Transport tank for hazardous fluids

Abstract

The transport tank (1) for hazardous fluids comprises: - at least one container body (2) defining at least one compartment (3) containing at least one hazardous fluid to be transported; - at least one connecting hose (4) to the compartment (3), the connecting hose (4) being connected to the compartment (3) in a fluid-operated manner to convey the fluid outside the compartment (3); - a supporting assembly (6) of the connecting hose (4) comprising at least one supporting body (5) which moves in rotation around an axis of rotation (A), the connecting hose (4) being unwound and wound around the supporting body (5) as a result of the rotation of the latter; - at least one housing seat (15) made on the container body (2) and adapted to house at least part of the supporting assembly (6).

Description

[0001] TRANSPORT TANK FOR HAZARDOUS FLUIDS

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a transport tank for hazardous fluids.

[0004] Background Art

[0005] In particular, this type of tank is used for transporting, e.g. by road, of hazardous fluids, such as flammable liquids, such as fuels or the like.

[0006] Such tanks must therefore be manufactured in accordance with stringent regulations and agreements, such as ADR (International Agreement for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road), to enable the safe transport of hazardous liquids.

[0007] For this reason, transport tanks of known type are manufactured according to important technical and structural requirements that make them particularly safe to transport and use.

[0008] In addition, this type of tank is built into appropriate dispensing means used to dispense the liquid outside the tank, e.g. for refueling or similar purposes.

[0009] In particular, it is common practice to provide the transport tanks of known type with special pumps allowing the liquid to be dispensed through a suitable connecting hose with a dispensing spraying gun at its end.

[0010] In this way, this type of tank is used both for the transport of hazardous liquids and for their dispensing.

[0011] However, this type of tank is susceptible to improvement.

[0012] In particular, it is advantageous to provide such transport tanks with very long connecting hoses. In this way, it is possible to dispense the liquid contained in the tank over long distances without the need to move the tank itself.

[0013] This means that, after dispensing the liquid, the connecting hose generally remains free or, at most, housed in special compartments in the tank.

[0014] This drawback exposes the hose to the risk of damage and jeopardizes the functionality of the tank.

[0015] Furthermore, this drawback promotes tangling of the hose and therefore complicates the liquid dispensing operation.

[0016] As a result, this type of tank is very often used in combination with special supports around which the hose is wound. This expedient allows the hose to be stored in a simple and orderly maimer, thus reducing the risk of damaging it and simplifying fluid dispensing operations.

[0017] However, this support is a separate structure that is added to the accessory equipment to be transported together with the tank, thus making the use and transport of the tank itself more complex.

[0018] To overcome this drawback, it is common practice to alter the original characteristics of commercially available tanks in order to fit them directly with a temporary support around which the hose can be wound.

[0019] However, these supports prove to be unstable, fragile, and inconvenient to use. Furthermore, alterations to the tank may render it non-compliant with the current regulations and / or agreements and therefore subject to penalties unless the necessary permits and / or certifications of compliance are obtained again following the alteration of the tank.

[0020] In addition, the alterations made may jeopardize the structural integrity and functionality of the tank, resulting in a risk of breakage, malfunction, and the like.

[0021] Description of the Invention

[0022] The main aim of the present invention is to devise a transport tank for hazardous fluids which allows the connecting hose to be stored neatly, without the risk of the hose becoming tangled or damaged.

[0023] An additional object of the present invention is to devise a transport tank for hazardous fluids which allows the connecting hose to be stored and used conveniently, easily, and quickly.

[0024] A further object of the present invention is to devise a transport tank for hazardous fluids which allows the connecting hose to be stored in compliance with current agreements and / or regulations for the transport of such liquids.

[0025] Another object of the present invention is to devise a transport tank for hazardous fluids which allows the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome in a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as affordable solution.

[0026] The aforementioned objects are achieved by the present transport tank for hazardous fluids having the characteristics of claim 1.

[0027] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a collection tank for hazardous liquids, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 is an axonometric view of the transport tank according to the invention m use;

[0029] Figure 2 is a partly exploded axonometric view of the transport tank according to the invention;

[0030] Figure 3 is an axonometric view of the tank according to the invention. Embodiments of the invention

[0031] With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally denotes a transport tank for hazardous fluids.

[0032] In the context of this disclosure, the term “hazardous fluids” refers preferably, but not exclusively, to liquid fuels of the type of gasoline or diesel.

[0033] It cannot, however, be ruled out that this expression may refer to hazardous gases or liquids of a different nature.

[0034] The tank 1 comprises a container body 2 defining at least one compartment 3 containing at least one hazardous fluid to be transported.

[0035] Advantageously, the compartment 3 has a containment volume of the hazardous fluid of less than 500L.

[0036] Preferably, the hazardous fluid is of the fuel type or the like.

[0037] Usefully, the container body 2 is at least partly made of polymeric material.

[0038] It cannot be ruled out from the scope of this disclosure that the plastic material may be of the conductive or semiconductive type.

[0039] In the latter case, the hazardous liquid is gasoline.

[0040] The technical expedient of providing the container body 2 made at least partly of conductive or semiconductive material allows the elimination of static electricity that can cause the gasoline contained in the tank 1 to become flammable.

[0041] In addition, the tank 1 comprises at least one connecting hose 4 to the compartment 3. In particular, the connecting hose 4 is connected to the compartment 3 in a fluid-operated maimer to convey the hazardous fluid outside the compartment itself.

[0042] Usefully, the connecting hose 4 is a flexible hose adapted to convey the hazardous fluid inside it.

[0043] According to the invention, the tank 1 comprises a supporting assembly 6 of the connecting hose 4, comprising at least one supporting body 5 movable in rotation around an axis of rotation A.

[0044] Advantageously, the supporting assembly 6 is made at least partly of metal.

[0045] Preferably, this metal material comprises aluminum or its alloys.

[0046] In detail, the axis of rotation A is arranged, in use, substantially horizontally.

[0047] Furthermore, the connecting hose 4 is unwound and wound around the supporting body 5 as a result of the rotation of the latter.

[0048] More specifically, the rotation of the supporting body 5 allows an operator to pull one end of the connecting hose 4 to unwind it from the supporting body itself.

[0049] In fact, pulling the connecting hose 4 causes the supporting body 5 to rotate, which in turn allows the connecting hose 4 to be unwound.

[0050] Appropriately, the connecting hose 4 comprises a connecting end, not visible in detail in the figures, centered to the axis of rotation A and coupled to at least a first union hose 8 connected to the compartment 3 in a fluid-operated manner.

[0051] In detail, the connecting hose 4 comprises a free end, opposite the connecting end 7.

[0052] In particular, the free end is adapted to dispense the hazardous liquid and is preferably connected to a dispensing spraying gun 10.

[0053] Preferably, the tank 1 comprises the dispensing spraying gun 10.

[0054] In addition, the first union hose 8 has a first end portion associated with the connecting hose 4 and a second end portion associated with a hose union 9, described later in this disclosure.

[0055] Usefully, the first union hose 8 is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material and extends inside the cavity of the supporting body 5.

[0056] In particular, the connecting end 7 is arranged inside the cavity of the supporting body 5.

[0057] To allow fluid-operated connection between the interior of the compartment 3 and the connecting hose 4, the tank 1 comprises a hose union 9 associated with the supporting assembly 6 and coupled to a second union hose 11.

[0058] More specifically, the second union hose 11 has a first end 12 associated with the hose union 9 and a second end 13 coupled to an inlet port 14 of the compartment 3.

[0059] The tank 1 also comprises at least one housing seat 15 made on the container body 2 and adapted to house at least part of the supporting assembly 6.

[0060] Advantageously, the supporting assembly 6 comprises at least one pair of supporting flanges 7 arranged parallel to each other within the housing seat 15, the supporting body 5 being positioned between the supporting flanges 7.

[0061] Preferably, the housing seat 15 extends within the compartment 3 and is accessible from the outside.

[0062] This means that the housing seat 15 is built into the container body 2.

[0063] In particular, the housing seat 15 is specially designed to accommodate the supporting body 5 and the supporting flanges 7.

[0064] More specifically, the housing seat 15 is arranged on top of the compartment 3.

[0065] Usefully, the container body 2 is provided with at least one upper surface 16 which, in use, is preferably arranged substantially horizontally.

[0066] Furthermore, in use, the housing seat 15 extends downwards, towards the interior of the compartment 3, starting from the upper surface 16.

[0067] Preferably, the container body 2 has a polygonal cross-section, e.g. octagonal.

[0068] Advantageously, the housing seat 15 has a conformation which is substantially complementary to the supporting assembly 6.

[0069] This aspect is of fundamental functional importance because it allows the supporting flanges 7 to be aligned in such a way as to ensure their mutual alignment and concentricity with respect to the axis of rotation A, thus avoiding the risk that, during rotation, the supporting body 5 tilts or oscillates.

[0070] As can be seen in the figures, the supporting flanges 7 are fitted to size within the housing seat 15, by abutting against the relevant side walls in such a way as to allow the rotation of the supporting body 5. In summary, the supporting flanges 7 block the supporting body 5 along the axis of rotation A, thus allowing free and controlled rotation.

[0071] The rotational constraint defined by the combination of the supporting flanges 7 with the supporting body 5 ensures that shifts or other movements are prevented.

[0072] In detail, the supporting assembly 6 comprises at least one bearing, not visible in detail in the figures, placed between a supporting flange and the supporting body 5.

[0073] This ensures a reduction in the friction generated by the contact between the supporting body 5 and each of the supporting flanges 7.

[0074] Advantageously, the supporting assembly 6 comprises at least one elastic booster body, not visible in the figures, coupled at least to the supporting body 5.

[0075] In particular, the elastic body is at least partly elastically loaded when the connecting hose 4 is unwound from the supporting body 5, tending to rotate the same supporting body to wind the same hose around it, and is at least partly elastically unloaded when the connecting hose 4 is wound around the supporting body 5.

[0076] In particular, the elastic body is elastically loaded during the unwinding of the connecting hose 4, e.g. by a user.

[0077] Therefore, when the connecting hose 4 is released and / or following the activation of appropriate controls, e.g. of the mechanical, electronic, or similar type, the elastically loaded elastic body operates on the supporting body 5, moving it in rotation to rewind the connecting hose 4 onto the same supporting body 5.

[0078] Preferably, the elastic body is of the coil spring type.

[0079] For example, the coil spring is fitted within the cavity of the supporting body 5. Advantageously, the tank 1 comprises at least one pumping member, not shown in the figures, coupled to the container body 2.

[0080] Preferably, the pumping member is of the volumetric pump type or the like. Advantageously, the tank 1 comprises opening / closing means 17 of the upper surface, mounted on the tank 1 and provided with at least one opening / closing body 18, movable between at least one closed position and at least one open position, wherein it prevents and allows access to the upper surface and, therefore, to the housing seat 15.

[0081] It has, in practice, been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects.

[0082] In particular, the building of the supporting assembly into the tank allows the connecting hose to be stored neatly, without the risk of the hose becoming tangled or damaged.

[0083] In addition, the supporting assembly allows the connecting hose to be used conveniently, easily, and quickly.

[0084] Furthermore, the manufacture of the supporting assembly built into the tank makes it possible to devise a transport tank for hazardous liquids that allows the connecting hose to be stored in a simple and orderly maimer in compliance with current agreements and / or regulations for the transport of such liquids.

Claims

CLAIMS1) Transport tank (1) for hazardous fluids, comprising: at least one container body (2) defining at least one compartment (3) containing at least one hazardous fluid to be transported; at least one connecting hose (4) to said compartment (3), said connecting hose (4) being connected to said compartment (3) in a fluid-operated maimer to convey the fluid outside said compartment (3); characterized by the fact that it comprises: a supporting assembly (6) of said connecting hose (4) comprising at least one supporting body (5) which moves in rotation around an axis of rotation (A), said connecting hose (4) being unwound and wound around said supporting body (5) as a result of the rotation of the latter; at least one housing seat (15) made on said container body (2) and adapted to house at least part of said supporting assembly (6).2) Tank (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said supporting assembly (6) comprises at least one pair of supporting flanges (7) arranged parallel to each other within said housing seat (15), said supporting body (5) being positioned between said supporting flanges (7).3) Tank (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said housing seat (15) extends within said compartment (3) and is accessible from the outside.4) Tank (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said housing seat (15) has a conformation which is substantially complementary to said supporting assembly (6).5) Tank (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said supporting flanges (7) are fitted to size within said housing seat (15) by abutting against the relevant side walls thereof in such a way as to allow the rotation of said supporting body (5).6) Tank (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said container body (2) is made at least partly of polymeric material.7) Tank (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said compartment (3) has a containment volume of said hazardous fluid of less than 5001.8) Tank (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said supporting assembly (6) is made at least partly of metallic material.9) Tank (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said supporting assembly (6) comprises at least one elastic booster body coupled at least to said supporting body (5), said elastic booster body being at least partly elastically loaded when said connecting hose (4) is unwound from said supporting body (5), tending to rotate the same supporting body to wind around the same hose, and being at least partly elastically unloaded when said connecting hose (4) is wound around said supporting body (5).10) Tank (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said connecting hose (4) comprises a connecting end centered to said axis of rotation (A) coupled to at least a first union hose (8) in fluid- operated connection to said compartment (3).

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