Injection-Molded Spillage Container with Integral Ribs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing load line connection spillage containers require reinforcing steel collars, plates, and saddles for ruggedness, which is undesirable, especially in oil field applications where a more robust, corrosion-resistant, and wear-resistant solution is needed to contain spills effectively.

Innovation Solution

An injection-molded load line connection spillage container with integrally molded reinforcing ribs and gussets for strength, along with optional assemblies for secure mounting, cleanout, sampling, and flow measurement, eliminating the need for additional steel reinforcement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If reinforcing steel collars, plates, and saddles are used to strengthen the load line container, then the container achieves sufficient ruggedness for oil field applications, but the device complexity and weight increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer ruggednessVSAvoidnumber of reinforcing components

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the reinforcing function directly into the container body by molding ribs and gussets as integral parts of the polyethylene container structure. This merging of structural reinforcement with the container body eliminates the need for separate steel collars, plates, and saddles, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the required ruggedness for oil field applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite structure combining polyethylene material with molded-in rib and gusset features. The polyethylene base material provides corrosion resistance and basic structural integrity, while the molded rib and gusset features provide additional structural reinforcement. This composite approach achieves the required strength without needing separate steel reinforcement components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer ruggednessVSAvoidapparatus weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing features are merged into the container body as integral molded parts rather than separate steel components. This integration eliminates the weight of multiple steel reinforcement pieces (collars, plates, saddles) while maintaining the structural strength needed for rugged oil field use through the molded rib and gusset design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the structural parameters of the polyethylene container by incorporating molded rib and gusset features that increase structural stiffness and strength. These parameter changes in the container geometry provide the necessary ruggedness without adding the significant weight that would result from using steel reinforcement components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If steel collars, plates, and saddles are used to strengthen the load line container, then the container achieves sufficient ruggedness, but corrosion and wear resistance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer ruggednessVSAvoidcorrosion and wear

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The structural reinforcement function is merged into the polyethylene container body through molded rib and gusset features. Since the entire structure is made of polyethylene rather than combining polyethylene with steel components, the container achieves uniform corrosion and wear resistance throughout, eliminating the harmful effects of steel corrosion in oily environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a homogeneous container structure where the entire container, including all reinforcing features, is made from the same polyethylene material. This material homogeneity ensures uniform corrosion and wear resistance across the entire container surface, eliminating the differential corrosion issues that would arise from having steel reinforcement components attached to the polyethylene body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

Data Source

PatentUS9151428B2Load line connection spillage container

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 ANTI-POLLUTION INNOVATIONS LP

AI summary

An injection-molded load line connection spillage container for catching and retaining liquid spilled when liquids are pumped between storage tanks and tankers provides an injection-molded reservoir and an injection-molded cover attached to the reservoir by hinges. Reinforcing ribs molded into the reservoir provide strength and ruggedness without the need for reinforcing steel collars and saddles. Gussets molded into the reservoir hinge brackets ensure repeated stresses produced by energetic opening of the cover does not result in failure of the hinge brackets. An optional load line mounting assembly permits secure mounting of the load line container directly onto the load line. An optional cleanout assembly provides a valved suction line for removing retained spillage, and an optional sampling assembly provides a valved sample line for sampling the liquid being transferred.