Spill containment devices and their installation

• Main Authors: KESTERMAN; JAMES E, LAMPING; FRANK G, SUNDERHAUS; CHARLES A, BUTTERFIELD; ERIC J
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 29.06.1993
• Subjects: ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS,e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES,DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; CONVEYING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; PACKAGES; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; STORING; TRANSPORTING

A below grade, spill containment device for connection with the riser pipe of an underground fuel storage tank. The containment device is disposed within and isolated from a manhole, which is mounted in a concrete apron. The containment device comprises a compositely formed container, rigidly mounted on the riser pipe. The container formed of structural synthetic resin material elements held in assembled relation by snap fitted lugs and notches. A lid, for closing the upper, access opening, is mounted on a pivotable arm. A lever pivoted on the arm selectively engage latch means to lock the lid in a closed position. A projection on the lever prevents the manhole cover from seating if the lever is not in its lock position. A valve for draining fuel from the container to the riser pipe is closed when the lid is open and opened when the lid is closed. The manhole and the containment device are packaged in a shipping carton in spaced relation be corrugated paper sheets. These sheets are employed in obtaining a desired relation between the containment device and manhole in the installation of these components, which involve pouring a concrete apron around the upper end of the manhole. An alternative system employs adjusting nuts to obtain this relationship between the manhole and containment device. In one embodiment the manhole is compositely formed to permit relative movement between its upper and lower portions, after installation.