US Patent 7618695 Cylinder refurbishing and cylinder cover

A method of refurbishing a liquefied petroleum gas cylinder 13 characterised by fitting a tubular sleeve member 11 to the cylinder 13 between the footing 21 and the guard member 15. The sleeve member 11 is formed of a stretchable material which when unstretched is of height less than the surface distance along the surface of the cylinder 13 from the location of the guard 15 circumference to the location of the footing 21 circumference. The sleeve member 11 has a circumference of less than the maximum circumference of the cylinder, and has a top elastic member 27 attached at one end and a bottom elastic member 29 attached at the other end. The top elastic member 27 is in use, located proximal to the location of said guard 15 circumference and the bottom elastic member 29 is in use located proximal to the location of said footing 21 circumference. The top elastic member 27 is of a length when relaxed less than said guard circumference, and said bottom elastic member 29 is of a length when relaxed less than said footing circumference. This draws in the sleeve member 11, ensuring a smooth fit to the cylinder 13. The method provides an alternative to stripping and repainting gas cylinders when refurbishing, or at least minimizes the amount of paint required.