AU2013209325B2

AU2013209325B2 - A tank

Info

Publication number: AU2013209325B2
Application number: AU2013209325A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Lyle Squire Jr.
Original assignee: Cairns Marine Coral Holdings Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Cairns Marine Coral Holdings Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2012-07-24
Filing date: 2013-07-19
Publication date: 2017-09-14
Anticipated expiration: 2033-07-19
Also published as: AU2013209325A1

Abstract

A tank for the transportation of aquatic marine animals, the tank comprising a lid; a base, the lid being integrally formed with the base; a hollow internal chamber located within the base and in communication with the lid; and a recess located within the lid.

Description

2013209325 19 Μ 2013

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 Ρ/00/011 Regulation 3.2

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT

Invention Title: "A TANK"

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: TITLE "A TANK"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a tank. In particular the invention relates to a tank that is used to transport aquatic marine animals over large distances for a considerable period of time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Aquaria are located throughout the world. Accordingly there is a large demand for various aquatic marine animals to fill aquaria. Many aquaria are located in regions that are a substantial distance away from the marine life which the aquaria house. Accordingly aquatic marine animals must be transported from a region where the marine animals are native to the location of the aquaria. This transportation often involves both air and road transportation.

The transportation of the marine animals is not simple. It is necessary to maintain the health of the marine animals as well as comply with safety regulations of the various transportation bodies. Most marine animals are relatively sensitive to changes in their environment. For example, a small change in oxygenation levels of the water can stress and often kill marine animals. Therefore various parameters of the marine animal's environment must be maintained during transportation. This maintenance would be simplified if there was an unlimited amount of space for instrumentation to be mounted. However freight companies generally charge on the basis on external dimensions. Accordingly the instrumentation must generally be mounted within the confines of a tank in which the marine animals are housed.

Another issue with tanks that are used to transport marine animals is that when aircraft take and land the aircraft often reaches a degree angle. This often causes the water to contact a lid of the tank. The lid must therefore be sealed to the tank or water will escape from the tank often causing additional stress to the animal not to mention potential damage to other freight located within the hold. 2 2013209325 19M2013 5 The reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an objection of the invention to overcome and or elevate one 10 or more of the above disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form, although not necessarily the only or broadest form, the invention resides in a tank for the transportation of aquatic marine 15 animals, the tank comprising: a lid; a base, the lid being integrally formed with the base; a hollow internal chamber located within the base and in communication with the lid; and 20 a recess located within the lid.

Preferably the lid has a number of ribs for strengthening the lid. The ribs may in the form of channels. The ribs may extend longitudinally and/or laterally. The ribs may extend from adjacent a periphery of a lid to adjacent the recess. 25 Normally the lid is substantially circular when viewed in plan.

The lid may have at least side truncated side. The lid may have two truncated sides. The lid may include a raised lip that is located adjacent a periphery of the lid. The raised lip may extend entirely around the periphery. Alternatively the raised lip may extend partially around the periphery. Still alternatively the 30 raised lip may extend around periphery discontinuously.

The base is normally cylindrical in shape. However it should be appreciated that the base may be formed from other shapes such as a cube. The base is normally formed from an external bottom which is integrally formed with at least one external sidewall. Each sidewall may include a 35 respective top face. 3 2013209325 19 Jul 2013 5 The lid may be attached directly to the base. Alternatively, the lid may be attached to the base via a rim. The rim may be attached to a periphery of the lid and periphery of the base. That is, the base and lid are integrally formed via the rim. An underside of the lid and the top face of each sidewall may not be integrally formed. 10 The internal chamber is preferably includes an internal bottom and a continuous sidewall. The sidewall is normally arcuate in shape. Normally the internal chamber is cylindrical in shape.

The recess typically includes at least one sidewall and a floor. Normally the recess is rectangular in shape. Preferably, the recess has four 15 side walls and a floor. Preferably the recess is sustainably centrally located within the lid.

Normally one or more hollow protrusions extend upwardly from the floor of the recess. The hollow protrusions are normally in the form of a square or rectangular shaped prism. However it should be appreciated that 20 other shaped protrusion, such as a triangular prism or cylinder shaped protrusions, may be formed.

In another form the invention resides in a method of preparing a tank for the transportation of aquatic marine animals, the method including the step of: 25 cutting a recess out of a lid of a tank, the tank being formed by a lid which is integrally formed with the base.

The method may also include one or more of the steps of: cutting the lid from the base; sealing the lid to the base; 30 cutting one or more hollow protrusions from the floor of the recess; using hollow protrusions to house instrumentation; attaching the protrusions to a sheet; or placing reinforcement inside the lid; and attaching the sheet to the so reinforcement to cover a hole left by the recess. 35 2013209325 19 Jul 2013 r 4

5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tank according to a first embodiment of the invention; 10 FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tank according to a second embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3A to 3E are perspective views of the preparation of the tank shown in FIG. 1 for one or more large marine animals; FIG. 4A to 4C are perspective views of the preparation of the 15 tank shown in FIG. 1 for a large number of marine animals; FIG. 5A to 5B are perspective views of the preparation of the tank shown in FIG. 2 for a large number of marine animals; and FIG. 6A to 6C are perspective views of the preparation of the tank shown in FIG. 2 for a one or more large marine animals;

20 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG 1 shows a first embodiment of a tank 10 that is used to transport aquatic marine animals. The tank 10 is manufactured in two sizes namely a 5000 litre tank and a 2000 litre tank. However, it would be appreciated to a person skilled in the art that the tanks may be manufactured 25 in other sizes. The tank 10 is integrally moulded from polyethylene. However it should be appreciated that other types of plastics may be used.

The tank 10 is formed from a lid 20 which is attached to a base 30. The lid 20 is cylindrical in shape and has a pair of opposing truncated sides 21. A number of longitudinally extending strengthening ribs 22 and a 30 number of lateral extending strengthening ribs 23 are formed within the lid 20. A rectangular recess 40 is located adjacent a centre of the lid 20. The recess 40 is formed from four side walls 41 and a floor 42. A number of hollow protrusions 50 extend upwardly from the floor 42 of the recess 40. The protrusions 50 do not extend above the height of the lid 20. The strengthening 35 ribs 22 extend adjacent the periphery of the lid 20 to adjacent so the rectangular recess 40. 5 2013209325 19M2013 5 The base 30 is cylindrical in shape and is formed from an external bottom 31 which is integrally formed with an external, round sidewall 32. The round sidewall includes a top face 33. An internal chamber 60 is located within the base 30 and is enclosed using the lid 2D. The internal chamber 60 is again cylindrical in shape and formed an internal bottom 61 10 having an internal, round sidewall 62.

The lid 20 and the base 30 are joined via a rim 70. The rim 70 is attached to an edge of the lid 20 and an edge of the base 30. That is an underside of the face 33 is not attached to the top base 30 of the sidewall of the base 30. 15 Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a tank 110 that is used to transport marine animals. The tank 110 in this second embodiment is a 2000 litre tank 110 that is again integrally formed using polyethylene. Again it should be appreciated that other suitable materials may be used.

The tank 110 is again formed from a lid 120 which is integrally 20 formed with the base 130. The base 130 is formed from a round, external sidewall 132 which is integrally formed with an external bottom 131. The base 130 is cylindrical in shape. An internal chamber 160 is located within the base 130 which is also cylindrical in shape. The internal chamber 160 is formed by a continuous, round sidewall 162 which interconnects with an internal bottom 25 wall 161.

The lid 120 is circular when viewed in plan. An upwardly extending raised lip 124 is formed around the periphery of the lid 120. A recess 140 is formed adjacent the centre of the lid 120. The recess 140 is rectangular in shape and is formed from four sidewalls 41 which are 30 interconnected by a floor 142. A series of hollow rectangular protrusions 150 extend upwardly from the floor 142.

The base 130 and the lid 120 are directly connected. That is, an underside of side of the lid 120 and the sidewall of the base 130 are joined when the tank 110 is manufactured. 35 When one or more marine animals are to be transported, a tank is selected backed the size of the animals, the mode of transport and number of tanks that are to be transported. 6 2013209325 19 Μ 2013 5 When a large marine animal is to be transported, a 5000 litre tank 10 is usually selected. The preparation of the tank 10 is shown in, FIGS. 3A to 3F, includes cutting the floor 42 of the recess 40 to remove the floor 42 from the lid 20. The upwardly extending protrusions 50 can then be cut from the floor 42. The protrusions 50 are cut so that a flange 51 extends around 5 10 the protrusions 50. Instrumentation, such as an air pump, can then be located within one or more protrusions 50. Any tubes 52 or sensors that form part of the instrumentation can then be feed through holes that are made through the protrusions 50. The protrusions 50 are then attached to a sheet the bottom of a sheet 80 using water a waterproof seal such as a neoprene seal 81. 15 Appropriate fasteners are used for this purpose. The sheet 80 typically is made from plywood although other materials may be utilized. A one way valve 82 is positioned within the sheet 80 to allow air to pass into the tank 10 upon completion of the preparation of the tank 10.

The next step is to cut the rim of the tank 10. Cutting the rim 70 20 15 of the 5000 litre tank 10 enables the lid 20 to be removed from the base 30. The removal of the lid 20 from the base 30 enables a large marine animal to be placed within water located within the internal chamber 60 located within the base 30.

Once the marine animal is located within the internal chamber 25 60 of the tank 10, a neoprene seal 34 is located around the entire top face of the external sidewall. The lid 20 is then placed on top of the neoprene seal 34. Wooden members 90 are then placed below the rim 70 and on top of the lid 20. Fasteners 100 are used to seal the lid 20 to the base 30 by screwing the fasteners through the wood members on top of the lid 20, the neoprene 25 30 seal 34, the base 30 and the wooden members 90 located under the base 30. This provides a seal between the lid 20 and base 30.

The next step is to place wood members 91 inside of the lid 20 adjacent to the recess 40. A neoprene seal 43 is again placed adjacent to the top of the recess 40 to surround the recess 40. The sheet 80 that is used to 35 mount the instrumentation is placed over the recess 40. Fasteners are then screwed the sheet 80, the neoprene, the lid 20 and the wood members underneath the lid 20. This seals the sheet 80 to the lid 20 so that no water is 7 2013209325 19 Μ 2013 5 able to pass through the recess 40. The tank 10 is therefore ready to transport the large aquatic animal.

The 5000 litre tank 10 may also be used to transport aquatic marine animals of a smaller size but of a large quantity. That is aquatic 5 marine animals that are smaller in size then the recess 40 located within the 10 lid 20.

In this instance, only the floor 42 of the recess 40 is removed. The protrusions 50 are cut from the floor 42 and attached to a ply sheet 80 with associated instrumentation as described above. Once the marine animals are located within the tank 10, the sheet 80 is sealed to the lid 20 of the tank 15 10 using wooden members 91 as described above.

The 2000 litre tank 110 shown in FIG 2 is prepared in a similar fashion as the tank 10 shown in FIG. 1 when the animals are relatively small in size. In this instance, only the floor 142 of the recess 140 is required to be removed. The protrusions 150 are cut from the floor 142 and attached to a 20 plywood sheet 180 with associated instrumentation as described above. Once the marine animals are located within the tank 110, the sheet 180 is sealed to the lid 120 of the tank 110 using wooden members 191 as described above.

The tank 110 can also be used to transport larger marine animals that will not fit through the recess 140 of the tank 110. In this 25 instance, the lid 120 is cut approximately five centimetres inside the raised lip. The floor 142 of the recess 140 then is removed from the lid 120. The remainder of the lid 120 is then discarded. A plywood sheet 180 is then cut so that fits on top the remaining lid 20 but within the confines of the raised lip 124. Normally the sheet 180 is of 30 a similar thickness as the height of the raised lip 124. Instrumentation is attached to the bottom of the plywood sheet 180 using the protrusions 150 as describes above. A neoprene seal 125 is then located on the remaining portion of the lid 120. Wooden members 190 are located on the underside of the lid 120. 35 The plywood sheet 180 is then laid on top of the neoprene seal. Fasteners are then located through the plywood sheet 180, neoprene seal, lid 120-and into 2013209325 19 Μ 2013 8 5 the wooden members 190 to seal the plywood sheet 80 to the lid 20. The one or more marine animals are therefore ready for transport.

The tanks 10 and 110 described above allow for a less time consuming preparation for the transport of aquatic marine animals. They also provide the user with a variety of options that are not currently available using 10 existing tank 10 that transports aquatic marine life.

In this specification, the terms "comprise", "comprises", "comprising" or similar terms are intended to mean anon-exclusive inclusion, such that a system, method or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements 15 not listed.

It should be appreciated that various, other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A tank for the transportation of aquatic marine animals, the tank comprising: a lid; a base, the lid being integrally formed with the base; a hollow internal chamber located within the base and in communication with the lid, the hollow internal chamber having an internal bottom wall interconnected with a unitary, continuous sidewall; and a recess located within the lid.
2. The tank of claim 1 wherein the lid has a number of ribs for strengthening the lid.
3. The tank of claim 2 wherein the ribs are in the form of channels.
4. The tank of claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the ribs extend from adjacent a periphery of a lid to adjacent the recess.
5. The tank of any one of the preceding claims wherein the lid is substantially circular when viewed in plan.
6. The tank of any one of the preceding claims wherein the lid has at least one side truncated side.
7. The tank of any one of the preceding claims wherein the lid includes a raised lip that is located adjacent a periphery of the lid.
8. The tank of claim 7 wherein the raised lip extends entirely around the periphery.
9. The tank of anyone of the preceding claims in which the base is cylindrical in shape.
10. The tank of any one of the preceding claims in which the lid is attached directly to the base.
11. The tank of any one of the preceding claim in which the lid is attached to the base via a rim.
12. The tank of any one of the preceding claim in which the internal chamber is cylindrical in shape.
13. The tank of any one of the preceding claims wherein the recess includes at least one sidewall and a floor.
14. The tank of any one of the preceding claims in which the recess is sustainably centrally located within the lid.
15. The tank of anyone of the preceding claims in which one or more hollow protrusions extend upwardly from the floor of the recess.
16. The tank of claim 15 wherein the hollow protrusions are in the form of a square or rectangular shaped prism.
17. A method of preparing a tank for the transportation of aquatic marine animals, the method including the step of: cutting a recess out of a lid of a tank, the tank being formed by a lid which is integrally formed with the base.
18. The method of claim 17 including the steps of cutting the lid from the base; and sealing the lid to the base;
19. The method of claim 17 or 18 including the steps of cutting one or more hollow protrusions from the floor of the recess; and using hollow protrusions to house instrumentation.
20. The method of any one of claims 17 to 19 including the steps of attaching the protrusions to a sheet; or placing reinforcement inside the lid; and attaching the sheet to the so reinforcement to cover a hole left by the recess.