1. A method for forming a reinforced extrusion, the method comprising:
extruding a polymeric material into a tubular member;
applying a first vapor barrier to the tubular member; and
overwrapping the first vapor barrier with a thermoplastic reinforcing layer, the first vapor barrier being between the tubular member and the thermoplastic reinforcing layer to reduce the transfer of volatile hydrocarbons therethrough.
2. The method according to claim 1 further including decreasing the permeability of an inner surface of the tubular member to volatile hydrocarbons.
3. The method according to claim 2 further including applying a second vapor barrier to the inner surface of the tubular member.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein applying the first vapor barrier includes co-extruding the first vapor barrier with the tubular member.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein applying the first vapor barrier includes depositing a vapor barrier film to an exterior surface of the tubular member.
6. The method according to claim 1 further including encasing the thermoplastic reinforcing layer with a liner.
7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the polymeric material includes high density polyethylene and the first vapor barrier includes ethylene vinyl alcohol.
8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the first vapor barrier includes an elastomer to increase the elongation-to-break ratio of the tubular member.
9. The method according to claim 8 wherein the first vapor barrier includes a nano-particulate.
10. A reinforced extrusion comprising:
an extruded polymeric member including a sidewall defining an exterior surface;
a thermoplastic reinforcing layer encompassing the extruded polymeric member and defining an interior surface disposed toward the extruded polymeric member; and
an intermediate layer interposed between the extruded polymeric member and the thermoplastic reinforcing layer, wherein the intermediate layer is a polymeric vapor barrier bonded to at least one of the exterior surface of the extruded polymeric member and the interior surface of the thermoplastic reinforcing layer.
11. The reinforced extrusion of claim 10 wherein the vapor barrier includes ethylene vinyl alcohol.
12. The reinforced extrusion of claim 10 wherein the vapor barrier includes nylon-11 polyamide.
13. The reinforced extrusion of claim 10 wherein the vapor barrier includes graphene.
14. The reinforced extrusion of claim 10 wherein the extruded polymeric member exterior surface is subject to sulfurization to enhance bonding between the extruded polymeric member and the vapor barrier.
15. The reinforced extrusion of claim 10 wherein the extruded polymeric member exterior surface is subject to a corona treatment to enhance bonding between the extruded polymeric member and the vapor barrier.
16. A method for forming a reinforced extrusion, the method comprising:
extruding a polymeric material into a tubular member having an interior surface for receipt of a moving fluid and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface;
reacting at least one of the interior surface and the exterior surface of the tubular member with a sulfur-containing compound to decrease the permeability of the tubular member to volatile hydrocarbons; and
overwrapping the tubular member with a thermoplastic reinforcing layer.
17. The method according to claim 16 further including applying a vapor barrier to at least one of the exterior surface and the interior surface of the tubular member.
18. The method according to claim 16 further including applying a corona treatment to at least one of the exterior surface and interior surface of the tubular member.
19. The method according to claim 16 wherein the polymeric material includes high density polyethylene.
20. The method according to claim 16 wherein the tubular member is in direct contact with the tubular member exterior surface.
21. The method according to claim 16 wherein the sulfur-containing compound includes sulfur trioxide.
22. The method according to claim 16 wherein the sulfur-containing compound is reacted with the interior surface and the exterior surface.
23. The method according to claim 16 further including encasing the thermoplastic reinforcing layer with a liner.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
What is claimed is:
1. A tool container comprising:
a case portion defining a storage space,
a cover portion being movably attached to said case portion and being pivotally moveable between a closed position in which said cover portion covers an upwardly facing opening of said storage space and an open position in which access to said storage space through said upwardly facing opening is permitted, said cover portion being securable in said closed position;
said cover portion having an elongated level storage space for storing a level therein, and a secondary cover portion movably mounted with respect to said cover portion for movement between a closed position wherein said secondary cover portion covers the elongated level storage space to retain the level therein and an open position wherein access to the level stored in said elongated storage space is permitted; and
a handle connected to said cover portion to facilitate transport of the tool container.
2. A tool container according to claim 1, said secondary cover portion further comprising level mounting structure constructed and arranged to allow the level to be removably mounted to the second cover portion when the second cover portion is in its open position so that movement of the second cover portion into its closed position carries the level into the level storage space and movement of the second cover portion from its closed position into its open position moves the level out of the level storage space to facilitate worker access to the level.
3. A tool container according to claim 2, wherein the second cover portion includes a partially enclosed space constructed and arranged so that the level is removably mounted to the second cover portion by placing the level in the partially enclosed space.
4. A tool container according to claim 2, wherein the level is removably mounted to the second cover portion by being removably attached thereto.
5. A tool container according to claim 4, wherein the second cover portion includes one or more locking structures movable between locking and releasing positions, each locking structure including a locking surface that releasably engages a respective surface on the level when the locking structures are in their locking positions to removably attach to level to the second cover portion.
6. A tool container according to claim 5, wherein each locking structure is a resilient structure biased into its locking position.
7. A tool container according to claim 6, wherein each locking structure is integrally formed with the secondary cover portion.
8. A tool container according to claim 7, wherein the secondary cover portion and the integral locking structures are constructed of a molded plastic material.
9. A tool container according to claim 1, wherein the secondary cover portion is constructed and arranged such that when the secondary cover portion is in its closed position and the level is contained within the level storage space, the second cover portion is interengaged with the level such that the weight of the level tends to hold the second cover portion in its closed position.
10. A combination tool container and level comprising:
a case portion defining a storage space,
a cover portion being movably attached to said case portion and being pivotally moveable between a closed position in which said cover portion covers an upwardly facing opening of the storage space and an open position in which access to the storage space through said upwardly facing opening is permitted, said cover portion being securable in said closed position;
a level disposed in an elongated level storage space in said cover portion, and a secondary cover portion movably mounted with respect to said cover portion for movement between a closed position wherein said secondary cover portion covers the elongated level storage space to retain the level therein and an open position wherein access to the level stored in said elongated storage space is permitted; and
a handle connected to said cover portion to facilitate transport of the tool container.
11. A tool container according to claim 10, said secondary cover portion further comprising level mounting structure constructed and arranged to allow the level to be removably mounted to the second cover portion when the second cover portion is in its open position so that movement of the second cover portion into its closed position carries the level into the level storage space and movement of the second cover portion from its closed position into its open position moves the level out of the level storage space to facilitate worker access to the level.
12. A tool container according to claim 11, wherein the second cover portion includes a partially enclosed space constructed and arranged so that the level is removably mounted to the second cover portion by placing the level in the partially enclosed space.
13. A tool container according to claim 11, wherein the level is removably mounted to the second cover portion by being removably attached thereto.
14. A tool container according to claim 13, wherein the second cover portion includes one or more locking structures movable between locking and releasing positions, each locking structure including a locking surface that releasably engages a respective surface on the level when the locking structures are in their locking positions to removably attach to level to the second cover portion.
15. A tool container according to claim 14, wherein each locking structure is a resilient structure biased into its locking position.
16. A tool container according to claim 15, wherein each locking structure is integrally formed with the secondary cover portion.
17. A tool container according to claim 16, wherein the secondary cover portion and the integral locking structures are constructed of a molded plastic material.
18. A tool container according to claim 10, wherein the secondary cover portion is constructed and arranged such that when the secondary cover portion is in its closed position and the level is contained within the level storage space, the second cover portion is interengaged with the level such that the weight of the level tends to hold the second cover portion in its closed position.