US3707937A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Anti-pollution ballast container
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-04-23
•
Granted: 1973-01-02
•
Expires: 1991-04-23
Abstract
Abstract An anti-pollution ballast container to be installed in an oil tanker as a receptacle for clean ballast water, to be located in a compartment of the tanker which is adapted to be filled with oil. The container is formed of elastic material such as rubber and is constructed for collapsing within the compartment as the latter is filled with oil, with support rings between the folds of the compartment wall slidable within the compartment as the container expands or contracts. The container is adapted to be filled with clean ballast which may be taken from the sea and pumped into the container for ballast when the compartment is empty of oil. A similar container may be provided in several or all of the compartments of the tanker.
Inventors
- 👤 H Liles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 05:25
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B25/00; B63B25/02; B63B25/08; B63B25/12; B63B11/00; B63B11/04; B63B13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A tanker comprising a hull having a compartment adapted to receive cargo for transportation, a container within the compartment having a surrounding wall including a plurality of fold sections coLlapsible upon each other and relatively expandible upon filling of the container, means within the container and connected along the inner edges of the fold sections for causing collapsing of the container in folds upon removal of the filling, and a plurality of rings mounted in the container at the surrounding wall in positions to aid in the folding of the sections upon collapsing of the container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A tanker comprising a hull having a compartment adapted to receive cargo for transportation, a container within the compartment having a surrounding wall including a plurality of fold sections coLlapsible upon each other and relatively expandible upon filling of the container, means within the container and connected along the inner edges of the fold sections for causing collapsing of the container in folds upon removal of the filling, and a plurality of rings mounted in the container at the surrounding wall in positions to aid in the folding of the sections upon collapsing of the container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A tanker according to claim 1, wherein the container has the surrounding wall of elastic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A tanker according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of sections are formed as pleats in the elastic wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A tanker according to claim 3 wherein the collapsing means includes resilient rings extending along the inner edges of the pleats and connected therewith for causing folding of the pleats during collapsing of the container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A tanker according to claim 1 wherein the rings are flat plates on opposite sides of the fold sections for causing collapsing thereof upon contracting of the container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A tanker according to claim 1, including a cylinder surrounding the container within the compartment for guiding the expansion and contraction of the container, and the rings between the sections are slidable axially of the cylinder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
A tanker comprising a hull having a compartment adapted to receive fluid cargo for transportation, a container within the compartment for holding fluid ballast, said container including a surrounding wall of flexible material for collapsing in pleats upon discharge of the fluid ballast therefrom, and yieldable contraction rings extending around the inner circumference of the container along the inner edges of the pleats and connected therewith for contracting the pleats upon collapsing of the container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
A tanker comprising a hull having a compartment adapted to receive fluid cargo for transportation, a container within the compartment for holding fluid ballast, said container including a surrounding wall of flexible material for collapsing in pleats upon discharge of the fluid ballast therefrom, and yieldable contraction rings extending around the inner circumference of the container along the inner edges of the pleats and connected therewith for contracting the pleats upon collapsing of the container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A tanker according to claim 7, including guide rings between the pleats for aiding in the folding thereof, said rings being in slidable relation axially of the container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A tanker according to claim 7, including an upright cylinder in the compartment surrounding the container and having means of communication from the interior of the cylinder into the compartment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A tanker according to claim 7, including means for directing a ballast fluid to the interior of the container out of contact with the cargo in the compartment.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-02 | 1976-07-03 | 1977-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-02 | 1980-07-03 | 1981-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-02 | 1984-07-03 | 1985-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |