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.

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.

Claims

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.