Systems and methods for a container with portholes

Abstract

Disclosed is a container, such as an above-ground pool, with an improved porthole. The container can include a base, a side wall joined to the base, and at least one porthole. The porthole can comprise an aperture in the side wall and a generally transparent window sheet attached to the side wall and completely covering the aperture in the side wall. Such a design can be stronger and more durable than conventional portholes. The pool can also have portability and storability characteristics that are superior to those of conventional pools.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A pool comprising:
 a base; 
 a side wall joined to the base, the sidewall constructed from a first plastic, and the side wall having an aperture; and 
 a porthole comprising:
 a first window sheet layer; 
 a second window sheet layer, the first and second window sheet layers constructed from a second plastic; and 
 a reinforcing mesh disposed between the first and second window sheet layers, 
 
 the porthole attached to an interior surface of the side wall, the interior surface of the side wall being a surface exposed to an interior volume of the pool, by at least two welds that are each continuous around a perimeter of the aperture. 
 
     
     
       2. The pool of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second window sheets are transparent and the side wall is not transparent. 
     
     
       3. The pool of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first plastic and the second plastic is polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
       4. The pool of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two welds are three welds that are continuous around the perimeter of the aperture. 
     
     
       5. A fluid container, comprising:
 a base; 
 a side wall joined to the base, the side wall having an aperture and an interior surface, the interior surface of the side wall being a portion of the side wall exposed to an interior volume of the fluid container; and 
 at least one porthole comprising a window sheet attached to the interior surface of the side wall, the window sheet completely covering the aperture in the side wall, 
 wherein the at least one substantially transparent porthole is attached to the interior wherein the at least one porthole is attached to the interior surface of the side wall by a first weld continuous around a perimeter of the aperture and a second weld continuous around an outer edge of the at least one porthole. 
 
     
     
       6. The container of  claim 5 , wherein the window sheet comprises a reinforcing mesh. 
     
     
       7. The container of  claim 5 , wherein the window sheet comprises:
 a first clear window sheet layer; 
 a second clear window sheet layer; and 
 a reinforcing mesh disposed between. 
 
     
     
       8. The container of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a pocket sheet attached to the side wall; and 
 a bracing sheet located between the pocket sheet and the side wall. 
 
     
     
       9. The container of  claim 8 , wherein the pocket sheet is substantially rectangular, and is attached to the side wall on three sides, but not on a top side, to create a pocket. 
     
     
       10. The container of  claim 9 , wherein the pocket further comprises a sealing system. 
     
     
       11. The container of  claim 8 , wherein the bracing sheet is more rigid than the pocket sheet. 
     
     
       12. A method for assembling a fluid container, comprising:
 providing a base; 
 joining a side wall to the base, the side wall having an interior surface that is exposed to an interior volume of the fluid container; 
 forming an aperture in the side wall; and 
 creating a porthole by welding a window sheet to the interior surface of the side wall such that the window sheet covers the aperture, the welding comprising forming a first weld continuous around a perimeter of the aperture and forming a second weld continuous around an outer edge of the window sheet, the first weld and second weld being nonconcentric. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising embedding the window sheet with mesh. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the window sheet is reinforced with polyester mesh. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 attaching a pocket sheet to the side wall to create a pocket; and 
 providing a bracing sheet configured to be inserted between the pocket sheet and the side wall inside the pocket. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the side wall and the window sheet are constructed from polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the window sheet and the side wall are welded together by a radio frequency welding process.