Product delivery system for stationary or portable bulk containers
AssigneeAir Products and Chemicals, Inc.
InventorsSteven W. Hoffman, Vladimir Yliy Gershtein, Alexandre De Almeida Botelho, Robert William Ford, Paul David Kottler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A container for holding a solid, liquid and/or gaseous phase product therein and for use within a transportable or stationary support structure. The container maximizes the compressed product volume contained therein and prevents liquid and/or contaminant entrainment during gaseous product delivery from liquid phase product. The system allows for product withdraw when the level is above the delivery valves using, at a minimum, two delivery legs linked by a compartment or housing that connects the delivery point and a container head space via a removable manway.
Claims29
A container comprising an interior having a first head space located above a product contained therein, wherein the product comprises a filled level, said container comprising a head space valve having a bottom that is located below said filled level, and wherein the container further comprises:
- a housing coupled to said container and having a housing interior that is exposed to the product in said container, said housing comprising a second head space above the product;
- a primary transport line having a first open end positioned in said first head space and a second open end positioned in said second head space;
- and
- a secondary transport line having a third end coupled to said head space valve and a fourth open end disposed in said second head space.
A container that is secured entirely within a support structure having a fixed volume, said container comprising:
- a product therein;
- an outer surface having a periphery;
- equipment, coupled to the outer surface, that provides communication to the product in said container;
- said outer surface further comprising a recess for locating said equipment therein, said recess preventing said equipment from protruding beyond said periphery of said outer surface;
- wherein said container further comprises a first head space located above the product and wherein said equipment comprises a head space valve,
- wherein said recess further comprises:
- a base;
- a housing coupled to said base and having an interior that is exposed to the product in said container and that contains a second head space above the product;
- a primary transport line having a first open end positioned in said first head space and a second open end positioned in said second head space;
- and
- a secondary transport line having a third end coupled to said head space valve and a fourth open end disposed in said second head space.
A method for maximizing the amount of product in a container whose interior comprises a first head space located above a product contained therein and wherein the product comprises a filled level, said method comprising the steps of:
- placing a first valve in communication with said first head space;
- locating a bottom of said head space valve below said filled level;
- providing a housing coupled to said container and wherein said housing has a second interior that is exposed to the product in said container;
- providing a first open end of a primary transport line in said upper portion of said first interior of said container and positioning a second open end of said primary transport line in said second interior of said housing;
- and
- coupling a third end of a secondary transport line to said first valve and positioning a fourth open end of said secondary transport line in said second interior of said housing.
A method for maximizing the amount of product in a container that is secured entirely within a support structure of a fixed volume. said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a container whose outer surface defines a periphery and wherein said container comprises a product therein;
- providing a recess in said outer surface;
- positioning equipment within said recess such that said recess prevents said equipment from protruding beyond said periphery of said outer surface, said equipment providing communication to the product in said container;
- providing a base for said recess;
- providing a housing coupled to said base and wherein said housing has a second interior that is exposed to the product in said container;
- positioning a first open end of a primary transport line in said upper portion of said first interior of said container and positioning a second open end of said primary transport line in said second interior of said housing;
- and
- coupling a third end of a secondary transport line to said first valve and positioning a fourth open end of said secondary transport line in said second interior of said housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.