AU6988098A - Transportable liquid container - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): WALKWEST PTY LTD A.C.N. 075 736 659 Invention Title: TRANSPORTABLE LIQUID CONTAINER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 2 TRANSPORTABLE LIQUID CONTAINER This invention relates to a transportable liquid container for transportation of liquid substances and, in particular, fuel for either refilling or disposal purposes.

In many environments it is necessary to transport liquid substances and, in particular, fuel from a general storage location to vehicles or other appliances requiring fuel.

Furthermore, it is often necessary to transport liquid substances for disposal purposes.

Containers generally in the form of carts are known for this purpose but are generally crude in construction and comprise no more than a 20 gallon or 44 gallon drum to which is welded wheels and a handle to enable the drum to be transported from one place to another.

The object of this invention is to provide a liquid 20 container which provides safer filling and transportation characteristics.

The invention in a first aspect may be said to reside in a transportable liquid container for movement between a reclined filling position and an upright transportation position, including: a tank defining a cavity for containing a liquid; wheels coupled to the tank so that when the ~liquid container is in an upright position, the liquid container can be transported on the wheels; a filling opening for allowing filling of the liquid container when the liquid container is in the reclined position, the filling opening being arranged such that when the liquid container is filled to the maximum capacity allowed by the filling opening, an air space is provided in the liquid container such that when the liquid container is moved to the upright transportation position, H: \Karen\Keep\WALKWEST-transportabe-liqid-container .doc 4/06/98 2 3 the filling opening is above the liquid level in the container.

Thus, according to this aspect of the invention, the container can be filled when in the reclined position and then returned to the upright position for transportation with the surety that the liquid level in the container will be below the filling opening thereby preventing leakage out of the filling opening.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the tank has a first wall portion which is upright when the liquid container is in the upright transport position and which is transverse to the vertical when the liquid contain is in the reclined filling position, the front wall portion having a recess section and the filling opening being arranged in the recess section so that when the container is filled to its maximum capacity in the reclined filling position, the air space exists between the liquid level and 20 the front wall portion of the tank other than the recess section.

4* Preferably the liquid container includes a second wall portion which is arranged at one end of the tank and is an 25 upper wall portion when the liquid container is in the upright transport position, the second wall portion having an outlet opening for receiving a pump to enable liquid to be pumped from the liquid container and wherein the filling e opening has a removable breather cap which is removed for filling through the filling opening and which is in position when the liquid container is transported and liquid is dispensed from the outlet opening, the breather cap allowing breathing of air into the liquid container during dispensing of liquid from the liquid container.

Preferably the tank includes a baffle member extending from the first wall portion to an opposed third wall portion for H: \Karen\Keep\WALKWEST-transportable-liquidconainer .doc 4/06/98 4 restricting tank expansion and increasing strength. The baffle also acts to reduce movement of liquid in the liquid container when the liquid container is only partially filled and is transported on the wheels.

Preferably the outlet opening includes a bung which protrudes upwardly from the second wall portion to prevent ingress of moisture, which may collect on the second wall portion, into the cavity, the bung receiving an adaptor which is screw threaded into the bung, the adaptor having a further screw thread for enabling a pump to be connected to the adaptor to enable liquid to be removed from the liquid container. The adaptor may be formed from a stronger plastic material than the remainder of the liquid container to thereby provide a stronger thread for receiving the pump to reduce the likelihood of the thread being stripped by o movement of the pump when the pump is operated.

Preferably the tank portion includes a handle coupled to 20 the tank opposite the wheels to facilitate movement of the liquid container from the reclined position to the upright position and also for enabling the liquid container to be transported by gripping the handle and rolling the liquid container on the wheels.

Preferably the handle is provided in a pair of protrusion sections which project away from the first wall portion, the protrusion sections protruding outwardly substantially the same extent as the wheels so that when the liquid container is in the reclined position, the first wall portion is substantially horizontal.

Preferably the tank includes a lower outlet adaptor which may be tapped to receive a ball valve to allow gravity feed of liquid from the container.

H: \Karen\Keep\WALKWEST-transportable-liquid-container doc 4/06/98

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5 Preferably the lower outlet adaptor is provided in a recessed portion and a protruding section is provided adjacent the lower outlet adaptor for protecting the valve when tapped into the lower outlet adaptor.

Preferably the tank is provided with a indentation groove which extends at least partly about the periphery of the tank for receiving a strap to enable the container to be tied to a rail or the like on a vehicle for long distance transportation or shipment from one place to another.

Preferably the wheels are provided on an axle which is moulded into the tank and preferably the handle is also moulded into the tank.

A further aspect of the invention may be said to reside in *a liquid container for movement between a reclined filling position and an upright transportation position, including: a tank defining a cavity for containing a liquid, 20 the tank having a first wall portion which is upright when the liquid container is in the upright transportation position; ~wheels coupled to the tank portion so that when the liquid container is in the upright position, the liquid 25 container can be transported on the wheels; at least one protruding section coupled to the tank so that when the liquid container is in the reclined o filling position, the liquid container rests on the wheels and on the protruding section so that the first wall portion is located in a substantially horizontal orientation; and a filling opening provided in the tank so that when the liquid container is filled to the maximum capacity allowed by the filling opening, an airspace is provided between the liquid level in the cavity and the first wall portion.

H: \Karen \Keep\WALKWEST-transpor table 1iquid-cotntale .doc 4/06/98 6 Preferably the tank includes a baffle member extending from the first wall portion to an opposed third wall portion for restricting tank expansion and increasing strength. The baffle also acts to reduce movement of liquid in the liquid container when the liquid container is only partially filled and is transported on the wheels.

Preferably the outlet opening includes a bung which protrudes upwardly from the second wall portion to prevent ingress of moisture, which may collect on the second wall portion, into the cavity, the bung receiving an adaptor which is screw threaded into the bung, the adaptor having a further screw thread for enabling a pump to be connected to the adaptor to enable liquid to be removed from the liquid container. The adaptor may be formed from a stronger plastic material than the remainder of the liquid container c, thereby provide a stronger thread for receiving the pump to reduce the likelihood of the thread being stripped by movement of the pump when the pump is operated.

Preferably the tank portion includes a handle coupled to the tank opposite the wheels to facilitate movement of the liquid container from the reclined position to the upright position and also for enabling the liquid container to be 25 transported by gripping the handle and rolling the liquid container on the wheels.

Preferably the handle is provided in a pair of protrusion °eoe "..sections which project away from the first wall portion, the protrusion sections protruding outwardly substantially the same extent as the wheels so that when the liquid container is in the reclined position, the first wall portion is substantially horizontal.

Preferably the tank includes a lower outlet adaptor which may be tapped to receive a ball valve to allow gravity feed of liquid from the container.

H: \Karen\Keep\WALKWEST-transportable-1iquid-container.doc 4/06/98 7 Preferably the tank is provided in a recessed portion and a protruding section is provided adjacent the lower outlet adaptor for protecting the valve when tapped into the lower outlet adaptor.

Preferably the tank is provided with a indentation groove which extends at least partly about the periphery of the tank for receiving a strap to enable the container to be tied to a rail or the like on a vehicle for long distance transportation or shipment from one place to another.

Preferably the wheels are provided on an axle which is moulded into the tank and preferably the handle is also moulded into the tank.

9 A further aspect of the invention may be said to reside in a liquid container, including: a tank defining a cavity for containing a liquid; 9* 9 20 a bung in the tank for allowing dispensing of liquid from the cavity; an insert located in the bung and having an internal screw thread for receiving a dispensing pump to enable liquid to be dispensed from the container.

According to this aspect of the invention the insert can be made from a tougher material in the remainder of the tank to thereby provide increased strength for connection of the pump to the tank to prevent stripping of the threads during operation of the pump.

Preferably the insert is screw threaded to the bung by a buttress thread.

Preferably the bung is provided in a top wall of the tank and protrudes upwardly from the top wall so as to prevent H: \Karen\Keep\WALKWEST-transportable-liquid-container.doc 4/06/98 8 any moisture which gathers on the top wall from entering the cavity.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, hand grip portions are provided at the wheel end of the tank and also at the handle end of the tank for enabling the liquid container to be lifted.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a liquid container according to the preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the container of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged top view of the container of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a view of a liquid container in a reclined filling position; 20 Figure 5 is a enlarged cross-sectional view along the line V-V of Figure 4; Figure 6 is an end view of the container along the line VI-VI in Figure 4; and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line 25 VI-VI of Figure 4.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a liquid container 10 is shown which is in an upright transportation position. The liquid container 10 comprises a tank 12 which defines a cavity 14 for receiving a liquid. The tank 12 has a first wall 16 which forms a front wall and which is generally upright when the container is in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2. A second wall 18 forms an upper wall when the container is in the upright position shown in Figures 1 and 2. A rear wall 20 is located opposite the first wall 16 and side walls 22 join the first wall 16 and rear wall A base wall 24 is provided opposite the second wall H: \Karen\Keep\WALKWEST-transportable-Iicu id-container .doc 4/06198 9 18. A cylindrical baffle 30 extends from the first wall 16 to the rear wall 20 to interconnect the first wall 16 and rear wall 20 to thereby stiffen the tank 12 and restrict expansion of the tank 12.

The baffle 30 is preferably hollow providing a chamber or hole through the tank 12. However, in other embodiments, the baffle could be solid or merely a panel or the like within the tank 12.

The first wall portion 16 includes an outwardly projecting central section 30. A front cover 32 shown in dotted lines may be attached to the outwardly extending section 30 by suitable fasteners 34 and provides a space 34 for winding a hose (not shown) so that the hose can be stowed when not in use. The purpose of the hose will be described hereinafter.

The tank 12 includes a pair of upwardly and rearwardly protruding portions 38. A handle bar 40 is moulded between the protrusions 38. At the end of the tank 12 opposite the handle bar 40 are a pair of wheels 42. The wheels 42 are provided with pneumatic tyres and are arranged on an axle 44 which is also moulded into the tank 12 as best shown in 25 Figure 7. The wheels 42 are provided in a recessed section 46 of the tank 12.

.Adjacent the base wall 24 is a protruding section 48. A recess 50 is provided above the section 48. Arranged in the recess 50 extending outwardly from the recess is a sealed lower outlet adaptor 52 which is generally formed integral with the tank 12 during moulding of the tank 12.

The purpose of the adaptor 52 will be described in more detail hereinafter.

The first wall 16 of the tank 12 is provided with a groove 56 which is intended to receive a strap (not shown) so that the container can be secured to a bar or side wall of a MH \Karen\Keep\WALKWEST-transportable-liquid-cotainer.doc 4/06/98 10 transport vehicle. The wall portion 16 also has a recess 58 adjacent second wall 18. The recess 58 is provided with a filling opening 60 which is closed by a breather cap 62.

The second wall portion 18 is provided with an outlet bung 64 which will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 7.

In order to fill the liquid container 10 with liquid, the container 10 is pivoted about the wheels 42 in the direction of arrow A in Figure 1 from the upright position shown in Figures 1 and 2 to the reclined position shown in Figure 4. In the reclined position shown in Figure 4, the liquid container 10 rests on the wheels 42 and also on protruding sections 38 so that the first wall portion 16 is substantially horizontal.

Figure 5 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line V-V of Figure 4 in which the recess 58 is more clearly 20 shown. The filling opening 60 is provided with a cylindrical skirt 61 which extends outwardly from a base section 59 of the recess 58 and is provided with a screw thread (not shown) for receiving the breather cap 62 which may therefore be screw threaded onto the skirt 61. In 25 order to fill the liquid container 10, the breather cap 62 is removed and liquid such as fuel or the like may be supplied to the tank 12 to fill the cavity defined by the ;o °tank 12.

As is clearly shown in Figure 5, the skirt portion 61 terminates below the top of the recess 58 and therefore below the majority of the first wall portion 16 which is in the horizontal position in the reclined position shown in Figures 4 and 5. The maximum level to which liquid L in the tank 12 can be filled is to the level T shown in Figure which is below the majority of the first wall portion 16.

Thus, an air space 65 exists between the surface T of the H:\Karen\Keep\WALKWEST-transportable-liquidconainer.doc 4/06/98 11 maximum height of the level of liquid in the tank 12 and the majority of the first wall portion 16. Continued filling of the tank 12 beyond this level will simply result in liquid pouring out through the filling opening 60. When the tank 12 is filled to its maximum capacity, the breather cap 62 is relocated in place and the liquid container may be pivoted about the axles 44 back to the position shown in Figures 1 and 2. In this position, the surface of the liquid T' is below the level of the filling opening and breather cap 62. The volume of the airspace 55 which must be left when the tank is filled to its maximum capacity whilst the liquid container 10 is in the reclined position shown in Figures 4 and 5 is therefore chosen to be such that the liquid level when the container is returned to the upright position shown in Figures 1 and 2, will be below the filling opening 60 and breather cap 62.

Thus, a further airspace 67, shown in Figure 1, is left between the surface T' of the liquid in the tank 12 and the upper wall 18 to thereby allow for expansion and to prevent a 20 leakage of liquid out of the breather cap 62 when the breather cap is in position.

Thus, the liquid container 10 can be transported by gripping the handle 40 and pivoting the container 25 slightly in the direction of arrow A so that it can be I rolled on the wheels 42 from one place to another.

As is best shown in Figure 7, the outlet bung 64 is provided with a raised lip 80 which extends above the upper wall 18 so as to prevent entry of any moisture which may gather on the upper wall 18, through the bung 64 and into the cavity 14. The lip 80 has a depending cylindrical section 82 which extends into the cavity 14 and which is provided with a buttress type thread 84. An insert 86 is provided with a matching buttress type thread 88 on its outer surface for screw-thread engagement with the buttress thread 84 to thereby secure the insert 86 into the tank 12.

H: \Kren\Keep\WAL KWEST-transportabe- -i±dcontainerdoc 4/06/98 12 The insert 86 may be made from a tougher material than that which the depending cylindrical portion 82 and lip 80 and also the remainder of the tank 12 is made. The insert 86 is provided with an internal screw-thread 90 and a screwthreaded cap 92 having a sealing gasket 94 can be screwthreaded in to the screw thread 90 to seal the bung 64.

In order to dispense liquid from the container 10, the cap 92 is removed and a pump is screw-threaded into the screwthread 90 to thereby enable the contents of the tank 12 to be dispensed. The tougher material from which the insert 86 is made prevents stripping of the thread 90 during operation of the pump and therefore provides a stronger connection of the pump to the tank 12 than would be provided had the pump been screwed directly into a screwthread on the cylindrical section 82.

ii The insert 86 may be provided with a polygonal surrounding engagement member 92 for enabling the insert 86 to be 20 screw-threaded through the cylindrical section 82 by hand or by a suitable shifter or spanner. The section 92 also limits the amount of screw-threaded movement of the insert o:o0 86 into the cylindrical section 82.

25 The insert 86 may also have an upper lip 98 which is engaged by the sealing gasket 94 to securely seal the cap 92 to the insert 86 to prevent leakage.

de.* In some environments, the liquid container 10 may be emptied by gravity feed rather than by a pump and if this is the case, the lower adaptor 52 may be tapped and a ball valve or the like secured in the adaptor 52. The ball valve may be connected to a hose and to dispense liquid from the tank 12, the ball valve need merely be opened to allow liquid to feed under gravity through the ball valve and hose. Gravity feed may be used in marine environments where the liquid container 10 may be used to fuel boats H: \Karen\Keep\WALKWEST-transportable-liquid-container.doc 4/06/98 13 which are below the level of the liquid container on a dock or marina or the like thereby enabling gravity feed of liquid from the liquid container 10. If gravity feed of liquid from the container 10 to a vehicle or other appliance is not possible, then the pump previously described can be used to empty the container through the bung 64.

If the ball valve is coupled to the outlet 52, the recess 50 and protruding section 48 act to protect the ball valve by preventing the ball valve from coming into contact with an object should the liquid container 10 be pushed into the object. The space 34 between the cover 32 and the tank 12 may be used to store the hose associated with the ball valve to enable emptying of the tank 12 by simply winding the hose behind the cover 32. Similarly, if a hose is provided with the pump to be used with the bung 64, that hose may also be stored on the liquid container 10 by o winding it behind the cover 32.

As is best shown in Figure 3, rear wall 20 is provided with finger grip portions 90 adjacent handlebar 40 by protruding sections 94 which extend slightly outwardly from the rear wall 20 at the top of the rear wall 20. As is also shown in Figure 6, similar finger grip portions 94 are provided adjacent wheels 42 and just above the wheels 42 when the liquid container 10 is in the reclined position shown in Figure 6. The finger grip portions 90 and 94 may be used o **to facilitate lifting of the liquid container 10 by two people one at each end of the liquid container 10 when the liquid container 10 is in the reclined position so that the liquid container 10 can be easily lifted into a vehicle or long distance transportation or shipment. As previously explained, the liquid container 10 can be secured in either the upright position or lower position by a strap which can locate in the groove 56 and which can be secured to a bar or other secure member in the vehicle.

H: \Karen\Keep\WALKWEST-transportable-liquid-contaifer.doc 4/06/98 14 As is also best shown in Figure 6, axle 44 is moulded into the tank 12 by passing through projecting portions 98 of the base wall 24.

Since modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may readily be effected by persons skilled within the art, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described by way of example hereinabove.

H: \Karen\Keep\WALKWEST-tranportable-1iquid- cotiner. doc 4/06/98

Claims (24)

1. A transportable liquid container for movement between a reclined filling position and an upright transportation position, including: a tank defining a cavity for containing a liquid; wheels coupled to the tank so that when the liquid container is in an upright position, the liquid container can be transported on the wheels; a filling opening for allowing filling of the liquid container when the liquid container is in the reclined position, the filling opening being arranged such that when the liquid container is filled to the maximum capacity allowed by the filling opening, an air space is provided in the liquid container such that when the liquid container is moved to the upright transportation position, the filling opening is above the liquid level in the container. 20

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the tank has a first wall portion which is upright when the liquid container is in the upright transport position and which is transverse to the vertical when the liquid contain is in 9* the reclined filling position, the front wall portion having a recess section and the filling opening being arranged in the recess section so that when the container is filled to its maximum capacity in the reclined filling position, the air space exists between the liquid level and the front wall portion of the tank other than the recess section.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the liquid container includes a second wall portion which is arranged at one end of the tank and is an upper wall portion when the liquid container is in the upright transport position, the second wall portion having an outlet opening for receiving a pump to enable liquid to be pumped from the H: \1aren\Keep\WALKWEST-trasportable-liquid-container.doc 4/06/98 16 liquid container and wherein the filling opening has a removable breather cap which is removed for filling through the filling opening and which is in position when the liquid container is transported and liquid is dispensed from the outlet opening, the breather cap allowing breathing of air into the liquid container during dispensing of liquid from the liquid container.

4. The container of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tank includes a baffle member extending from the first wall portion to an opposed third wall portion for restricting tank expansion and increasing strength.

The container of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outlet opening includes a bung which protrudes upwardly from the second wall portion to prevent ingress of moisture, which may collect on the second wall portion, into the cavity, the bung receiving an adaptor which is screw threaded into the bung, the adaptor having a further screw thread for enabling a pump to be connected to the adaptor to enable liquid to be removed from the liquid container.

6. The container of any one of claims 1 to 25 wherein the tank portion includes a handle coupled to the tank opposite the wheels to facilitate movement of the liquid container from the reclined position to the upright position and also for enabling the liquid container to be transported by gripping the handle and rolling the liquid container on the wheels.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein the handle is provided in a pair of protrusion sections which project away from the first wall portion, the protrusion sections protruding outwardly substantially the same extent as the wheels so that when the liquid container is in the reclined 1: \Karen\Kee\WALKWEST-transportable-liquid-cotaier.doc 4/06/98 17 position, the first wall portion is substantially horizontal.

8. The container of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the tank includes a lower outlet adaptor which may be tapped to receive a ball valve to allow gravity feed of liquid from the container.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the lower outlet adaptor is provided in a recessed portion and a protruding section is provided adjacent the lower outlet adaptor for protecting the valve when tapped into the lower outlet adaptor.

10. The container of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the tank is provided with a indentation groove which extends at least partly about the periphery of the tank for receiving a strap to enable the container to be tied to a rail or the like on a vehicle for long distance transportation or shipment from one place to another.

S11. The container of any one of claims 1 to wherein the wheels are provided on an axle which is moulded into the tank and preferably the handle is also moulded 25 into the tank. 0

12. A liquid container for movement between a reclined filling position and an upright transportation position, including: a tank defining a cavity for containing a liquid, the tank having a first wall portion which is upright when the liquid container is in the upright transportation position; wheels coupled to the tank portion so that when the liquid container is in the upright position, the liquid container can be transported on the wheels; H: \Karen\ Keep\WALKWEST- transportable-1iquid-container .doc 4/06/98 18 at least one protruding section coupled to the tank so that when the liquid container is in the reclined filling position, the liquid container rests on the wheels and on the protruding section so that the first wall portion is located in a substantially horizontal orientation; and a filling opening provided in the tank so that when the liquid container is filled to the maximum capacity allowed by the filling opening, an airspace is provided between the liquid level in the cavity and the first wall portion.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein the tank includes a baffle member extending from the first wall portion to an opposed third wall portion for restricting tank expansion and increasing strength.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein the outlet opening includes a bung which protrudes upwardly from the a. 20 second wall portion to prevent ingress of moisture, which may collect on the second wall portion, into the cavity, ~the bung receiving an adaptor which is screw threaded into the bung, the adaptor having a further screw thread for enabling a pump to be connected to the adaptor to enable 25 liquid to be removed from the liquid container.

The container of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the tank portion includes a handle coupled to the tank opposite the wheels to facilitate movement of the liquid container from the reclined position to the upright position and also for enabling the liquid container to be transported by gripping the handle and rolling the liquid container on the wheels.

16. The container of claim 15, wherein the handle is provided in a pair of protrusion sections which project away from the first wall portion, the protrusion sections H: \Karen\Keep\WALKWEST-transportable-1iquid-container.doc 4/06/98 19 protruding outwardly substantially the same extent as the wheels so that when the liquid container is in the reclined position, the first wall portion is substantially horizontal.

17. The container of any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the tank includes a lower outlet adaptor which may be tapped to receive a ball valve to allow gravity feed of liquid from the container.

18. The container of claim 17, wherein the tank is provided in a recessed portion and a protruding section is provided adjacent the lower outlet adaptor for protecting the valve when tapped into the lower outlet adaptor.

19. The container of any one of claims 12 to 17, *o wherein the tank is provided with a indentation groove which extends at least partly about the periphery of the tank for receiving a strap to enable the container to be 20 tied to a rail or the like on a vehicle for long distance transportation or shipment from one place to another.

The container of any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein the wheels are provided on an axle which is moulded into the tank and preferably the handle is also moulded into the tank.

21. A liquid container, including: a tank defining a cavity for containing a liquid; a bung in the tank for allowing dispensing of liquid from the cavity; an insert located in the bung and having an internal screw thread for receiving a dispensing pump to enable liquid to be dispensed from the container.

22. The container of claim 20, wherein the insert is screw threaded to the bung by a buttress thread. H: \Karen\Keep\WALKWEST-transportable-1iqu id-contair .doc 4/06/98 20

23. The container according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the bung is provided in a top wall of the tank and protrudes upwardly from the top wall so as to prevent any moisture which gathers on the top wall from entering the cavity.

24. The container according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein hand grip portions are provided at the wheel end of the tank and also at the handle end of the tank for enabling the liquid container to be lifted. Dated this 4th day of June 1998 WALK WEST PTY. LTD. By Its Patent Attorneys: 20 GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia. t F «ft c H:\Karen\Keep\WALKWEST-transportable-liquid-container.doc 4/06/98