GB2209792A

GB2209792A - Apparatus for storing and dispensing fluid

Info

Publication number: GB2209792A
Application number: GB8721665A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Mark Fowler
Original assignee: F P & T Installations Ltd
Current assignee: F P & T Installations Ltd
Priority date: 1987-09-15
Filing date: 1987-09-15
Publication date: 1989-05-24
Also published as: GB8721665D0

Abstract

A fluid storage and dispensing device particularly oil for automotive use, which is not affected by adverse weather conditions in terms of thickening the oil such that it cannot be dispensed from its storage container, and which is clean to operate and is not of an unsightly appearance. It comprises an outer 1 and inner 2 container, the inner container being provided to store the fluid to be dispensed. The outer container 1 also houses a compressor unit 8 for driving the oil dispensing equipment whose heat output maintains the temperature inside the outer container sufficiently high to prevent the oil thickening in cold weather. <IMAGE>

Description

"Apparatus for Storing and Dispensing Fluid" FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to storage and dispensing apparatus particularly such apparatus for storing and dispensing motor oil for intermittent use by vehicle haulage operators.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the haulage operator business, drivers of haulage vehicles are expected to top up their vehicles with oil essentially by three methods.

The first method involves the maintenance of a fourty five gallon drum with a hand pump and jug on the operators fuel island. This method is both unsightly and messy because of unavoidable accidental spillage.

Moreover there is always the risk that the drum will be knocked over with the loss of expensive oil and the consequent necessity to clear out nearby drains.

A better method is to install a tank on the operators fuel island provided with some form of dispensing means, normally in the form of an electric pump. However an electric pump is not suitable for working with engine oil in an outside environment of this nature, because the oil thickens when exposed to cold weather and the pump motors burn out by beiny over worked.

An alternative to an electric pump would be to employ an airpump. However this involves much expense in the need thereby to lay on a separate air supply to the fuel island (unless there is one already available) and the tank still suffers from chilling in cold weather.

The above known methods are not satisfactory and in addition, in order to comply with water authority regulations, any oil stored above ground in large quantities has to be provided with a bund arrangement to avoid the pollution of drains in the vicinity due to tank leakage of spillage.

The only solution to the above problems, of course, would be to install a top-up tank of the type under discussion, in an underground location thereby to protect the fuel from the environment.

However this would be an expensive solution to the problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to resolve the problems of the prior art without involving complicated and expensive procedures, yet in an efficient manner.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for storing and dispensing fluid, comprising a first container, a second container within said first container, for storing fluid, and dispensing means for dispensing fluid from said second container, said dispensing means providing an energy source having an output sufficient to regulate the temperature of the environment between said first and second containers.

Preferably the dispensing means incorporates a compressor for driving an air operated dispensing system for the contained oil.

By using a compressor, sufficient heat is generated to maintain the oil in the first container at a reasonable temperature during cold weather which will in turn ensure the flow of oil when being dispensed, thereby not over burdening the dispensing mechanism employed particularly where same is electrically controlled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawing accompanying this application depicting the oil storage and dispensing apparatus of the present invention in side, top and end views.

BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The oil storage and dispensing apparatus shown in the drawings comprises an outer container 1, having installed within it a separate container 2 for storing a fluid particularly engine oil.

Angle iron pieces 3 are attached along the base of the outer container 1 to maintain a clearance 4 between the outer container 1 and the ground.

Similarly angle iron pieces 5 are attached to the base of the container 2 to maintain clearance between it and the base of container 1.

The outer container 1 has an end section 6 hinged at 7 to enable access to be gained to its interior.

A compressor unit 8 for driving an air or electrically operated oil dispensor (not shown) is mounted adjacent to the container 2. Since the compressor 8 and inner container 2 are sealed within the outer container 1, then, in cold weather particularly, the ambient temperature within the outer container 1 will be maintained at a reasonable level by virtue of the heat expended from the compressor 8.

This will, in turn, prevent the oil from becoming too thick to be easily dispensed using an electric or air pump, from the inner container 2.