Patent US4068480A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4068480A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid storage systems
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-11-13
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Granted: 1978-01-17
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Expires: 1995-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A system for storing a first liquid isolated from the ambient environment by a second liquid of different density including outer walls forming a chamber, a flexible membrane in the chamber to form an inner chamber spaced from the chamber for containing the first liquid, means to maintain spaced relation between the chambers when full, and the second liquid filling the space between the chamber walls and the membrane.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth Winans Lefever
- 👤 John James Gallagher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:04
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D88/00; B65D88/76
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A system for storing liquids of different densities comprising; walls defining a liquid-impervious outer chamber; a flexible liquid-impervious membrane disposed in spaced relation to said walls to define an inner chamber containing the less dense of said liquids; the more dense of said liquids filling the space between said chambers; means to adjust the level of the less dense of said liquids to a level substantially equal to that of the more dense of said liquids; means to overcome the density differential between said liquids such that the surface level of the more dense of said liquids is at least substantially equal to that of said liquids.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
A system for storing liquids of different densities comprising; walls defining a liquid-impervious outer chamber; a flexible liquid-impervious membrane disposed in spaced relation to said walls to define an inner chamber containing the less dense of said liquids; the more dense of said liquids filling the space between said chambers; means to adjust the level of the less dense of said liquids to a level substantially equal to that of the more dense of said liquids; means to overcome the density differential between said liquids such that the surface level of the more dense of said liquids is at least substantially equal to that of said liquids.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means to adjust the level of said liquids comprises means associated with said inner chamber to overcome the idensity differential between said liquids such that the surface level of the more dense of said liquids is at least substantially equal to that of the less dense of said liquids.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means to restrict includes a standpipe communicative with the more dense of said liquids.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means to overcome the density differential between said liquids comprises means to load the less dense of said liquids.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said means to load the less dense of said liquids comprises a mass of material imposed on the upper surface of the less dense of said liquids.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said mass comprises a solid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said mass includes a liquid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said means to load the less dense of said liquids comprises means to impose gas pressure against the surface of the less dense of said liquids.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said walls comprise earth.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said walls are rendered liquid-impervious by coating with a sealant.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said walls are rendered liquid-impervious by lining with a second flexible liquid-impervious membrane.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said means to load the less dense of said liquids imparts a pressure to the surface thereof greater than vapor pressure thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
a system in accordance with claim 8 wherein said means to overcome the density differential between said liquids comprises means to load said membrane downwardly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system in accordance with claim 13 wherein said means to load said membrane comprises a dead load within said membrane.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system in accordance with claim 13 wherein said means to load said membrane comprises tension means between the bottom of said membrane and said chamber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system in accordance with claim 15 wherein said tension means includes a spring load.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means to adjust the level of said liquids comprises means to restrict upward movement of the surface of the more dense of said liquids to a level at most substantially equal to that of the less dense of said liquids.
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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) | 1981-01-16 | 1981-07-18 | 1982-01-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-16 | 1985-07-18 | 1986-01-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-16 | 1989-07-18 | 1990-01-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |