US4972945A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Container for transporting hazardous liquids
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1990-05-11
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Granted: 1990-11-27
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Expires: 2010-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A container for transporting hazardous liquids has a self-sustaining, leak-proof housing, a removable cover that can seal the housing, and a sorbent body resting on the flat bottom of the housing, which body comprises polyolefin microfibers and has a solidity of from 7 to 25%. The polyolefin microfibers preferably are particles, and the particles preferably are microwebs produced by divellicating a polyolefin microfiber web. When the container is used to transport sorbent materials that have been saturated by liquids of a chemical spill, the sorbent body ensures against there being any free liquid in the container.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas I. Insley
- 👤 Laurel A. Alvarez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:27
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D81/00; B65D81/24; B65D81/26; B65D81/264
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
A container suitable for transporting hazardous liquids, said container comprising a self-sustaining, leak-proof housing defining a reservoir, a removable cover that provides a liquid-tight seal across the top of the reservoir, and a sorbent body on the bottom of the reservoir, which body comprises polyolefin microfibers and has a solidity of up to 25%.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
A container suitable for transporting hazardous liquids, said container comprising a self-sustaining, leak-proof housing defining a reservoir, a removable cover that provides a liquid-tight seal across the top of the reservoir, and a sorbent body on the bottom of the reservoir, which body comprises polyolefin microfibers and has a solidity of up to 25%.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A container as defined in claim 1 wherein the polyolefin microfibers comprise particles of polyolefin microfibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A container as defined in claim 1 wherein the sorbent body has a solidity of at least 7%.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A container as defined in claim 3 wherein the sorbent body has a solidity of at least 12% but less than 20%.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A container as defined in claim 1 wherein the sorbent body occupies up to 35% of the volume of the reservoir.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A container as defined in claim 1 wherein said sorbent body occupies from 5 to 25% of the volume of the reservoir.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A container as defined in claim 1 wherein the bottom of the reservoir is broad and flat to afford stability during storage and shipment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A container as defined in claim 5 wherein said sorbent body also extends along the sides of the reservoir.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A container as defined in claim 6 wherein the sorbent body completely covers the bottom of the reservoir.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A container as defined in claim 1 wherein said particles of polyolefin microfibers comprise microwebs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A container as defined in claim 1 wherein the sorbent body is loaded with solid sorbent-type particulate material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A container as defined in claim 1 wherein said sorbent body is loaded with material selected to neutralize potentially hazardous liquids.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A container as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing and cover are high-impact thermoplastic resin that is chemically resistant, has good stress crack resistance, and retains good toughness at temperatures as low as -30° C.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A container as defined in claim 13 wherein said housing and cover are polyethylene.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
134 words
A container suitable for transporting hazardous liquids, said container comprising a self-sustaining, leak-proof resinous housing which has a substantially cylindrical wall, a broad, flat bottom, closing one end of the housing to create a reservoir, and male threads formed in the wall opposite the bottom, a flexible plastic bag lining the reservoir and protruding sufficiently to permit the bag to be tied shut after being filled, a sorbent body of compressed polyolefin microfiber microwebs located inside the bag and completely covering the flat bottom of the reservoir, which sorbent body has a solidity of at least 12% but less than 20% and occupies from 5 to 25% of the volume of the reservoir, and a resinous cover that has female threads by which it can be screwed onto the housing to seal the container.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
134 words
A container suitable for transporting hazardous liquids, said container comprising a self-sustaining, leak-proof resinous housing which has a substantially cylindrical wall, a broad, flat bottom, closing one end of the housing to create a reservoir, and male threads formed in the wall opposite the bottom, a flexible plastic bag lining the reservoir and protruding sufficiently to permit the bag to be tied shut after being filled, a sorbent body of compressed polyolefin microfiber microwebs located inside the bag and completely covering the flat bottom of the reservoir, which sorbent body has a solidity of at least 12% but less than 20% and occupies from 5 to 25% of the volume of the reservoir, and a resinous cover that has female threads by which it can be screwed onto the housing to seal the container.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
A container as defined in claim 15 wherein said housing and cover are polyethylene.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-11-26 | 1994-05-28 | 1994-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-11-26 | 1998-05-28 | 1998-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-11-26 | 2002-05-28 | 2002-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |