U.S. patent application number 09/839004 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-24 for apparatus and method for manufacturing a tank.
This patent application is currently assigned to Rochester Rotational Molding, Inc.. Invention is credited to Wade, Wayne Allen.
Application Number | 20020153380 09/839004 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25278615 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020153380 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wade, Wayne Allen |
October 24, 2002 |
Apparatus and method for manufacturing a tank
Abstract
An tank, and method for manufacturing the tank, is provided. The
tank includes a container formed with at least a first wall and a
second wall. Also included are one or more hollow tubes. Ports are
formed in the first wall and second wall of the tank. The hollow
tubes are extended between the ports. In operation, the hollow
tubes resist forces placed on the tank, whether filled or left
empty.
Inventors: |
Wade, Wayne Allen;
(Rochester, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ray R. Regan
P.O. Box 1442
Corrales
NM
87048
US
|
Assignee: |
Rochester Rotational Molding,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
25278615 |
Appl. No.: |
09/839004 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/659 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 88/06 20130101;
B65D 88/76 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/659 |
International
Class: |
B65D 001/42 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for manufacturing a tank, comprising: providing a
container with at least a first wall and a second wall; including
in the container one or more hollow tubes having a distal end and a
proximal end; forming one or more upper ports in the first wall;
disposing one or more lower ports in the second wall; connecting
the proximal end of the one or more hollow tubes to the one or more
upper ports; and attaching the distal end of the one or more hollow
tubes to the one or more lower ports.
2. A method for manufacturing a tank as recited in claim 1, wherein
the providing step includes the substep of positioning the first
wall substantially opposite the second wall.
3. A method for manufacturing a tank as recited in claim 1, wherein
the including step includes the substep of using a hollow tube
having any cross-sectional shape.
4. A method for manufacturing a tank as recited in claim 1, wherein
the forming step includes the substep of locating the one or more
upper ports substantially coincident with a longitudinal axis
through the center of the one or more lower ports.
5. A method for manufacturing a tank as recited in claim 1, wherein
the connecting step includes the substep of integrally forming the
proximal end of the one or more hollow tubes with the one or more
upper ports.
6. A method for manufacturing a tank as recited in claim 1, wherein
the attaching step includes the substep of integrally forming the
distal end of the one or more hollow tubes with the lower port.
7. A method for manufacturing a tank as recited in claim 1, wherein
the disposing step includes the substep of positioning the one or
more lower ports substantially coincident with a longitudinal axis
through the center of the one or more upper ports.
8. An apparatus for resisting forces on a tank, comprising: a
container formed with at least one outer wall; one or more first
set of ports formed in the at least one outer wall; and at least
one hollow tube fixedly extendable through the one or more first
set of ports.
9. An apparatus for resisting forces on a tank as recited in claim
8, wherein the outer wall further defines a chamber.
10. An apparatus for resisting forces on a tank as recited in claim
8, wherein the container is formed with at least one inner
wall.
11. An apparatus for resisting forces on a tank as recited in claim
10, wherein the at least one inner wall defines a compartment.
12. An apparatus for resisting forces on a tank as recited in claim
11, further comprising one or more second set of ports formed in
the at least one inner wall.
13. An apparatus for resisting forces on a tank as recited in claim
12, wherein the at least one inner wall is within the chamber.
14. An apparatus for resisting forces on a tank as recited in claim
8, wherein the one or more hollow tubes are fixedly extendable
through the one or more ports aligned along a longitudinal axis
through the center of the one or more ports and one or more hollow
tubes.
15. A tank, comprising: a container formed with a first wall and a
second wall; a plurality of hollow tubes; and means for fixedly
extending the plurality of hollow tubes through the second wall and
through the first wall.
16. A tank as recited in claim 15, further comprising one or more
storage receptacles disposed within the container.
17. A tank as recited in claim 16, wherein the one or more storage
receptacles is formed with at least one enclosure defining the
storage receptacle.
18. A tank as recited in claim 17, wherein the fixedly extending
means includes forming a plurality of ports through the at least
one enclosure.
19. A tank as recited in claim 15, wherein the plurality of hollow
tubes are located at least within the container.
20. A tank as recited in claim 15, wherein the fixedly extending
means includes at least one port formed in the first wall and in
the second wall.
21. A method for neutralizing forces on a tank having at least one
wall, comprising: forming the tank with at least one chamber;
providing one or more hollow tubes having a distal end and a
proximal end; locating the one or more hollow tubes within the at
least one chamber; connecting the proximal end of the one or more
hollow tubes to a first opening in the at least one wall; and
attaching the distal end of the one or more hollow tubes to a
second opening in the at least one wall.
22. A method for neutralizing forces on a tank having at least one
wall as recited in claim 21, wherein the forming step includes the
substeps of: selecting a mold; disposing a flowable material on the
mold for forming the container.
23. A method for neutralizing forces on a tank having at least one
wall as recited in claim 21, wherein the connecting step includes
the substeps of: selecting a mold; and disposing a flowable
material on the mold for integrally forming the proximal end of the
one or more hollow tubes with the first opening in the at least one
wall.
24. A method for neutralizing forces on a tank having at least one
wall as recited in claim 21, wherein the connecting step includes
the substeps of: selecting a mold; and disposing a flowable
material on the mold for integrally forming the distal end of the
one or more hollow tubes with the second opening in the at least
one wall.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention pertains generally to tanks for
containing matter in fluid, gas, or solid form, individually or in
combination. More particularly, the new and useful invention
claimed in this document pertains to a tank for withstanding forces
placed on the tank, whether above or below a containment such as
ground. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively,
useful for withstanding compressive, buoyant, or eccentric forces
on a tank and on the contents of a tank.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Tanks used for temporary or permanent storage of a wide
variety of matter, including fluids, gases and solids, separately
or in combination, may be deployed partially or completely above or
below a containment such as ground. Tanks include at least tanks,
reservoirs, containers and receptacles (collectively, "tank" or
"tanks"). Tanks have been constructed of a variety of materials,
including all kinds of metals, concrete, fiberglass, and a wide
range of resin materials, and in a variety of combinations of those
materials. The matter or substances stored in tanks are essentially
unlimited, and may include water, petroleum products, combustible
materials waste, and both toxic and non-toxic materials.
[0003] Wherever situated, whether above or below a containment such
as ground, tanks are subjected to a wide variety of forces. The
term "force" or "forces" as used in this document means the
pressure registered on an object having a surface. Force is a
vector quantity characterized by its magnitude, direction and point
of application. Forces may act on objects not only individually but
concurrently, and often eccentrically. Thus, when one or more
forces acts on an object such as a tank, external and internal
effects are imposed on the tank. Such forces include, without
limitation, compressive forces; lifting forces caused by buoyancy
of an object; ground motions, often generating a wide variety of
eccentric force vectors that may be caused by earthquakes,
explosions, and the like; wind forces that may generate complex
distribution of pressures on surfaces, and hence apply a wide range
of loads on a tank, including negative pressures or suctions. One
or all of such forces, and other forces, may seek to move an object
such as a tank from equilibrium, compress, dismember, and even
destroy a tank used to temporarily or permanently store fluids,
gases and solids either above or below a containment such as
ground, rock, water and similar environments. As used in this
document, the terms "tank" or "tanks" also include single-walled
and multiple-walled tanks, as well as those configurations which
include one or more tanks within a larger encompassing tank.
[0004] When such forces are applied to a tank, materials stored in
the tank not only may be affected by such forces, but may be
released or discharged from the tank. Such materials may be toxic
to man, animals, water, and to the environment as a whole.
[0005] Very little effort has been devoted to designing and
constructing tanks that effectively resist the effect of forces on
the tank. To achieve some additional enhanced structural stability,
although limited, some tanks have been provided with higher
profiles than customary or appropriate for a particular
application. Taller but narrower tanks are designed to limit
pressures and forces on the top of the tank. The term "top," as
used in this document, generally means the surface of a tank
opposite the surface substantially perpendicular to the force of
gravity. In addition, structural members in the general shape of
ribs, in a variety of arrangements, have been used in a limited way
to add additional stability to a tank. Ribs may be formed on the
exterior surface of a tank to provide some help in preventing the
container from collapsing due primarily to compressive or side
forces. None of the currently available tanks, however, provides
any resistance to the force of buoyancy. Furthermore, increasing
the height of a tank to add strength or durability eliminates the
tank from consideration where ground depth is of concern. For
example, where rock or other adverse consistencies of soil limit
the ability to dig to a certain depth, or where laws or regulations
prevent extending a tank below a certain level, high profile tanks
are not useful. In circumstances where tank capacity should be
maintained, increasing the height of the tank may not be an option.
The obverse solution, mainly lowering the profile of a tank, may
increase the probability of compressive forces collapsing the tank.
As indicated, none of the solutions addresses the force of
buoyancy. Neither ribs nor a higher profile of tank will counteract
a situation in which ground water, for example, may rise to push
against the bottom of the tank, thus either collapsing the tank or
forcing it to rise above the level at which should remain.
[0006] Therefore, a previously unaddressed need exists in the
industry for a new, useful and reliable apparatus and method for
providing a tank that neutralizes forces on the tank and its
contents, and provides enhanced structural rigidity to the
tank.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Given the conventional solutions that do not effectively
solve the problem of forces being applied to a tank, it would be
desirable, and of considerable advantage, to provide a tank capable
of neutralizing forces applied to the tank.
[0008] The present invention provides numerous advantages in
connection with a tank capable of resisting forces applied against
the tank. At least one of the advantages of the present invention
is that is provides a tank fully capable of resisting compressive,
buoyant, and a wide variety of forces applied to the surrounding
wall of a tank.
[0009] Another advantage of the present invention is that it
resists external forces applied to the tank regardless of whether
the tank is located partially or completely above or below a
containment such as ground. An additional advantage of the present
invention is its capability to resist the effects of internal
forces on a tank.
[0010] Yet another advantage of the force-resistant tank is its
ability to be used for temporarily or permanently storing a wide
variety of materials and matter including, by way of example only,
water or septic affluent.
[0011] Another advantage of the present invention is its ability to
provide a force-resistant tank that has a shorter, or lower,
profile where necessary.
[0012] Yet another advantage of the present invention is its
ability to simultaneously provide all of the advantages noted
above, regardless of the shape, size or configuration of the
tank.
[0013] Yet another advantage of an apparatus and method for
neutralizing forces on a tank the present invention is an apparatus
and method for neutralizing forces on a tank which respectively are
easy to use and to practice, and which are cost effective for their
intended purposes.
[0014] These and other advantages are achieved in the present
invention by providing both a tank, and a method for manufacturing
a tank. The tank includes a container with at least a first wall
and a second wall. Hollow tubes, having two ends, are also
provided. Ports are formed in the walls of the container, and the
hollow tubes are connected to the ports. The walls are positioned
substantially opposite each other. The cross-section of the tubes
is not a material consideration in the invention; each of the
hollow tubes may have any cross-sectional shape, and the
cross-sectional shape may vary among the tubes in a particular
tank. Although not material to the operation of the tank, opposing
ports are positioned substantially opposite one another. In a
preferred embodiment the tank is formed by a molding process, and
the ends of the hollow tubes are therefore integrally formed with
the ports to which the ends of the tubes are connected.
[0015] The hollow tubes, which in a preferred embodiment of the
present invention are molded through-holes, structurally present
one or more hollow tubes extending from one exterior wall through
the container and through the opposite or opposing exterior wall.
The hollow tubes may be positioned anywhere within the container of
a tank. The mechanical advantages of the present invention are not
limited by placement of a hollow tube, or the number of hollow
tubes included in a tank. Likewise, neither the cross-sectional
dimensions nor cross-sectional shape of a hollow tube is a
limitation of the present invention. Use of the one or more hollow
tubes also allows manufacture of a tank having a lower profile than
is possible using any of the known structural variations of a tank.
All of the foregoing advantages of the present invention are
achieved simultaneously in the present invention.
[0016] At least one mechanical advantage of the one or more hollow
tubes is a more structurally durable relationship between the two
opposing exterior walls. Each hollow tube acts, in effect, as a
structurally rigid hollow column capable of resisting forces
applied from an upper direction, from a lower direction, and
against the sides of a tank. In a preferred embodiment of the
present invention, which provides for molding of the tank and the
hollow tubes such that both ends of a hollow tube are integral with
the ports in opposing walls, on application of a force opposite the
force of gravity, the hollow tube responds with a resistive force
in the opposite direction. If, however, the force is applied
eccentrically against the side of tank, the hollow tube both
resists the force, and reacts flexibly to not separate from the
tank at the two ends of the hollow tube. The hollow tube thus
provides a structural element that is both rigid and compressible
to resist collapse or structural degradation of the tank.
[0017] In addition to external forces, another problem is presented
by the effect of internal forces, namely forces created within a
tank, that may cause a tank to deform, crumple, collapse
(collectively, "deform"). Water, by way of one nonexclusive
example, either stationary or in movement, often in combination
with the force of gravity or in resistance to the force of gravity,
is known to generate and exert significant forces radially from a
point in a variety of directions. Alone, or in combination with the
external forces that may be applied on a tank, such forces may
cause deformation of a tank. The present invention, however,
resists not only the effects of external forces, but also internal
forces. The hollow tubes provide means for releasing forces that
may otherwise deform a tank, and also yield without buckling to
such forces.
[0018] The one or more of the hollow tubes may be partially or
completely filled with material to add to the ability of the
present invention to stabilize and strengthen a tank. Left empty,
however, the hollow tubes contribute to resisting the force of
buoyancy. If water or other fluids exert pressure on the bottom or
side of a tank, the water or fluids rise through the hollow tube,
neutralizing the force of buoyancy on the tank. In addition, the
hollow column allows a manufacturer of a tank to produce a tank in
virtually any configuration of length, height, width, or profile.
The result is a tank that neutralizes a variety of forces, while
also providing a stronger, less buoyant, better stabilized, lower
profiled tank that is resistant to forces applied on, under, or
against the tank.
[0019] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the
structural element of the hollow tubes may be used and deployed in
a tank having more than one wall. Many tanks are formed as a
container having an outer wall and at least one additional inner
wall. The unique advantages of the present invention are applicable
to such a tank. In addition, the apparatus and method of the
present invention also applies in environments where tanks are
positioned within a larger encompassing tank.
[0020] The advantages of the present invention, and features of
such an apparatus and method for neutralizing forces on a tank,
will become apparent to those skilled in the art when read in
conjunction with the accompanying following description, drawing
figures, and appended claims.
[0021] As used in this document, the terms "upper" and "lower," as
in "upper port" and "lower port," are used only for convenience and
differentiation among similar but opposing structural elements, and
are not intended to denote a specific direction or orientation
either of the port or of the apparatus of the invention. As used in
this document, the term "tube" is not intended to convey any
limitation in connection with shape. While a tube may be
cylindrical in shape, the tube of the present invention is not
limited to a tubular shape. Indeed, a cross-section of any tube of
the present invention may present an unlimited number of shapes and
configurations, including, without limitation, a square, rectangle,
triangle, circle, or any other shape or configuration.
[0022] As also used in this document, the term "integral" is
intended to be a broad term, referring to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention in which a hollow tube of the present
invention, although recited as an individual component, may be
formed or molded such that an end of each hollow tube merge
integrally with a port of the present invention.
[0023] Thus, it is clear from the foregoing that the claimed
subject matter as a whole, including the structure of the
apparatus, and the cooperation of the elements of the apparatus, as
well as the method for using the apparatus, combine to result in a
number of unexpected advantages and utilities of the present
invention.
[0024] The foregoing has outlined broadly the more important
features of the invention to better understand the detailed
description which follows, and to better understand the
contribution of the present invention to the art. Before explaining
at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be
understood that the invention is not limited in application to the
details of construction, and to the arrangements of the components,
provided in the following description or drawing figures. The
invention is capable of other embodiments, and of being practiced
and carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and
terminology employed in this disclosure are for purpose of
description, and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0025] As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the conception
on which this disclosure is based readily may be used as a basis
for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying
out the purposes of the present invention. The claims, therefore,
include such equivalent constructions to the extent the equivalent
constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the
present invention. Further, the abstract associated with this
disclosure is neither intended to define the invention, which is
measured by the claims, nor intended to be limiting as to the scope
of the invention in any way.
[0026] The novel features of this invention, and the invention
itself, both as to structure and operation, are best understood
from the accompanying drawing, considered in connection with the
accompanying description of the drawing, in which similar reference
characters refer to similar parts, and in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus and method for
manufacturing a tank;
[0028] FIG. 2 is an end view of a tank showing at least one port
and one hollow tube of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a tilted side view of a tank also showing at least
one port and one hollow tube of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a sectional view along the line 1-1 of FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a partially broken away side view of a tank using
the present invention that illustrates the structure and
cooperation of structure more clearly;
[0032] FIG. 6 is a sectional view along the line 1-1 of FIG. 1 of
an alternative embodiment of the present invention for a
multiple-walled tank; and
[0033] FIG. 7 is a sectional view along the line 1-1 of FIG. 1 of
an alternative embodiment of the present invention for a tank
having one or more tanks within the container of a tank.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] Briefly, the present invention provides an apparatus, and a
method for manufacturing the apparatus, that includes a container
with at least a first wall and a second wall. Also included within
the container are one or more hollow tubes. The one or more hollow
tubes have a distal end and a proximal end. One or more upper ports
is formed in the first wall, and one or more lower ports is
disposed in the second wall. The proximal end of the one or more
hollow tubes is connect to the one or more upper port. The distal
end of the one or more hollow tubes is attached to the one or more
lower ports. The one or more hollow tubes are in fluid
communication through the tank, and provide the structural
advantages of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates a tank of the present invention.
Referring initially to FIG. 1, a tank capable of resisting forces
on the tank is shown and generally designated 10. As shown, tank 10
includes a container 12. As shown best by reference to FIG. 5,
container 12 includes a first wall 14. First wall 14 is formed with
an outer surface 16 and an inner surface 18. Container 12 is also
provided with a second wall 20. Second wall 20 is formed with an
upper side 22 and a lower side 24. As also shown by cross-reference
among FIGS. 1 through 3, and FIG. 5, tank 10 of the present
invention includes one or more hollow tubes 26. As shown perhaps
best in FIGS. 5-7, hollow tubes 26 have a distal end 28 and a
proximal end 30. Hollow tubes 26 are further formed with an
interior surface 32 and an exterior surface 34, as best shown by
cross-reference between FIGS. 4 and 5. As will be evident from a
review of FIGS. 1 through 7, container 12 of tank 10 may be
variously shaped and configured, and first wall 14 and second wall
20 may, in combination, form container 12 of tank 10 in such a way
as to be variously shaped and configured. Symmetry of shape and
configuration is not intended to be a limitation of the present
invention. Accordingly, container 12 of tank 10 may not present
symmetrical cross-sections along any planes through container 12 of
tank 10. It will be further evident to one skilled in the art that
the lengths or distances of exterior surface 34 and interior
surface 32 of hollow tubes 26, between distal end 28 and proximal
end 30 of hollow tubes 26, may never be equal in distance or
length, and that the lengths of the one or more hollow tubes 26 may
vary within a container 12 of tank 10. Such variation in length,
shown merely for diagrammatic purposes as D1 and D2 in FIG. 4, do
not affect the operation of tank 10 of the present invention.
[0036] Tank 10 of the present invention also includes one or more
upper ports 36 formed in first wall 14. As shown by cross-reference
among FIGS. 3-5, one or more upper ports 36 are formed in first
wall 14 between out surface 16 and inner surface 18 of first wall
14. As also shown by cross-reference among FIGS. 3-5, the present
invention includes one or more lower ports 38 formed in second wall
20. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one or more
lower ports 38 are formed in second wall 20 between upper side 22
and lower side 24 of second wall 20. In a preferred embodiment of
the present invention, proximal end 30 of the one or more hollow
tubes 26 is connected to the one or more upper ports 36 formed in
first wall 14 of container 12, and distal end 28 of the one or more
hollow tubes 26 is attached to the one or more lower ports 38 in
second wall 20 of container 12 of tank 10. In operation of the
present invention, therefore, one or more hollow tubes 26 extend
through container 12 of tank 10, and through first wall 14 and
second wall 20 of container 12, such that a lumen 40 of one or more
hollow tubes 26 is in fluid communication with the environment in
which tank 10 is situated.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, first wall 14 of container 12 is
positioned substantially opposite second wall 20, and first wall 14
in combination with second wall 20 form container 12 of tank 10. As
will be evident to one skilled in the art, hollow tube 26 of the
present invention may have any cross-sectional shape. While the
term "hollow tube" is used to describe one of the unique structural
elements of the present invention, as a person skilled in the art
will recognize, hollow tube 26 may be shaped to have any
cross-sectional shape including, but without limitation, a shape
other than circular. Hollow tube 26 may have a cross-sectional
shape of a square, rectangle, triangle or any other useful shape
and configuration. In a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, as shown best by cross-reference between FIGS. 1, and 4
through 5, the one or more upper ports 36 are positioned and
located substantially coincident with a longitudinal axis through
the center of one or more lower ports 38. Longitudinal axis A1 is
best shown in FIG. 4 as extending through upper port 36a and lower
port 38a. Materials used in the manufacture of tank 10 are not a
material limitation of the present invention. In a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, however, tank 10 is formed by
molding processes well known in the art. In a preferred embodiment
of the present invention, therefore, tank 10 structural components
and elements are manufactured of resins or fiberglass or similar
malleable or moldable substances and materials. Accordingly, in a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, proximal end 30 of
one or more hollow tubes 26, and distal end 28 of one or more
hollow tubes 26, are formed by a molding process to be integral
with the one or more upper ports 36 and the one or more lower ports
38. Thus, a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides
that distal end 28 of one or more hollow tubes 26 are formed
integrally with one or more lower ports 36, and proximal end 30 of
one or more hollow tubes 26 is integrally formed with one or more
upper ports 38 as part or as a result of the molding process.
[0038] As will be evident to one skilled in the art, the unique and
novel structural elements of the present invention are equally
applicable in situations where a container is formed into a tank
that has more than a single wall. Accordingly, in an alternative
embodiment of the present invention, tank 10 includes a container
12' formed with at least one outer wall 42 as shown best in FIG. 6.
In addition, an alternative embodiment of the present invention
also includes one or more first sets of ports 44 formed in the at
least one outer wall 42. Further, at least one hollow tube 26g,h,
as shown in FIG. 6, is fixedly extendable through the one or more
first set of ports 44a-d. In this embodiment of the present
invention, representing but one example of a multiple-walled tank
10', outer wall 42 further defines a chamber 46, as shown in FIG.
6. Further, the alternative embodiment of the present invention,
provides at least one inner wall 50, which in turn defines a
compartment 50. In addition, the alternative embodiment of the
present invention is provided with one or more second set of ports
52 formed in the at least one inner wall 48. As shown in FIG. 6,
the configuration of the alternative embodiment of the present
invention is shown by way of example as having inner wall 48 within
chamber 46 formed by outer wall 42 in tank 10'. In addition, one or
more hollow tubes 26g,h are shown in FIG. 6 to be fixedly
extendable through one or more first set of ports 44a-d and through
one or more second set of ports 52a-d. Accordingly, the existence
of one or more containers within a container forming a tank 10' is
not a limitation on the present invention. Furthermore, although
not a limitation on the present invention, the foregoing example of
an alternative embodiment of the present invention provides that
the one or more first set of ports 44 are aligned along a
longitudinal axis through the center of the one or more second set
of ports 52 and the one or more hollow tubes 26 attached to and
connected to the one or more first set of ports 44 and the one or
more second set of ports 52.
[0039] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, tank 10'
includes a container 12' formed with a first wall 14' and a second
wall 20', as shown perhaps best in FIG. 7. A plurality of hollow
tubes 26i,j are included. In addition, means are provided for
fixedly extending the plurality of hollow tubes 26i,j in the
embodiment, one or more storage receptacles 54a,b are disposed
within container 12'. The one or more receptacles 54a,b are formed
with at least one enclosure 56 defining storage receptacles 54a and
54b. Means for fixedly extending plurality of hollow tubes 26'
through first wall 14' and second wall 20' include the formation of
one or more ports 36' in first wall 14' and in second wall 20'.
Accordingly, in operation, the structural elements and components
of the present invention will operate successfully in an
environment in which one or more additional tanks, or receptacles
54a,b are located within a container 12'.
OPERATION
[0040] In operation, the one or more hollow tubes 26, which in the
preferred embodiment of the present invention are molded in the
form of through holes into container 12 of tank 10, structurally
present a lumen 40 extending from one wall of container 12 to and
through a second wall of container 12, or, as presented in the
preferred embodiment of the present invention, from first wall 14
to second wall 20. Hollow tubes 26 may be positioned anywhere
within container 12 of tank 10. The mechanical advantages of the
present invention include, but are not limited to, placement of the
one or more hollow tubes 26 within container 12, and extending
through both walls of container 12, such that the lumen 40 is in
fluid communication with the environment external to tank 10. Use
of the one or more hollow tubes 26 permits manufacture of a tank 10
having a much lower profile than is possible with any known
structural variations of a tank currently available. The one or
more hollow tubes 26 also provide a structural element that is both
rigid and yet compressible enough to resist forces attempting to
collapse or structurally degrade tank 10. The one or more hollow
tubes 26 may be partially or completely filled with material to
further add to the ability of the present invention to stabilize
and strengthen tank 10. However, when left empty, one or more
hollow tubes 26 contribute to resisting the force of buoyancy. If
water or other fluids exert pressure on the bottom or side of a
tank 10, the water or other fluids rise through lumen 40 of one or
more hollow tubes 26, thus neutralizing the force of buoyancy on
tank 10. In addition, hollow tubes 26 allows manufacture of a tank
10 that may be produced in virtually any configuration of length,
height, width, or profile. The result is a tank that neutralizes a
variety of forces, while providing a stronger, buoyant-resistant,
better stabilized and lower profile tank 10 that is resistant to
forces applied on, under, or against tank 10.
[0041] While the invention shown in drawing FIGS. 1 through 7 is at
least one embodiment of the present invention, the embodiments
shown are not intended to be exclusive, and are not limitations of
the present invention. While the particular apparatus and method
for manufacturing a tank as shown and disclosed in detail in this
instrument is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing
the advantages stated, this disclosure is merely illustrative of
the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and no
limitations are intended in connection with the details of
construction, design or composition other than as provided and
described in the appended claims.
* * * * *