employed, it is preferably capable of being in fluid contact with the interior of said main line. The exit preferably leads to the side or main line.
The present invention also provides a method of dispensing at least two fluids into a third fluid, wherein said fluids are separately contained in chambers in a container of the present invention, said method comprising applying pressure to said pressure transmission means (e) causing at least partial collapse of at least one partition and egress of said fluids from said chambers with said product lines, passing said fluids through said lines to meet at said junction, and pass through said exit line into said third fluid.
The container may be of any shape, for example, with sharp or rounded edges. The container may have a rectangular or square cross section. Preferably, the container has convex rounded surfaces on at least some sides, especially on one pair of opposing sides. The container may thus be a sphere or especially a drum having convex sides, and a top and bottom which may be planar or slightly convex meeting the sides at a distinct ridge, or may be completely curved meeting the sides colinearly e.g. with hemispherical ends. Both the inside surface and the external surface may have the shapes described above, but preferably the inside surface does, while the external surface is fitted with at least one external stabiliser, e.g. an outwardly extending circular collar and/or legs on the top and/or bottom to allow it to stand upright; said collar and/or legs preferably extend beyond the outermost part of the curved container wall. Advantageously, the container has the stabilisers present on opposing ends of the container. The pressure transmission means (e) are preferably located inside the area of the top end of the container defined by the collar or legs so is protected at least partly. At least one of junction (g) exit line (i) and closure means (j) are preferably located externally of the container but inside the area of the bottom end of the container defined by the collar or legs.
In a preferred form, the container is not sealed, so is not pressurizable to a pressure above 1.1 bar. In this case the container of the invention has features (a), (b), (c), (d), (f), (g), (h), (i) and (j) means for reversible closing said exit line. Any joints through the container wall, need not be pressure resistant e.g. where lines pass through the container wall; seals are not essential and maybe absent. The description of these features in this specification apply in general to the unsealed containers as well as the sealed ones, unless otherwise mentioned. The mixing of the contents of the chambers and ejection of the product into the exit line is usually under the influence of gravity, though this may be aided as described further below. Preferably the container of the invention has features (a)-(d) inside its wall, especially (a)-(f), and in particular (a)-(g) so that only the one exit line (i) projects outside the container.
The container may be provided with means for indicating the volume of fluid contained in the container. For example, at least part of the container's wall may be transparent so that the interior of the container is at least partially visible.
The container may be made of metal, e.g. steel or aluminium, or plastics material. Preferred plastics materia
Clark Alisdair Quentin
Read Harry
BP Oil International Limited
Hall Jennifer M.
Jacyna J. Casimer
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