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  Double walled tankRelated Patent Categories: Receptacles, Stationary TankDouble walled tank description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070056975, Double walled tank. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention is broadly concerned with an improved double walled tank assembly having telescopically interfitted inner and outer shells sized and configured in cube-efficient dimensions. More particularly, the invention is concerned with such double walled tank assemblies having the inner and outer shells maintained in a stable, spaced-apart relationship by means of spacers disposed within the gap between the shells. A detachable cover is secured to the outer shell and allows access to the inner shell top wall having a fill opening. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] Portable tanks are used extensively for the storage and transport of hazardous materials. To be most efficient, such portable tanks must be of a size and configuration that lend themselves to transport in standard over-the-road vehicles and containers. Single walled tanks are commonly constructed with these size considerations in mind. However, single walled tanks do not provide the same measure of protection against spillage as do double walled tanks. [0005] Double walled tanks have been proposed in the past, see e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,782,973, 6,484,899, 6,272,021, 5,687,757, 5,373,961, 4,930,661, 2,706,575, 2,495,798, 2,640,355, 1,657,283, and GB 894,173. Generally, prior double walled tanks have been constructed by first fabricating a more or less conventional single walled tank, and then creating an outer shell by piecewise welding or other attachment of shell components to the existing tank. This is a relatively expensive technique, and moreover inevitably results in welded connections between the inner tank and the outer cladding, thus making it impossible to replace the inner tank. [0006] The assignee of the present invention previously sold a double walled tank that employed an inner and outer shell. The outer shell was not created by piece-wise welding of components to the existing inner tank. Rather the outer shell was created with spacers provided to maintain separation between the inner shell and outer shell once the inner shell was placed within the outer shell. However, this prior double wall tank suffered from the same drawbacks discussed above in that the inner shell was welded to the outer shell at least at the top and drainage ports. The welding prevented removal of the inner shell from the assembly. Additionally, the spacers spanned the sides of the inner shell creating compartments that prevented the free flow of liquid between the inner and outer shells. [0007] There is accordingly a need in the art for improved double walled tanks which can be fabricated in a modular fashion without welded connections between the inner tank and outer components, which allow for liquid flow in the space between the inner and outer shells, and which are sized in a cube-efficient manner allowing the tanks to be stored and shipped in conventional storage and transport equipment. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The present invention overcomes the problems outlined above and provides a double walled tank assembly comprising an outer shell including an outer shell bottom wall and upright outer shell sidewall structure secured to and extending upwardly from the outer shell bottom wall and defining an upper open end. The overall assembly also has an an inner shell disposed within said outer shell and comprising an inner shell bottom wall, upright inner shell sidewall structure secured to and extending upwardly from the inner shell bottom wall, and an inner shell top wall secured to the inner shell sidewall structure adjacent the upper end thereof. In order to maintain a proper spacing or gap between the outer and inner shells, a plurality of spacers are located between the shells. The tank assembly is surmounted by a cover operably secured to the outer shell adjacent the upper end thereof and is disposed at least partially over the upper open end of the outer shell. [0009] In preferred forms, the spacers are located between adjacent side walls and bottom walls of the inner and outer shells, and are affixed to the outer surface of the inner shell, thereby facilitating telescopic interfitting of the shells during constructions. Also, resilient seal structure is provided adjacent the top and bottom of the tank assembly for resiliently maintaining the shells in a desired spaced apart relationship. The spacers are designed to allow the flow of liquid in the outer shell to facilitate drainage of the outer shell or the provision of insulative or barrier materials between the shells. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a double walled tank in accordance with the invention, illustrating the drain valve assembly at the lower end of the tank; [0011] FIG. 2 is an elevational view similar to that shown in FIG. 1, but viewing the tank from the end thereof; [0012] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the tank depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2; [0013] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the tank depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2; [0014] FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1 and illustrating the preferred placement of spacers between the inner and outer shells of the tank; [0015] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a preferred double walled tank of the invention, illustrating the inner and outer shells in a separated condition, and the top cover disposed above the shells; [0016] FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary view in vertical section depicting one form of connection of the openable fill cover of the tank; [0017] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view in partial vertical section illustrating the inner shell drain pipe and associated drain valve assembly; [0018] FIG.9 is an enlarged, fragmentary view in vertical section depicting another form of connection of the openable fill cover of the tank; [0019] FIG. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary view in vertical section depicting another form of connection of the openable fill cover of the tank; [0020] FIG. 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary view in vertical section depicting still another form of connection of the openable fill cover of the tank; [0021] FIG. 12 is an enlarged, fragmentary view in partial vertical section illustrating the outer shell and a form of connection of the outer shell top with the main body; Continue reading about Double walled tank... Full patent description for Double walled tank Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Double walled tank patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Double walled tank or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Drywall tools storage and transportation container Next Patent Application: Mobile machine with a pressurized tank Industry Class: Receptacles ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Double walled tank patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 1.90977 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Electronics: Semiconductor , Audio , Illumination , Connectors , Crypto , |
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