US2075383A - Container - Google Patents

Description

March 30, 1937. l H Q VAUGHN l 2,075,383

CONTAINER Filed Nov. l5, 1955 v 2 ShetS-Sheet l INI/NTOR.

n. HAROLD 64@ Vqao-HM 9 77 M, mixf ze. 22 1 ATTORNEY March 30, 1937. H. G. VAUGHN CONTAINER Filed Nv. 15

, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Hanau: 63u? Val/Mw.

ATTORNEY Parenteel Mar. 3o, 1937 CONTAINER Harold Gar Vaughn, Warren, Ohio, assignor to The Ohio Corrugating Company, Warren, Ohio,

a. corporation of Ohio Application November 15, 1935, serial No. 49,901

16 ClamS. (Cl. 22o-61) l v Another object of the invention is to provide i This invention relates to a container which has a large opening at one end and a cover therefor adapted to be sealed circumferentially to form a liquid tight container for foods, uids, semi-fluids,

5 greases and other materials. In the illustrated application of my invention, the body of the-container is entirely open at one end and the head for such end is removable and constitutes a cover. By preference, all portions of the container are formed of sheet steel.

In such containers employing split rings for securing and sealing a cover or the container head in position, of which I have knowledge,v it has been the practice in some cases for the container manufacturer when shipping emptyl containers to his customer or user, to position the cover on the container and to clamp the split ring in its operative position thereon with the sealing gasket in its nal compressed condition, as no provision was made for effecting or permitting the assembly of these parts without compressing the gasket. sulted in materially affecting the elasticity or expansion and compressibility of the .gasket and caused it to become se`t, so that when the user opened the container and lled it, the gasket had l to be discarded and a new one substituted to insure a, liquid-tight sealing condition of the filled container for shipment. In other cases, the container manufacturer shipped the gaskets separately and the cover, container and ring in assembled relation, the result being that the cover was loose and permitted dust and dirt to get into the container. One object of the invention is to provide for a container an improved split ring having on its end portions detachable locking elements so constructed that the ring may be positioned in assembled relation ,to the container and its cover without compressing the cover gasket to permit shipment of the container in empty condition and after the container is filled to permit the positioning of the ring in nal position with the container cover sealed in a liquid-tight manner. Another object of the invention is to provide for a container of this type an improved closing, sealing and locking means comprising a split ring and a locking means for the ring the construction of which is simpliiied and arranged to facilitate the 'positioning of the ring, the assembly of thering, gasket and container forshipment when empty without destroying the sealing effect of the gasket and the nal sealing of the cover and 55 locking of the ring ends together,

Such assembly and shipment refor a container an improved split ring having on its end portions and below the, ring and operable relative to the external side' wall of the container, detachable locking elements and a combined lock and sealing means for one of the locking elements. f

` A further object of the invention is to provide an improved split ring having on its ends locking elements and a lock for such elements ar.

A smi further object of the invention 'is te provide means for reinforcing the ring ends whereby the ring may be made from relatively light material. f

Otherobjects .of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which my invention relates from the following description taken in gage connection with the accompanying drawings,

W erein Fig. 1 is a plan view of a container and its sealing ring, the latter being shown in expanded position and the locking means detached.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary planview of the parts shown in Fig. 1, enlarged, but showing the locking means attached and the ring partially closed.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 2, f-

butshowing the ring in iinal sealing or locked position.

Fig. 4 is aside elevation of the parts shown in y Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 6 5 of Fig. 3. Figs. 6, 7, and 8 are sections on the linesG-S, 1-1 and 8-'8, respectively, of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a section on the line of 9 9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a perspective detail view. Fig. 11 is a fragmentary planviewv similar to Fig. 3, but showing the position f the ring-when the container is shipped empty.

Fig. 12 is a section on the line I2`II2 of Fig. 11.

The container illustrated 1s of the siaeeI drum or barrel type, having a side wall I, a cover 2 and a bottom wall or head 2a. The side wall l is provided with the usual rolling hoops la. The upper end of the side wall is rolled over out- .wardly to form a continuous circumferential bead 3 and the cover 2 has a circumferential wall or flange 4 arranged to engage a packing or gasket seated on the bead 3 and effect a closing and sealing of the container. The cover is preferably cup-shaped so as to flt or telescope within the open end of the side wall I, the ange 4 5 projecting outwardly to lie overthe packing 5.

6 indicates a split ring substantially U-shape in cross section and when positioned, the ring surrounds the bead 3 and its upper and lower circumferential terminating walls 6a,.6b, engage 10 the flange 4 and lower side of the bead 3 to effect sealing of the coverin position when the ring is contracted. The .ring 6 is preferably formed of resilient metal, whereby it may be readily expanded circumferentially and its ends separated substantially laterally' sufficiently to permit the ring to be positioned around the bead and :Ilange and then contracted circumferentially.l into engagement therewith, as shown in Figs.' 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, in which position the 2o cover flange 4 is secured in sealed relation to' the bead 3. The operation of contracting the ring into the position indicated is accomplished as hereinafter set forth.

'I indicates as an entirety locking means carried entirely on and below the lower wall lib'V of the ring adjacent the ends thereof and within the outer wall of the hoops Ia, whereby the barrel or container may be rolled without danger of damaging the locking means and when the ring is expanded it may be dropped on and supported by the uppermost hoop; for example while the container is being lled and the cover and gasket are being assembled. The operable elements ofthe -locking means are carried by onering end and are adapted to bedetachably connected to the other end of the ring (see Fig. 1) and operated to lock them together. When the locking means are operated into their locked position, the compressibility of the packing 5 allows them, in which position the cover is tightly held and sealed by the lockingmeans.

For this purpose I secure exteriorly on one ring end, as by welding, a wall 8 havlnga depending support 8a which is providedat its lower end with an outwardly extending lug 8x. The lug 8a: is preferably extended toward the other ringend and4 such extended end has pivoted to it on a vertical axis 8 the inner end of a lever 9, adapted to serve as a handle. The lug 8a: is folded back on itself to form a relatively thicky wall through which the pivot pin 3' extends. The lever 9 is substantially U-shape in cross section to eiect a reinforcement thereof and vpermit its sidewalls at their inner ends to t over the lug 8a: and pivotally engage the opposite ends of the pin 8. l0 indicates a link, preferably two links, pivotally connected by a vertically disposed pin 9" at one end toI the opposite sides of the lever 9 at a point remote from its ypivot 8'. The opposite or free ends of the links I0 are provided with a pin I I` adapted to provide for the detachable connectionof the links. to the other end of the ring. The other ring end is provided. with a wall I2, welded ex'teriorly thereto and` having a depending support I2a provided at its lower `endwith anfoutwardly extending lug I3 whichis doubled back on itself to form a relatively thick wall. 'The outer longitudinal edge of the lug I3 is formed with a plurality of notches 475 I4.' I4a into any one of which the pin Il may be inserted, as later .set forth, following which the lever 9 may be operated from the4 Fig. 2 position inwardly, horizontally toward and substantially into engagement with the side wall I, thereby securing the cover, gasket, container and ring in assembled relation. When the lever or handle 9 is operated into this position it may be locked and sealed at its outer end against tampering by means, indicated as an entirety at I5. I prefer to provide two notches I4, I4a, spaced longitudinally of the ring. When the .pin II is inserted in the notch- I4a remote from the 'adjacent ring end and the lever 9 is operated as above set forth (seeFigs. 3, 4, 5, 6, 'l and 8)., the ring is contracted into nal position, the gasket 5 being compressed to seal the cover. When the pin II is inserted in the notch I4 near the adjacent end of the ring and the lever is operated as above set forth (see Figs. 11 and 12), the ring is contracted to a limited extent to avoid compressing the gasket and thus making it ineffective as a seal; but such contraction is sufficient to secure the cover, gasket, container and ring' in assembled relation. Accordingly, the con tainer manufacturer may make and assemble these parts and ship them in assembled relation (the container empty) to the container user without distorting the gasket or affecting its sealing characteristic and the user may readily remove the gasket and cover 2, ll the container. and then replace the gasket and cover, and erate the locking means l in the manner later' set forth and thus compress the gasket .to eifect sealing of the cover in a liquid-tight condition. It will be noted that the notch I4 nearest the adjacent ring end extends substantially radially of the container and at its inner end it is enlarged to form shoulders I4 and that ,the notch I4a remote from the adjacent ring end is, by preference, inclined outwardlyand away from such end, but is enlarged at its inner end to form a shoulder I4' at the inner end of its rear wall. The shoulders I4 provide a positive engagement for the pin `II when applying or removing the ring, as later set forth. i

The operation of contracting the ring, after it is positioned as shown in Fig. 2, maybe accomplished in various ways, for example, by imparting thereto several taps or blows at vary-l notch I4 and the lever 9v operated to its closed position as shown in Fig. 11thereby partially sealing the cover in` position without compressing the gasket to any substantial extent (see Fig. 12). This operation is followed when the container is to be shipped empty. To remove the ring, the lever 9 is swung outwardly, which operation expands the ring so that it may be removed or dropped onto the hoop, as already set forth. When the container is filled and the cover is to be sealed to' protect its contents during shipment, the above contraction. operation is first carried out to effect partial contraction of the ring; then the pin II is removed from the notch I4, the lever 9 is swung outwardly and the pin II is inserted in the notch I4a, following which the lever l`il is again swung to its closed position, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6, thereby effecting a final contraction of the ring and sealing of the cover.

To remove the ring, the lever is first swung 5 outwardly, the effect of which is to partially expand the ring; thereafter the pin II is removed from the notch Ida and inserted in the notch I4, following which the lever 9 is again operated outwardly, the 'effect of which is to further ex- 10 pand the ring 6, which may then be lifted bodily from the container or allowed to drop down on the uppermost rolling hoop. With the' ring expanded into the position just described, if removed from the container, it may be positioned l5 over the cover in a ready manner and contracted as above set forth.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the locking means between the ring ends provide for two conditions, one where the parts, may be assembled, with the container empty, and shipped to the user while .maintaining the gasket in position and substantially uncompressed and the other where the user, after lling the container,- may quickly and easily, by operation of the locking means, contract the ring to seal lthe cover in iinal position and the receiver may with equal facility remove the ring. As the ring in its sealing position compresses the gasket substantially to the limit of its compressibility and often tends to stick to the ring wall, the adjustable attachment and detachment of the locking and operating elements,asabove set forth, provides for a positive as well as a ready means for expanding or contracting the ring, both initially and nally, and handling thereof. When the lever V9 is operated to the position shown in Figs. 3, 4, 6 and 1l, an imaginary line extending through the axes ofthe pivot 9' Aand pin II lies inwardly of the axis of the pin 8';

accordingly, the lever 9 when in closed position against the side I of the container is locked against outward movement.

In the arrangement shown, the inner end of f the lever straddles the lug 81: 4and the links I0 straddle the lever 9 and lug I3 and as the lugs` 8a: and I3 are disposed in the same plane the locking action of the locking means is transmitted in the plane of the lugs and substantial- Yly in a direction parallel to the plane `of the ring, sothat in the contracting and expanding operations of the latter, due to operation 0f the lever 9., no twisting forces are imparted to the ring ends and the upper and lower walls of the ring lmove substantially at right angles to the axis P of the. container.

The lever 9 is curved from end to end so as, to lie concentric to -the side wall I when in opfrictional engagement one with another under tension so as to prevent their accidental detachment and vibration due to bodily handling or rolling of the container. 0f these means, I 8 in'-I dicates an angle on the outer end of the lever 9 to provide a-verti'cal wall II-I and a lateral walll I8, which is bent downwardly for clearance purposes. The angle I6 is preferably provided by slitting the lower side of the lever at I6 `and 'bending such# side down to a position at right angles to the 'upper side of the lever. I9 indicates a slot formed in the wall I8 and extend- V ing inwardly from its free end longitudinally ad- 3 jacent to the inner face of the wall Il and adapted to receive a latch 20. The latch 20 is pivotally connected at its upper end to a lug 2l depending below the lower ring wall 6b, the lug 2| beingintegrally connected to a wall 2Ia welded exteriorly to the ring 6 as shown in Figs. 4 and 8. The .pivot 29 for the latch 2l! extends substantially radially of the axis of the ring and is rarranged inwardly of the free end of the lever 9 (when the latter is in operated or closed position, see Figs. 4, 5 and 11), the latter being supported by depending members 8a and I2a in a plane below such pivot 20. In this arrangement the latch 29 may be swung outwardly to a position out of the path of movement of the lever 9, as shown in` Fig. 9, and then swung downwardly to its vertical position and into the recess or slot I9 (see dotted lines in Fig. 9 and full lines in Figs. 4 and 8), thereby locking the lever or handle 9. The 'latch 20 is preferably slightly out of alinement with onev wall of Vthe slot I9, so `that it has to be forced thereinto, the

contact between their walls to prevent these parts from vibrating. To facilitate entering the latch 20 into the slot I9, it is providedA with a beveled wall I9'. The free end of the latch 20 is provided-with an inturned end 22 which serves as an extension to facilitate swinging the latch into and out of lockingposition. The wall I1 and latch 29 are formed with openings 23,/ 23',

respectively, adapted to register, when the lever 9`is in closed position and the latch 20 is in locking position, and to permit a wire 24 to be threaded through them and their ends connected by a seal slug 25.

26 indicates an auxiliary lock between the lever 9 and latch 20 serving to hold the latter in a predetermined position, that is, that position in which the openings 23, 23', are in registry, the purpose being to prevent accidental disengagement of the latchv from the lever or relative movement between them, whereby 'the 'sealing wire 24 might become cut. The auxiliary lock 26 preferably consists of an indentation 26! formed in one` part, to wit, the llatch 20 and an embossed projectionion the inner.face of vthe wall I1, which projection is adapted to ride the 'wall of the latch 20 and drop into the indentation 26 as shown in Fig. 8. l The walls 8 and I2 are arranged adjacent the ends of the ring and serve to reinforce the ring so that the latter may be made of light gage material. f I

To those skilled in the art to which my yinvention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applica- .-tions of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope oi' the invention. My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and not intended to bein any sense. limiting.

What I claim is:

l. In a. container construction having a circumferential bead at its upper end, the combi- .nation with a gasket arranged to engage the bead and a cover having a peripheral flange arranged. to engage the gasket, of a split channel ring arranged to surround the bead and cover flange and pivotallyconr'iected locking elements cne of which is pivotally connected to the lower 'wall of said ring adjacent one end thereof and adapted to be detachably connected to one portion of said lower wall adjacent Athe other ring end and operated to closed position to hold the eiect of which is to provide a resilient, sliding-.-

container, gasket and cover in assembled relation and adapted to be detachably connected with a remote portion of said lower wall of the other ring end and operated to closed position 5 to clamp the cover iiange and bead together with the gasket compressed between them, said locking elements when in closed position being dis-- posedentirelywithin the outer circumferential wall of said ring.

2. In a container construction having a circumferential bead at its upper end, the combination with a gasket arrangedto engage the bead and a cover having a peripheral flange arranged y to engage the gasket, of a split channel ring arranged to surround the bead and coverI ange,

locking elements carried by the lower wall of said ring adjacent one end thereof, one of said elements being provided with an engaging member, and a wall carried by the lower ring wall adjacent the other end thereof and formed with a notch adjacent said ring endadapted to-be etachably engaged by said engaging member whereby operation of said elements to closed position will hold the container, gasket and cover in assembled relation, said wall being formed with a second notch remote from said-ring end and adapted to be detachably engaged by said' engaging member whereby operation of said elements to closed position will clamp the'cover ange and bead together with the gasket compressed between them, said locking elements when in closed position being disposed within the outer circumferential wall of said ring. A 3. In a container construction having a circumferential bead at its upper end, the combination with a gasket arranged to engage the bead and a cover having a peripheral iiange arrangedto engage the gasket, of a split channel ring arranged to surround the bead and cover flange, locking elements carried by the lower wall of said ring adjacent one end thereof, one of said elements being provided with an engaging member and a wall carried by the lower ring wall adjacent the other end thereof and formed with a notch adjacentsaid ring end adapted to be detachably engaged by said'engaging member whereby operation of said elements to closed position will hold the container, gasket and cover in assembled relation, said wall being formed with a. second vnotch remote from said ring end and adapted to be detachably engaged by said engaging member whereby operation of said elements to closed position will clamp the cover flange and bead together with the gasket oompressed between them, the side wall of one of said notches being enlarged at its inner end to forma shoulder for engagement by said member.

4. In a container construction having a circumferential bead at its upper end, the combination with a gasket arranged toengage the bead and a cover having a peripheral flange arranged vto engage the gasket, of a split channel ring arranged to surround the bead and cover flange and engage therewith, locking elements, including a lever, carried by the lower wall of said ring adjacent one end thereof and adapted to be detachably connected to said lower wallv adjacent thev other ring end to contract the ring into rengagement with said bead and flange, and a latch pivoted onthe lower wall of said ring and adapted to be swung into overlapping Telation to a portion of said lever andfin the path of movement thereof when said lever is in operated position to lock it.

5. -In a container construction having a circumferential bead at its upper end, the combination with a gasket arranged to engage the bead and a cover having a peripheral flange arranged to engage the gasket, of a split channel ring arranged to surround the bead and cover ange and engage therewith, locking elements, including a lever, carried by the lower wall of said ring adjacent one end thereof and adapted to be detach' ably connected to said lower wall adjacent the other ring end to contract the ring into engagement with said bead and ange, the outer end of said lever being formed with a longitudinally extending slot and a latch pivoted on the lower wall 'of said ring on an axis disposed at rightangles to said lever when in closed position and adapted to be swung into said slot when said lever is in operated position, whereby said latch is disposed in the path of movement thereof to lock it.

6. In a container construction having a circumferential bead at its upper end, the combina- 'ably connected to said lower wall adjacent the other ring end to contract; theA ring into engage-` ment with said bead and ilange, the outer end of said lever being formed with a longitudinally extending slot and a latch pivoted on the lower l wall` of said ring on an axis disposed at right is disposed -inathe path of movement thereof to lock it, and auxiliary'locking means between the walls of said lever and laten.

7. In a container construction having a cirtion witha gasket arranged to engage .the bead and a cover having a peripheral flange arranged to engage the gasket, of a split channel ring ar-v said bead and said flange, anda latchipivoted on the, lower wall of said ring on an axis substantially radially thereof inwardly of the outer end of said lever when the latter is in operated position and arranged to bepositioned in the path of movement of said lever to open position to lock it, said latch being movable fto a position beyond the free end of the lever to permit operation ofv the latter to closed position.

8. In a container construction having a'circumferential bead at its upper end, the combination with a gasket arranged to engage the bead and a cover having a peripheral iiange arranged to engage the gasket, of, a split channel ring ar.

ranged to surround the bead'and cover flange and engage therewith,J locking elements, Vincluding a lever,'pivoted on a vertical axis onthe lowerwall of said ring adjacent ole'end thereof and adapted to be detachably connected to said lower wall adjacent the other ring end, whereby said lever is operable toward the side wall of the container to contract the ring into engagementwith said cumferential bead at its upper end, the combina- ,45 ranged to surround the bead and cover -iiange and bead and said flange, the outer end of said lever being formed with a slot extending longitudinally inwardly, and a latch pivoted on the lower wall of said ring on an axis extending substantially radially of the ring inwardly of the outer end of the lever when the latter is in operated position and arranged to project into said slot to lock the lever in operated position, said latch being swingable to a position beyond the free end of the lever bers depending. fro'm the lower wall of said ring l to permit operation of tion.

9. In a container construction having a circumferential bead at its upper end, the combina tion with a gasket arranged to engage the bead 15 and a cover having a peripheral flange arranged to engage the gasket, of a split channel ring arf ranged to surround the bead and cover iiange and engage therewith, locking elements, including a lever, pivoted on a vertical axis on the lower wall the latter to closed posi- 20 of said ring adjacent one endthereof and adapted to be detachably connected to the other ring end, whereby -said lever is operable towardv the side wall of the container to contract the ring into engagement with said bead` and said flange, the

25 outer end of said lever being formedwith a slot extending longitudinally inwardly, and a latch pivoted on the lower wall of said ring on an axis extending substantially radially of the ring inward of the outer end of the lever when the 30 latter is in operated position Aand arranged to project into said vslot to lock the lever in operated position, said latch being swingable to a position beyond the free end of the lever to permit operation of the latter to closed pqsition, and arranged to frictionally engage one wall of said slot when projected thereinto.

10. The combination with a container the side wall of which is provided at its upper end with a circumferential bead and a cover having a circumferential marginal-edge arranged to engage said bead, of a split ring substantially U-shape in cross section to provide upper and lower termnating walls arranged to be expanded over said bead and edge and contracted to elect engagement of said terminating wall's therewith, where by said cover is sealed against said bead, and means for contracting said ring, said means comprising a lever and a link pivotally connected to each other and to the lower walls adjacent the ends of said ring, one of said pivotal connections' being detachable, said contracting means when in operated position being entirely within 'th side wall of said ring.

11. The combination with a containery the side wall of which is provided at its upperend with a circumferential bead and a cover having a circumferential marginal edge arranged .to engage said' bead, of a split ring substantially U-shape in cross section to provide upper and lower terminating walls arranged to be expanded over said bead and edge and contracted to effect engagement of said terminating walls therewith, whereby said cover is sealedagainst said bead, and .pivotal locking means for contracting said ,ring carried onr and belowsaid lower wall adjacent one end of said ring and arranged to detachp ably engage an element fixed to and arranged below said lower wall adjacent the other end of said ring, said means when in operated position being disposed entirely within the side wall of said ring. y

12. The combination with a container the side wall of which isprovided at its upper end with a circumferential bead and a cover having a circumferentialmarginal edge arranged to engage in cross section to provide upper and lower` terminating walls arranged to be expanded over-said bead and edge.y and contracted to eiect engagement of said terminating walls therewith, whereby said cover is sealed against said bead, and locking means for contracting said ring arranged when inv operated position entirely within the side wall thereof, saidmeans comprising memadjacent its ends and pivotally connected elements, one of said elements being pivotally mounted on one of said members and the other element being provided with a device adapted to detachably engage the other member.

13. The combination with a container the side wall of which is provided at its upper end with a circumferential bead and a cover having a circumferential marginal edge arranged to engage said bead, of a split ring substantially U-shape in cross section to provide upper and lower terminating walls arranged to be expanded over said bead and edge and contracted to eiect engagement of said'terminating walls therewith,-

other end of said ring, saidpivotally connected I elements when in operated position being disposed entirely within-the side wall of said ring.

14. The combination with a container the side wall of which is provided at' its upper end with a circumferential bead and a cover having a circumferential marginal edge arranged toengage said bead, of a split ring substantially U-shape in cross section to provide upper andilower termnating walls arranged` to be expanded over said bead and edge and contracted to effect engagement of said terminating walls therewith, whereby said cover vis sealed against said bead, locking means for contracting. said ring carried on and belowsaid lower wall adjacent one end of said ring, the outer end of one element of said lock#- ing means being provided with a pivot pin and a wall supported on and arranged below the lower wall of said ring adjacent the other end there of and formed with a notch to detachably receive said pin, said locking means when in closed position being disposed entirely within the side wall oi said ring.

wall of which is provided at its upper end with 15. 'Ihe combination with a containerthe side a circumferential bead and a cover having a circumferential marginal edge arranged to engage said bead, of asplit ring substantially U-shape in cross section to provide upper andlower terminatingfwalls arranged to be expanded over said within the side wall of said ring.

bead and'edge and contractedlto eifect engage- 16. The combination vwith acontainer the side wall of which is provided at its upper end with a circumferential beadl and a cover having a circumferential marginal edge arranged to engage said bead, of a split ring substantially U` shape in cross section to provide upper and lower terminating walls arrangedto be expanded over said bead and edge and contracted to effect engagement of said terminating walls therewith,

10 whereby said cover is sealed against said"bead,

and locking means for contracting said ringisaid elements comprising lugs carried on and lbelow said lower terminating wail oisaid ring adjacent the respective ends thereof, a lever and a link pivotally connected to -each other, one of said elements being provided with a pin and an adjacent element being provided with av plurality of spaced notches each arranged to detachably receive said pin, said locking elements when in operated position being entirely within the side wall'of said ring. -K'

HAROLD GAR.` VAUGHN.

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