Tank assembly and method for water treatment

• US 5,699,930 A
• Filed: 08/23/1996
• Issued: 12/23/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: Chemical Engineering Corp. (3M Company)
• Inventors: Channell, Alan B., Shears, Terry S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Castellano, Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US08/702,275
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 220/465, 220/601, 220/661, 220/403, 220/404, 220/565, 220/589, 220/590, 220/588, 220/586, 220/DIG. 1
• US Class Current: 220/62.19
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/04 Extrusion blow-moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0288 Container connection means for dispensing beverages on draught B67D1/0829
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/325 Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3223 Single elongated lamp located on the central axis of a turbular reactor
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 23/04 the flanges being connected by members tensioned in the radial plane F16L23/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2209/2154 Winding

Abstract

The present invention involves a pressurized water treatment system and method having a unitary liner and flange and a plurality of interchangeable heads. The system utilizes non-threaded connections where periodic detachment is desirable to eliminate the cross-threading problems posed by plastic threads. The coupling devices include an improved clamp assembly to removably secure the water treatment heads to the liner flange or other system components and an improved spring clip to removably attach inlet and outlet lines to water treatment heads and fittings. By including L-shaped tabs, the spring clip reduces the chance of inadvertent dislodgement. The use of common connectors allows any of the interchangeable heads to be used with the liner and other fittings. Adapters can also be used to allow non-system components to be integrated into the system. A fill port adaptor can also be disposed between the liner and water treatment head to provide access to the tank interior without the removal of the head.

Claims

1. A tank system for use in water treatment comprising:

a tank having a molded liner of unitary construction with an integrally formed tank flange defining an opening and a surface generally co-planar with said opening, and an outer filament wound shell on said liner;

a plurality of interchangeable heads, each being apadapted to receive and introduce untreated water into said tank and discharge treated water from said tank, each said head having a generally cylindrical neck with an end and a neck flange extending from said neck at a position axially distant from said neck end;

said neck being adapted for insertion into said tank opening, and said neck flanges and said tank flange being adapted for mutual attachment;

a clamp for securing a selected one of said plurality of heads to said tank liner; and

an O-ring seal circumferentially disposed between said neck of said secured head and said liner;

whereby said tank is adaptable for use with said plurality of interchangeable heads and each of said heads are capable of removable attachment to said tank, an inlet line and an outlet line.

2. The tank system of claim 1 wherein said clamp comprises:

a first clamp piece having a male part at a first and second end and extensions for engaging said neck flange and said tank flange;

a second clamp piece having at a first end a female part adapted to receive said male part at said first end of said first clamp piece, a male part at a second end of said second clamp piece, and extensions for engaging said neck flange and said tank flange; and

a latch for securing said male part at said second end of said first clamp piece to said male part at said second end of said second clamp piece;

whereby said neck flange is clamped to said tank flange when said clamp pieces are assembled about said neck and tank flanges.

3. The tank system of claim 1 wherein the inlet and outlet lines are removably attached to said selected head by a connection comprising:

an insert defining a terminal end of said inlet and outlet lines, said insert having an annular groove and adapted for insertion into a port having a fixed length and located on said head;

a partially circular and resilient clip having a plurality of tabs extending inwardly, at least two of said tabs being generally L-shaped and having a foot extending circumferentially from said tab, said port having an outer surface with a plurality of slots for receiving said tabs, said tabs adapted for extending through said slots and being partially disposed within said annular groove, said tab feet adapted for insertion and removal through said slots when said clip is in a flexed condition, said tab feet extending beyond said slots and preventing removal of said clips when said tabs and tab feet are inserted and said clip is in an unflexed condition.

4. The tank system of claim 1 further comprising an O-ring seal circumferentially disposed between said insert and said port.

5. The tank system of claim 1 wherein said liner is one of a blow molded liner and a rotationally molded liner.

6. The tank system of claim 1 wherein said head comprises:

a fill port adaptor having said neck and neck flange extending therefrom, said fill port adaptor disposed between said tank and a second head;

said fill port adaptor having a second flange defining an opening and a surface generally co-planar with said opening and a port providing communication with said tank liner whereby access to said liner is available without removal of said fill port adaptor;

said second head having a generally cylindrical neck with an end and a neck flange extending from said neck at a position axially distant from said neck end;

said neck being adapted for insertion into said fill port adaptor opening and said neck flange of said second head and said second flange of said fill port adaptor being adapted for mutual attachment;

a second generally cylindrical clamp assembly having extensions for engaging said second flange of said fill port adaptor and said neck flange of said second head whereby said head is removably secured to said fill port adaptor; and

a seal disposed between said second head and said fill port adaptor.

7. The tank system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of heads comprises:

a fitting; and

a threaded adaptor having said neck and neck flange extending therefrom and threadedly secured to said fitting.