Special receptacle or package – Structural features for vertical stacking – i.e. – similar... – Having vertical projecting element or recess for interlock
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-31
2001-06-19
Castellano, Stephen (Department: 3727)
Special receptacle or package
Structural features for vertical stacking, i.e., similar...
Having vertical projecting element or recess for interlock
C220S001500, C220S023910, C220S668000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247594
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention concerns a fluid tank assembly including a tank and a tank frame which elevates and protects the tank. More particularly, it concerns an economical and stackable bulk fluid tank assembly.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Portable liquid tanks are extremely useful in transporting chemicals from a manufacturer or distributor to an end user and then dispensing the contents thereof. Such portable tanks were once traditionally made of metal and housed in metal cages. The cages both protected the tanks and permitted stacking of two or more tanks to improve floor space utilization. However, the corrosive nature of such chemicals and the cost attributable to both the metal tanks and the metal cages led to a need to develop fluid tank assemblies less susceptible to corrosion and lower in cost, while still retaining the advantages of durability and stackability.
Among the different approaches to meeting the need for an improved fluid tank assembly is that found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,603 to Davis, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. The 5,490,603 patent discloses a fluid tank apparatus substantially of synthetic resin and including a base, a fluid tank supported thereon, and a protective cover. The base includes a bottom wall and a plurality of upstanding columns so that compressive loads exerted on the top cover are transmitted through the columns to the base rather than through the tank. The base and its upstanding columns thus interfit with the top protector to permit stacking of further assemblies thereon and protect the tank received therein.
While the fluid tank assembly of the 5,490,603 patent represents a substantial improvement over the prior art, there has developed a need for a fluid tank assembly having comparable or equivalent storage capacity and similar stackability with reduced manufacturing costs. Such a fluid tank assembly would most preferably remain primarily constructed of primarily of synthetic resin for corrosion resistance and moldability, without sacrificing the ability to somewhat protect the tank against minor impact. Finally, the need remains to avoid transmission of substantial loads to the tank itself when stacked.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects have largely been met by the fluid tank apparatus of the present invention. That is to say, by designing the tank assembly to more fully incorporate the tank as a structural member in accordance with the present invention, the fluid tank assembly hereof is designed to improve material utilization, retain stacking capability and capacity without imparting substantial loading to the tank, provide protection against side impact around the corners of the assembly, and retain resistance to corrosive chemicals.
Broadly speaking, the present invention eliminates the need for a separate protective cover and includes a base having a multiplicity of upright stacking legs, a tank which is configured for receipt on the base, and coupling means for inhibiting the tops of the stacking legs from spreading. The tank is coupled to the stacking legs to prevent the legs from spreading when a load is applied thereabove. Because the stacking legs extending upwardly from the base is nearly vertical, even heavy loads applied to the stacking legs result in only a small horizontal force which must be resisted by the tank. The tops of the stacking legs extend above the tank itself and are complementally configured to mate with the bottom of a base placed thereon. In this manner, the tank is securely held by the base, loads applied on the stacking legs are substantially isolated from the tank, and the need for a separate cover is substantially eliminated.
The coupling of the stacking legs to the tank may be accomplished in several ways. An receiver may be molded as a part of or integrated into either the tank or the stacking leg, with the other being provided with an opening such as a vertical slot for the passage of a fastener therethrough. The receiver may be internally threaded whereby the fastener may be provided as a threaded member such as a bolt for coupling to the receiver. Thus, the fastener, oriented horizontally, passes through the opening and abuts a wall surface to thereby inhibit relative horizontal movement between the stacking leg and tank while being free to shift vertically within the opening. Alternatively, the receiver may be molded into the stacking leg as a vertical slot with shoulders, and the fastener provided as a complementally configured generally horizontally extending boss on the tank for receipt within the slot. In this way, the legs are inhibited from horizontal movement relative to the tank by the interconnection between the fastener and the receiver molded as parts of the tank and stacking leg.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3129836 (1964-04-01), Frevel
patent: 4398653 (1983-08-01), Daloisio
patent: 4728000 (1988-03-01), Gerhard
patent: 5490603 (1996-02-01), Davis
patent: 5655662 (1997-08-01), Garcia
patent: 5687874 (1997-11-01), Omori et al.
patent: 5779077 (1998-07-01), Fossey
patent: 6142327 (2000-11-01), Riggio et al.
Castellano Stephen
Hovey Williams Timmons & Collins
Snyder Industries, Inc.
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