AU5833399A - Spill control apparatus - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

STANDARD PATENT Applicants: BERNARD PETER FLANAGAN JOHN WHALAN Invention Title: SPILL CONTROL

APPARATUS

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: SPILL CONTROL

APPARATUS

Field of the Invention The following invention relates to a spill control apparatus. Particularly, though not exclusively, the invention relates to an apparatus for receiving spilled hazardous and non-hazardous liquid chemicals stored in bottles, vessels or other receptacles, and to capture and retain the spillages therefrom. It should be remembered, however, that the invention has broader use in all manner of spilled substance collection applications.

Background Art It is known to store chemicals on shelves, benches or floors. Where the storage vessels or receptacles are eg damaged, the chemicals can leak onto a support surface, ~possibly reacting with other spilled chemicals or other substances already upon the surface. Spilled chemicals also present a difficult clean-up problem, often necessitating the removal of all stored chemicals from the shelf or bench etc for subsequent cleaning. Where reactive chemicals are stored together on a common shelf or bench etc, a significant potential danger exists with the possibility of breakage and chemical interaction. Furthermore, 25 environmental regulations prevent discharge/disposal of spilled chemicals to drains or gutters.

Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a spill control apparatus including: an enclosure defining a cavity and having an inlet thereto; and a support element positionable with respect to the enclosure and adapted for supporting a substance containing vessel, and for directing to the inlet substance that spills out of the vessel thereonto.

J:\SpeciU00 399350 3 9 935976.doc The term "substance" includes both liquids and flowable solids, and also slurries etc.

Preferably the support element has one or more flow control means for directing spilled substance to the enclosure. Preferably the flow control means includes one or more apertures in the element. More preferably the flow control means further includes a gutter positioned beneath the element and adapted to receive any spilled substance via the one or more apertures.

Preferably the gutter includes an outlet through which spilled substance received by the gutter can flow.

Preferably in use the outlet is mated to the inlet of the enclosure.

Preferably the element is troughed and at least one of the apertures is situated at a lower-most portion of the trough.

Preferably the enclosure has the inlet located on its upper surface. Most preferably the enclosure is a bladder, with the inlet located on the upper surface of the bladder.

Preferably the bladder is also fitted with a drainage .outlet in use to allow discharge of the contents and reuse aa*of the bladder. Preferably the bladder is supported within a tray in use.

S" Preferably the tray and support element are hinged together in use along an upper edge of the tray and are relatively pivotable at the hinge with respect to each other between a closed position in which the bladder is enclosed within the tray and element, and an open position in which the bladder can be accessed. Preferably the bladder can be removed from the tray in the open position.

Preferably the spill control apparatus includes a lock which locks the support element to the tray in the closed position to prevent said pivoting. Preferably the element J:\Speci\300 399\350 399\35976.doc is also connected to the tray by a cord means that limits the degree of pivotable movement.

In an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, preferably the enclosure is also fitted with a drainage outlet in use to allow discharge of the contents and reuse of the enclosure.

Preferably the enclosure and the support element are hinged together in use along an upper edge of the enclosure and are relatively pivotable at the hinge with respect to each other between a closed position in which the enclosure is enclosed by the element, and an open position in which the outlet can be accessed.

Preferably the spill control apparatus includes a lock which locks the support element to the enclosure in the closed position to prevent said pivoting. Preferably the element is also connected to the enclosure by a cord means that limits the degree of pivotable movement.

Preferably a neutralising agent is provided in the cavity for neutralising a substance directed thereinto.

Brief Description of the Drawings Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within

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e the scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: e 25 Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional end elevation view of one embodiment of a spill control apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic parts exploded oblique view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of a part of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional end elevation view of the embodiment shown in Figure 3 taken at IV-IV; J:\Spec'\300 399X350 399U5976doc Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of a part of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a schematic end elevation view of the embodiment shown in Figure Figure 7 is a schematic plan view of a part of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 8 is a schematic end elevation view of the embodiment shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a schematic plan view of a part of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; and Figure 10 is a schematic end elevation view of the of the embodiment shown in Figure 9 taken at X-X.

Modes for Carrying out the Invention eo.

Referring to the drawings a spill control apparatus 15 is shown with a lid 11 which has a plurality of apertures 16 therethrough. The lid 11 is typically fabricated from stainless steel or other rigid material such as plastics or metallic materials or any other preferably chemically inert material. The lid 11 includes a number of pressed or 20 otherwise formed deformation lines 19 which cooperate to define a slightly troughed shape in the lid 11. The larger o*.oo central apertures 16 reside at the lower-most portion of ooooo S• the trough.

Situated beneath the lid 11 is a gutter 12, also typically fabricated from stainless steel or any other rigid and preferably chemically inert material. The gutter 12 includes a pair of deformation lines 22 causing the gutter 12 to have a lower-most point at which an outlet is situated and towards which flowable substance is directed in use. Outlet 20 is typically a short length of tube formed integrally with or attached to the gutter 12.

The gutter 12 is attached to the lid 11 in use so as to provide a space above the gutter and below the lid 11.

J:\Speci300 399\350 399\35976.doc A base tray 14 is attached by means of a hinge 21 to the back longitudinal edge of the lid 11. The base tray 14 is typically fabricated from stainless steel, plastics or any other suitably rigid material. The base tray 14 can preferably be formed from chemically inert material, but can alternatively be formed from other materials.

A pair of cords or straps 17 extend between the lid 11 and the base tray 14 to limit the downward movement of the front edge of the base tray 14 as it hinges down from the lid 11. These are typically made of wire or chain material. The base tray 14 defines a cavity 26 into which a bladder 13 is received. Bladder 13 is typically formed of rubber or other chemically non-reactive material and includes an inlet tube 15 to be connected to the outlet o 15 tube 20 of the gutter 12. The bladder 13 also includes a drainage plug 23. A chemical neutralising agent can be provided within the bladder 13.

In order to retain the base tray 14 in the closed, horizontal configuration, a locking device 24 (Figure 20 is provided. The locking device typically includes a rotary cam or disc which upon rotation of a key 18 locks against pivoting the base tray 14 to the lid 11ii. The key o*ooo 18 typically passes through a key hole 25 in the base tray 14.

S 25 In use, a number of such apparatus 10 can be fitted to a support frame so as to form shelves which reside one above another with vertical spacing therebetween suitable for receiving chemical-containing bottles or other receptacles. The framework used to support the shelves can typically be Dexion T frame work known in the field of storage structures.

Should a chemical substance spill or leak from one of the vessels or containers, it flows down to and passes i:\SpAi3OO 39U5O 399\35976.doc through the apertures 16 in the lid 11 and into the gutter 12. The substance then flows to the lower-most point of the gutter 12 so as to pass through the outlet tube 20 and thence via the inlet tube 15 to the bladder 13. After it has been noted that a spillage or leakage has taken place, the base tray 14 can be released by unlocking the locking device 24 with key 18. The base tray 14 can then be lowered under its own weight to the position defined by the extent of cable or straps 17 at which point the bladder 13 can be released from the gutter 12 by removal of inlet tube from outlet pipe 20. The bladder 13 can then be lifted away and disposed or emptied into a suitable storage receptacle by opening plug 23 and inverting the bladder 13.

~The bladder can then either be replaced or reinserted into the base tray 14 and reconnected with outlet whereupon the base tray 14 can be raised to its horizontal configuration and again locked to lid 11.

In a further preferred embodiment, not shown, the bladder and tray can be replaced by a suitably rigid and chemically inert enclosed receptacle. The enclosed receptacle can then be directly attached by means of a hinge to the back longitudinal edge of the lid. Once again a pair of cords or straps extend between the lid and the enclosed receptacle to limit the downward movement of the front edge of the receptacle as it hinges down from the lid. The arrangement can be modified such that an inlet to the receptacle communicates with an outlet of the lid in the closed position. In this example the receptacle also includes a drainage plug. In order to retain the receptacle in the closed, horizontal configuration with the lid, a similar locking device to that described earlier is provided.

J:\Spec300 399\350 399\35976.d This latter device can be fitted as a component of a shelving system in a similar fashion to that previously described. Should a chemical substance spill or leak from one of the vessels or containers, it can pass through the apertures in the lid and then into the receptacle. The receptacle can then be emptied into a suitable storage receptacle upon opening a drainage plug situated on eg an outside edge of the receptacle when it is in a downwardly pivoted (tilted) position.

It should be appreciated that modifications and alterations apparent to those skilled in the art are not to be considered as beyond the scope of the present invention.

For example, rather than providing a bladder 13 in each and every spill control apparatus 10 in a shelving rack which S" 15 is configured to support a number of spill control devices, flexible hoses connected to each outlet tube 20 can extend to a common bladder or remote storage vessel via a manifold, for example, at the lower-most shelf.

Depending on whether or not all chemicals stored on 20 the shelf are identical or not, various collection arrangements can be accommodated. For example, if the chemicals are all different, the bladder can contain a *eoe chemical neutralising agent for each of the different chemicals. If the chemicals are all the same, the bladder 25 in each shelf can be empty to begin with, to enable recovery and possible re-use of any spilled chemicals therefrom. Similarly, different arrangements can be made for multiple shelves having drainage hoses connected to a common reservoir.

In further preferred embodiments of the invention, not shown, the apparatus can be emplaced in a floor storage area, for example a mechanical bund (of concrete or similar materials), or in cupboard areas, service trolleys, stand J:\Spec300 399\350 399\35976.doc 9 alone single shelves and pallet racking or any other area where potentially hazardous liquids are stored or used.

These can include domestic applications (eg garages), industrial (eg chemical storage cupboards), retail (eg provision of foodstuffs), education (eg school laboratories) and health (eg hospital) related applications. If the apparatus is used in a floor level application, it is therefore preferable that the lid component be upwardly moveable relative to the floor mounted tray component containing the bladder.

It is within the scope of the invention for the diameter of the hoses, the size and shape of the tray, bladder, receptacle and lid to be of any suitable size to achieve desired outcomes. Whilst the invention has been described with reference to a number of preferred embodiments it should be appreciated that the invention can be embodied in many other forms.

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a J:\Speci\3OO 399\350 39\.35976.do

Claims (20)

1. Spill control apparatus including: an enclosure defining a cavity and having an inlet thereto; and a support element positionable with respect to the enclosure and adapted for supporting a substance containing vessel, and for directing to the inlet substance that spills out of the vessel thereonto.

2. Spill control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support element has one or more flow control means for directing spilled substance to the enclosure.

3. Spill control apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the flow control means includes one or more apertures in the element.

4. Spill control apparatus as claimed in or claim 3 wherein the flow control means further includes a gutter positioned beneath the element and adapted to receive any spilled substance via the one or more apertures.

5. Spill control apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein 20 the gutter includes an outlet through which spilled substance received by the gutter can flow. ooo*

6. Spill control apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein in use the outlet is mated to the inlet of the enclosure.

7. Spill control apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 25 3 to 6 wherein the element is troughed and at least one of the apertures is situated at a lower-most portion of the trough.

8. Spill control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the enclosure has the inlet located on its upper surface.

9. Spill control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the enclosure is a bladder, with the inlet located on the upper surface of the bladder.

J:\SpeiX300 399\350- 399\35976.doc Spill control apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the bladder is also fitted with a drainage outlet in use to allow discharge of the contents and reuse of the bladder.

11. Spill control apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or claim wherein the bladder is supported within a tray in use.

12. Spill control apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the tray and support element are hinged together in use along an upper edge of the tray and are relatively pivotable at the hinge with respect to each other between a closed position in which the bladder is enclosed within the tray and element, and an open position in which the bladder can be accessed.

13. Spill control apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein O. the bladder can be removed from the tray in the open position.

14. Spill control apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13 including a lock which locks the support element to the tray in the closed position to prevent said pivoting.

15. Spill control apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the element is also connected to the •tray by a cord means that limits the degree of pivotable movement.

16. Spill control apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the enclosure is also fitted with a drainage outlet in use to allow discharge of the contents and reuse of the enclosure.

17. Spill control apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein the enclosure and the support element are hinged together in use along an upper edge of the enclosure and are relatively pivotable at the hinge with respect to each other between a closed position in which the enclosure is J:\Speci\300 399\350 399\35976.doc enclosed by the element, and an open position in which the outlet can be accessed.

18. Spill control apparatus as claimed in claim 17 including a lock which locks the support element to the enclosure in the closed position to prevent said pivoting.

19. Spill control apparatus as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18 wherein the element is also connected to the enclosure by a cord means that limits the degree of pivotable movement. Spill control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a neutralising agent is provided in the cavity for neutralising a substance directed S" thereinto. 15 21. Spill control apparatus as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 5th day of November 1999 BERNARD PETER FLANAGAN and JOHN GEORGE WHALAN

20 By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK J:\Speci\300 399USO 399\35976.doc