Abstract: A valve guard for the protection of a bottom discharge valve on a portable tank is formed of a single elongated piece of metal and has a central stabilizing ridge which extends outwardly from the front wall of the valve guard and which runs nearly the full length of the valve guard. The valve guard has a deflector arm at each end which extends out from the valve guard body at an angle and which cooperates with the tank legs to deflect any misguided forklifts or other machinery away from the valve on the underside of the tank. The central ridge is rounded and can have a width from approximately one-fourth to approximately one-third the width of the front wall of the valve guard. The valve guard is lightweight, durable, and can be formed quickly and economically through a rapid sequence of metal stamping operations.

Abstract: A flat bottom tank provides for complete drainage of liquid contents through sloped drainage in the bottom head. The bottom head has a raised center portion which is pyramidal shaped in one embodiment. The sides of the bottom head are broken upwardly to form smooth, rounded wall surfaces. The center portion and the side walls slope downwardly towards one another to form a line of flow extending around the perimeter of the center portion. The line of flow slopes downwardly from a first corner of the bottom head to a second corner of the bottom head which is diagonally opposite the first corner. A drain outlet located adjacent the second corner allows for the drainage of liquid contents from the tank.

Abstract: An improved tank bottom configuration formed from a flat metal plate of square or rectangular shape is disclosed. The plate is sheared to provide two adjacent sides which are tapered along their lengths and a notch is cut in each corner portion. By the use of stop and die members, the plate member is deformed to provide a bottom wall portion which slopes downwardly toward one corner and upwardly extending side wall portions which extend around the periphery of the bottom wall portion. A drain opening and a crease are formed in the bottom wall portion, with the crease being aligned with and spaced from the drain opening.

Abstract: An improved tank bottom configuration formed from a flat metal plate of square or rectangular shape is disclosed. The plate is sheared to provide two adjacent sides which are tapered along their lengths and a notch is cut in each corner portion. By the use of stop and die members, the plate member is deformed to provide a bottom wall portion which slopes downwardly toward one corner and upwardly extending side wall portions which extend around the periphery of the bottom wall portion. A drain opening and a crease are formed in the bottom wall portion, with the crease being aligned with and spaced from the drain opening.