US4986292A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bulk storage and handling system
Assignee: Lever Industrial Co
•
Filing: 1989-04-19
•
Granted: 1991-01-22
•
Expires: 2009-04-19
Abstract
Abstract The present invention includes a system for storing and transporting a liquid in which a series of tank cars each have a hollow tank body with an inlet and an outlet supported on a frame with a plurality of wheels on the frame. These cars are connected together with a sealable male fitting and female fitting which interengage to allow fluid flow between the cars. Using this valve arrangement, a series of cars hooked together may be filled from a single fill point or station. A method of storing and transporting a liquid involving these storage cars is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore R. Rieple
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 02:41
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D7/00; B67D7/06; B67D7/78; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/6851; Y10T137/6855; Y10T137/6866; Y10T137/6869; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86187; Y10T137/86196
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A tank car for storing and transporting a fluid, comprising: (a) a hollow tank body having an inlet and an outlet, the tank body being fillable through the inlet; (b) a support frame having a plurality of wheels for movement thereof, the tank body being mounted on the frame; (c) a male fitting attached to the tank body; (d) a female fitting on the tank body in fluid communication with the inlet or the outlet and disposed substantially opposite the male fitting, the male fitting being sealingly connectable to a female fitting of a substantially similar second car to allow fluid flow therebetween; and (e) means for limiting fluid flow between tank cars to a single direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A tank car for storing and transporting a fluid, comprising: (a) a hollow tank body having an inlet and an outlet, the tank body being fillable through the inlet; (b) a support frame having a plurality of wheels for movement thereof, the tank body being mounted on the frame; (c) a male fitting attached to the tank body; (d) a female fitting on the tank body in fluid communication with the inlet or the outlet and disposed substantially opposite the male fitting, the male fitting being sealingly connectable to a female fitting of a substantially similar second car to allow fluid flow therebetween; and (e) means for limiting fluid flow between tank cars to a single direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tank car of claim 1, wherein the tank body is formed of a chemically impervious material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tank car of claim 1, wherein the frame and wheels are formed of chemically resistant materials.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tank car of claim 1, further comprising a level sensor to indicate a fluid level in the tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tank car of claim 4, wherein the level sensor comprises a visual level indicator disposed outside of the tank body and attached thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The tank car of claim 1, further comprising a spray head disposed inside the tank and connectable to a fluid source for cleaning the tank body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tank car of claim 6, further comprising a drainage valve disposed proximate the bottom of the tank body for draining fluid therefore.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tank car of claim 1 further comprising: means for detachably connecting the body to the frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The tank car of claim 1, wherein the flow limiting means comprises: (a) a fluid passage in the female fitting, the passage defining a seat; (b) a check ball which fits sealingly in the seat, and (c) means for normally biasing the check ball into the seat.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The tank car of claim 1, wherein the tank body has a capacity in a range from 100 gallons to 1000 gallons.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tank car of claim 1, wherein the male fitting has a substantially conical end portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tank car of claim 1, wherein the tank car is dimensioned so as to be transportable by a forklift.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tank car of claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises an integral retaining ridge for aligning the tank body with respect to the frame.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1487394A
Cited
US1542116A
Cited
US1741618A
Cited
US1994815A
Cited
US2332443A
Cited
US3817274A
Cited
US3722556A
Cited
US3895756A
Cited
US4082124A
Cited
US4002192A
Cited
US4053001A
Cited
US4174740A
Cited
US4344467A
Cited
US4547107A
Cited
US4415369A
Cited
US4513774A
Cited
US4628960A
Cited
US4665956A
Cited
US4793386A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-01-21 | 1994-07-23 | 1995-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-01-21 | 1998-07-23 | 1999-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-01-21 | 2002-07-23 | 2003-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |