US2206150A - Container closure - Google Patents

Description

lyz 940- i c. BARBER I 2,205,150

CONTAINER CLOSURE Filed May 25, 1959 FIG. 4

v INVENTOR 5 FOREST C. BARBER TO RNEY Patented July 2, 1940 NITED STATES PATENT I C CONTAINERICLOSUREIV Forest C. Barber, Bartlesville, Okla. Application May 25, 1939, Serial No.d275,606 7 Claims. (01. see-s9) This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 207,542, filed May 12, 1938. My present invention relates to closures for open mouthed vessels, particularly to closures for vessels which have mouths substantially in a vertical plane, and more particularly to closures for use in connection with various smeltingoperations where molten metals are to be retained in a vessel, especially a horizontal ves- 0 sel, and hot and corrosive gases are not to be retained.

In the smelting of zinc ore to produce the metal in an uncombined form, zinc ore and coke in a finely divided or pulverized form are intimately mixed and heated together. A chemical reaction takes place involving these materials and zinc isreleased from chemical combination with other elements. The zinc can be obtained as a product of this reaction in'a substantially pure metallic :10 form except as it may be more or less contami nated by other metals which may be present as components of the ore.

In commercial practice this chemical reaction, or smelting, is often carried out'in a relatively small retort, which is frequently acylinder about one foot in diameter andabout six feet long and closed at one end. This cylinder has walls about an inch thick which are composed of baked clay, or other ceramic material, which is quite resistant to high temperatures and the destructive action of hot corrosive materials, such as molten or vaporized metals. This retort is placed in a furnace with its long axis substantially horizontal, the closed end being within the furnace and the open end being at the'edgeof thefurnace and substantially flush with the outer wall thereof. This outer, open end is preferably slightly lower than the inner, closed end so that any liquid material such as molten metal which may at any 10 time be within the retort will tend to flow out of the retort and yet any solid material such as un-,

I reacted ore or coke, or cinders and thelike, which remain after reaction, will not tend to slide out of the retort by the force of gravity.

l5 As a result of the high temperatures which exist within this retort, the zinc or other metal produced by the smelting of the ore therein will be at or near its boiling point and therefore will have an appreciable vapor pressure and substan- 50 tial amounts, if not all, of thezinc will exist in the vapor state. metal vapor must be condensed, much as the vapor of any other material which it is desired to recover, and for this purpose a condenser is ,5 used in cooperation with the aforementioned reis made.

In order to be collected the tort, This condenser is made of a temperature resistant ceramic material which is similar to or the same as the material from which the retort In one form, this condenser has the shape of a hollow, truncated cone about two and I 5 one-half feet long, with walls which are also about an inch thick. The base or larger end of e this condenser has essentially the same dimensions as the open end of the aforementioned re.- tort, against which it is fitted more orless snug- 10 1y. The smaller end of this conical condenser is between about two and six inches in diameter. The condenser rests upon brackets or the like, with its axis also substantially horizontal, but with enough of an angle therefrom that the bottom .15 portion of the smaller end is slightly lower than the bottom portion of the larger end. Free metal in a substantially molten state collects in this condenser, running into it from the retort and condensing from the gases and Vapors which leave .20

the retort and passiinto and through the interior of the condenser toward the smaller. end thereof.

It has heretofore been the practice of the art partially t'ofclose or dam the small end of this condenser with a handful, more or less,of damp- ;25

handful of material must of necessity be put in place by hand, and whenever it is desired to draw off the molten metal which has collected I in the condenser, this dam must be removed com- 35 I pletely. In doing this, the dam material and molten. metal are raked or scraped into a ladle, the dam material floating on top ofthe metal and being removed from time to time as collection of metal from large numbers of individual retort's proceeds. I I I I Inmy aforementioned copending application Serial No. 207,542, there is describedaclosure suitable for use in such a smelting operationand which possesses many advantages over the prior art. Briefly, this closure includes a suitable cover comprised of inert 'insulatingmaterial; and provided with a suitable vent, with means for Iattaching this cover to a condenser such as has just been described, and with means for firmly holding the cover against the mouth of the condenser;

I have now invented a device, or closure, which iseasily and quickly attached to the end of such a condenser, which will hold back the molten metal while allowing uncondensed vapors and ,5;

gases to escape, which may be easily and repeatedly opened and closed without undue efi'ort,

which is readily adjusted to remain open and to remain firmly closed, which is substantially immune to the corrosive and destructive action of high temperatures and molten metals, and which possesses other advantages over the prior art. This closure includes a cover comprising suitable thermal insulating material and which is so fashioned as to fit firmly against the smaller, open end of such a condenser and to hold the molten zinc in while, as will be described, still permitting the unwanted gases to escape; which is provided withv means to be more fully hereinafter described which attaches the entire closure to the condenser; which is attached to the said attaching means by arms from each side of said attaching means to each side of the cover which are so -positioned as to control and guide the cover in such a manner that its own weight, and shape, aid in keeping it over and firmly pressed against the mouth of the condenser, and which aid in holding in molten metal which tends to escape from the condenser.

by its own weight.

Further objectsand advantages of my invention will be apparentto those skilled in the art from the accompanying disclosure and discussion.

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this disclosure, and in which: I

Fig. 1 presents a side plan view of the end of a zinc condenser, with one modification of my invention attached, and with the cover in a closed position.

Fig. 2 presents the same plan View as Fig. 1, but with the mouth of the vessel uncovered and with the cover in a raised position, sitting out of the way on the condenser body.

Fig. 3 presents a top plan view of the same modification of my invention, with the cover in a closed position.

Fig. 4 presents a front plan view of one modification of a cover, which is the same modification shown in the preceding figures.

Fig. 5 presents a front planview of another modification of a cover.

The condenser body It) is in a substantially horizontal position, and is supported as has been discussed, by means not shown. For the'modification of my invention illustrated, the closure combination "is attachedv to the condenser body Ill by a band II which encircles and firmly grips the condenser body' l0, and which can be loosened and drawn tight by proper manipulation of the screw-bolt l2 which passes through a plain hole in the lug or ear l3 at one end of the" band II "and screws into a threaded 'hole in the lug or ear M at the other end of said band. Preferably, although not necessarily, the'band'comprises two halves which are hinged together opposite such connecting and adjusting means, such as with a hinge 9. The inside of the band I I may be provided with a" plurality of small, more or less the cover firmly.

sharp, short projections which tend to dig into the clay condenser [0, thereby aiding the band H to be securely fastened thereto without slipping. Another modification by which such a band can be securely attached to the condenser body involves the presence of a shallow, sunken ring formed in the condenser body in which the said band may fit. Other modifications will now be apparent to those skilled in the art.

'A cover l5, of which a front plan view may be substantially circular, as shown inFig. 4 and of a size preferably slightly larger than the end of the condenser I0, fits firmly against the end of the condenser, as shown in Fig. 1. Attached on each side of this cover l5 are pivotal means such as the projecting pins 16 and ii, having their axes on a common, horizontal line which is located well below the top of the cover l5, and is also above the center of gravity of the cover, so that when hanging freely from the pivotal means it tends to hang in. a substantially vertical plane,

and with the bottom and top in the proper relationships.

The body of the, cover l5 may be composed of molded ceramic material, or fire clay, similar to that now used in making the condenser body II]. In such a case it may be surrounded and held by a band IT, to which are securely attached the pivotal means l6 and 16'. When it is made of such molded ceramic material, it may be molded and formed directly in the encircling band l1, which may then be a continuous band, as shown; When this cover is separately formed, it may be encircled by'an adjustable band adapted to be readily attached and removed, and to grip As another modification, a suitable metallic framework may be provided, carrying such pivotal means i6 and, i6, and the ceramic material of the cover may be molded around it, leaving the said pivotal means protruding. It is desirable that the cover l5 be comprised of material suitable for withstanding the high temperatures and corrosive action of molten zinc, and such ceramic material as is used to make the condenser is inexpensive and fulfills these qualifications. However the cover 25 may be made in a more mechanically durable manner, as by forming a cover blank of iron, or the like, and facing it on the side next to the condenser with a suitable inert thermal insulating material such as asbestos, or the aforementioned fire clay, as will be readily appreciated, the necessary pivotal means being readily attachable to such a metal body. When the cover is so made as to cover the entire mouth, as in Fig. 4, it is to be v Each pivotal means or pin may have a collar,

as shown, and, if necessary, pins [8 and I8 may be attachedto' and well-below the collars, the

functions of which will become evident hereinafter.

Attached to the band so as to be on each side of the condenser body are pivotal means such as theprojecting. pins 20 and 20, having their axes on'a common'horizontal line which is appreciably higher than the line of the axes of pivotal means l6 and Hi, when the cover I5 is in a closed position as shown, in Fig. 1. These pins are preferably provided with collars, as shown.

Arms 22 and 22' connect andhold the cover totheband Ill. Each of these arms has a hole in each end through which pass the pins H'iand 2|],

and I6 and 20', respectively. The sidewise movements of these arms in the respective pivotal meansis restricted on the one side by the collars provided on these means, and the pins shown may be provided with transverse holesthrough which cotter keys 23and 23', and 29 and 29', can

be passed, thus preventing the armsfrom coming off, and preferably withawasherbetween the cotter key and the arm. Other suitable and familiar means for accomplishing this result may be adapted, as will be readily appreciated. (While,

because of the structural relationships which exist, the arms 22 and 22' lie in the same plane,

they will generally and preferably not be parallel as longas the condenser body I I has a shape simiflarto that of a truncated cone, as shown and discussed, but will preferably be more or less parallel to the sides of the condenser, as shown. However, itwill of course be preferable that the ends of these arms will be perpendicular to" the pins, assho-wn. i

hooks.

may either be flattened and apertured to receive the pins 20 and 20, or they may be hooked around side of the cover IS, the bottom of theU-shaped member passing through the said apertures or The endsof such an Ll-shapedmember them, or alternately the band ll may support apertured lugs in place or the projecting pins 2D and 20', and the ends of the U-shaped meniher may bebent to pass through such apertures {and pivotally cooperate therewith as is readily appreciated otherlmbdifications may also b pplied. i e a K'Ihe advantages of this arrangement, and com bination, will now become more apparent. With the band ll firmly fixed on the condenser body .ID a suitable distance back ofthe mouth of the condenser, the cover l5 'falls in front of the mouth and its own weight servesto fit itsnugly and firmly against the edges of the end of the condenser which define this mouth. a The position of the axesof the pivotalmeans'll) and20', *shbstantially above the axes of the pivotalmeans l6 and it not only contributesto this action, but also acts to enable the coverl5 tomove away from the mouth when it is lifted, and also assures that the cover may be lifted entirely free .ofthe mouth, and may be rested on top of the condenser, as shown'in Fig. 2. When in this position, the projecting pins l8 and I8, if used, willmeet the arms 22 and 22 to prevent the cover l5 from swinging back through these arms.

The cover I5 may be provided with a projecting lug or handle 21, preferably at the top as shown, which is useful in taking hold of the cover and moving it away from the mouth or swinging it in place, especially in cooperation with some long handled instrument in the hands of an operator, as will be readily appreciated.

It will be possible, of course, for the pivotal means 20 and 20' to be higher than pivotal means l6 and B6 on the cover, when it is closed, and still be insufficiently high to permit the cover to bepushed up past thetop part of the end of the condenser. Thus, when it is stated that the pivotal means on the attachment means is substantially higher than the pivotal means on the cover} it is tobe understood that the firstsaid pivotal means is not only higher, but also is enoughhigher' to obviate such difficultiest Clamping of the band H may be readily accomplished with the cover overthe mouth, and in this manner the proper distance of the band back of the mouth is readily attained. However, even should the band be a littlebackward or forward of the optimum position, the cooperation of the apparatus is suchthat the cover l5 will fit firmly against the mouth. 'I'hiswill be particularly true if the cover is of such a size and shape as normally to project a little above and below the top and bottom, respectively, of the mouth,

and suitable provision for this is contemplated. When. the circumstances warrant, this cover will preferably be somewhat ellipticalrather than circular as shown in Fig. 4, with the long axis being the vertical axis. The above mentioned cooperation of the apparatus to compensate for slight deviations from the optimum for the position of the, band, or as it may be, of the length of the arms22 and 22', is found to be of especial advantage when a sunken ring, or the like, is provided for this attachment means on a plurality of condenserbodies, and any one closure apparatus is to be fitted to any one of a number of such condenser bodies.

In most cases the weight of the cover I5, in cooperation with the attachment .and pivoting elements described, will besuflicient to hold this cover firmly againstthe edges of the mouth of the condenser, and to withstand any pressure of molten metal whichmay press against the bottom of it. In the event that this is not sufficient to keep the cover firmly pressed against the mouth at all times, a clip or catch, not shown, may extend from the top of the band H and engage the top of the cover 15 and press down upon it when it is in a closed position, cooperating with the arms 22 and 22' to hold the cover firmly. Such a catch maybe disengaged by hav ing=it pivotally connected to the band H and movable in a horizontal plane to disengage the cover 15 and permit it to be raised when desired.

A modified form of cover is shown in Fig. 5,

the body of the cover being represented by l5, but with otherwise substantially the same pivotal means arrangement as hereinbefore discussed. With this modification, there is a substantially fiat portion 25, so 'formed that with this cover over the mouth of the condenser there is a space left between the top of the cover and the inner top ofthe mouth, thus permitting gases to escape from the condenser. This form of cover can conveniently be formed of a metal piece, such as iron, faced on the inside with a suitable thermal insulating layer, or of an iron frame over which is molded a ceramic cover, as previously discussed.

A minor portion of the zinc originally present in the ore often escapes from the condenser along with eflluent gases, generally in the form of fine, suspended particles of. zinc oxide and/or zinc.

Most ofthis valuable material, which in many and still fulfill the requirements andcarry out the spirit of the invention, although one particular means will not necessarily be the equivalent-of another, and alljsuch modifications should be provided with suitable pivotal means, to which thearms 22 and 22 may be attached, and with the limitations discussed.- Thus, as one other example, a yoke with projecting pivotal means may be molded in the body of the condenser.

What I claim is:

1. A closure for the mouth of an elongated horizontal vessel,,which,comprises in combination attachment means to secure the closure to the body of said'vessel, a cover for the mouth of said vessel adaptedto retain a liquid material and to pass gases and vapors, an arm pivotally attached to each'side of said cover at points on a horizontal line passing between the center and top of said cover, each said arm being pivotally attached to said attachment'means at points on a horizontal line and relatively higher than the first said horizontal line.

2. In a closure for a horizontal elongated vessel having a mouth at one end which is substantially in a vertical plane, the combination which comprises a cover for said mouth adapted to fit closely at the bottom thereof to retain liquid material and adapted to permit gases and vapors to escape from the top thereof, attachment means secured to the body of said vessel, pivotal means on either side of said cover having a common horizontal axis, saidaxis being between the top of said cover and its center of gravity, pivotal means on either side of said attachment means having a common horizontal axis, the axis of the second said pivotal means being substantially above the first said pivotal meanswhen said cover is closed, and arms joining said attachment means and said cover,

3. A closure combination, which comprises an elongated, substantially horizontal vessel having a mouth at one end, a cover for said mouth adapted to retain a molten metal in said vessel and to pass gases and vapors from said vessel, attachment means secured to said vessel-near the mouth end, an arm attached thereto at one end pivotally connected to each side of said cover and between thecenter of gravity and the top of said cover, the other end of each said arm being pivotally connected to said attachment means and at points substantially higherthan said connections to the cover when in" a closed position, the said arms having a length sufficient to hold said coverfirmly against said mouth when closed. a

4. In a zinc condenser, the combination comfirst said horizontal line.

awn-1m prising asubstantially horizontal condenser body, attachments-means secured to said condenser body, an ,arm on either, side of said condenser body and pivotallyattached to said attachment means on ahorizontal axis appreciably above the center of said condenser body, a cover for themouth of said condenser body adapted to fit firmly against said mouth at the bottom portion thereof and to permit gases to escape from the upper portion thereof, the said arms being pivotally attached to said cover on a horizontal axis between the-center and top thereof, the said horizontal axis on said cover being substantially lower than thesaid horizontal axis on said attachment means when said coveris closed.

5. A closure for the mouth of a vessel which is substantially in a vertical plane,,which comprises a cover comprising thermal insulating material, a pivotal means located. on each side of said cover each complementary tov the other and located on a line substantially above the center of gravity of said cover, a Vent hole located in the 1 top part of said cover, attachment meansfor attaching said closure to said "vessel, pivotal means on said attachment'means located on each side of said vessel, each complementary tothe otherand located so as to beipositioned substantially higher than i the corresponding pivotal means on said cover whenclosed; andanarm joining each pivotal means on said attachment means with the corresponding-pivotal means on said cover. v

6. A closure for the mouth of 1 an elongated horizontal vessel, which comprises in combination a' cover for the mouth of said vessel adapted to retain a liquid material, an arm pivotally attached to each side of said cover at points on a substantially horizontal line passing between the center and top of ,said cover, each said arm being pivotallyattached to said vessel at points substantially on a horizontal line and relatively higher than the first said horizontal line.

7. A closure combination, which comprises a substantially horizontal vessel having a mouth side of said cover at-points on a substantially horizontal line passing between the center and top of saidcover, each said arm being pivotally attached to said vessel at points substantially on a horizontal line and relatively higher than the FOREST C. BARBER.

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