AU3012200A - Container arrangement - Google Patents

Description

P/00/01 1 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT p p p. 6 P *9 PP P p Invention Title: Applicant: CONTAINER ARRANGEMENT DAVID MARK STEELE p.

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method of performing it known to me: W SkA.OC rmfPTCOM IO3PctOOC 2 CONTAINER ARRANGEMENT The present invention relates to a container arrangement and particularly although not exclusively, relates to a tank and base arrangement for use in aquaculture for the farming of marine life, in particular fresh and salt water fish.

It will be convenient to describe the invention in relation to that particular arrangement, although it is to be appreciated that the invention can have wider application.

In more recent times, farming of marine life has become an important industry, particularly as natural reserves of such life in the wild, are being depleted by traditional methods of fishing and destruction of natural habitat.

S"Certain varieties of fish are more affected than others and to combat this i depletion, quotas are being imposed on the volume of fish that can be taken from the sea and rivers. These quotas have generally forced the value of the 15 more depleted varieties of fish to increase and that has resulted in the aquaculture industry becoming viable as a supplier of fish for local and o *overseas markets.

The equipment used in aquaculture farming is required to simulate the natural environment of the marine life being farmed and thus sophisticated systems to control the cleanliness and temperature of the water are employed.

In some systems, it is necessary for the entire volume of water contained in an *aquaculture tank to be fully removed and filtered every three hours. Various systems have been proposed for the efficient filtering of tank water and the present invention relates to an arrangement which is considered to provide an improvement in the removal of liquid from within the tank for filtration purposes.

According to the present invention there is provided an aquaculture tank, including a side wall depending from a floor to define a liquid container, said floor sloping downwardly toward a liquid collection opening and a sump chamber being disposed below said liquid collection opening for communication thererwith, said sump chamber having a greater cross-sectional area than said liquid collection opening and including an outlet through which liquid received through the liquid collection opening is fed to a liquid filtration system.

W:\SHARONAndrewvPCTCOMP\CONTARRA.DOC It is preferred that the tank of the invention be moulded in a suitable plastic by a suitable moulding operation, such as rotational moulding. It is further preferred that the sump chamber depend integrally from the liquid collection opening. That is, it is preferred that the liquid collection opening and the sump chamber be formed as a single moulded part of the tank.

In use, the liquid collection opening is arranged to receive a filter that can be of any suitable kind and means can be provided to secure the filter relative to the liquid collection opening. That means may include a threaded connection between the filter and the liquid collection opening, or more simply, the filter may be a snug fit within the opening so that the filter is held by frictional engagement. In a further alternative, the filter may include a flange which overlies the surface surrounding the liquid collection opening and so i preventing further penetration of the filter into the opening when the flange is engaged or rests against that surface.

15 The filter can be of any suitable kind, but preferably is of an elongate cylindrical kind, having a stainless steel mesh screen of a mesh size suitable to allow contaminants to pass through, but not to allow the marine life being formed to pass through. In a typical farming operation, very small young fish :i are grown in the tank and these are known as fingerlings. The grade of mesh of the filter for this kind of farming may vary depending on the type of fingerlings being farmed and as an example, a very small fingerling may be able to fit through a mesh screen having 1/4mm openings.

In order to support a filter of the abovedescribed kind, the liquid collection opening is preferably circular. The shape of the liquid collection opening can however be formed other than circular to accommodate filters of different styles.

The chamber located below the liquid collection opening can also take any suitable shape, but preferably it is formed in circular, rectangular or square cross section and includes an opening in one wall thereof which facilitates connection thereto of a drainage pipe for removing liquid from within the tank.

The depth of the chamber is preferably constant across the full crosssection of the chamber and preferably is of a dimension similar to the width of the chamber. In a particularly preferred arrangement, the liquid collection W: SHARONAndreywPCTCOMFCONTARRA.DOC opening is cylindrical and has a diameter of approximately 100 mm, while the chamber below that opening is square having an internal length and width dimension of 100-200 mm. In that arrangement, the height of the chamber is approximately 100-150 mm.

In a preferred arrangement of the invention, the outlet of the sump chamber includes a connecting sleeve for connection to a pipe or conduit in communication with the liquid filtration system. The sleeve can depend from the wall of the sump chamber and preferably includes a circular connection opening for connection to a circular pipe. This arrangement advantageously facilitates connection of the sump chamber to a liquid filtration unit without the connector pipe or conduit extending into the sump chamber. As such, the filter that is fitted to the liquid collection opening can extend into the sump chamber without interference from a pipe or conduit that is connected to the sump :•chamber by extending thereinto through the outlet. The connecting sleeve may 15 include means to seal with a suitable pipe or conduit, such as an O-ring seal or the like.

The sloping surface of the floor requires that a suitable facility be provided to support the tank in a level manner. That is, the tank as formed with :i a sloping floor cannot support itself level on a horizontal surface without a suitable support. In a preferred form of the invention, a base is provided to support the tank, which base is formed separately from the tank. In one 0. preferred form, the base includes an outer supporting member which supports the floor of the tank adjacent the region in which the side walls of the tank meet the floor. Thus, if the tank is of circular form, the base includes a circular ring of an outer diameter approximately equal to the outer floor diameter of the tank.

The bottom surface of the base will be arranged to engage against the surface on which the tank is to be supported, such as a concrete or gravel surface, while the upper surface of the base will be contoured to match the sloping floor of the tank. The base may include strengthening ribs to prevent buckling of the base under the weight of the tank when filled with liquid. The ribs may extend inwardly and/or outwardly from the outer/inner surfaces of the base.

The base may further include webs or spokes that extend inwardly from the periphery thereof to an inner supporting member that may be in the form of W: SHARON drewPCTCOMP\CONTARRA.DOC a central hub that includes an opening suitable to receive the sump chamber located below the liquid collection opening. Alternatively, the base may be constructed without the webs or spokes and therefore may comprise two separate components, being the outer and inner supporting member. In this latter arrangement, the supporting members are located in position relative to each other prior to location of the base thereon. To ensure stability of this two piece arrangement, it is preferred that a quantity of sand, gravel or other like material fill the space between the two members and so prevent relative shifting movement therebetween. In order to prevent rotation of the outer supporting member, particularly if that member is circular, it may be provided with one or more ribs extending inwardly thereof, which extend into the sand or gravel.

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S" Equally, such ribs maybe provided on the outer side of the internal supporting member, if desirable.

As will be appreciated from the above description, the tank preferably is 15 supported at the peripheral edge thereof and internally thereof about the liquid collection opening. In the preferred arrangement, the base is circular, and the outer supporting member is coaxial with the inner supporting member.

However, the position of the inner supporting member is dependant on the :i position of the liquid collection opening and therefore, such a coaxial 20 arrangement may not be appropriate.

In the assembled arrangement of the tank and the base, a drainage pipe extends from the chamber below the liquid collection opening to the outer peripheral side edge of the base so that liquid drained through the liquid collection opening can be transferred from the sump chamber to a liquid filtration system. In one of the preferred embodiments discussed above, the drainage pipe is formed in one of the webs or spokes that extend from the outer supporting member of the base inwardly to the inner supporting member or hub. The web or spoke may be hollow for receipt of a suitable pipe and connection, or it may be formed as a drainage conduit so that a separate pipe and fitting need not be supplied. That is, the chamber may connect directly to the drainage conduit formed in the web or spoke at the inner end thereof, while the water filtration arrangement may be connected to the outer peripheral side wall of the base at the outer end of the drainage conduit.

W: SHARON AndrewmPCTCOMP\FCONTARRA.DOC The tank arrangement described above provides improved collection of liquid from within the tank. Liquid flows through the tank filter whereafter it flows through the liquid collection opening and into the chamber for transfer through the base to a liquid filtration unit. The upstanding nature of the liquid filter limits blockage such as may occur from debris that collects on the tank floor, but equally, that debris moves towards the liquid collection opening for filtration and removal from the tank due to the sloping nature of the tank floor toward the liquid collection opening.

The attached drawings show an example embodiment of the invention of the foregoing kind. The particularity of those drawings and the associated description does not supersede the generality of the preceding broad description of the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tank according to the present invention.

15 Figure 2 is a perspective view of a base according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a tank arrangement according to the present invention.

Figure 3A is a detailed view of the sump chamber arrangement 0 20 according to one aspect of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a base arrangement according to the present l invention.

Figure 5 is an alternative embodiment of a tank arrangement according to the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a tank 10 according to one embodiment of the invention.

The tank 10 is shown in perspective view and includes a tapered side wall 11 having an overturned peripheral lip 12. The side wall 11 tapers to a sloping floor 13 which slopes from the junction 14 of the side wall 11 and floor 13 to a centrally located liquid collection opening Figure 2 shows a base 16 for supporting the tank 10 which base includes an outer supporting ring 17 which is cylindrical and of an outer diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the floor 13 at the junction 14.

Webs or spokes 18 extend inwardly from the inner edge 19 of the supporting W: SHARON~MAndreMPCTCOM CONTARRA.DOC ring 17 toward a central hub 20 which is cylindrical and defines a central opening 21. The outer supporting ring 17, the webs or spokes 18 and the hub are all configured to have a downwardly sloping upper face to conform and support the underneath surface of the tank floor 13.

Figure 3 shows the tank 10 assembled relative to the base 16 in cross section through the center of the tank and base. In Figure 3, the complementary nature of the sloping floor 13 and the configuration of the base supporting that floor is clearly shown.

Figure 3 also shows the liquid collection opening 15 of the tank 10 and a liquid filter 22 which is received within that opening. The liquid filter 22 can be of any suitable material, although in a preferred form is it of stainless steel mesh screen. It is clear from Figure 3, that the filter extends upwardly away S ii from the floor 13 to a substantial height. The liquid filter 22 includes a lateral *"*flange 23 that has a diameter to rest within a recess 24 formed about the liquid 15 collection opening 15. The bottom end 25 of the liquid filter 22 is configured to fit snugly within the liquid collection opening 15 and that snug fit, combined with the location of the flange 23 within the recess 24 securely maintains the liquid filter in place.

:i Below the liquid collection opening 15 is a sump chamber 26 which is of a square configuration. It is clear from this figure, that the sump chamber 26 is of greater cross sectional area than the liquid collection opening 15 and the depth of the chamber 26 is approximately equal to the cross sectional width thereof. It is preferred that the sump chamber have a square or rectangular form, so that the external wall 27 thereof is a planar surface for convenient connection to a drain. That is, it is more convenient to connect a drain fitting to a planar or flat surface, than a surface which is curved or irregular. However, the invention includes a sump chamber of other than square cross-section and the chamber could for example be of circular cross-section. Figure 3a illustrates such a sump chamber and in that figure, the same reference numerals are employed as in Figure 3 for like parts. In the Figure 3a arrangement, the sump chamber 26a formed integrally with the chamber 26a.

The opening formed in the wall of the chamber 26a through which liquid flows W:.\SHAROMAlndrew&PCTCOMPICONTARRA.DOC 8 for filtration, is oval as is required when the sump chamber is of cylindrical cross-section.

The connection of a drain to the sump chamber 26 is not shown in Figure 3 but it is considered that a person skilled in this art would readily appreciate the type of connection necessary. The sump chamber 26 therefore includes an opening in one of its walls to facilitate this connection. Shown in Figure 3 in dot outline, is a drainage pipe 27 that extends through one of the webs or spokes 18 of the base 16 and which can accommodate a tube for transfer of liquid from the sump chamber 26 to a filtration facility 28. The filtration facility 28 can have any suitable componentry and construction and that componentry is known in this art.

Both the tank 10 and the base 16 can be moulded from any suitable e material such as polyethylene or polypropylene, or they may be constructed in other suitable materials, such as metals.

15 Figures 4 and 5 show alternative embodiments of the base of the invention. Figure 4 shows a base 30 which is comprised of an outer supporting ring 31 which is circular in nature, but which could alternatively be any other shape complimentary with the shape of the tank which it is to support.

Extending radially inwardly from the inner surface 32 of the supporting ring 31, is a plurality of strengthening ribs 33. Strengthening ribs 33 are also shown in Figure 2, extending outwardly of the base 16. The supporting ring 31 is formed separately from an inner supporting ring or hub 34 which is provided to support a tank about the liquid collection opening thereof. The ring 34 is formed with a recess 35 for receipt of a flange such as flange 23 shown in Figure 3. The opening 36 in the ring 34 accommodates the liquid collection opening and sump chamber in the same manner as that shown in Figure 3, but the ring 34 is not connected to the ring 31. To avoid relative movement between the rings 31 and 34, when the base is positioned, a sand fill 37 is placed in the intermediate region between those rings. The strengthening ribs 33 extend into that sand fill.

The invention described herein is susceptible to variations, modifications and/or additions other than those specifically described and it is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations, modifications and/or additions which fall within the spirit and scope of the above description.

W: SHARO NndremPCTCOMP\CONTARRA.DOC

Claims (28)

1. An aquaculture tank, including a side wall depending from a floor to define a liquid container, said floor sloping downwardly toward a liquid collection opening and a sump chamber being disposed below said liquid collection opening for communication therewith, said sump chamber having a greater cross-sectional area than said liquid collection opening and including an outlet through which liquid received through the liquid collection opening is fed to a liquid filtration system.

2. An aquaculture tank according to claim 1, wherein said liquid collection opening is circular.

3. An aquaculture tank according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said sump cross- 15 section chamber is square or rectangular.

4. An aquaculture tank according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said sump chamber is of circular cross-section. 20

5. An aquaculture tank according to any preceding claim, including a filter that is secured relative to said liquid collection opening.

6. An aquaculture tank according to claim 5, said filter being threadably connected to said liquid collection opening.

7. An aquaculture tank according to claim 5, said filter being connected to said liquid collection opening by friction fit therein.

8. An aquaculture tank according to claim 5, said filter including a flange which is arranged in use, to overly the surface of the tank surrounding said liquid collection opening which at least partly locates said filter relative to said opening and prevents further penetration of said filter into said opening when said flange is engaged or rests against said surrounding surface. W:\SHARONIAndreiwPCTCOMP\CONTARRA.DOC

9. An aquaculture tank according to claim 8, said surrounding surface being recessed below that of the main tank floor and said flange being located within said recess when installed relative to said liquid collection opening.

10. An aquaculture tank according to any preceding claim, wherein said filter is of an elongate cylindrical kind which extends upright from said tank floor and which includes a mesh screen suitable to allow contaminants in the liquid in said tank to pass through, but not to allow marine life within said tank to pass through.

11. An aquaculture tank according to any preceding claim, including a connecting sleeve depending from said sump chamber about said outlet for connection to a pipe or conduit in communication with said liquid filtration system.

12. An aquaculture tank according to claim 11, said connecting sleeve extending from said outlet to define a circular opening for receipt of a cylindrical pipe or conduit. 20

13. An aquaculture tank according to claim 12, said circular opening being enlarged compared to said sump chamber outlet. 9* o a.

14. A tank arrangement including an aquaculture tank according to any preceding claim and being supported on a base, said base including an outer supporting member which supports said floor of said tank adjacent the region in which said side wall of said tank depends from said floor.

A tank arrangement according to claim 14, wherein said tank and said base are of generally annular configuration.

16. A tank arrangement according to claim 14 or 15, wherein said base has upper and lower surfaces, said lower surface being arranged to engage against the surface on which said tank is to be supported and said upper surface being W:\SHARON\AndrevwPCTCOMP\CONTARRA.DOC 11 arranged to engage the underneath surface of said tank floor and said upper surface being contoured to match said sloping tank floor.

17. A tank arrangement according to any one of claims 14 to 16, and further including an inner supporting member for supporting said tank floor inwardly of said region where said side wall depends from said floor.

18. A tank arrangement according to claim 17, wherein said inner supporting member is disposed about said sump chamber.

19. A tank arrangement according to claim 17 or 18, wherein said base includes webs or spokes that extend between said outer supporting member S" and said inner supporting member.

20. A tank arrangement according to claim 17 or 18, wherein a gravel, sand, or like material at least partly fills the space between said inner and outer members.

21. A tank arrangement according to claim 20, wherein one or each of said 20 inner and outer members includes ribs extending into said sand or gravel or the like material, for resisting relative movement between said one or each of said members and said gravel, sand or like material. i°

22. A tank arrangement according to any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein said inner and outer members are each annular and are co-axial when installed relative to said tank.

23. A tank arrangement according to any one of claims 14 to 22 including a drainage pipe extending from said sump chamber to the outer peripheral side edge of said base. W:\SHARONMndrewvPCTCOMPMCONTARRA.DOC 12

24. A tank arrangement according to claim 23, wherein said drainage pipe extends through said outer member and, where provided, said inner member for connection to said sump chamber.

25. A tank arrangement according to any one of claims 14 to 25 when dependent on claim 16 wherein said drainage pipe extends through one of said webs.

26. A tank arrangement according to any one of claims 14 to 25 when dependent on claim 16 wherein one of said webs includes a conduit which is attachable to said sump chamber so that liquid can flow through web from said sump chamber to the outer peripheral side edge of the base for transfer to a Sliquid filtration system. 15

27. An aquaculture tank substantially as herein described with reference to any one of Figures 1 or 3 to

28. A tank arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. DATED: 26 April 2000 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: DAVID MARK STEELE W:\SHARON\AndrevAPCTCOMPCONTARRA.DOC