NZ575488A - Drum(s) with connection member, typically snap-fit ring, with slot(s) for securing to other drums via connectors for transport - Google Patents

Abstract

A drum has a connection member, typically a snap-fit ring having a slot 11 so as to allow for connector 40 to interconnect drums together for transport.

Description

Received by IPONZ 29 June 2011 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 No: 575488 Date: 11 March 2009 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO DRUMS We, ALTO PACKAGING LIMITED, a company duly incorporated under the laws of New Zealand of Level 6, 57 Symonds Street, Grafton, Auckland 1010, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: Received by IPONZ 29 June 2011 The present invention relates to drums for the containment and transportation of substances.

Drums are generally made of steel or plastic and used for the transportation of bulk goods.

Because of their elongate shape drums can be unstable during transportation. Drums stacked on multiple pallets may be particularly susceptible to instability. There is a risk that such drums may topple over during transportation.

In this specification, where reference has been made to external sources of information, including patent specifications and other documents, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the present invention. Unless stated otherwise, reference to such sources of information is not to be construed, in any jurisdiction, as an admission that such sources of information are prior art or form part of the common generally knowledge in the art.

It may be an object of the present invention to provide an improved drum which overcomes or at least ameliorates some of the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides die public with a useful choice.

It may also be an object of die present invention to provide an improvement in drum transportation and related means that overcome or at least ameliorates some of the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public with a useful choice In a first aspect the present invention broadly consists in a drum for the containment of a substance, the drum comprising: (a) a container portion that includes or is defined at least in part by: (i) a base at a first end, (ii) at least one sidewall extending from the base, (iii) an openable closure at a second end through which at least some of the contents of the drum can pass to enter and/or leave the drum, (b) a connection member located at an end of the container portion, the connection member including at least one connection slot adapted to receive a connector to facilitate securement of the drum to an adjacent, like drum.

Preferably the container portion has four side walls extending from the base such that it is substantially square in cross-section.

Preferably the container portion includes four sidewalls extending between the first and second end, the four side walls each lying, when taken in cross section through the container portion, in a facet of a square.

Preferably the side walls are convex.

Received by IPONZ 29 June 2011 Preferably four connection slots are located at said end of the container portion, each connection slot positioned centrally to a corresponding side wall.

Preferably each connection slot is aligned half way between the two vertical edges of its corresponding side wall.

Preferably the connection member is engaged or engageable with the closure or the container portion.

Preferably the connection member engages at the closure of the drum via a snap-fit engagement.

Preferably a keyed relationship between the connection member and the closure of the drum ensures that the connection slots are aligned with the centre of a corresponding side wall.

Preferably the connection member has at least one handle slot for aiding in the handling of the drums.

Preferably a connector may be received in the connection slots of two adjacent drums to secure the drums together.

Preferably the connector is elongate and comprises a shaft and a locking member at each end of the shaft.

Preferably the locking members are of a size to be received through the connection slots only when properly orientated.

Preferably the locking members may lock with the drum when rotated 90 degrees after being inserted into the connection slots.

Preferably the closure includes a recess corresponding with each connection slot of the connection member, each recess being suitable for accommodating a locldng member of a connector.

Preferably the drum may be secured to a plurality of adjacent drums via the use of connectors in any of the four connection slots.

Preferably a plurality of drums may be arranged and secured together in a lattice type arrangement.

Preferably the drums may be arranged on a pallet.

Preferably when arranged on a square or rectangular pallet, the side walls of die drums are orientated parallel with the edges of the pallet.

Preferably a bottom ring is engaged or engageable with the base.

Preferably the bottom ring engages with the base via a snap-fit engagement.

Preferably the bottom ring engages with the base via a keyed relationship.

Received by IPONZ 29 June 2011 Preferably the bottom ring and the connection member are complementary, such that the bottom ring of a first drum may engage the connection member of a second, like drum when stacked on top of the second, like drum.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a system for securing a plurality of drums together, the system comprising: a plurality of drums, each drum comprising: (a) a container portion that includes or is defined at least in part by: (i) a base at a first end, (ii) at least one sidewall extending from the base, (iii) an openable closure at a second end of the drum, (b) a connection member located at an end of the container portion, the connection member including at least one connection, a connector adapted to be received in a connection slot of two adjacent drums to secure the adjacent drums together.

Preferably the container portion of each drum has four side walls extending from the base such that die drum is substantially square in cross-section.

Preferably the container portion of each drum includes four sidewalls extending between the first and second end, the four side walls each lying, when taken in cross section duo ugh the container portion, in a facet of a square.

Preferably the side walls of the drums are convex.

Preferably four connection slots are located at the end of the container portion of each drum, each connection slot positioned centrally to a corresponding side wall of the drum.

Preferably each connection slot is aligned half way between the two vertical edges of its corresponding side wall.

Preferably the connection member of each drum is engaged or engageable with the closure or the container portion of the drum.

Preferably the connection member engages at the closure of each drum via a snap-fit engagement.

Preferably a keyed relationship between the connection member and the closure of each drum ensures that the connection slots are aligned with the centre of a corresponding side wall of the drum.

Preferably the connection member of each drum has at least one handle slot for aiding in the handling of the drum.

Preferably the connector is elongate and comprises a shaft and a locking member at each end of the shaft.

Received by IPONZ 29 June 2011 Preferably the locking members are of a size to be received through the connection slots of the drums only when properly orientated.

Preferably the locking members may lock with the drums when rotated 90 degrees after being inserted into the connection slots.

Preferably the closure includes a recess corresponding with each connection slot of the connection member, each recess being suitable for accommodating a locking member of a connector.

Preferably each drum may be secured to a plurality of adjacent drums by the use of connectors connecting adjacent drums via their connection slots.

Preferably a plurality of drums may be arranged and secured together in a lattice type arrangement.

Preferably the drums may be arranged on a pallet.

Preferably when arranged on a square or rectangular pallet, the side walls of the drums are orientated parallel with the edges of the pallet.

Preferably the system includes a bottom ring that is engaged or engageable with the base of each drum.

Preferably the bottom ring engages with the base of each drum via a snap-fit engagement.

Preferably the bottom ring engages with the base of each drum via a keyed relationship.

Preferably the bottom ring and the connection member are complementary, such that die bottom ring of a first drum may engage the connection member of a second, like drum when stacked on top of the second, like drum.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a method for securing a plurality of drums together, the method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of drums as described with reference to the first aspect of the invention, positioning the plurality of drums such that the connection slots of adjacent drums are aligned, inserting connectors into the connection slots of adjacent drums and rotating the connectors 90 degrees to lock adjacent drums together.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in an improved materials transportation system comprising the use of a plurality of drums as herein described, each located on top of a pallet and each connected to at least two adjacent drums on said pallet by said connectors at an tipper end of the drum such as to tie all drums together to create, as a whole, a more stable pallet of stacked drums.

Received by IPONZ 29 June 2011 In a further aspect the present invention consists in a drum as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both.

As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in part of. When interpreting statements in this specification which include diat term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprised" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of die invention will suggest themselves without departing from die scope of die invention as defined in die appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a drum of the present invention, Figure 2 shows a side view of the drum of Figure 1, Figure 3 shows a drum of the present invention a connection member located thereon, Figure 4 shows a side view of the drum of Figure 4, Figure 5 shows a connection member for a drum, Figure 6 shows a side view of the connection member of Figure 5, Figure 7 shows another side view of the connection member of Figure 5, Figure 8 shows a bottom view of the connection member of Figure 5, Figure 9 shows a bottom cap for a drum, Figure 10 shows a bottom view of the bottom cap of Figure 9, Figure 11 shows multiple drums arranged on a pallet, Figure 12 shows a connector for locking adjacent drums together, Figure 13 shows a perspective view of the connector of Figure 12, and Figure 14 shows a plan view of a 3x3 arrangement of drums which have been connected together with connectors.

Received by IPON^29 June 2011 With reference to Figure 1 there is shown a drum. The drum is of a kind used to contain liquids or other substances. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the drum is manufactured from HDPE and has a capacity of 100 litres, however it should be appreciated that the drum may be manufactured from any suitable material and be of any capacity.

The drum has a container portion 1 that includes a base 2 and at least one side wall 3 extending from the base 2. If the container portion 1 has only one side wall 3, it will be a cylindrical shape. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the container portion 1 has four side walls 3 extending from the base. In such an embodiment, the container portion is substantially square in cross section. The edge between two adjacent side walls 3 however may be rounded as shown in Figure 1. Furthermore, the side walls 3 may not be absolutely planar, they may have a slightly convex shape when viewed from the exterior of the drum.

At the opposite end of the container portion 1 to the base 2 is a closure 4. The closure 4 may be threadingly engaged with the container portion 1, or may be engaged in any other way, e.g. via a snap fit engagement. The closure 4 may be removed at anytime so that the drum can be filled up or emptied. The closure 4 may also include a cap 5 that may provide access to the inside of the container portion for filling or emptying the drum without having to remove the closure 4.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, protection rings 6 are located around the perimeter of the container portion 1. The protection rings may enhance the structural integrity of the container portion 1 and/or protect the side walls 3 from damage as they protrude outwardly from the side walls 3, Figure 3 and Figure 4 show a drum with a connection member 10 connected thereto. The connection member 10 may be connected to die closure 4 or direcdy to the container portion 1. In the preferred embodiment of the invention die connection member 10 engages with the closure 4 in a snap-fit relationship.

The connection member 10 is shown in Figures 5-8. Connection slots 11 may be provided about the periphery of the connection member 10. Preferably the connection slots are equally spaced about the connection member 10, and there are four present. Therefore, each connection slot 11 is located 90 degrees around the connection member 10 from an adjacent connection slot 11.

As shown with particular reference to Figure 3 and Figure 4, each connection slot 11 is aligned with the centre of a corresponding side wall 3.

To ensure that the connection slots 11 are aligned with the centre of the side walls 3 the connection member 10 may have two or more locating notches 12 (See Figure 8). The locating notches 12 may cooperate with complementary locating protrusions which are located on the closure 4.

Received by IPONZ 29 June 2011 The engagement of the locating notches 12 with the locating protrusions creates a keyed relationship so that when the connection member 10 is located on the closure it may only be orientated in a specific orientation. When in the desired orientation, the connection slots 11 are aligned with the centre of the side walls 3.

The connection member 10 may also include handle apertures 15. There may be one or more handle apertures 15 present. The handle apertures 15 allow for a person to place their fingers through the handle aperture so that they can get a firm grip on the connection member and therefore move the drum around as desired.

With reference to Figures 9 and 10 there is shown a bottom ring 20. Hie bottom ring 20 may engage with the base 2 of the container portion 1 in a similar manner to how the connection member 10 may engage with the closure 4. In die preferred embodiment the bottom ring 20 engages in a snap-fit relationship with the base 2. Locating notches 21 may enable a keyed relationship with complementary locating protrusions of the base 2.

The connection member 10 and die bottom ring 20 may be complementary. Hie complementary relationship between the connection member and die bottom ring may enable two like drums to be safely stacked on top of one another. In die preferred embodiment of the invention the connection member 10 is dimensioned to engage within the flange of the bottom ring 20 (or vice versa) so that two like drums can nest together.

Figure 11 shows a plurality of drums arranged on pallets 30. When arranged on square or rectangular pallets 30, it is preferred that the drums are orientated such that their side walls 3 are parallel with the edges of die pallet. In this way, the connection slots of two adjacent drums will be aligned with one another. Once aligned, the connection slots 11 may facilitate die securement of one drum to an adjacent drum.

Figures 12 and 13 show a connector 40. The connector 40 may have a shaft 41 and locking members 42 at either ends of die shaft 41. The locking members 42 are of a size so as to be receivable through connection slots 11 when in die correct orientation.

With reference to Figure 11 and Figure 14, a connector 40 may be used to connect to adjacent drums together. To achieve this, one of the locking members 42 may be inserted through the connection slot 11 of one drum, and then the other locking member 42 may be inserted through the connection slot 11 of an adjacent drum. The connector may then be rotated 90 degrees about the axis of the shaft 41 so as to lock the locking members to the connection member 10. One drum may be connected to as many as four adjacent, like drums, when properly aligned. This may create a lattice type arrangement of drums when arranged on a pallet for example.

Received by IPONZ 29 June 2011 Recesses 7 as shown on Figures 1 and 2 may be provided on the closure 4, The recesses are suitable for accommodating the locking member 42 when they are inserted dirough the connection slots 11. The recesses 7 may allow sufficient room for the locking members 42 to rotate when the connector 40 is used to lock two adjacent drums together.

Figure 14 shows a plan view of a 3x3 arrangement of drums. The various connectors 40 can be seen connecting die adjacent drums together.

By connecting a series of drums together via the use of connectors 40, the drums are more stable as they may support one another. This improved stability may be advantageous when for example the drums are being transported.

Although the invention has been described by way of example and with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and/or improvements may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Received by IPONZ 29 June 2011

Claims (48)

Claims:

1. A drum for the containment of a substance, the drum comprising: (a) a container portion that includes or is defined at least in part by: (i) a base at a first end, (ii) at least one sidewall extending from the base, (iii) an openable closure at a second end through which at least some of the contents of the drum can pass to enter and/or leave the drum, (b) a connection member located at an end of the container portion, the connection member including at least one connection slot adapted to receive a connector to facilitate securement of the drum to an adjacent, like drum.

2. A drum as claimed in claim 1 wherein the container portion has four side walls extending from die base such that it is substantially square in cross-section.

3. A drum as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein die container portion includes four sidewalls extending between the first and second end, the four side walls each lying, when taken in cross section dirough the container portion, in a facet of a square.

4. A drum as claimed in any of die preceding claims wherein die side walls are convex.

5. A drum as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein four connection slots are located at said end of the container portion, each connection slot positioned centrally to a corresponding side wall.

6. A drum as claimed in claim 5 wherein each connection slot is aligned half way between the two vertical edges of its corresponding side wall.

7. A drum as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein die connection member is engaged or engageable with the closure or the container portion.

8. A drum as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the connection member engages at the closure of the drum via a snap-fit engagement.

9. A drum as claimed in claim 8 wherein a keyed relationship between the connection member and the closure of the drum ensures that the connection slots are aligned with the centre of a corresponding side wall.

10. A drum as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the connection member has at least one handle slot for aiding in the handling of the drums.

11. A drum as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein a connector may be received in the connection slots of two adjacent drums to secure the drums together.

12. A drum as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the connector is elongate and comprises a shaft and a locking member at each end of the shaft. Received by IPONZ 29 June 2011 - 11 -

13. A drum as claimed in claim 12 wherein the locking members are of a size to be received through the connection slots only when properly orientated.

14. A drum as claimed in claim 12 or 13 wherein the locking members may lock with the drum when rotated 90 degrees after being inserted into the connection slots.

15. A drum as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the closure includes a recess corresponding with each connection slot of the connection member, each recess being suitable for accommodating a locking member of a connector.

16. A drum as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the drum may be secured to a plurality of adjacent drums via the use of connectors in any of the four connection slots.

17. A drum as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein a plurality of drums may be arranged and secured together in a lattice type arrangement.

18. A drum as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the drums may be arranged on a pallet

19. A drum as claimed in claim 18 wherein when arranged on a square or rectangular pallet, the side walls of the drums are orientated parallel with die edges of the pallet.

20. A drum as claimed in any of die preceding claims wherein a bottom ring is engaged or engageable with the base.

21. A drum as claimed in claim 20 wherein the bottom ring engages with the base via a snap-fit engagement.

22. A drum as claimed in claims 20 or 21 wherein the bottom ring engages with the base via a keyed relationship.

23. A drum as claimed in any of claims 20 to 22 wherein the bottom ring and the connection member are complementary, such that the bottom ring of a first drum may engage the connection member of a second, like drum when stacked on top of the second, like drum.

24. A system for securing a plurality of drums together, the system comprising: a plurality of drums, each drum comprising: (a) a container portion that includes or is defined at least in part by: (i) a base at a first end, (ii) at least one sidewall extending from the base, (iii) an openable closure at a second end of the drum, (b) a connection member located at an end of the container portion, the connection member including at least one connection slot, a connector adapted to be received in a connection slot of two adjacent drums to secure the adjacent drums togedier. Received by IPONZ 29 June 2011 - 12-

25. A system as claimed in claim 24 wherein the container portion of each drum has four side walls extending from the base such that the drum is substantially square in cross-section.

26. A system as claimed in claims 24 or 25 wherein the container portion of each drum includes four sidewalls extending between the first and second end, the four side walls each lying, when taken in cross section through the container portion, in a facet of a square.

27. A system as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 26 wherein die side walls of the drums ate convex.

28. A system as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 27 wherein four connection slots are located at the end of the container portion of each drum, each connection slot positioned centrally to a corresponding side wall of the drum.

29. A system as claimed in claim 28 wherein each connection slot is aligned half way between the two vertical edges of its corresponding side wall.

30. A system as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 29 wherein die connection member of each drum is engaged or engageable with the closure or die container portion of the drum.

31. A system as claimed in any of claims 24 to 29 wherein the connection member engages at the closure of each drum via a snap-fit engagement.

32. A system as claimed in claim 31 wherein a keyed relationship between die connection member and the closure of each drum ensures that die connection slots are aligned with the centre of a corresponding side wall of the drum.

33. A system as claimed in any of claims 24 to 32 wherein die connection member of each drum has at least one handle slot for aiding in the handling of die drum.

34. A system as claimed in any of claims 24 to 33 wherein die connector is elongate and comprises a shaft and a locking member at each end of die shaft.

35. A system as claimed in claim 34 wherein the locking members are of a size to be received through the connection slots of the drums only when properly orientated.

36. A system as claimed in claim 34 or 35 wherein the locking members may lock with the drums when rotated 90 degrees after being inserted into the connection slots.

37. A system as claimed in any of claims 24 to 36 wherein the closure includes a recess corresponding with each connection slot of the connection member, each recess being suitable for accommodating a locking member of a connector.

38. A system as claimed in any of claims 24 to 37 wherein each drum may be secured to a plurality of adjacent drums by the use of connectors connecting adjacent drums via their connection slots.

39. A system as claimed in any of claims 24 to 38 wherein a plurality of drums may be arranged and secured together in a lattice type arrangement. Received by IPONZ 29 June 2011 -13-

40. A system as claimed in any of claims 24 to 39 wherein the drums may be arranged on a pallet

41. A system as claimed in claim 40 wherein when arranged on a square or rectangular pallet, the side walls of the drums are orientated parallel with the edges of the pallet.

42. A system as claimed in any of claims 24 to 41 wherein the system includes a bottom ring that is engaged or engageable with the base of each drum.

43. A system as claimed in claim 42 wherein the bottom ring engages with the base of each drum via a snap-fit engagement.

44. A system as claimed in claim 42 or 43 wherein the bottom ring engages with the base of each drum via a keyed relationship.

45. A system as claimed in any of claims 42 to 44 wherein the bottom ring and the connection member are complementary, such that the bottom ring of a first drum may engage the connection member of a second, like drum when stacked on top of the second, like drum.

46. A method for securing a plurality of drums together, the method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of drums as claimed in claim 1, positioning the plurality of drums such diat the connection slots of adjacent drums are aligned, inserting connectors into the connection slots of adjacent drums and rotating die connectors 90 degrees to lock adjacent drums together.

47. An improved materials transportation system comprising the use of a plurality of drums as claimed in any of claims 1 to 23, each located on top of a pallet and each connected to at least two adjacent drums on said pallet by said connectors at an upper end of the drum such as to tie all drums together to create, as a whole, a more stable pallet of stacked drums.

48. A drum as herein described with reference to any one or more of die accompanying drawings.