WO2012162781A1 - Couvercle de contenant - Google Patents

Couvercle de contenant Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2012162781A1
WO2012162781A1 PCT/CA2011/000638 CA2011000638W WO2012162781A1 WO 2012162781 A1 WO2012162781 A1 WO 2012162781A1 CA 2011000638 W CA2011000638 W CA 2011000638W WO 2012162781 A1 WO2012162781 A1 WO 2012162781A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cover
set forth
spheres
compartments
water
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA2011/000638
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Cliff Wiebe
Original Assignee
Cliff Wiebe
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cliff Wiebe filed Critical Cliff Wiebe
Priority to PCT/CA2011/000638 priority Critical patent/WO2012162781A1/fr
Publication of WO2012162781A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012162781A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H4/00—Swimming or splash baths or pools
    • E04H4/06—Safety devices; Coverings for baths
    • E04H4/10—Coverings of flexible material
    • E04H4/106—Coverings of flexible material supported by separate buoyant bodies

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cover for a reservoir or container which is adapted to hold a liquid material for storage purposes and more particularly, the present invention is directed to a cover which has improved insulation capacity and is easily positioned and removed from a reservoir.
  • AWTT UV resistant virgin HDPE under the mark Armour Balls.
  • the reference teaches an open liquid surface cover composed of a plurality of pentagonal dodecahedrons.
  • the patentee teaches that the dodecahedrons may be hollow or solid, but are made of structural foam having a specific gravity which is approximately one half of the specific gravity of the liquid upon which they are placed.
  • the advantage to this arrangement is that the dodecahedrons clearly provide multiple faces and thus do not present any interstitial volume such as would be the case with spherical bodies. Accordingly, a substantially full, nonpermeable surface is presented for the top of the liquid. Although useful, this arrangement would appear to constitute materials that are quite expensive and further may not operate optimally in situations where there is freezing precipitation.
  • a vent is disposed in an upper portion of the container and has thereunder a net bag filled with balls to maintain gas passage, a transverse tube of netting rendered buoyant by balls maintains liquid flow for discharge through a hose.
  • the point of this structure is to recover oil which has been spilled on the surface of a large body of water.
  • the Fish reference uses the balls for floating attributes, and also to disallow the upper layer of the "lid” to be tightly contacted by the lower layer to promote a "void space” that is proposed to act as a container for floating material on a fluid surface (aimed at recovering oil slicks, etc. on water).
  • the balls are also contained in a tubular netting to disallow "bunching up” in sections between the upper and lower liners.
  • This structure would have no real utility to function as a cover for a reservoir adapted to contain a predetermined volume of liquid.
  • the structure is not amenable to expeditious positioning and removal when required from a body of water upon which it is placed. This would be particularly true for a container of liquid.
  • covers and floatable pads include those structures taught in
  • One object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved cover adapted for use on a reservoir or container suitable for holding a liquid and a system for covering such structures.
  • a cover for a container comprising means for providing access to each compartment of said compartments, said compartments adapted for retaining hollow spheres to provide insulative capacity for said cover.
  • the use of HDPE is particularly effective for the composition of the spheres, netting and the material for releasably opening the netting.
  • the cover is composed of a plurality of discrete compartments adapted to receive a charge of hollow spheres which may be 4 inches in diameter by way of example.
  • the individual compartments will provide access points to facilitate charging of the net or mesh material with the spheres. Once the cover is in position, the access point may be sealed with suitable material which does not interfere with the functioning of the cover.
  • a central connection means which may be disposed at the central intersection of each of the compartments.
  • the central connection would be positioned centrally at the intersection of all four compartments. This has advantages in terms of manipulation of the cover for placement purposes, since the central point will be effectively the centre of mass of the cover when the same is removed or positioned. This also has a distinct advantage in terms of allowing the cover, when picked up for removal and repositioning, to take the form of a vertically gathered consolidated article as opposed to having to roll the cover as is attributed to prior art arrangements.
  • the cover is preferably used on reservoir containers, however, the technology is not limited to this environment; the arrangement can easily be used for pond, pool, etc. applications. In the latter scenario, it is contemplated that several manageably sized cover structures could be grouped together to form a large cover for an open body of water where the features of the instant invention are required.
  • a surface cover for covering a surface of contained liquid, comprising: a first layer and a second layer of porous flexible material in overlying relation and joined about the periphery and therebetween to define a plurality of discrete compartments, said compartments adaptive for retaining hollow spheres to provide insulative capacity for said cover; and independent access means in each compartment to provide access thereto; and hollow spheres disposed within each compartment to provide insulative capacity to said cover, said porous flexible material and said spheres having a specific gravity less than water to enable flotation in a container of water.
  • the spheres for use in the instant invention, the spheres
  • the porous material i.e. netting or mesh
  • the pore size or mesh size of the porous material can be any suitable range in size from, for example, 1 millimetre to 10 millimetres or more. This will depend on the diameter of the spheres charged into the envelope of the mesh material.
  • the spheres have been bound to be particularly useful for purposes of insulation. This has a dramatic effect on storage of, for example, water at a work site. It is desirable to maintain water temperature for certain purposes at, for example, a mine site or a hydrocarbon processing site to avoid additional costs of reheating the water.
  • differently sized spheres may be used to provide a spherical distribution where the interstitial volume is reduced.
  • the interstitial volume can be reduced and thus the coverage area increased. This is in contrast to the structures discussed in the prior art, namely those set forth in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,993,214 and 7,387,473.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the cover structure according to the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is an alternate embodiment of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention where the cover is in situ
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of the cover structure during positioning in situ as a pool cover
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of yet a further embodiment of the present invention where the cover is disposed on the surface of a pond;
  • FIG 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the embodiment shown in Figure 1. Similar numerals employed in the drawings denote similar elements.
  • the present invention has utility in the container cover industry.
  • the cover includes a first layer of porous flexible material 12 which overlies a second layer of porous flexible material 14.
  • the first layer 12 and second layer 14 are joined about the periphery 16 by suitable fastening means (not shown).
  • a suitable fastening means could be stitching, etc.
  • a plurality of discrete compartments are provided by the inclusion of stitching 18.
  • the stitching may be a continuous stitching or intermittent stitching. This divides the liner 10 into individual compartments 20, 22, 24 and 26. In the example shown in Figure 1, there is a quartet of compartments of 20 through 26.
  • Each of the compartments 20 through 26 includes independent access via, for example, a slit 30, 32, 34 and 36, respectively relative to the compartments 20 through 26.
  • the independent access slits 30 through 36 are recloseable with suitable stitching as noted with respect to member 18, defined herein previously as stitching 18.
  • buoyant members 38 Disposed within the individual compartments 20 through 26, via access slits 30 through 36 respectively, are disposed buoyant members 38, shown in the example as spheres.
  • the spheres 38 may comprise hollow carbon black four inch diameter spheres. It has been found that by providing a spherical surface, that a high insulation value is achieved and that precipitation does not adhere as would be the case with conventional cover arrangements.
  • the buoyant members 38 may also take the form of polygons, depicted by numeral 40 in Figure 1.
  • the cover 10 includes in a centrally disposed position and, more particularly, at the intersection point of each of the individual compartments 20 through 26, a connection area 42.
  • the connection area 42 includes a connector 44, shown in the example as a ring which can be used to position the liner 10 on the top surface of a layer of liquid to be covered as is illustrated in Figures 3 through 5 to be discussed hereinafter.
  • connection area 42 at a central position in the cover, the cover 10 is more easily manipulated.
  • the central area 42 is effectively a centre of mass of the cover 10.
  • the cover 10 includes the individual compartments 20 through 26 also contributes to the ease of manipulation.
  • the individual compartments 20 through 26 allow for more consolidated retention of the spheres 38. This is in marked contrast to a system that would not incorporate individual compartmentalization.
  • the buoyant members 38 or spheres when the cover is picked up for repositioning, would have the tendency to bunch together in the form of an inverted bulb shape, as opposed to an individual draped unit.
  • the material of which the cover may be made in terms of the flexible material 12, 14 as well as the stitching 18 may comprise HDPE.
  • suitable examples will include polypropylene, high impact polystyrene (HIPS), and polyethylene. These materials are suitable owing to the fact that they have properties that are desirable for the cover structure, namely a specific gravity less than water. The ability to retain UV stabilizers to prevent premature oxidation by the exposure to sun and durability in use conditions where the temperature fluctuates from high temperatures to temperature below freezing.
  • the buoyant members or spheres 38 may also be substituted with a polygonal shaped 40.
  • the polygonal shaped 40 also has the similar attributes of the spheres concerning precipitation run off, etc.
  • FIG 2 shown as a further embodiment of the present invention, where the cover structure 10 is shown in a generally rectangular form, as opposed to the circular form shown in Figure 1.
  • FIG 3 shown as a perspective view of the cover 10 as positioned in situ in a liquid holding container 46.
  • the rectangular version of the cover 10 is shown as positioned on the top surface of a pool, globally denoted by numeral 48.
  • Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment where the cover 10 has an asymmetrical shape in order to cover a pond 50.
  • the buoyant bodies 38 in this embodiment illustrate two differently sized spheres.
  • the single diameter spheres have obvious utility in adding insulative capacity to the cover 10, the provision of a second or plurality of differently sized spheres also has significant advantage.
  • This advantage is realized by the fact that where a single diameter sphere is used, there is interstitial volume between the spheres.
  • the interstitial volume may be filled to thus provide a surface that has an even greater insulative capacity. This is due to the fact that there are no open areas; the differently sized spheres will interstitially fill the entire area to be covered.
  • the cover 10 can include a plurality of diameters for the buoyant bodies in the case of spherical geometry. In respect of the polygonal geometry, a similar situation exists; depending on the specific geometry of the polygon, differently sized polygons can contribute to the interstitial contribution.
  • the stitching 18 between compartments 20 through 26 may be continuous or discontinuous. In the case of the latter, it will be appreciated that the stitching will be sufficient to maintain the buoyant bodies 38 such that they do not transmigrate from one compartment to another.
  • any suitable netting or mesh size may be incorporated as long as it is sufficiently dimensioned to retain the buoyant bodies 38 within each individual compartment 20 through 26.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un couvercle s'utilisant sur un réservoir contenant un liquide. Le couvercle est constitué d'une enveloppe de matière poreuse. L'enveloppe est sous-divisée en compartiments indépendants séparés. Les compartiments comportent chacun un accès au volume interne en vue de la réception d'une charge de sphères creuses. Un élément collecteur central est positionné à l'intersection des compartiments indépendants. Cette position constitue en fait le centre de gravité du couvercle une fois que les sphères ont été chargées, et permet de positionner et d'ajuster rapidement le couvercle sur la surface du contenant de liquide. Les compartiments indépendants facilitent la consolidation régulée des sphères se situant dans ceux-ci, et permettent de positionner et d'enlever simplement le couvercle, ces opérations étant difficiles avec les dispositifs existants. Ces derniers doivent généralement être pliés ou enroulés, ce qui entraîne des difficultés de manipulation et peut être à l'origine de situations potentiellement dangereuses pendant la manipulation. L'invention offre avantageusement tous les bénéfices associés généralement à une géométrie sphérique, du point de vue de l'écoulement des précipitations, et confère en outre au couvercle une capacité d'isolation importante.
PCT/CA2011/000638 2011-06-03 2011-06-03 Couvercle de contenant WO2012162781A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/CA2011/000638 WO2012162781A1 (fr) 2011-06-03 2011-06-03 Couvercle de contenant

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/CA2011/000638 WO2012162781A1 (fr) 2011-06-03 2011-06-03 Couvercle de contenant

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012162781A1 true WO2012162781A1 (fr) 2012-12-06

Family

ID=47258195

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CA2011/000638 WO2012162781A1 (fr) 2011-06-03 2011-06-03 Couvercle de contenant

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2012162781A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4137612A (en) * 1977-04-06 1979-02-06 Kelley Robert V Buoyant pellet covering for swimming pools
US4241724A (en) * 1978-10-23 1980-12-30 Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc. Method and means of preventing heat convection in a solar pond
US5025513A (en) * 1990-03-21 1991-06-25 Meyco Products Inc. Pool cover with compressible safety edge
US7789043B2 (en) * 2004-12-09 2010-09-07 Fountainhead, Llc Renewably buoyant, self-protective floating habitat

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4137612A (en) * 1977-04-06 1979-02-06 Kelley Robert V Buoyant pellet covering for swimming pools
US4241724A (en) * 1978-10-23 1980-12-30 Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc. Method and means of preventing heat convection in a solar pond
US5025513A (en) * 1990-03-21 1991-06-25 Meyco Products Inc. Pool cover with compressible safety edge
US7789043B2 (en) * 2004-12-09 2010-09-07 Fountainhead, Llc Renewably buoyant, self-protective floating habitat

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2530032A1 (fr) Couvercle de récipient
US9719226B2 (en) Floatable oil absorber
US7229560B2 (en) Sack-based processes for recovering oil floating on water
US6143172A (en) Methods for ameliorating hydrocarbon spills in marine and inland waters
US3537587A (en) Flexible filtration boom
US8348549B2 (en) Method and apparatus for absorptive boom
AU2011268527B2 (en) Floating device and method of using the same
US20090314725A1 (en) Apparatus and method for collecting a target fluid submerged in a higher density carrier fluid
EP2354322A1 (fr) Structure de cage ou de grille de gabion à réactif contaminé et son procédé de fabrication et d'utilisation
US8968570B2 (en) Floatable oil absorber, its uses, and its method of manufacture
WO2012162781A1 (fr) Couvercle de contenant
CA2742185A1 (fr) Couvre conteneur
US20110042383A1 (en) Hydrocarbon collection system
US9540833B2 (en) Cover device and blanket for covering liquid surfaces
KR200408495Y1 (ko) 돔형 굴패각 어초
CN206090468U (zh) 用于盐湖结晶池防渗层上部的柔性土工压覆结构
AU620903B2 (en) Float
AU6446099A (en) Modular floating covers for water storages (evaporation prevention cover)
RU2004124300A (ru) Основание резервуара для хранения опасных продуктов
JP4099040B2 (ja) 埋戻し材、埋戻し用充填材および埋戻し工法
Whitmore Curbing Evaporative Loss of Stored Water
BR102012017520A2 (pt) barreira flutuante de contenção e absorção de derrame de líquido de menor densidade que a água
MXPA99006469A (en) Systems for ameliorating aqueous hydrocarbon spills

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 11866446

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

32PN Ep: public notification in the ep bulletin as address of the adressee cannot be established

Free format text: NOTING OF LOSS OF RIGHTS PURSUANT TO RULE 112(1) EPC (EPO FORM 1205A DATED 04/07/2014)

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 11866446

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1