CA2100044A1

CA2100044A1 - Drum particularly suited for shipment of chemicals or waste

Info

Publication number: CA2100044A1
Application number: CA 2100044
Authority: CA
Inventors: Howard Rosenkranz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-05-19
Filing date: 1993-07-07
Publication date: 1994-11-20
Also published as: JPH06345089A; NL9301273A; DE4327442A1

Abstract

WASTE RECOVERY DRUM
Abstract of the Invention A drum for storing and transporting liquids comprising a pallet portion and a container portion is disclosed. The container portion defines an enclosed volume and has an inlet and an outlet as well as a reservoir portion extending therefrom. The outlet is located in the reservoir portion. The pallet portion receives therein the container portion and the reservoir portion and hasmeans for securely retaining the container portion in the pallet portion. The pallet portion further has means for receiving a portion of a lifting apparatus therein for lifting the drum and means for permitting access to the outlet in the reservoir portion through the pallet portion. The pallet portion has a hollow with predetermined dimensions, whereas the container portion has predetermined dimensions that are complementary to those of the hollow so that the container portion may be inserted into and engaged by the pallet portion, preferably in a snap-lock manner. The container portion further has a recessed top portion having a cap with a venting valve. The drum also preferably comprises interlocking means so that the drums may be stacked one upon the other without encountering any movement therebetween that might otherwise cause toppling thereof.

Description

'. 082llR~ooo7 CA
LC~Yn6~8.1 4 ~

DRUM P~RTICULARLY SU5TED FOR
SHIPMlENT OF CHl :MICAL5 OR WASTE

Field ol th~ Invention The invention relates to containers for the storage and transport of liquids, and more particulariy, to a drum comprising a container and a pallet that permits its convenient moving by a forklift and has provisions that accommodate one or more of the drums to be stacked upon each o~her in an interlocking mannerso as to prevent toppling thereof.
Back~rq)urld of the Inv~lltion In recent years, the need to transport and store hazardous material in a safe manner has becorne very apparent. For exarnple, during a manufacturingprocess, an unwanted by-product of an environmentally hazardous type may be created and it is desired to remove such a ha~ardous product from the manufactur-ing installation and transport that product to a facility wherein it may be properly disposed. The removal and transport of such a hazardous product is normally accomplished by the use of an appropriate container and the handling of such a ontainer should not involve nor expose anyone to any risk while the hazardous produc~ is being rnoved or while it is being stored.
The removal and transpor~ is usually accomplished by a combination of large tanks and medium scale containers. The ~ransport of waste and chemicalsis usually done by tanker trucks or bulk tanks made of steel, stainless steel orplas~ic, each having a capaci~ ranging from 2Q0-50û ga!lons. The medium scale shipping container, related to the present invention, may have a capacity of 60, 100 or 200 gallons and is used during intermed;ate stages of the overall ~ransportation.
Although it is desired to have medium-scale containers that an operator can slightly move or reposition during their handling, it is more innportant to have mediurn-08208.0007 CA
LC.~Yn~18.1 ~ -12~3 U {~

scale containers that can be moved and lifted by mechanical clevices, such as fork-lifts. Furthermore, to facilitate efficient usage of available warehouse space, it is desired that these containers be capable of being stacked one upon the other andsuch stacking should be accomplished in such a manner so as to not allow for anyrelative movement therebetween that might otherwise allow for the separation thereof and even possibly allow for toppling of the stacked container.
Moreover, these medium-scale containers may be used as temporary storage devices used to pick up liquid waste from producers of low quantities ofhazardous products, and pickup may be continued until the large container has been filled. During pickup, it is desired to have a convenient access means to the inner of the container so as to facilitate the pouring of the low quantity of waste into the container. Further, during the continuing use of the container, it is desired to have means for venting the container so that any pressure within the container may be relieved prior to the introduction of any further hazardous material.
Further, it may be desired to maintain a vacuurn within the container, but also allow the vacuum to be released prior to the introduction of additional hazardous materi-al. In either case, after the con~ainer has been filled, it is desired that drainage devices be provided so as to conveniently allow the removal of the hazardous material from the container for proper disposal. Such drainage should be accom-plished so ~hat a smooth output flow is provided, thereby avoiding any unwanted splashing.
Furthermore, these medium-scale containers may be stored in one location, such as in a warehouse, for an extended amount of time. During such storage, various parts of the containers, such as their steel casing, wooden pallets or even stainless steel stands, may become degraded by being attacked by either the confined waste os the ambient so as to cause rusting or rotting of ~he container.
It is desired that medium-scale containers be provided that are not susceptible to becoming rusted or rotten so that their confined substances may remain in place for a relatively long duration.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a container or drum having means ~o accommodate its lifting by a forklift.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a container having interlocking means to ensure that any arrangement of stacked containers remain in a stationary position even when subjected to any unwanted disturbances.

` . 08~.00~7 CA
LC ~V/2618.1 It is another object of the present invention to provide gripping means so that the containers may be slightly moved during their rela~ively full condition or even lifted during their relatively empty condition.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a container 5 that allows for a smooth output flow of its contents.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a container having means to relieve any vacuum or pressure that may be present therein priorto the addition of fluids thereto.
It is a still further object of lthe present invention to provide a 10 container comprising various elements none of which are susceptible to rusting nor rotting so that the container keeps its contents in place over a relatively longcluration.

Sllmmary l)f the InYentioll The present invention is directed to a drum or vessel used for the recovery of waste or hazardous fluids, or used as a container for shipping chemical products.
The drum comprises a pallet portion and a container portion. The container portion defines an enclosed volume and has an inlet and an outlet. The20 container portion also has a reservoir portion extending therefrom; the outlet being located in the reservoir portion. The pallet portion receives the container portion and the reservoir portion. The pallet portion has means for securely retaining the container portion in the pallet portion and means for receiving a portion of a lifting apparatus therein for lifting the drum. The pallet portion further has means for25 permitting access to the outlet in the reservoir portion. Tlle pallet portion has a hollow with predetermincd dimensions, whereas the container portion has prede-termined dimensions which are complementary to those of the hollow so that the container may be inserted into the pallet. After the container is inserted into the pallet, a molding operation is performed causing the two pieces (container and 30 pallet3 to become a single, one-piece drurn. The container portion has an upper rim portion and the pallet portion has rabbetted sections and leg portions. Whenthe drums are stac*ed one upon the other so that ~he pallet portion of one drum is placed on top of the container portion of another drum, the rim, the rabbetted sections and the leg portions all coact with each other to provide an interlocking 0~208.U007 CA
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function between the container portion and the pallet portion. The container portion has at least one grippable groove on its outer surface and a top wall having provisions for receiving a cap that includes a venting valve.

Brieî Descriptioll of the Dr~win~s For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
Fig. 1 is an exploded view illustrating a drum according to the 10 present invention, showing a container and a pallet separately.
Fig. 2 is a side view illustrating the container portion of the drum of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a side view illustrating the drum of Fig. 1 having its contain-er portion inserted into its pallet portion.
Fig. 4 is a view, taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3, showing further details of the drum of Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is a top view, taken along line 5-S of Fig. 4, showing details of the recessed seat of the container portion of the drum of Fig. 1.
Fig. 6 is a bottom view, taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 4, showing 20 details of the pallet portion of the drurn of Fig. 1.
Fig. 7 illustrates the legs of the pallet portion of one drurn and the rim of the container portion of a drum below it, all of which coact with each other to provide an interlocking engagement be~veen stacked drums of the present invention.
Fig. 8 illustrates a stacked arrangement of drurns according to the present invention. -D~t~iled lDescrie~iorl of th~ Preîerred Embodiments Re~erring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like 30 elements and wherein prirnes (') indicate counterparts of such like elements, there is shown in Fig. 1 a drum 10 in accordance with the present invention. The drum 10 preferably has a rectangular cross section and comprises a container por~ion 12 and a pallet portion 14. The ~ontainer portion 12 and the pallet portion 14 are 082a8.0007 CA
LC~V/2618.1 'h ~

both preferably formed of a polyethylene or cross-linked polyethylene material.
The container 12 preferably has a capacity of about 60, 100 or 200 gallons.
In general, the drum or vessel 10 comprises the container portion 12 which defines an enclosed volume and which has an inlet and an outlet. The container portion 12 also has a reservoir portion extending therefrorn with the outlet of the container portion 12 being located in the reservoir portion. The pallet portion 14 receives the container portion 12 and the reservoir portion. The pallet portion 14 has means for securely retaining the container portion within the pallet portion. The pallet portion 14 further has means for receiving a portion of a lifting apparatus therein for lifting the vessel and means for permitting access to ~he outlet in the reservoir portion through the pallet portion. The container portion 12 is in the form of a hollow rectangular solid and the reservoir portion extending outward from a wall of the solid.
As viewed from Fig. 1, the front of the pallet 14 portion has a leg 16, a strut member 18 preferably having an access opening 20, and another leg 22.
As will be described hereinafter with reference to Fig. 6, the back of the pallet also has two legs and a strut member. Again, with reference to Fig. 1, the leg 16 is spaced apart from the strut member 18 so as to provide an aperture 24 therebetween and, similarly, ~he leg 22 is spaced apart from the strut member 18so as to provide an aperture 26 therebetween. The apertures 24 and 26 are located at the lower region of the pallet portion 14. The dimensions of apertures 24 and26 and the spacing between them are selected so as to accommodate the insertion of tines or prongs of a forklift or other similar equipment for mechanically moving the dmm 10.
The leg 16 has a rabbetted section 16A that merges with a downwardly extending leg portion 16B. The rabbetted section 16A and the leg portion 16B are both located along an edge region of the pallet portion 14. Fur-thermore, although not shown for the sake of clarity, all of the legs of pallet portion 14 have a rabbetted section and a leg portion similar to 16A and 16B, respectively.
Some of such legs are shown in Fig. 1 on the side of pallet portion 14 as 28, 30 and 32. Legs æ and 2~ are spaced apart from each other to provide an aper~ure 34.
Similarly~ legs 28 and 30 are spaced apart to provide an aperture 36 and, similarly, legs 30 and 32 are spaced apart to provide an aperture 38. The legs 28, 31 32 and the spaces 34, 36 and 38 between the legs make the pallet por~ion lighter in weight, ; ~ .

08io8.~007 CA
LCW/2618.1 yet stronger in durability while yielding the benefit of reducing the cost of the pallet portion 14 by saving material.
The upper region of the pallet portion 14 has a groove 40 and a rim 42 tha~, in combination, provlde a gripping surface that may be used for the manual S handling or manipulating of the pallet portion 14 by itself. The pallet portion 14 has a hollow 44 that includes a well 46 and a rib 48 each having predetermined dimensions. The well 46 receives a reservoir 50 and the rib 48 fits into a groove just above a lower tier 52 of the container 12 in a manner as to be described hereinafter.
The container portion 12 further comprises a top wall 54 for the interior of the container portion 12. The container portion 12 further comprisesa rim 56 having a height 56A and which rim 56 covers at least part, but preferably all, of the periphery of the top wall 54, except for those portions of top wall 54 having cutouts 56B and 56C. The cutouts 56B and S6C provide a means ~or 15 viewing the top wall 54 and its associated members when the drums are stacked one upon ~he other in a manner to be described. Further, the cutouts 56B and 56C mayserve as openings to receive a strap to tie down the drum for shipment purposes.The rim 56, including its height 56A, defines a region 54A associated with the top wall 54. The top wall 54 has provisions, such as a threaded neck S8, for accepting 20 a cap 60 that includes a vacuum/pressure relief device 60A.
In addition to the lower tier 52, the container portion 12 further comprises upper and middle tiers 62 and 64, respectively. The tiers 62 and 64 are separated by a groove 66, whereas the tiers 52 and 64 are separated by grooves 68 and 70 having a two-stepped arrangement. The arrangement of ~he grooves 66, 6B
25 and 70, in combination with the tiers 62, 64 and 52, respectively, provide gripping sur~aces that may be used to physically handle or manipulate the container portion 12 by itself. The grooves 66, 68 of container portion 12 and groove 40 of the pallet portion 14 could also receive straps or bands for binding or holding groups of vessels 10 together such as which may occur on a flat bed of a truck.
The container por~ion 12, in particular its reservoir 50, its lower tier 52 and its grooves 68 and 70, have predetermined dimensions that are complemen-tary to the associated dirnensions of the hollow 44 of pallet portion 14. The selec-tion of these dimensions allow the container portion 12 to be securely retained to ~ , . . , ... ... . ; . - ~ ~

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the pallet portion 14 in a variety of ways but, preferably, by a molding process that exothermically joins the container portion to the pallet portion.
The lower tier 52 of container portion 12 has a flange 72 having selected dimensions that are complementary to the receiving portion (not shown) S of the hollow 44 of the pallet portion 14. The reservoir 50 of container 12 extends outward from the bottom wall of the container portion 12 and serves as a drainage or output port for container 12. The reservoir 50 has a side wall SOA that is generally vertical, a bottom wall 50B that is generally horizontal, and a sidewall 50C
that is an angle with respect to both SOA and SOB. The shape of the reservoir 50advantageously directs any fluid that is stored in container 12 toward a drainage control device 7~1. The reservoir 50 provides for a smooth output flow from drain-age control device 74 when it is opened so as to avoid any unwanted splashing ofthe fluid as it is being drained.
'rhe merger of the container portion 12 with the pallet portion 14 is further described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 illustrates the container portion 12 inserted into the pallet portion 14 so that its lower tier 52 is into the confines of hollow 44 of pallet portion 14. Further, the groove 70 (engaged by the rib 48) as well as most of the groove 68 are also within the confines of the hollow 44.
Furthermore, the reservoir 50 is within the confines of hollow ~4, in particular, within the well 46 of pallet portion 14. The details of the merged container andpallet portions 12 and 14 are filrther described with reference to Fig. 4, which is a view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.
Fig. 4 illustrates the depth at which the container portion 12 is inserted into the pallet portion 14, in a manner similar to that described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 4 further illustrates that the access 20 provides a conve-nient opening for reaching and manually operating the control valve 74 of container portion 12. Fig. 4 further illustrates a partial showing of the cap 60 ~hat is further ~escribed with reference to Fig. 5, which is a view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4.
Fig. 5 shows the cap 6Q as having a vacuum/pressure relief device 60A both centrally located on the top wall 5~. Fig. 5 further shows the rim 56 as having a prede~ermined width 76 which runs around the periphery of the top wall 54 of container portion 12. This rim 56 having the predetermined width 76 coactswith the rabbetted sections and leg portions of pallet portion 14, such as 16A and . . , - ., 0820B.0007 C~
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16B of Figs. 1 and 3, and is described with reference to Fig. 6, which is a view talcen along line 6-6 of Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 illustrates that the rabbetted section 16A has a predetermined width 78 that substantially corresponds to the predetermined width 76 of the rim56 of Fig. 5. The predeternnined width 78 also corresponds to the width of the rabbetted sections for legs 22, 28, 30 and 32 mentioned with reference to Fig. 1, as well as corresponds to the width of the rabbetted sections of the legs 80, 82 and 84 shown in Fig. 6. The legs 16 and 80 have an aperture 86 therebetween, legs 80 and 82 have an aperture 88 therebetween, and legs 82 and 84 have an aperture gO
therebetween. Fig. 6 further illustrates the back of the pallet 14 as having a strut member 92 and apertures 94 and 96 which are respectively similar to and provide the same benefits as described for strut member 18 and apertures 24 and 26 of Fig.
1. However, the strut member 92 does not have an opening such as opening 20 of strut member 18. Fig. 6 further shows a bottom view of strut members 18 and 92, as well as a bottom view of the wcll 46 showing sides SOB and SOC of reservoir Sû.
The respective complementary dimensions 76 and 78 of rim 56 and legs 16, 22, 28,30, 32, 80, 82 and 84 provide an interlocking function between stacked drums 10 and which is further described with reference to Fig. 7.
Fig. 7 illustrates a portion of the pallet portion 14 above the top wall 54 of container portion 12 just before the pallet portion 14 is placed onto the rim 56. As can be recogni~ed from Fig. 7, as the pallet 14 is directed downward, itsrabbetted sections, such as 16A, will straddle the rim 56, whereas its extended leg portions, such as 16B, are received and disposed within the region 54A. After the pallet portion 14 has been guided downward and into the region 54A, all of the leg portions, such as 16B, will be in abutting engagement with the rim 56. The abutting engagement of the leg portions and the straddling arrangement of the rabbetted sections of the pallet portion 14 all coacting with the rim 56 of the container portion 12 provide an interlocking f~mction between drums 10, so that the drums 10 can be stacked one upon the other The interlocking arrangement is further des-cribed with reference to Fig. 8.
Fig. 8 illustrates one storage drum 10' stacked upon another storage drum 10. As seen in Fig. 8, the pallet por~ion 14' is standing on the top tier 62 so that its rabbetted section 16A' straddles the rim 56 (not shown) and its leg segment 16B', shown in phantom, is within the confines of the upper tier 62 that inclucles 082~8,0007 CA
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region 54A (not shown). The drums 10 of the present invention may be stacked in any row-column arrangement suitable for short term or long term storage.
Fig. 8 further shows that the apertures 2~i, 26 and 24' and 26' are exposed and are available for receiving the tines or prongs of the forklift so that the S drums 10 and 10' may be conveniently moved to any desired location. The palletportions 14 and 14' serve as portable platforms each of which allows the drums 10 and 10' to be moved singularly or both in unison.
In operation, and again with reference to Fig. 1, normally the container portion 12 is inserted into the pallet portion 14 with the cornbination forming the drum 10 having the portable platform 14 that allows the drum 10 to be easily moved by such devices as a forklift. The container 12, because of its medi-um-scale capacity of 60,100 or 200 gallons, may be used as a device that can be brought to different manufacturing facilities whereby any chemicals, wastes or hazardous fluids or products may be placed in the drum 10 and shipped to an appropriate storage or slisposal installation. The drum 10 may be placed in the storage facility with one drum 10 stacked upon another. The drum 10 because of its composition is relatively insensitive to any degradation by the hazardous material so as to allow for a relatively long storage life. The drum 10 being composed of a plastic material does not suffer from the drawbacks of rusting or rotting discussed in the "Background" section for other prior art containers. Furthermore, the drum 10 because of its sturdy structure and portable platform 1~ may be used as a convenient device for shipping many substances and is not limited to hazardous ~pe products. Moreover, a~ter proper cleaning, the drum 10 is reusable for shipment of many types of various products.
It should now be appreciated that the practice of the present inven-tion provides a reusable shipment drum for chemicals or waste that are readily stackable and have means which safeguard their stacked arrangements.
The present invention may be embodied in other speci~lc forms without departing from the spirit and essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than ~o the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.

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Claims

1. A vessel for liquids, comprising:
a container portion defining an enclosed volume and having an inlet and an outlet, the container portion having a periphery and a reservoir portion extending from the container portion, the outlet being located in the reservoir portion; and a pallet portion for receiving therein the container portion and the reservoir portion, the pallet portion having means for securely retaining the contain-er portion in the pallet portion, the pallet portion further having means for receiv-ing a portion of a lifting apparatus therein for lifting the vessel and means for permitting access to the outlet in the reservoir portion through the pallet portion.

2. A vessel according to claim 1, wherein the container portion is in the form of a hollow rectangular solid, the reservoir portion extending outward from a wall of the solid.

3. A vessel according to claim 1, wherein said container portion is rectangular in cross-section, except for said reservoir.

4. A vessel according to claim 1 further comprising:
(i) a rim located about at least a portion of the peri-phery of said container portion; and (ii) a rabbetted section that merges with a leg section and both of which are located at an edge region of said pallet por-tion, said rabbetted section and said leg section both being arranged to coact with said rim of said container portion so as to provide a releasable but engaging arrangement therebetween when said pallet portion is placed upon said container portion.

5. A vessel according to claim 1, wherein said pallet portion has a hollow having predetermined dimensions and said container portion has a lower region with dimensions that are complementary to said hollow, all of said dimen-sions being selected so as to allow said container portion to be inserted into said hollow but also causing engagement therebetween.

6. A vessel according to claim 5, wherein said hollow includes a rib and said lower region of said container includes a groove each of which having complementary dimensions relative to each other so that said rib snugly fits into said groove when said container portion is inserted into said pallet portion.

7. A vessel according to claim 5, wherein said pallet portion is formed by molding, and while said pallet portion is still in its hot state, said lower region of said container is inserted in said hollow of said pallet portion and said pallet is allowed to cool.

8. A drum for storing and shipping liquids comprising:
a pallet portion having a hollow with predetermined dimen-sions and apertures located below the hollow that are spaced apart by a predeter-mined distance; and a container portion having predetermined dimensions com-plementary to those of said hollow so that the container portion may be insertedinto the hollow, said container portion having a periphery and a recessed top portion having provisions for receiving a cap that includes a venting valve, said container portion having a reservoir with two opposed side portions that are in-clined with respect to the other side portions of the reservoir.

9. A drum for storing and shipping liquids according to claim 8, wherein said container portion is rectangular in cross-section except for said reservoir.

10. A drum for storing and transporting liquids according to claim 8 further comprising:
(i) an access opening in said pallet; and (ii) a drainage fitting located in said reservoir of said container and in alignment with said access opening in said pallet.

11. A drum for storing and shipping liquids according to claim 8 further comprising:
(i) a rim located about at least a portion of the periph-ery of said container portion; and (ii) a rabbetted section that merges with a leg section and both of which are located at an edge region of said pallet por-tion, said rabbetted section and said leg section both being arranged to coact with said rim of said container portion so as to provide a releasable but engaging arrangement therebetween when said pallet portion is placed upon said container portion.

12. A drum for storing and shipping liquids according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined dimensions of said hollow of said pallet and said complementary dimensions of said container are both selected so as to allow saidcontainer to be inserted into said hollow but also causing engagement therebetween.

13. A drum for storing and shipping liquids according to claim 12, wherein said hollow includes a rib and said container includes a groove at its lower region, said groove and said rib having complementary dimensions relative to each other so that said rib snugly fits into said groove when said container portion is inserted into said pallet portion.

14. A drum for storing and shipping liquids according to claim 12, wherein said lower region of said container and said hollow of said pallet are exothermically joined together.

15. A drum for storing and shipping liquids according to claim 8, wherein said apertures of said pallet are spaced apart by a predetermined distance that accommodate the separation between tines of a forklift.