US3133677A - Transport container for liquids - Google Patents

Description

May 19, 1964 J. BERTELS 3,133,677

TRANSPORT CONTAINER FOR LIQUIDS Filed Deo. 18, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Se? Bem/S /NVENTOR May 19, 1964 J. BERTELS 3,133,677

TRANSPORT CONTAINER FOR LIQUIDs Filed Dec. 1s, 1961 2 sheets-sheet 2 /N VE NTOP Non; m )Vo/T1 I United States Patent O 3,133,677 TRANSPORT CONTAINER FOR LIQUIDS Josef Bertels, Bendorf-Wesseling, near Cologne, Germany, assignor to Wibau Westdeutsche Industrieu.

Strassenbau Maschinen Gesellschaft In.b.H., Gelnhausen, Germany Filed Dec. 18, 1961, Ser. No. 159,867 Claims priority, application Germany Dec. 20, 1960 4 Claims. (Cl. 222-185) The invention relates to containers used for transporting liquids .and more particularly to containers for transporting corrosive liquids.

These liquids, including acids and lyes, are usually transported in glass, ceramic 4or plastic containers. Usually the volume of such special containers is restricted, they are also prone Ito breakage and `frequently present a source of accidents.

Other transport containers have been proposed for liquids, which are made from metals or alloys neutral with respect to corrosive liquids. Unfortunately, the high cost of these speci-al materials is prohibitive if it comes to the general use of such special containers.

There is another class of liquid containers, made of m-uch cheaper materials, for example, structural steel, which are provided with :inner corrosion-proof linings. Difficulty has, however, been encountered when lining these containers or, if need be, repairing or replacing parts of the linings if they become defective.

lt is the object of the present invention to produce a transport container of the type described hereinabove, having an envelope as well as top and bottom walls provided with a lining insensitive to or substantially resisting the particular liquid to be transported, the lining being capable of easy application, repair and/or removal, if the necessity arises.

Throughout the specification and the claims, the term corrosive liquid is intended to denote any substance in liquid state liable to attack, deteriorate or otherwise impair the material of the container, and/orsuler untoward changes owing to the chemical reaction .with said material.

According to one of Ithe major features of the invention, the container envelope is provided with flanges which are covered all the way to their ends with the protective lining; also, the walls, having the lining attached thereto and extending to their edges, are connected to the ilanges in a detachable fashion. rIhis arrangement allows the envelope and the walls to be fitted with the protective lining before Iassembly of the container.

Owing to these structural features, the lined surfaces remain accessible at all times so that they may easily and quickly be applied. Should Isome damage occur to any part of the container, the protective wall lining or part thereof can be removed, the discontinuous or otherwise faulty portion repaired either on the envelope or the walls themselves, or even replaced completely.

Itis another feature of the inventive transport container that the assembling flanges are arranged within the container envelope. The outer contours are consequently not affected or increased by the provision of the flanges accommodated in a convenient Way within the inner space proper.

According to a more Vparticular feature of the .invention, the flanges are formed by bending peripheral portions of the container envelope first inwardly and then back at an oblique angle, until they reach the inner envelope walls. Such bent flanges made from the envelope material itself are easy to produce and they provide a high degree of stability. Sharp corners or edges are entirely avoided, facilitating thus the application of the protective lining to the inner envelope walls.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better runderstood by reference to the lfollowing Idetailed description, when considered with the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a transport container for liquids, according to the present invention;

` FIG. 2 a top view of the container;

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged sectional view taken along line ill-'III of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 illustrates one of the assembling iianges of the container on a much larger scale.

The transport container for corrosive liquids according to the inventionhas la cubical envelope 1 made, eg., from structural steel. Flange portions 2, 3` are formed at the top land bottom edges of .the envelope where the material is bent inwardly and then back to the envelope, at an oblique angle. Sharp corners or edges are avoided in the [formation of the flange portions 2, 3. The bends form 'inner spaces `l which accommodate portions of a flat-iron frame `6. Before the envelope edges are bent back, fthe flat-iron `frame is secured to the envelope 1, eg. by welding at several locations, whereby the bending Iprocess is greatly facilitated. The frame 6 lends the transport container a high degree of rigidity. The flat-iron frame portions i6 carry a number of uniformly distributed, outwardly `directed threaded bolts 7 which serve for 'attaching the top Aand bottom walls 9 and 1t), respectively. The top 9 has a peripheral portion 11 corresponding to the substantially horizontal flange portion 3, and upwardly tapering intermediate portions having a central filling port 12. The Aport has -a anged portion 14 adapted to hold a cover I13:y (las shown in FIG. l) having 4a handle for the ease of manipulation. The cover may be replaced by a spout 46 as will be described later in more detail in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3, where the latter is shown.

'Ille bottom Wall 10 is flat and is preferably provided with legs :15 which are made high enough so that a forklift truck or similar device can engage the transport container from below, for lifting, transporting and depositing the same.

Before .the envelope and the top and bottom walls of the container are assembled, Ia suitable corrosion-proof lining is applied thereto, which will protect the container from the attacking action of the liquid transported there- Thus, the inner walls of the envelope 1 are fitted with a lining 18, the top wall 9 with la lining 19 and the bottom 10 with a lining 20l (FIG. 3). As a matter of example, but without any intent of limitation, the linings 18-20 are shown in the drawings as consisting of rubber. The lining 18 is bent around and follows the smooth contours of the flange portions Z and 3, extending all the way to the outer sunface ofthe envelope 1. FIG. 4 shows on an enlarged scale how the lining 18, as well yas the lining ,19,of the top wml 9, extend across the bolt connection 7 to the outer envelope surface. In the region of the discharge port 12, the lining 19 is preferably made to extend to the outer edge of the flange 14.

The lining portions 18-20Hrnay be secured to the respective envelope yandv wall sections by any suitable means, eg. vulcanization, cementing or other expedient suitable for the particular lining material. The assembling, tting, securing and associatedsteps can be performed without difficulty while all the parts are readily accessible. Should at any time a repair of the lining surfaces become necessary, this can be performed upon disassembling the container.

For the assembly, the top and bottom walls 9 and 10 are both attached to flanges 2, 3 by means of the bolts '7 and nuts 22. It is understood that the bolts 7 may be attached to the frame portions 6 by any conventional expedient. Between the adjoining lining portions 1S, on the one hand, and 19 or 20, on the other, a packing strip 23 is preferably applied, particularly, if the lining consists of a material less resilient than rubber, for example, plastic. The nuts 22 are tightened until the respective layers of the lining material, with the interposed packing strip, form a tight seal against leakage of the liquid contained in the transport container.

With a view to reinforcing the container and making it more resistant to strains occurring during transportation, an inner strutting is applied at about half height, consisting of tubular members 25 connected to the envelope 1 by means of welded-on flange-like plates 25. As best visible in FIG. 3, the members 2S have attached thereto a substantially vertical tubular member 27 extending about midway toward the bottom wall 16. The member 27 also has a welded-on liange-like plate 23 from which the bottom wall may be suspended. Before their assembly into the container, the members 25, 27 and the plates 26, 2d, all consisting e.g. of structural steel, are provided with a corrosion-proof coating or covering 29 made, for instance, of rubber. Central threaded bolts 30, 31 with fitting outer nuts 32, 33 are respectively used for securing the plates Z6, 23 to the envelope l and the bottom wall of the container. The latter both have cylindrical recesses 34 provided with central bores through which the bolts 3b, 31 protrude. Thus the attaching elements for the members 25, 27 do not extend beyond the outer surfaces of the container.

For emptying the container, a circular aperture 3S is provided in the bottom wall lil, ending in a discharge orifice 36 to which a rubber hose or the like may be at` tached. The closure means consists of a spherical or ball-shaped member 37 resting on the inner edge of the aperture 35 and carried by a fork-shaped lever 3S (FIG. 2), the latter being pivotally attached to a horizontal shaft 39 secured to the bottom 1t). The lever 3S has connected thereto a chain 4t) reaching through a sleeve 49 forming part of one of the members 25, and upward to the top wall 9.

A socket 41 is provided in the top wall and surrounds closely a cylindrical guide piece Sti at the upper end of the chain 4t). The guide piece 5@ is fitted with a handle 42 above the socket 4l. ln its rest position, the ball member 37 vcloses the aperture 35; when the chain 40 is raised by means of the handle 42, the discharge aperture is cleared so that the liquid is emptied from the container. Instead of the chain and the guide piece as shown, a rod or similar member may be used to the same effect.

The ball member, the lever, the chain, the guide piece and the other associated members of the closure means are preferably also made from material not affected by the substance to be stored and/ or transported in the container.

The container, resting on its legs l5, can easily be filled through the filling port 12 with the corrosive liquid to be transported. The cubical shape of the container has been found most advantageous for a space-saving and easy transportation, eg. on a truck or similar vehicle. Both transporting and storage spaces can thus be fully exploited. At the place of destination, each container may be brought individually to the discharging station, e.g. by means of a crane, fork-lift truck or the like. After having connected a hose to the orifice 36, or appropriately positioned or suspended the container above the tank or basin into which the transported liquid is to be discharged, the closure means is opened with the handle 42. Once emptied, the container may then be taken back to the filling station for subsequent trips.

In some cases it might prove advantageous to tilt the container, whereby the top port 12 can be used both for filling and emptying. This is feasible with the inventive container without any structural changes or modifications, since the bolts 30 in the lateral recesses 34 are suitably designed for this purpose. In particular, the bolts 30 are made long enough so that, in addition to the nuts 32, separate outer nuts 43 can be screwed thereon, for attaching hollow pivots 44. These pivots have each a closed bottom 45 to which said nuts 43 are fastened, and a diameter just slightly smaller than the inner clearance of the recesses 34. Two such pivots may be attached, for example, to opposite sides of the container for easy handling and transportation by means of a rolling frame, fork-lift device or the like.

With a view to facilitating the emptying of the container through the port 12 and the spout 46 attached thereto, the latter is fitted with an air tube 47. When tilting the container around the pivots 44, the liquid may be emptied through the spout 46 while air tends to rush in through tube 47 to replace the discharged material. It will be understood that when attaching the spout 45 to the liange 14 of port 12, it will be turned in a radial direction perpendicular to the two pivots 44, in which the container is tilted for the emptying process.

For increasing the stability of the container envelope, and for providing a more convenient means for tilting, the liquid container according to the present invention can be fitted with prismatic instead of cylindrical members 25, as has been fully described and illustrated in applicants copending patent application Serial No. 156,313, filed December 1, 1961, and entitled Tiltable Transport Container for Pourable Bulk Material.

The transport container for corrosive liquids according to the present invention is preferably fitted with additional legs 48 attached to the top wall 9. This enables two or more containers to be stacked above each other, which is a space-saving expedient for both storage rooms and transporting vehicles. The bottom legs l5 are given a shape and size to fit into the upper legs 48 whereby stability is greatly enhanced.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates only to a preferred embodiment of the invention and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example described which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

In particular, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the inventive container is adapted to hold any type of liquid, for example beverages, chemicals, fuels, etc. Accordingly, the lining surfaces, the inner strutting members as well as the parts of the closure means in contact with the liquid may be made of any material, such as rubber, plastics, synthetic resins, or other suitable organic materials, eg. guttapercha, resisting attack or deterioration from the particular liquid in question. It is also deemed to be within the scope of the invention to use lining surfaces made of metals neutral with respect to the liquids, or to apply enamel-coated lining materials instead of the rubber liners described and illustrated hereinabove.

I claim:

l. A container for transporting corrosive liquids and being adapted for nesting beneath and above similar containers, comprising an envelope, a top wall and a bottom wall made of non-corrosive materials, ange means formed by peripheral portions of said envelope between they latter and said walls, said flange means including substantially horizontal portions extending inwardly from the outer surface of said envelope and adjoining terminal portions extending at an oblique angle with respect to said envelope and connecting the inner surface thereof in a region spaced apart from said walls, and corrosionproof lining means covering substantially all of the inner surfaces of said envelope, said top wall and said bottom wall, for protection yagainst said liquids, said lining means being detachably secured to said flange means, wherein said horizontal and said terminal flange means portions enclose with said envelope a continuous space,

further comprising a frame within said space, and fastening means attached to said frame for securing said top wall, said bottom wall and said lining means to said envelope.

2. A container according to claim 1, further comprising packing means between the envelope lining means, on the one hand, and at least one of said top wall and said bottom wall lining means, on the other, for providing a leak-proof seal in the region of said flange means and said fastening means.

3. A container for transporting corrosive liquids and being adapted for nesting beneath and above similar containers, comprising an envelope, a top wall and a bottom Wall made of non-corrosive materials, ange means formed by peripheral portions of said envelope between the latter and said walls, said iiange means including substantially horizontal portions extending inwardly from the outer surface of said envelope and adjoining terminal portions extendingl at an oblique angle with respect to said envelope and connecting the inner surface thereof in a region spaced apart from said Walls, and corrosion-proof lining means covering substantially all of the inner surfaces of said envelope, said top wall and said bottom Wall, for protection against said liquids, said lining means being detachably secured to said flange means, further comprising strutting means connecting the inner surfaces of said envelope, said strutting means including members connecting at least two opposite lateral envelope surfaces, and a member depending from said connecting members and adapted to hold Asaid bottom wall attached thereto, and corrosion-proof coating means on said strutting means for protection against said liquids.

4. A container for transporting corrosive liquids and vner surfaces of said envelope, said top wall and said bottom Wall, for protection against said liquids, said lining means being detachably secured to the iange means, further comprising a lling aperture in said top Wall, an emptying aperture in said bottom wall, and closure means for said emptying aperture manually operable from without the container, said closure means including a spher ical member adapted to close said emptying aperture from within, a lever pivotally attached to said bottom wall and holding said spherical member, and a chain leading from said lever to said top wall for selective manual closing and opening of said emptying aperture.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 534,688 Green Feb. 26, 1895 1,324,445 George Dec. 9, 1919 1,367,231 Boyer Feb. 1, 1921 1,709,701 Althoi Apr. 16, 1929 1,799,234 Huff Apr. 7, 1931 2,652,174 Shea et al. Sept. 15, 1953 2,872,079 Moore Feb. 3, 1959

Claims (1)

1. A CONTAINER FOR TRANSPORTING CORROSIVE LIQUIDS AND BEING ADAPTED FOR NESTING BENEATH AND ABOVE SIMILAR CONTAINERS, COMPRISING AN ENVELOPE, A TOP WALL AND A BOTTOM WALL MADE OF NON-CORROSIVE MATERIALS, FLANGE MEANS FORMED BY PERIPHERAL PORTIONS OF SAID ENVELOPE BETWEEN THE LATTER AND SAID WALLS, SAID FLANGE MEANS INCLUDING SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL PORTIONS EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID ENVELOPE AND ADJOINING TERMINAL PORTIONS EXTENDING AT AN OBLIQUE ANGLE WITH RESPECT TO SAID ENVELOPE AND CONNECTING THE INNER SURFACE THEREOF IN A REGION SPACED APART FROM SAID WALLS, AND CORROSIONPROOF LINING MEANS COVERING SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE INNER SURFACES OF SAID ENVELOPE, SAID TOP WALL AND SAID BOTTOM WALL, FOR PROTECTION AGAINST SAID LIQUIDS, SAID LINING MEANS BEING DETACHABLY SECURED TO SAID FLANGE MEANS, WHEREIN SAID HORIZONTAL AND SAID TERMINAL FLANGE MEANS PORTIONS ENCLOSE WITH SAID ENVELOPE A CONTINUOUS SPACE, FURTHER COMPRISING A FRAME WITHIN SAID SPACE, AND FASTENING MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID FRAME FOR SECURING SAID TOP WALL, SAID BOTTOM WALL AND SAID LINING MEANS TO SAID ENVELOPE.

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