Abstract:
The disclosed carrier is a semi-rigid, semi-flexible apparatus with convenient handles, support structure, anchoring mechanisms, access ports and reinforced bases. The carrier assists in containing otherwise highly compliant walls of a flexible tank contained therein.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/761,949, filed Jan. 25, 2006. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to an apparatus and methods for carrying flexible fuel tanks. Flexible fuel tanks are generally a synthetic, fuel-resistant type of fuel tank made of rubber, canvas, nylon or other suitable materials. 
         [0003]    Flexible fuel tanks, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,451, which is incorporated herein by reference, are used to store fuels, such as gasoline, for use by vehicles, aircraft and watercraft. 
         [0004]    Flexible fuel tanks are becoming particularly more popular due to their ability to reduce emissions, handle blended fuel mixtures, and thereby increase gasoline consumption efficiency. Particularly, advance of flexible fuel tank construction deters the formation of fuel vapor, thereby avoiding the problems associated with dealing with fuel vapor. Because the fuel vapor is never allowed to form in void spaces as in traditional fuel storage systems, there is decreased emission and reduced risk of excess pressure build-up in the void spaces. 
         [0005]    In the commercial embodiment of U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,451, a rigid outer shell contains a flexible double-walled flexible bladder. Hydraulic fluid, or charge fluid, fills the space between the walls, allowing the flexible bladder to conform to the amount of fuel it receives. As fuel is used, the bladder contracts to eliminate any void space that would otherwise occur by the withdrawal of fuel. 
         [0006]    Flexible fuel tank liners can be installed to reduce the risk of fuel leak following damage, and in airline settings, the possibility of a shock wave that could induce fuel instability and fuel tank rupture. 
         [0007]    However, flexible fuel tanks are rather difficult to transport due to their floppy and unwieldy nature. The present invention is directed toward solving the transportability of flexible fuel tanks by providing a carrier for flexible fuel tanks. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A carrier for a flexible fuel tank and a method of dispensing fuel is disclosed. 
         [0009]    The carrier comprises a semi-rigid, semi-flexible apparatus with convenient handles, support structure, anchoring mechanisms, access ports and reinforced bases. The carrier assists in containing otherwise highly compliant walls of the flexible tank contained therein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a carrier of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a carrier of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is another side view of a carrier of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a carrier of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a carrier of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a carrier of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a carrier of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0017]    Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a carrier  10  of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the carrier  10  comprises handles  12  that are preferably one-piece, and suitable for carrying the weight of fuel intended in the flexible fuel container (not shown) intended to be placed at least partially within the carrier  10 . Access ports  16  are provided in a user preferred configuration. The handles  12  are formed of a preferably one-piece material, the ends of which overlap and attach at the top handle  30 , which preferably conceals the seam at the ends of the overlap (not shown) and also provides a means for keeping the two adjacent handles  12  together if desired, either by including a snap or hook and loop material at the top handle  30 . 
         [0019]    The preferred materials for forming the carrier  10  comprise coated shell textile having a DWR coating on the outside and a heavy polyurethane coating on the inside. DWR is a fabric treatment which stands for Durable, Water, Resistant. This durable water resistant treatment coats the fibers of the fabric with a hydrophobic finish, that causes liquid to bead up and roll off of the fabric. 
         [0020]    Ports  16  are preferably sewn bonded as shown for reinforcement and to provide robust and long lasting effects to the carrier  10 . Additionally, a polyurethane coating can be applied to the bindings for robustness. Double stitching is preferred, as is the use of a strong threat material, such as Kevlar® thread. 
         [0021]    Ports  16  are preferably configured for retention and/or pass through any combination of hoses, nozzles, and filling and dispensing lines that attach to the flexible tank itself. 
         [0022]    Ports  16  may also provide access to charge liquid lines of the flexible tank itself, or ports  16  may also comprise carrying pockets or access points for items such as user directions and warning symbols. 
         [0023]    A flap  20  is provided with embedded grommets  22 , and like flaps  20  may be incorporated about a periphery of a wall  14  to provide for mounting points to secure the tank  10  as desired. A plurality of walls  14  define the upper, lower, and four (more or less) side walls of the carrier  10 . Walls  14  can be lined with foam and sheet plastic for padding in a preferred embodiment for further reinforcement. 
         [0024]    The walls  14  and flaps  20  are preferably reinforced with sheet plastic for rigidity and durability. It is understood that the carrier  10  need not be cubic as shown, but can incorporate any shape desired in accordance with the shape of the received flexible fuel container. 
         [0025]    A zipper  18  or like access material (hook and loop, etc) is provided about the periphery of the top wall  14 , so that the carrier  10  may be opened and the flexible tank inserted thereto. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a side view of the carrier  10  is shown. In these views, additional ports  16  are provided, and support structure  24  is shown. In one embodiment, support structure  24  comprises webbing similar to that of the handles  12 , although in additional embodiments, more rigid support such as struts or bars could be provided either vertically or horizontally in accordance with end-user preference. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the carrier  10  is shown carrying flexible fuel tank  32  and associated lines  34 , which may comprise any combination of hoses, nozzles, and filling and dispensing lines  34  that attach to the flexible tank itself. In this manner, lines  34  can be readily passed through carrier  10  to their respective connections on the tank  32  and external of the carrier  10 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4-7 , a perspective exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a carrier  100  of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, a bottom panel  26  has been added to the walls  14  to provide for reinforcement of the carrier  10 . The bottom panel  26  can comprise a different material than the walls  14  if desired. Preferably, the bottom panel  26  is coupled to the walls  14  of the container by seams concealed by support structure  24  to add to the aesthetics of the carrier  10 . Alternatively, the bottom panel is removably coupled with bottom wall  14 , as shown in the exploded view of  FIG. 4 . 
         [0029]    In alternative embodiments (not shown), some of the elements of the flexible tank itself may be incorporated or coupled with the carriers  10  and  100 . For instance, ports  16  could comprise tubular shaped lines intended for retention and/or pass through any combination of hoses, nozzles, and filling and dispensing lines. 
         [0030]    The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.