Load line connection spillage container

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.

1 . A load line connection spillage container device comprising:
 a reservoir comprising a bottom portion, an upstanding wall portion having an upper surface, a load line throughway and reinforcing ribs molded into the reservoir;   a reservoir cover; and   a threaded coupler for securing a load line positioned in the load line throughway.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a cleanout assembly, the cleanout assembly comprising a valve attached to the threaded coupler and a suction line extending downward from the valve, wherein opening the valve during transfer of liquid through the threaded coupler causes any liquid which has accumulated in the reservoir to be removed. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a saddle having an opening therein to permit access to the load line throughway, wherein the saddle substantially overlies the reinforcing ribs. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the upper surface of the upstanding wall portion opposite the load line throughway is lower than the load line throughway thereby permitting receipt of an unloading line extending from the threaded coupler. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the reinforcing ribs extend downward from the load line throughway to the bottom of the reservoir. 
     
     
         6 . A load line connection spillage container for catching and retaining liquid spilled when liquids are pumped between storage tanks and tankers, wherein the transfer line from the storage tank is characterized as a load line and the transfer line from the tanker is characterized as an unloading line, the load line connection spillage container comprising:
 a reservoir defined by a bottom and upstanding walls, the upstanding walls being further characterized as a rear upstanding wall portion, a front upstanding wall portion, a left upstanding wall portion, and a right upstanding wall portion, the rear upstanding wall portion having a load line throughway therein;   reinforcing ribs molded into the rear upstanding wall portion;   a reservoir cover, said reservoir cover hingedly attached to the reservoir;   a threaded coupler positioned in the load line throughway for securing a load line to the container; and   a saddle substantially overlying the reinforcing ribs.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the reinforcing ribs extend from the rear upstanding wall portion to the bottom of the reservoir and are similarly molded into the bottom of the reservoir. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6  further comprising a cleanout assembly, the cleanout assembly comprising a valve attached to the threaded coupler and a suction line extending downward from the valve wherein opening the valve during transfer of liquid through the threaded coupler causes any liquid which has accumulated in the reservoir to be removed. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the saddle is attached to the threaded coupler. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 6  further comprising a sampling assembly for sampling liquid transferred between the storage tank and the tanker, the sampling assembly comprising:
 a pipe fitting attached to the threaded coupler, the pipe having a generally horizontal pipe-threaded bore therein; and 
 a valve connected at one end to the generally horizontal pipe-threaded bore in the pipe and at the other end to a goose-neck sample tap. 
 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 6  further comprising an enclosed main valve, wherein the enclosed main valve is attached to the threaded coupler within the reservoir by a pipe fitting.