U.S. patent application number 14/311673 was filed with the patent office on 2014-12-25 for method and apparatus for transporting chemical tanks.
The applicant listed for this patent is Leonard J. Guarisco, JR.. Invention is credited to Leonard J. Guarisco, JR..
Application Number | 20140373923 14/311673 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52109907 |
Filed Date | 2014-12-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140373923 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Guarisco, JR.; Leonard J. |
December 25, 2014 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING CHEMICAL TANKS
Abstract
A system for transporting chemical tanks and preventing chemical
spills with secondary containment frame having a chemical
containment area. Chemical tanks may be secured within the
secondary containment frame and any leaks from the chemical tanks
may be contained by the chemical containment area. Tanks may be
secured to tank ranks prior to placing the tanks and tank racks
into the secondary containment frame. The secondary containment
frame may be placed upon a vehicle for vessel for transport.
Inventors: |
Guarisco, JR.; Leonard J.;
(Morgan City, LA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Guarisco, JR.; Leonard J. |
Morgan City |
LA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52109907 |
Appl. No.: |
14/311673 |
Filed: |
June 23, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61838020 |
Jun 21, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
137/1 ;
137/312 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 137/0318 20150401;
B65D 90/0053 20130101; Y10T 137/5762 20150401; B65D 90/24 20130101;
B65D 88/129 20130101; B65D 2588/125 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
137/1 ;
137/312 |
International
Class: |
B65D 90/24 20060101
B65D090/24 |
Claims
1. A secondary containment frame, comprising: a bottom, a front, a
back substantially parallel to the front, a first side
substantially perpendicular to the front and back, a second side
substantially parallel to the first side, and an open top portion,
wherein the bottom and at least portions of the front, back, first
side, and second side form a chemical containment area; and wherein
the secondary containment frame is configured to contain a chemical
tank.
2. The secondary containment frame of claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of corner bars extending vertically from the bottom,
wherein the corner bars are joined by a plurality of upper bars,
and wherein the upper bars form the open top portion.
3. The secondary containment frame of claim 2, further comprising:
a plurality of secondary support bars extending between adjacent
corner bars and located between the bottom and the upper bars.
4. The secondary containment frame of claim 3, further comprising:
a plurality of containment walls disposed between lower portions of
adjacent corner bars, the bottom, and the secondary support
bars.
5. The secondary containment frame of claim 1, further comprising:
a drain connected to the chemical containment area.
6. The secondary containment frame of claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of lift lugs.
7. The secondary containment frame of claim 1, further comprising:
lift apertures disposed within the bottom.
8. The secondary containment frame of claim 1, further comprising:
a ratchet strap.
9. A system for transporting chemical tanks, comprising: a chemical
tank, at least one of a vessel and a vehicle, a secondary
containment frame, comprising: a bottom, a front, a back
substantially parallel to the front, a first side substantially
perpendicular to the front and back, a second side substantially
parallel to the first side, and an open top portion, transporting
the chemical tank within the secondary containment frame via the at
least one of a vessel and a vehicle; wherein the bottom and at
least potions of the front, back, first side, and second side of
the secondary containment frame form a chemical containment area;
wherein the secondary containment frame is configured to secure the
chemical tank within the secondary containment frame; and wherein
the secondary containment frame is placed onto the at least one of
a vessel and a vehicle.
10. The system of claim 9, further comprising: a tank rack; wherein
the chemical tank is first secured within the tank rack and the
chemical tank is secured within the secondary containment frame via
securing the tank rack within the secondary containment frame.
11. The system of claim 9, further comprising: a drain connected to
the chemical containment area.
12. The system of claim 9, further comprising: containing leaked
chemical from the chemical tank within the chemical containment
area.
13. The system of claim 12, further comprising: disposing of the
leaked chemical via the drain.
14. A method of transporting chemical tanks, comprising: securing a
chemical tank within a secondary containment frame having a
chemical containment area; and transporting the secondary
containment frame; wherein the chemical containment area is
configured to contain a leak from the chemical tank.
15. The method of claim 12, further comprising; securing the
chemical tank within a tank rack before securing the chemical tank
within the secondary containment frame; wherein the tank rank is
used for manipulating the chemical tank into the secondary
containment frame.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application 61/838,020 filed Jun. 21, 2014 which is incorporated
herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and
method for containing leakage or overflow from tanks and, more
particularly, to an apparatus for and a method of providing a
secondary containment frame for bulk container tanks attached to
racks.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Container tanks, such as intermediate bulk container (IBC)
tanks, commonly called "tote" tanks, are often used in the transfer
and/or shipment of materials. The tote tanks may pass through
various platforms and rigs during transportation. The IBC tanks
often may contain chemicals that are dangerous or otherwise pose an
environmental risk if the chemicals were to leak from the IBC
tanks. IBC tanks may be secured to and transported in tote tank
racks to provide stability and/or ease of manipulation of the tote
tanks during transportation. However, there still remains the
possibility that a tote tank may begin to leak, presenting a risk
to those in the vicinity and/or to the environment. Accordingly,
there is a need for a secondary containment frame apparatus that
can contain leakage from a tote tank and preferably allow
manipulation of the tote tank via a tote tank rack or similar
frame.
SUMMARY
[0004] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
secondary containment frame is provided, including: a bottom, a
front, a back substantially parallel to the front, a first side
substantially perpendicular to the front and back, a second side
substantially parallel to the first side, and an open top portion.
The bottom and at least portions of the front, back, first side,
and second side form a chemical containment area. The secondary
containment frame is configured to contain a chemical tank.
[0005] The secondary containment frame may include a plurality of
corner bars extending vertically from the bottom. The corner bars
may be joined by a plurality of upper bars. The upper bars may form
the open top portion. The secondary containment frame may include a
plurality of secondary support bars extending between adjacent
corner bars and located between the bottom and the upper bars. The
secondary containment frame may include a plurality of containment
walls disposed between lower portions of adjacent corner bars, the
bottom, and the secondary support bars. The secondary containment
frame may include a drain connected to the chemical containment
area. The secondary containment frame may include a plurality of
lift lugs. The secondary containment frame may include lift
apertures disposed within the bottom. The secondary containment
frame may include a ratchet strap.
[0006] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
system for transporting chemical tanks is provided, including: a
chemical tank, at least one of a vessel and a vehicle, a secondary
containment frame, having a bottom, a front, a back substantially
parallel to the front, a first side substantially perpendicular to
the front and back, a second side substantially parallel to the
first side, and an open top portion. The chemical tank is
transported via the at least one of a vessel and a vehicle. The
bottom and at least potions of the front, back, first side, and
second side form a chemical containment area. The secondary
containment frame is configured to secure the chemical tank within
the secondary containment frame. The secondary containment frame is
placed onto the at least one of a vessel and a vehicle.
[0007] The system may include a tank rack. The chemical tank may be
first secured within the tank rack and the chemical tank may be
secured within the secondary containment frame via securing the
tank rack within the secondary containment frame. The system may
include a drain connected to the chemical containment area. The
system may include containing leaked chemical from the chemical
tank with the chemical containment area. The system may include
disposing of the leaked chemical via the drain.
[0008] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
method of transporting chemical tanks is provided, including:
securing a chemical tank within a secondary containment frame
having a chemical containment area; and transporting the secondary
containment frame. The chemical containment area is configured to
contain a leak from the chemical tank. The method may include
securing the chemical tank within a tank rack before securing the
chemical tank within the secondary containment frame. The tank rank
may be used for manipulating the chemical tank into the secondary
containment frame.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a secondary containment frame
containing a tote tank rack according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2A is a top view of a secondary containment frame
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2B is a front view of the secondary containment frame
shown in FIG. 2A.
[0012] FIG. 2C is a side view of the secondary containment frame
shown in FIG. 2A.
[0013] FIG. 2D is an enlarged view of a portion of section A-A
shown in FIG. 2C.
[0014] FIG. 2E is a front view of a lift lug according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2F is a side view of the lift lug shown in FIG. 2E.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Embodiments of the present invention provide a secondary
containment frame which may be used to transport tanks or
combinations of tanks and tank racks. Embodiments of the present
invention provide the ability to contain a leak from a tank that is
transported within the embodiments. Embodiments of the present
invention may be configured such that a tank may be securely placed
within the secondary containment frame. In certain embodiments of
the present invention, a tank may be securely placed within the
secondary containment frame while still attached to a rack,
allowing for enhanced manipulation of the tank. Further embodiments
of the present invention provide for an improved method of
transporting tanks or similar containers that may contain
chemicals. Embodiments of the present invention provide a chemical
containment area configured to contain leakage or overflow from a
tank placed within the present invention. The chemical containment
are may include a drain configured to allow chemical leakage
contained by the present invention to be drained into an
appropriate container for further processing and/or disposal.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of preventing
or reducing chemical leakage and/or environmental harm in the
transportation of chemicals contained in tanks.
[0017] Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1,
there is shown a secondary containment frame 500 having a bottom
10, which may be substantially square, a front 20, a back 30, a
first side 40 and a second side 50. Front 20 and back 30 may be
substantially parallel to each other and substantially
perpendicular to first side 40 and second side 50. Secondary
containment frame 500 may have an open top portion 60. Bottom 10
and at least portions of front 20, back 30, first side 40 and
second side 50 form a chemical containment area 250 at a lower
portion of secondary containment frame 500. Front 20, back 30,
first side 40 and second side 50 may each have substantial openings
70 which may allow for access to the interior contents of the
frame.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, secondary containment frame 500 may
include a plurality of frame members joined together. Corner bars
200 may extend vertically from the corners of bottom 10. At ends
distal from bottom 10, corner bars 200 may be joined by upper bars
210. Upper bars 210 form a square approximately the same size as
bottom 10.
[0019] The inner space formed by upper bars 210 provides open top
portion 60. Corner bars 200 may also be joined by secondary support
bars 220. Secondary support bars 220 extend between adjacent corner
bars 200 and may be located at a position between bottom 10 and the
upper bar 210 connected to the same adjacent corner bars 200.
[0020] Containment walls 230 may be disposed between each secondary
support bar 220 and bottom 10. Containment walls 230 may form
portions of front 20, back 30, first side 40 and second side 50,
including the chemical containment area 250. The secondary
containment frame 500 may include drain 80 connected to the
chemical containment area, which may provide the ability to drain
any chemicals caught in the chemical containment area 250 after a
tank leak. Spaces above secondary support bars 220 may be left open
and may provide access to a tote tank and/or tote tank rank placed
within the secondary containment frame 500.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, a tote tank rack 90 containing a tote
tank may be placed within the secondary containment frame 500. The
secondary containment frame 500 provides the advantage of leaving
the tote tank secured to a tote tank rack when it is placed within
the present invention, enhancing the ability to manipulate the tote
tank in and out of the secondary containment frame. The secondary
containment frame 500 may include a plurality of lift lugs 100
which provide the ability to lift the entire frame. The secondary
containment frame 500 may incorporate one or more ratchet straps
110, which may be engaged to secure the tote tank rack 90 or a tank
within the frame. The secondary containment frame 500 may further
incorporate forklift apertures 120, allowing for manipulation of
the secondary containment frame 500 with a forklift.
[0022] FIGS. 2A and 2B provide a top view and a front view of the
present invention according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in
these figures, no tank or rack system has been placed within the
secondary containment frame. FIGS. 2C and 2D provide a side view of
the secondary containment frame and an expanded view a portion of
section A-A of the secondary containment frame. FIGS. 2E and 2F
provide views of lift lug 100.
[0023] Embodiments of the present invention may be configured to
permit insertion of a tank. The tank may be secured to a tote tank
rack prior to installation. The tote tank and tote tank rack may be
lifted via lift connections on the tote tank rack and placed within
the secondary containment frame. The secondary containment frame
may be then lifted upon a vessel or other transportation vehicle.
Alternatively, the tote tank rack and tote tank may be placed
within the secondary containment frame wherein the secondary
containment frame is already on a vessel or transportation vehicle.
The secondary containment frame may provide protection to personnel
and other equipment on a vessel when a tank rack and tank are
lifted from the vessel and onto a platform. Embodiments of the
secondary containment frame provide additional protection against
leaks from chemical tanks of different types.
[0024] In exemplary embodiments, a method of transporting chemical
containing tanks is provided. Embodiments include attaching the
tote tank to a rack and placing the combination of tote tank and
tote tank rack within a secondary containment frame. In certain
embodiments, the secondary containment frame may be first placed
upon a vessel or may be lifted upon a vessel after the combination
of tote tank and tote tank rack are secured to the secondary
containment frame. In exemplary embodiments, a leaking tote tank
may be placed within a secondary containment frame without first
having to remove the tote tank from a tote tank rack, which may
then contain the leak within the secondary containment frame.
Accordingly, embodiments allow for faster responses to leaks and
reduced threats to the environment.
[0025] In exemplary embodiments, a system of transporting chemical
tanks is provided. A chemical tank is placed into a secondary
containment frame of the present invention and secured for
transport. The chemical tank may be placed directly into the
secondary containment frame or it may be first attached to a tank
rack. When the chemical tank is first attached to the tank rack,
the tank rack may be used to manipulate the chemical tank and to
place the combination of the tank rack and the chemical tank into
the secondary containment frame. The chemical tank may be secured
directly to the secondary containment frame, the tank rank may be
secured directly to the secondary containment frame, or any
combination thereof. Securing the tank within the secondary
containment frame may include a ratchet strap. Once secured within
the secondary containment frame, the chemical tank may be
transported via vessel or vehicle. If the secondary containment
frame is not on a vehicle or vessel, the secondary containment
frame may be placed upon a vehicle or vessel via a plurality of
lift lugs and/or forklift apertures. By placing the chemical tank
into the secondary containment frame for transport, whether or not
the chemical tank is attached to a tank rack, risks of a spill
during transportation of the chemical tank are substantially
reduced. In the event of a leak from the tank, the secondary
containment frame will contain the leaked chemical within the
chemical containment area, allowing for proper disposal of the
leaked chemical.
[0026] While the embodiments are described with reference to
various implementations and exploitations, it will be understood
that these embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the
inventions is not limited to them. Many variations, modifications,
additions, and improvements are possible. Support for the present
invention may be found in the attached documents and figures, all
of which are expressly incorporated herein in their entirety by
reference hereto.
* * * * *