Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
A method for entombing a container within a homogenous layer of concrete comprising the following steps: selecting a container having a container top; placing a base plate on a support surface; positioning wall forms on the base plate; fastening the wall forms to one another to create a sidewall form; positioning the sidewall form relative to the base plate wherein said positioning of the sidewall creates an open top enclosure bounded by the base plate and the sidewall form; pouring a layer of concrete onto the base plate to form a bottom layer of concrete in the enclosure; lowering the container into the enclosure until the container rests on the bottom layer of concrete to define a region within the enclosure surrounding at least a portion of the container; vertically restraining the container within the enclosure, such that the container contacts the bottom layer of concrete during subsequent pouring of concrete; wherein the vertically restraining step includes the steps of: positioning a hold-down member over the open top of the container so as to overlie the container; connecting the hold-down member to the base plate and; forcing the hold-down member against the top of the container; pouring concrete into the enclosure in the region surrounding the container to contact the bottom layer of concrete before setting of the bottom layer of concrete to form a homogeneous entombing layer of concrete about the vertically restrained container; allowing the concrete to set; and removing the wall forms and the base plate from the concrete encased container.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
254 words
A method for entombing a container within a homogenous layer of concrete comprising the following steps: selecting a container having a container top; placing a base plate on a support surface; positioning wall forms on the base plate; fastening the wall forms to one another to create a sidewall form; positioning the sidewall form relative to the base plate wherein said positioning of the sidewall creates an open top enclosure bounded by the base plate and the sidewall form; pouring a layer of concrete onto the base plate to form a bottom layer of concrete in the enclosure; lowering the container into the enclosure until the container rests on the bottom layer of concrete to define a region within the enclosure surrounding at least a portion of the container; vertically restraining the container within the enclosure, such that the container contacts the bottom layer of concrete during subsequent pouring of concrete; wherein the vertically restraining step includes the steps of: positioning a hold-down member over the open top of the container so as to overlie the container; connecting the hold-down member to the base plate and; forcing the hold-down member against the top of the container; pouring concrete into the enclosure in the region surrounding the container to contact the bottom layer of concrete before setting of the bottom layer of concrete to form a homogeneous entombing layer of concrete about the vertically restrained container; allowing the concrete to set; and removing the wall forms and the base plate from the concrete encased container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of releasing the hold-down member from the container after the concrete is no longer fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the connecting step includes the steps of running a flexible member over the hold-down member and connecting the flexible member to the base plate on opposite sides of the sidewall form.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the forcing step is carried out by placing the flexible member in tension.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
227 words
A method for entombing a container within a homogenous layer of concrete comprising the following steps: selecting a container having a container top; placing a base plate on a support surface; positioning wall forms on the base plate; fastening the wall forms to one another to create a sidewall form; positioning the sidewall form relative to the base plate wherein the positioning of the sidewall creates an open top enclosure bounded by the base plate and the sidewall form; pouring a first portion of concrete onto the base plate to form a bottom layer of concrete in the enclosure; lowering the container into the enclosure until the container rests on the bottom layer of concrete to define a region within the enclosure surrounding at least a portion of the container; vertically restraining the container within the enclosure, such that the container contacts the bottom layer of concrete subsequent pouring of concrete; pouring a second portion of concrete into the enclosure in the region surrounding the container to contact the bottom layer of concrete before setting of the bottom layer of concrete wherein the first portion of concrete and the second portion of concrete form a homogenous entombing layer of concrete about the vertically restrained container; allowing the homogenous layer of concrete to set; and removing the wall forms and the base plate from the concrete encased container.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
227 words
A method for entombing a container within a homogenous layer of concrete comprising the following steps: selecting a container having a container top; placing a base plate on a support surface; positioning wall forms on the base plate; fastening the wall forms to one another to create a sidewall form; positioning the sidewall form relative to the base plate wherein the positioning of the sidewall creates an open top enclosure bounded by the base plate and the sidewall form; pouring a first portion of concrete onto the base plate to form a bottom layer of concrete in the enclosure; lowering the container into the enclosure until the container rests on the bottom layer of concrete to define a region within the enclosure surrounding at least a portion of the container; vertically restraining the container within the enclosure, such that the container contacts the bottom layer of concrete subsequent pouring of concrete; pouring a second portion of concrete into the enclosure in the region surrounding the container to contact the bottom layer of concrete before setting of the bottom layer of concrete wherein the first portion of concrete and the second portion of concrete form a homogenous entombing layer of concrete about the vertically restrained container; allowing the homogenous layer of concrete to set; and removing the wall forms and the base plate from the concrete encased container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the step of positioning the wall forms is carried out by positioning two wall forms on the base plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the fastening step is carried out using a chain binder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the step of positioning the sidewall form is carried out using jacks.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising providing a spacer layer adjacent to at least a portion of the container, wherein the spacer layer comprises material which is liquefiable upon contact with a chosen liquid to be stored within the container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of positioning concrete reinforcing members in the region of the enclosure surrounding the container.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of vibrating the sidewall form after the step of pouring the second portion of concrete.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the container selecting step includes the step of choosing a rectangular container.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the choosing step is carried out by choosing a container having reinforcing ribs to strengthen the container against deformation when the container is pressurized.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the selecting step includes the step of selecting a tank enclosed within a liquid impervious liner.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the selecting step includes the step of selecting a tank having an outer surface covered with a spacer layer, the spacer layer and tank being within the liner.