Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Pool type – Accessory
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-30
2001-03-06
Douglas, Steven O. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Pool type
Accessory
C004S495000, C004S498000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195812
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system for raising and lowering a liner of a fluid bearing receptacle such as, but not limited to, a swimming pool, aquaculture tank or chemical storage tank. The present invention further relates to a liftable liner system for a fluid bearing receptacle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are many situations where it would be beneficial to access the bottom of a fluid bearing receptacle, for example for cleaning purposes or for recovery of items. In a more specific example in the case of swimming pool, it is often desirable to access the bottom of the swimming pool for the removal of debris. Presently, debris can be removed by way of automatic pool cleaners such as the KREEPY KRAULY pool cleaner or by a manual vacuum system attached with the pool filtering system. However, such methods are particularly slow. In another application, for example in commercial marine animal breeding tanks, it is at times desirable to access the lower portions of the tank in order to remove the marine animals for sale or consumption as well as to clean the bottom of the tank.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention was developed with a view to providing a system for allowing access to the contents of the receptacle without needing to empty the receptacle.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for raising and lowering a liner of a fluid bearing receptacle, said liner attached along its peripheral edge to said receptacle, said system including:
a first baffle means adapted for connection to said receptacle in a manner so as to form a spillway which provides fluid communication between an outside surface of said liner and an inside surface of said receptacle, said liner being detached from said receptacle in the region of said baffle means and reattached along its peripheral edge to an upper edge of said baffle means;
first means for supplying a gas to the outside surface of said liner; and,
second means for supplying a gas to said spillway;
whereby, in use, when a fluid is held within said receptacle on the inside surface of said liner so as to hold said liner in a lining position with its outside surface in contact with the inside surface of said receptacle and said first baffle means, a gas can be passed through said first means to progressively lift said liner up and away from the inside surface of said receptacle thereby displacing fluid held on the inside surface of said liner to flow over the upper edge of said baffle means down said spillway and between the outside surface of said liner and the inside surface of said receptacle until substantially all of said fluid is so displaced, raising said liner to a covering position in which it covers said fluid, and a gas can be passed through said second means to lift said fluid up said spillway and over said upper edge of said baffle means onto the inside surface of said liner progressively lowering said liner back to said lining position.
Preferably said first means is in the form of a conduit or manifold having a length which extends along or near the upper edge of said baffle means.
Preferably said second means comprises a conduit or manifold having a length extending along or near a lower edge of said baffle means.
Preferably said first conduit or manifold is formed on a side of said baffle means adjacent the inside surface of said receptacle and said baffle means is provided with one or more openings to provide fluid communication between said conduit or manifold and said outside surface of said liner.
Preferably said baffle means is in the form of a plate shaped or otherwise configured to be spaced from a side wall of said receptacle.
In an alternate embodiment, said baffle means is in the form of one or more plates which extend across and down respective corners of said receptacle.
Preferably said system further includes third means for allowing evacuation of gas entrapped between the outside surface of said liner and said fluid when said liner is in said raised position so that said liner, when in the covering position, can sit on said fluid.
Preferably said system further includes filter means for filtering fluid as it flows through said spillway.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a liftable liner system for a fluid bearing receptacle including:
a flexible liner shaped to conform to an inside surface of said receptacle;
first baffle means adapted for connection to said receptacle in a manner so as to form a spillway which provides fluid communication between an outside surface of said liner and an inside surface of said receptacle, said liner being attached along its peripheral edge to said receptacle and an upper edge of said first baffle means;
first means for supplying a gas to the outside surface of said first baffle means; and,
second means for supplying a gas to said spillway;
whereby, in use, when a fluid is held within said receptacle on the inside surface of said liner so as to hold said liner in a lining position with its outside surface in contact with the inside surface of said receptacle and said first baffle means, a gas can be passed through said first means to progressively lift said liner up and away from the inside surface of said receptacle thereby displacing fluid held on the inside surface of said liner to flow over the upper edge of said baffle means down said spillway and between the outside surface of said liner and the inside surface of said receptacle until substantially all of said fluid is so displaced, raising said liner to a covering position in which it covers said fluid, and a gas can be passed through said second means to lift said fluid up said spillway and over said upper edge of said baffle means onto the inside surface of said liner progressively lowering said liner back to said lining position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3780385 (1973-12-01), Dunn
patent: 3816859 (1974-06-01), Mosehauer
patent: 25740 (1978-12-01), None
patent: 2046589 (1980-11-01), None
Douglas Steven O.
Huynh Khoa D
James Ray & Associates
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