MXPA97005360A - Drum of multiple compartments - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-compartment storage drum, which comprises: a semi-cylindrical drum segment, severely joined together, each drum segment including semicircular, upper and lower end panels, which are joined to , and are spaced apart by a side wall, having a semi-cylindrical outer side wall section and a flat inner side wall section, in which the end panels and side wall sections, inner and outer, of each drum segment , collectively establish a compartment for retaining a volume of material that can be emptied, and where the inner side wall sections of the drum segments have closely adjacent one another, when the drum segments are joined, so that the drum has a generally cylindrical configuration, by virtue of the semi-cylindrical outer side wall sections, the side wall sections The interior, closely adjacent, establish a longitudinally diametrical dividing plane of the storage drum, and wherein the storage drum further comprises circumferentially matched roller stops, extending outwardly from the outer sidewall sections of the drum sections. and are mounted asymmetrically in the longitudinally diametrical dividing plane, and barrel mouths formed in each of the end panels and dies closely adjacent to the dividing plane, so that the barrel mouths are oriented substantially vertically with respect to each other , when the drum is supported on a set of paired roller stops and so that the vertical orientation of the barrel mouths can be inerted by rolling this storage drum along the side wall sections, until the drum is supported over another set of matched roller stops

Description

DRUM OF MULTIPLE COMPARTMENTS Description This invention relates to the field of storage drums. In its preferred forms, the present invention is incorporated into a storage drum having multiple storage compartments that allow at least two dissimilar materials (eg, liquids, particulate solid materials, aqueous pastes or the like) to be stored separately from each other in respective compartments, but which are readily available for collective use (for example, as a mixture of such materials). It is sometimes convenient or necessary to supply dissimilar materials that can be emptied (eg liquids, particulate solids and the like) separately to the end user, although this end user may wish to use these dissimilar materials as a mixture. For example, certain chemical products for agriculture, chemically and / or functionally dissimilar, are conveniently applied to crops as a mixture to improve the efficiency of the application and / or chemistry. However, it is sometimes impossible to supply such agricultural chemicals to the end user in previously mixed batches, due to the chemical instability of the mixture and / or the governmental / environmental safety requirements. Therefore, it would be convenient if dissimilar materials, which can not be physically stored in a mixture, could nevertheless be contained separately in a common storage drum, so that the end user could easily distribute these materials as necessary. It is towards the provision of such a storage drum to which the present invention is directed. In general, the present invention is incorporated into a storage drum, longitudinally bisected, composed of a pair of semi-cylindrical drum segments. Thus, each drum segment will be formed by a pair of semicircular end panels, which are joined to, and spaced apart by, a side wall having a semi-cylindrical wall section and a flat, substantially rectangular wall section. The flat wall section of a drum segment (the female drum segment), likewise, defines a longitudinally oriented re-entry slot, which is joined with a longitudinally oriented tab, projecting from the flat wall section of the other drum segment (the male drum segment). Therefore, when the tongue and groove are joined together, a general structure of a cylindrical drum results.

The flat, closely adjacent wall sections of each drum segment establish a diametral dividing plane when the tongue and groove are joined together. The semi-cylindrical wall segments are provided with pairs spaced longitudinally and projecting to the outside of roller stops that close to this dividing plane. The upper semicircular end panels are each provided with a barrel mouth formed in relation to the roller stops, so when the drum structure is turned on its side and prevented from rolling by a set of roller stops , the barrel mouths will be oriented substantially vertically with respect to each other. Thus, simply inverting the vertical orientation of the barrel mouths (for example, rolling the drum along its cylindrical side wall, until it rests on the other set * of roller stops), the contents within the Semi-cylindrical drum segments can be selectively distributed by placing that barrel mouth of the segment in the lower vertical position relative to the other barrel. Other aspects and advantages of this invention will become clearer after careful consideration of the detailed description of their preferred exemplary embodiments that follow.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals in all the various figures, denote similar structural elements, and in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the multi-compartment drum, in accordance with this invention; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the multi-compartment drum, shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the multi-compartment drum of this invention, shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a front elevational side view of the multi-compartment drum of this invention, taken along lines 4-4 of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a left side elevational view of the multi-compartment drum of this invention, taken along lines 5-5 of Figure 2; Figure 6 is a perspective view, with separate pieces, of the multi-compartment drum, according to this invention, showing its respective attachable drum segments, separated in the form of a clam shell; Figure 7 is a perspective view, similar to Figure 1, but partially in section; and Figure 8 is a perspective view, illustrating the manner in which the contents of the drum can be distributed. The accompanying Figures 1 to 7 illustrate a particularly preferred embodiment of a multi-compartment drum 1, according to the present invention. In this aspect, the drum 1 includes essentially semi-cylindrical drum segments that can be separated, in the form of a drum male segment 12 and a drum female segment 14. Each of the drum segments 12, 14 is comprised of a pair of end, top and bottom semicircular panels, 12a, 12b and 14a, 14b, attached to and separated by a side wall, comprised of the semi-cylindrical outer wall section 12c and 14c, and the substantially flat internal wall section, 12d and 14d (see Figure 6), respectively. The lower end panels, 12b, 14b are preferably provided with arcuate cavities 12b ', 14b' (or ribs, if desired) for structural strength (see Figure 3). The side wall sections 12c, 14c, on the other hand, are preferably provided with recessed handles 12c ', 14c', respectively, to facilitate handling of the drum 10.

As may be more clearly illustrated in Figure 6, the male drum segment 12 includes a tongue 12e projecting outwardly from the inner wall section 12d, while the female drum section 14 includes a recess 14e of recess 14e. entrance, defined by the inner wall section 14d. The tongue 12e and the slot 14e are formed conformably, so that when they are joined, a relatively narrow interference fit is achieved. In this aspect, it will be noted that the tongue 12e includes an arched head portion 12le 'and a neck portion 12e "of narrower dimension.The head portion 12e * thus will be adjustablely mounted in the arched receiver channel I 4e of the slot 14e, while the entrance passage 14e "of the slot is of a dimension that closely fits the neck portion 12e." This internal locking arrangement of the tongue 12e / slot 14e prevents the drum segments 12 / 14, respectively, are easily separated from each other, however, it will be noted that the longitudinal dimensions of the tongue 12e and the groove 14e are each smaller than the general longitudinal dimension of the drum 10. This feature of the present invention will thus ensure that the two segments, 12 and 14, are only joined together in the intended orientation - that is, the correspondence of the drum segments is prevented in an inverse orientation to that shown in FIG. s figures of the drawing.

Although the lower ends of the tongue 12e and the slot 14e are shown in the figures of the drawing as extending to the end wall panels (bottom) 12b and 14b, respectively, they can each end in a manner similar to their upper ends. (i.e., each spaced from the bottom wall panels 12b, 14b, respectively). However, in the embodiment shown in the Figures of the drawing, it is preferred that the side walls 12c, 14c d the drum segments are provided with circumferential band receiving channels 12f, 14f (see Figure 6), which receive a band of adequate restriction 16 (see Figure 1) cihí. The restriction bands 16 thus serve to prevent the relative longitudinal slip between the drum segments 12 and 14 and can be used independently of the particular configuration of the tongue 12e and the groove 14e, so as to improve the structural integrity of the drum 10, when the drum segments 12, 14 are joined together. The closely adjacent flat inner wall sections 12d, 14d will establish a diametrical dividing plane P (which is normal to the plane of Figure 5), when the tongue 12e and the groove 14e are joined together. In accordance with the present invention, the semi-cylindrical wall sections 12c and 14cP each will be provided with two sets of roller stops 12g, 12h and 14g, 14h, longitudinally spaced, respectively. In this aspect, each roller stop 12ct is circumferentially opposed to a respective roller stop I4g, while each of the roller stops 12h is circumferentially opposed to a respective roller stop 14h. As a result, the circumferentially, upper and lower paired roller stops, 12g / 14g and 12H / 14h are provided asymmetrically, which are mounted in the diametral dividing plane P, when the drum segments 12 and 14 are joined together to form the general cylindrical drum 10. Preferably, each of the roller stops 12 g, 12 h and 14 g, 14 h define a convexly arched surface (for example hemispherical). The upper end panels 12a and 14a are each provided with respective barrel mouths 12i, 14i (see Figure 8) and lids I2j, 14j, respectively. The barrel ports 12i, 14i thus provide access to the interior compartments 121: 14 (see Figure 7) of the segments 12, 14, respectively, so that the compartments 12k, 14k can be filled with a respective volume of dissimilar material that can be emptied, and to allow a respective dissimilar material, which can be emptied, contained there, to be distributed when desired. As seen from Das figures of the accompanying drawing, the asymmetric orientation - the pair of rollers and couple-two circumferentially 12g / l4g and 12h / 14h and the placement of the barrel mouths 12i and 14i, close to the paired roller stops 12g / 14g and 12h / 14h, respectively, allows the barrel mouths 12i and 14i to be oriented vertically to each other when the drum 10 is turned on its side and rests on the roller stops in pairs I2g / 14g or 12h / 14h. Therefore, when the drum 10 rests on a surface S, using the set of roller stops in pairs 12g / 14g, as shown in Figure 8, for example, the vertical orientation of the barrel mouths 12i and 14i it can be inverted, simply by rolling the drum 10 along its circumferential lateral surface (arrow A ^ in Figure 8) until it is moved by a distance (arrow A2 in Figure 8), substantially sivaivalent to half the dimension circumferential of the drum 10 and rest on the other set of roller stops in pairs 12h / 14h. As such, the respective contents within the compartments 12 and 14k can be distributed separately from the drum 10 through the barrel mouths 12i and 14i, respectively. While the invention has been described in relation to what is currently considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the described modality and, conversely, attempts are made to cover all the various modifications and equivalent arrangements. included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (14)

1. CLAIMS 1. A multi-compartment storage drum, comprising: a pair of semi-cylindrical drum segments, detachably attached; each drum segment includes semicircular, upper and lower end panels, which are joined to, and spaced by, a side wall, having a semi-cylindrical outer side wall section and a flat inner side wall section, in which the panels at the end and the side wall sections, inner and outer, of each drum segment, collectively establish a compartment for retaining a volume of material that can be emptied, and where the inner side wall sections of the drum segments are closely arranged adjacent to each other, when the drum segments are joined, so that the drum has a generally cylindrical configuration, by virtue of the semi-cylindrical outer side wall sections, the closely adjacent inner side wall sections establish a diametral dividing plane longitudinally of the storage drum, and in that the storage drum further comprises stops of circumferentially matched rollers, extending outwardly from the outer side wall sections of the drum sections and mounted asymmetrically in the longitudinally diametrical dividing plane; and barrel mouths formed in each of the end panels and arranged closely adjacent to the dividing plane, so that the barrel mouths are oriented substantially vertically with respect to each other, when the barrel rests on a set of stops of paired rollers and so that the vertical orientation of the barrel mouths can be reversed by rolling this storage drum along the side wall sections, until the barrel rests on another set of matched roller stops. A storage drum according to claim 1, further comprising a groove formed in the flat inner side wall section of a drum segment, and a tongue projecting outward from the flat inner side wall section of the drum. another drum segment, this tongue and groove are formed to be able to lock internally and thus separate the drum segments from each other. 3. A storage drum according to claim 2, wherein the tongue and groove are oriented longitudinally. A storage drum according to claim 3, wherein at least one terminal end of the tongue and groove terminates near an adjacent end panel. A storage drum, according to claim 3, wherein the tongue includes an arched head portion and a neck portion of reduced cross section, which connects the head portion to the flat inner side wall section of the body. another drum segment. A storage drum, according to claim 5, wherein the slot includes an arcuate receiver channel, which conforms to the head portion of the tongue and an entry passage corresponding substantially to the reduced cross sectional dimension of the neck portion. A storage drum according to claim 6, comprising upper and lower sets of roller stops, circumferentially matched. 8. A storage drum according to claim 7, wherein each roller stop defines a convex arcuate surface. 9. A storage drum according to claim 1, wherein the outer side wall sections include handles. 10. A storage drum, according to claim 9, in which the handles are recessed. A storage drum according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the outer side wall sections include circumferential band receiving channels and restriction bands, arranged in the band receiving channels., to prevent the relative separation of the drum segments. 12. A storage drum according to claim 1, wherein the lower end panels include arched reinforcing structures. 13. A storage drum according to claim 12, wherein the reinforcing structures are recessed relative to the lower end panels. 14. A storage drum according to claim 1, further comprising covers that cover the barrels of the barrel. SUMMARY DB THE INVENTION A storage drum, longitudinally bisected, includes a pair of semi-cylindrical drum segments, each not formed by a pair of semicircular end panels, which are joined to, and spaced by, a side wall having a cross section. of semi-cylindrical wall and a section of flat wall, substantially rectangular. The flat wall section of a drum segment defines a longitudinally oriented re-entry slot, which joins the longitudinally oriented tab projecting from the flat wall section of the other drum segment. Therefore, when the tongue and groove are joined together, a general cylindrical drum structure is produced. The flat, narrowly adjacent wall sections of each drum segment establish a diametral dividing plane when the tongue and groove are joined together, while the semi-cylindrical wall segments are provided with pairs of roller stops, which project towards outside, spaced longitudinally, close to this dividing plane. Thus, simply inverting the vertical orientation of the barrel mouths, formed in each of the upper end panels (for example, rolling the drum along its cylindrical side wall, until it rests on another set of roller stops). ), the contents within the semi-cylindrical drum segments can be selectively distributed, placing that barrel mouth of the segment in the vertical position, relative to the other mouth of the barrel.