Inflatable Collecting Container

A collecting container (1) for the collection and removal of fluids from accidental spillage, for example oil, chemicals, or other hazardous waste, where the walls of the container (2) are inflatable and consequently form a contained area for the collection of the above stated possible spillage. The container is, if required, equipped with, and connected to, an inner, chemical resistant, container (12) that shares its drain, (14) and (14.2), with the outer collecting container. The collecting container is equipped with carrying handles (8) and lifting loops (9) for the lifting and transportation of the collected spillage. The collecting container is foldable and easily stored in, for example, the driver's cab of a heavy commercial vehicle. The container is thereby quickly available in the case of an emergency situation.

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Description
FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention presented relates to an inflatable, portable, flexible, foldable collecting container for the collecting of wasted oil and chemicals, in the event of accidental spillage or leakage from heavy industrial machines. The container is equipped with an inner, chemical resistant container. The two containers are connected by a common drain connection in the lower part and by a band in the upper part. The container is also equipped with handles for carrying and loops for lifting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Earlier know equipment for taking care of waste oil and spillage of chemicals is primarily focused on so called absorbents and simple collecting receptacles.

An inflatable container for the collecting of waste oil is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,099,872. This particular device consists of an inflatable container equipped with a draining and emptying device for the disposal of the collected chemicals.

This known device suffers from, amongst other things, the following drawbacks:

    • It is almost impossible to transfer the chemicals collected in the collecting container to a separate container if the ground has a sloping angle.
    • It is almost impossible to move or lift the container because handles for carrying and loops for lifting are missing.
    • Lack of filter etc., thus making it impossible to recycle the chemicals collected
    • Lack of the option for collecting hot, alternately aggressive and corrosive chemicals

U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,018 shows another earlier known inflatable container. The device comprises a gas cylinder filled with compressed gas that is supposed to expand and thereby inflate the container. Also, this known device suffers from, amongst other things, the following drawbacks:

    • It is almost impossible to transfer the chemicals collected in the collecting container to a separate container if the ground has a sloping angle.
    • It is almost impossible to move or lift the container because handles for carrying and loops for lifting are missing.
    • Lack of filter etc., thus making it impossible to recycle the chemicals collected
    • Lack of the option for collecting hot, alternately aggressive and corrosive chemicals

U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,427 shows another earlier known inflatable container. The device is meant to be rapidly inflatable in the case of a spillage of chemicals. This, earlier known device, comprises a valve/coupling for the purpose of connecting it to the pneumatic air system of the vehicle, thereby using the vehicles own compressed air to inflate the device. This known device also suffers from, amongst other things, the following drawbacks:

    • The device can only be used on vehicles that have a pneumatic air system
    • It is almost impossible to transfer the chemicals collected in the collecting container to a separate container if the ground has a sloping angle.
    • It is almost impossible to move or lift the container because handles for carrying and loops for lifting are missing.
    • Lack of filter etc., thus making it impossible to recycle the chemicals collected
    • Lack of the option for collecting hot, alternately aggressive and corrosive chemicals

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the invention is to solve above named problems and to facilitate the transportation of collected waste and recycling of chemicals.

The main objective of the invention presented is therefore to solve the above stated problems and to present a simple and effective system for the collecting of oil and chemicals. In addition the invention can be made suitable for the collecting and/or recycling of oil from the breakdown of heavy industrial machinery.

Another objective of the invention is to create a device that is portable, reusable, and has a low weight in relation to its volume.

These objectives are achieved by the collecting container (1) invention presented here. The invention comprises an outer bag/frame that is designed to form a containment area by means of inflatable sections (2), and a drain valve to remove/drain the oil or chemicals from the outer or inner container.

The collecting container, presented here, is characterized by being equipped with gadgets for raising and lowering the air pressure in the stated limited space formed by the sectional walls of the outer container, so that a rigid collecting container can quickly be made. When filled, the air in the sectional walls can be released, allowing the container, when lifted, to form itself to the natural shape of a pear drop, thereby allowing the forces induced by the weight of the collected chemicals, to be evenly distributed to the lifting loops of the container. If there is a need for simplified cleaning of the container, or if the temperature of the fluids collected is high, or if the chemicals collected are aggressive and corrosive, then an inner bag/container, made of suitable material, can be fitted inside and connected to the draining valve at the bottom of the outer container and to the strings or bands or zipper at the top of the outer container.

The purpose of the exhaust valve is to allow the air that was used to inflate the wall sections of the collecting container to be released, making the container, when lifted, form itself to the natural state of a pear drop, thereby allowing the forces induced by the weight of the collected chemicals to be evenly distributed to the lifting loops of the container. This will make it possible to allow all collected fluid to be drained from the container via the drain valve located at the bottom of the container.

The invention presented here is aimed at, for example, being part of the procedure for the collecting of waste oil, or similar waste fluids, from heavy construction equipment, gaff trucks, trucks, forestry machines etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the collapsed and folded view of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows an overhead view of the invention when activated/inflated.

FIG. 3 is a view taken on the cross section 1-1 (see FIG. 2) that shows the additional internal, flexible container of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a view taken on the cross section 1-1 showing the invention without the additional internal container but with an additional filter at the drain valve.

FIG. 5 shows the invention folded and tied.

FIG. 6 shows the invention when lifted.

FIGS. 7, 8 & 9 show different versions of the invention.

FIG. 10 the cross section 2-2 (see FIG. 2) shows the container's drain valve.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the section (2-2) showing the connecting of the inner and outer containers' drain valves.

FIGS. 12 & 13 is a cross section of how the drain valve(s) are connected to the filter

 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates how the collecting container (1) is folded together and how its pressurized gas cylinder (4) is connected to its release handle (5). Storage space requirement is minimal. The invention can, for example, be stored in the driver's cab by the side of the driver's chair or beneath.

FIG. 2 shows a view from above of the inflated collecting container. The walls of the container (2) are inflated by means of a valve (3) that occurs when the gas cylinder (4) has been activated by the release handle (5). FIG. 2 also shows the exhaust valve (6) that is to be used for emptying the inflatable sectional wall (2) when lifting and transporting the collecting container. The container is equipped with lifting loops (9) for lifting and transportation. The drain valve (14) is covered with, for example, a partially glued covering sheet/membrane made of the same or similar material as the rest of the container. When draining the collecting container, the covering sheet/membrane is lifted by means of the string and handle (16) thereby opening the valve.

FIG. 3 shows the cross section 1-1 (see FIG. 2) and also shows the optional additional inner container (12) that can be added, for instance, for the collection of hot or corrosive chemicals. The collecting container (1) is shown with two inflatable wall sections (2) that are connected to each other by an air channel (7).

The wall sections (2) are connected by way of at least one valve (3) to the pressurized gas cylinder (4) that can be activated with the release handle (5). The wall sections (2) can, when lifting of the container is required, be emptied from air via one or more exhaust valves (6).

The collecting container (1) is at the top equipped with a flexible sealing fillet (10) made of a very flexible material, for example, some kind of sponge rubber or some kind of elastic polymer, and a string/band (11) to tie the container before it is transported away. The inner container, used for special purposes and needs (12), is tied at the top with its string/band (13) and string/band (11). The inner container is connected at the bottom via valve (14.2) (see FIG. 10) to valve (14). When connected in this manner, device 16 will open the drain valve (14) and (14.2).

FIG. 4 shows the cross section 1-1 (see FIG. 2) of a single collecting container, without the additional inner container, and a filter (14.6). The cross section of the filter 3-3 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 12.

FIG. 5 shows a collecting container (1) tied with a string/band (11) just before it is about to be lifted and transported away.

FIG. 6 shows the collecting container having been lifted by the lifting loops (9) and the air in wall sections 2 having been evacuated via the exhaust valve (6).

FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 show various designs of the collecting container, namely that the collecting container can have optional numbers of wall sections such as one, two or multiple sections as an optional configuration. In other words, the collecting container can be made round, square, rectangular and so forth, and continue to achieve the stated task.

FIG. 10 shows the cross section 2-2 (see FIG. 2) of the drain valve (14). The drain valve (14) is preferably a circular ring welded to the bottom of the collecting container 1 by means of a supporting ring (14.0). The flexible lid (15) is welded to one side of ring (14.0). To seal the rest of the contact surface between the flexible lid (15) and the rings (14) and (14.0), it is possible to use, for instance, glue or double adhesive tape. This creates a fluid/chemical tight design that can easily be opened with the help of a string and the release handle (16). In order to protect the drain valve while sliding the connecting container, for instance, on the ground over dirt, gravel or other rough and uneven surfaces, the valve (14) has been fitted with an easily removable lid/cover (17) which is attached to the valve (14) with an O-ring (14.1). The lid/cover (17) is equipped with a string/band (19) to allow a rapid and easy opening of the drain valve (14).

FIG. 11 shows the cross section 2-2 from FIG. 2 of the drain valve (14) connected to the drain valve (14.2) that forms the lowest part of the additional inner container (12). As shown in FIG. 11, the inner container (12) must be equipped with a drain valve (14.2) of its own and that will fit to the drain valve (14) and that is easily connected to the collecting container (1) by means of the flexible O-ring (14.1). The drain valve (14.2) is equipped with a lid (17) of its own and a flexible lid/cover of its own and is connected with a string and release handle (16).

FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 show cross section 3-3 (see FIG. 4) where it is schematically visible that different filters (14.6) can be connected to the drain valve (14) alternatively (14.2) by means of the flexible ring (14.1) alternatively the ring (14.4). The filter (14.6) is equipped with the same type of flexible draining lid (15), glued to the inlet of the filter and tied to the release handle (16) by means of a string.

The flexible lid (15) of the collecting container (1), alternatively of the collecting container (12), is folded away so that filtering equipment (14.6) can be applied on the drain valve (14) alternatively (14.2) with its compensating ring (14.5). The compensating ring is a simple distance ring made of suitable material such as polyurethane or another material with both surfaces glued with double adhesive tape or glue and which has the purpose of evening out differences in levels between different connecting devices where the flexible lid (15) is folded away to the side of the drain valve.

The collecting container (1) will preferably be made of laminate polyurethane and woven fabric or a similar material. The inner container (12) can be made, for example, of a thin material such as Teflon or a similar material that is resistant to aggressive and corrosive chemicals. Both collecting containers can easily be rinsed with suitable cleaning solutions and used again.

With adequate dimensions and proper design of the collecting container, immediate action can be taken when an accidental spillage occurs. With one hand the operator holds the pressurized gas cylinder (4) that is firmly connected to the folded collecting container (1), and with the other hand the operator pulls the release handle (5). The result is that the sectional walls of the collecting container (2) will inflate and the collecting container will be ready to be placed beneath the leaking object. With the help of the 2 or more handles (8), which are bands welded to the circumference of the collecting container 1, the now filled collecting container can be moved sideways to a more suitable position for lifting and transportation away.

It is to be understood that the description of the invention given in this document and the drawings that are attached to it, have the sole purpose of visualizing the invention, and that the device can be modified and altered so it will divert from what earlier has been described in this document. As an example, the frame of the device can be square, rectangular, or can be manufactured to any elective form, size or volume. The shape of the collecting container is adapted to the needs of present situations, allowing the invention to be used for many purposes. The principal function of the device can also be applied as an auxiliary device to improve earlier known techniques, such as when the lower part of the container is connected to a filter, the container is used as a device for filtering.

In consequence, it will be obvious to those with knowledge of the subject, that the invention may be modified and altered and thereby be different from the particulars of the invention that are shown in the attached drawings. Therefore, the protection afforded to this invention should only be limited in accordance with the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1.-10. (canceled)

11. An inflatable collecting container, the container comprising:

at least one inflatable frame forming a fluid-containing space as a first container, wherein the container includes a bottom wall attached to a bottom portion of the at least one inflatable frame and an outer wall extending upwardly from an upper portion of the at least one inflatable frame;
at least one inflation valve secured to an area of the at least one inflatable frame for inflation of the at least one inflatable frame;
at least one exhaust valve secured to an area of the at least one inflatable frame for deflation of the at least one inflatable frame;
a drain valve connected to a portion of the bottom wall for draining fluids contained within the fluid-containing space of the first container;
a first detachable lid covering a first end of the drain valve;
a sealing fillet attached to an upper portion of the outer wall, wherein the sealing fillet includes a sealing member for the sealing fillet; and
at least one lifting member for lifting and transporting the first container.

12. The container of claim 11 further comprising a second container connected to and located within the first container, wherein the second container includes a bottom wall and an upper wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein the second container further comprises a second drain valve connected to a portion of the bottom wall of the second container, wherein the second drain valve is connected to the first drain valve of the first container.

14. The container of claim 12, wherein the second container is connected to the sealing fillet of the first container.

15. The container of claim 11, wherein the lifting member is selected from the group consisting of lifting loops and handles.

16. The container of claim 11, wherein the first container is comprised of an elastic polymer.

17. The container of claim 16, wherein the elastic polymer is a polyurethane laminate.

18. The container of claim 12, wherein the second container is comprised of a chemically resistant polymer.

19. The container of claim 18, wherein the chemically resistant polymer is a fluoropolymer.

20. The container of claim 11, wherein the first container further comprises a filter connected to the drain valve.

21. The container of claim 11 further comprising a line attached to the first detachable lid, wherein actuation of the line removes the first detachable lid from the first end of the drain valve.

22. The container of claim 11 further comprising a second detachable lid covering a second end of the drain valve.

23. The container of claim 22 further comprising a line attached to the second detachable lid, wherein actuation of the line attached to the second detachable lid removes the second detachable lid from the second end of the drain valve.

24. An inflatable collecting container, the container comprising:

a plurality of inflatable frames forming a fluid-containing space as a first container, wherein the container includes a bottom wall attached to a bottom portion of a first inflatable frame and an outer wall extending upwardly from an upper portion of a second inflatable frame;
at least one inflation valve secured to an area of the at least one of the inflatable frames for inflation of the at least one inflatable frame;
at least one exhaust valve secured to an area of the at least one of the inflatable frames for deflation of the at least one inflatable frame;
a drain valve connected to a portion of the bottom wall for draining fluids contained within the fluid-containing space of the first container;
a first detachable lid covering a first end of the drain valve;
a sealing fillet attached to an upper portion of the outer wall, wherein the sealing fillet includes a sealing member for the sealing fillet; and
at least one lifting member for lifting and transporting the first container.

25. The container of claim 24, wherein air channels interconnect the inflatable frames of the first container.

26. The container of claim 24 further comprising a second container connected to and located within the first container, wherein the second container includes a bottom wall and an upper wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall.

27. The container of claim 25, wherein the second container further comprises a second drain valve connected to a portion of the bottom wall of the second container, wherein the second drain valve is connected to the first drain valve of the first container.

28. The container of claim 24, wherein the second container is connected to the sealing fillet of the first container.

29. The container of claim 23, wherein the lifting member is selected from the group consisting of lifting loops and handles.

30. The container of claim 24 further comprising a line attached to the detachable lid, wherein actuation of the line removes the detachable lid from the drain valve.

Patent History
Publication number: 20080219602
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 1, 2006
Publication Date: Sep 11, 2008
Inventor: Sven Arvidsson (Goteborg)
Application Number: 12/066,162
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Inflatable (383/3)
International Classification: B65D 30/00 (20060101);