GB2276152A - Sealing gasket for drum lid - Google Patents

Abstract

A sealing gasket 10, for use between the upstanding upper edge 11 of the peripheral wall 13 of a plastics drum 1 and an upwardly extending groove 8 within a lid 6 therefor, is, in section, of a generally triangular form, the upper apex 20 of the gasket being arranged in use to abut the upper end 12 of the groove 8 in the lid 6 with the side portions 18, 19 abutting the sides of the groove 8 in the lid, and the base 17 of the triangle opposed to said upper apex 20 being of a generally concave disposition and receiving the upper edge 11 of the peripheral wall 13 of the drum 1. The upper edge of the container wall is preferably of an inverted V section and a slit sealing strip 16 secures the lips 14 and 15 of the lid and drum together. The drum is formed of thermoplastics material and may contain liquids. <IMAGE>

Description

Drum Seals and Drums Sealed Therewith This invention relates to drum seals and drums sealed therewith.

It is known to provide, for the containment of solid materials, which may be powdered solid materials, drums of generally circular plan view formed of moulded plastics material having an integral base, and a lid therefor arranged to seat upon the peripheral side wall of the drum by means of an upstanding rim of the lid containing an annular groove within which, in use, is disposed and located the edge of the upstanding wall of the drum.

It has been proposed to use such drums, which are of widespread use and manufacture, for the containment of liquids which have, hitherto, usually been contained in steel barrels with tightly closed and sealed lids.

However a problem has been encountered, particularly when it has been required to contain within the drum liquids for which the toughness and resilience and noncorrosability of the plastic drum is ideally suited, of providing a safe and sure seal between the lid and the drum wall so as to ensure that no leakage of liquid occurs.

Whilst in certain circumstances a sponge rubber or synthetic rubber O-ring has been used within the annular groove in the lid for sealing purposes for powdered solid material for example, it has been found that this is not adequate or satisfactory sealing for use with liquids.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least substantially reduce the above-mentioned problem.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a sealing gasket for use between the upstanding upper edge of the peripheral wall of a plastics drum and an upwardly extending groove within a lid therefor, wherein the gasket is, in section, of a generally triangular form, an upper apex of which is arranged in use to abut the upper end of the groove in the lid and side portions of which abut the sides of the groove in the lid, the base of the triangle opposed to said upper apex being of a generally concave disposition such as in use to receive in its concavity the upper edge of the peripheral wall of the drum.

The triangular disposition of the gasket may be of generally isosceles configuration about its upper apex, and the concave base may be of a curvilinear nature.

In section the gasket may, in colloquial terms, have a "arrow-head" configuration, with all walls thereof being of a generally curvilinear nature, and with the upper apex and other two lower disposed apexes of the triangle being of a curvilinear configuration.

The invention includes within its scope a drum and its lid sealed with a gasket as herein defined.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood one embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Figure 1 is a side elevation of a plastics drum incorporating a seal in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional elevation in enlargement of the encircled part of the upper periphery of the wall and part of the lid of the drum of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a section through the annular gasket of the drum arrangement of Figures 1 and 2.

Referring now to the drawings it will be seen that a drum 1 of generally traditional barrel configuration, having a cylindrical central portion 2, and an inwardly declining lower portion 3 and upper portion 4, and having integral base 5 is provided. The drum is formed of a thermoplastics material and is provided on each side with carrying handles.

The drum additionally is provided with a lid 6 arranged in use to be sealed to and securely fastened to the upper periphery of the drum wall.

As can be seen most clearly from Figure 2 the upper periphery 7 of the drum wall 13 extends into an annular groove 8 formed in an upwardly extending annular ridge 9 of the cover 6 of the drum 1, there being located a sealing gasket 10, as hereinafter described in detail, between the upper edge 11 of the upper periphery 7 of the side wall 13 of the drum 1 and the innermost end 12 of the annular groove 8 in the lid.

Extending outwardly from the periphery of the lid 6 is a tapered flange or lip 14 which is juxtaposed above and against a corresponding outwardly extending tapered flange or lip 15 from the wall 13 of the drum. Securement of the lid to the drum is by means of an appropriately tapered U-sectioned annular split steel strip 16 which fits around the lid and drum over the two outwardly extending lips 14, 15 of the lid and drum and is securely fastened thereabout by means of a levered-toggle clip of known kind (not shown) thereby tightly clamping together the lid and drum.

As can be seen from Figure 3 the annular gasket 10, made of n appropriate elastomeric material such as a synthetic rubber, is of generally "arrow-head" configuration. thus it comprises, with curved surfaces, a generally isosceles triangular nature, the base 17 of the triangle being substantially concave so as to provide two "wings" 18, 19, one on each side, at the corners of the gasket. It will be observed that the apex of the triangle is of a curvilinear nature, as are the winged corners 18, 19.

The upper edge 8 of the upper periphery 7 of the wall of the container is of an inverted "V" section, and in use of the gasket this edge 8 engages in the concave base of the gasket, and the inner and outer wall of this upper edge 8 of the peripheral wall of the drum press the two wings 18, 19 of the gasket outwardly against the opposing side walls of the annular groove 8 in the peripheral ridge 9 of the lid. At the same time the apex or nose 20 of the gasket 10 is forced against the upper end 12 of the peripheral groove1 so that a secure seal is formed especially between the three pressure areas of the two wings 18, 19 and the nose of the gasket, and the associated areas of the walls and end of groove 8, and between the upper edge 11 of the upper periphery 7 of the drawn side wall 13 and the concave base 17 of the gasket 10.

In use, after the container has been filled with a liquid, the lid, with the gasket 10 disposed within the groove 8 at the upper end thereof, is placed upon the upper edge 11 of the peripheral wall 13 of the drum 1, the concave nature of the base 17 gasket 10 enabling immediate correct self location of the upper edge 11 of the peripheral wall in the gasket 10 between the two wings 18, 19 thereof.

The lid is then firmly pressed down upon the drum, and the split steel sealing strip 16 located around the outwardly extending lips 14, 15 of the lid and drum and firmly secured thereabout. By this means a safe secure closure and seal of the drum is achieved to enable perfectly safe containment of liquids, even toxic liquids, within the plastic drum.

It is to be understood that the foregoing is merely exemplary of drum gaskets, and drums incorporating such gaskets in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims (6)

1. A sealing gasket for use between the upstanding upper edge of the peripheral wall of a plastics drum and an upwardly extending groove within a lid therefor, wherein the gasket is, in section, of a generally triangular form, an upper apex of which is arranged in use to abut the upper end of the groove in the lid and side portions of which abut the sides of the groove in the lid, the base of the triangle opposed to said upper apex being of a generally concave disposition such as in use to receive in its concavity the upper edge of the peripheral wall of the drum.

2. A sealing gasket according to claim 1 wherein thetriangular disposition of the gasket is of a generally isosceles configuration about its upper apex.

3. A sealing gasket according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the concave base is of a curvilinear nature.

4. A gasket according to claim 1 which has an arrowhead configuration, with all walls thereof being of a generally curvilinear nature, and with the upper apex and other two lower disposed apexes of the triangle being of a curvilinear configuration.

5. A gasket substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6. A plastics drum having a lid sealed thereto with a gasket as defined in any one of the preceding claims.