US3830395A - Container and cover therefor - Google Patents

Container and cover therefor Download PDF

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Publication number
US3830395A
US3830395A US00307422A US30742272A US3830395A US 3830395 A US3830395 A US 3830395A US 00307422 A US00307422 A US 00307422A US 30742272 A US30742272 A US 30742272A US 3830395 A US3830395 A US 3830395A
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Prior art keywords
wall
cover
rim
container
body portion
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US00307422A
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V Crisci
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Mammoth Plastics Inc
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Mammoth Plastics Inc
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Assigned to WHIRLPOOL FINANCIAL CORPORATION A CORP. OF DELAWARE reassignment WHIRLPOOL FINANCIAL CORPORATION A CORP. OF DELAWARE SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BERRY PLASTICS CORPORATION A CORP. OF DELAWARE
Assigned to BERRY PLASTICS CORPORATION reassignment BERRY PLASTICS CORPORATION RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: WHIRLPOOL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D43/00Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D43/02Removable lids or covers
    • B65D43/0202Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element
    • B65D43/0204Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections
    • B65D43/0212Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections only on the outside, or a part turned to the outside, of the mouth
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D43/00Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D43/02Removable lids or covers
    • B65D43/0202Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element
    • B65D43/0225Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element secured by rotation
    • B65D43/0227Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element secured by rotation inside a peripheral U-shaped channel in the mouth of the container
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00018Overall construction of the lid
    • B65D2543/00064Shape of the outer periphery
    • B65D2543/00074Shape of the outer periphery curved
    • B65D2543/00092Shape of the outer periphery curved circular
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00018Overall construction of the lid
    • B65D2543/00259Materials used
    • B65D2543/00296Plastic
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00342Central part of the lid
    • B65D2543/00398Reinforcing ribs in the central part of the closure
    • B65D2543/00407Reinforcing ribs in the central part of the closure radial
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00481Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
    • B65D2543/0049Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the inside, or a part turned to the inside of the mouth of the container
    • B65D2543/00509Cup
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00481Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
    • B65D2543/00537Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00481Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
    • B65D2543/00555Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on both the inside and the outside
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00574Contact between the container and the lid secured locally, i.e. a lot less than half the periphery
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00592Snapping means
    • B65D2543/00601Snapping means on the container
    • B65D2543/00611Profiles
    • B65D2543/00629Massive bead
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00592Snapping means
    • B65D2543/00601Snapping means on the container
    • B65D2543/00675Periphery concerned
    • B65D2543/00685Totality
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00592Snapping means
    • B65D2543/00712Snapping means on the lid
    • B65D2543/00722Profiles
    • B65D2543/0074Massive bead
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00592Snapping means
    • B65D2543/00712Snapping means on the lid
    • B65D2543/00787Periphery concerned
    • B65D2543/00796Totality
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00824Means for facilitating removing of the closure
    • B65D2543/00833Integral tabs, tongues, handles or similar
    • B65D2543/00842Integral tabs, tongues, handles or similar outside of the lid
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00953Sealing means
    • B65D2543/0099Integral supplemental sealing lips

Definitions

  • the size of such containers has steadily increased with improvement in the quality of plastic materials, and in the introduction of new materials so that gallon or 50 pound containers are now available.
  • the closing and sealing of such containers generally relies upon the greater elasticity of plastics as compared with metal.
  • an interference fit between a lid and container may be sufficient.
  • there is usually an internal bead on the lid which engages an external bead near the top of the container wall. Either the lid or the container body or both distort to allow the beads to pass into locking engagement.
  • a structure which applies a positive constricting force to the skirt of the lid, locking the lid in engagement with the wall of the container even when subjected to forces which tend to distort the lid skirt and/or container, and would otherwise cause them to disengage.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the top of the container and the cover in the relative positions in which the cover is applied, with a portion of the rim of each broken away.
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the container and cover in contact in the initial or unlocked position.
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view with the cover in the closed or locked position after rotation in the direction of the large arrow.
  • the invention comprises generally a circular container having an external circumferential bead at or near the top rim of the wall, and a flexible cover having a generally horizontal body of approximately the same size as the circular opening of the container, and having a circumferentially downwardly directed wall carrying on its inner surface a bead adapted to engage the bead on the container wall, and carrying a plurality of outwardly directed lugs for engagement with a plurality of cam locking means carried on a circumferential flange,
  • the circular container 10 has a generally vertical side wall 11 having a slight taper, the top of which is thickened externally to form a rim 12.
  • Rim 12 has a lower surface 12a sloping downward from the outer extremity of the rim to the outer surface of the side wall and a grooved upper surface 12b.
  • an external circumferential flange 13 Spaced from rim l2 and integral with wall 11 is an external circumferential flange 13 having a generally horizontal upper surface carrying a plurality of spaced abutments 14 of which the leading end 14a, in relation to the direction of rotationof the cover in closing, is further from the side wall than the trailing end 14b.
  • the inner side of the abutments is undercut slightly to provide an overhanging lip 14c.
  • the illustrated cover 20 has a horizontal body portion 21 with a raised rim 22 formed by an inner wall 21a, an upper wall 220, and an outer vertical wall 23 which has partial inward thickening to form bead 24 having a sloping surface 24a adapted to engage surface 12a on rim l2.
  • Rim 22 and walls 21a and 23 together define an inverted peripheral channel portion which includes a continuous corrugation 22a adapted to sealingly seat in the grooved edge 12b of the container side wall 11 when the container is closed.
  • a plurality of outwardly directed locking lugs 25 suitably spaced and shaped to engage abutments 14 in a wedging action when the cover is rotated in relation to the container in the direction indicated by the large arrow in FIG. 3.
  • Reinforcing gussets 26 are provided between locking lugs 25 and wall 23.
  • a pair of diametrically opposed locking lugs 25 is provided with projections 25a for tightening the lid by hand pressure or engagement with a cooperating machine part in the automated loading and sealing of containers.
  • Lid 20 is placed on the container with rim 22 in loose engagement with the top of wall 11.
  • locking lugs 25 will be in position between abutments 14 as seen in FIG. 2.
  • the dotted position of wall 23 indicates the position which it has to pass through in order for bead 24 to clear the shoulder on rim 12.
  • the lid is then pressed down and flexed by inward pressure on wall 23 in the direction indicated by the small curved arrow on FIG. 3, and simultaneously rotated in the direction of the large arrow of FIG. 3.
  • the inward pressure may be applied by hand although especially in the case of larger containers, it may be desirable to use mechanical means to exert pressure at a plurality of points or over the entire circumference of wall 23.
  • the materials of construction are varied and include any suitable plastic materials having the necessary rigidity and flexibility characteristics, of which polystyrene and polyethylene are typical examples.
  • the preferred plastics are the relatively rigid ones such as high impact polystyrene. It is possible to practice the present invention by the use of a cover made from a suitable plastic material in conjunction with a container made from another material such as a metal but it is preferred to fabricate both the cover and the container from plastic materials.
  • a flexible closure lid for use with a drum-type con- I tainer having a circular opening formed by a generally vertical side wall having at its upper end an external rim and below said rim and disposed therefrom a plurality of upstanding abutments supported on said side wall and in spaced relation thereto, said closure lid comprising a circular, generally horizontal, body portion and a peripheral rim portion, said rim portion extending upward from said body portion providing an inner wall thence outwardly providing an upper wall and then downwardly providing an outer wall substantially parallel to and in spaced relationship to the inner wall, the
  • outer wall being provided with a circumferential bead adapted for engagement below said external rim, and the outer surface of said outer wall being provided adjacent its lower extremity with means adapted for wedging engagement with said abutments.
  • a closure lid according to claim 1 in which said means adapted for wedging engagement comprises a plurality of spaced horizontal lugs.
  • a closure lid according to claim 1 in which the lower surface of said upper wall is convex in shape.
  • a container comprising a body portion and a cover portion therefor adapted to form a fluid tight seal between the body portion and the cover portion by rotation of the cover relative to the body while in positive contact therewith, comprising:
  • a drum-type body portion having a circular opening formed by a generally vertical side wall having at its upper end an external rim and below said rim and disposed therefrom a plurality of upstanding abutments supported on the side wall and in spaced relation thereto, and
  • a flexible cover comprising a circular, generally horizontal body portion and a peripheral rim portion, said rim portion extending upward from said body portion providing an inner wall thence outwardly providing an upper wall and then down wardly providing an outer wall substantially parallel to and in spaced relationship to the inner wall, the inner surface of said outer wall being provided with a circumferential bead adapted for engagement below said external rim and the outer surface of said outer wall being provided adjacent its lower extremity with means adapted for wedging engagement with said abutments.
  • a container according to claim 4 in which said abutments extend normally from the upper horizontal surface of a circumferential flange supported on said side wall.
  • a container according to claim 5 in which the leading ends of the abutments in relation to the direction of rotation of the cover when being applied are at a greater distance from the side wall than the trailing ends.
  • a container according to claim 4 in which the upper end of said side wall has a V-shaped groove and the lower surface of said upper wall of the rim portion of the cover has a convex shape adapted for sealing engagement with said V-shaped groove when the container is closed.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Abstract

The invention is concerned with drum-type containers, particularly plastic containers having flexible covers which form a fluid-tight seal by means of a locking action which holds the cover in positive engagement with the container.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,830,395 Crisci Aug. 20, 1974 [54] CONTAINER AND COVER THEREFOR 2,675,040 4/1954 Raun 220 40 1751 1111811104 View Eugene C1154, wellsburg, i'liiifi? Z1323 $223111?" 13131123311131. 350??? 3,532,244 10/1970 Yates 3,610,306 10/1971 Summers 150/.5 [73] Assgnee' vi Plasms wensburg 3,677,481 7 1972 Westfall 215 44 [22] Filed: 1972 Primary ExaminerWilliam l. Price 21 Appl 307,422 Assistant Examiner-R0 E. Hart Attorney, Agent, or FirmBacon & Thomas [52] U5. Ql.. 21 5/32l,-2 l5/ 3 2 9 IQQ[ Q 150/.5 [57] ABSTRACT Int. T e inven io is concerned drum t ype contam- [58] Fleld of Search 220/40 215/40 5 ers, particularly plastic containers having flexible covers which form a fluid-tight seal by means of a locking [56] Raferencs Cited avci3: 1t1h;vl;::ali1:l(:s the cover in posmve engagement UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,661,862 12/1953 Howe 220 40 9 Clams 3 D'awmg Pmmsu m 3.830.895
SHEEI 10$ 2 PAIENIEDAHBZWH iaaoass SHEET 20F 2 1 CONTAINER AND COVER THEREFOR DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to drum-like containers having flexible covers which are engaged in a positive locking manner with the containers.
Lidded tub or drum-like containers fabricated from plastic materials, such as polyethylene, polystyrene, etc., are finding increasing use in the food and chemical industries. The size of such containers has steadily increased with improvement in the quality of plastic materials, and in the introduction of new materials so that gallon or 50 pound containers are now available. The closing and sealing of such containers generally relies upon the greater elasticity of plastics as compared with metal. In small containers an interference fit between a lid and container may be sufficient. In larger containers, there is usually an internal bead on the lid which engages an external bead near the top of the container wall. Either the lid or the container body or both distort to allow the beads to pass into locking engagement.
The disadvantage of this means of maintaining a lid on a container is that external and internal forces frequently cause distortion of the mating members with the result that they do not form a tight seal. If the distortion is extreme the lids may even come completely off. Such forces may be due to expansion of the contents or from the weight of other containers when they are stacked.
In the present invention a structure is provided which applies a positive constricting force to the skirt of the lid, locking the lid in engagement with the wall of the container even when subjected to forces which tend to distort the lid skirt and/or container, and would otherwise cause them to disengage.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a drum-type container having a cover which forms a fluid-tight seal by the action of integrally formed closing means.
It is a further object to provide a plastic container having a positive locking means which is quick acting and requires only small motion.
Other objects and advantages will be apparent to one skilled in the art from reading the following description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the top of the container and the cover in the relative positions in which the cover is applied, with a portion of the rim of each broken away.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the container and cover in contact in the initial or unlocked position.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view with the cover in the closed or locked position after rotation in the direction of the large arrow.
The invention comprises generally a circular container having an external circumferential bead at or near the top rim of the wall, and a flexible cover having a generally horizontal body of approximately the same size as the circular opening of the container, and having a circumferentially downwardly directed wall carrying on its inner surface a bead adapted to engage the bead on the container wall, and carrying a plurality of outwardly directed lugs for engagement with a plurality of cam locking means carried on a circumferential flange,
or a plurality of supports, projecting from and integral with the outside of the wall of the container.
Referring to the drawings, the circular container 10 has a generally vertical side wall 11 having a slight taper, the top of which is thickened externally to form a rim 12. Rim 12 has a lower surface 12a sloping downward from the outer extremity of the rim to the outer surface of the side wall and a grooved upper surface 12b. Spaced from rim l2 and integral with wall 11 is an external circumferential flange 13 having a generally horizontal upper surface carrying a plurality of spaced abutments 14 of which the leading end 14a, in relation to the direction of rotationof the cover in closing, is further from the side wall than the trailing end 14b. The inner side of the abutments is undercut slightly to provide an overhanging lip 14c. Reinforcing gussets 13a in the angle between the lower surface of flange 13 and wall 11 provide rigidity to the flange. The illustrated cover 20 has a horizontal body portion 21 with a raised rim 22 formed by an inner wall 21a, an upper wall 220, and an outer vertical wall 23 which has partial inward thickening to form bead 24 having a sloping surface 24a adapted to engage surface 12a on rim l2. Rim 22 and walls 21a and 23 together define an inverted peripheral channel portion which includes a continuous corrugation 22a adapted to sealingly seat in the grooved edge 12b of the container side wall 11 when the container is closed. On the outer surface at the lower extremity of wall 23 is a plurality of outwardly directed locking lugs 25 suitably spaced and shaped to engage abutments 14 in a wedging action when the cover is rotated in relation to the container in the direction indicated by the large arrow in FIG. 3. Reinforcing gussets 26 are provided between locking lugs 25 and wall 23. A pair of diametrically opposed locking lugs 25 is provided with projections 25a for tightening the lid by hand pressure or engagement with a cooperating machine part in the automated loading and sealing of containers.
The operation of applying the cover to the container will now be described. Lid 20 is placed on the container with rim 22 in loose engagement with the top of wall 11. In this operation locking lugs 25 will be in position between abutments 14 as seen in FIG. 2. The dotted position of wall 23 indicates the position which it has to pass through in order for bead 24 to clear the shoulder on rim 12. The lid is then pressed down and flexed by inward pressure on wall 23 in the direction indicated by the small curved arrow on FIG. 3, and simultaneously rotated in the direction of the large arrow of FIG. 3. The inward pressure may be applied by hand although especially in the case of larger containers, it may be desirable to use mechanical means to exert pressure at a plurality of points or over the entire circumference of wall 23. This will achieve a positive engagement between surfaces 12a and 24a of the rim and the cover bead, respectively, and between the lower surface of rim 22 and the grooved edge 12b of wall 11, as the outer edge of lugs 25 engage the inner surface of abutments 14 in a wedging action. In the final closed position, the cover is firmly held in locking arrangement with the container in such a way as to prevent distortion of the peripheral structure of the cover and consequent breaking of the seal even when filled containers are stacked on top of each other.
It will be apparent that variations from the specific structure described can be used without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, individual supports may be provided for abutments 14 instead of the circumferential flange. In addition the actual configuration of the lugs and abutments is not critical so long as they cooperate to provide a wedging and locking action.
The materials of construction are varied and include any suitable plastic materials having the necessary rigidity and flexibility characteristics, of which polystyrene and polyethylene are typical examples. The preferred plastics are the relatively rigid ones such as high impact polystyrene. It is possible to practice the present invention by the use of a cover made from a suitable plastic material in conjunction with a container made from another material such as a metal but it is preferred to fabricate both the cover and the container from plastic materials.
I claim:
1. A flexible closure lid for use with a drum-type con- I tainer having a circular opening formed by a generally vertical side wall having at its upper end an external rim and below said rim and disposed therefrom a plurality of upstanding abutments supported on said side wall and in spaced relation thereto, said closure lid comprising a circular, generally horizontal, body portion and a peripheral rim portion, said rim portion extending upward from said body portion providing an inner wall thence outwardly providing an upper wall and then downwardly providing an outer wall substantially parallel to and in spaced relationship to the inner wall, the
inner surface of said outer wall being provided with a circumferential bead adapted for engagement below said external rim, and the outer surface of said outer wall being provided adjacent its lower extremity with means adapted for wedging engagement with said abutments.
2. A closure lid according to claim 1 in which said means adapted for wedging engagement comprises a plurality of spaced horizontal lugs.
3. A closure lid according to claim 1 in which the lower surface of said upper wall is convex in shape.
'4. A container comprising a body portion and a cover portion therefor adapted to form a fluid tight seal between the body portion and the cover portion by rotation of the cover relative to the body while in positive contact therewith, comprising:
a. a drum-type body portion having a circular opening formed by a generally vertical side wall having at its upper end an external rim and below said rim and disposed therefrom a plurality of upstanding abutments supported on the side wall and in spaced relation thereto, and
b. a flexible cover comprising a circular, generally horizontal body portion and a peripheral rim portion, said rim portion extending upward from said body portion providing an inner wall thence outwardly providing an upper wall and then down wardly providing an outer wall substantially parallel to and in spaced relationship to the inner wall, the inner surface of said outer wall being provided with a circumferential bead adapted for engagement below said external rim and the outer surface of said outer wall being provided adjacent its lower extremity with means adapted for wedging engagement with said abutments.
5. A container according to claim 4 in which said abutments extend normally from the upper horizontal surface of a circumferential flange supported on said side wall.
6. A container according to claim 5 in which the leading ends of the abutments in relation to the direction of rotation of the cover when being applied are at a greater distance from the side wall than the trailing ends.
7. A container according to claim 4 in which the upper end of said side wall has a V-shaped groove and the lower surface of said upper wall of the rim portion of the cover has a convex shape adapted for sealing engagement with said V-shaped groove when the container is closed.
8. A container according to claim 4 in which at least one of said body portion and said cover is manufactured from a thermoplastic composition.
9. A container according to claim 4 in which at least one of said body portion and said cover is manufactured from impact polystyrene.

Claims (9)

1. A flexible closure lid for use with a drum-type container having a circular opening formed by a generally vertical side wall having at its upper end an external rim and below said rim and disposed therefrom a plurality of upstanding abutments supported on said side wall and in spaced relation thereto, said closure lid comprising a circular, generally horizontal, body portion and a peripheral rim portion, said rim portion extending upward from said body portion providing an inner wall thence outwardly providing an upper wall and then downwardly providing an outer wall substantially parallel to and in spaced relationship to the inner wall, the inner surface of said outer wall being provided with a circumferential bead adapted for engagement below said external rim, and the outer surface of said outer wall being provided adjacent its lower extremity with means adapted for wedging engagement with said abutments.
2. A closure lid according to claim 1 in which said means adapted for wedging engagement comprises a plurality of spaced horizontal lugs.
3. A closure lid according to claim 1 in which the lower surface of said upper wall is convex in shape.
4. A container comprising a body portion and a cover portion therefor adapted to form a fluid tight seal between the body portion and the cover portion by rotation of the cover relative to the body while in positive contact therewith, comprising: a. a drum-type body portion having a circular opening formed by a generally vertical side wall having at its upper end an external rim and below said rim and disposed therefrom a plurality of upstanding abutments supported on the side wall and in spaced relation thereto, and b. a flexible cover comprising a circular, generally horizontal body portion and a peripheral rim portion, said rim portion extending upward from said body portion providing an inner wall thence outwardly providing an upper wall and then downwardly providing an outer wall substantially parallel to and in spaced relationship to the inner wall, the inner surface of said outer wall being provided with a circumferential bead adapted for engagement below said external rim and the outer surface of said outer wall being provided adjacent its lower extremity with means adapted for wedging engagement with said abutments.
5. A container according to claim 4 in which said abutments extend normally from the upper horizontal surface of a circumferential flange supported on said side wall.
6. A container according to claim 5 in which the leading ends of the abutments in relation to the direction of rotation of the cover when being applied are at a greater distance from the side wall than the trailing ends.
7. A container according to claim 4 in which the upper end of said side wall has a V-shaped groove and the lower surface of said upper wall of the rim portion of the cover has a convex shape adapted for sealing engagement with said V-shaped groove when the container is closed.
8. A container according to claim 4 in which at least one of said body portion and said cover is manufactured from a thermoplastic composition.
9. A container according to claim 4 in which at least one of said body portion and said cover is manufactured from impact polystyrene.
US00307422A 1972-11-20 1972-11-20 Container and cover therefor Expired - Lifetime US3830395A (en)

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Cited By (8)

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US4068775A (en) * 1976-12-30 1978-01-17 The Raymond Lee Organization, Inc. Sealable container device
US4093095A (en) * 1976-02-27 1978-06-06 Societe Nouvelle De Bouchons Plastiques S.N.B.P. Stopper-covering capsule for a bottle
US4351447A (en) * 1981-07-31 1982-09-28 Graff Stewart M Reusable resiliently distortable sheet plastic closure for application to rimmed containers
US5980076A (en) * 1996-10-18 1999-11-09 American Products, Inc. Illuminator for fiber optic lighting system
US6002216A (en) * 1998-06-26 1999-12-14 Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Pool lighting system, illuminator, and method therefore
WO2005035378A1 (en) * 2003-10-07 2005-04-21 Huhtamaki Alf Zweigniederlassung Der Huhtamaki Deutschland Gmbh & Co. Kg Container
EP1732817A2 (en) * 2004-04-08 2006-12-20 The Glad Products Company Ventable spin lock container
GB2604050B (en) * 2019-05-21 2023-12-06 Storm Environmental Ltd A wheeled refuse container

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US2661862A (en) * 1950-04-22 1953-12-08 Herbert B Howe Closure assembly for containers
US2675040A (en) * 1952-12-22 1954-04-13 Milton A Raun Container and closure therefor
US3122260A (en) * 1963-04-01 1964-02-25 Mark J Ryan Lid for disposal can
US3446391A (en) * 1967-11-16 1969-05-27 George Yates Jr Plastic container tape seal structure
US3532244A (en) * 1969-01-17 1970-10-06 Growth Int Ind Corp Seal for resealable bucket closure
US3610306A (en) * 1969-08-06 1971-10-05 Rieke Corp Snap-on resealable lid for large-mouth containers
US3677481A (en) * 1970-06-09 1972-07-18 Monsanto Co Method and apparatus for taking up fiber

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US2661862A (en) * 1950-04-22 1953-12-08 Herbert B Howe Closure assembly for containers
US2675040A (en) * 1952-12-22 1954-04-13 Milton A Raun Container and closure therefor
US3122260A (en) * 1963-04-01 1964-02-25 Mark J Ryan Lid for disposal can
US3446391A (en) * 1967-11-16 1969-05-27 George Yates Jr Plastic container tape seal structure
US3532244A (en) * 1969-01-17 1970-10-06 Growth Int Ind Corp Seal for resealable bucket closure
US3610306A (en) * 1969-08-06 1971-10-05 Rieke Corp Snap-on resealable lid for large-mouth containers
US3677481A (en) * 1970-06-09 1972-07-18 Monsanto Co Method and apparatus for taking up fiber

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4093095A (en) * 1976-02-27 1978-06-06 Societe Nouvelle De Bouchons Plastiques S.N.B.P. Stopper-covering capsule for a bottle
US4068775A (en) * 1976-12-30 1978-01-17 The Raymond Lee Organization, Inc. Sealable container device
US4351447A (en) * 1981-07-31 1982-09-28 Graff Stewart M Reusable resiliently distortable sheet plastic closure for application to rimmed containers
US5980076A (en) * 1996-10-18 1999-11-09 American Products, Inc. Illuminator for fiber optic lighting system
US6002216A (en) * 1998-06-26 1999-12-14 Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Pool lighting system, illuminator, and method therefore
WO2005035378A1 (en) * 2003-10-07 2005-04-21 Huhtamaki Alf Zweigniederlassung Der Huhtamaki Deutschland Gmbh & Co. Kg Container
US20070051733A1 (en) * 2003-10-07 2007-03-08 Hans Franzen Container
EA008487B1 (en) * 2003-10-07 2007-06-29 Хутамаки Альф Цвайгнидерлассунг Дер Хутамаки Дойчланд Гмбх Унд Ко. Кг Container
EP1732817A2 (en) * 2004-04-08 2006-12-20 The Glad Products Company Ventable spin lock container
EP1732817A4 (en) * 2004-04-08 2009-04-29 Glad Products Co Ventable spin lock container
GB2604050B (en) * 2019-05-21 2023-12-06 Storm Environmental Ltd A wheeled refuse container

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AS Assignment

Owner name: WHIRLPOOL FINANCIAL CORPORATION A CORP. OF DELAWA

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BERRY PLASTICS CORPORATION A CORP. OF DELAWARE;REEL/FRAME:006041/0583

Effective date: 19920212

AS Assignment

Owner name: BERRY PLASTICS CORPORATION, INDIANA

Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:WHIRLPOOL FINANCIAL CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:006952/0950

Effective date: 19940421