Land vehicles – Tank or boiler – Semitrailer tank vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-16
2001-08-28
Swann, J. J. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Tank or boiler
Semitrailer tank vehicle
C182S127000, C220S001500, CD12S095000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279955
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to storage tanks, and, more particularly, to mobile storage tanks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Large storage tanks are often used for storing and dispensing fluids such as fracturing liquids, fluids from environmental cleanups, and various other industrial fluids. When emptied, the tanks may be towed by a truck from one site to another, where they may be refilled and reused. Various federal, state and local highway regulations limit the size of such tanks for over-the-road transport. Accordingly, there is a need for a mobile storage tank which enhances the capacity of the tank while nonetheless being capable of over-the-road transport in compliance with federal, state and local regulations. Further, there is a need for such a mobile storage tank with enhanced convenience and safety for operators and technicians.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a tank which provides enhanced storage capacity as well as improved convenience and safety for an operator, while nonetheless allowing the tank to be towed on public highways. A mobile storage tank of the present invention includes a container having first and second opposed ends and a length extending therebetween. A stairway is mounted on the first end of the container. The stairway extends transverse to the length. An auxiliary storage section forms a part of the container and extends from the first end thereof. The auxiliary storage section underlies the stairway. At least one wheel is connected to the container for transporting the tank.
Preferably, the auxiliary storage section is located at the first end of the container and the at least one wheel is located at the second end of the container. A pull bar may be provided on the first end. Preferably, the container includes a roof panel and an upper end of the stairway is positioned adjacent the roof panel. The container may also include a bottom panel with a lower end of the stairway being positioned substantially adjacent the bottom panel.
According to certain preferred embodiments, the present invention is directed to a mobile fluid storage tank having first and second opposed ends and a length extending therebetween. The tank includes a container including first and second spaced apart, opposed side walls extending along the length. A roof panel extends between the first and second side walls and along the length. A first vertically extending end wall extends between the side walls and adjoins the roof panel. A second vertically extending end wall extends between the side walls. The second end wall is spaced from and opposite the first end wall. A sloped panel extends between the first and second side walls and between the first and second end walls and connects the first and second end walls. The sloped panel extends transverse to the length. The first and second end walls and the sloped panel define an auxiliary storage section. A stairway is mounted on the container and overlies the sloped panel. The stairway extends transverse to the length. At least one wheel is connected to the container for transporting the tank.
Preferably, the auxiliary storage section is located at the first end of the tank and the at least one wheel is located at the second end of the tank. The container may include a second roof panel extending between the first roof panel and the second end, whereby the first roof panel and the first and second side walls define a forward storage section of the container and the second roof panel and the first and second side walls define a rear storage section. The first roof panel is positioned lower than the second roof panel.
A third roof panel may be provided which slopes downwardly from the second roof panel to the first end wall. A vertically extending step wall extends between the first roof panel and the third roof panel and is positioned between and spaced apart from the first and second side walls. The third roof panel, the step wall and the first side wall define a supplemental storage section of the container positioned forwardly of the rear storage section.
The tank may include a side reinforcing channel member secured to the first side wall and a roof reinforcing channel member secured to the second roof panel. An end portion of one of the side and roof reinforcing channel members is received and secured within a portion of the other of the side and roof reinforcing channel members.
The present invention is further directed to a mobile storage tank including a container having a pair of opposed, spaced apart side walls and a roof panel extending therebetween. A plurality of spaced apart cleaning access ports are formed in the roof panel along the length. Each of the cleaning access ports are adapted to receive and engage a rotary spray nozzle. At least one wheel is connected to the container for transporting the tank. The tank may further include a spray nozzle rotatably mounted in one of the cleaning access ports and operable to apply a cleaning fluid onto interior surfaces of the side walls.
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Bottorff Christopher
Container Products Corporation
Myers Bigel & Sibley & Sajovec
Swann J. J.
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