Apparatus and method for manufacturing a tank

Abstract

An tank, and method for manufacturing the tank, is provided. The tank includes a container formed with at least a first wall and a second wall. Also included are one or more hollow tubes. Ports are formed in the first wall and second wall of the tank. The hollow tubes are extended between the ports. In operation, the hollow tubes resist forces placed on the tank, whether filled or left empty.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for manufacturing a tank, comprising: 
 providing a container with at least a first wall and a second wall;    including in the container one or more hollow tubes having a distal end and a proximal end;    forming one or more upper ports in the first wall;    disposing one or more lower ports in the second wall;    connecting the proximal end of the one or more hollow tubes to the one or more upper ports; and    attaching the distal end of the one or more hollow tubes to the one or more lower ports.    
     
     
         2 . A method for manufacturing a tank as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the providing step includes the substep of positioning the first wall substantially opposite the second wall.  
     
     
         3 . A method for manufacturing a tank as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the including step includes the substep of using a hollow tube having any cross-sectional shape.  
     
     
         4 . A method for manufacturing a tank as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the forming step includes the substep of locating the one or more upper ports substantially coincident with a longitudinal axis through the center of the one or more lower ports.  
     
     
         5 . A method for manufacturing a tank as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the connecting step includes the substep of integrally forming the proximal end of the one or more hollow tubes with the one or more upper ports.  
     
     
         6 . A method for manufacturing a tank as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the attaching step includes the substep of integrally forming the distal end of the one or more hollow tubes with the lower port.  
     
     
         7 . A method for manufacturing a tank as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the disposing step includes the substep of positioning the one or more lower ports substantially coincident with a longitudinal axis through the center of the one or more upper ports.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for resisting forces on a tank, comprising: 
 a container formed with at least one outer wall;    one or more first set of ports formed in the at least one outer wall; and    at least one hollow tube fixedly extendable through the one or more first set of ports.    
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for resisting forces on a tank as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the outer wall further defines a chamber.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for resisting forces on a tank as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the container is formed with at least one inner wall.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for resisting forces on a tank as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the at least one inner wall defines a compartment.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for resisting forces on a tank as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising one or more second set of ports formed in the at least one inner wall.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for resisting forces on a tank as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the at least one inner wall is within the chamber.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for resisting forces on a tank as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the one or more hollow tubes are fixedly extendable through the one or more ports aligned along a longitudinal axis through the center of the one or more ports and one or more hollow tubes.  
     
     
         15 . A tank, comprising: 
 a container formed with a first wall and a second wall;    a plurality of hollow tubes; and    means for fixedly extending the plurality of hollow tubes through the second wall and through the first wall.    
     
     
         16 . A tank as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising one or more storage receptacles disposed within the container.  
     
     
         17 . A tank as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the one or more storage receptacles is formed with at least one enclosure defining the storage receptacle.  
     
     
         18 . A tank as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the fixedly extending means includes forming a plurality of ports through the at least one enclosure.  
     
     
         19 . A tank as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of hollow tubes are located at least within the container.  
     
     
         20 . A tank as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the fixedly extending means includes at least one port formed in the first wall and in the second wall.  
     
     
         21 . A method for neutralizing forces on a tank having at least one wall, comprising: 
 forming the tank with at least one chamber;    providing one or more hollow tubes having a distal end and a proximal end;    locating the one or more hollow tubes within the at least one chamber;    connecting the proximal end of the one or more hollow tubes to a first opening in the at least one wall; and    attaching the distal end of the one or more hollow tubes to a second opening in the at least one wall.    
     
     
         22 . A method for neutralizing forces on a tank having at least one wall as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the forming step includes the substeps of: 
 selecting a mold;    disposing a flowable material on the mold for forming the container.    
     
     
         23 . A method for neutralizing forces on a tank having at least one wall as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the connecting step includes the substeps of: 
 selecting a mold; and    disposing a flowable material on the mold for integrally forming the proximal end of the one or more hollow tubes with the first opening in the at least one wall.    
     
     
         24 . A method for neutralizing forces on a tank having at least one wall as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the connecting step includes the substeps of: 
 selecting a mold; and    disposing a flowable material on the mold for integrally forming the distal end of the one or more hollow tubes with the second opening in the at least one wall.