Patents by Inventor Donald G. Zink

Donald G. Zink has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20020184933
    Abstract: Applying a polyhydric alcohol anti-dust agent, such as glycerol, to inorganic particulate materials reduces the formation of dust during processing and handling. The anti-dust agent is particularly effective for reducing dust formation in fertilizers such as disintegrating sulfur fertilizer (DSF), without interfering with the useful disintegration or other useful properties of the fertilizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Applicant: Montana Sulphur & Chemical Company
    Inventors: Fred S. Bell, Donald G. Zink
  • Patent number: 6491736
    Abstract: Applying a polyhydric alcohol anti-dust agent, such as glycerol, to inorganic particulate materials reduces the formation of dust during processing and handling. The anti-dust agent is particularly effective for reducing dust formation in fertilizers such as disintegrating sulfur fertilizer (DSF), without interfering with the useful disintegration or other useful properties of the fertilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Montana Sulphur & Chemical Company
    Inventors: Fred S. Bell, Donald G. Zink
  • Patent number: 5303843
    Abstract: A fluid transport apparatus including an elongated fluid vessel for transporting fluid, such as LPG. One or more breakable containers of compressible fluid are positioned within the fluid vessel. The containers are adapted to break by the force of the vessel fluid surging against them when the fluid vessel is impacted. The compressible fluid within the containers dissipates or eliminates the water hammer pressure resulting from the impact and thereby prevents the walls of the fluid vessel from failing. The breakable containers can be end partitions with one or more rupture discs thereon or collapsible pressurized containers, such as ordinary tennis balls, held at one or both vessel ends by internal breakaway partition walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Montana Sulphur & Chemical Co.
    Inventors: Donald L. Zink, Donald G. Zink, John E. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 5285998
    Abstract: An internal valve for pressurized fluid containment vessels having vessel ports. The valve includes a valve seat associated with the vessel port and a valve member movable between a closed position against the valve seat and an open position wherein fluid can flow through the vessel port. A control chamber positioned in the vessel is connected to the valve member. A motive mechanism acting on or in the control chamber, by a control system outside of the vessel, controllably moves the valve member to at least one of the open or closed positions. The control chamber is sealed from fluid in the vessel by a sealing system, which includes a flexing surface against which fluid pressure in the vessel acts to thereby bias the valve member towards one of the open or closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignees: Montana Sulphur & Chemical Co., John E. Schwartz
    Inventors: Donald L. Zink, Donald G. Zink
  • Patent number: 5280874
    Abstract: An internal valve for pressurized fluid containment vessels having vessel ports. The valve includes a valve seat associated with the vessel port and a valve member movable between a closed position against the valve seat and an open position wherein fluid can flow through the vessel port. A control chamber positioned in the vessel is connected to the valve member. A motive mechanism acting on or in the control chamber, by a control system outside of the vessel, controllably moves the valve member to at least one of the open or closed positions. The control chamber is sealed from fluid in the vessel by a sealing system, which includes a flexing surface against which fluid pressure in the vessel acts to thereby bias the valve member towards one of the open or closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Montana Sulphur & Chemical Co.
    Inventors: Donald L. Zink, Donald G. Zink, John E. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 5222517
    Abstract: A fluid transport apparatus including a fluid transport tank having a tank shell defining a fluid compartment within it. A well connected to the shell at an opening through the shell is recessed into the perimeter of the compartment. The well and its contents are thereby protectively positioned within the envelope of the shell. Equipment operatively associated with the compartment can be mounted in the well. When the equipment includes a pressure relief valve, the well cover plate can have a vent which can have a rupture disc mounted therein and adapted to open when the valve lifts. A pressure relief valve mounted in the well can be controlled by a valve positioned within the fluid compartment and operatively connected in series with the relief valve. When the equipment is a fluid valve or a relief valve it can be controlled by control equipment mounted in another recessed well, safely spaced from the recessed well of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Montana Sulphur & Chemical Co.
    Inventors: Donald L. Zink, Donald G. Zink, John E. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 5211202
    Abstract: A fluid apparatus including a fluid tank having a shell and defining a fluid containment compartment. A well is recessed into the fluid tank at an opening in the shell. The well has a well wall secured to the shell and a support ring at the shell opening and secured to and inside of the well wall. A cover plate is removably securable to the support ring to form a pressure-tight connection relative to the interior of the well such that the cover plate can retain in the well a pressure at least as great as the working pressure of the fluid in the compartment. This pressure-tight securement is preferably made by threading bolts through the plate and into drilled, tapped blind holes in the ring. The well can have a well head secured to the well wall and opposite to the shell opening. The well head in turn can be equipped with an internal manway cover openable into the tank and closable in a pressure-tight manner relative to the well wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Montana Sulphur & Chemical Co.
    Inventors: Donald L. Zink, Donald G. Zink
  • Patent number: 5141013
    Abstract: A fluid containment apparatus including first, second and third protective recessed wells. A first fluid flow device is positioned in the first well, a second fluid flow device in the second well, and control equipment in the third. First and second control conduits passing through the fluid compartment connect the control equipment with the first and second devices, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Montana Sulphur & Chemical Co.
    Inventors: Donald L. Zink, Donald G. Zink
  • Patent number: 5097976
    Abstract: A fluid containment apparatus including a fluid tank, a well wall and a closure system. The tank has a tank shell, which defines at least in part a fluid containment compartment and has a tank shell opening therethrough. The well wall is secured to the tank shell, positioned at the shell opening, recessed into the fluid containment compartment and defines at least in part a recessed well. The well wall has a well wall end and a well wall end opening. The closure system selectively opens and closes the well wall end opening. The closure system includes a well head connected to the well wall generally at the well wall end, a sealing gasket, an elliptical manway cover having a plurality of drilled and tapped blind holes, a separate fastening ring having a plurality of circumferential drilled through-holes and a clamp for clamping the manway cover and the fastening ring together and sandwiching the sealing gasket on the well head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Montana Sulphur & Chemical Co.
    Inventors: Donald L. Zink, Donald G. Zink