WO2017020092A1

WO2017020092A1 - A bunded fluids container system

Info

Publication number: WO2017020092A1
Application number: PCT/AU2016/050710
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ross YENDLE; Regan YENDLE
Original assignee: Service Trucks Global Inc.
Priority date: 2015-08-06
Filing date: 2016-08-05
Publication date: 2017-02-09

Abstract

Embodiments: [58] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. [59] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. [60] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. Different Instances of Objects [61] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. Specific Details [62] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. Terminology [63] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Comprising and Including [64] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. [65] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising. Scope of Invention [66] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention. [67] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. Industrial Applicability [68] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the fluids container industries.

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

Provisional Specification

A bunded fluids container system

Field of the Invention

[I] The present invention relates to fluid containers and in particular, but not necessarily entirely, to a bunded fluids container system.

Summary of the Disclosure

[2] According to one aspect, there is provided a bunded fluids container system comprising an outer bund; and an inner bladder shaped and sized for accommodation within the bund, the inner bladder comprising at least one connector fluidly connecting the interior of the bladder, wherein the outer bund may comprise at least one access aperture adapted to accommodate the at least one connector of the bladder so as to allow for the filling and the draining of the bladder in use; and the outer bund may be adapted to contain leakage from the bladder in use.

[3] The outer bund may be plastic.

[4] The plastic may comprise polyurethane.

[5] The outer bund may be rotor moulded.

[6] The outer bund may be substantially cuboid.

[7] The outer bund may be corrugated.

[8] The outer bund may be substantially resilient so as to be able to substantially maintain the integrity of the outer bund in use.

[9] The outer bund may be adapted for stacking within an adjacent other outer bund.

[10] The outer bund are substantially resilient so as to be suitable for withstanding the forces from stacking with the adjacent other outer bund.

[II] The outer bund may comprise at least one window for the external visual inspection of leakage from the bladder in use.

[12] The system may further comprise a leakage alarm.

[13] The leakage alarm may comprise a leakage probe.

[14] The leakage probe may be located between the bladder and the bund.

[15] The bladder may comprise a top filling connector.

[16] The bladder may comprise a level alarm connector.

[17] The bladder may comprise a bottom filling connector.

[18] The bladder may comprise a bulkhead fitting connector.

[19] The bladder may comprise a vent.

[20] The bladder may comprise corresponding equalisation connectors adapted for fastening to an equaliser tube in use.

[21] The bladder may comprise retention straps. [22] The outer bund may comprise retention strap apertures adapted for receiving the bladder retention straps there through in use.

[23] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[24] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[25] Figure 1 shows a bund at fluids container system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[26] Figure 2 shows a top perspective view of the assembled container system of Figure 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[27] Figure 3 shows a bottom view of the assembled container system of Figure 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Description of Embodiments

[28] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure.

[29] Before the structures, systems and associated methods relating to the a bunded fluids container system are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular configurations, process steps, and materials disclosed herein as such may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the disclosure will be limited only by the claims and equivalents thereof.

[30] In describing and claiming the subject matter of the disclosure, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below.

[31] It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. [32] As used herein, the terms "comprising," "including," "containing," "characterised by," and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

[33] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[34] Turning now to figure 1, there is shown a funded fluids container system 3. The container system 3 is adapted for containing fluids for use in industry. For example, the container system 3 may be utilised as a lubrication module so as to serve as a lubrication holding tank during the transportation and use of lubrication.

[35] As will become apparent from the below description, the container system 3 differs from prior art steel tank container systems which suffer from metal fatigue and therefore develop leaks over time.

[36] As can be seen from Figure 1, the container system 3 comprises an outer bund 1 and an inner bladder 2. The bladder 2 comprises at least one connector fluid ly connecting the interior of the bladder 2.

[37] Furthermore, the bladder 2 is shaped and size for accommodation within the bund 1. Furthermore, the outer bund 1 comprises at least one access aperture adapted to accommodate the at least one connector of the bladder 2 so as to allow the filling and draining of the bladder 2 in use.

[38] Now, as can be seen, the container system 3 is "self-bunted" in that, should the inner bladder 2 become compromised and develop a leak, the outer bund 1 is adapted to catch the leakage from the bladder.

[39] In a preferred embodiment, the outer bund 1 comprises plastic so as to comprise a degree of tolerance to external forces so as to provide the outer bund 1 with resilience in use as compared to conventional steel tanks. The plastic may be polyurethane and the bund 1 may be rotor moulded.

[40] However, it should be noted that the outer bund 1 may be made from other materials within the purposive scope of the embodiments described herein.

[41] Furthermore, as can be seen, the outer bund 1 is preferably substantially cuboid defining substantially square front and rear faces bounded by four lateral walls.

[42] As can be seen, in a preferred embodiment, the outer bund 1 is preferably corrugated for strengthening purposes.

[43] The outer bund 1 is preferably substantially resilient so as to be able to substantially maintain the substantially cuboid shape of the outer bund 1 in use, especially when the bladder 2 is full and therefore exerting forces on the outer bund 2. [44] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the outer bund 1 is adapted for stacking against adjacent other container systems 3. For example, a plurality of container systems 3 may be stacked on their respective front and rear faces. In this embodiment, the outer bund 2 is further preferably substantially resilient so as to withstand the stacking forces from the other stacked container systems 3.

[45] Turning now to figure 2, there is shown the assembled container system 3 wherein, as can be seen, the bladder 2 has been inserted into the outer bund 1.

[46] In one embodiment, the bund 1 defines an upper access aperture plate 13 which may be removed so as to allow the insertion of the bladder 2 therein. The bund 1 of Figure 2 comprises a cutaway for illustrative purposes but, as can be appreciated, and so as to afford the self-bunted advantages described above, the largest access aperture of the bund 1 may be provided by the access plate 13 which is sealed in use.

[47] Furthermore, so as to aid the retention of the bladder 2 within the bund 1, the body 2 may comprise retention straps 2 at at least one corner of the bladder 2 wherein the bund 1 comprises corresponding retention strap apertures adapted to receive the retention straps 12 there through. Once the retention straps 12 have been inserted through the retention strap apertures, the retention straps 12 may be tied off, such as by using book and loop fastener, buckle or the like. In this manner, the retention straps 12 substantially maintain the position and orientation of the bladder 2 within the butt 1. In other embodiments, further retention straps 12 may be provided, such as at each corner of the bund 1.

[48] In embodiments, the system 3 may comprise at least one window 7 for the external visual inspection of leakage from the bladder in use. As can be seen, in a preferred embodiment, the system 3 comprises a plurality of windows 7 located at various locations of the system 3 so as to be able to ascertain leakage at differing locations of the system 3. As can be appreciated, the at least one window

7 is itself substantially fluid tight so as to prevent leakage of fluid from the at least one window 7.

[49] Furthermore, in embodiments, the system 3 may comprise a leakage alarm 8 adapted to detect a leakage from the bladder. In this manner, should the leakage alarm 8 detect leakage, the bladder 2 may be replaced prior to the substantial buildup of fluid within the bund 1.

[50] The leakage alarm 8 may comprise a leakage probe. Specifically, referring to figure 3, there is shown an underside view of the system 3 wherein, as can be seen, extending from the leakage alarm

8 is an electrical connector 14 which enters the bund 1 at a substantially fluid tight access aperture 11 so as to reach an internally located leakage probe located between the bladder 2 and the bund 1.

[51] In one embodiment, the leakage alarm 8 may emit an audible and/or a visual alarm signal. [52] It should be noted that in other embodiment, the leakage alarm 8 may be non-electric such as by comprising fluid sensitive dye adapted to change colour when exposed to fluid, the fluid sensitive dye being externally viewable such as via the windows 7.

[53] Considering again Figure 2, in a particular embodiment, for filling, the bladder 2 comprises a top filling connector 4. Furthermore, the bladder 2 may comprise a level alarm connector 5 adapted for ascertaing the level of the fluid within the bladder 2. Yet further, the bladder 2 may comprise a bottom filling connector 9. Further, the bladder 2 may comprise a vent 6.

[54] During the filling process, the system 3 may be stood upright as substantially shown in figure 2 for filling either via the top filling connector 4 or the bottom filling connector wherein the vent 6 allows the escape of air from the bladder 2 and the level alarm connector 5 is used to detect the level of fluid within the bladder 2.

[55] One substantially filled, the system 3 may be laid on its rearward face for transportation and usage.

[56] For draining the bladder 2, the bladder 2 may comprise a bulkhead fitting connector 10. As can be seen, the bulkhead fitting connector 10 is located substantially towards the rearward face of the container 3 so as to be able to advantageously drain the entire bladder 2.

[57] In embodiment, the bladder 2 may further comprise equaliser connectors 16 adapted for connection via equaliser connection tube 17 so as to allow fluids within the bladder 2 to equalise across the extremities of the bladder 2. As can be seen, one end of the equaliser connection tube 7 terminates substantially adjacent the bulkhead fitting connector 10 so as to advantageously allow the draining of the fluid from differing interior regions of the bladder 2 so as to, for example, account for situations where the bladder may have collapsed internally and therefore created blockages.

Claims

1. A bunded fluids container system comprising:

an outer bund; and

an inner bladder shaped and sized for accommodation within the bund, the inner bladder comprising at least one connector fluidly connecting the interior of the bladder, wherein:

the outer bund comprises at least one access aperture adapted to accommodate the at least one connector of the bladder so as to allow for the filling and the draining of the bladder in use; and the outer bund is adapted to contain leakage from the bladder in use.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer bund is plastic.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plastic comprises polyurethane.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the outer bund is rotor moulded.

5. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer bund is substantially cuboid.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the outer bund is corrugated.

7. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the outer bund is substantially resilient so as to be able to substantially maintain the integrity of the outer bund in use.

8. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the outer bund is adapted for stacking within an adjacent other outer bund.

9. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the outer bund are substantially resilient so as to be suitable for withstanding the forces from stacking with the adjacent other outer bund.

10. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer bund comprises at least one window for the external visual inspection of leakage from the bladder in use.

11. A system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a leakage alarm.

12. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the leakage alarm comprises a leakage probe.

13. A system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the leakage probe is located between the bladder and the bund.

14. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bladder comprises a top filling connector.

15. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bladder comprises a level alarm connector.

16. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bladder comprises a bottom filling connector.

17. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bladder comprises a bulkhead fitting connector.

18. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bladder comprises a vent.

19. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bladder comprises corresponding equalisation connectors adapted for fastening to an equaliser tube in use.

20. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bladder comprises retention straps.

21. A system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the outer bund comprises retention strap apertures adapted for receiving the bladder retention straps there through in use.