U.S. patent application number 09/909321 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-04 for mechanized fumigation tent with composite closing structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to Western Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Glynn, Kenneth P., Langhart, Christopher D..
Application Number | 20020085949 09/909321 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46278268 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020085949 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Glynn, Kenneth P. ; et
al. |
July 4, 2002 |
MECHANIZED FUMIGATION TENT WITH COMPOSITE CLOSING STRUCTURE
Abstract
The present invention provides a mechanized fumigation tent with
a composite closing structure. The composite closing structure is
connected to the bottom perimeter of side curtains for sealing the
bottom perimeter of the side curtains. The composite closing
structure has at least a first component and second component. The
first component is a structural support component and has
sufficient rigidity to flex no greater than 6 inches over a 10 foot
length with a fulcrum weight of 100 pounds. The second component is
a sealing component and is formed of flexible material. Further,
the sealing component may be a flexible base mounted along the
bottom perimeter for receiving, holding and releasing water from an
external water supply. When the sealing component holds water, it
will seal the tent to a floor. In a preferred embodiment, the
structural support component is formed of a triangular
cross-sectional shape. The structural support component may be
embedded within the sealing component or connected to an outside of
the sealing component.
Inventors: |
Glynn, Kenneth P.; (Township
of Raritan, NJ) ; Langhart, Christopher D.; (Township
of New Hope, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KENNETH P. GLYNN, ESQ.
24 Mine Street
Flemington
NJ
08822-1598
US
|
Assignee: |
Western Industries, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
46278268 |
Appl. No.: |
09/909321 |
Filed: |
October 2, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09909321 |
Oct 2, 2001 |
|
|
|
09752387 |
Dec 29, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
422/28 ; 135/115;
135/905; 160/19; 422/292; 422/294; 422/306; 422/32; 422/33;
426/320; 426/331; 426/333; 426/335 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A23L 3/34095 20130101;
A23L 3/3409 20130101; E04H 15/18 20130101; Y10S 135/905 20130101;
A61L 2/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
422/28 ; 422/32;
422/33; 422/292; 422/294; 422/306; 426/320; 426/331; 426/333;
426/335; 135/115; 135/905; 160/19 |
International
Class: |
A61L 002/00; A61L
009/00; E04H 015/00; E04H 015/54; B01J 007/00; E06B 009/00; A01N
001/00; A23C 001/00; A23B 004/00; A23K 001/00; A23L 001/36; A23C
003/00; A21D 004/00; E04H 015/32; A23L 003/36 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A mechanized fumigation tent, which comprises: (a) a structure;
(b) support cables communicating with said structure; (c) a frame
suspended from said structure by said support cables, said frame
having an underside; (d) a tarp adapted to be mounted to the
underside of the frame, said tarp hanging from said frame defining
a tent having a top and side curtains having a lower periphery that
defines a bottom perimeter; (e) a plurality of horizontal pipes
attached to, and arranged along, said side curtains of said tent at
spaced intervals between said bottom perimeter and said top of the
said tent; (f) a plurality of winch cables for raising said
horizontal pipes; (g) rings, disposed around said winch cables and
attached to said horizontal pipes, for gathering up and supporting
the tarp as the horizontal pipes are raised, said rings and
horizontal pipes cooperating with each other to collect the tarp
into a plurality of small overhanging portions. (h) a composite
closing structure being one of connected to said bottom perimeter
of said side curtains and physically compressing against the floor,
wherein said composite closing structure seals said bottom
perimeter of said side curtains, said composite closing structure
having at least a first component and second component, said first
component being a structural support component and having
sufficient rigidity to flex no greater than 6 inches over a 10 foot
length with a fulcrum weight of 100 pounds, and said second
component being a sealing component and being formed of flexible
material. (i) a plurality of collapsible flexible hoses which
supply water to said composite closing structure from the group
consisting of elevated storage tanks located above the tent and
water pump trucks.
2. The mechanized fumigation tent of claim 1 wherein said sealing
component is selected from the group consisting of flexible hosing,
flexible synthetic foam, flexible rubber and rubber foam.
3. The mechanized fumigation tent of claim 2 wherein said sealing
component is a flexible base mounted along said bottom perimeter
for receiving, holding and releasing water from an external water
supply, whereby when holding water, will seal said tent to a
floor.
4. The mechanized fumigation tent of claim 1 wherein said
structural support component is formed of a triangular
cross-sectional shape.
5. The mechanized fumigation tent of claim 2 wherein said
structural support component is formed of a triangular
cross-sectional shape.
6. The mechanized fumigation tent of claim 1 wherein said
structural support component is selected from elongated metal
sections, elongated wood sections and elongated plastic
sections.
7. The mechanized fumigation tent of claim 4 wherein said
structural support component is an integral metal rod.
8. The mechanized fumigation tent of claim 6 wherein said
structural support component is selected from the group consisting
of a plurality of metal rods and a plurality of trusses wherein
each one of said metal rods and said trusses have connecting means
for connecting one said structural support component to another
said structural support component.
9. The mechanized fumigation tent of claim 8 wherein said
connecting means includes one of eyelets and hooks, and
interlocking links.
10. The mechanized fumigation tent of claim 2 wherein said
structural support component is selected from the group consisting
of a plurality of metal rods and a plurality of trusses wherein
each one of said metal rods and said trusses have connecting means
for connecting one said structural support component to another
said structural support component.
11. The mechanized fumigation tent of claim 10 wherein said
connecting means includes one of eyelets and hooks, and
interlocking links.
12. The mechanized fumigation tent of claim 11 wherein each of said
winch cables passes through a pair of guide tubes and is fixed to a
plate mounted on said frame.
13. The mechanized fumigation tent of claim 1 wherein a
cross-sectional shape of said structural support component is
selected from the group consisting of circular, triangular,
rectangular, hexagonal and rectangular.
14. The mechanized fumigation tent of claim 2 wherein a
cross-sectional shape of said structural support component is
selected from the group consisting of circular, triangular,
rectangular, hexagonal and rectangular.
15. The mechanized fumigation tent of claim 1 wherein said
structural support component is embedded within said sealing
component.
16. The mechanized fumigation tent of claim 2 wherein said
structural support component is embedded within said sealing
component.
17. The mechanized fumigation tent of claim 1 wherein said
structural support component is removably connected to said sealing
component.
18. The mechanized fumigation tent of claim 2 wherein said
structural support component is removably connected to said sealing
component.
19. The mechanized fumigation tent of claim 1 wherein a flexible
joint is located between said structural support components.
20. The mechanized fumigation tent of claim 2 wherein a flexible
joint is located between said structural support components.
Description
REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/752,387, Attorney Docket No.
WII-102A, filed on Dec. 29, 2000, and entitled "Mechanized
Fumigation Tent", by Christopher Langhart, one of the same inventor
herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a mechanized tent. In
particular, it relates to a mechanized tent having a frame and a
collectable tarp attached to the frame which can be raised and
lowered over pallets of produce or the like, particularly useful
for fumigation of produce, e.g. imported products.
[0004] 2. Information Disclosure Statement
[0005] Once fumigated, produce has a shelf life of at most ten days
to two weeks. It is therefore desirable to fumigate the produce
close to the place where it will be ultimately sold. For imported
produce, this place is typically inside a dock building or
warehouse located at a port of entry. Pallets of the produce are
unloaded from a ship and placed or staged on the floor of the dock
building.
[0006] Known methods of fumigating produce involve covering the
pallets of produce with a polyethylene or plastic impregnated
tarpaulin and then introducing a gas, e.g., methyl bromide, under
the tarp to kill live insect infestations. Workers climb on top of
the pallets or use poles to pull the tarp over a group of pallets.
Because it is necessary for the gas to circulate freely on all
sides and the top of the pallets, the tarp cannot lay flat on the
top of the pallets. The United States Department of Agriculture
requires that a space of about two feet be provided on the top of
the pallets, and at least two feet on their sides to allow room for
the placement of fans to facilitate the circulation of the
fumigation gas. The fans may be tied down with rope to prevent them
from moving. Several hoses for introducing the gas is secured to
the top of selected fans. The volume of space under the tarp, i.e.,
the total cubic feet, determines how many fans and points of
introduction are required.
[0007] One method for maintaining the required space on the top of
the pallets is to erect wood frames in the shape of a "T" or an "A"
at each corner and attach rope between each "T" or an "A" to create
a web of support for the tarp. The side space is maintained by
draping the tarp outward as it contacts the floor of the dock
building and securing it in that position by placing flexible vinyl
tubes (approximately 6" in diameter and 4' long) filled with sand
on top of the edge of the tarp. At least 2 feet of excess tarp
remains beyond the `sand tubes`.
[0008] The steps involved in pulling the tarp over the pallets,
setting up the fans, attaching the introduction hoses to the fans,
handling hundreds of tubes of sand, and dismantling and storing all
of the above equipment, and repeating the process upon completion,
require many labor intensive hours.
[0009] Improvements to the conventional method of fumigating
produce include permanently suspending the tarpaulin from an
overhead frame and lowering the frame over the pallets as needed.
Such a frame may be made from welded trusses to form a disassemble
one piece unit of varying dimensions. The typical frame size may be
50 feet long by 250 feet wide, but may be larger or smaller
depending upon the spacing between support columns in the dock
building. To the underside of the frame a tarpaulin is attached
which has been manufactured with grommets, i.e., tabs and eyelets,
specific to the frame it hangs from.
[0010] The frame may be raised and lowered by a system of cables
and pulleys located above the unit which are attached to exposed
barjoists on the underside of the roof of the dock building. The
cables are connected to hand-operated or motor-operated winces
mounted on the support columns in the dock building. Workers
simultaneously crank the winches to lower or raise the frame to a
height above the pallets that allows the required 2 feet of space
between the tarp and pallets of produce.
[0011] A typical tent may be lifted by twelve or more active pickup
points. Between each of these points two counterweight sandbags are
deployed to offset the self-weight of the frame and the
polyethylene enclosure. Each truss section of the frame spans
approximately fifty feet with two mid-point sandbags. These tend to
become hung up from friction and pull at an angle to prevent the
sandbag from lowering onto the polyethylene enclosure as it is
elevated.
[0012] A difficult and time-consuming job associated with operating
such a system is gathering up the tarp which overhangs from the
sides of the frame before the frame is raised. This is necessary
because the typical dock building height of about twenty-two feet
is limited to about eighteen feet by overhead piping, electrical
conduits, etc. When the support frame is raised to the maximum
height permitted by these obstructions the tarp hangs down low
enough to catch the tops of forklift trucks as they move the
pallets of produce in and out of the tent area.
[0013] One known way of gathering up the tarp on the sides is to
run horizontal plastic pipes through double-thickness portions of
the tent walls which form pockets. These pockets can be located at
approximately one-third and two-thirds of the wall height and are
tied up to the top framing with rope every ten feet or so. Pulled
ropes raise the pockets and thus gather the sides of the tent. This
method is also time-consuming, however, because it requires
numerous tie-up procedures in order to completely raise the tent,
e.g., usually at ten to twenty foot intervals around the tent
perimeter.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,463 utilizes many of the aforementioned
improved technique features and additionally incorporates unique
features which are more fully discussed in conjunction with some of
the drawings described below.
[0015] Notwithstanding the above prior art, there is no teaching
which anticipates or renders the present invention obvious. Thus,
it is neither taught nor suggested to use a system with a
ceiling-mounted suspended frame with a fumigation tarp position
atop the support frame in a sealed fashion having a composite
closing structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] It is an object of the present invention to provide a large
mechanized fumigation tent which incorporates the height of the
supporting frame within the tarp structure to eliminate the extra
space otherwise needed when the support structure is stacked above
the gathered, stored tarp.
[0017] It is another object of the present invention to decrease
the total weight needed for an efficiently operated fumigation
tent.
[0018] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a
fumigation tent which does not require permanent water storage
tanks, related plumbing or the otherwise necessary space which
would be occupied by permanent water storage facilities.
[0019] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a large fumigation tent for fumigating produce, logs, textiles,
wood products, and other forms of potentially infested imports
which can be quickly, conveniently and freely raised and lowered
over pallets of the produce.
[0020] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a
fumigation tent that does not interfere with the operation of
forklift trucks as they move pallets of the produce in and out of a
tent area and that does not require extensive tie-up procedures to
accomplish this.
[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
fumigation tent which can be raised from a single remote location
so that personnel need not be near the tent area after fumigation
is complete since exposure to residual gas, which may not have been
evacuated from some pallet areas, is possible and can be
harmful.
[0022] It is yet another object of the -present invention to
provide for alternative mechanisms for first lifting side curtains
of the tarp and then lifting the entire structure and, conversely,
lowering the entire structure and then the side curtains of the
tarp.
[0023] A further object of the present invention to provide a
system which seals the tent to the floor of the dock building and
which can be easily raised with tent.
[0024] The present invention provides a fumigation tent which
includes a structure, support cables communicating with the
structure, and a frame suspended from the structure by the support
cables. The frame has an underside upon which a tarp is adapted to
be mounted to the underside of the frame. The tarp hangs from the
frame defining a tent having a top and side curtains. The side
curtains have a lower periphery that defines a bottom perimeter.
There is also a plurality of horizontal pipes attached to, and
arranged along, the side curtains of the tent at spaced intervals
between the bottom perimeter and the top of the tent. Moreover,
there are a plurality of winch cables for raising the horizontal
pipes, and rings, disposed around the winch cables and attached to
the horizontal pipes, for gathering up and supporting the tarp as
the horizontal pipes are raised. The rings and horizontal pipes
cooperate with each other to collect the tarp into a plurality of
small overhanging portions. A plurality of collapsible flexible
hoses supply water from elevated storage tanks located above the
tent to a composite closing structure.
[0025] The present invention also provides a composite closing
structure connected to the bottom perimeter of side curtains or
physically compressing against the floor, for sealing the bottom
perimeter of the side curtains. The composite closing structure has
at least a first component and second component. The first
component is a structural support component and has sufficient
rigidity to flex no greater than 6 inches over a 10 foot length
with a fulcrum weight of 100 pounds. The second component is a
sealing component and is formed of flexible material.
[0026] The sealing component may be flexible hosing, flexible
synthetic foam, flexible rubber, or rubber foam. Further, the
sealing component may be a flexible base mounted along the bottom
perimeter for receiving, holding and releasing water from an
external water supply. When the sealing component holds water, it
will seal the tent to a floor.
[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the structural support component
is formed of a triangular cross-sectional shape. In addition, the
structural support component may be elongated metal sections,
elongated wood sections, elongated plastic sections, and the like.
Moreover, the structural support component may have various
geometric shapes, including, but not limited to circular
rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, square, and the like.
Furthermore, the structural support component may be within the
sealing component or outside the sealing component.
[0028] The present invention further provides for attachment of the
winch cables to clew plates which in turn are attached to winches
by winch chains. Preferably, the winches are motorized and be
operated by remote control. (This provides an important safety
advantage, because personnel do not have to be near the tent while
it is being raised. Therefore, personnel can avoid being exposed to
any lingering fumigation gas which is hazardous.) It is also
preferable that hand winches with cables be located near the
motorized winches, so that they can be attached to the clew plates
to provide emergency back up in case electrical problems occur.
[0029] Other advantages and characteristics of the present
invention will become apparent in view of the description and
accompanying drawings that follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a fumigation
tent in its lowered position from prior art U.S. Pat. No.
5,641,463;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a partial side-sectional view of the frame of the
tent in FIG. 1 as it is attached to the top portion of the prior
art tent;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a top planar perspective view of the frame and the
cables used to support the top middle portion of the prior art tent
shown above;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a side curtain of
the prior art tent shown above, with the horizontal bars and rings
which are used to support and collect the side curtain while it is
being raised;
[0034] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a portion of the above
described prior art tent from U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,463 in its raised
position;
[0035] FIG. 6 shows the prior art fumigation tent described above
in its lowered positioned, a water supply and removal system,
circulation and exhaust fans with their associated wiring, and
components of the gas supply system;
[0036] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a present invention
fumigation tent, which includes a composite closing structure for
sealing the bottom perimeter of the curtains and having a
triangular structural support component;
[0037] FIG. 8 shows a front view in partial cross-section of the
composite closing structure shown in FIG. 7;
[0038] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show front cross-sectional views of two
composite closing structures of the present invention, each having
a hook and eyelet for removably connecting each composite closing
structure;
[0039] FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show front cross-sectional views of
another embodiment of two composite closing structures of the
present invention, each having links for removably connecting each
composite closing structure;
[0040] FIG. 13 shows a front cross sectional view of another
embodiment of a composite closing structure of the present
invention having a single structural support component within a
single sealing component.
[0041] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of an alternative
embodiment present invention fumigation tent, which includes a
composite closing structure having a structural support component
external to a sealing component;
[0042] FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 show side views of a present invention
composite closing structure which may be used in combination with
the fumigation tent shown in FIG. 14; and
[0043] FIG. 17 shows a water delivery system for filling bottom
periphery flexible hosing with water for sealing curtain bottom
areas.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0044] Referring to the prior art drawings from U.S. Pat. No.
5,641,463 to the present invention herein, shown in the present as
FIGS. 1 through 5, the following description is a summary thereof:
In FIG. 1, a prior art apparatus for fumigating pallets of produce
is indicated generally as apparatus 10. It has a support system for
uniformly raising and lowering a tarp enclosure with motorized
crank winches while maintaining required clearances, as well as for
relocation of frame support cables to vertical positions above the
lifting position.
[0045] The apparatus 10 includes a frame 12 and a tarp 14 mounted
to the frame underside with tabs 24 and eye rings 25. FIG. 2 shows
detail of the top 16 being mounted. The tarp 14 forms a tent with
flat top 16, and side curtains 18 having a lower periphery bottom
perimeter 20. The frame 12 can be constructed out of aluminum pipes
welded and bolted together in a truss-like configuration. However,
as will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the frame can be
of any shape and construction which is capable of carrying the
weight of the tent. The frame 12 may be, for example, suspended
from the roof of a dock building or warehouse by support cables
22.
[0046] The cables 26 hang between cross bars 28, spaced so that
sagging of the top 16 is reduced, usually about every fifteen feet,
along cross-sections of the frame 12, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0047] Horizontal pipes 30 are fitted into tarp pockets 32 formed
in double-thickness portions of the side curtains 18, as shown in
FIG. 4, located just above the bottom perimeter 20; approximately
one-third of the distance between the first interval and the top
16; and approximately two-thirds of the distance between the first
interval and the top 16.
[0048] Winch cables 34 draw up the horizontal pipes 30. These
cables pass through rings 36 attached along and at the ends of the
horizontal pipes, as shown in FIG. 4. The tarp pockets 32 are
gathered up by the pipes 30, and support the tarp 14 as the
horizontal pipes are being raised. Each winch cable 34 passes
through a pair of guide tubes 38 and 40 fixed to a plate 42 mounted
on the frame 12, also shown in FIG. 4. Guide tubes 38 and 40 and
plate 42 provide a means for enabling the frame to be lifted by the
winch cables 34 once the horizontal pipes 30 are raised and the
tarp is completely collected.
[0049] The winch cables 34 pass around roof-mounted pulleys 44 and
around pulleys 46 mounted to support columns 48 in the dock
building, as shown in FIG. 1. They are attached at their other ends
to clew plates 50. Each clew plate 50 can accommodate up to seven
or eight winch cables 34, and is attached by a winch chain 52 to a
winch 54, as shown in FIG. 1. Winches 54, draw down the clew plates
50 with the winch chains 52, enabling each approximately fifty foot
section of the frame 12 to be lifted at twelve or more points. Some
of these points are shared with other sections along trusses 28 as
required, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0050] In the operation of this prior art embodiment, the
fumigation tent shown in the aforesaid FIGS. is raised by reeling
in the clew plates 50 with the winches 54, such that the side
curtains 18 are drawn upward by winch cables 34 via pulleys 44 and
46. As the winch cables 34 are drawn upward the horizontal pipes 30
on the first interval rise upward. This causes the rings 36 around
the winch cables 34 between the first and second intervals of pipes
to gather together, thus supporting and collecting intermediate
portions of the side curtains 18, and thus preventing the side
curtains 18 from "bagging out", i.e., overhanging, to half the
height of the side walls of the tent. The rings 36, horizontal
pipes 30, and pockets 32 distribute this bagout into several
smaller bagouts located between the rings that surround the winch
cables 34, so that the overhang created when the tarp 14 is
completely gathered up is minimized, as shown in FIG. 5.
[0051] Once the first interval of horizontal pipes 30 is drawn up
to the height of the second interval, the rings between the second
and third intervals gather together supporting and collecting the
intermediate portions of the side curtains 18. This process
continues until all the horizontal pipes 30 and rings 36 are drawn
up against the underside 12' of the frame 12. Once the side
curtains 18 have been completely raised, and the tarp 14 collected,
the winches 54 continue to draw up the winch cables 34, thus
raising the frame 12. The winch cables 34 are drawn up until the
frame 12 reaches a height which will enable forklift trucks to
remove the pallets of produce without interfering with the
fumigation tent. From the height where the side curtains 18 are
completely gathered up to the height the frame 12 is finally raised
to, the support cables 22, dead-tied to the roof of the dock
building, become limp, i.e., in this interval the frame 12 is
supported by the winch cables 34, as shown in FIG. 5.
[0052] This prior art fumigation tent is lowered by similar moves
for raising the tent described above, except reversing the
procedure by reversing the winches, etc. to have the cables,
pulleys, etc. operate in the opposite paths as described.
[0053] Mounting fans 56 and associated wiring 58 on frame 12 is
shown in FIG. 6. Entrance hoses 60 for supplying a fumigation gas
are positioned near designated fan locations to insure dispersion
by mixing concentrated heated gas into the accelerated airstream
provided by fans 56. A portion of these hoses rise with the tent,
requiring couplings to be made with gas heaters 61 when the tent is
lowered. A fumigation gas tank 63, which rests on a beam balance
scale 65, supplies the fumigation gas to the heater 61. Once the
tent is in place over the pallets of produce, it must be sealed to
the floor of the dock building to create a substantially airtight
enclosure, and thus prevent fumigation gas from escaping into the
dock building during the fumigation process.
[0054] In the disclosed prior art, the method of sealing the tent
to the dock floor, is to mount a flexible hose 62 along the bottom
perimeter 20 of the tent and fill the hose with water, as shown in
FIGS. 4 and 6. The weight of the water secures the tent to the
floor of the dock building. The water can be reused by storing it
in elevated tanks 64 located above the tent, preferably mounted to
the roof of the dock building, as shown in FIG. 6. Collapsible
flexible hoses 66 supply water from the elevated storage tanks 64
to the flexible perimeter hose 62. One-way foot valves 68 connected
to the collapsible flexible hoses are employed to control columns
of water to start the Venturi acceleration process for evacuation
of the water from the perimeter hose 62. The foot valves 68 are
by-passed by solenoid valves 70 to permit gravity filling of the
hose. A compressor 72 supplies air pressure to the tops of the
elevated storage tanks 64 to assist in the gravity filling of the
flexible perimeter hose 62. Upon returning the water to the tanks,
the compressor 72 blows the water from the hose 62 toward the foot
valve location where it is carried up by the Venturi.
[0055] A water removal system is provided for evacuating the water
from the flexible perimeter hose 62 comprising jet pumps 74 located
above the tent, preferably mounted to the roof of the dock
building, using low-mounted Venturi units which shoot the water up
the collapsible flexible hoses 66 into the elevated storage tanks
64. Four distributed storage tanks limit the spilled water to
one-quarter of the system's capacity. The compressor 72 can also
supply air pressure through the collapsible flexible hoses 66 to
assist in evacuating the water from the flexible perimeter hose 62,
so that sections of the flexible perimeter hose do not collapse and
trap water, thus preventing total water removal.
[0056] Once the fumigation process is complete, the fumigation gas
is removed by exhaust fans 76 positioned on the floor of the dock
building. These fans 76 are used to evacuate the interior of the
fumigation tent before the tent is raised. Openings 78 in the tent
re-introduce fresh air, as shown in FIG. 6. After approximately two
hours of aeration, the tent is raised. It then takes approximately
one additional hour for the fumigation gas to disperse to the level
where dock personnel can enter the tent area safely.
[0057] The foregoing detailed description of the prior art
preferred fumigation tent system has many advantages, and the
overall concepts therein are incorporated into the present
invention.
[0058] As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the
present invention is not limited to fumigating produce. It can be
used to fumigate any article or object that can be placed under the
tent. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the present invention
can be adapted to be transportable.
[0059] FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show a present invention composite closing
structure 793 for sealing the bottom perimeter of side curtains and
having a triangular structural support component 791. Similar parts
are numbered as in FIG. 6, but beginning with "700". The function
of these parts is as described by FIG. 1 through FIG. 6.
[0060] In addition, the composite closing structure 793 is
connected to the bottom perimeter of the side curtains, as shown
and described in FIG. 4. The composite closing structure 793 has at
least a first component and second component. The first component
is the structural support component 791 and has sufficient rigidity
to flex no greater than 6 inches over a 10 foot length with a
fulcrum weight of 100 pounds.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 7, the structural support component 791 has
a triangular cross section. However, other embodiments of the
structural support component are disclosed, as described
hereinafter below. The structural support component 791 may be made
from metal, wood, plastic and the like.
[0062] The second component is a sealing component 762 and is
formed of flexible material. The sealing component 762 may be
flexible hosing, flexible synthetic foam, flexible rubber, rubber
foam, and the like. It may be located within the composite closing
structure 791 or be part of the outer material. As shown, the
sealing component 762 is a flexible base which may be mounted along
the bottom perimeter of the side curtains for receiving, holding
and releasing water from an external water supply. When the sealing
component holds water, it will seal the tent to a floor.
[0063] In an alternative embodiment, the sealing component 762 may
be lowered onto the top of the side curtains after being placed
partially on the floor and fold away from the tent center. In this
way, the sealing component 762 would act to physically compress the
curtain bottom against the floor.
[0064] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show front cross sectional views of
another embodiment of a present invention composite closing
structure 1605 and 1705, respectively. The composite closing
structure 1605 includes a sealing component 1651 and a structural
support component 1653. The structural support component includes a
hook 1657 and an eyelet 1655, on each end of the structural support
component 1653, for removably connecting each composite closing
structure 1605, 1705 to at least one other composite closing
structure. The hook 1657 and the eyelet 1655 may be reversed having
the hook protruding from the composite closing structure 1605 and
the eyelet located within the composite closing structure 1605.
component.
[0065] The composite closing structure 1705 is similar to that
described in FIG. 9. Similar components are similarly numbered to
those described by FIG. 9, but beginning with "1700".
[0066] FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show front cross sectional views of
another embodiment of two composite closing structures 1805, 1905,
respectively, of the present invention. The composite closing
structure 1805 includes a sealing component 1851 and a structural
support component 1853. The structural support component 1853 has a
link 1855 for removably connecting each composite closing structure
1805, 1905 to a link 1955 on at least one other composite closing
structure.
[0067] The composite closing structure 1905 is similar to that
described in FIG. 11. Similar components are similarly numbered to
those described by FIG. 15, but beginning with "1900".
[0068] Referring now to FIG. 13, there is shown a front cross
sectional view of another embodiment of a composite closing
structure 2002 of the present invention. The composite closing
structure has a single structural support component 2053 within a
single sealing component 2051. Note that, in this embodiment, the
structural support component 2053 can be located in any placement
within the sealing component 2051.
[0069] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of an alternative
embodiment present invention fumigation tent 1401, which includes a
composite closing structure 1493 having a structural support
component 1495 external to a sealing component 1497. Identical
parts to those shown in FIG. 7 are numbered similarly, but
beginning with "1400".
[0070] In this embodiment, the structural support component 1495
includes at least one metal rod or truss, which is connectible to
the sealing component 1497 through connecting means 1498. In this
case, the connecting means 1498 is a plurality of ties extending
from within the sealing component 1497, which are tied around the
structural support component 1495. In addition, there may be at
least one flexible joint 1499 between multiple structural support
components 1495.
[0071] FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 show side views of a present invention
composite closing structure 1496 and 1593, respectively, which may
be used in combination with the fumigation tent shown in FIG. 14.
In FIG. 15, the structural support component 1495 has a triangular
cross-section while in FIG. 16, the structural support component
1596 has a circular cross-section. In FIG. 16, identical parts to
those shown in FIG. 14 are similarly numbered, but beginning with
"1500".
[0072] FIG. 17 shows sample external water supply mechanism. Here,
it is a portable, mobile system which includes a water tank and a
pump tank. Often multiple tents are not used simultaneously and the
previous system of having tanks and pumping equipment dedicated to
each of them has been improved by providing a portable pumping and
water supply system usable at various tent locations. This saves
costs and installation and maintenance manpower.
[0073] This portable apparatus functions substantially as the
previous system described in prior art except that the water is
delivered from a separate external source and the pump pressures
may be reduced as the lift head is less and the foot valves and
venture nozzles would not be required. Initial investment is
reduced for each tent as the result of shared facilities. Composite
closing structure 793 of FIG. 7, when the tents sides are fully
extended, rests on the dock building floor. To prevent water
ponding, and in the winter icing, the floor of the dock is
typically sloped downward toward the sea, e.g., approximately 18
inches downward for every 100 feet measure perpendicular to the
sea-wall. This floor condition requires the water truck connection
to be located at the lower point on the perimeter of the composite
closing structure 793. Complete drainage pumping and filling are
facilitated by working with gravity. Tank 1700 has an excess if
capacity of the largest perimeter composite closing structure
volume. A pump 1702 with valving for pressure and suction device
connects to service hose 1703. Air pump 1701 hastens water
delivery.
[0074] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the
present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. For
example, any type of connecting means may be used for connecting
the structural component to the sealing component, or vice versa.
Moreover, the structural support component may be connected in any
position relative to the sealing component, i.e., above, within,
adjacent or below. It is therefore understood that within the scope
of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise
than as specifically described herein.
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