Portable multi-compartment chemical storage and mixing tank

• US 5,984,143 A
• Filed: 10/22/1996
• Issued: 11/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BASF Corporation (BASF SE)
• Original Assignee: BASF Corporation (BASF SE)
• Inventors: Dombkowski, Richard E., Filson, Brad S., Pettis, Billy R., Vaughn, Randy L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bomberg, Kenneth
• Application Number:
  US08/734,931
• Time in Patent Office: 1,120 Days
• Field of Search: 222/51, 222/136, 222/145.5, 222/399, 222/454.1, 222/529, 222/134, 222/145.6, 222/145.7, 137/607, 137/614.2, 137/614.22, 141/382, 251/148, 251/449.8
• US Class Current: 222/134
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 7/0092 Adding active material used as well for the introduction of fertilisers in water A01C23/042
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/32 the fed liquid or other fluent material being under pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87692 With common valve operator

Abstract

A portable holding and mixing tank is provided with a valving assembly, the activation of which responsively enables substantial simultaneous flow of each dissimilar liquid contained within the respective holding compartments to a manifold assembly. The substantial simultaneous flow of each dissimilar liquid to the manifold assembly thereby minimizes (if not eliminates entirely) the possibility that incorrect mixing ratios of the dissimilar chemicals will occur. The manifold assembly mixes the liquids and discharges the mixed liquid through a meter to a transfer conduit. As such, the mixed liquids may be transferred to a storage tank (for example, a storage tank associated with agricultural spraying equipment).

Claims

1. A portable holding and mixing tank system for at least two dissimilar liquids comprising:

at least two fluid-isolated holding compartments for holding a respective one of said dissimilar liquids;

a source of pressurizing fluid which is fluid-connected to each of said at least two fluid-isolated holding compartments for pressurizing said dissimilar liquids contained therein; and

a manifold assembly fluid-connected to said at least two fluid-isolated holding compartments for receiving and mixing said at least two dissimilar liquids and discharging a mixed liquid thereof, wherein said manifold assembly includes,

(a) at least two valving assemblies fluid-connected to respective ones of said at least two fluid-isolated holding compartments, each of said valving assemblies having inactive and active positions for respectively disabling and enabling flow of said dissimilar liquids from said holding compartments; and

(b) an actuator assembly operatively coupled to said at least two valving assemblies for substantially simultaneously moving said valving assemblies between said inactive and active positions and thereby substantially simultaneously disable and enable flow of said dissimilar liquids therethrough, respectively, wherein

(c) said actuator assembly includes an elongate activation handle, and a pair of extension arms each of which hingedly interconnects a respective end of said activation handle to a respective one of said valve assemblies.

2. The tank system as in claim 1, wherein each of said valve assemblies includes a valve handle, and wherein each said extension arm is coupled to a respective said valve handle.

3. The tank system as in claim 2, wherein said extension arms include sleeve couplings which are sleeved over and coupled to said respective valve handle.

4. The tank system as in claim 1, wherein said at least two fluid-isolated holding compartments are provided by a pair of tank units located in side-by-side relationship so as to establish a space therebetween.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said manifold assembly includes a pressurizing supply conduit positioned within said established space between said pair of tank units and having one end fluid-connected to said source of pressurizing fluid, and a pair of branch supply conduits fluid-connecting said one end of said supply conduit to a respective one of said holding compartments.

6. A system as in claim 4, further comprising a cylindrical sleeve member defining circumferential edges which are rigidly joined to respective ones of said pair of tank units so as to circumferentially bound said space established therebetween.

7. A portable holding and mixing tank system for at least two dissimilar liquids comprising:

at least two fluid-isolated holding compartments for holding a respective one of said dissimilar liquids;

a source of pressurizing fluid which is fluid-connected to each of said at least two fluid-isolated holding compartments for pressurizing said dissimilar liquids contained therein; and

a manifold assembly fluid-connected to said at least two fluid-isolated holding compartments for receiving and mixing said at least two dissimilar liquids and discharging a mixed liquid thereof, wherein said manifold assembly includes,

(a) at least two valving assemblies fluid-connected to respective ones of said at least two fluid-isolated holding compartments, each of said valving assemblies having inactive and active positions for respectively disabling and enabling flow of said dissimilar liquids from said holding compartments; and

(b) an actuator assembly operatively coupled to said at least two valving assemblies for substantially simultaneously moving said valving assemblies between said inactive and active positions and thereby substantially simultaneously disable and enable flow of said dissimilar liquids therethrough, respectively, wherein

said valve assemblies each include a valve body which is vertically displaceable between raised and lowered positions in response to movement of said valve assemblies between said inactive and active positions, and wherein

said manifold assembly includes a T-coupling, and liquid supply conduits each fluid-connecting a respective said valve body to said T-coupling,

said liquid supply conduits being sufficiently flexible so as to be axially bendable in response to vertical displacements of each said valve body between said raised and lowered positions thereof.

8. A tank system for dissimilar liquids comprising:

a pair of tank units for holding a respective one of said dissimilar liquids;

a source of pressurizing fluid which is fluid-connected to each of said tank units for pressurizing the respective one of said dissimilar liquids held thereby;

a manifold assembly fluid-connected to each of said tank units for withdrawing said dissimilar liquids from said tank units;

a pair of spatially separated valve assemblies each fluid-connecting a respective one of said tank units to said manifold assembly and having inactive and active positions for respectively disabling and enabling flow of said dissimilar liquids from said tank units to said manifold assembly; and

an activation handle spanning said spatially separated valve assemblies for substantially simultaneously moving said valve assemblies between said inactive and active positions, wherein

said valve assemblies each include a valve body which is vertically displaceable between raised and lowered positions in response to movement of said valve assemblies between said inactive and active positions, and wherein

said manifold assembly includes a T-coupling, and liquid supply conduits each fluid-connecting a respective said valve body to said T-coupling,

said liquid supply conduits being sufficiently flexible so as to be axially bendable in response to vertical displacements of each said valve body between said raised and lowered positions thereof.

9. The tank system as in claim 8, wherein said at least two fluid-isolated holding compartments are provided by a pair of tank units located in side-by-side relationship so as to establish a space therebetween.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said manifold assembly includes a pressurizing supply conduit positioned within said established space between said pair of tank units and having one end fluid-connected to said source of pressurizing fluid, and a pair of branch supply conduits fluid-connecting said one end of said supply conduit to a respective one of said holding compartments.

11. A system as in claim 9, further comprising a cylindrical sleeve member defining circumferential edges which are rigidly joined to respective ones of said pair of tank units so as to circumferentially bound said space established therebetween.

12. A tank system for dissimilar liquids comprising:

a pair of tank units for holding a respective one of said dissimilar liquids;

a source of pressurizing fluid which is fluid-connected to each of said tank units for pressurizing the respective one of said dissimilar liquids held thereby;

a manifold assembly fluid-connected to each of said tank units for withdrawing said dissimilar liquids from said tank units;

a pair of spatially separated valve assemblies each fluid-connecting a respective one of said tank units to said manifold assembly and having inactive and active positions for respectively disabling and enabling flow of said dissimilar liquids from said tank units to said manifold assembly; and

an activation handle spanning said spatially separated valve assemblies for substantially simultaneously moving said valve assemblies between said inactive and active positions, wherein

said activation handle includes a pair of extension arms each of which hingedly interconnects a respective end of said activation handle to a respective one of said valve assemblies.

13. The tank system as in claim 12, wherein each of said valve assemblies includes a valve handle, and wherein each said extension arm is coupled to a respective said valve handle.

14. The tank system as in claim 13, wherein said extension arms include sleeve couplings which are sleeved over and coupled to said respective valve handle.