US2939603A - Plastic containers - Google Patents

Description

June 7, 1960 s. H, A. YOUNG PLASTIC CONTAINERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 15, 1956 B INVENTOR.

M my a 0 WM A TTORNEYS June 7, 1960 s. H. A. YOUNG 2,939,603

PLASTIC CONTAINERS Filed NOV. 15, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 r-16 0 17 z? J 11 3 16 l M l 10 f I 7 5 15 \W }E IN V EN TOR.

Jere/111s HA. )hzm 7 Z A TTORNEYS June 7, 1960 s. H. A. YOUNG msnc conmmzas 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 15, 1956 INVENTOR.

Jere/211.9154 A1011 ATTORNEYS 5. H. A. YOUNG PLASTIC CONTAINERS June 7, 1960 5 sheets sheet 4 Filed Nov. 15, 1956 w W T. T A

June 7, 1960 s. H. A. YOUNG 2,939,603

PLASTIC CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 15, 1956 s Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR. SermwH/I. Yawy, BY

A TTORNEYS ,zs ss PLASTIC GONTAINERS Serenus H. A. Young,Drexel Hill, Pa, assignorof small I interests to various assignees 1 Filed Nov. 15, 1956, so. No. 522,310

'4 Claims; of. 220-4).

application relating to improvements in molding shaped articles from fluid fibrous suspensions,'filed October 1,

1956 under Serial No. 613,139..

The chief object of my invention is to provide a fibrous reinforced plastic container which is light in weight yet sturdy, and which may have non-tmliorrn sections of uniform density and composition. 7' It is a further object of my invention to provide a fibrous reinforced plastic container which maybe reinforced or strengthened where necessary or desired.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a fibrous reinforced plastic container wherein organic and/or inorganic fibers are uniformly dispersed throughout its structure.v 1

It is a further object of my invention to provide a fibrousreinforced plastic container having organic and inorganic fibers uniformly dispersed throughout its structure which will have optimum physical properties.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a fibrous reinforced plastic container which is smooth and hard surfaced both inside and out, and tough against easy fracture and deformation. i It is a further object of myinvention to provide a fibrous United StatS P t reinforced plastic container suitable for shipping delicate and sensitive electronic equipment, such as radar equipment and the like. 7

Briefly stated, my invention comprises an integrally formed, hollow, molded plastic product, open at one end,

which may be used as a receptacle or may be assembled in pairs in reversely disposed relation with their open ends confronting to form a closed container, said product being formed with side walls thickened at their upper edges through a gradual taper and integrally joined attheir lower regions to a bottom along a juncture which is reinforced or'thickened for rigidity and strength.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the following description of the attached drawings, wherein: V

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container conveniently embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in elevation showing the container in vertically stacked relationship with similar containers and with one side wall partly broken away.

Fig. 3 is enlarged, fragmentary, elevational view in cross section of the central portion of one side wall of the container.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary view in elevation of two containers of the type shown in Fig. 1 abutting in side by side relation.

Fig. 5 is an exploded view in perspective showing one way of constructing the container from preforms. J

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing assembly of pretion taken as indicated by the angled arrows VII-VII Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional, fragmentary view in plan taken as indicated by the angled arrows VIII-VIII in Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 shows a modified type of preform for the container.

Fig. 10 shows a second modified type of preform for the container.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary, elevational view in cross sec-. tion showing a slightly modified container packed, as

sembled and ready for shipment.

Referring first to Figs. 1- -to 4, the container 1 as there tions 7 and 3, the containers 1 are held against relative displacement when stacked, as shown in Fig. 2.

Each side wall 4 of the lower component 2' of the container 1 is integrally joined to the bottom 6 through a rounded juncture 9 which is thickenedsomewhat for strength and reinforcement. Each side wall 4-is also integrally joined to each of the next adjacent sidewalls 4' through similarly rounded junctures 14-, which are also thickened for strength and reinforcement. The upper portionof each such side wall 4 is thickened through a gradual taper 1t} and formed with perimetric recesses or steps 11" and 12 for a purpose presently to be explained. 'l hetop edge of each such side wall 4 is formed with a lateral perimetric lip or flange 13. The bottom 6 of the component 2 is formed with a slight upwardly concavecl .or arched construction, as at 15, for strength.

The side walls 4 of the upper component 2 of the con a standing projections 7 for the indentations 8, the top 5 of the upper component 2 is of the same construction as the bottom 6 of the component 2', although it is arched or concaved downwardly when assembled as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Secured within the perimetric recess 11of the lower component 2 of the container 1 by means of an appropriate adhesive, such as an epoxy resin'adhesive, is va quadrangular indexing band 16 which may be madeof metal. The indexing band 16 is adapted for closeffit within the perimetric recess 11 of the upper component 2 to ensure proper alignment of the component 2. with the lower component 2, and its inner surface or face is preferably flush with the inside surfaces of the container walls. While in theillustration shown, the indexing band 16 is described as being a separately incorporated element,

forms of the type shown in Fig. 5 to =form the container.

it is within the scope of my invention to provide, in lieu thereof, an upwardly projecting perimetric flange integrally formed on the lower component 2' or a downwardly projecting perimetric flange integrally formed on the upper component 2. A sealing gasket 17, preferably of either rubber or neoprene,is inserted in the confronting recesses 12 of the components 2, 2 and secured to the half section 2,. by an appropriate adhesive, .snoh asan elastomeric adhesive. As shown, the indexing band 16 serves as a backing'for the gasket 17,

The perimetric lips 13 on the components 2, 2' are formed with indentations 18 into which are disposed or received the straps 19 of the spring clasps 3. By means of. the indentations 18,,the spring clasps 3 of laterally abutting containers will be prevented from becoming tangled .and damaged, as will be readily understood from Fig. 4. The container 1 is also provided with balelike lift handles 21 for convenience in handling.

The container components 2, 2' hereinbeiore described are made in accordance with the process set forth in my patentapplication Serial No. 613,139, filed October 1, 1956, wherein preforms are first molded from fluid fibrous suspensions and then assembled in a finishing press where they are molded under pressure at an elevated temperature and finished by impregnating and heat setting a thermosetting resin throughout the preform structures. The container components thus produced will be smooth and hard surfaced both inside and out, and tough against easy fracture and deformation. When the fluid fibrous suspension includes a mixture of organic and inorganic fibers, such as cotton and glass, the finished container components 2, 2' will be formed of fibrous reinforced plastic which will be of uniform density and composition throughoutthe container structure. By varying the proportions of organic and inorganic fibers, optimum physical properties for the container components will be achieved.

Figs. 5 to 8 show one way of constructing the container 1 from preforms. In this embodiment, each container component is produced from separate side wall preforrns and either a separate top or bottom preform, as the case may be. In Figs. 6, 7 and 8 there are shown four side wall preforms 4a and a bottom preform 6a for constructing the container component 2'. The side wall preforms 4a have substantially the same configuration as the side walls 4 of the container of Fig. 1, including a gradually thickened taper 10a, recesses 11a and 12a, lip 13a and lip identation 18a. Each side wall preform 4a. has lateral or side edge margins 22a and 23a and a bottom edge margin 2.4a, all of which are rounded and tapered ofl in thickness. The side edge margin 23a of each side wall preform 4a is rounded somewhat less sharply and has a somewhat longer and thicker taper than the side edge margin 22a, thus producing a somewhat non-symmetrical cross-sectional configuration, as shown in Fig. 8, for a purpose presently to be explained.

The bottom preform 6a has substantially the same configuration as the bottom 6 of the lower component 2 of the container 1, and is formed with corner indentations 8a and an upwardly arched construction a. The peripheral margin 25a of the bottom preform 6a is upwardly rounded and tapered oif in thickness, as shown in Fig. 7.

In assembling the preforms 4a and 6a, the four side wall preforms 4a are first assembled in upstanding contiguous relation, as shown in Figs. 6 and 8, with the margin 23a of each preform 4a overlapping the contiguous margin 22a of the adjacent-preform 4a. The bottom preform 6a is next inserted downwardly within the four side wall preforms 4a so that its upwardly rounded peripheral margin 25a-overlaps the bottom edges 24a of each of the side wall preforms 4a, as shown in Fig. 7. After the preforms are thus assembled, they are molded under pressure at an elevated temperature and at the same time impregnated with a thermosetting resin which is heat set throughout the preforms to integrate them into a unitary structure along the regions of overlap; By reason of the integrated overlaps between the lateral margins 22a and 23a of the side wall preforms 4a, and between the bottom margins 24a of the side wall preforms 4a and the peripheral margin 25a of the bottom preform 6a, the thickened junctures 9 and 14 are formed in the component 2. Because the preforms are integrated at the regions of overlap, the junctures 9 and 14 will be homogeneous in compositionand uniform in density.

The upper container component 2 may be prepared 4v from four separate side preforms 4a and a separate top preform in the same manner as that just described in respect of the bottom component 2. In such case, the top preform will be similar configuration to the top 5 of the container and will be formed with a peripheral margin which will be downwardly rounded and tapered off in thickness in order to lapwith the upper curved and tapered margins of the side 'wall preforms from which the section 2 would be' constructed. I

. integrally joined. to theibottom; 6b through I a thickened juncture 9b and is disposed to the bottom 6b at an angle of approximately 45". Such preform would be molded as a unitary structure from a fluid fibrous suspension in one molding operation. Each side wall 4b would be formed with rounded and tapered olf lateral edge margins 22b and 23b, similar to the lateral edge margins 22a and 23a of the preform 4a of Fig; 8. When the preform of Fig. 9 is assembled in the finishing press, the lateral edge margin 23b of each side wall 4b will overlap the lateral edge margin 22b of the adjacent'side wall in the manner shown in Fig. 8; After assembly, the preform is molded general construction'and configuration as the container 1,

having its side walls 40 integrally joined together along y junctures 14c and integrally joined with the bottom 60 along junctures 90. Since the preform of Fig. 10 is already an integrated structure, all thatis required in the finishing operation is to mold and impregnate the preform with a thermosetting resin and then heat set the resin to produce the finished article.

The container 1' of Fig. 11 is of the same general construction as the container 1 of 'Fig. 1, but incorporates certain additional features. The container 1, for purposes of illustration, contains radar equipment 30 and, at each end thereof, is provided with dunnage to cushion the equipment 30 and prevent injury to it incidental to rough handling. The dunnage 31 may be composed of rubberized hair molded to conform to the upper and lower configurations of the equipment 30.

A humidity indicator 32 is incorporated in the con tainer 1 for the purpose of, determining the presence of moisture in the container, when assembled, packed and closed. The humidity indicator 32 includes a circular, transparent window 33, preferably made of Plexiglas or the like, held in' place in the container wall by means of an internally threaded collar 34 co-acting with a hollow, externally threaded .nut 35 The indicator 32 further includes acircular piece of testing paper 36 which is chemically treated, as with potassium chloride, and coated with a humectant, the paper 36 being held in contiguous relation to the glass 33 by means of the nut 35. The presence of moisture in the container is indicated by a change of color of the paper 36.

The container 1' further includes an electrical outlet 40 covered by a removable cap 41 and connected to the radar equipment 30 by means of wires 42 and 43. Upon removal of the cap 4 1, testing equipment (not shown) may be plugged into the outlet 40 for the purpose of testing the radar equipment 30 when packed in the closed container 1'. .When thus tested, a gauge or meter 44-, readable through a transparent window 4-5 in the container wall, indicates the operativeness of the radar equipment 30. Like the window 33, the window 45 may be made of Plexiglas or the like and is secured in the container wall by a common adhesive.

The container 1' further includes a pressure valve 50 for equalizing the pressure inside and outside of the container when closed. The valve 50 incorporates an in- I ternally threaded collar 51 secured in the container wall into which is engaged a threaded cap screw 52. Pressure inside and outside of the container 1 will be equalized whenever the cap screw 52 is removed from the collar 51. If desired, the cap screw 52 may be formed with an axial bore 53 which terminates into a transverse bore 54 adjacent the head of the screw. With this latter arrangement, the screw 52 may be withdrawn from the collar 51 only until the bore 54 is exposed to the atmosphere, at which time, by means of the bores 53- and 54, pressure inside and outside of the container will be equalized.

While I have shown and described a container incorporating four side walls, it is to be understood that my invention is not limited to this specific construction. It is within the scope of my invention to provide containers having a single side wall, as in the case of a cylindrical container, as well as containers having multiple side walls. It is also to be understood that the single container components, such as those designated as 2 and 2', may themselves be useful as containers or receptacles for many purposes.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A fibrous reinforced plastic container comprising two separate complemental hollow components each molded from preforrns composed of a substantially uniform intermixture of discrete organic and inorganic fibers impregnated with a thermosetting resin, each com-' ponent having an open end and a closed end and at least one side wall portion integrally joined to the closed end, said components being assembled invertedly one upon the other with their respective open ends in opposing relationship, an internal perimetric recess adjacent the open 6 end of each component, an indexing band fixedly mounted in the recess of one component and slidably received in the recess in the other component when the two components are assembled, and releasable means for locking the two components in assembled relation.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein the indexing band 'is set into the recesses of the components so as to be flush with the inner surfaces of the walls thereof.

3. The container of claim 1 wherein each component comprises at least one side wall preform and a separate preform forming the closed end of the component, said closed end preform having a rounded and tapered margin disposed about the perimeter thereof adapted to complement and lap a similar margin disposed along the bottom edge of each side wall preform.

4. The container preform of claim 3 having a plurality of adjacent side wall preforms, each side wall preform having a rounded and tapered margin disposed along the opposite side edges thereof, each said margin adapted to lap a similar margin of a next adjacent side wall preform.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,311,613 Slayter Feb. 16, 1943 2,436,726 Moyer Feb. 24, 1948 2,525,469 Anderson Oct. 10, 1950 2,620,513 Cryor et al. Dec. 9, 1952 2,627,991 Maersch Feb. 10, 1953 2,676,729 Neville, Jr., et a1 Apr. 27, 1954 2,709,524 Russell et a1 May 31, 1955 2,713,369 Strahm July 19, 1955 2,770,386 Mitchell et al. Nov. 13, 1956 2,803,368 Koch Aug. 20, 1957 2,859,109 Hawley et al. Nov. 4, 1958

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