Patented Barrel storage Container

Barrel Sleighs

Barrel Storage Container

The barrel storage container was developed because there is a need for something better, easier, user-friendly, and will protect the environment. The container was originally designed for aviation fuel in the late ’90s and directed mainly towards the helicopter industry. In our region, it was quite evident there were large caches of empty, part full, and full barrel laying about in the far north and remote areas. Because of the high cost of shipping them back or the owner was dispatched to a different part of the country, the barrels were abandoned.  There is a question of ownership, who is going to clean them up, and who is responsible for a spill into the environment. The fact is that with a helicopter, barrels can be cached anywhere and in most cases on crown land or someone else’s other than the helicopter companies. When flying empties out of the far north there was no way to determine who owned them originally. A barrel has to be near perfect, unmarked with spray paint or felt pen and has to be completely empty or it will not get the $50 deposit. This sometimes becomes a losing venture because you are paying for the barrel, the shipping and handling, the wasted disposal of the leftover product, and maybe a trip to the scrap yard. Above all else, it may not even be your barrel in the first place.

The Solution

  1. Have something that is worth coming back for ie: Barrel Storage Container
  2. Ownership: The container can be identified with the owner company name, phone number, spill response, product ID, which can be seen from the air.
  3. Non-painted aluminum: Reflects heat and can be seen from long distances. No maintenance, plus the painting process will create hazardous by-products that eventually make their way into the environment.
  4. Security: Locks help prevent theft and ensuring your fuel will be there and be of good quality.
  5. Containment of a leak: This is one of the most important features. It has a containment sump that will contain a leak and a unit that doesn’t allow rain to enter the sump area. There is easy access to sump area for cleanup in the case of a leaking barrel. (wide open area, less exposure to fumes during cleanup)
  6. Profile: Low profile allows aircraft to approach unit without fear of hitting it with a rotor blade or wing. The fear of knocking over empty containers with the blast of air from the propeller while departing is also reduced.
  7. Viewing window: impact resistant lexan on one side only. Reasons container is placed with window facing away from sand blasting prop wash, therefore saving damage to the window. A person without a key can inspect contents to see if there is a leak. He can also check to see if barrels are full by seeing if seals are in place, can check expiry dates and product grade.
  8. Material: aluminum was chosen because it is lighter and easily repaired in the aircraft industry. The material is non-sparking and is conductive for static grounding purposes. A wood skid is used because it is also non-sparking and will not slip as easily on a deck of a truck or a floor of an aircraft. The grounding of container and the first contact point of barrel is 2 ft. outside of the sup area when loading ramp door is opened.
  9. Collapsible: This is another important feature. The unit must breakdown easily, quickly and require no tools or parts that can be misplaced. Parts are light enough for 1 person to handle. Parts stay together as a unit when assembled as well as in the collapsed state. Container is weather tight in upright and collapsed position. Unit collapses for shipping purposes ie: less cargo space is required, unit can fit through the door of a small aircraft when shipped up north and takes up less warehouse space.
  10. Locks: Two locks are used and can be keyed the same or different for two different users. The locks are positioned so they are protected from the weather and vandalism.
  11. Lifting and tie-down: Lifting lugs are placed at four corners of the base so the unit can be loaded or slung full via crane or helicopter. The lugs also act as a tie-down during transport by road.
  12. Storage of fuel: Historically aviation fuel has always been stored on their side once they leave the plant. Water air and exposure to the sun will seriously degrade fuel. With bungs set at nine and three o’clock and barrels lying horizontally have less chance for the intrusion of air and water. There is however an increased chance of a leak. If you were a pilot, a crash from poor quality fuel would be high on the priority list not a leak. A barrel is shaped like a wheel and standing them upright is the last thing anyone wants to do, from delivery person, to end user. Having an easy load storage access is a good thing.
  13. Deposit: $50 adds up, so you want to get it back. Protecting the barrel from damage, theft and exposure to the elements is one way to ensure you get it back and allows the barrel to be recycled.
  14. Accessories: Spill kit box – easily attaches to unit and contains the necessary material to safely cleanup a spill in the containment sump area. Wheel kit: a slip fit wheel assembly is available that allows a person to move a fully assembled unit effortlessly in locations where a forklift is not available. (remote areas)

SUMMARY

A containment system that will do more than prevent a spill into the environment, has other features that promote productivity and safety, it will stand a better chance of being used. Using the Outdoor Barrel Storage Container will benefit the user and the environment.