Fluid handling – With cleaner – lubrication added to fluid or liquid sealing... – Cleaning or steam sterilizing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-25
2001-11-20
Walton, George L. (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
With cleaner, lubrication added to fluid or liquid sealing...
Cleaning or steam sterilizing
C141S098000, C251S062000, C251S158000, C251S175000, C251S193000, C251S326000, C251S328000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318402
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to pneumatic tank trucks and more particularly, to a closure employed on such trucks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pneumatic tank trucks are in widespread usage for transport of fluent materials, such materials being maintained under pressurized conditions. Pneumatic tank trucks employ one or more openings or hatchways located at the tank top. These openings are covered by a closure or hatch cover which forms a seal with the tank. Conventionally such covers must be opened and closed manually, the truck driver or other individual being required to climb to the top of the truck to perform the required task each and every time the closure must be opened or closed. This is not only time consuming but also dangerous, particularly when the tank top is dirty or slippery. The operation is particularly difficult and dangerous in inclement weather conditions.
As will be seen in greater detail below, the present invention encompasses a closure device which either opens or closes without the driver or another person being required to position himself or herself on the tank top. An inflatable seal is employed to maintain a fluid-tight connection between the closure and the tank top when the closure is closed.
The use of inflatable seals in connection with doors or other closures is known per se and reference may be had to the following United States patents for representative constructions:
U.S. Pat. No. 3,694,962, issued Oct. 3, 1972, U.S. Pat. No. 3,339,785, issued Sep. 5, 1967, U.S. Pat. No. 3,352,446, issued Nov. 14, 1967, U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,772, issued Mar. 30, 1976, U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,275, issued Jul. 24, 1973, U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,509, issued Apr. 24, 1979, U.S. Pat. No. 4,228,135, issued Oct. 14, 1980, U.S. Pat. No. 3,623,627, issued Nov. 30, 1971, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,605, issued Mar. 22, 1994.
None of the known prior art arrangements teach or suggest the pneumatic tank truck closure apparatus disclosed and claimed herein.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to apparatus which efficiently, effectively and safely provides for the opening and closing of a tank of a pneumatic tank truck.
The pneumatic tank truck includes a tank having a tank interior for holding fluent material under pressurized conditions, the tank having a tank top defining an opening communicating with the tank interior.
A closure guide leading to the opening is attached to the tank on the tank top.
A closure is movably mounted relative to the closure guide and movable along the tank top between a first position wherein the closure is over the opening and a second position wherein the closure does not cover the opening and is laterally displaced therefrom.
Prime mover means is connected to the closure for selectively moving the closure between the first and second positions.
The combination also includes an inflatable seal forming a fluid-tight connection between the closure and the tank top when the closure is in the first position.
The apparatus also incorporates at least one air nozzle operatively associated with the closure and the closure guide for directing compressed air in the vicinity of the closure and closure guide to clear away any dirt or debris which might impair relative movement between the closure and closure guide or adversely affect sealing.
Other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2313095 (1943-03-01), Schneider
patent: 3339785 (1967-09-01), Nugent
patent: 3352446 (1967-11-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 3623627 (1971-11-01), Bolton
patent: 3694962 (1972-10-01), McDonald et al.
patent: 3747275 (1973-07-01), May et al.
patent: 3946772 (1976-03-01), Mize
patent: 4150509 (1979-04-01), Knap
patent: 4174728 (1979-11-01), Usnick et al.
patent: 4228135 (1980-10-01), Wolff
patent: 4235256 (1980-11-01), Crawshay
patent: 4292992 (1981-10-01), Bhidé
patent: 4383546 (1983-05-01), Walters, Jr.
patent: 4512363 (1985-04-01), Jandrasi et al.
patent: 4561472 (1985-12-01), Dreyer et al.
patent: 4709901 (1987-12-01), Pierson et al.
patent: 4785844 (1988-11-01), Pankov
patent: 4838301 (1989-06-01), Lamort
patent: 4938250 (1990-07-01), Peterson
patent: 5176189 (1993-01-01), Perchathaler et al.
patent: 5295605 (1994-03-01), Kawahito et al.
Lampe Thomas R.
Walton George L.
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