Abstract:
A compact, foldable, storable, portable drum draining apparatus for facilitating the drainage of contents from a second drum or vessel into a first drum or vessel, including a first supporting member for supporting the first vessel and a second supporting member for supporting the second vessel, and a lifting mechanism for lifting the second vessel over and in tilted relation to the first vessel, and maintaining the second vessel in the raised, tilted position to permit the emptying of contents into the first vessel, the lifting mechanism including a hydraulic lifting device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to the field of draining liquids from a vessel, and more particularly to a device and method for draining liquids and other viscous materials from one vessel into another vessel. 
     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
     In many instances it is desirable to remove contents from a vessel for a number of reasons. For example, the contents may be valuable or expensive, or scarce, and leaving behind some of the material can result in financial loss. In other cases, reuse of the containing vessel is required and to do so one must drain the vessel fully of all of its contents. There are yet further situations where the vessel contains a material which must be removed pursuant to federal, state and/or local laws. Often a residue will remain in a vessel of which the contents have been emptied. For example, where contents, such as a liquid, are poured from a vessel, a residual amount of the liquid often remains and is left behind in the vessel. This is especially the case for viscous liquids like molasses and sugar syrups, tar products for roofing and driveway coatings, paints and sealers, synthetic resins, and various other materials. Often, there is not time for the material to fully drain from the containment vessel and a residual amount of the material is left behind. This is observed in production facilities where large batches of a product are being made from material contained in one or more vessels. The need to have the material removed from the vessel for immediate use does not permit the full evacuation of the vessel contents. 
     In the ever-developing movement for conservation of resources, there is greater emphasis placed on the need to conserve materials, as well as to conserve landfill space that discarded or unwanted materials may occupy. A need exists to provide an improved method and device which will facilitate the evacuation of liquid materials from a vessel. 
     In many instances containment vessels are often large and cumbersome and can be extremely heavy. Generally, vessels containing liquids which are used in large scale industrial applications, for delivery of components in manufacturing operations, cannot even be lifted by a single individual, but rather, require special handling equipment to move and empty them. The special handling equipment is for the most part expensive and space consuming. This requires that heavy vessels which are to be lifted by the special handling equipment be readily removed from the equipment after the contents is poured out from the vessel. For example, industrial liquids are often supplied in large drum type vessels. These drum type vessels often contain a substantial amount of residual liquid, especially when the liquid contained therein is viscous, after the vessel has been tilted to pour its contents into a vat for use. While the drum vessel is indeed lighter, after having dumped most of its contents, it is still a substantially heavy item. While attempts have been made to drain the residue from the vessel, the weight and cumbersomeness of the vessel make for a difficult task. 
     In the use of drum type vessels, it is a common practice to recycle these vessels for reuse. The recycling process may include not only cleaning the vessel contents, but also, cutting an end of the vessel to remove embedded contents, or a damaged area, such as, for example, a broken sealing weld or connection. In many cases the vessels are provided to hold a standard amount of content, such as, for example, fifty-five gallons. Drum type vessels can be cut anywhere from fractions of inches to over one inch or more, and still be able to hold a desired amount, for example, fifty-five gallons, of material therein. The vessel height generally changes when the vessel is cut down, however, the diameter continues to remain the same. 
     One attempt known is to stack a vessel over another vessel at an angle. This often does not work well with heavy vessels, and further presents a dangerous condition in the work environment. The special handling pulleys or equipment can be used, but this is not practical since that equipment is expensive and must be available for pouring the contents from other vessels for use. Since the vessels have a considerable weight, the pulleys or vessel pouring equipment is often heavier and takes up a large amount of space, making it difficult to use such equipment for draining the remaining residue from a vessel. There exists a need for a device which is portable, light-weight, storable, uses minimal floor space and can readily be usable at a variety of locations, which will facilitate the draining of the residual contents from a vessel. 
     Prior attempts to provide draining devices include U.S. Pat. No.496,537 “Drainage Skid” issued May 2, 1893 to E. I. Perrington. The drainage skid provides a rigid device which permits a first vessel to be held over a second vessel at an incline to drain the contents of the first vessel into the second vessel. Other prior art drainage apparatus include U.S. Pat. No. 2,807,290 “Oil Can Draining Rack” issued on Sept. 24, 1957 to R. T. Hearn. The oil can draining rack includes a rigid cage for maintaining a standing can at a fixed position while supporting a second can at an inclined position relative to the standing can. A “Can Draining Rack” is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,788,262, issued on Jan. 6, 1931 to C. J. Wiebusch. The can draining rack includes a pair of arms which are connected by a yoke to support an inverted inclined can. A chain attached to the arms is provided to engage the top of the standing can. 
     The prior attempts to provide a draining apparatus require that the user lift the vessel and install it on the apparatus. A need exists for a portable draining device which can facilitate lifting and maintaining a drum into a position for draining. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a novel foldable drum draining device which retains an emptying vessel into position, preferably at an incline, with respect to another vessel which is to receive the contents from the emptying vessel. The present device facilitates draining of the contents by maintaining a vessel at an incline for gravitational expulsion of the contents thereof. Furthermore, the present drum draining device includes lifting means for facilitating the lifting the of the emptying vessel into position for draining. 
     The drum draining device includes a first supporting member attached to a second supporting member. The first supporting member holds a first vessel and the second supporting member holds a second vessel. The first supporting member is connected to and supported by a base. The second supporting member is pivotally connected to the first supporting member and has a lifting portion on which the second vessel is placed. A hydraulic mechanism is provided to facilitate the lifting of the second vessel. Additional attachment members, which can include straps and the like, can be used to secure the vessels to the supporting members. Preferably, the apparatus is useful for emptying industrial drum type vessels. The lifting member is foldably provided so that it can be collapsed when the assembly is not in use. The first and second supporting members are also foldably provided relative to each other so that these members, along with the lifting member, can collapse to fold for ready transport and storage of the device. A locking mechanism is provided to lock the lifting member in an operable position when the assembly is in use and permit the folding of the lifting member when the assembly is not in use. Similarly, a locking member can be provided to lock the second supporting member relative to the first supporting member at a position which maintains the second vessel in an inclined or tilted position relative to the first supporting member and first vessel into which the contents from the second vessel are to drain. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel draining apparatus for draining the contents of a first vessel, such as a drum or the like, into a second vessel. 
     Another object of the present invention is to accomplish the above object wherein the apparatus can be folded for ready transport and storage. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a draining assembly with a mechanism to facilitate lifting of a heavy vessel. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable mechanism which permits the apparatus to accommodate vessels having different heights. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a drum draining apparatus, where the operator is required only to lift an amount of weight equal to the weight of the contents to be drained from a drum. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a self-regulating feature, which prevents overfilled vessels from being drained. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a parallel perspective view of a drum draining device according to the present invention, shown in the draining position, in use with a first vessel and a second vessel, as viewed from the left side. 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged rear parallel perspective view of the device of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a parallel perspective view of the drum draining device according to the present invention shown in its folded position. 
     FIG. 4 is a parallel perspective view of the drum draining device according to the present invention, shown in use, with liquid draining from a second vessel into a first vessel. 
     FIG. 5 is a parallel perspective view of the drum draining device according to the present invention, shown installed on a first vessel and positioned to receive a second vessel thereon. 
     FIG. 6 is a partial view of a section of a first vessel received in a flange member. 
     FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a drum draining device according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the device of FIG. 7 shown installed on a first vessel. 
     FIG. 9 is a left side perspective view of the apparatus of FIGS. 7 and 8, in use with a first vessel, shown in a partial view. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of a drum draining assembly  10  according to the present invention is shown. The drum draining assembly  10  is shown in use with a first vessel, such as for example, the first barrel  200  and the second barrel  300 . The drum draining assembly  10  includes a base  11 , first support means for supporting the first vessel  200  and second support means for supporting the second vessel  300 . The first support means is shown comprising a first supporting member  12  which is connected to the base  11 . 
     Securing means is provided for securing the first barrel  200  to the first supporting member  12 . Referring to FIG. 2, first securing means is shown comprising an arcuate collar portion  14  connected to the first supporting member  12 . The collar portion  14  has a plurality of retaining elements, such as, for example, the flange members  15 . The flange members  15  are generally u-shaped in configuration to engage the lip  201  of the first barrel  200 . The securing means preferably further comprises a retaining member disposed about the circumferential periphery of the vessel  200 . The retaining member can comprise a strap member  16  which is secured with fastening means at each end of the collar portion  14 . The fastening means can comprise hooks, chains, bolts, or any other suitable like member. As shown in FIG. 2, generally s-shaped hooks  18 , secured to respective hook retaining members  19 , are provided on each side of the collar  14 . The strap member  16  is fastened to the collar portion  14  with the hooks  18 . Preferably, the retaining member is adjustably provided to accommodate barrels having different diameters. For example, the strap  16  can comprise a resilient member which can be stretched around the circumference of the vessel  200  to retain it. 
     The base  11  preferably comprises a member which rests on a surface, such as, for example, the floor  500  on which the first drum  200  is sitting. The base  11  is shown with reinforcing means comprising the strengthening members  22 , 23 . To permit the assembly  10  to fold, the base  11  is preferably pivotally connected to the first supporting member  12  of the first support means. A hinge  24  is shown in FIG. 3 connecting the first supporting member  12  to the base  11 . Preferably, the hinge  24  permits backfolding of the base relative to the first supporting member  12 . The hinge  24  is preferably provided so that when the base  11  is unfolded, from its FIG. 3 position to its FIG. 2 position, the hinge  24  stops the base  11  from further movement once the base  11  has been unfolded to be perpendicular to the first supporting member  12 . 
     A locking means is provided to lock the base  11  and first supporting member  12  against relative rotation when the device  10  is in use, or when the device  10  is folded for transport or storage. The locking means can comprise a first aperture  28  disposed in the base member  11  and a second aperture disposed in the first supporting member  12 . The apertures  28 ,  29  are positioned to align with one another when the first supporting member  12  is substantially perpendicular to the base  11 . A retaining pin  31  can be installed in the apertures  28 , 29  to prevent relative movement of the base  11  and first supporting member  12 . 
     The second support means is shown comprising a second supporting member  34 , and which is connected to a pair of transverse members  35 , 36 . The transverse members  35 , 36  support carriage members  37 , 38  which are disposed parallel to the second supporting member  34 . The carriage members  37 , 38  each include a sidewall portion  40 , 41  respectively, with an inturned flange  42 , 43 , respectively, provided to support the second vessel  300 . 
     Connecting means are provided for pivotally connecting the second supporting member  34  to the first support means. The connecting means is shown comprising a pair of flange members  45 , 46  extending outwardly from the collar portion  14 . The second supporting member  34  further comprises connecting wall portions  47 , 48  which are secured to the collar flange members  45 , 46 , respectively, by a fastening member. The fastening member can comprise bolts, pins, bushings, or other suitable members which secure the collar flanges  45 , 46  and connecting wall portions  47 , 48  together in a pivotal relationship. A bolt  50  and retaining nut  51  is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 connecting each flange member  45 ,  46  with a respective wall portion  47 ,  48 . Washer means can also be used to facilitate the pivot relationship between the first support means and the second support means. Washer means, for example, while not shown, can comprise washers provided between the first supporting member flanges  45 ,  46  and the respective connecting wall portions  47 ,  48  of the second support means. A second vessel stop means is provided to maintain the second vessel  300  against forward movement by providing engaging ledge elements  52 , 53  against which the lip  301  of the second vessel  300  engages, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. 
     Securing means are provided to secure a second vessel  300  to the second support means. As described above in connection with the securing of the first vessel  200  to the first support means, a strap  68  can be used. Preferably, fastening members, such as for example hooks  77  and retaining members  78  can be provided for fastening the strap  68  on each side of the carriage members  37 , 38 , as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     Lifting means is provided to facilitate lifting of a second vessel  300 . The lifting means is shown comprising a lift support member  60  which is connected to the second supporting member  34 . Preferably, the lift support member  60  is provided to be positioned at about 90 degrees with respect to the second supporting member  34  when the device  10  is to be operated, as shown in FIG. 2. A stop is provided on the second supporting member  34  of the second support means to maintain the lift member  60  in its perpendicular position for lifting of a second vessel  300 . The stop is shown comprising end portions  61 , 62  which engage the second supporting member  34  when the lift member  60  is unfolded with respect to the second support means to its substantially perpendicular position (FIG.  1 ). The lift member  60  further includes a handle  67  which is provided on the end of the lift member  60  opposite that end which is connected to the second support means. 
     Preferably the lifting means further comprises hydraulic means for lifting the second vessel  300  over, and in tilted relation to, the first vessel  200 . The hydraulic means is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprising a gas spring  70  which is secured at one end thereof to the first supporting member  12  and at the other end thereof to the second supporting member  34 . As shown, the gas spring  70  can include mounting means at each end thereof, shown comprising the mounting apertures  71 , 72 . A bolt and nut arrangement can be used for securing the gas spring  70  to the apparatus  10 , such as the bolt  73  and nut  74  which holds the top end of the gas spring  70  second supporting member  34 , and the bolt  75  and nut  76  which holds the lower end of the gas spring  70  on the first support member  12 . Preferably, a bushing or washers, not shown, are used to pivotally mount the ends of the gas spring  70  to permit the spring  70  to rotate as the second support means is raised with a second vessel  300  thereon. The gas spring  70  provides a lifting force which parallels that of an operator using the handle  67  to complement the force required for lifting of the second vessel  300 . 
     When the gas spring is actuated by the lifting of the handle  67 , the force is provided to lift the second drum  300  in a substantially inclined position over the first vessel  200  to permit the contents of the second vessel  300  to drain therefrom. The second vessel  300  generally remains in the inclined position until the operator lowers it by grasping the lift handle  67  and applying a downward force, counter to the gas spring force. The application of the downward force causes the gas spring  70  to relax and lower the second vessel  300  to its original upright position. 
     A retaining member, such as, for example, the release pin  82  shown in FIG. 3, is provided to secure the first supporting member  12  and second supporting member  34  relative to each other. Bores  80  and  81  are respectively provided transversely in the first supporting member  12  and in the second support member  34 . The bores  80  and  81  extend through each support member  12 , 34  and are aligned with each other when the first supporting member  12  and second supporting member  34  are folded When the release pin  82  is removed, the second supporting member  34  can be lifted away from the first supporting member  12 . A first retaining aperture  83  is provided on a flange portion  45 , 46  of the collar member  14 . A matingly provided second aperture  84  is provided on an adjacent connecting wall portion  47 , 48  of the second support means, such that when the second vessel  300  is lifted to its inverted inclined position, as shown in FIG. 2, the first and second apertures  83 ,  84  mate with one another for receipt of the retaining pin  82  therein. While the retaining member is shown comprising a pin and a pair of apertures, it will be understood that the retaining member can comprise any suitable member which can permit selective retention of the first support means and the second support means. One such example of a retaining member is a latch, such as a slam action latch which can be actuated to latch the first support member  12  and second support member  34  together when folded. The slam latch can further include a release lever or actuator which the operator can actuate to release the first and second support members from engagement with each other. In addition, while shown in FIG. 4, the pin  82  can be replaced with another retaining member, such as, for example, the slam latch member, described herein. In this manner, the second support means, when lifted into its tilted position, can be held there by the actuation of a slam latching mechanism. As described, a release lever or actuator on the latch can be used to disengage the second support means from its lifted, inclined position, to permit the return to the floor of the second vessel. 
     The device  10  can be operated as follows. The drum draining device  10  is placed on the floor, as shown in FIG. 4, and starting from its stored or folded position, is used as follows. A first vessel or drum  200 , into which the contents of a second vessel or drum  300  are to be drained, is attached to the drum draining device  10 , as shown in FIG.  5 . Preferably this is done by placing the retaining flanges  15  over the lip  201  of the first vessel. The drum draining device  10  is secured to the first vessel  200  by placing the flange members  15  over the lip  201  of the vessel  200 . The base  11  of the draining device  10  is unfolded and placed on the floor  500  relative to the first supporting means which is positioned upright. The additional securing means are fastened by placing the strap  16  around the circumference of the vessel  200  and securing the strap  16  to the retaining member  19  with a fastener or hook  18 . The second vessel  300  is placed on the second supporting means  34  of the device  10 . The second vessel  300  is positioned on the lifting member  60  and is secured to the second supporting means  34  with a strap  68 , similar to that  16  described in connection with securing of the first supporting means  12  to the first vessel  200 . 
     With the first and second vessels placed on the device  10 , the operator disengages the release member, shown comprising a release pin  82 , and then grasps the handle  67  attached to the lift member  60 . The operator then lifts the handle  67  to raise the second vessel  300  relative to the first vessel  200 . As the operator continues to lift the handle  67 , the gas spring  70  is actuated to release its arm  80  thereby assisting the operator to lift the second vessel  300  and the contents contained therein. Preferably, the gas spring  70  is provided to supply the amount of force required to lift a second vessel, such as that  300  shown and described herein, into its draining position, inclined and above the first vessel  200 . With the gas spring  70  supplying the lifting force for the second vessel  300 , the operator need only lift the weight associated with the contents or residue remaining in the second vessel  300 . The second vessel  300  is lifted until it engages the ledge stop elements  51 , 52  of the second supporting means. 
     The lip  301  of the second vessel is restrained from further downward movement by the stop elements  51 ,  52 . While not shown, the stop elements can also be provided to comprise a unshaped configuration which extends into the second vessel  300 . In the arrangement where the stop flange extend into the second vessel  300 , it will be preferable to locate the stop flange members outside of the drip or flow zone of the material. 
     While not shown, a pivot stop means can be provided to limit upward movement of the second support means relative to the first support means. The pivot stop means, for example, can comprise a first element on one or the other of the second support means and the first support means for engaging a second element on the other of the second support means and the first support means. The engaging elements, for example can comprise a retaining flange portion (not shown) extending from the second supporting member  34  and a limiting flange provided on the collar portion  14  of the first support. 
     With the second vessel  300  in its raised inverted position, the operator then actuates the locking mechanism to lock the second supporting means  34  into the inverted position relative to the first supporting means  12 . The locking mechanism shown includes a pin  82  which is inserted transversely through the first supporting means  12  to prevent downward movement of the second supporting means  34 . 
     The second vessel  300  is then permitted to remain in its draining position, the FIG. 2 position, until the contents thereof is sufficiently drained or considered to be empty. For example, where slow moving viscous material is contained in the second vessel  300 , the second vessel  300  will remain tilted for a period of time within which the material can drain into the first vessel  200 . 
     When the second vessel  300  is finished draining, the operator releases the locking mechanism, for example, by removing the pin  82 , and pushes the second vessel  300  down to its starting position where it is generally upright alongside the first vessel. The operator then actuates the locking means to secure the first supporting means and second supporting means together to prevent relative movement therebetween and prevent inadvertent lifting of the second supporting member  34 . This is done by inserting the retaining pin  82  to hold the second support means down alongside the first supporting member  12 . The strap  68  is removed from the second vessel  300  and the second vessel  300  is removed from the device  10 . 
     The first vessel  200  can also be removed from the device  10 , or alternately, can remain attached to the device  10  to receive the contents from another vessel (a next second vessel). 
     When the draining is completed, the drum draining device can be folded for storage or transport. The base  11  folds relative to the first supporting means, and the second supporting means folds to be aligned with the first supporting means. The lifting member likewise folds to align with the first and second supporting members. A strap or belt (not shown) can be supplied to retain the assembly in its folded condition. Similarly, retaining members, such as, for example, pins, latches, or the like, can also be employed to lock the components together when the device  10  is folded to prevent unfolding. Preferably, one of more of the components of the device  10  can be provided to comprise a handle for facilitating transport of the folded device  10 . For example, the angled cradle members, when folded, can provide a gripping portion for an operator&#39;s hand. 
     FIG. 6 shows the retaining means of the present invention in an enlarged close up view with a vessel end shown in sectional view. The retaining range is shown by the distance between arrows “a” and “b” within which the vessel rim  201  can be received and retained with the device  10 . The retaining means therefore permit the device  10  to accommodate standard size vessels, for a give application, and the minimum acceptable sized vessels (which is shorter), including recycled or reconditioned vessels which can hold a standard content amount. For example, if a fifty-five gallon drum can be used to hold fifty-five gallons of material at its standard height, and up to a height of two inches lower than its standard height, preferably, the retaining means, such as the flange members can be provided with a retaining range (“a” to “b”) which can receive vessels which have varying heights. 
     Although the retaining means of the present device provides for accommodation of vessels having various heights, in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the central bar of the first and second supporting members can be adjustably provided for accommodating vessels having different heights. Similarly, the second support member can be adjustably provided to likewise accommodate second vessels having different heights. 
     Furthermore, while not shown additional means such as roller transport and the like can be used to facilitate placement of the second vessel on the lifting member of the apparatus. For example, the lift member may be provided with additional holding means, including arms which can swing out therefrom, to provide additional support for a second vessel. 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, an alternate embodiment of a drum draining apparatus  120  according to the present invention is shown. The drum draining apparatus  120  is shown in a nearly folded condition in FIG. 7 having a collar portion  121  with inturned flange members  122  disposed thereon. Second vessel support means is also provided shown comprising a pair of side walls  123 ,  124  which are each connected to the collar member  121  at one end thereof and extend outwardly therefrom. A connecting member  125  connects the side walls  123 ,  124 . The connecting member  125  supports the arm  126  which is pivotally maintained on the connecting member  125  by a pair of flange members  130 ,  131  and a fastening member, such as for example the bolt  132  extending through the flange members  130 ,  131 , to retain the arm  126 . The arm  126  extends through a central support member  133  which is pivotally connected to the collar  121 . Preferably, connecting means are employed and may comprise a pair of flanges  134 ,  135  and a bolt  136  to secure the support member  133  to the collar portion  121 . The support member further includes a pair of legs  137 ,  138  at the end opposite that connected to the collar portion  121 . The legs  137 ,  138  are shown with a retaining pin  140  extending transversely between them and connecting them. The arm  126  further includes engaging means for engaging the side of a first vessel  220  when the apparatus is in use (see FIGS.  8  and  9 ). Engaging means is shown preferably comprising a foot  142  which is disposed at the end of the arm member  126 . The arm member  126  also includes latching means, such as, for example, the clamping member  144 . The clamping member  144  is provided to engage the retaining pin  140  when the apparatus  120  is installed on a first vessel  220 , and is fully unfolded for use. Stop means are also included to regulate the position of the second vessel when the apparatus  120  is in use. The stop means is shown comprising bracket members  145 ,  146  (FIG.  9 ). 
     Referring to FIG. 8, the drum draining device  120  is shown installed on a first vessel  220  having a rim  221  over which the inturned flange members  122  are positioned. Preferably, cradling means comprising angled wall portions  150 ,  151  are provided on the side walls  123 ,  124  of the second support means. The angular wall portions  150 ,  151  support a second vessel such as, for example, the second vessel shown and described above in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 6. 
     Referring to FIG. 9, a side view showing the apparatus  120  in position on a first vessel  220  is shown. In the view of FIG. 9, the stop means, shown comprising the bracket members  145 ,  146  is best seen. A second vessel (not pictured) containing contents to be emptied into the first vessel  220  will be understood to be positioned on the second vessel support means, comprising the wall portions  123 ,  124  and the respective angled walls  150 ,  151 . When a second vessel is placed on the second support means, the rim  221  can rest against the stop members  145 ,  146  and the contents of the second vessel can be therefore drained into the first vessel  220 . 
     In addition, while the apparatus is shown with a single-sized vessel in use therewith, it will be understood that other sized containers can be used with the present invention by providing appropriately sized components for the size of the container to be drained. 
     These and other advantages of the present invention can be made consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the Summary of the Invention, the Brief Description of the Drawing Figures, the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments, and the appended Claims. While the above description constitutes the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the invention is subject to modification, variation and change, without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the present invention. In this regard, while the various features of the present invention have been shown and described in relation to a drum, it will be understood that many of these features are suitable in connection with other types of vessels.