WO2011121300A1

WO2011121300A1 - Colour -coded fuel tank couplings

Info

Publication number: WO2011121300A1
Application number: PCT/GB2011/000492
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Brooks; Thomas Green
Original assignee: Petro Chemical Solutions Ltd
Priority date: 2010-04-01
Filing date: 2011-03-30
Publication date: 2011-10-06
Also published as: GB2479210A; GB201005642D0

Abstract

Figure 1 shows a locking cap (1), in a closed position, releasably attached to an inlet pipe (2) of a compartment or tank of a storage tank means of a fuel storage facility. The locking cap (1) is generally cylindrical in form and is connected to an inlet end (2a) (coupler) of the inlet pipe (2) by means of a double acting hinge mechanism (3) having hinge axes (4, 5). The inlet end (2a) may be of a generally known type on which an inlet end locking cap can be supported or releasably attached by means of an external padlock P. The cap (1) and inlet end (2a) form a closure for pipe (2). A plurality of locking caps (1) may be provided, each provided with a different colour (indication means) to indicate the nature of a particular petrochemical fuel or the like contained or to be contained in a compartment or tank of said storage tank means. Additionally, or alternatively, the inlet ends (2a) may be provided with a different colour (indication means) to indicate the nature of a particular petrochemical fuel or the like contained or to be contained in a compartment or tank of said storage tank means.

Description

COLOUR -CODED FUEL TANK COUPLINGS

This invention relates to improvements in or relating to the petrochemical industry and is more particularly but not exclusively concerned with the supply and delivery of petrochemical fuels such as diesel, unleaded petrol or super unleaded petrol from a fuel tanker to a storage facility, for example, an underground storage facility at a petrol station.

The Applicant has previously applied for a patent under Patent Application No. GB 2456198, the content of which is hereby referred to.

In Patent Application No. GB 2456198, the Applicant highlighted various problems that can be encountered in trying to ensure that the correct fuel is delivered from the correct compartmentalised section of a fuel tanker into the correct location in the fuel storage facility to thereby avoid the possibility of a 'crossover' occurring. In particular, various problems were highlighted in regard to the difficulty of ensuring that the indication means on the storage facility (provided in relation to the inlet pipes of tanks or compartments of tank storage means of the facility) is entirely sufficient to be able to identify the correct location for delivery of the particular fuel concerned, during all operating conditions.

In order to attempt to improve such indication means the Applicant, in FIGURES 15 to 18 of Patent Application No. GB 2456198, proposed a colour-coded end cap cover for releasable attachment to an inlet locking end cap of an underground fuel storage facility (shown in FIGURE 14 of GB 2456198); said end cap cover to be used in conjunction with other similar, but differently colour-coded, inlet locking end cap covers positioned, in use, on the other inlet locking end caps of the storage facility.

Whilst it is believed the provision of a plurality of differently colour coded end cap covers for the inlet locking end caps of the storage facility offers a substantial improvement in the fuel indication means provided in relation to the inlet pipes of the storage facility (in order to reduce the risk of a crossover occurring) the Applicant believes it should be possible to still further improve existing arrangements or previous proposals. For example, once an inlet locking end cap provided with a colour coded cap cover has been fully opened, so that the interior of the cap is viewed, most of the cap cover (fitted onto the exterior of the cap) may be hidden or obscured from view (possibly with some of circular rim of the cover being visible) and, thus, at least in bad lighting conditions, there may be a tendency that the indication means provided by the cover is insufficient to almost completely eradicate the possibility of a crossover occurring. Additionally, it is known for fuel inlet pipe ends (referred to a 'couplers' in the art) to be provided with radially outwardly extending written indication means or a label to indicate the type of fuel being stored in the associated tank/compartment. However, the general practice in opening the inlet locking end caps is often to rest the cap on top off the indication means/label (the locking caps are usually attached to the inlet ends by loose chain linkages) so that said indication means/label is obscured from view once the particular inlet pipe has been opened, by removal of the locking end cap.

The Applicant believes it should be possible to improve existing arrangements for the fuel indication means provided in relation to the fuel storage facility inlet pipes and, additionally, to improve existing structural or security aspects of the storage facility inlet locking caps and / or inlet pipes themselves. For example, existing inlet locking end caps are locked to their associated inlet pipes by respective external padlocks. It is believed that this arrangement tends to be a security risk, since the exposed padlocks are generally relatively easily accessible to be broken and, in any event, due to the exposed nature of the padlock, it is immediately evident that all that needs to be done to access the particular inlet pipe is to break the padlock.

Even so, it is acknowledged that improved security of such inlet locking end caps has been considered and proposals have been made for obviating the need for external padlocks. One such proposal is outlined in US Patent Specification No. 4351446. Whilst this proposal obviates the need for an external padlock it is believed the arrangement tends to be more complex, or cumbersome, than need be the case and may have other disadvantages. For example, whilst the need for an external padlock is obviated, nevertheless, it is believed that the locking arrangement is not as strong or secure as it could be and it still tends to be a locking arrangement that is relatively easily broken by an external lever such as a crowbar.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to at least alleviate one or more of the aforementioned, or other, problems associated with petrochemical supply and/or delivery to a storage facility and or to provide improved apparatus or method for such fuel supply/delivery.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a plurality of purpose-made locking caps, each locking cap being for releasable attachment to an associated inlet pipe end of an associated compartment or tank of a (fuel) storage tank means and each cap having different indication means to indicate the nature of a particular petrochemical fuel or the like contained or to be contained within a compartment or tank of the storage tank means, in use, each said indication means being integral to the associated cap.

Further according to the present invention there is provided the combination of a storage tank means having inlet pipes from compartments or tanks, said inlet pipes being fitted with end caps as defined in the immediately preceding paragraph.

The indication means for one of the caps may be a particular colour coded for a particular petrochemical and the indication means of the remaining caps may also comprise a particular colour designated for a particular petrochemical fuel or the like.

Thus, the plurality of caps may comprise at least three caps provided with different indication means such as the colours yellow, green and purple designating diesel fuel, unleaded fuel, super unleaded fuel, respectively.

Alternatively or additionally, each cap may be provided with vision enhancement means to render the cap more highly visible in poor lighting conditions. The vision enhancement means may comprise rendering the cap fluorescent.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a plurality of purpose-made inlet pipe ends (or couplers), each inlet pipe end being for (releasable) attachment to an associated inlet pipe of an associated compartment or tank of a (fuel) storage tank means and each inlet pipe end having different indication means to indicate the nature of a particular petrochemical fuel or the like contained or to be contained within a tank or compartment of the storage tank means, in use, each said indication means being integral to the associated inlet pipe end.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a plurality of purpose-made collars, each collar being for (releasable) attachment to an associated inlet pipe of an associated compartment or tank of a (fuel) storage tank means and each collar having different indication means to indicate the nature of a particular petrochemical fuel or the like contained or to be contained within a compartment or tank of the storage tank means, in use, the arrangement being such that the indication means of each collar remains visible once a cap for the inlet pipe has been released from the associated inlet pipe end without risk of being completely obscured by the cap, said indication means, preferably, being integral to the collar.

The collar is preferably, a closed ring, preferably located or locatable, in use, behind an associated inlet pipe end.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a plurality of purpose-made closures, each closure comprising an inlet pipe end attached or attachable to a locking end cap in use, and being for (releasable) attachment to an associated inlet pipe of an associated compartment or tank of a (fuel) storage tank means and each closure having different indication means to indicate the nature of a particular petrochemical fuel or the like contained or to be contained within a compartment or tank of the storage tank means, in use, each said indication means being integral to the associated inlet pipe end and/or to the associated end cap.

The caps may be formed out of any suitable material but may be of plastics or nylon such as acetyl or any robust material substantially impervious to fuel solvents.

It is believed that the materials chosen for the cap and / or inlet pipe end may be such as to facilitate cleaning by e.g. providing glossy, wipe clean (flat where possible) plastics surfaces or the like.

Preferably, the caps are anti-static for obvious safety reasons.

Further caps may be provided having different indication means such as a different colour to indicate other possible different petrochemical fuels or the like such as a bio fuel.

Where differently coloured locking caps and/or inlet pipe ends are provided, preferably, the colour is impregnated into the material of the cap/inlet pipe end, since, disadvantageously, any surface treatment such as the application of paint or a coating would erode or wear away in time and relatively quickly more particularly in the releasable contact areas of the cap and inlet pipe end, during locking and release of the cap on the associated inlet pipe end.

Thus, a very important feature of embodiments of the present invention is the selection of the materials for the inlet ends caps/inlet pipe ends. Such materials need to be both long lasting and durable and receptive to being produced in a consistent, long lasting colour format which may, advantageously, comprise a solvent resistant wipe clean surface. The surface finish may be harder than steel and the upper surface of the cap is preferably flat to aid in cleaning.

Preferably, each locking cap has a cam (or moveable stop) member, preferably, provided with a finger grip or a hand grip portion (or tab means) to allow the easy release or opening of the cap on an inlet pipe by an operator, when required. It should be realised that such operators tend to wear heavy gloves because of the varied weather conditions that may be encountered when unloading fuel from a petrol tanker into a particular storage facility, for example, at a petrol station, and thus it is important that the caps be releasable / openable from the associated inlet pipe end relatively easily even by such an encumbered operator.

Said cam member may be movable (preferably pivotable) into and out of engagement with retention means on the inlet pipe end, in use; said retention means may be a groove on the inlet pipe end. Releasable locking means may be provided to lock the cam in said retention means when required.

Said releasable locking means may be an internal mechanism (preferably key operated) of the locking cap.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a cap for use as one of the plurality of caps as specified in the statement of invention bridging pages 3 and 4 of this specification or an inlet end for use as one of the plurality of inlet ends as specified in the statement of invention bridging pages 4 and 5 of this specification or a closure for use as one of the closures as specified in the statement of invention bridging pages 5 and 6 of this specification or a collar for use as one of the collars as specified in the statement of invention on page 5 of this specification.

Still further according to the present invention there is provided a method of encoding petrochemicals in a storage facility including storage tank means having

compartments or tanks, said method comprising releasably attaching a plurality of purpose-made locking caps to inlet pipes of the compartments / tanks, said caps being integrally encoded, or having integral indication means to indicate the nature of a particular petrochemical fuel or the like contained or to be contained within the particular compartment or tank in use.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a method of unloading fuel from a tanker and delivering same into a storage facility utilising the method of encoding as set out in the immediately preceding paragraph including selecting the appropriate fuel to be unloaded from a particular compartmentalised section of the tanker via an associated outlet pipe, and removing a corresponding selected end cap from an outlet pipe on the tanker and removing a corresponding locking end cap from an inlet pipe end of a compartment or tank of a storage tank means of the storage facility and downloading the fuel from the open end of the outlet pipe into the associated selected inlet pipe of the storage tank means.

Usually, said method will involve repeating the step of downloading fuel via an outlet pipe but from outlet pipes associated with different compartmentalised sections of the tanker to different inlet pipes of the storage facility after removal of correspondingly differently encoded locking inlet pipe end caps.

It is believed that such a method vastly improves the safety aspects of unloading fuel from a fuel tanker into a storage facility by alleviating the occurrence of 'crossovers'. Whilst the occurrence of crossovers may not necessarily be completely obviated even a reduction of occurrences to about 50% of current crossovers would be a very significant contribution indeed to the industry.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a closure for an inlet pipe of an associated compartment or tank of a (fuel) storage tank means, said closure comprising a locking cap releasably attached or attachable to an inlet pipe end, said locking cap comprising an internal locking mechanism, preferably being key operated and accessible from outside the cap, preferably, from an upper surface thereof.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a closure for an inlet pipe of an associated compartment or tank of a (fuel) storage tank means, said closure comprising a locking cap releasably attached or attachable to an inlet pipe end, said locking cap having a movable, preferably pivotable, cam member or stop being movable from a first, locked, position within, or held by, retention means on the inlet pipe end to a second, unlocked position free of said retention means.

Said cam member may be pivotable about an axis parallel to the axis of the inlet pipe end and / or said retention means, which may be in the form of a groove (peripheral groove) in the inlet pipe end. Said cam member is, preferably, located in a slot in a rim of the locking cap and may have a cam plate portion extending generally at right angles to a curved wall portion of the cam member which, in use, fits snugly in the slot (and follow the contour of a rim of the locking cap) .

Said plate portion may have a cam profile or edge to seat underneath the retention means, in a locked position.

Preferably, the cap includes an internal locking mechanism arranged in a (recessed) portion of the cap: said portion preferably extends radially outwardly of the inlet pipe end, in use, and, preferably, the internal locking mechanism includes a retractable plunger that acts on the cam member (preferably in a hole in the plate portion) to lock and unlock the cam member from the retention means, when required.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a locking cap, inlet pipe end or closure having any one or more of any of the features derivable from this description and drawings.

Many advantages of the present invention will now be apparent, with reference to the following description and drawings :-

Embodiments of the present invention including an embodiment of a locking cap for an inlet pipe of a tank or compartment of a fuel storage tank means of e.g. a petrol station facility, in accordance with the present invention, will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following, somewhat diagrammatic accompanying drawings in which: -

FIGURE 1 shows a side view of the embodiment of a locking cap in accordance with the present invention, in a closed position, releasably attached to an inlet pipe of a compartment or tank of a storage tank means;

FIGURE 2 shows a side view of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 1 , but with the locking cap in an open position, and locking cam member swung to an open position;

FIGURE 3 shows a perspective view of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 2 looking generally in the direction of arrow A in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 shows a plan perspective view of an underground fuel storage facility including storage tank means all as known per se and depicting five inlet locking end caps of the facility;

FIGURE 5 shows the locking cam member of the locking cap shown in FIGURES 1 to 3 before insertion in the locking cap;

FIGURE 6 shows a detail of a hinge mechanism of the locking cap hinged to the inlet pipe end;

FIGURE 7 shows a perspective side view of a prototype model of the locking cap, in a closed position, connected to a replacement inlet pipe end for one of the inlet pipes shown in FIGURE 4, said locking cap and replacement inlet pipe end forming an embodiment of a closure, for an inlet pipe of a compartment or tank of a fuel storage tank means, in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 8 shows a perspective, plan view of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 shows a perspective plan view of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 7 but with the locking cap in a fully open position;

FIGURE 10 shows an inverted perspective plan view of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 7 but with the locking cap in a fully open position;

FIGURES 11a and 1 lb show plan and inverted plan views of an embodiment of a collar, for fitting to an inlet pipe end of inlet pipe of a compartment or tank of a fuel storage tank means, in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURES 12 and 13 show plan and perspective views of a known inlet pipe end fitted with the collar shown in FIGURES 11 a, 1 lb, and

FIGURES 14 to 16 show perspective views of a modified embodiment of locking cap in accordance with the present invention with FIGURES 14 and 15 having a locking plunger shown in an extended position and FIGURE 16 showing the locking plunger in a retracted position. Referring to FIGURES 1 to 3 and 5, 6 of the drawings, a locking cap 1 is generally cylindrical in form and is connected to the inlet end 2a (coupler) of an inlet pipe 2 of a tank or compartment (not shown) of storage tank means (see FIGURE 4) of a fuel storage facility; by means of a double acting hinge mechanism 3 having hinge axes 4, 5. The inlet end 2a may be of a generally known type on which an inlet end locking cap (e.g. known locking cap I shown in FIGURE 4) can be supported or releasably attached by means of an external padlock P.

Such a fuel storage facility may be an underground facility provided at a petrol station.

However, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the locking cap I may be replaced with locking cap 1 that, advantageously, can be attached to inlet end 2a by means of the double acting hinge mechanism 3 rather than by a chain linkage D as shown in FIGURE 4.

It is envisaged that a plurality of locking caps 1 may be provided, each having a different colour (indication means) to indicate the nature of a particular petrochemical fuel or the like contained or to be contained in a compartment (not shown) or tank of the storage tank means T (see FIGURE 4).

FIGURE 4 shows a plan view of an underground fuel storage facility F of known configuration e.g. as provided at a petrol station. The storage facility F has an underground compartmentalised storage tank T and inlet locking cap I located on associated inlet pipes leading to a particular compartmentalised section holding a designated petro-chemical fuel such as petrol, diesel or the like. Each inlet pipe carries an outwardly extending written indicator means or label LI, L2, L3, L4, L5 to indicate the type of fuel being stored in the associated compartment.

As previously indicated in the specification it is believed that such written indication means is not sufficient to avoid any possibility of a crossover occurring due to correctly unloaded fuel from the petrol tank being infed into the incorrect inlet pipe.

It is believed that the introduction of locking cap 1 (see FIGURES 1 to 3) on to each inlet end 2a should help to alleviate or obviate the problem.

Advantageously, the locking caps 1 themselves are coloured differently so that the indication means thereby provided is integrally formed in the locking cap itself rather than by providing an add-on cap cover as previously proposed by the Applicant in Patent Application No. GB 2456198.

Whilst the locking cap 1 can be fitted to an existing inlet end 2a by any suitable means (preferably by the double acting hinge mechanism 3) within the spirit of the present invention, it is preferred that the inlet end 2a is also replaced with inlet end 2a' shown in FIGURES 7 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.

Thus, FIGURES 7 to 10 show a closure (1, 2a^", 3) for an inlet pipe, said closure comprising a cap 1 releasably attached to an inlet end 2a\ Figure 10 shows an internal screw thread t that can be screwed on an inlet pipe, in use, and fixed thereto in a similar manner to known inlet pipe ends. Once again, preferably a plurality of inlet ends 2a" may be provided for attachment to inlet pipes of the storage facility, said inlet ends each having a different colour (indication means) to indicate the nature of a particular petrochemical fuel or the like contained or to be contained in a compartment (not shown) or tank of the storage means T (see FIGURE 4).

Advantageously, the inlet ends 2a' themselves are coloured differently so that the indication means thereby provided is integrally formed in the inlet end itself rather than by providing an add on indication means (such as indicator means or label LI , L2, L3, L4, L5) as shown in FIGURE 4. Such indicator labels LI, L2, L3, L4, L5, can become broken or obscured, even temporarily, more particularly, in some

arrangements, when the opened locking cap is rested on the label as quite often occurs in practice.

Even so, it is possible, instead of (or in addition to) providing a plurality of differently coloured inlet ends 2a', that, in use, each inlet pipe or inlet end is provided with a differently coloured, closed, annular ring or collar C (see FIGURES 1 la, 1 lb, 12, and 13) of durable material to resist being snapped off the inlet pipe and which will be visible (at least in part) from any angular aspect of the inlet end said part being sufficient to provide an indication means of the particular fuel contained or toO be contained within the associated compartment or tank of the storage facility..

FIGURES 1 1a, l ib show plan and inverted plan views of the collar C which, in use, may be captivated between an inlet end 2a (see FIGURES 12, 13) and inlet pipe 2. Inlet end 2a is normally secured to the inlet pipe 2 via a threaded engagement and the collar C has an inner rim CI that is sized to be trapped in between said threaded engagement and top of the storage tank T in a manner which should be obvious from FIGURES 12 and 13 and substantially being prevented from being pulled axially therefrom, in particular, by means of overlapping, radially outwardly extending, opposed lugs 2b, 2c on the inlet end 2a.

The collars C can be utilised with or without the locking caps 1 and with or without the inlet ends 2a^' .

Thus, whatever position the locking capl is located in when released from the inlet end pipe, at least part of the collar C will always be visible and said part will always provide the required indication means (i.e. colour) for the associated petrochemical fuel.

Since the collars C are closed rings they cannot be disengaged from the associated inlet ends 2a by a radial movement relative thereto.

Advantageously, locking caps 1, and inlet ends 2a," where provided, may be of a durable material such as plastics or nylon (e.g. acetyl) which is unaffected by fuel solvent and which allows the appropriate encoding colour to be impregnated therein during manufacture. Advantageously, locking cap 1 is provided with a swivel cam member 6 (see FIGURE 1) located in the periphery or rim la of the locking cap 1. Cam member 6 is not shown in FIGURES 7 to 9.

The cam member 6 has a flat, curved, plate portion, 6a, with a cam profile or edge 6a" that, in use, in a locked position seats underneath retention means in the form of an upper, curved or tapered edge 2d of groove 2e. As shown more particularly in FIGURE 3, cam 6 is located in a slot S in the rim la of the cap 1 with curved, vertical wall portion 6b (extending at right angles to plate portion 6a) matching the peripheral, curved contour of rim la when in a closed, locking position on capl (as in FIGURE 1) and fitting snugly within the slot S.

Cam 6 has a circular hole 6c for receiving a pivot pin (not shown, but arranged parallel to the axis of the inlet end 2a, 2a') that, in use, passes through matching circular hole lb in cap 1, to pivotably mount the cam member 6 in the cap 1; thus, cam member 6 can be swung outwardly of cap 1, about the pivot pin, when unlocked (see FIGURES 2 and 3). It is envisaged that the pivot pin will have a domed head and be of a form referred to as a 'book bolt'.

Advantageously, cam member 6 may be provided with upwardly and downwardly projecting lugs 6d, 6e, on wall 6b of cam 6 (lug 6e is not shown in FIGURE 5 since this could be omitted in some embodiments).

Lug 6d has a hole d' for locating the locking arm Bl (see FIGURE 4) of a padlock (when positioned adjacent to hole lc in the upstanding lug Id) which also passes through the aligned hole lc (see FIGURE 2) in cap 1, to lock the cam 6 in the position as shown FIGURE 1. Lug 6d advantageously provides a thumb or finger grip to enable the operator to easily move (swivel) the cam into and out of the locking position relative to the cap 11, even when the operator is wearing thick gloves. It is envisaged in other embodiment (not shown) that lug 6e and lug Id will be omitted since the usual locking by means of an external padlock may be dispensed with, in favour of an internally located locking arrangement (for example a key operated locking barrel arrangement).

Lug 6e also, advantageously, provides a thumb or finger grip to swivel the cam which is particularly important when lug 6d is omitted.

Thus, advantageously, in said other embodiment, not shown, the padlock D could be replaced by an internal (possibly key operated) locking mechanism (see FIGURES 14 to 16) contained within a recessed portion of the cap, and extending generally parallel to the axis of the cap 1. Said locking mechanism may have an extendible and retractable locking member or plunger to lock or release the cam member 6

(preferably by engagement in a hole in said plate portion).

In this way the security of the locking cap 1 may be improved, obviating the need for an exposed padlock that could be broken.

Also, advantageously, the oversize locking cap 1 has a radially outwardly extending portion which not only locates the cam member 6 and internal locking mechanism in a recessed portion thereof (not shown) when required but which also acts as a hand grip to lift the cap (from underneath the radially outwardly extending portion) from the inlet pipe end 2 and facilitate re-positioning of the cap on the inlet pipe end when required.

A part-circular, fixed, cam member le (see FIGURE 1) is provided on the inside of the cap 1 to seat in the groove 2e in a manner to co-operate with the action of cam member 6 in a manner which should be self-explanatory from the FIGURES of the drawings.

The locking cap 1 is attached to the inlet end 2a, 2a' by a double acting hinge mechanism 3. Hinge mechanism 3 has a central, H shaped member 3a (see FIGURES 9 and 10) with two, opposed, forked ends 3b, 3c each receiving a part cylindrical projecting member If, 2b of the cap 1 and inlet end 2a respectively. Retaining pins PI and P2 (in the form of further 'book bolts' - not shown in FIGURES 1 to 3) having heads Ρ , P2" (shown as alien key heads in FIGURES 7 to 10 but which are preferably domed heads) are positioned through receiving holes in the ends 3b, 3c and in the members If, 2b in a manner which should be self-explanatory and are retained in place by nuts N 1 , N2 (not shown in FIGURES 1 to 3) to provide the two parallel pivot axes 4, 5.

Forked end 3b is, preferably, provided with a tapered projection 3b' (modified from the arrangement shown in FIGURES 7 to 10 - see FIGURE 6) to allow the comfortable seating of the cap 1 in a fully open position, said cap 1 resting at a slight upward incline to central member 3 a, Although not shown, the interior of the cap 1 may be provided with a releasable (interchangeable - possibly by clip in means) information disc (preferably laminated) seated in the central area X of the ca l. Said information disc may denote the tank number of the particular compartment / tank. Thus, said cap 1 being held to rest at a slight angle (by engagement with said tapered projection 3b^') to the horizontal should facilitate reading of such a tank number, where provided, rather than the cap being held to rest horizontally. The tank number is usually provided on the outside of the storage tank means and is thus susceptible to damage etc.

FIGURES 14 to 16 show perspective views of a modified locking cap Γ having a key operated locking mechanism L (key K being only shown in FIGURE 16) extending generally parallel to the axis of the cap 1 ' in the manner as aforementioned on page 18 of this specification.

As should be evident from FIGURES 14 to 16, the locking mechanism L has a protruding lock barrel b with an extendible and retractable locking member or plunger p (operated by key k) to lock or release cam member 6¹ by engaging/disengaging from hole H in plate portion 6a\ in a manner which should be self-explanatory from FIGURES 14 to 16. Plunger p is shown in a retracted position in FIGURE 16.

It is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be unduly limited by the particular choice of terminology and that a specific term may be replaced or supplemented by an equivalent or generic term. In particular, the terms 'outlet' pipe and 'inlet' pipe should not be interpreted in an unduly restricted sense as meaning a pipe only for outflow (or alternatively) inflow of a substance or material. Once again, the term 'integral' is not to be interpreted as being unduly restrictive and may refer to any process in which the locking cap, inlet end or other part is provided /treated with indication means by e.g. impregnation or coating rather than e.g. being provided with a separate, removable cover. At times the outlet pipe may be utilised for inflow of material and the inlet pipe might be utilised for outflow of material. Thus, the terms 'outlet' and 'inlet' pipe may at times be considered generally equivalent. Any particular term as used herein may be replaced by that term and the additional word 'means.' Further, it is to be understood that individual features, method or functions relating to the locking cap or part thereof or inlet end or part thereof, or closure or part thereof, or collar or part thereof, or combinations thereof might be individually patentably inventive. The singular may include the plural and vice versa. Additionally, any range mentioned herein for any parameter or variable shall be taken to include a disclosure of any derivable sub-range within that range or of any particular value of the variable or parameter arranged v thin, or at an end of, the range or sub-range.

It is to be appreciated that the shape of cap may be varied to suit and could be rectangular or square rather than part circular; the inner dimensions of the cap may match the inlet pipe end to which it is to be attached but the outer dimensions or outer shape may differ.

Additionally, or alternatively, each end cap/collar/inlet end 1 may carry particular graphics or symbol information, for example for diesel (or derv) or the like.

Whilst the present invention has been described into relation to the encoding of different fuels contained in compartmentalised sections of a storage facility it is to be appreciated that the cap/inlet end encoding system may be applicable to other fields, where a plurality of caps/inlet ends is to be utilised as an encoding system indicating different contents of containers (or container compartments).

Therefore, still further according to the present invention there is provided a cap/inlet end encoding system comprising a plurality of caps/inlet ends adapted for releasable attachment to a plurality inlet pipes fitted on containers or compartments carrying different contents, said contents being indicated by the differently encoded indication means on the caps/inlet ends.

Still further according to the present invention there is provided a locking cap for an associated inlet pipe comprising one or more of the following features:- a) integral indication means such as a colour impregnated into the cap

b) plastics construction or the like

c) wipe clean and/or flat surface

d) said locking cap being oversize to accommodate an internal, preferably, key operated, locking mechanism

e) said locking cap having a (double) hinge mechanism for attachment to and inlet pipe end

f) facility to be used with existing inlet pipe ends and a padlock.

Still further according to the present invention there is provided an inlet pipe end for an associated inlet pipe comprising one or more of the following features:- a) a wipe clean surface b) a plastics construction or the like

c) means to connect a locking cap, preferably, by a double acting hinge mechanism.

Still further according to the present invention there is provided a collar or radial indication means for an associated inlet pipe comprising one or more of the following features:- a) said collar having integral indication means such as a colour impregnated into the collar

b) said collar being a closed ring

c) a plastics construction or the like

Claims

1. A plurality of purpose-made locking caps, each locking cap being for releasable attachment to an associated inlet pipe end of an associated compartment or tank of a (fuel) storage tank means and each cap having different indication means to indicate the nature of a particular petrochemical fuel or the like contained or to be contained within a compartment or tank of the storage tank means, in use, each said indication means being integral to the associated cap.

2. A plurality as claimed in claim 1 in which the indication means for one of the caps is a particular colour coded for a particular petrochemical, and in which and the indication means of the remaining caps comprises a particular colour designated for a particular petrochemical fuel or the like, and comprising at least three caps provided with different indication means (such as the colours yellow, green and purple designating diesel fuel, unleaded fuel, super unleaded fuel, respectively) and/or in which each cap is provided with vision enhancement means and, preferably, in which the vision enhancement means comprises rendering the cap fluorescent.

3. The combination of a storage tank means having inlet pipes from compartments or tanks, said inlet pipes being fitted with locking caps as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

4. A plurality of purpose-made inlet pipe ends (or couplers), each inlet pipe end being for (releasable) attachment to an associated inlet pipe of an associated compartment or tank of a (fuel) storage tank means and each inlet pipe end having different indication means to indicate the nature of a particular petrochemical fuel or the like contained or to be contained within a tank or compartment of the storage tank means, in use, each said indication means being integral to the associated inlet pipe end.

5. A plurality of purpose-made collars, each collar being for (releasable) attachment to an associated inlet pipe of an associated compartment or tank of a (fuel) storage tank means and each collar having different indication means to indicate the nature of a particular petrochemical fuel or the like contained or to be contained within a compartment or tank of the storage tank means, in use, the arrangement being such that the indication means of each collar remains visible once a cap for the inlet pipe has been released from the associated inlet pipe end without risk of being completely obscured by the cap, said indication means, preferably, being integral to the collar, and preferably in which each collar is a closed ring in which each collar is located or eatable, in use, behind an associated inlet pipe end.

6. A plurality of purpose-made closures, each closure comprising an inlet pipe end attached or attachable to a locking end cap in use, and being for (releasable) attachment to an associated inlet pipe of an associated compartment or tank of a (fuel) storage tank means and each closure having different indication means to indicate the nature of a particular petrochemical fuel or the like contained or to be contained within a compartment or tank of the storage tank means, in use, each said indication means being integral to the associated inlet pipe end and/or to the associated end cap, and preferably, in which the caps are formed of plastics or nylon and/or in which the material/s of the caps and / or inlet pipe ends facilitate cleaning, and preferably, in which the upper surface of each cap is glossy and/or flat and/or in which the caps are anti-static, and/or in which further caps and/or inlet pipe ends are provided having different indication means to indicate other possible different petrochemical fuels or the like and, preferably, in which the different indication means comprises different colours, and preferably, in which the colour is impregnated into the material of the cap/inlet pipe end, and/or in which each locking cap has a cam (or moveable stop) member, and preferably in which each locking cap is provided with a finger grip or a hand grip portion (or tab means) and/or preferably in which said cam member is movable into and out of engagement with retention means on the inlet pipe end, in use and preferably in which said cam member is pivotable into and out of engagement with the retention means on the inlet pipe end, in use and/or in which said retention means is a groove on the inlet pipe end and/or in which releasable locking means is provided to lock the cam in said retention means, and preferably in which said releasable locking means is an internal mechanism of the locking cap and preferably in which the internal mechanism is key operated.

7. A cap for use as one of the plurality of caps as claimed in any one of claims 1 and 2 or an inlet end for use as one of the plurality of inlet ends as claimed in claim 4 or a closure for use as one of the closures as claimed in claims 6 or a collar for use as one of the collars as claimed in claim 5.

8. A method of encoding petrochemicals in a storage facility including storage tank means having compartments or tanks, said method comprising releasably attaching a plurality of purpose-made locking caps to inlet pipes of the compartments / tanks, said caps being integrally encoded, or having integral indication means to indicate the nature of a particular petrochemical fuel or the like contained or to be contained within the particular compartment or tank in use or a method of unloading fuel from a tanker and delivering same into a storage facility utilising the method of encoding as in claim 32, including selecting the appropriate fuel to be unloaded from a particular compartmentalised section of the tanker via an associated outlet pipe, and removing a corresponding selected end cap from an outlet pipe on the tanker and removing a corresponding locking end cap from an inlet pipe end of a compartment or tank of a storage tank means of the storage facility and downloading the fuel from the open end of the outlet pipe into the associated selected inlet pipe of the storage tank means and, preferably, involving repeating the step of downloading fuel via an outlet pipe but from outlet pipes associated with different compartmentalised sections of the tanker to different inlet pipes of the storage facility after removal of correspondingly differently encoded locking inlet pipe end caps.

9. A closure for an inlet pipe of an associated compartment or tank of a (fuel) storage tank means, said closure comprising a locking cap releasably attached or attachable to an inlet pipe end, said locking cap comprising an internal locking mechanism, preferably being key operated and accessible from outside the cap, preferably, from an upper surface thereof, or a closure for an inlet pipe of an associated compartment or tank of a (fuel) storage tank means, said closure comprising a locking cap releasably attached or attachable to an inlet pipe end, said locking cap having a movable, preferably pivotable, cam member or stop being movable from a first, locked, position within, or held by, retention means on the inlet pipe end to a second, unlocked position free of said retention means and, preferably in which said cam member is pivotable about an axis parallel to the axis of the inlet pipe end and / or said retention means and/or in which said retention means is in the form of a groove (peripheral groove) in the inlet pipe end, and/or in which said cam member is located in a slot in a rim of the locking cap, and/or having a cam plate portion extending generally at right angles to a curved wall portion of the cam member which, in use, fits snugly in the slot (and follows the contour of a rim of the locking cap) and, preferably, in which said plate portion has a cam profile or edge to seat underneath the retention means, in a locked position and/or in which the cap includes an internal locking mechanism arranged in a (recessed) portion of the cap and, preferably in which said portion extends radially outwardly of the inlet pipe end, in use and/or in which the internal locking mechanism includes a retractable plunger that acts on the cam member to lock and unlock the cam member from the retention means and/or a closure as claimed in claim 44 in which the retractable plunger acts on the cam member in a hole in the plate portion.

10. A cap/inlet end encoding system comprising a plurality of caps/inlet ends adapted for releasable attachment to a plurality inlet pipes fitted on containers or compartments carrying different contents, said contents being indicated by the differently encoded indication means on the caps/inlet ends.