US 9,228,690 B2Granted

Apparatus and method for repairing an existing spill containment manhole

AssigneeEmco Wheaton Retail Corporation

InventorJames L. Lawrence

Life of this patent

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Abstract

An apparatus for repairing an existing spill containment manhole operably associated with an underground fuel storage tank. The apparatus includes a containment vessel for containing fuel spilled during filling of the underground fuel storage tank. A major portion of the containment vessel is adapted to be inserted into an existing spill containment manhole. Preferably, the containment vessel includes an upper annular flange that extends over and surrounds a portion of an existing cover rim of an existing spill containment manhole thereby isolating an upper portion of the containment vessel from an upper portion on the existing spill containment manhole when the containment vessel is installed. Optionally, a replacement cover is provided to replace an existing cover of the existing spill containment manhole. The replacement cover may include at least one sealing member that engages the inner surface of the at least one wall of the containment vessel when installed.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A kit for repairing an existing spill containment manhole operably associated with an underground fuel storage tank, said kit comprising:

(a) a containment vessel for containing fuel spilled during filling of the underground fuel storage tank, a major portion of said containment vessel being adapted to be inserted into an existing spill containment manhole, said containment vessel surrounding an existing pipe section operably associated with the underground fuel storage tank when said containment vessel is installed, said containment vessel including an annular wall, a bottom having an opening for receiving the existing pipe section and a flange, said flange being disposed at the uppermost portion of said containment vessel, said annular wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, said annular wall being continuous and uninterrupted such that said annular wall is free of joints, said annular wall extending from said bottom to said flange;
and,
(b) a replacement cover to replace an existing cover of the existing spill containment manhole, said replacement cover having a first annular portion and a second annular portion, said second annular portion being adapted to extend into said containment vessel when said replacement cover is installed, said first annular portion being disposed above said second annular portion, said replacement cover having at least one sealing member that engages said inner surface of said annular wall of said containment vessel when installed, said at least one sealing member extending outwardly from said second annular portion and being disposed between said second annular portion and said inner surface of said annular wall of said containment vessel.

A method of repairing an existing spill containment manhole operably associated with an underground fuel storage tank, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a containment vessel for containing fuel spilled during filling of the underground fuel storage tank, said containment vessel including at least one vertically extending wall that when installed surrounds an existing pipe section operably associated with the underground fuel storage tank, said at least one vertically extending wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, an uppermost portion of the existing pipe section being disposed below a lowermost portion of a cover rim of the existing spill containment manhole, the cover rim being retained in place by one of concrete and asphalt;
(b) providing a replacement cover to replace an existing cover of the existing spill containment manhole, said replacement cover having a first annular portion and a second annular portion, said second annular portion being disposed below said first annular portion, said replacement cover having at least one annular seal that engages said inner surface of said at least one wall of said containment vessel and extends outwardly from an outer surface of said second annular portion of said replacement cover, said at least one annular seal being fixed to said replacement cover so that said at least one annular seal moves with said replacement cover;
(c) removing an existing cover of an existing spill containment manhole from an existing cover rim,
(d) inserting said containment vessel into the existing spill containment manhole through an opening formed in the cover rim of the existing spill containment manhole without disturbing the existing surrounding retaining structure for retaining the existing rim cover of the existing spill containment manhole;
and,
(e) placing the replacement cover in the existing rim cover so that the annular seal engages an inner surface of said at least one wall of said containment vessel.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/867,010Filed 19 Apr 2013 · continuation
Priority: 31 Mar 2010
Published: US 2013/0233402 A112 Sep 2013
Granted: 5 Jan 2016
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

F16L 55/18
Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems: appliances for use in repairing pipes
B65D 90/105
Manholes; Inspection openings; Covers therefor: for underground containers
B67D 7/3209
Arrangements of safety or warning devices; Means for preventing unauthorised delivery of liquid: relating to spillage or leakage, e.g. spill…
B67D 7/78
Details or accessories: arrangements of storage tanks, reservoirs or pipe-lines

Family

Application12/662,118Parent of this continuation · filed 31 Mar 2010
US 2013/0233402 A1Pre-grant publication · published 12 Sep 2013
US 8,425,145 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2011/0243658 A1Published application
US 9,228,690 B2This patent

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