Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~FN ~ 5 7 ~3 6
. CON~ERTIBLE DUAL CONTAINER STOR~GE SYSTEM
.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to convertible
dual container systems, and more particularly to
~ystems where a fluid stored in one con-tainer is
periodically required for use in a second container.
Dual container systems may find use in a
wide variety of applications. For example, in
systems requiring the segregated storage of two liquids
for a period of time before mixing, blending, etc.,
a dual container system is a necessity. Additionally,
some systems may require a second liquid periodically
to regenerate the contents of a container through
which a first process liquid has been flowing. These
systems may include beds of ion exchange resins or
filter media which periodically become exhaus~ed. A
particular application of dual container systems is
in the field of domestic water softening.
Household water softeners utilizing ion
exchange typically include a resin tank, through which
hard water is passed and exchange of "hardl' ions of
calcium and magnesium for "softl' sodium ions takes
place, and a brine tank. After a period of operation
the ion exchange resin in the resin tank needs to be
regenerated to remove accumulated hardness ions and
to replenish softness ions. This is accomplished by
passing a salt solution from the brine tank through
the resin bed.
The regeneration cycle typically lasts
about an hour and needs to be done, on the average,
about every other day. More frequent regenerations
are required during periods of heavy water usage.
With each regeneration cycle, a new charge of brine
solution is required. Typically, household water
softening systems have provided for storage of dry
salt pellets above the level of brine solution in the
brine tank sufficient for providing brine solution
for relatively long periods of time.
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Prior ark household water softening systems
have been constructed either with the bxine and resin
tanks in a side-by-side relationship or with the resin
tank fitted within the brine tank. Typical of the
side-by-side structure is Rose, U. S. patent No. Re.
25,979~ This type of structure permits maximum
storage capacity for salt and eliminates the need
for frequently refilling the brine tank with salt.
However, the side-by-side structure requires a rela-
tively large amount of floor space which may notalways be available in smaller homes or apartments.
Placing the resin tank within the brine
tank as shown by Miller, U. S. patent No. 3,285,418~
and Prior et al, U. S. patent No. 3,891,55~, conserves
lS floor space, but greatly reduces the volume of usable
salt storage space within the brine tank and necessi-
tates frequent xefilling thereof with salt. Addi-
tionally, neither the prior art side-by-side tanks
nor the resin tank within brine tank systems were
~Q adapted to convert from one configuration to the
other if the need arose, such as for example, if the
water conditioning system was moved to a different
location. Moreover, distributors of domestic water
softening systems had to stock both separate types
of systems because convertibility from one to the
other was not possible.
Accordingly, the need exists in the art
for a dual container system which is easily con-
vertible to either a side-by-side or tank within a
tank configuration as the need arises and which,
because of its adaptability, can be installed in a
wide variety of locations.
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SUM~RY_OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention
a convertible dual container system is provided
having first and second tanks and a cover adapted
to span the two when one is disposed within the
other. The first tank is a vertically upstanding,
generally cylindrical tank having a timer and multi-
valve assembly associated therewith. The bottom of
the first tank is of a flat, planar configuration
such that the tank is freestanding without the need
~or any external supporting structure. The second
tank is also of a generally cylindrical construction,
but is designed to have a diameter greater than the
diameter of the first tank. The second tank is also
freestanding. The base of the second tank has a
circular ridge upstanding therefrom into which the
base of the first tank is adapted to fit. The ridge
aids in the proper positioning of the first tank
within the second tank when a tank-in-tank configura-
tion is used~
The cover for the second tank is of ahollow, cylindrical configuration adapted to sealingly
engage the upper rim of ths second tank. The cover
has a tapered, upstanding wall spanned by a flat lid
portion. A front portion of the wall of the cov~r is
c~t off at an angle to the horizontal less than the
remaining portions of the wall, forming a flat face
upon whïch visual indicia may be printed. The height
of the cover is such that when the first tank is
3Q positioned in the second tank, there is sufficient
clearance for the cover to fit over the first tank
and sealingly engage the upper rim portion of the
second tank. The rear wall portion of the cover is
provided with an opening whlch accommodates piping
associated with the system.
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The relative sizes of the individual
components and the freestanding nature o both the 9
first and second tanks permits adaptability of the J
system to either a side by-side configuration or a
5 tank within a tank configuration. In this manner,
a single dual container system can be adapted for
uses which require a minimum of floor space or uses
which require a maximum liquid storage capaclty.
In a preferred embodiment of this invention~ 1
10 the first tank will contain a bed of ion exchange ~i
resin material and the second tank will contain a
supply of a regenerating brine solution. In operation,
raw water will be treated by passing it through the
resin bed in the first tank. Periodically, brine
15 solution is flowed from the second tank through the
resin bed to regenerate it.
Accordingly, it is an object of this inven-
tion to provide a dual container system which is
adaptable to meet a variety of space and storage
20 requirements; it is a further object of this invention
to provide a freestanding tank which is adapted to
fit înside of a larger diameter tank; it is yet
another object of this invention to provide a tank
cover adapted to be able to fit over an upstanding
25 tank disposed within a second tank and sealingly ~;
engage the upper rim portion of the second tank.
These and other objects and advantages of the inven-
tion will become apparent from the following descrip-
tion, the accompanying drawings, and the appended
30 claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION C)F THE DRAWINGS
Fi.g. 1 is a front elevation of the first
and second tanks of the present invention in a
side-by~side configuration;
r
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Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the ~anks of
the present invention in a tank-in-tank
configurationg with the first tank being shown in
broken lines; and
Fig. 3 is a view of the rear of the syste~
of Fig. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As shown in Fig. 1, the dual container
system of the present invention may be set up to
operate in a side-by-side configuration In a
preferred embociment, cylindrical tank 10 may
contain ion exchange resin material to effect water
softening. The resin is distributed throughout
vertical section 12 of the tank and, for a typical
domestic water softener, will contain 1.0 cubic foot
or some portion thereof of resin. The resin may be
any known ion exchange resin used in the art to
soften water.
Tank 10 has a flat bottom which is encased
in sleeve 1~ which snugly fits thereon. Sleeve 14
may be made of a rigid polymeric material or metal
and has a generally cylindrical shape, closed at one
end. Tank 10 may be fabricated of steel coated
inside and out with a polymeric material to resist
corrosion. Use of a steel tank permits operation of
the tank at pressures up to 125 psi. At the top of
tank 10 a timer and valve assembly 16 is attached
thereto. All of the piping for the system is
connected to valve assembly 16 including a raw water
inlet, conditioned water outlet, and drain. The
valve assembly also controls and directs the flow of
liquid between the two tanks. In the preferred
embodiment, valve assembly 16 is a five cycle flow
control valve as taught by Rose, U.S. Patent No.
3,080,975.
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115 7L13
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Storage tank 20 has a diameter larger thantank 10 and is also of a generally cylindrical shape
having a vertical section 22. Storage tank 20 may
be constructed either of metal or a rigid polymeric
material; the tank should be resistant to corrosion
from the materials stored therein. In the base of
tank 20, there is provided a circular upstanding
ridge of material 24 sized to have a diameter slightly
larger than the diameter of tank 10. The ridge may
be molded into the base of tank 20 concurrent with
the formation of the tank or may be secured in the
tank during a later assembly operation. In this
manner, when tank 10 is disposed in tank 20/ ridge 24
encircles the hase of tank 10, properly positioning
it within tank 20. Means Inot shown) are provided
to remove liquid from tank 20 and pass it through
valve assembly 16 into tank lOo
Storage tank 20 is provided with a cover 30
which has a tapered, upstanding wall 32 which is
spanned by lid 34. Optionally, the cover may have
a flat, angular portion 36 ~orming the front face of
cover 30 and which may have visual indicia thereon
relating to the operation of the system. The bottom
edge 38 of cover 30 forms a collar which is adapted
to sealingly engage the upper rim of tank 20. Cover
30 may be fabricated of the same materials as tank 20.
The combined height of tank 20 and cover 30 is such
that tank 10 will fit within tank 20 and still permit
cover 30 to sealingly engage the upper rim of tank 20.
As shown in Fig. 3, the back of cover 30
has an opening therein to receive the required piping
~or the system when it is in a tank-in-tank configura-
tion. Liquid inlet 40, treated liquid outlet 42,
and drain 44 are connected through valve assembly 16
to tank 10. A draw tube 46, positioned to have an
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~ .
opening at the bottom of tank 20, is in fluid
connection with tank 10 through the valve assembly.
In operation in its preferred embodiment
as a water softening system, tank 10 will contain s
5 an ion exchange resin and tank 20 will contain a
regenerating brine solution. Raw water will enter
tank 10 through inlet 40 and valve assembly 16 and
into the top of the tank. As the water passes down
through the resin bed it is softened and passes into
10 an outlet distributor at the bottom of the tank and
then to outlet 42. After the resin bed is exhausted,
the direction of water flow through the resin bed
i reversed to backwash the system, with water exiting b
from drain 44. Then, brine from tank 20 is cycled
15 through inlet 40 into ~he resin bed in tank 10 to
regenerate the resin. After regenexation, the brine
is rinsed from tank 10, the tank refilled with raw
water, and the softening cycle xepeated.
Because of the design of the system, it is
20 adaptable for many different needs requiring either
maximum storage capacity of a liquid or a minimum
of floor space. The design of the storage tank and
cover to be adapted to completely enclose the first
tank provides a convenient and attractive system
25 for the user.
