CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/576,985, filed Oct. 25, 2017 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/665,311, filed May 1, 2018, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

BACKGROUND

Storage tanks for petroleum products such as gasoline and oil are ubiquitous in developed nations throughout the world. In the United States alone there are over one-hundred oil refineries, each having multiple storage tanks for storing gasoline produced at the facility.

In order to ensure the integrity of the storage tanks against contamination and to ensure the accuracy of the refining process, operators of refineries regularly test the stored petroleum product by retrieving samples from each tank and analyzing the samples in a laboratory. Likewise, purchasers of petroleum products regularly have samples collected and analyzed by inspection companies to ensure quality and to validate octane levels in the product to be delivered.

Petroleum samples from the tanks are typically collected by a technician who climbs to the top of the tank, typically via a ladder attached to the side of the tank, while carrying a supply of empty sample jars in an open aluminum frame carrying rack. One or more samples are retrieved from the tank, typically retrieved from various depths within the storage tank. The collected samples are placed into corresponding glass sample jars, sealed with a lid and labeled, and placed back into the open aluminum frame carrying rack. The technician then carries the rack containing the filled jars back down the ladder from the top of the tank. Once the technician arrives at his field vehicle, the samples are transferred one at a time from the carrying rack to a large storage container on the vehicle which provides a secure enclosure for sample jars. The jars are transported to an inspection lab where they are transferred out of the storage containers on the vehicle, and back into the open frame aluminum carrying racks to be carried into the lab from the field vehicle.

While the current system of collecting and transporting petroleum samples is effective, it is not efficient and not without numerous safety concerns. First, because the collected gasoline samples cannot be transported from the field to the lab in the open aluminum racks, the samples must be handled multiple times as described above, transferred from the racks to the storage containers on the transport vehicles and back again for carrying into the lab. This is an inefficient use of the operator's and inspection company's time and introduces multiple opportunities for human error in handling the sample jars.

Furthermore, because the aluminum carrying rack is open at the top and sides, any misstep by the technician can result in broken sample jars, rendering the samples useless. This creates significant inefficiencies since the operator must return to the tank farm, climb back to the top of tank, and pull as many as twelve new samples all over again.

It should be further be understood that broken sample jars of gasoline create a hazardous waste spill that must be remediated. Associated fines as well as the costs of hazardous waste remediation can range from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Finally, any dropped or spilled jars create a safety hazard to the technician due to exposure to the spilled gasoline. Dropping a rack of full sample jars creates the potential for a technician to be covered in up to three gallons of gasoline, exposure to broken glass shards, and exposure to an extremely dangerous slipping hazard on the tank steps that could result in a fall from sixty feet or greater.

Thus, it can be seen that there remains a need in the art for an improved system for safely and securely transporting petroleum samples for laboratory analysis.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention are defined by the claims below, not this summary. A high-level overview of various aspects of the invention is provided here to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. In brief, this disclosure describes a petroleum sample protective transport container.

In one aspect, the container provides an integrated storage and carrying system for transporting petroleum sample jars that allows a technician to collect samples in the glass sample jars, place the jars into the container, close and seal the container, carry the container down the steps of the shore tank, and place the container onto a truck or other vehicle for transport to a laboratory facility.

In one embodiment, the container comprises a lightweight, soft-sided carrying case, defining an inner cavity and having a hingedly attached upper lid secured to the body of the case via a zipper fastener. A foam insert configured to fill the cavity within the carrying case includes a plurality of cylindrical cutouts, each cutout configured to receive a sample jar for transport. The foam insert includes a flat foam bottom portion upon which the bottoms of the jars rest. A plastic panel in the bottom interior of the carrying case is riveted to a second plastic panel on the exterior bottom of the case. A flat foam top is sewn into the lid to provide protection to the top of the sample jars when the lid is closed and secured.

The glass jars placed within the transport container of the present invention are isolated and cushioned from each other and the sides of the container itself, with the zippered lid of the container providing a barrier to leakage of liquid from the container in the event of breakage of one or more of the glass jars being transported.

In one embodiment, the sample container cutouts may be sized for quart, liter, pint, or other standard sample jar sizes.

In another embodiment, the container is configured with D-ring connectors at each end to allow attachment and use of a shoulder strap to carry the container, along with flexible hand grip straps attached to each side of the container to allow carrying the container using a single hand if desired. The D-ring and shoulder strap design greatly facilitate a much safer means of carrying the loaded container and may be used either alone or in combination with the hand grips because a user's hand grip strength can fade quickly while carrying a fully loaded rack of samples with only one hand. Another safety benefit of the D-ring and shoulder strap configuration is that inspection operators carrying the transport container using the shoulder strap have both hands free to use the railings while climbing the storage tank steps, thus facilitating a much safer transition up and down the tank steps.

In another aspect, high molecular density panels are positioned on the bottom interior and exterior of the container compartment, riveted together through the bottom layer of the bag. The panels provide a high-strength protective layer to the bottom contained sample jars as well as to the bottom of the bag, with the exterior panel further acting as a skid plate to allow the bottom of the bag to slide without catching or tearing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a petroleum sample protective transport container in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the petroleum sample protective transport container of FIG. 1 shown with the lid of the outer case in an open position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a foam insert of the petroleum sample protective container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial close-up view of a portion of the foam insert of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the petroleum sample protective transport container of FIG. 1 with the foam insert removed and showing the interior of the outer case.

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the petroleum sample protective transport container of FIG. 1 showing the bottom of the outer case.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the petroleum sample protective transport container of FIG. 1 depicting a cut-away view of the lid of the outer case containing a foam protective panel.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the foam insert of FIG. 3 in use with petroleum sample jars.

FIG. 9 is a side cut-away view of a portion of the petroleum sample protective transport container of FIG. 1 with a plurality of petroleum sample jars contained within.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the foam insert of FIG. 3 including a petroleum liquid impervious coating surrounding the external surfaces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of select embodiments of the invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. But the description itself is not intended to necessarily limit the scope of claims. Rather, the claimed subject matter might be embodied in other ways to include different components, steps, or combinations thereof similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described. The terms “about” or “approximately” as used herein denote deviations from the exact value in the form of changes or deviations that are insignificant to the function.

Looking to FIG. 1, and with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, a transport container for petroleum sample jars in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is depicted generally by the numeral 100. The container 100 comprises a generally rectangular shaped outer shell 102, comprised of front 104, back 106, bottom 108, and left 110 and right 112 end panels defining a rectangular shaped inner cavity 114. A rectangular shaped lid 116 configured to cover the open top of the container 100 is hingedly attached along one long edge to the upper edge of the back pane 106, so that the lid may be positioned between a closed position in which the lid covers the inner cavity 114 as shown in FIG. 1, and an open position in which the lid reveals the inner cavity 114 as shown in FIG. 5. Preferably, the hingedly attached lid allows opening the lid with respect to the main compartment to a least a two-hundred and sixty degree angle.

An interlocking slide fastener, or zipper 115 is affixed to the upper perimeter of the front 104 and left 110 and right 112 end panels, and to the corresponding edges of the lid 116. The zipper 115 allows the lid 116 to be secured to the main compartment of the container, using grip tabs 117 to open and close the zipper as is known in the art.

Preferably, the outer shell 102, and the corresponding front, back, bottom, and end panels are comprised of a strong, lightweight, tear-resistant material. Most preferably, the outer shell 102 is comprised of ballistic nylon.

In a preferred embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 10, a petroleum impervious coating or cover 119 is attached or placed around the front, back, end, and bottom sides of the foam insert to contain any liquid in the event of a spill or breakage of a sample jar. Most preferably, the cover 119 comprises an ultrasonically welded petrochemically resistant poly vinyl material formed as a scrim bag that completely surrounds the foam insert to provide a liquid-tight containment barrier to prevent leakage of any petroleum samples or other liquid in the event of rupture or breakage of any of the sample jars.

A pair of loop handgrips 118a, 118b, are attached to the front 104 and back 106 panels, respectively, with the loop portion of each extending upwardly to reach beyond the midpoint of the lid, so that the loops can be overlapped and joined within a handle grip 120 to form a carrying handle for the container. Each handgrip 118a, 118b is formed from a rectangular strap of material attached at opposite ends to the corresponding front 104 and back 106 panels, leaving an unattached portion forming the loop portion.

Each handgrip 118a, 118b is preferably formed from a strong, flexible material, such as a woven fiber material. Most preferably each handgrip is formed from ballistic nylon. Handle grip 120 is generally square shaped, and is wrapped into a closed loop encasing the loop portion of each handgrip 118a, 118b therebetween. Preferably, handle grip 120 includes a Velcro portion configured to allow the looped handle grip to adhere to itself to trap the handgrips therein. Most preferably, the handle grip 120 is comprised of a strong, flexible material, and is affixed to the looped portion of one of the handgrips 118a, 118b so that it is always available to secure the looped portions together.

First and second D-shaped connector loops 122a, 122b are attached to the left and right end panels 110, 112, respectively. The D connector allows attachment of an elongated carrying strap 124 having a clip-on connector at each end for attachment to the container 100. The connected carrying strap 124 extends between the two D connectors and provides a looped portion configured to fit over the shoulder to assist a user in carrying the container bag. A shoulder pad 126 positioned on the carrying strap 124 provides a cushioned pad to protect the user, and preferably includes a textured grip surface to prevent the pad 126 and carrying strap 124 from sliding off of the user's shoulder, or from repositioning itself as the weight of the container is shifted while being carried. Most preferably, the D connector loops 122a, 122b are located as near to the box center of gravity as possible so the case does not rotate when picked up using the shoulder strap.

A document pouch 128 is affixed to the front panel 104, to allow documentation associated with one or more samples being carried in the container to be stored in association with those panels. A business card pouch 120 on the lid 116 allows an owner or user of the container to insert identification, such as a business card, and preferably provides a transparent viewing window so that information is visible without removing the card from the pouch. In further embodiments, other informational or adornment emblems or badges may be attached to the lid or other surfaces of the container, such as a “Class 3 DOT Flammable” emblem indicating that the container and samples are approved for over the road transport.

Turning to FIGS. 2 through 4, a foam insert 130 is positioned within the inner cavity 114 of the container 110. The foam insert 130 includes a plurality of cutout receptacles 132 (twelve in the embodiment shown) configured to receive a petroleum sample jar. An indicia 134 of the size of sample jar the foam insert is configured to hold is preferably embossed in the top surface of the foam insert. For example, in the embodiment shown, the receptacles are sized to receive quart size petroleum sample jars, with the letter “Q” embossed as the indicia 134. Inserts configured to accept other sized jars will preferably include the appropriate indicia 134, such as “L” for liter sized jar or “P” for pint sized jars. Receptacles of various sizes may be employed within the scope of the present invention. It should be further understood that when configured for other sized jars, such as liter or pint jars, that the foam insert 130 may include more receptacles 132 (e.g., fourteen) within the same footprint as the twelve receptacles shown in the exemplary embodiment depicted for quart sized jars.

Looking to FIG. 3, foam insert 130 is preferably formed from a plurality of foam layers 136, laminated or otherwise joined together in a stacked configuration. As seen in FIG. 9, and as will be discussed in more detail below, the cutout receptacles extend through all of the foam layers except for the bottom layer 138, which remains intact to provide a cushioned base for the contained sample jars. Preferably, the foam layers 136 are comprised of polyethylene 220 foam. Bottom foam layer 138 is preferably at least one inch in thickness to provide sufficient cushioning for the contained sample jars. Preferably, each of the foam layers 136, excluding bottom layer 138, is approximately one inch to three inches thick. Most preferably, each of the foam layers, excluding bottom layer 138, are of approximately equal thicknesses. In other embodiments, the foam layers 136 may be of any thickness or thicknesses required to form a receptacle of an appropriate height to receive the desired petroleum sample jar.

In a preferred embodiment, the foam insert 130 is formed to a height approximately one-half inch greater than the height of the petroleum sample jars to be contained, such that the top surface of the jar's lid lies just below the top surface of the foam insert when the jar is inserted and seated within an opening in the foam insert. In the case of typical one-liter size sample jars, the height of the jar is approximately ten inches.

In further embodiments, the foam insert may be formed of a unitary foam block, with the receptacles cut or formed therein. Other configurations of foam layers are anticipated by and within the scope of the present invention.

Turning to FIG. 4, a close-up view of one of the receptacles 132 formed in the foam insert 132 shows the upper three foam layers 140 visible viewing into the open top of the receptacle 132

Looking to FIG. 7, an additional foam layer 142 is positioned in lid 116, within a pocket formed between two layers of material forming the lid 116. Preferably, foam layer 142 is formed of the same material as the foam layers 136 comprising the foam insert 130, such as polyethylene 220 foam. Preferably, additional foam layer 142 is approximately one-half inch in thickness.

In alternative embodiments, foam layer 142 may be affixed to the inner surface of lid 116, or may be an unattached, separate piece that is placed over the top of the foam insert 130 that is secured between the lid 116 and the upper surface of the foam insert 130 when the lid is closed.

Looking to FIGS. 5 and 6, a rigid interior bottom plate 144 is positioned within the inner cavity 114, lying on the upper surface of the bottom panel 108 of the container. The rigid interior bottom plate 144 provides a rigid support for the bottom of the container and the sample jars contained therein, and distributes load and incurred shock across the plate. A rigid exterior bottom plate 146 is positioned along the bottom surface of the bottom panel 108, substantially in alignment with the rigid interior bottom plate 144. A plurality of rivets 150 extend through the interior bottom plate 144, through the bottom panel 108, and through the exterior bottom plate 146, to secure the two plates 144, 146 together with the bottom panel 108 sandwiched therebetween. Preferably, the interior and exterior bottom plates 144, 146 are made of high molecular density plastic.

Most preferably, the rivets 150 are aluminum rivets extending through the bottom plates 144, 146, with rounded heads lying substantially flush with the corresponding panel.

Preferably, the interior and exterior bottom plates 144, 146 comprise rounded corners to avoid potential cracking and shock concentration associated with square corners.

Turning to FIG. 8, a typical petroleum sample jar, such as a Boston Round Amber Glass bottle, is designated by numeral 152. FIG. 8 also shows a plurality of sample jars 152 positioned within receptacles of the foam insert 130, with the lids of the jars lying approximately one-half inch below the upper surface of the insert. As discussed above, the foam insert may be configured to accept any desired size of sample jars, such as thirty two ounce Boston Round Amber Glass sample jars, having a height of 8.69 inches, a circumference of 12 inches, and an outer diameter of 3.6 inches, with a weight of 1.6 ounces. It should be understood that the foam insert may be configured to accept sample bottles of virtually any size or material.

Turning to FIG. 9, a side cut-away view of the transport container for petroleum sample bottles of the present invention depicts a portion of the container with a plurality of sample jars 152 placed within receptacles 132 formed in the foam insert 132, comprised of a plurality of foam layers 136. The jars 152 rest on the bottom foam layer 138, as described previously, with the rigid interior bottom plate 144 and rigid exterior bottom plate 146 providing shock protection as also described previously. The additional foam layer 142 within the lid 116 provides protection to the enclosed sample jars 152 when the lid 116 is closed.

In further embodiments, a reflective strip is affixed to at least one end or side of the lid, preferably a reflective strip is attached at each end of the lid.

From the above, it can be seen that the transport container of the present invention is well suited for securing and transporting petroleum sample jars.

Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the scope of the claims below. Embodiments of the technology have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this disclosure after and because of reading it. Alternative means of implementing the aforementioned can be completed without departing from the scope of the claims below. Identification of structures as being configured to perform a particular function in this disclosure and in the claims below is intended to be inclusive of structures and arrangements or designs thereof that are within the scope of this disclosure and readily identifiable by one of skill in the art and that can perform the particular function in a similar way.