FR2700524A1 - Container for toxic waste products - Google Patents

Abstract

The container comprises a body (1) with a detachable lid (2) which locks onto it.The upper rim of the container body is equipped with an outer skirt (10) which extends downwards and is equipped with a groove (11) and recess (13) to receive a locking projection (223) on the inside of the lid in temporary and permanent positions respectively.The skirt has a flange (14) which acts as a stop for the lid in its lower position, and beneath the flange it flares outwards towards a second flange (16) round its lower edge.The lid has outer and inner vertical walls (20, 21), connected by any upper wall (22) and fitting over the top of the container body and skirt and equipped with a seal (13) which fits against the container's upper edge.The lower edge of the vertical outer wall (20) is equipped with an outer sloping section (23), the locking projection (223) and a vertical collar (24) which stops against the flange (14) when the lid is pushed on and locked.

Description

CONTAINER FOR TOXIC WASTE
The present invention relates to a sealed container for toxic waste or residues.

 the regulations in force in many countries on the protection of the environment and the conditioning of waste have led to the development of new modes of storage and transport of toxic residues of varied nature and from various origins (hospitals, agriculture, chemical industry and pharmaceutical...).

 The invention relates more particularly to a container for toxic waste comprising a container body and a removable cover with tight closure comprising locking means on the body of the container. I1 is also necessary that this container is easily transportable and allows a temporary closure during use, while becoming inviolable after final closure to ensure the integrity of its contents during storage and handling.

 This object is achieved in accordance with the invention by providing that in the container the rim of the body extends downward and along its external lateral face by a peripheral skirt comprising on the periphery of its upper part an external groove in which come provisionally engage the locking means of the cover and which overcomes a thinned flank limited downwards by a radial wing and upwards by the projecting edge of the wall of the skirt under which come to snap definitively said locking means.

 According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the wall of the skirt, at least under the radial wing, gradually moves down from the side wall of the container to form a flared side.

 According to another characteristic, the flared side of the outer skirt ends in a perpendicular flange extending radially outward.

 According to an advantageous embodiment, the cover has a vertical flank internal to the container extending towards the outside by an elbow shoulder forming the connection with a flexible external flank on which the locking means are provided.

 According to other advantageous characteristics, the internal face of the external flank comprises in its lower part an inclined face with divergent walls, the upper projecting end of which defines an internal rib at least partially peripheral forming a means for locking the lid on the body of the container. , said rib engaging for a temporary closure in the outer peripheral groove of the skirt of the container body and for a final closure by snap-fastening under the projecting wall of the skirt.

 The invention also provides that the inclined face is extended downwards by a flared part, the lower end of which abuts against the radial wing of the skirt during the final closure of the container and that the external face of the internal flank of the lid, which comes into contact with the inner wall of the container body, has a slightly convex curvature.

 In addition, the outer peripheral groove of the skirt of the container body is separated from the thinned side by a protuberance from the wall of said skirt.

 In order to ensure a perfect seal, the lid is provided, between the internal and external sides, and under the shoulder of the lid with a peripheral seal which is compressed in the permanently closed position against the rim of the body of the container.

 Finally, to increase the flexibility of the cover, the internal peripheral rib of the cover has at least two symmetrical interruptions where the external flank is brought closer to the internal flank.

 The upper face of the lid is advantageously provided with a handle and the bottom of the container has a central cavity whose dimensions are determined so as to accommodate the handle of the lid when stacking closed containers of the same type.

 Likewise, the covers themselves are stackable thanks to the presence, on their upper face, of a peripheral groove situated directly above the internal flank and the width of which corresponds substantially to the thickness of said flank.

 The sealed container according to the invention allows the selective collection of toxic or aggressive products as well as their packaging and transport in complete safety for both personnel and the environment.

 It is easily identifiable and can be easily stacked with other containers of the same type or put on pallets.

 It is completely airtight but also allows a temporary waterproof closure.

 In some cases, the container can be reused by arranging before its use an independent flexible bag inside the container. The periphery of this bag is then fixed to the outer skirt of the container by means of notched tabs.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear better on reading the following description of several embodiments of the invention given by way of nonlimiting examples. The description refers to the appended figures in which:
- Figure 1 is an elevational view of the container of the invention comprising the container and the cover in the closed position;
- Figure 2 shows a partial vertical sectional view of the container of the invention in the provisionally closed position;
- Figure 3 shows a partial vertical sectional view of the container of the invention in the permanently closed position.

- Figures 4a and 4b show two contiguous half-views of the closed container, respectively in bottom view and in top view;
- Figures 5a and 5b show respectively vertical and horizontal sectional views of a detail of the cover;
- Figure 6 shows a sectional view of a detail of the container;
- Figure 7 is an elevational view with a partial section of a stack of two closed containers according to the invention;
- Figure 8 is an elevational view with a partial section of a stack of covers.

 The container shown in Figure 1 comprises a container body 1 and a removable cover 2 for sealing the container 1 by locking on the upper part of the latter. The upper face of the cover 2 has a central depression 26 in which a handle 27 is produced. The body of the container 1 has a cross section formed by a quadrilateral with rounded angles. The side walls of the body of the container 1 are divergent to obtain a maximum surface section at the rim of the opening and thus allow the stacking of several empty containers by nesting in each other. The container body has depressions 18 made on the height of each side face so as to increase the stability of the container.

 Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the cooperation between the cover 2 and the body of the container 1 in order to achieve a closure in two stages.

Sealing is ensured from the first stage known as temporary closure (Figure 2) while the transition to the second stage known as final closure (Figure 3) is effected by pressing the cover 2 to snap its locking means into the container retaining means 1.

 Figures 2 and 3 show the container of the invention in which the rim of the body 1 of the container extends downward and along the external lateral face by a peripheral skirt 10. The skirt 10 has, on the periphery of its upper part and in the vicinity of the rim, an external groove il which successively surmounts a protuberance 12 of the wall and a thinned flank 13 produced by reducing the thickness of the wall of the skirt thereby defining a projecting edge 113. The thinned flank 13 is therefore limited upwards by the projecting edge 113 and downwards by a radial wing 14.

 The skirt 10 extends downwards under the radial wing 14 to a flange 16 perpendicular to the side wall of the skirt. The wall of the skirt 10, at least over its height located under the wing 14, deviates progressively downwards from the side wall of the container 1 to form a flared side 15 allowing the container 1 to be gripped.

 The height of the flared side 15 of the skirt 10 is determined as a function of the respective widths of the radial wing 14 and of the flange 16 so that their ends are preferably located in the same vertical plane.

 The cover 2 has an internal vertical flank 21 intended to be inserted in the container 1 in contact with its internal side wall. The internal flank 21 is extended on the outside by a bent shoulder 22 forming the connection with a flexible external flank 20. The upper face of the cover 2 has a central depression 26 at the center of which the handle 27 is molded in one piece with cover 2.

 The external face of the internal flank 21 has a slightly convex curvature making it possible to obtain localized bearing contact with the internal wall of the container 1, thereby strengthening the seal of the closure. Furthermore, this curvature of the internal flank 21 delimits with the external flank 20 and the shoulder 22 a housing for a peripheral seal 3 which is compressed, during final closure (Figure 3), against the rim of the container 1 by elastically deforming.

 The internal face of the external flank 20 has in its lower part an inclined face 23 with divergent walls, the upper projecting end of which defines an internal rib 223 at least partially peripheral. The width of the rib 223 corresponds substantially to the width of the projecting edge 13 of the wall of the skirt 10.

The inclined face 23 is extended downwards by a flared part 24. In this way, the total height of the external flank 20 is at least equal to that of the internal flank and preferably greater than the latter. Likewise, the height between the internal rib 223 and the lower end of the flared part 24 is substantially equal to the height of the thinned flank 13 of the skirt 10.

 In FIG. 2, the cover 2 is in the provisionally closed position and the cover locking means constituted by the internal rib 223 of the external flank 20 are then engaged in the external groove 11 of the skirt 10 of the container 1 forming a retaining means provisional. The top 21a of the convex curvature of the internal flank 21 of the cover is in this state at the same level as the top of the rounded upper face of the rim of the container 1 and directly above the internal side wall of the container. In this position, the curvature of the internal flank 21 and the cooperation between the rib 223 and the groove 11 ensure both the maintenance of the cover 2 on the container 1 and the sealing of the container.

 The transition to the final closed position is effected by manual pressure on the cover 2, the flexible external side 10 being slightly separated by guided support of the rib 23 on the protuberance 12 of the skirt 10.

 In FIG. 3, the cover 2 is in the final closed position and the internal rib 223 is snapped under the projecting edge 113 of the wall of the skirt 10 forming final retaining means. The upper face of the rib 223 is then in contact with the lower face of the protruding edge 113. In this position, the lower end of the flared portion 24 bears against the radial wing 14 whose length is at least equal at the distance separating the internal end of the rib 223 from the external face of the flared part 24. The internal end of the rib 223 is in contact with the thinned flank 13 of the skirt 10. Similarly, the protuberance 12 of the wall of the skirt 10 is in bearing contact against the inner face of the outer flank 20 of the cover 2 while the convex curvature of the inner flank 21 is in bearing contact against the inner wall of the container 1. In this state, the sealing is ensured from the inside to the outside of the container by six contact and / or deformation contact zones located respectively on the curvature of the internal flank 21, the seal 3, the protrusion 12, the upper face and the internal end of the n groove 223 and the lower end of the flared portion 24.

 Figures 4a and 4b show the closed container respectively in half-view from below and in half-view from above.

 FIG. 4a represents the longitudinal depressions 18 produced at regular intervals from top to bottom on the side wall with preferably a depression 18 per face. The wall of the external skirt 10 is connected at regular intervals to the external lateral wall of the container 1 by vertical partitions 19 of reinforcement also serving as support stops in the event of stacking of empty containers 1.

 The underside of the container 1 has a central cavity 17, the dimensions of which are determined so as to accommodate the handle 27 of the cover 2 when the closed containers are stacked, as shown in FIG. 7.

 Figure 4b is in fact a top view of the cover 2 covering the container 1 which is thus hidden.

 The upper face of the cover comprises, perpendicular to the internal flank, a peripheral groove 25 whose width corresponds substantially to the thickness of said flank so that the lids 2 can be stacked independently of the containers, as shown in FIG. 8. The rib internal 223 of cover 2 has at least two interruptions 220 and, preferably, sixteen interruptions 220 symmetrically opposite in pairs and regularly spaced around the periphery of the cover, where the external flank 20 is brought closer to the internal flank 21 to reinforce the lateral compression on the skirt 10 and also increase the flexibility of the cover.

 Figures 5a and 5b illustrate the previous embodiment.

Of course, the other elements of the cover 2 are preserved.

 FIG. 6 represents a particular embodiment in which the thinned flank 13 of the skirt 10 of the body of the container 1 is replaced, on four symmetrically opposite zones in pairs, by a notched tongue 130 extending in an inclined downward fashion and outward. This tongue 130 is intended for fixing the outer periphery of an independent and disposable packaging bag which adorns the internal volume of the container 1.

 The container 1 is preferably produced by injection molding of polypropylene while the cover 2 is advantageously produced by injection molding of high density polyethylene and the seal 3 is made of rubber.

Claims (21)

 1. Container for toxic waste comprising a container body (1) and a removable cover (2) with tight closure comprising locking means on the body of the container, characterized in that the rim of the body of the container 1 extends towards the bottom and along its external lateral face by a peripheral skirt (10) comprising on the periphery of its upper part an external groove (11) in which the locking means of the cover (2) are temporarily engaged and which overcomes a thinned flank (13) limited downwards by a radial wing (14) and upwards by the projecting edge (113) of the wall of the skirt (10) under which said means are snapped in definitively lock.  2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the skirt (10), at least under the radial wing (14), deviates progressively downwards from the side wall of the container (1) to form a flared flank.  3. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flared side (15) of the outer skirt (10) ends in a perpendicular flange (16) extending radially outwards.  4. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cover (2) has a vertical internal flank (21) in the container (1) extending outwards by an angled shoulder (22) forming the connection with a flexible external flank (20) on which the locking means are provided.  5. Container according to claim 4, characterized in that the internal face of the external flank (20) comprises in its lower part an inclined face (23) with divergent walls whose upper projecting end defines an internal rib (223) at less partially peripheral forming means for locking the lid (2) on the body of the container (1), said rib (223) engaging for temporary closure in the external peripheral groove (11) of the skirt (10) of the body of the container (1) and for final closure by snap-fastening under the projecting edge (113) of the wall of the skirt (10).  6. Container according to claim 5, characterized in that the inclined face (23) extends downwards by a flared part (24) whose lower end bears against the radial wing (14) of the skirt ( 10) during the final closure of the container (1).  7. Container according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the external face of the internal flank (21) of the cover (2), which comes into contact with the internal wall of the body of the container (1), has a slightly convex curvature.  8. Container according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the total height of the external flank (20) is at least equal to the height of the internal flank (21).  9. Container according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the upper face of the cover (2) has a central depression (26).  10. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the external groove (11) of the skirt (10) of the body of the container (1) is separated from the thinned flank (13) by a protuberance (12) of the wall of the skirt (10).  11. Container according to claim 6, characterized in that the height between the internal rib (223) and the lower end of the flared part (24) of the cover (2) is substantially equal to the height of the thinned flank (13 ) of the skirt (10) of the container (1).  12. Container according to one of claims 4 to 11, characterized in that the upper face of the cover (2) comprises perpendicular to the internal flank (21) a peripheral groove (25) whose width corresponds substantially to the thickness of said internal flank.  13. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thinned side (13) of the skirt (10) of the body of the container (1) is replaced on four symmetrically opposite zones two by two by a notched tongue (130 ) extending inclined downward and outward for fixing the outer periphery of an independent packaging bag intended to fill the internal volume of the container (1).  14. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (2) is provided, between the internal (21) and external (20) sides, and under the shoulder (22) of a peripheral seal ( 3) which is compressed in the permanently closed position against the rim of the container body.  15. Container according to one of claims 4 to 14, characterized in that the upper face of the cover (2) is provided with a handle (27).  16. Container according to one of claims 9 and 15, characterized in that the underside of the container (1) has a central cavity (17) whose dimensions are determined so as to accommodate the handle (27) of the cover when stacking of closed containers of the same type.  17. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall of the external skirt (10) is connected at regular intervals to the side wall of the body of the container (1) by vertical reinforcing partitions (19).  18. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side wall of the body of the container (1) has longitudinal depressions (18) made from top to bottom at regular intervals.  19. Container according to one of claims 4 to 14, characterized in that the internal rib (223) of the cover (2) comprises at least two symmetrical interruptions (220) where the external flank (20) is brought closer to the internal flank ( 21) to reinforce the lateral compression on the skirt (10) and also to increase the flexibility of the cover (2).  20. Container according to claim 19, characterized in that the cover comprises sixteen interruptions (220) of said rib (23) symmetrically opposite two by two and regularly spaced.  21. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cross section of the container (1) consists of a quadrilateral with rounded angles and in that its side walls are divergent.