ELLIPTICAL VARIABLE CAPACITY WINE TANK AND METHODS

Abstract

A tank assembly including an upright tank, a lid, a temperature control system, and an actuator assembly. The tank includes a closed bottom end, an open top end, a tank sidewall extending between the bottom and top ends and defining a tank interior having an interior surface, and an elliptical cross-sectional shape. The lid is positionable to seal closed the tank interior. The temperature control system may be operable to control a temperature of a substance retained within the tank interior. The lid may have a peripheral surface that is configured to seal with the interior surface of the tank. The lid may also have an elliptical shape.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to tank assemblies for use in making and storing wine, and more particularly relates to elliptical shaped tank structures having a variable capacity and related storage methods.

BACKGROUND

Floor space within a winery building is typically expensive and at a premium due to, for example, the size of the building required, HVAC, utilities, air filtration, land and taxes. Typically, every square foot within the building is utilized for the production of wine if possible.

The largest consumer of this premium floor space is tanks and vessels that are used for the fermentation and storage of wine. Historically, such tanks and vessels (typically referred to as wine tanks) are oriented vertically (i.e., upright orientation) and have a cylindrical construction with a circular cross-section. This design imposes limitations on the ability of these wine tanks to be used in tight, narrow spaces and corners of a building. The diameter of the wine tank determines the number of tanks that may be positioned between two fixed objects such as opposing end walls in a room. In some building constructions there is adequate depth available between side walls, but there is limited width between the opposing end walls that limits the number of wine tanks that may be positioned therein for a given tank diameter. In other cases, there may be unused space left in a corner or next to an end wall at the end of a line of wine tanks that is often underutilized because the diameter of the wine tank is too great to fit in the empty space.

Temperature control of the substance held in a tank or vessel may pose challenges in some processes such as the creation of wine. Controlling the average temperature of the substance and the maximum or minimum temperature of the substance at various locations within the tank or vessel may be important objectives. There may be limitations to adequate temperature control of a substance in upright circular cross-section shaped tanks and some horizontal oriented tanks.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a tank assembly that includes an upright tank and a lid. The tank includes a closed bottom end, an open top end, a tank interior configured to retain a volume of substance, and a cross-sectional shape having a tank major axis dimension and a smaller sized tank minor axis dimension. The lid is positionable to enclose the tank interior. The tank assembly is configured to provide an improved temperature control of the substance within the tank interior.

The tank assembly may further include an actuator assembly that includes first and second actuator arrangements. The first actuator arrangement may be configured to move the lid into and out of the tank interior to provide a variable capacity within the tank interior. The second actuator arrangement may be configured to move the lid between a first position in alignment with the top open end and a second position removed from alignment with the top open end. The first actuator arrangement may move the lid vertically and the second actuator arrangement may move the lid horizontally. The actuator assembly may include a powered actuation feature configured to raise and lower the lid relative to the tank, and a manual feature configured to move the lid into and out of alignment with the top open end. The peripheral surface of the lid may include an inflatable seal member.

The tank assembly may further include cooling system mounted to a sidewall of the tank and extending around a periphery of the tank. The cooling system may be operable to control the temperature of the substance within the tank interior. The tank may have a constant cross-sectional shape and size from the top end to the bottom end. The tank assembly may further include an outlet defined in a sidewall of the tank adjacent to the bottom end of the tank. The tank major axis dimension may be at least twice as great as the tank minor axis dimension. The cross-sectional shape of the tank may be elliptical. The lid may have a lid major axis dimension and a smaller sized lid minor axis dimension.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a tank assembly that includes a tank, an elliptical lid, and a temperature control system. The tank has a horizontal elliptical cross-sectional shape and is arranged upright with an open top end having an elliptical cross-sectional opening shape corresponding to the elliptical cross-sectional tank shape. The lid is positionable and securable relative to the tank to enclose an interior of the tank. The temperature control system is mounted to the tank and operable to control a temperature of a substance retained within the interior of the tank.

The lid may be positionable and securable within an interior of the tank at variable heights to provide a variable capacity. The lid may include an inflatable seal member configured to provide a releasable fluid-tight seal with an interior surface of the tank at each height. The temperature control system may include a cooling jacket that at least partially wraps around an exterior surface of the tank. The lid may be positionable entirely within the tank interior and be removable from the tank interior. The lid may be free floating within the tank interior. The tank assembly may further include an actuator assembly configured to vertically move the lid relative to the tank interior, and horizontally move the lid when the lid is removed from the tank interior.

A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a tank assembly that includes an upright tank, a lid, and a temperature control system. The tank includes a closed bottom end, an open top end, a tank sidewall extending between the bottom and top ends and defining a tank interior having an interior surface, and a cross-sectional shape having a tank major axis dimension and a smaller sized tank minor axis dimension. The lid is positionable within the tank interior and includes a peripheral surface that is configured to seal with the interior surface at multiple horizontal levels to provide variable storage capacity within the tank. The temperature control system is operable to control a temperature of the substance within the tank interior.

The tank major axis dimension may be at least twice as great as the tank minor axis dimension. The cross-sectional shape of the tank may be elliptical. The lid may have a lid major axis dimension and a smaller sized lid minor axis dimension.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of storing. The method includes providing a tank assembly comprising a tank, a lid, and a temperature control system. The tank has an elliptical cross-sectional shape, an open end, and a tank interior. The lid has an elliptical shape that corresponds to the elliptical cross-sectional shape of the tank. The method further includes arranging the tank upright with the open end arranged at a top end of the tank, filling the tank at least partially with a substance, sealing closed the tank interior with the lid, and controlling a temperature of the substance with the temperature control system.

The method may also include positioning the lid within the tank at a location spaced from the open end and in contact with the substance, creating a first seal between the lid and an internal surface of the tank, releasing the first seal and moving the lid to a different position within the tank spaced from the open end, and creating a second seal between the lid and the internal surface of the tank at the different position to vary a storage capacity of the tank. The tank assembly may further comprise a lid lift assembly, and the method further includes raising and lowering the lid vertically within the tank interior with the lid lift assembly, and moving the lid horizontally with the lid lift assembly after the lid is removed from the tank interior. Controlling a temperature of the substance may include cooling a sidewall of the tank.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are top perspective views of an example tank assembly in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the tank assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the tank assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the tank assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the tank assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the tank assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the tank assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the tank assembly of FIG. 7 taken along cross-sectional indicators 9-9 with the lid position within the tank.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the tank assembly of FIG. 1 with the lid moved out of alignment with a top opening of the tank.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of a winery room that includes a plurality of wine tanks.

FIG. 12 is a representative thermal image for circular and elliptical cross-sectional shaped wine tanks that hold fermenting wine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to wine tanks having an elliptical cross-sectional for use in a winery room. The wine tank is oriented upright with a central axis of the wine tank arranged vertically (i.e., an upright tank). The elliptical tank may include a temperature control system operable to control a temperature of a substance (e.g., wine) retained in the tank. The elliptical tank may have a variable capacity by providing a lid that is insertable into an inner cavity of the wine tank and movable between multiple horizontal levels along a height of the wine tank. The lid may be configured to rest upon a top surface of the contents of the wine tank regardless of the level of contents within the tank.

An example upright elliptical tank is typically narrower in a minor axis dimension than a tank having a circular cross-section of similar volume and height. The smaller minor axis dimension permits positioning of the elliptical tank in relatively tight or narrow spaces that are otherwise too small for a tank with a circular cross-section of the same height and volume. An upright elliptical tank may have a relatively high volume-to-width ratio as compared to a tank having a circular cross-section. In room constructions in which the depth (i.e., the major axis dimension) of the tank is not constrained, it may be possible to position at least 11 elliptical tanks in the same width of space as, for example, 10 tanks having a circular cross-section of the same height and volume. Consequently, it may be possible when utilizing upright elliptical wine tanks to provide more volume capacity within the same width of space as compared to using tanks of a circular cross-section.

Additionally, upright elliptical tanks may be sized to permit placement in existing rooms (e.g., wineries) that have narrow floor spaces or vacant corners. Strategically placing upright elliptical tanks in otherwise unused spaces in a room may provide excess capacity for use as overflow storage of wine and grapes. In some instances, all of the main tanks (i.e., wine tanks with circular cross-sections) in a room may be filled to capacity and some excess substance (e.g., fruit, juice or wine in a wine making process) is left over that would otherwise be wasted unless stored in one of the strategically placed upright elliptical tanks in the room or other location.

While many of the examples disclosed herein are directed to wine tanks and related wine processing systems, the principles disclosed herein are generally applicable to many other tank applications and processing systems. Furthermore, while the example tanks disclosed herein are particularly useful in the retention of liquid (e.g., wine), other substances such as a mixture of liquid and solids and even gases in some circumstances may be retained in the tanks. Many types of processing systems benefit from accurate temperature control of the substance held in the tanks or vessels of the processing system. The examples disclosed herein may provide improved temperature control of the retained substance (e.g., wine) using a temperature control system. The temperature control system may include, for example and without limitation, a cooling jacket or other device that is mounted to the tank.

The present disclosure is also directed to a floating lid with a pneumatic seal around a periphery of the lid that provides the tank with a sealed capacity that varies with the volume of the contents of the tank. In some arrangements, the lid may be permitted to remain in contact with the contents retained within the tank. The lid may be sealed against an interior side wall surface of the tank with a fluid-tight seal. Providing an fluid-tight seal between the lid and an interior surface of the tank may limit intrusion of air (oxygen in particular) that may have adverse effects on the wine if permitted to interact with the wine. The term “wine” as used herein may include wine, fruit, fruit juices and other ingredients combined with fruit and fruit juices to create wine. The term “wine” may also generically refer to any type of drink or drink ingredient, such as alcohol, spirits, or the like without limitation whether or not fermentation is involved.

Typically, the dimensions and shape of the lid closely approximate the internal shape and dimensions of the upright elliptical tank. In some arrangements, tight tolerances between the shape and size of the lid relative to the tank inner surface may be helpful to provide the desired fluid-tight seal. In other arrangements, the sealing member may be constructed and operable to provide a fluid-tight seal even if slight differences exist between the shape and size of the lid periphery and the shape and size of the internal surface of the wine tank.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to temperature control of the wine retained within the wine tank. Typically, heat is generated as wine ferments due to the conversion of sugar to alcohol using yeast as the catalyst. Wine makers often attempt to control the temperature of the fermenting wine to within ±2° F. If the temperature of the wine during fermentation becomes too high or too low, the quality of the wine may be compromised. When using an upright elliptical tank of the same volume and height as a wine tank having a circular cross-section, a reduced distance exists between the center of the wine tank and the outer surfaces, thus allowing for greater heat transfer and temperature control through the sidewalls of the wine tank. Cooling jackets or other temperature control devices or systems are often mounted to the sidewall or bottom wall of the wine tank to facilitate heat transfer from the wine and control temperature of the wine.

Upright elliptical tanks typically have increased surface area on the exterior of the tank per unit volume, which may promote improved heat transfer and control of the wine temperature within the tank. To maintain the same volume as a circular cross section tank for a given height of the tank, the circumference of the elliptical tank is typically increased to be greater than the circular cross section tank. As a ratio between the major axis dimension and the minor axis dimension of the elliptical tank increases, the circumference increases exponentially. In one example, an elliptical tank having a 2:1 ratio of major to minor axis dimension has a 15% greater circumference than a circumference of a circular cross section shaped tank of the same volume. FIGS. 1-6 illustrate schematically a cooling jacket 19 mounted to an exterior of the tank 12. The cooling jacket 19 may extend around at least a portion of a periphery of the tank 12 such as along the an outer surface of the tank 12 defined by sidewall 24.

FIG. 12 illustrates example temperature gradients of fermenting wine held within an upright elliptical wine tank and a wine tank having a circular cross-section. The center of each of the tanks has the highest temperature (i.e., the white color) and an outer periphery of the wine tank interior has the coldest wine temperature (i.e., the darker color). The upright elliptical shaped wine tank has a lower average temperature for the wine and a smaller volume of the highest temperature portion of the wine held in the wine tank as compared to the wine tank with circular cross-section.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-10, an example tank assembly 10 is shown and described. The tank assembly 10 includes a tank 12, a lid 14, an actuator assembly 16, and a base 18. The tank 12 and lid 14 each have a generally elliptical shape. The lid 14 typically is sized to fit and be movable within the tank 12. In at least some arrangements, the lid 14 is sized and configured to rest upon a top surface of the contents (e.g., fruit, juice and wine) retained within the tank 12. In other arrangements, the lid 14 is sized and configured to rest upon a top end of the tank 12 so that the tank 12 has a fixed capacity as opposed to the variable capacity possible when the lid 14 is movable within the tank 12.

The actuator assembly 16 may be used to move the lid 14 relative to the tank 12. The base 18 may support the tank 12 in an upright orientation and be positioned at a bottom end 22 of the tank 12. The base 18 may be configured to position the tank 12 at an elevated position relative to a ground surface on which the tank assembly 10 rests.

The tank 12 includes a top end 20, a bottom end 22 and a sidewall 24 that define an internal volume 30 (see FIG. 9). A top opening 28 is defined by an opening edge 26 at the top end 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 9). The top opening 28 may have a shape and size that are substantially similar to a shape and size of a cross-section of the tank at a location spaced between the top and bottom ends 20, 22. The tank 12 may have a substantially constant cross-sectional shape and size at all locations between the top and bottom ends 20, 22. As noted above, the tank 12 may retain a volume of fruit (e.g., grapes), juice and wine in a process for making wine. The tank 12 holds both fruit juice as well as fruit solids that are separated from the juice.

Typically, it is important to be able to access the internal volume 30 of the tank 12 in order to fill the tank, submerge the solids (also referred to as a “cap” of solids) in the juice on a periodic basis, and clean the tank. One aspect of the present disclosure relates to management of the lid 14 relative to the top opening 28 in order to access the internal volume 30. Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a variable sealed relationship between an internal sidewall surface 23 (also references as an inner surface 23) of the tank 12 and a seal member 38 of the lid 14 when the lid is positioned within the internal volume 30.

The tank 12 may have at least a first outlet 27 and a second outlet 29. The first outlet 27 may be positioned along a bottom wall at the bottom end 22. The second outlet 29 may be positioned along the sidewall 24 near the bottom end 22.

The tank 12 may have an elliptical cross-sectional shape that corresponds to a generally elliptical shape of the lid 14. The tank 12 may have a major axis X₁ and a minor axis X₂. The tank 12 has a major axis dimension D₁ along the major axis X₁, and a minor axis dimension D₂ along the minor axis X₂. The dimension D₁ may be greater than the dimension D₂. Typically, the dimensions D₁, D₂ are different from each other to provide a tank 12 having a non-circular cross-sectional shape. The cross-sectional shape of the tank 12 may be generally contoured. Other cross-sectional shapes that include linear or planar portions around the circumference of the tank and/or lid may be possible.

The lid 14 includes a top surface 32, a bottom surface 34 (see FIG. 9), and a peripheral edge 36. In some arrangements, the lid 14 may also include a seal member 38 arranged around the peripheral edge 36. The seal member 38 may be mounted to any one or a combination of the top surface 32, bottom surface 34, and peripheral edge 36. The seal member 38 typically protrudes radially outward from the peripheral edge 36 to provide an interface between the lid 14 and the tank 12 (see FIG. 10). Contact between the lid 14 and the tank 12 along the inner surface 23 may provide sealing engagement. The sealing engagement may be a fluid-tight seal (e.g., an air-tight seal to help reduce inflow of oxygen into the internal volume 30).

The seal member 38 may be a variable sized structure, such as, without limitation, a variable thickness, variable width, or variable diameter structure. In one embodiment, the seal member 38 may be an inflatable structure, such as an inflatable tube, that extends continuously around the peripheral edge 36. The seal member 38 may be a pre-formed elliptical structure that maintains an elliptical shape when disconnected from the lid 14. The seal member 38 may vary in size based on an internal pressure condition. Filling the inflatable structure of the seal member 38 may be accomplished by attaching a source of compressed fluid (e.g., compressed air) at a lid air connector 42 that is mounted to the lid 14. Airflow into and out of the seal member 38 may be controlled with a control assembly 58 of the actuator assembly 16.

The seal member 38 may contact and press against the inner surface 23 of the tank 12 when the lid 14 is positioned within the internal volume 30 of the tank 12. Inflating and deflating the seal member 38 may move the seal member 38 into and out of contact with the inner surface 23, or at least create and release a fluid tight seal between the seal member 38 and tank 12.

The lid 14 may also include a connector assembly 40 used to connect the lid 14 to the actuator assembly 16. The connector assembly 40 may be mounted to the top surface 32 and exposed for connection to a portion of the actuator assembly 16.

The lid 14 may generally have an elliptical shape when viewed from above that corresponds to the generally elliptical cross-sectional shape of the tank 12. The shape of the lid 14 may generally correspond to the shape of the top opening 28. The lid 14 may have a major axis X₃ and a minor axis X₄. The lid 14 has a major axis dimension D₃ along the major axis X₃, and a minor axis dimension D₄ along the minor axis X₄. The dimension D₃ may be greater than the dimension D₄. Typically, the dimensions D₃, D₄ are different from each other to provide a non-circular shaped lid 14.

The size and weight of the lid 14 may be significant in some tank assembly arrangements given the size and volume of the tank 12 and the size and shape of the top opening 28. In one example, the tank 12 may have an internal volume in the range of about 250-2,000 gallons, and more specifically about 600-900 gallons. The tank 12 may comprise a metallic material, such as stainless steal. The lid 14 may comprise a similar material as the tank 12. The actuator assembly 16 described below may be helpful in moving a relatively heavy, large lid 14 into and out of engagement with the tank 12.

The actuator assembly 16 may include a vertical support 50 and a horizontal support 52. The vertical support 50 may be rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the vertical support 50. Rotation of the vertical support 50 may occur using an actuator such as the manual actuator 54. Applying a torque force to the vertical support 50 using the actuator 54 may cause the horizontal support 52 and lid 14 to rotate in a direction R (see FIG. 10).

The horizontal support 52 may be mounted to and extend from the vertical support 50. The horizontal support 52 may extend generally horizontally relative to the vertical support 50. The horizontal support 52 may include a pulley 56.

The actuator assembly 16 may include a control assembly 58, a lift assembly 60, a cable 62, an air supply hose 64, and an air supply connector 66. The control assembly 58 may include a plurality of controls that cause automatic operation of certain features of the tank assembly 10 such as, for example, the lift assembly 60.

The cable 62 may be coupled to the lift assembly 60 at one end and to the connector assembly 40 of the lid 14 at an opposite end of the cable 62. The lift assembly 60 may include a cable take-up device (e.g., a winch) or other powered device. The lift assembly 60 may be manually operated in some arrangements using, for example, a crank arm. Typically, collecting the cable 62 into the lift assembly 60 will raise the lid 14 vertically in the direction V relative to the tank 12 (see FIG. 9). Releasing or letting out some of the cable 62 using the lift assembly 60 typically lowers the lid 14 relative to the tank 12. The cable 62 may extend around the pulley 56 to provide reduced friction as the cable 62 is drawn into and released from the lift assembly 60.

Other types of lift devices may be used in place of the lift assembly 60 and cable 62. Some example lifting and actuating features are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/512,857, entitled TANK LID LIFTER AND METHODS, and filed on 30 Jun. 2009, which application is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

The air supply hose 64 may connect to the lid air connector 42 and extend to the horizontal support 52. The air supply hose 64 may be coiled when in a rest state. Raising and lowering the lid 14 relative to the tank 12 using the actuator assembly 16 may extend and retract the coil of the air supply hose 64 (e.g., compare FIGS. 3 and 10). The air supply connector 66 may be positioned at, for example, the control assembly 58 to provide air flow communication with a source of pressurized air located remote from the actuator assembly 16.

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate the lid 14 at an elevated position relative to the top opening 28 and associated opening edge 26 of the tank 12. In this raised position, an operator may actuate the actuator 54 to rotate the lid 14 in a direction R to a position out of alignment with the top opening 28 (see FIG. 10). The actuator assembly 16 may be operated to raise and lower the lid using the lift assembly 60 when the lid 14 is in the unaligned position shown in FIG. 10, or in the aligned position shown in FIGS. 1-9. When the lid is in the aligned position shown in FIGS. 1-9, operating the actuator assembly 16 to raise and lower the lid 14 typically moves the lid 14 to different vertical positions within the internal volume 30, and may move the lid 14 into and out of the internal volume 30 of the tank 12.

With the lid 14 positioned within the internal volume 30, the seal member 38 may contact the inner surface 23 of the tank 12 to provide a fluid-tight seal (see FIG. 9). As discussed above, the seal member 38 may be an inflatable member that is operable to create and release the fluid-tight seal. In at least some examples, the seal member 38 is connected in air flow communication with the lid air connector 42, air supply hose 64, and air supply connector 66. An operator may control air flow into the seal member 38 via the control assembly 58. The seal member 38 may at least in part provide the lid 14 with functionality of being securable and sealed at variable heights within the tank.

The lid 14 may be at automatically positionable between open and closed positions relative to the tank 12 using features of the actuator assembly 16. The lid 14 may be positionable and securable at multiple horizontal levels within the tank 12 using the seal member 38.

Referring now to FIG. 11, an example storage space 100 is shown housing a plurality of circular cross-section wine tanks 106 and elliptical cross-section wine tanks 108. The storage space 100 includes opposed end controlling a temperature of the end walls 102, 103 and opposed side walls 104, 105. A length dimension L is defined between the end walls 102, 103. A width dimension W is defined between the side walls 104, 105. The circular tanks 106 have a diameter D. The elliptical tanks 108 have a major axis dimension D₁ and minor axis dimension D₂. The tanks 106, 108 may have the same volume and height. Typically, the dimension D₁ is greater than the dimension D and dimension D₂ is less than the dimension D. FIG. 11 illustrates a greater number of elliptical tanks 108 fit within the same length dimension L within the storage space 100 than the number of circular tanks 106. Consequently, a greater volume of fluid may be stored within the elliptical tanks 108 within the length dimension L than the volume of fluid stored by the circular tanks 106 within the same dimension L.

The ratio of the dimensions D₁ to D₂ may be greater than 1, may more typically be in the range of about 1.1 to about 3, and may preferably be in the range of about 1.5 to 2. While the examples illustrated in the figures have an elliptical cross-sectional shaped tank and lid, other similar shapes are possible. For example, a tank may have a generally oval or oblong shape.

While this invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments and examples, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that many variations are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. The invention, as described by the claims, is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the invention which do not depart from the spirit of the invention. The words “including” and “having,” as used in the specification, including the claims, shall have the same meaning as the word “comprising.”

Claims

1. A tank assembly, comprising:

an upright tank comprising: a closed bottom end; an open top end; a tank interior configured to retain a volume of substance; a cross-sectional shape having a tank major axis dimension and a smaller sized tank minor axis dimension;

a lid positionable to enclose the tank interior;

wherein the tank assembly is configured to provide an improved temperature control of the substance retained within the tank interior.

2. The tank assembly of claim 1, further comprising an actuator assembly, comprising:

a first actuator arrangement configured to move the lid into and out of the tank interior to provide a variable capacity within the tank interior;

a second actuator arrangement configured to move the lid between a first position in alignment with the open top end and a second position removed from alignment with the open top end.

3. The tank assembly of claim 2, wherein the first actuator arrangement moves the lid vertically and the second actuator arrangement moves the lid horizontally.

4. The tank assembly of claim 2, wherein the actuator assembly includes a powered actuation feature configured to raise and lower the lid relative to the tank, and a manual feature configured to move the lid into and out of alignment with the open top end.

5. The tank assembly of claim 1, wherein the peripheral surface of the lid includes an inflatable seal member.

6. The tank assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cooling system mounted to a sidewall of the tank, a portion of the cooling system extending around a periphery of the tank, the cooling system configured to control a temperature of the substance within the tank interior.

7. The tank assembly of claim 1, wherein the tank has a constant cross-sectional shape and size from the top end to the bottom end.

8. The tank assembly of claim 1, further comprising an outlet defined in a sidewall of the tank adjacent to the bottom end of the tank.

9. The tank assembly of claim 1, wherein the tank major axis dimension is at least twice as great as the tank minor axis dimension.

10. The tank assembly of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape is elliptical.

11. The tank assembly of claim 1, further the lid has a lid major axis dimension and a smaller sized lid minor axis dimension.

12. A tank assembly, comprising:

an tank having a horizontal elliptical cross-sectional shape and being arranged upright with an open top end having an elliptical cross-sectional opening shape corresponding to the elliptical cross-sectional tank shape;

an elliptical shaped lid positionable and securable relative to the tank to enclose an interior of the tank;

a temperature control system mounted to the tank and operable to control a temperature of a substance retained within the interior of the tank.

13. The tank assembly of claim 12, wherein the lid is positionable and securable within an interior of the tank at variable heights to provide a variable capacity.

14. The tank assembly of claim 13, wherein the lid includes an inflatable seal member configured to provide a releasable fluid-tight seal with an interior surface of the tank at each height.

15. The tank assembly of claim 12, wherein the temperature control system includes a cooling jacket that at least partially wraps around an exterior surface of the tank.

16. The tank assembly of claim 12, wherein the lid is positionable entirely within the tank interior and is removable from the tank interior.

17. The tank assembly of claim 12, wherein the lid is free floating within the tank interior.

18. The tank assembly of claim 12, further comprising an actuator assembly configured to vertically move the lid relative to the tank interior, and horizontally move the lid when the lid is removed from the tank interior.

19. A tank assembly, comprising:

an upright tank comprising: a closed bottom end; an open top end; a tank sidewall extending between the bottom end and the top end and defining a tank interior having an interior surface; a cross-sectional shape having a tank major axis dimension and a smaller sized tank minor axis dimension;

a lid positionable within the tank interior, the lid having a peripheral surface that is configured to seal with the interior surface at multiple horizontal levels to provide variable storage capacity within the tank;

a temperature control system operable to provide temperature control of a substance retained within the tank interior.

20. The tank assembly of claim 19, wherein the tank major axis dimension is at least twice as great as the tank minor axis dimension.

21. The tank assembly of claim 19, wherein the cross-sectional shape is elliptical.

22. The tank assembly of claim 19, wherein the lid has a lid major axis dimension and a smaller sized lid minor axis dimension.

23. A method of storing, comprising:

providing a tank assembly comprising a tank, a lid, and a temperature control system, the tank having an elliptical cross-sectional shape, an open end, and a tank interior, the lid having an elliptical shape that corresponds to the elliptical cross-sectional shape of the tank;

arranging the tank upright with the open end arranged at a top end of the tank;

filling the tank at least partially with a substance;

sealing closed the tank interior with the lid;

controlling a temperature of the substance with the temperature control system.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

positioning the lid within the tank spaced from the open end and in contact with the substance;

creating a first seal between the lid and an internal surface of the tank;

releasing the first seal and moving the lid to a different position within the tank spaced from the open end;

creating a second seal between the lid and the internal surface of the tank at the different position to vary a storage capacity of the tank.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the tank assembly further comprises a lid lift assembly, the method further comprising raising and lowering the lid vertically within the tank interior with the lid lift assembly, and moving the lid horizontally with the lid lift assembly after the lid is removed from the tank interior.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein controlling a temperature of the substance includes cooling a sidewall of the tank.