US2661862A

US2661862A - Closure assembly for containers

Info

Publication number: US2661862A
Application number: US157441A
Authority: US
Inventors: Herbert B Howe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1950-04-22
Filing date: 1950-04-22
Publication date: 1953-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 1970-12-08

Description

Dec. 8, 1953 H. B. HOWE 2,561,362

I CLOSURE ASSEMBLY FQR CONTAINERS Filed April 22. 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORQ HERBERT B. HOWE BY (2 6M,

' HIS TTORNEYS.

Dec. 8, 1953 CLOSURE ASSEMBLY FOR CONTAINERS Filed April 22, 1950 2 SheetsSheet 2 H. B. HOWE 2,661,862

HERBERT B. HOWE HIS A ORNE'YS.

Patented Dec. 8, 1953 UNITED "STAT- ee mum :CLO'SURE ASSEMBLY FOR CONTAINERS f I-Ierbert 'BJHowe, Chatha'm, N. "J. AppIicationA rikZZ, lam-serial -No...1 57=,441

i4o1aims. (011220-440) "iThis invention relates to closureslfor cont=ainers;- and moreparticularlyto new and lmzproved closures for containers such :as metal surfaces of the respective locking members are perpendicular to their supporting-walls, each be- -in g slightly longitudinally inclined to afford wedging action whioh effectively;.prevents the closure from working itself loose. .In addition the wedging-action of the locking members is .utilizedto urge a lip .onthe closure into sealing engagement with the chime or :rolled edge'of :the container.

According to the presentinventiontheclosure ofthe said copending patent-may be incorporated .in-an improved closure assembly. for openingstof -varioussizes in-containers, suchas metal; drums and the like, ina novel manner to i-reduceithe cost of fabrication and to improve the; structural -characteristics of both the containenandgclosure.

,It is therefore an object-of the vinvention'to provide an improved closure assemblyifor various .types of openings incontainers such asmetal drums and thelike; wherebythe structural characteristics of the'drum are-materially improved at reduced manufacturing. costs.

vIt i-s'another object of the inventiontopro- .vide a new and improved closure-of the above schamcter which, once the closure is in place, -affordsihighresistance to exterior damage.

{These and other-objects of .theinvention are attained. by providing a :novel circumferential insert :or collar .member which ,is adapted to ,-be rmechanically ,or otherwise secured to the fin- :terior of the cylindricalwall iportion defining the opening ,in the container. =As acne preferred imethodoffabrication;theinsertis. formedfrom a continuous "strip formed with -.-a succession of :spaced locking members on onesof its-asurfaces, thereby obviating the more costly :operation -of forming such 1members on the .-wall portions of the container. The strip is also {cut tolength and formed into ;a :cylindricalringgto be inserted by rolling the container 'over eifectivelyprevented.

-in the opening in the container to voverlieLthe lipper h portion thereof. 7 edges of the insert and cylindrical wall portion :m-ay then be rolled outwardly as onetoform a -;chime.or rolled edge, and thelo'wer edge of the The laminated upper .insert may be rolled. into the cylindrical walLportion toform an external annular. rib thereinlin a conventional operation. The locking-members .onthe insert are thus rigidly positioned within the container, theoutside surface ofthe walLof the container, however, revealing no evidence of the existence of the locking elements which 'aife completely shielded. The closure member or. lid

is preferably'a disc-shaped unit witha marginal fiangerportion adapted to nest within the insert wall, and is formed with looking members adapted tounderlie-the locking members formed .on the insert in-a manner similar .to that described in the said copending patent.

,It will be apparent that this novel construction providesa highly eflicient and economical (clo- :sure since itobviates the relatively costly and troublesome operation offorminglocking momber in the container wall itself andfinaddition provides structural reinforcement adjacent the opening in the container, which area is particularly vulnerable to damage. Moreover, because the locking members are eifectively hidden byan external wall, damage to thelockingmembers as sharp objects is Additional objects and advantages of 'theiinvention will be apparent from the following 'detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings .in which Fig. 1 is .a View ,in perspective showing the .upper portion of a metal drum, selected for-pun poses of illustration from among numerous'ltypes .of containers whichmay embody the instant invention, with a separable closure member .dis-

posed-thereabove and with asupplement annular insert member affixed within the .cylindrical wall of the drum, all as formed according to the present invention; l a

d Fig. Zisa fragmentary top view .of the closure membershowninFig. 1; d

Fig. .3 is a fragmentary view of the closure member of Fig. 1 showing one .of the locking members formed-therein;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view :in longitudinal section .taken .on the line 4-4-01? Fig. 2 looking -11]. the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view. in cross section takenon theline 55 of Fig. -2 looking-in jthe direction of the arrows Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in cross section taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view in cross section of the closure assembly showing the three funda mental components thereof with the locking members out of engagement;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in cross section of the closure assembly as shown in Fig. 7 with the closure element "having been rotated to bring the "locking members into engagement; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal cross section showing a modified form of the collar assembly.

Referring to Fig. l, the invention is shown as embodied in a steel drum N of the conventional type used for storing dry or liquid materials and having a cylindrical wall portion In defining an opening therein. Alternatively, the cylindrical wall portion In may be formed as part of a container of any desired shape such as rectangular for example. Moreover, although the diameter of the opening in the illustrated embodiment is equal to that of the wall of the container, it will be understood that the novel closure assembly may be used to form a so-called bung closure of comparatively small diameter with respect to the size of the container.

In accordance with the invention an annular insert or collar member II is disposed concentrically within the drum to overlie the cylindrical wall portion In adjacent the opening therein. The insert H is secured in place by suitable means such as an outwardly flared rib I2 on its lower edge which is received within an annular recess l2a formed in the inner surface of the wall of the drum (Fig. '7) The lower edge of the insert is preferably made flush with the inner surface of the drum wall so as not to interfere with the removal of a product such as grease for example from the drum and to prevent the product from getting between the collar member H and the cylindrical wall portion ill. Theupper edge of the insert H and of the cylindrical wall l are rolled outwardly to form a curved sealing surface 13 of substantially circular cross section, with the insert H overhanging the wall portion H), as best seen in Figs. 7 and 8.

A plurality of inwardly projecting locking members M are formed on the insert member H, the locking members being substantially equal in length and disposed 90 apart around the inner wall thereof. For purposes of illustration, four locking members are shown in the closure assembly in the drawing, although it will be understood that the total number of locking members may be widely varied to suit the needs of the particular closure. The locking members [4 are formed with a bearing surface Ma (Figs. '7 and 8) which is substantially perpendicular to the wall of the insert. The surfaces Ma are also slightly inclined longitudinally to afford wedging action as described below.

A disc-shaped closure member 15, shown above the drum in Fig. 1, is formed with a rolled upper edge [a the inside curvature of which conforms with the curvature of the outer surface of the curved surface 13 on the drum. The outer edge of the closure member I5 is preferably formed with the bead I6 (Figs. 5 and 6) to afford rigidity to the free edge thereof and also to eliminate possible sharp edges. If desired, however, the bead may be omitted.

The closure member I5 is formed with a circumferential, downwardly extending peripheral wall portion H, as best seen in Figs. 5 and 6, which is of substantially the same outside di ameter as the inside diameter of the opening in the drum so that the former may be conveniently received therein. Below the wall portion IT is a relatively narrow shelf portion I8, which in turn carries a lower peripheral wall portion I9 (Fig. 6) terminating in an annular depression 20 surrounding a substantially flat disc-shaped bottom 2|.

Formed in the cylindrical or peripheral vertical wall portion 19 of the closure 5 at circumferentially spaced intervals are a plurality of outwardly projecting locking members 22. These locking members 22, four being shown in the illustrated embodiment, are substantially equal in length and are disposed apart and each is slightly shorter in length than the spacing between opposing ends of the locking members It formed on the insert assembly. The locking members 22 are formed with inclined bearing surfaces 220'. which, transversely, are substantially perpendicular to the vertical wall i9, and are so arranged that when the closure is initially received in the drum the low end of each bearing surface 22a, is disposed slightly beneath the high end of the corresponding bearing surface Ma of a locking member 14. Accordingly, when the closure 15 is turned, the locking members 22 will underlie and engage the locking members M to afford a wedging action which draws the closure downwardly into the drum.

The dimensioning of the closure member [5 is such that when it is inserted in the drum and the locking members l4 and 22 engaged, the curved annular margin 15a. of the closure is drawn downwardly against the curved surface I3 of the drum and insert assembly to provide a liquid tight joint. If desired a suitable gasket may be inserted between the curved surface [3 and the surface 15a of the closure l5. In order to insure a firm, enduring joint between the contiguous portions of the curved surfaces, it is preferable that a space 23 be provided between the respective locking members M and 22 (Fig. 8). The right-angle bend between the surfaces I8 and i9 affords a springing action whereby the bearing surface 22a is sprung tightly against the bearing surface I411. The resulting tension between the closure and the drum in combination with the flat, working surfaces of the cooperating locking members provides a structure which has been found to be extremely efiective in resisting unauthorized release through vibration, jarring or other abnormal or extraordi nary handling of the drum. Thus slight angular turning movement of the closure will not materially affect the tightness of the seal.

By virtue of the construction described herein, it will be apparent that the upper portion of the drum It may be initially formed with a straight cylindrical wall defining the opening therein, with all operations required in the formation of the closure assembly being performed subsequent to the fabrication of the body of the drum. According to a preferred method of making the closure assembly, a succession of locking members M are formed by suitable die operations on a continuous relatively narrow strip, after which the strip is cut into closely measured lengths. Each length is bent into cylindrical configuration during the forming of the lugs or subsequently to form an insert member with the locking members l4 being disposed on the inside surface thereof.

With the insert fitted within the drum, the

-curved-surface*I3' may be formed-in a s-ingleoph eratlon-which works both'the drumwall 'and 'the -insert walktogether. The lower" edge -I 2- of the insert; is-rolled into the' drum -wall-ati l 2 a;-* this --operationproviding araised annular rib'pn the outer wall of the drum which may; if desired; be utilized as one of theconventional"strengtheni g or rolling-ribs ofthedrum. a r

' The rib connection "I Z -IZa and-=the laminated or-double-wa lled curved edge 13 effectiyely secure -the insert- I I; implace, thereby-to ir r par-t" addit ion'al rigidity to the-fumner pqrtion of the drum which {is V particularly vulnerable "IOMG'XQQIDHI *damage.

v The inporporation -ofithe reinforcing in sert-in= the drumstructure also permits the use oflighter M gauge materialin *thegdrum-wall without decreast in t me ni l t ene ".t -;'dr =:b acceptable standards; --';Ijhis- 'is possible because 3 top; and -;-the strength iinparted' byithe-"' double thickness of "material at :th' S, DOint-r nderS-it'uni necessary to have such heayyggau materialat beoth rqiet "it will also be seen-that the locking members ltteea set e ar ferme entheinser l are shielded by awalland hence" do not appear as indentations-4m the i outer surface -of the drum. Acg gdingly damage to the ,;;closure mechanism rsyr ra mi h b causedi y rol in econta 1' e sma l share bieetis f eet v tpr nted. .undemierdihat ib im ant ter headingdsniin r fvt a rin 'n t surfaces of the lpplging ,rrueltlb.ers..v I4 and 22.

It is also possible according to the invention to modifylsthe closure assemblyin the manner shown :imEig. Qimwhich a-.-.supp1emental annular collar 26; surrounds the cylindrical wall portion, 1| 0; In

agthis embodiment. ..the:. lock-ing. .-.-memb'ers al 4.. e formed in the cylindrical wall [0 of the container and are covered or shielded externally by the collar 26. The collar is rolled into the curved sealing surface at the periphery of the opening in the container in a manner substantially similar to that described above, the rolled edge of the collar portion being disposed concentrically within the rolled edge of the container wall. The lower edge of the collar abuts the annular ring formed in the container wall to assist in preventing edgewise movement of the collar on the cylindrical wall of the container. Or if preferred, other securing means, such as spot welding for example, may be used for accomplishing this purpose.

Certain closure assemblies may be provided according to the invention wherein it is diificult, in removing the closure member, to determine precisely when the locking members I4 on the removable closure are disposed angularly between the locking members on the cylindrical wall of the container so that the closure may be lifted free of the container. Accordingly, a stop member 2! (Fig. 1) may be formed adjacent the lower end of one or more of the locking members I4, which stop member is designed to be engaged by the end of an adjacent locking member 22a on the closure as the latter is counterrotated to break the lock. This prevents further rotation of the closure and affords an indication to the person opening the container that the closure member may be lifted from the container without interference by the locking members. The stop member 21 may be formed concurrently with the formation of the locking member [4 and may extend above or below the longitudinal axis there- -of;- or both, ;as required to =intercept the adjacent locking member 22--on the-"closure.

From the-foregoing it will be-readily-apparent that the invention provides' highly eifecti-ve clo- I 5 sures; for-containers ofvarious types such for example as those required for the shipmentv'of powdered materials,-petroleum, chemicals and=the like, --the--invention affording a simplified-highly economical assembly-having-materially improved o structuralcharacteristics enabling the closures j to withstand extreme -punishment and abuse throughmishandling etc.

While a specific embodiment-has beendescribed-in detail herein,- itwill -be-understood -that "-the invention"may beembodiedin a wide variety offorms and hence should'notbelimitedin scope save asset-forthin the following claims. I- claim: v 1. *A' container and closure therefor-,--saidcontainerhaving a cylind-ricalwall portioir defining an opening therein, an outwardly curledjibead forming a sealing surface of curvedcross section; '-a -'plurality-" of angularly -spaced-apart- -locling memb'ers projecting inwardly from said cylindrical wall portion,;ea ch of' -said loclring-members having-a downwardly facing bearing surface-substantiallyperpendicular ;tosaid cylindrical wall portion a and being slightly-inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular-to the-lohgitudinal-axis of saidcylindrical wall; portion;=-said-cyli-ndrical -wall portion comprising a cylindrical' walband a cylindrical collar disposed concentrically and contiguously with respect-tosaicl cylindrical-wall andextending inwardly-a 'shortdistance" from the -open-end ofthe containen the-upper edgeot the collar beingrolled inthe bead tosecure it above said locking members; and means -securing -the lower edge of-said cylindricalcollar tosaidcylindricalwallbelow said locking members again'st 40 axial movement upon impact said closure -being of substantially disc-like shape and having a continuous outwardly extending circumferential sealing surface conforming to and adapted to overlie the sealing surface on said cylindrical wall portion to form a tight joint, said closure also having a central depressed portion forming a peripheral wall, the upper portion of said peripheral wall snugly fitting said cylindrical wall portion and the lower portion of said peripheral wall 59 having a plurality of angularly spaced-apart outwardly projecting locking members, the length of said closure locking members being less than the spacing between the adjacent container locking members to facilitate insertion of the closure in the container; each of said closure locking members having a bearing surface lying substantially perpendicular to said peripheral wall of the closure and being slightly inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of said periph- 60 eral wall, such that when the closure is turned in the container the locking member bearing sur faces on the cylindrical wall portion of the container tightly engage the locking member bearing surfaces on the closure, bringing the circumferential sealing surfaces on the closure and on said cylindrical wall portion towards each other to form an effective seal.

2. A container and closure therefor, said container having a cylindrical wall portion defining 7 an opening therein, an outwardly curled bead forming a sealing surface of curved cross section; a plurality of angularly spaced-apart locking members projecting inwardly from said cylindrical wall portion, each of said locking mem- 7 bers having a downwardly facing bearing surface substantially perpendicular to said cylindrical wall portion and being slightly inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical wall portion; said cylindrical wall portion comprising a cylindrical wall and a cylindrical collar disposed concentrically and contiguously with respect to said cylindrical wall and extending inwardly a short distance from the open end of the container, the upper edge of the collar being rolled in the head to secure it above said locking members; and means securing the lower edge of said cylindrical collar to said cylindrical wall below said locking members against axial movement upon impact; said last-named means comprising an annular rib in the wall below the locking members with the lower edge of the collar rolled in said rib; said closure being of substantially disc-like shape and having a continuous outwardly extending circumferential sealing surface conforming to and adapted to overlie the sealing surface on said cylindrical wall portion to form a tight joint, said closure also having a central depressed portion forming a peripheral wall, the upper portion of said peripheral wall snugly fitting said cylindrical wall portion and the lower portion of said peripheral wall having a plurality of angularly spaced-apart outwardly projecting locking members, the length of said closure locking members being less than the spacing between the effective locking length of the adjacent container locking members to facilitate insertion of the closure in the container; each of said closure locking members having a bearing surface lying substantially perpendicular to said peripheral wall of the closure and being slightly inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of said peripheral wall, such that when the closure is turned in the container the locking member bearing surfaces on the cylindrical wall portion of the container tightly engage the locking member bearing surfaces on the closure, bringing the circumferential sealing surfaces on the closure and on said cylindrical wall portion towards each other to form an effective seal.

3. The container defined in claim 2 in which the cylindrical collar is disposed outside the cylindrical wall of the container, the upper edge of the collar being rolled on the inside of the bead forming the sealing surface and the lower edge of the collar being in contact with the exterior of the rib, whereby the entire interior cylindrical wall and the sealing surface of the container is one continuous leak-proof surface. 7

4. The container defined in claim 2 in which the cylindrical collar is disposed within said cylindrical wall of the container, the upper edge of the collar being rolled on the outside of the bead forming the sealing surface and the lower edge of the collar being on the interior of the rib, thereby providing an interior surface in the container in the vicinity of the opening which is free of obstructions.

HERBERT B. HOWE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 253,075 Lyon Jan. 31,1882 986,847 Nair Mar. 14,1911

1,691,276 Freundt Nov. 13,1928 2,430,036 Thornbu'rgh et a1, Nov; 4, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 296,942 Great Britain Sept. 13, 1928 327,215 Great Britain Apr. 3, 1930 237,603 Switzerland Sept. 17, 1945