Abstract:
A flexible configurationally conformable camouflaging and insulating cover for an exposed compressed gas tank having a colored semi-opaque camouflaging exterior covering and an inner insulating layer supported spacedly adjacent the tank by plural spacers. Air passage spaces between the tank and the inner insulating layer formed by the spacers allows circulation of air therethrough to cool the tank and dissipate any heat absorbed by the cover and the tank.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/755,373 filed on Jan. 3, 2006. 

   BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   1. Field of Invention 
   This invention relates to protective covers, and more particularly to a camouflaging and insulating flexible protective cover for compressed gas tanks. 
   2. Background and Description of Prior Art 
   Petroleum gas, such as propane, is a common heating fuel for residences, shops, swimming pools and the like because of its efficiency, environmental friendliness and low cost. In locales where gaseous heating fuel cannot be supplied via underground pipes, it is stored on site in large aboveground tanks that are regularly filled by vendors using commercial vehicles. 
   Residential and commercial propane tanks are large commonly having 120, 250, 500, 1,000 and 1,500 gallon capacities and are typically elongate cylinders with hemispherical ends supported above a supporting surface on short legs. A valve assembly, commonly on a top portion of the cylinder and protected by a sturdy hinged cover, regulates the flow of pressurized propane from the tank to a spacedly adjacent propane appliance such as a furnace. 
   Almost universally, propane tanks are painted with a coating having a highly reflective white color to minimize heat absorption which leads to thermal expansion of the propane and increased pressure in the tank. Further, pressure relief valves that open and vent propane to the atmosphere when the pressure in the tank exceeds a safety threshold (typically 250 PSI) are required on all large residential and commercial propane tanks by Fire Codes. 
   Heat absorption, due to high ambient temperatures and exposure to direct sunlight, is a common cause of venting. To reduce the frequency of venting, industry practice limits filling of propane tanks to 80% of maximum capacity so that volume expansion caused by temperature increases can be accommodated without exceeding the safety threshold of the pressure relief valve. 
   The shape, the size and the highly reflective white color tend to make propane tanks unsightly and aesthetically unappealing and these features are perceived as drawbacks by customers. These drawbacks are exacerbated because propane tanks must be located in close proximity to the appliances and structures using the propane due to propane plumbing requirements and due to the need for vehicular access to the tank for refilling. 
   The unsightliness of propane tanks causes many people to cover or otherwise camouflage the tanks despite Fire Codes and Regulations that may prohibit such covers and camouflaging. Unfortunately, many of the methods, devices and apparatus used to cover and camouflage tanks increase heat absorption, the likelihood of venting, the risk of fires and the risk of explosions. Further, many of the methods, devices and apparatus used to cover and camouflage tanks are permanent or semi-permanent and difficult to remove which hinders inspection of the tank seams by service personnel during refilling. Industry practice encourages all service personnel to visually inspect all tank seams for corrosion, rust and evidence of any problems every time a tank is filled and/or serviced. 
   A cover is needed for exposed residential and commercial size propane tanks that camouflages and obscures the tank and blends with the surroundings, while simultaneously minimizing heat absorption and heat transfer from the cover to the tank to reduce the likelihood of venting. 
   The prior art discloses various apparatus and systems for covering and insulating small barbecue size propane tanks, and at least one rigid picket fence-like structure attachable to a large upright propane tank to screen the tank from view. However, the known prior art does not provide a method, device or an apparatus that overcomes the obtrusiveness and unsightliness of large white cylindrical propane tanks proximate to places where people tend to gather, such as swimming pool areas. The known prior art does not provide a means to camouflage such tanks or cause the tank to blend into its surroundings. Further, the known prior art does not provide a means to cover and camouflage such tanks while simultaneously reducing the likelihood of venting by reducing heat absorption. 
   The present invention seeks to overcome these and other drawbacks to exposed propane tanks and to known propane tank covers by providing a multi-layer flexible configurationally conformable propane tank cover that uses colors and patterns to obscure, camouflage and conceal otherwise obtrusive propane tanks. The present invention provides an inner insulating layer between a camouflaging exterior cover and the propane tank that minimizes heat transfer from the cover to the tank and further provides for air conducting spaces, through which air may move by means of confection or otherwise, between the inner insulating layer and the tank. 
   My invention does not reside in any one of the identified features individually but rather in the synergistic combination of all of its structures, which give rise to the functions necessarily flowing therefrom as hereinafter claimed. 
   SUMMARY 
   My camouflaging and insulating cover for compressed gas tanks generally provides a flexible configurationally conformable cover having a medial rectilinear body portion with hemispherical shaped end portions fastened thereto, the cover having a semi-opaque camouflaging exterior layer, an inner insulating layer and a valve cap cover. A plurality of spacers form air passage spaces between the inner insulating layer and the propane tank. 
   In providing such an apparatus it is: 
   a principal object to provide a flexible configurationally conformable cover for an exposed compressed gas tank that camouflages and obscures the tank so that it is less obtrusive and less noticeable in its surroundings. 
   a further object to provide such a cover that has a plurality of air passage spaces, between the tank and the cover, through which air may pass by means of convection or otherwise. 
   a further object to provide such a cover that has insulating air about the tank and under the cover to reduce heat transfer from the cover to the tank. 
   a further object to provide such a cover wherein vented propane will not accumulate under the cover and about the tank forming a fire hazard. 
   a further object to provide such a cover that has air vents and an open bottom for passage of air and propane therethrough. 
   a further object to provide such a cover that employs colors and patterns to camouflage and obscure the tank. 
   a further object to provide such a cover that reduces heat transfer and thermal expansion that may lead to venting caused by increased internal pressure. 
   a further object to provide such a cover that is easily removable during filling and servicing for inspection of tank seams. 
   a further object to provide such a cover that is a color other than highly reflective white. 
   a still further object to provide such a cover that is of new and novel design, of rugged and durable nature, of simple and economic manufacture and one that is otherwise well suited to the uses and purposes for which it is intended. 
   Other and further objects of my invention will appear from the following specification and accompanying drawings which form a part hereof. In carrying out the objects of my invention it is to be understood that its structures and features are susceptible to change in design and arrangement with only one preferred and practical embodiment of the best known mode being illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specified as is required. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein like numbers refer to similar parts throughout: 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric side and top view of a typical residential/commercial propane tank installation showing a horizontal elongate propane tank and associated external propane appliance with plumbing connections extending therebetween. 
       FIG. 2  is a partially cutaway view of the instant cover installed on the propane tank of  FIG. 1  showing circumferentially extending elongate spacer ribs supporting the insulating inner layer and camouflaging exterior cover about the propane tank, the elongate mesh covered air vents and the valve cover cap. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of a second embodiment of the instant cover taken on line similar to line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2  with an accompanying enlarged view to more clearly show a spacer supporting the inner insulating layer and camouflaging exterior cover outwardly adjacent the propane tank with air conducting space therebetween. 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged isometric top and side view of the valve cover cap. 
       FIG. 5  is a flattened isometric view of the underside of the instant cover showing one embodiment of the inner insulating layer having elongate spacer ribs to support the inner insulating layer and camouflaging exterior cover about the propane tank and defining air passage spaces therebetween. 
       FIG. 6  is a flattened isometric view of the underside of a second embodiment of the inner insulating layer having plural spaced apart parallel ridges forming spacers to support the inner insulating layer and camouflaging exterior cover about the propane tank and defining air passage spaces therebetween. 
       FIG. 7  is a flattened isometric view similar to  FIG. 6  of a third embodiment of the inner insulating layer having a plurality of spacedly arrayed protuberances forming spacers to support the inner insulating layer and camouflaging exterior cover about the propane tank and defining air passage spaces therebetween. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   My camouflaging and insulating cover for compressed gas tank  30  generally provides a flexible configurationally conforming camouflaging cover  10  having a camouflaging exterior cover  12 , an inner insulating layer  13  and a valve cover cap  20 . 
   As generically shown in  FIG. 1 , the compressed gas tank  30  upon which my cover  10  operates is an elongate horizontal cylinder  40  having structurally attached bulbous end portions  41   a ,  41   b  and supported above a supporting surface, such as a concrete pad (not shown), by plural spacedly arrayed legs  42  that depend from a lower portion of the cylinder  40 . A radially protruding hinged valve assembly cover  33 , at a medial upper portion of the cylinder  40 , protects valves (not shown) and plumbing connections  35  that are in pneumatic communication with an external petroleum gas appliance  38 , such as a furnace. A pressure relief valve  31  that communicates with a chamber (not shown) defined by the tank  30  is required on all large residential and commercial propane tanks by fire codes to allow propane therein to vent to the atmosphere if the pressure of the propane in tank  30  exceeds the safety threshold, typically 250 PSI, of the pressure relief valve  31 . 
   The camouflaging exterior cover  12  is formed of a generally rectilinear medial body portion  11  having opposing elongate end portions  11   a ,  11   b , opposing side edge portions  11   c ,  11   d  and orifice  21  at a generally medial portion through which the valve assembly cover  33  protrudes. A generally hemispherical shaped end portion  12   a ,  12   b  is fastened to each elongate end portion  11   a ,  11   b  by stitching  16  so that the camouflaging exterior cover  12  forms an elongate half cylinder with hemispherical end portions  12   a ,  12   b  and an elongate open bottom  43  between the opposing side edges  11   c , and  11   d . The opposing side edge portions  11   c ,  11   d  and bottom edge portions of the hemispherical end portions  12   a ,  12   b  carry known fastening means thereon so that the edges of the open bottom  43  may be releasably gathered together to secure the exterior cover  12  about a lower portion of the tank  30 . The fastening means may include plural spacedly arrayed grommets  44  through which a draw cord  18  may be laced and drawn ( FIG. 2 ), or a draw cord  18  carried in a hem channel  17  ( FIG. 5 ) formed by folding an edge portion of each side edge  11   c ,  11   d  and bottom edge portions of each hemispherical end portion  12   a ,  12   b  over onto itself and securing the folded over portion in place by stitching  16 . A belly strap (not shown) may also be used to releasably secure the side edges  11   c ,  11   d  together below the tank  30 . 
   A vertical side seam  23  in the medial body portion  11  ( FIG. 2 ) extends from the orifice  21  to one side edge portion  11   c  to allow positioning of the exterior cover  12  beneath plumbing connections  35 , such as a pipe, originating beneath the valve assembly cover  33  and communicating with the external petroleum gas appliance  38 . Elongate strips of hook and loop fastener  24 , such as Velcro®, are carried on opposing edges  23   a ,  23   b  of the vertical side seam  23  to releasably fasten the opposing edges  23   a ,  23   b  together beneath the plumbing connections  35 . 
   Elongate rectilinear air vents  14  are defined in the exterior cover  12  between orifice  21  and each elongate end portion  11   a ,  11   b , and medially between the side edge portions  11   c ,  11   d . Each air vent  14  is covered with a mesh type fabric defining a plurality of holes therein for minimally restrictive movement of air therethrough. The mesh type fabric covering is fastened to the camouflaging exterior cover  12  by stitching  16 . 
   The camouflaging exterior cover  12  is preferably formed of a colored semi-opaque gas permeable fabric that has preferably been treated with a known water repellant, flame retardant and ultra-violet light protectant to increase the useful life of the fabric, to prevent self-sustaining combustion and to prevent fading. Preferably the color, and paternation if any, of the exterior cover  12  blends into the surrounding foliage so that the tank  30  is camouflaged, obscured and less obvious in its surroundings. In the preferred embodiment the camouflaging exterior cover  12  is formed of one hundred percent polyester spun-bound non-woven fabric having a weight of 1.5 ounces per square foot and manufactured by Schott International, Inc. of New Jersey, USA. In a second preferred embodiment the camouflaging exterior cover  12  is formed of 100% polyester woven mesh-type fabric defining a plurality of generally regularly arrayed holes therethrough having a weight of 1.6 ounces per square foot and manufactured by Jason Mills, Inc. of New Jersey, USA. 
   The inner insulating layer  13  is preferably formed of expanded closed cell foam, such as low-density polyethylene, that has been treated with flame retardant. The inner insulating layer  13  may be attached to the camouflaging exterior cover  12 , such as by stitching (not shown) extending therethrough, or may remain separate from the camouflaging exterior cover  12  and be installed separately therefrom. The “closed cell” nature of the foam forms smooth outer surfaces that minimizes friction and resistance as air passes thereover, thereunder and thereacross. 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , the inner insulating layer  13  has a generally rectilinear configuration with opposed elongate end portions  13   a ,  13   b , opposed side edge portions  13   c ,  13   d , and defines a medial orifice  25  and a side seam  39  extending between the medial orifice  25  and side edge  13   d . Sector shaped portions  13   e ,  13   f  extend from each elongate end portion  13   a ,  13   b  to provide an insulating layer inside the hemispherical end portions  12   a ,  12   b  of the camouflaging exterior cover  12 . The inner insulating layer  13  does not have the same side edge  13   c  to side edge  13   d  dimensions as the exterior cover  12  but rather extends only to a position spacedly adjacent the side edges  11   c ,  11   d . The inner insulating layer  13  must cover the upper surface of the tank cylinder  40  but need not completely cover the entire circumference of the cylinder  40 . (See  FIG. 3 ). An elongate rectilinear through hole  19  is defined between orifice  25  and each elongate end portion  13   a ,  13   b  and medially between the side edges  13   c ,  13   d . Each elongate rectilinear through hole  19  communicates with the air vents  14  defined in the camouflaging exterior cover  12  for passage of air therethrough. 
   Plural spacers  29  support the inner insulating layer  13  and the camouflaging exterior cover  12  spacedly outwardly adjacent the tank  30  and collectively define a plurality of air passage spaces  15  about the tank  30  under the inner insulating layer  13  for passage of air therethrough by convection or otherwise. The spacers  29  are preferably incorporated directly into the inner insulating layer  13  and may take the form of plural spaced parallel protruding ridges  29   a  ( FIG. 6 ) or a plurality of spacedly arrayed protuberances  29   b  ( FIG. 7 ) having an “egg carton” configuration. In another preferred embodiment, the spacers  29  may be separable elongate ribs  29   c  ( FIG. 5 ) that support the inner insulating layer  13  spacedly adjacent the tank  30  and allow passage of air therebetween. The air passage spaces  15  communicate with the side edge portions  13   c ,  13   d  of the inner insulating layer  13  and with the elongate through holes  19 . Air within the air passage spaces  15  absorbs heat from the tank  30  and responsively expands becoming less dense. The heated less dense air moves upwardly through the air passage spaces  15  by means of convection or otherwise and exits through the elongate through holes  19  and air vents  14  defined in the upper portion of the cover  10 . As the heated less dense air exits the cover  10  cooler air is drawn through the open bottom portion  43  and into the air passage spaces  15  at the side edge portions  13   c ,  13   d  of the inner insulating layer  13 . Movement of the air along the circumferential surface of the tank  30  provides cooling. The air passage spaces  15  also provide a path for any propane that has collected under the cover  10  to pass downwardly along the circumference of the tank  30  and exit out the open bottom  43  of the cover  10  reducing fire risks. 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , the valve cover cap  20  is formed of the same semi-opaque gas permeable fabric used for the camouflaging exterior cover  12  and is configured into a truncated barrel shape having a circumferentially extending side portion  20   c , a closed top  20   a  and an open bottom  20   b  that are interconnected by stitching  16 . A hem channel  27  is formed in a lower edge portion of the circumferentially extending side portion  20   c  around the open bottom  20   b  by folding the lower edge of the side portion  20   c  over onto itself and securing the folded over portion by stitching  16 . A draw cord  28  is carried in the hem channel  27  so that the open bottom  20   b  may be drawn about the valve assembly cover  33  to releasably secure the valve cover cap  20  in place. A connecting means  26 , such as a releasable snap connector, carried adjacent the open bottom  20   b  is releasably fastenable to a loop  22  adjacent the orifice  21  in the exterior cover  12  to prevent accidental detachment and loss of the valve cover cap  20 . 
   Testing of my camouflaging and insulating cover  10  for compressed gas tanks showed the following: 
   Example 1 
   Three 120 gallon residential/commercial size horizontal elongate propane tanks  30 , manufactured by Trinity Industries, Inc. in 2004, were placed in an outside test area at Northern Energy Propane Co. in Casa Grande Ariz. The tanks  30  were positioned for exposure to direct sunlight and to avoid any shading during the test. Each tank  30  was filled with liquefied propane to 70 percent capacity. 
   A first tank  30 , identified for purposes of this test as “un-insulated”, was covered with an olive green colored camouflaging exterior cover  12  formed of 1.5 oz. spun bound non-woven polyester fabric. The “un-insulated” cover  10  did not have an inner insulating layer  13  between the camouflaging exterior cover  12  and the tank  30 . The cover  10  rested directly upon the tank  30 . 
   A second tank  30 , identified for purposes of this test as “solid”, was covered with a similar olive green colored camouflaging exterior cover  12  formed of 1.5 oz. spun bound non-woven polyester fabric. A one inch thick inner insulating layer  13  of closed cell polyethylene foam was positioned on the tank  30  between the camouflaging exterior cover  12  and the tank  30 . The inner insulating layer  13  on the “solid” test tank  30  was rectilinear in cross section with sector shaped end portions  13   e ,  13   f  but did not have any spacers  29  nor did it define any air passage spaces  15  between the inner insulating layer  13  and the tank  30 . 
   A third tank  30 , identified for purposes of this test as “air flow”, was covered with a similar olive green colored camouflaging exterior cover  12  formed of 1.5 oz. spun bound non-woven polyester fabric. A one inch thick inner insulating layer  13  of closed cell polyethylene foam was positioned on the tank  30  between the camouflaging exterior cover  12  and the tank  30 . The inner insulating layer  13  on the “air flow” test tank  30  defined plural spaced apart parallel ridges  29   a  forming spacers  29  extending from side edge  13   c  to side edge  13   d  across the inner insulating layer  13  and defining a plurality of air passage spaces  15  between the spacers  29   a.    
   Ambient temperatures were taken and recorded, and the internal tank pressures were measured and recorded, at 5:00 pm local time each day. 
   The testing provided the following results: 
   
     
       
             
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
                 
               AMBIENT 
                 
                 
                 
             
             
                 
               TEMP 
             
             
                 
               AT 5:00 PM 
                 
                 
               AIR 
             
             
               DATE 
               LOCAL TIME 
               UNINSULATED 
               SOLID 
               FLOW 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               Apr. 17, 2006 
               94° F. 
               239 PSI 
               207 PSI 
               182 PSI 
             
             
               Apr. 18, 2006 
               94° F. 
               243 PSI 
               209 PSI 
               183 PSI 
             
             
               Apr. 19, 2006 
               92° F. 
               234 PSI 
               205 PSI 
               180 PSI 
             
             
               Apr. 20, 2006 
               96° F. 
               245 PSI 
               210 PSI 
               189 PSI 
             
             
               Apr. 21, 2006 
               97° F. 
               248 PSI 
               217 PSI 
               194 PSI 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   Having described the structure of my camouflaging and insulating cover for compressed gas tanks, its installation and operation may be understood. 
   The inner insulating layer  13  is positioned on a dorsal surface of the of the tank cylinder  40  with the valve assembly cover  33  protruding through the medial orifice  25  and the elongate rectilinear through holes  19  on the dorsal surface between the valve assembly cover  33  and each hemispherical end portion  41   a ,  41   b . The side seam  39  is opened and closed as necessary to accommodate any propane plumbing connections  35 . If necessary a hole is cut into the inner insulating layer  13  to allow passage of the pressure relief valve  31  therethrough. 
   After the inner insulating layer  13  is installed on the tank  30 , the camouflaging exterior cover  12  is installed. The vertical side seam  23  is opened by disengaging the hook and loop fastener strips  24  carried on the opposing edges  23   a ,  23   b  of the seam  23 , and the draw cord  18  carried in the hem channel  17  is released so that the open bottom  43  may be expanded to its dimensional limits. The cover  10  is placed over and about the tank  30  so that the valve assembly cover  33  extends through orifice  21 , the hem channel  17  carrying the draw cord  18  is adjacent the bottom portion of the tank  30  and the air vents  14  are on the dorsal portion of the cylinder  40  and communicate with the rectilinear through holes  19  of the inner insulating layer  13 . After the cover  10  has been correctly positioned about the tank  30 , the opposing edges  23   a ,  23   b  of the vertical side seam  23  are positioned under any protruding plumbing connections  35  extending from the valve assembly cover  33  and the vertical side seam  23  is closed by reattaching the cooperating portions of the hook and loop fastener strips  24 . If necessary, a hole is cut into the camouflaging exterior cover  12  at the appropriate location to allow passage of the pressure relief valve  31  therethrough. 
   The draw cord  18  carried in the hem channel  17  around the open bottom  43  is drawn gathering the open bottom  43  around and about the lower portion of the tank  30  and depending legs  42 . The draw cord  18  is secured with a knot, or similar position securing means, to positionally maintain the cover  10  on and about the tank  30 . 
   The valve cover cap  20  is positioned over and about the valve assembly cover  33  and the draw cord  28  carried in the hem channel  27  is drawn gathering the open bottom portion  20   b  of the valve cover cap  20  about the valve assembly cover  33 . The connecting means  26  is fastened to the loop  22  to ensure the valve cover cap  20  is not inadvertently detached or lost. 
   The foregoing description of my invention is necessarily of a detailed nature so that a specific embodiment of a best mode may be set forth as is required, but it is to be understood that various modifications of details, and rearrangement, substitution and multiplication of parts may be resorted to without departing from its spirit, essence or scope.