US 8,771,819 B2Granted

Universal tank overlay

OwnerEdward J. Eatoninventor

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Abstract

A universal tank overlay is described that can be attached to different sizes and configurations of storage tanks. The overlay comprises a flexible layer of material that includes at least one section. The layer is adapted to connect to a storage tank that includes two opposing end walls that are connected by an at least partially arcuate elongate tubular sidewall. The tank also includes a plurality of pipes that provide for flow into, from and vent the tank. The layer includes at least one aperture that adjusts to receive the plurality of pipes on the tank. The layer has a first position that is separate from the tank and a second position that includes the layer attached to the tank. In the second position the storage tank at least partially covers the tank. The layer is adapted for positioning on the sidewall of the tank. The layer is attached to the tank using fasteners.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A universal tank overlay adapted for use with storage tanks, the tanks include elongate and at least partially arcuate tubular front sidewall portion that connects to two opposing terminal end walls, the sidewall portions of the tanks varying in length, a plurality of pipes connect to the tanks and extend from the tanks, the overlay comprises:

a flexible layer of material that includes at least one section, a first section of the layer has a first elongate edge, a second elongate edge opposed to the first edge, a third edge and a fourth edge opposed to the third edge, the layer adapted for positioning on the top portion, the front sidewall portion and at least partially on the back sidewall portion of the storage tank, the layer adapted to accommodate the position of the plurality of pipes on the tank and the layer adapted to adjust to the position of the tank relative to the structure, the first section includes longitudinally extending flaps along the third and fourth edges, the flaps adapted to extend a predetermined distance beyond the opposing terminal end walls of the storage tank;
at least one aperture defined in the first section of the layer, the at least one aperture adapted to receive at least one of the plurality of pipes of the tank;
a retention mechanism that is adapted to position the layer in tension, the retention mechanism includes a plurality of fasteners that are adapted to attach the layer to the tank, the flaps adapted to be positioned over the terminal end walls of the storage tank and under tension, the tension of the opposing flaps position the front sidewall portion between the flaps in tension, the retention mechanism places the flaps under tension adapted to retain the first section on the storage tank, the fasteners adapted to fix the position of the layer relative to the tank.

A universal tank overlay adapted for use with storage tanks, the tanks include elongate and at least partially arcuate tubular front and back sidewall portions that connect to two opposing terminal end walls, the sidewall portions of the tanks varying in length, a plurality of pipes connect to the tanks and extend from the tanks, the overlay comprises:

a flexible layer of material that includes a first section and at least one panel, the first section of the layer has a first elongate edge, a second elongate edge opposed to the first edge, a third edge and a fourth edge opposed to the third edge, the layer adapted for positioning on the top portion, the front sidewall portion and at least partially on the back portion of the storage tank, the layer adapted to accommodate the position of the plurality of pipes on the tank and the layer adapted to adjust to the varying dimensions of the storage tank, the elongate edges, third edge and fourth edge of the first section adapted to extend a predetermined distance beyond the opposing terminal end walls of the storage tank, the first section and at least one panel adapted to accommodate variations in the length of the storage tanks;
at least one aperture defined in the first section of the layer, the at least one aperture adapted to receive at least one of the plurality of pipes of the tank;
a retention mechanism adapted to position and retain the layer in position on the storage tank, the first section adapted to be positioned on the terminal end walls of the storage tank and each panel of the at least one panel adapted to be positioned on one of the terminal end walls of the storage tank, the opposing third edge and fourth edge of the first section adapted to be positioned in a taught position on the terminal ends of the storage tank, the retention mechanism positions the front sidewall portion of the first section in tension between the taught positions on the terminal ends;
and
at least one fastener connected to the layer in proximity to the third edge and the fourth edge of the first section, the at least one fastener positions the first section of the layer in tension.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/703,755Filed 10 Feb 2010
Published: US 2011/0195205 A111 Aug 2011
Granted: 8 Jul 2014
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

B44C 5/04
Processes for producing special ornamental bodies: ornamental plaques, e.g. decorative panels, decorative veneers
Y10T 29/49826
Method of mechanical manufacture: assembling or joining
Y10T 428/24008
Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]: including fastener for attaching to external surface
B44C
Producing decorative effects

Family

US 2011/0195205 A1Pre-grant publication · published 11 Aug 2011
US 8,771,819 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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