FLEXIBLE TANK WITH A MIXING MEMBER

Abstract

A flexible tank (10, 110) for transporting fluids in a transportation container (12) is described, the flexible tank (10, 110) defining a tank (10) volume for containing a fluid. The flexible tank (10, 110) comprises at least one mixing member (146, 46) enclosing a fluid pathway (160, 60) extending across an interior surface (144, 44) of the flexible tank (10, 110), the flexible tank (10, 110) further comprising at least one inlet valve (140, 40) configured to allow the passage of fluid from outside said flexible tank (10, 110) into said fluid pathway (160, 60). The mixing member (146, 46) further comprises at least one aperture (154) such that the inlet valve (140, 40) is in fluid communication with the tank (10) volume via the fluid pathway (160, 60). An intermodal container (12) comprising the flexible tank (10, 110) and a method of mixing a fluid with the tank (10) are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A flexible tank for transporting fluids in a transportation container, the flexible tank defining a tank volume for containing a fluid, the flexible tank comprising at least one mixing member enclosing a fluid pathway extending across an interior surface of the flexible tank, the flexible tank further comprising at least one inlet valve configured to allow passage of fluid from outside the flexible tank into the fluid pathway, wherein the at least one mixing member further comprises at least one aperture such that the at least one inlet valve is in fluid communication with the tank volume via the fluid pathway.

2. The flexible tank of claim 1, wherein the at least one mixing member extends across at least 50% of an interior surface of the flexible tank.

3. The flexible tank of claim 1, wherein the at least one mixing member extends across at least 75% an interior surface of the flexible tank.

4. The flexible tank of claim 1, wherein the flexible tank further comprises at least one outlet valve configured to allow passage of fluid out of the tank volume.

5. The flexible tank of claim 4 wherein, in use, the outlet valve is located in an upper surface of the flexible tank.

6. The flexible tank of claim 1, wherein, in use, the at least one mixing member extends across a lower surface of the flexible tank.

7. The flexible tank of claim 1, wherein the at least one mixing member extends across a largest interior surface of the flexible tank.

8. The flexible tank of claim 1, wherein the at least one mixing member is attached along substantially an entire length of the at least one mixing member to the interior surface of the flexible tank.

9. The flexible tank of claim 1, wherein a cross sectional area of the at least one aperture is smaller than a cross sectional area of the fluid pathway.

10. The flexible tank of claim 1, wherein the at least one mixing member reduces in cross sectional area along a longitudinal axis of the at least one mixing member.

11. The flexible tank of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis of the at least one mixing member is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the flexible tank.

12. The flexible tank of claim 1, wherein the at least one mixing member comprises a plurality of apertures.

13. The flexible tank of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of apertures are located on the surface of the at least one mixing member which is distal from the interior surface of the flexible tank which the mixing member extends across.

14. The flexible tank of claim 12, wherein the plurality of apertures comprises at least one portion of aligned apertures.

15. The flexible tank of claim 12, wherein the apertures of the plurality of apertures are substantially evenly distributed along a length of the at least one mixing member.

16. The flexible tank of claim 12, wherein the plurality of apertures is configured to allow fluid to egress from the fluid pathway through each of the apertures of the plurality of apertures into the tank volume simultaneously.

17. The flexible tank of claim 1, wherein the flexible tank comprises a plurality of mixing members.

18. The flexible tank of claim 17, wherein the flexible tank comprises a plurality of inlet valves, and each one of the plurality of inlet valves is connected to a different mixing member within the plurality of mixing members.

19. An intermodal container, the intermodal container containing a flexible tank according to claim 1.

20. A method of mixing the fluid contents of a flexible tank, the method comprising the steps of: providing a flexible tank according to claim 1, the flexible tank containing at least one fluid within the tank volume; providing a mixing fluid; pumping the mixing fluid into the at least one mixing member via the at least one inlet valve such that the mixing fluid flows though the fluid pathway and through the at least one aperture into the tank volume to mix the at least one fluid within the tank volume.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0056] FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a first example embodiment of a flexible tank, in use, in accordance with the present claimed invention;

[0057] FIG. 2 shows an isometric cut-away view of a first example embodiment of a flexible tank in accordance with the present claimed invention;

[0058] FIG. 3 shows a top-down cut-away away of a second example embodiment of a flexible tank in accordance with the present claimed invention; and

[0059] FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of a mixing member of a second embodiment of a flexible tank in accordance with the present claimed invention.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 1, an isometric view of a flexible tank 10 positioned and housed within an intermodal transportation container 12 is depicted in accordance with a first embodiment of the present claimed invention. The flexible tank 10 is depicted in use and containing a fluid. The flexible tank 10 is substantially cuboid with and comprises six principle faces: an upper face 14, a lower face (not shown), a front face 16, a rear face 18 and two side faces 20. The flexible tank further comprises additional front and rear chamfer faces 22, 24. The front chamfer faces 22 are located between the front face 16 and the side faces 20, whilst the rear chamfer faces 24 are located between the rear face 18 and the side faces 20. The orientation of the chamfer is arranged such that the internal angles between the side faces 20 and the front and rear chamfered faces 22, 24 is larger than the internal angles between the front and rear faces 16, 18 and the front and rear chamfered faces 22, 24.

[0061] In use, the flexible tank 10 occupies approximately 50% of the volume of the container 12, and the upper face 14 is located at approximately 50% of the height of the side walls 26 of the container 12. Also, the rear face 18 abuts the rear end wall 28 of the container 12, the side faces 20 abut the side walls 26 of the container 12, the lower face (not shown) abuts the base of the container 12 and the front face 16 abuts a bulkhead assembly 30.

[0062] The container 12 comprises doors 32 which are arranged to allow access to the internal volume of the container 12. A bulkhead assembly 30 extends across the entire width of the lower portion of the doorway of the doors 32. The bulkhead assembly 30 is connected to container 12 such that the assembly 30 is arranged to prevent the front face 16 and the fluid contents of the flexible tank 10 from impacting the doors 32. The structural rigidity and strength of the bulkhead assembly 30 is derived from the vertical 34 and horizontal 36 support members, which extend across the height and width of the bulkhead assembly 30 respectively.

[0063] The front face 16 comprises a two-way valve 38 and two one-way inlet valves 40. The three valves 38, 40 are evenly distributed and aligned horizontally at approximately the same height across the front face 16, where the two-way valve 38 is located centrally and is flanked by the two inlet valves 40. The flexible tank 10 also comprises an additional one-way outlet valve 42 located on its upper face 14. The outlet valve 42 is positioned on the upper face 14 such that it is closer to the front face 16 than to the rear face 18 and is positioned equidistantly between the side faces 20. This positioning results in the outlet valve 42 being above the level of any liquid being held within the flexible tank 10.

[0064] The two-way valve 38 is arranged for the loading and unloading of fluid into the volume of the flexible tank 10. The two inlet valves 40 are arranged to ingress fluid into the flexible tank 10 in the manner specified below.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 2, an isometric cut-away view of a first example embodiment of a flexible tank 10 in accordance with the present claimed invention is depicted. The cut-away view is taken in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tank 10 to show the interior surface 44 of the lower face of the flexible tank 10, such that the majority of the interior surface 44 of the lower face is shown.

[0066] The flexible tank 10 comprises one-way inlet valves 40 that are arranged to ingress a mixing fluid via a specific pathway into the flexible tank 10, such that the mixing fluid mixes and agitates the fluid contained by the flexible tank 10 in the tank volume. Each one-way inlet valve 40 is fluidly connected to an individual mixing member 46, such that mixing fluid pumped into the flexible tank 10 through the one-way inlet valves 40 enters the fluid pathway 60 enclosed by its corresponding mixing member 46. Here, two mixing members 46 are used, each mixing member 46 attached to one of the inlet valves 40. Embodiments of are envisaged where each inlet valve 40 is attached to a plurality of mixing members 46.

[0067] Each mixing member 46 extends from its corresponding inlet valve 40 on the front face 16 across the interior surface 44 of the lower face to the rear face 18. As such, each mixing member 46 extends across the largest interior surface of the flexible tank 10.

[0068] Each mixing member 46 comprises two substantially straight linear portions: an angled portion 48 and a parallel portion 50. These portions linked by a bend 52. The angled portion 48 of each mixing member 46 extends from the front face 16 at an angle offset from the normal of the front face 16 and offset at an angle from the longitudinal axis of the flexible tank 10. The angle of offset is such that the angled portions 48 of the two mixing members 46 extend away from one another towards the side walls 20, as they extend across the interior surface 44 of the lower face and into the flexible tank 10. Each angled portion 48 extends linearly across approximately one-third of the interior surface 44 of the interior surface. The angled portion 48 lies in a plane substantially parallel to one of the front chamfered faces 22.

[0069] The angled portion 48 terminates with a bend, or angle, 52 in the mixing member 46. The bend 52 angles the mixing member 46 such that the next portion of the mixing member 46, the parallel portion 50, extends in a direction substantially parallel to the normal of the front face 16 and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tank 10. That is, the angle of the bend 52 counteracts the angle of offset of the angled portion 48. The parallel portion 50 of the mixing member 46 extends from the bend 52 along for approximately two-thirds of the longest axis of the interior surface 44 of the lower face towards the rear face 16.

[0070] The mixing member 46 is attached by a weld along the entirety of its length to the interior surface 44 of the lower face. Additionally, the end of each mixing member 46 which opposes the connection to their respective inlet valve 40 is attached to the interior surface of the rear face 18 by a weld.

[0071] Each mixing member 46 is a substantially tubular pipe, where the cross section shape of each mixing member 46 is substantially circular. The width of the cross section of the mixing member 46 is substantially similar to the width of its corresponding one-way inlet valve 40.

[0072] Each mixing members 46 comprises a plurality of apertures 54. The plurality of apertures 54 are arranged to enable mixing fluid that has been pumped into the fluid pathway 60 of the mixing members 46 to leave the fluid pathway 60 at predetermined points and enter the main body of fluid contained by the flexible tank 10 in the tank volume. The apertures 54 are distributed along the entire length of the mixing members 46 such that mixing fluid can enter the tank volume of the flexible tank 10 along the entire length of the mixing members 46.

[0073] The plurality of apertures 54 comprises two subsets of apertures: angled portion apertures 56 and parallel portion apertures 58.

[0074] The angled portion apertures 56 are located on the angled portion 48 and are arranged to form a spiral pattern around the perimeter of the angled portion 48. The apertures of the angled portion apertures 56 closest to the inlet valve 40 are angled substantially inwardly and towards the other mixing member 46 and the side face 20 furthest away. The apertures of the angled portion 56 form a spiral pattern such that each subsequent aperture along the angled portion 56 spirals along the perimeter of the mixing member 46 to be angled away from the other mixing member 46 and the furthest side face 20, and angled towards the closest side face 20.

[0075] The parallel portion apertures 58 are located predominantly on the parallel portion 50 of the mixing member 46. The parallel portion apertures 58 are predominantly aligned in a straight line which is located on the uppermost surface of the mixing member 46, such that the apertures 58 are directed towards the upper face 14. The parallel portion apertures 58 are distal from the connection of the mixing member 46 to the interior surface 44.

[0076] Both the parallel portion apertures 58 and the angled portion apertures 56 are substantially circular and have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the mixing member 46. The parallel portion apertures 58 have a larger opening than the angled portion apertures 56.

[0077] The flexible tank 10 and its faces are fabricated from single-ply polyethylene (polyethene) sheets. The flexible tank may be made from one or more polyethylene sheets which are permanently attached to each by one or another by fluid-tight welds. In alternative embodiments, the flexible tank 10 is fabricated from multi-ply polymer sheets and is enclosed by a protective outer layer.

[0078] Typically, the mixing member 46 is fabricated from the same material as the flexible tank 10. As such, the mixing members 46 and the flexible tank 10 substantially comprise polyethylene. As such, the substantial majority of the mixing members 46 are flexible. The mixing members 46 are highly flexible and can be easily folded back on itself. The mixing member 46 is attached to the lower face by a polymer weld. The weld substantially comprises the same polymer as the flexible tank 10 and the mixing member 46. It is envisaged that other polymers, materials and combination thereof can be used to provide the flexible tank, mixing member and weld.

[0079] Referring now to FIG. 3, a second embodiment of a flexible tank 110 in accordance with the present claimed invention is depicted. This second embodiment of the invention comprises an upper face, a lower face, a front face 116, a rear face 118, two side faces 120, front chamfered faces 122, rear chamfered faces 124, a two-way valve 138, two inlet valves 140, an outlet valve, an interior surface of the lower face 144 and a fluid pathway 160 broadly equivalent to those of the first embodiment of the invention. The second embodiment is also dimensioned to be accommodated within transportation containers in a similar manner to the first embodiment. Additionally, the second embodiment of this flexible tank is fabricated using the same techniques and materials as detailed for the first embodiment.

[0080] The mixing member 46 of the first embodiment and the mixing member 146 of the second embodiment are broadly similar in purpose. The main difference between the mixing member 46 of the first embodiment and mixing member 146 of the second embodiment is the shape and design of the mixing member 146.

[0081] Accordingly, the flexible tank 110 comprises two mixing members 146 both of which extend from their corresponding inlet valves 140 on the front face 116 across the interior surface 144 of the lower face towards the rear face 118. In this embodiment, the mixing member 146 extends approximately 80% of the distance between the front face 116 and the rear face 118. As such, each mixing member 146 extends across the largest interior surface of the flexible tank 110. The longitudinal axis of the mixing member 146 lies in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the flexible tank 110.

[0082] FIG. 4 depicts the mixing member 146 of the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the mixing member 146 is a tubular pipe which is frustoconically shaped and defines a fluid pathway 160 which is also frustoconically shaped. The mixing member 146 has a substantially circular cross section along its entire length, and the diameter of the mixing member 146 decreases linearly along its longitudinal axis. The base of the frustoconically shaped mixing member 146, that is the portion with the largest diameter, is attached proximate an inlet valve 140 to provide a fluid pathway 160 from the exterior of the flexible tank 110 to the tank volume.

[0083] Along the length of the mixing member 146 are provided a plurality of apertures 154, which are broadly similar to the plurality of apertures 154 of the first embodiment, as the plurality of apertures 154 are arranged to enable mixing fluid that has been pumped into the fluid pathway 160 of the mixing members 146 to leave the fluid pathway 160 at predetermined points and enter the main body of fluid contained by the flexible tank 110 in the tank volume. The apertures 154 are distributed along the entire length of the mixing members 146 such that mixing fluid can enter the tank volume of the flexible tank 110 along the entire length of the mixing members 146.

[0084] Unlike the first embodiment, the second embodiment of the plurality of apertures 146 comprises an end aperture 162. The end aperture is located on the planar truncated surface of the frustoconically shaped mixing member 146. The plurality of apertures 146, including the end aperture 162, are distributed substantially evenly along the length of the mixing member 146. The apertures of the plurality of apertures have substantially circular cross sections.

[0085] The apertures 164 of the plurality of apertures 154 proximate and closest to the inlet valve 140 are smaller than the rest of the apertures of the plurality of apertures 154, whilst the end aperture 162, which is the aperture furthest from the inlet value 140, is the largest aperture of the plurality of apertures 154. The remaining middle apertures 166 of the plurality of aperture 154 are all identically sized and smaller than the end aperture 162 and larger than the inlet valve proximate aperture 164. The middle apertures have a diameter of approximately double the diameter of the inlet valve proximate aperture 164, and approximately one-fifth the diameter of the end aperture 162. The apertures in the plurality of apertures 154 are substantially aligned in a straight line.

[0086] The mixing member 146 is fabricated from a single sheet of appropriate polymeric material that had been rolled in a cone and secured in place by a bar weld. The rolling of the mixing member 146 is performed such that a tab of the single sheet is left attached along the length of the frustoconical mixing member 146. This tab of material is welded to the interior surface of the lower surface 144 of the flexible tank 110 by an extrusion weld to secure the mixing member 146 inside the tank. The weld is performed along substantially the entire length of the mixing member 146. The mixing member 146 is also secured to the interior surface of the front surface 116 by a weld 168. The weld 168 and attachment of the mixing member 146 to the front surface 116 is arranged such that any fluid that enters the flexible tank 110 through an inlet valve 140 enters the fluid pathway 160 defined by a mixing member 146 before it can enter the main volume of the flexible tank 110. The weld 168 is formed by splaying the end of mixing member 146 into tabs which can then extrusion welded to the interior surface of the front face 116. As such, the weld 168 comprises several sub-welds.