US3724497A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Storage system for gaseous fluids and the like
Assignee: Metzeler AG
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Filing: 1971-03-04
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1991-03-04
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of discrete and individually movable storage vessels are provided each having a hollow interior. The vessels may be of various different shapes and may be rigid but are preferably at least in part of elastic material so that they can be collapsed when empty. They are superimposed in vertically stacked relationship, or they are arranged in side-by-side or horizontally stacked relationship and can be connected with one another so that their respective interiors communicate. They are supported and guided by suitable guide means and weights or spring-biased devices may be provided for applying a predetermined force to a terminal one of the vessels of a respective stack, to thereby subject the contents to a predetermined pressure and to expel them at a predetermined rate of flow through conduits provided for this purpose.
Inventors
- 👤 F Federer
- 👤 H Neumann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:21
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D88/00; B65D88/16; B65D88/18; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86187; Y10T137/8622; Y10T137/86348
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A storage system, particularly for gaseous fluids, comprising an elongated stack of discrete storage vessels having respective interiors and consisting at least partially of flexible material so as to be collapsible; guide means engaging said vessels and maintaining the same in predetermined relative positions; releasable connecting means for connecting the interiors of respective ones of said vessels in communicating relationship; and compressing means acting upon said stack in direction of elongation of the same in a sense tending to compress and collapse said vessels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
A storage system, particularly for gaseous fluids, comprising an elongated stack of discrete storage vessels having respective interiors and consisting at least partially of flexible material so as to be collapsible; guide means engaging said vessels and maintaining the same in predetermined relative positions; releasable connecting means for connecting the interiors of respective ones of said vessels in communicating relationship; and compressing means acting upon said stack in direction of elongation of the same in a sense tending to compress and collapse said vessels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A storage system as defined in claim 1; and further comprising support means for supporting said vessels in substantially vertically stacked relationship.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A storage system as defined in claim 1; and further comprising support means for supporting said vessels in substantially horizontally stacked relationship.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A storage system as defined in claim 1, each of said vessels having a top wall, a bottom wall and a peripheral wall; and wherein said top and bottom walls consist at least predominantly of said flexible material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A storage system as defined in claim 4, wherein at least some of said vessels are of at least substantially lenticular configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A storage system as defined in claim 4, wherein at least some of said vessels are of at least substantially bladder-shaped configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A storage system as defined in claim 1, wherein said vessels are stacked at least substantially vertically, and wherein said guide means comprises guide elements oriented in at least substantially vertical direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A storage system as defined in claim 1, wherein said vessels are stacked at least substantially horizontally, and wherein said guide means comprises guide elements oriented in at least substantially horizontal direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A storage system as defined in claim 1, said vessels each having a rim portion; and further comprising engaging means on said rim portion engageable with said guide means for connecting said vessels with the same.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A storage system as defined in claim 1; and further comprising inlet means and outlet means provided on said connecting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A storage system as defined in claim 1, said compressing means comprising weight means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A storage system as defined in claim 1, said compressing means comprising spring-loaded biasing means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A storage system as defined in claim 1, said vessels being of annular outline.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A storage system as defined in claim 1, said vessels being of substantially annular but circumferentially incomplete outline having a circumferential gap; and limiting means for preventing changes in the circumferential dimension of said gap.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A storage system as defined in claim 1, said vessels including a lowermost vessel; and further comprising a support plate sealingly engaging and supporting said lowermost vessel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
A storage system as defined in claim 1, said vessels including an uppermost vessel having a top wall; and further comprising a compensating element provided on and in engagement with said top wall for compensating variations in the height of the stack of vessels.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
A storage system as defined in claim 16; further comprising a cover element above said upper most vessel; and wherein said compensating element bears upon said cover element and is sealingly connected with the same and with said top wall.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A storage system as defined in claim 17, wherein said compensating element is a bellows element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
53 words
A storage system as defined in claim 1, said vessels being of annular outline and said guIde means comprising at least one guide element extending centrally through the stacked vessels and provided with inlet and outlet conduits; and further comprising coupling means for coupling the interiors of the respective vessels with said conduits.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
A storage system as defined in claim 28, said one guide element having spaced end portions; and wherein at least one of said end portions is provided with parts communicating with the respective conduits.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
A storage system as defined in claim 28, said one guide element having a peripheral wall which is apertured, and wherein said coupling means is connectable with the apertures of said wall.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
A storage system as defined in claim 28, each of said vessels having an inner wall facing and at least partially open to said one guide element, and said coupling means connecting the opening in said inner wall and the aperture in said peripheral wall.
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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) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |