Abstract:
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.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/082,782 for Load Line Connection Spillage Container filed Apr. 8, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/660,260 filed Feb. 23, 2010 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,921,884 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/259,577 filed on Oct. 28, 2008 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,673,658. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to containment of oil, waste, and chemical spills, and more particularly, to a container for containing spillage at a load line connection. As used herein, the terms “load line connection spillage container,” “load line spillage container,” and “load line container” refer, interchangeably, to applicants&#39; invention. 
     2. Discussion 
     Environmental concerns require containment of oil, waste, and other chemical spills from pipelines, storage tanks, tanker trucks, and railroad tankers. Pollution occurring when liquids are transferred between storage tanks and tanker vehicles through transfer lines is a continuing concern. Although transfer lines occasionally fail, leakage more typically occurs where the line from the tanker truck or railroad tanker attaches to the storage tank unloading line. The transfer lines are normally equipped with quick connect fittings, but spillage can occur during connection and disconnection of the transfer lines. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,313,991 is directed to an oil and waste line connection spillage containment apparatus (also referred to herein as a “load line container”) constructed from non-corrosive and rustproof materials. A substantially cylindrical container has two openings for receiving oil and waste loading and unloading lines therein. The lines are connected within the container. A circular cover encloses the container and is fastened and unfastened from the container using a pair of L-shaped members. Any oil and waste spilled from the connection is removed from the container when the lines are disconnected. In the alternative, a removal line with an auxiliary valve is used to withdraw the oil and waste from the container through the loading line. When the unloading line is removed from the opening in the container, a vented plug is inserted into the opening. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,412 is also directed to an apparatus for containing oil and waste spillage at a line connection. A load line container has opposed sidewall openings which receive loading and unloading lines, respectively, which are coupled within the container. Any spillage from the ends of the lines and the line connection is retained within the container. A lid closes the top end of the container when the unloading line is removed from the apparatus. With the unloading line removed from the container and the lid closed, an extension member attached to the lid covers the sidewall opening that is used for receiving the unloading line within the container. 
     Load line containers according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,412 made from fiberglass, medium density polyethylene, and high density polyethylene have been marketed in the United States and abroad. These load line containers have capacities, i.e., the maximum volume of spillage to be contained, of up to 35 gallons. The weight of the apparatus itself is nominal, but the combined weight of transfer lines and steel couplings associated with the unloading line and transfer lines is significant. In addition, the oil and waste spillage contained within the apparatus can weigh up to about 250 pounds. Finally, the apparatus is typically deployed in remote locations requiring a rugged product able to withstand rough treatment. In the past, steel collars, steel plates, and steel saddles have been used to strengthen the load line containers. It would be highly desirable to have a load line container which is sufficiently rugged for oil field application without the necessity of reinforcing steel collars, plates, and saddles. 
     What is needed is an injection molded load line container having a structure which is inherently strong and rugged, thereby eliminated the need for reinforcing steel collars, plates, and saddles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An injection-molded load line connection spillage container for catching and retaining liquid spilled during transfers of liquids between storage tank 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 the strength and ruggedness required for oil field applications. 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. An optional main line valve contained within the load line container provides secure control of transfer between the storage tank and the tankers. An optional flow meter assembly, either in-line or clamped to the exterior of a transfer line, permits measurement of the volume of liquid transferred. 
     An object of the invention is to provide a rugged corrosion-resistant and wear-resistant container for collecting spillages at load line connections. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a load line connection spillage container with a built-in cleanout assembly for removing captured liquids from the container. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a load line connection spillage container which can endure the wear and tear associated with oil field operations. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a load line connection spillage container, including a reservoir and a reservoir cover, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the load line connection spillage container shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side view, with the reservoir cover open, of the load line connection spillage container shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a front view, with cover and load line mounting assembly removed, of the reservoir of the load line connection spillage container shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         FIG. 5  is another view, with cover and load line mounting assembly removed, of the reservoir of the load line connection spillage container shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the reservoir of the load line connection spillage container shown in  FIGS. 1-6 . 
         FIG. 7  is a view of the load line connection spillage container shown in  FIGS. 1-3  with a load line mounting assembly and an optional clean-out assembly. The load line connection spillage container in  FIG. 7  is shown with the reservoir cover partially cut away. 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged detail of the load line mounting assembly and the clean-out assembly shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a rear view of the load line connection spillage container shown in  FIGS. 1-3  and  FIG. 7  with an optional bottom drain assembly. 
         FIG. 10  is a view of the load line connection spillage container according to the present invention, together with the optional bottom drain assembly. 
         FIG. 11  is another view of the load line connection spillage container shown in  FIG. 10  without the optional bottom drain. 
         FIG. 12  is a view of another load line connection spillage container according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a view, with the hinged reservoir cover partially cut away, of the load line connection spillage container according to the present invention in conjunction with optional enclosed main valve, optional cleanout assembly, and optional sampling assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following description of the invention, like numerals and characters designate like elements throughout the figures of the drawings. 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 1-3 , a load line container  20  has a reservoir cover  22  (also referred to herein as a cover) attached to a reservoir  24  by hinges  26 . Typically, the load line container  20  is mounted on a load line (not shown) from a storage tank (not shown). Another line (not shown) extends from a removal source such as a tank truck (not shown) for connection to the loading line within the load line container  20 . Thus the load line container  20  provides a point of connection between the loading line (from the storage tank) and the unloading line (from the tank truck). It will be understood by one skilled in the art that, while the present invention is described in the context of transfer of liquid from a storage tank to a removal source such as a tank truck, liquids are also routinely transferred from tank trucks to storage tanks. Thus, whereas the term “loading line” is used herein, for ease of illustration, to indicate the line attached to the storage tank and the term “unloading line” is used, for ease of illustration, to indicate the line attached to a tank truck or other removal source (e.g., a rail car), both “loading lines” and “unloading lines” are liquid transfer lines facilitating flow either to or from a storage facility. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the reservoir cover  22  is generally circular with a central dome portion  28  and a lip  30 . A handle  32  adjacent the lip  30  is generally centered over a downwardly projecting arcuate member  34 . The downwardly projecting arcuate member  34  and the handle  32  are generally diametrically opposed to the hinges  26 . A recess  36  in the lip  30  has a bore  38  therein for receiving a lock (not shown). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a pair of reservoir cover hinge members  40  extend outwardly from the lip  30  opposite the handle  32  and the downwardly projecting arcuate member  34 . The reservoir cover hinge members  40  and the pair of hinges  26  are shown more clearly in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 12 . Hinge pins  42  are disposed through bores  44  (not shown) in the cover hinge members  40 . In  FIGS. 10 and 12 , the hinge pins  42  are threaded bolts with self-locking nuts. As will be discussed more fully below, the self-locking nuts prevent access to the load line container  20  by unauthorized personnel. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4-6  in conjunction with  FIGS. 1-3 , the reservoir  24  of the load line connection container  20  has an integrally molded bottom  46  and upstanding side walls  48  defining an open upper end portion  50 . The open upper end portion  50  has a front upstanding wall portion  52 , a rear upstanding wall portion  54 , a left upstanding wall portion  56 , and a right upstanding wall portion  58 . A transfer line channel  60  located in the front upstanding wall portion  52  is sized to receive a transfer line (not shown). A load line throughway  62  located in the rear upstanding wall portion  54  provides a location for attachment of a load line mounting assembly  100  (See  FIGS. 7-8 ). The upper end portion  50  of the reservoir  24  terminates in an integrally molded J-shaped lip  64  having a sidewall portion  66  and a rollover portion  68 . Lip gussets  70  spaced about the circumference of the open upper end portion  50  between the sidewall portion  66  and the rollover portion  68  strengthen the integrally molded J-shaped lip  64  and the open upper end portion  50  of the reservoir  24 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4-6 , the front channel  60  is positioned opposite the load line throughway  62  located in the rear upstanding wall portion  54 . Integrally molded internal reinforcing ribs  72  in the rear portion  54  of the upstanding wall  48  strengthen the rear upstanding wall portion  54  at the point of attachment of the load line connection spillage container  20  to the load line. Integrally molded external reinforcing ribs  74  extend downwardly along the exterior  76  of the rear upstanding wall portion  54  of the reservoir  24  and continue across the exterior  78  of the bottom  46  of the reservoir  24  (See  FIG. 6 ). Bores  80  spaced around the load line throughway  62  are used to attach the load line mounting assembly  100  shown in  FIGS. 7-8 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , an integrally molded lock bracket  82  projecting outwardly from the J-shaped lip  64  has a bore  84  for receiving a lock (not shown). The lock bracket  82  mates with the recess  36  in the container cover  22  so the bore  38  aligns with the bore  84  in the lock bracket  82  to receive the lock (not shown). 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 4-6  in conjunction with  FIG. 2 , the integrally molded J-shaped lip  64  extends from one side of the rear upstanding wall portion  54  along the top of the right upstanding wall portion  58 , then around the transfer line channel  60  in the front upstanding wall portion  52 , and along the top of the left upstanding wall portion  56  to the other side of the rear upstanding wall portion  54 . When the reservoir cover  22  is closed on the reservoir  24 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , the cover lip  30  extends downwardly around the upper end portion  50  of the reservoir  24  and the downwardly extending member  34  of the reservoir cover  22  rests against the J-shaped lip  64  along the transfer line channel  60  in the reservoir  24 , thereby closing off the transfer line channel  60 . Thus the cover  22 , in the closed position, prevents accumulation of water, snow, and debris within the reservoir  24 . The cover  22  also prevents small animals from gaining access to the reservoir  24 . Yet the reservoir  24  is vented to avoid buildup of chemical vapors. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the reservoir  24  is sized based on the volume of spillage to be contained. Likewise, the load line throughway  60  is sized to accommodate the pipe size of the loading line. For large volumes of spillage, the load line connection spillage container  20  can optionally be supported by the ground (with or without a concrete slab) or by a stand used to align the load line throughway  60  with the load line. When so deployed, the bores  80  are unnecessary. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-6 , integrally molded reservoir hinge brackets  86  project rearwardly from the top portion  88  of the rear upstanding wall portion  54  of the reservoir  24 . Each hinge bracket  86  has a pin bore  90  for receiving a hinge pin  42  (See  FIG. 3 ). Integrally molded gussets  92  reinforce and strengthen the hinge brackets  86 . As shown in  FIG. 3  (enlarged detail), the reservoir cover hinge members  40  enclose the hinge brackets  86 . When the reservoir cover  22  is in the open position, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the extent to which the reservoir cover  22  will open is limited, by contact of the reservoir cover hinge members  40  with the bottom sides  94  of the hinge brackets  86 , to an angle  96  greater than 90 degrees. The integrally molded gussets  92  provide additional strength to what might otherwise be a failure point as the cover is moved from the closed position, as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , to the open position illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7-8 , a load line mounting assembly  100  is shown. The load line mounting assembly  100  consists of a length of pipe  102  threaded on each end  104 ,  106  and a flange  108  located between the ends  104 ,  106 . Flange bores  110  in the flange bores  108  mate with the throughway bores  80  spaced around the load line throughway  62  located in the rear upstanding wall portion  54  of the reservoir  24 . Fasteners  112  secure the flange  108  to the rear upstanding wall portion  54 . For security, bolts with locking nuts are preferred for the fasteners  112 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 7-8 , an optional cleanout assembly  120  attached to the load line mounting assembly  100  permits evacuation of contents of the reservoir  24  through a transfer line (not shown). A valve  122  connects a suction line  124  to the load line mounting assembly  100  by appropriate pipe fittings  126  through a threaded bore  128  adjacent the threaded end  104  of the length of pipe  102 . The suction line  124  is sized to extend from the valve to just above the bottom  46  of the reservoir  24 . In operation, while the transfer line is in place and a pump is pulling tank contents into the tank truck, the valve  122  is opened and any liquid which has accumulated in the reservoir  24  will be transferred to the tank truck. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , the load line connection spillage container  20  is shown in conjunction with an optional bottom drain assembly  140 . A valve  142  is connected at one end by appropriate pipe fittings  146  to the bottom  46  of the reservoir  24 . A drain line  144  extends downwardly from the other end of the valve  142 . When the valve  142  is opened, any liquid collected within the reservoir  24  of the load line container  20  drains from the reservoir  24  into an appropriate container (not shown). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7-9 , the advantages of the current invention injection molded load line connection spillage container  20  are apparent. The integrally molded internal reinforcing ribs  72  and the integrally molded external reinforcing ribs  74  permit attachment of the load line connection spillage container  20  to a loading line, using the load line mounting assembly  100 , without use of additional steel collars and saddles. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 9-10 , the optional bottom drain assembly  140  permits removal of any liquid which may accumulate in the reservoir  24 . A valve  142  connects a drain line  144  to the reservoir  24  by appropriate piping  146  through a threaded bore  148  in the bottom  46  of the reservoir  24 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the precise location of the threaded bore  148  in the bottom  46  of the reservoir  24  is arbitrary. Any convenient location is within the scope of the present invention. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 10  in conjunction with  FIG. 11 , the load line connection spillage container  20  is shown with an optional saddle  150  which extends from the rear upstanding wall portion  54  downward and across the bottom  46  of the reservoir  24 . Saddle bores  152  align with the bores  80  spaced around the load line throughway  60 , and the saddle  150  is secured by the fasteners  112  used to secure the load line mounting assembly  100  to the rear upstanding wall portion  54  of the reservoir  24 . One threaded end  106  of the pipe length  102  of the load line mounting assembly  100  extends through a cutout  154  in the saddle  150 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , the load line connection spillage container  20  is shown with an optional backing plate  160 . The backing plate  160  has backing plate bores  162  which align with the bores  80  spaced around the load line throughway  60 , and the backing plate  160  is secured by the fasteners  112  used to secure the load line mounting assembly  100  to the rear upstanding wall portion  54  of the reservoir  24 . One threaded end  106  of the pipe length  102  of the load line mounting assembly  100  extends through a cutout  164  in the backing plate  160 . 
     It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the saddle  150  and the backing plate  160  are primarily cosmetic and not needed to support the weight of the load line connection spillage container  20  and its contents. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , the load line connection spillage container  20  according to the present invention is shown in conjunction with an optional enclosed main valve, an optional cleanout assembly, and an optional sampling assembly. The load line mounting assembly  100  shown in  FIGS. 7-9  is secured to the rear upstanding wall portion  54  of the reservoir  24 . A main valve  170  is connected at one end to the threaded end  104  of the load line mounting assembly  100  by a pipe fitting  172 . A short pipe  174  connects the other end of the main valve  170  to a quick connect fitting  176 . On one side of the short pipe  174 , an optional cleanout assembly  120  (See  FIGS. 8-9 ) is connected to the short pipe  174  by a threaded bore  178  (not shown) in the wall of the short pipe  174 . On the other side of the short pipe  174 , an optional sampling assembly  180  is connected to short pipe  174  through a second threaded bore  182  (not shown) in the wall of the short pipe  174 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 13 , the sampling assembly  180  includes a valve  184 , a goose-neck sample tap  186  attached to one end of the valve  184 , and a pipe fitting  188  connecting the other end of the valve  184  to the threaded boar  182  in the wall of the short pipe  174 . 
     It will be understood by one skilled in the art that load line connection spillage container  20 , when configured as shown in  FIG. 13  with the optional main valve  170 , the optional cleanout assembly  120 , and the optional sampling assembly  180 , offers substantial advantages to oil field operators. With the load line connection spillage container locked, access is restricted to the load line, thereby precluding unauthorized persons from draining the storage tank. The cleanout assembly  120  permits easy removal of liquids from the reservoir  24 , and the sampling assembly  180  permits sampling of crude oil or other liquids being transferred from the storage tank to the tank truck. 
     The load line connection spillage container  20  can be manufactured from any thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic material suitable for injection molding. The most commonly used thermoplastic materials are polystyrene (low cost but lacking the strength and longevity of other materials), ABS or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (a ter-polymer or mixture of compounds used for everything from toy parts to electronics housings), polyamide (chemically resistant, heat resistant, tough and flexible), polypropylene (tough and flexible), polyethylene (also tough and flexible), and polyvinyl chloride or PVC (more commonly extruded to make pipes, window frames, or wiring insulation where high proportions of plasticizer are added for flexibility). Plastics reinforced with short fibers can also be injection molded. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , an optional flow meter assembly  200  positioned at a convenient location measures the flow between the storage tank (not shown) and the tank truck (not shown). Many different types and styles of flow meters are well known in the art. In-line flow meters are placed in a transfer line using suitable fittings. New technological breakthroughs have enabled measurement of fluids, including oil and water mixtures, using clamp-on designs. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the flow meter assembly  200  may be placed either within or without the reservoir  24 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.