WO1987007578A1

WO1987007578A1 - A plastic packing preferably for liquids, in particular paint

Info

Publication number: WO1987007578A1
Application number: PCT/DK1987/000073
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean Vilhelmsen
Original assignee: Jean Vilhelmsen
Priority date: 1986-06-06
Filing date: 1987-06-09
Publication date: 1987-12-17
Also published as: DK267986A; DK152914B; DK267986D0; AU7546287A

Abstract

A plastic packing preferably for liquids, in particular paint, comprises a container (1) and a stiffening ring (2) fastened to its upper rim. This ring (2) has an annular flange (3) which is in tight leakproof engagement with the container (1) and which is arranged to scalingly cooperate with a cover (22). In the container wall (9) and the annular flange (3) there are located openings (14, 15) in line with each other to take up locking members (16) which are arranged to non-releasable lock the two parts to each other. By this means it is brought about a packing which is simple and cheap to produce and where the ring (2) is safely and reliably connected to the container (1).

Description

A plastic packing preferably for liquids, in particular paint.

The invention relates to a plastic packaging means preferably for liquids, especially for painting, and which comprises a container and a reinforcing casing ring with a skirt engaging the container in sealing manner secured to the upper edge region of that container, said casing ring being designed to seal a lid and to co-operate with it.

There are known packaging means of the said kind (frequently referred to as paintainers by people in the trade) in which the casing ring and the container are made jointly in one piece. These packaging means are however quite costly to produce owing to very high tooling costs and long cycle times during injection moulding.

Also known are packaging means in which the casing ring and the container are produced separately and then welded together. The packaging means produced by this process are however also quite costly to produce since welding together of the parts requires great precision and takes quite a lot of time to carry out. At the same time both of the above packaging means have the disadvantage that they cannot be stacked, as a result of which they take up much room so that the storage and shipping costs are high.

Finally there is known a packaging means of the said type in which the casing ring is snapped into engagement with the container, since the skirt of the casing ring is provided with a circumferential projection designed to co-operate with a corresponding circumferential recess on the inside of the container wall. It has however been shown that this method of assembling the container and the casing ring is only suitable for relatively small packaging means, i.e. packaging means holding up to a litre of liquid, since with larger packaging means the casing ring will disengage itself from the container while said packaging means are being handled. Also with smaller packaging means, i.e. packaging means holding less than a litre of liquid there is a certain risk that the casing ring disengages itself from the container if the latter is subject to a powerful impact. The purpose of the invention is to describe a packaging means of the above mentioned type, which is simple and cheap to produce and in which the casing ring is securely and reliably connected with the container in a sealing manner.

To this end, the plastic packaging means according to the invention has the special characteristic that in the wall of the container and the skirt are openings aligned with one another to accommodate locking devices which over and above the actual locking of the two parts to one another are so designed as to block the holes in a tightly closing manner, This on the one hand ensures a reliably sealing connection between the casing ring and the container, and on the other hand prevents, owing to the locking devices, the casing ring from disengaging itself from the container when the latter, as is frequently the case during handling or transportation, is subject to impact effects.

According to the invention the openings can be through-holes and the locking devices can be so designed that over and above the actual locking they block the holes in a tightly closing manner. This results in a very simple embodiment of the invention.

In addition the openings can, according to the invention, be in the main radial indentations corresponding to one another. In this way the need for a sealing action about the locking devices is entirely eliminated.

Furthermore, the locking devices can, according to the invention, cooperate with the openings subject to snap action, since they comprise a neck section, one end of which passes over into an insertion knob while its other end passes over a main section, said knob and main section having larger diameters than the neck section. With this embodiment the casing ring is locked to the container in a very simple and cheap manner.

According to the invention the plastic packaging means can also have two locking devices located diametrically opposite one another, which are connected with a handle forming part of the packaging means, or made in one piece with said handle. This embodiment is particularly advantageous since it makes it unnecessary to provide on the container special devices for securing the handle of the packaging means. In addition it is possible according to the invention for the skirt to be located over its entire circumference on the inside of the container wall. Thereby the outer surface area of the container to which printed texts such as instructions for use and publicity matter can be applied, is maximised.

According to the invention the skirt can, in addition, extend in the region between the locking devices on the inside of the container wall and in the regions surrounding the locking devices on the outside of the container wall. This embodiment assures particularly efficient sealing in the region of the locking devices between the casing ring and the container.

If the skirt has a circumferential bead which subject to snap action co-operates with a corresponding circumferential groove on the inside of the container wall, the bead and the groove can according to the invention also be omitted in the regions surrounding the locking devices.

Lastly it is possible according to the invention - if the casing ring has an inner skirt on the inside of the skirt and radial ribs extending between the two skirts - to provide the reinforcing ribs in direct vicinity of the openings in the skirt and on both sides of said openings.

The invention is explained below with reference to the drawing where

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a plastic packaging means according to the invention seen from outside,

Fig. 2 is a partial section along line II-II in Fig. 1,

Fig, 3 is a central partial section at right angles to the section II-II in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a casing ring forming part of the plastic packaging means seen from below,

Fig. 5 is a partial section corresponding to the section II-II in Fig, 1 of another embodiment of the invention, and

Fig. 6 is a partial section corresponding to the section II-II in Fig, 1 through a third embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a plastic packaging means according to the invention seen from outside. The packaging means comprises a container 1 which, with the embodiment described, has a circular cross- section, and a reinforcing casing ring 2 attached to the upper edge region of container 1, The said casing ring 2 has, as can be seen in Figs. 2 and 3, a substantially U-shaped cross-section and consists of a skirt 3 extending downward and an inner skirt 4 extending downward which is substantially parallel to skirt 3. The skirts 3 and 4 are connected with one another with the aid of radial reinforcing ribs 5 (see Fig. 4), The casing ring 2 also has a flange 6 extending downward at the upper end of skirt 3.

The outer side 7 of skirt 3 abuts the inside 8 of the container wall 9, since the diameters of the said surfaces and their taper correspond with one another. The flange 6 of casing ring 2, which extends downward, extends into a recess 10 formed in the outside of the container wall 9 at the upper edge face 11 of the container. Skirt 3 has a circumferential bead 12 which subject to snap action co-operates with a corresponding circumferential groove on the inside 8 of container wall 9, Flange 6 contributes to the hold of bead 12 in groove 13,

In the container wall 9 and skirt 3 of casing ring 2 there are diametrically opposed two pairs of holes 14, 15 aligned with one another for receiving locking devices 16, In the drawing only one pair of holes and one locking device are shown. The locking device 16 is designed to co-operate with the holes 14, 15 subject to snap action, since it comprises a neck section 17 which at one end passes over into an insertion knob 18 and at its other end passes over into a main section 19. The neck section 17 has substantially the same diameter as the holes 14, 15 in the container wall 9 and skirt 3 of casing ring 2, whereas the knob 18 and the main section 19 have larger diameters than the neck section 17 and, accordingly, the holes 14, 15. In order to facilitate the introduction of the locking device 16 into the holes 14, 15, the insertion knob tapers in the direction in which it is introduced. The length of the neck section 17 is such as to ensure that the locking device 16 presses the outside 7 of skirt 3 against the inside 8 of the container wall 9. In order to achieve the most secure seal possible between the container wall 9 and the casing ring 3 in the regions adjacent to the locking devices 16 the circumferential bead 12 of skirt 3 and the corresponding groove 13 in the container wall 9 are omitted in the region adjacent to the locking devices 16, while in the direct vicinity of the holes 15 in the skirt and on both sides of said holes are provided additional reinforcing ribs 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, which extend between the skirt 3 and and the inner skirt 4. These additional reinforcing ribs 20a to 20d are intended to ensure that the container wall 9 does not bulge inward when the locking devices are assembled.

As indicated in Fig. 2 the locking devices 16 are made in one piece with the handle 21 forming part of the packaging means. Alternatively the handle can be so designed as to be secured to the locking devices by snap action.

As can be seen in Figs. 2 and 3 the inner skirt 4 of casing ring 2 is designed to co-operate with a retained lid 22 by snap action. Furthermore Figs. 3 and 4 indicate that in casing ring 3 are formed two diametrically opposite recesses 23, 23' in casing ring 2 so as to bring about two raising slots into which a screwdriver or a similar object can be introduced, when the lid 22 is to be released from its engagement with casing ring 2.

Fig. 5 shows a partial section corresponding to the section II-II in Fig. 1 of another embodiment of the plastic packaging means. This embodiment is completely identical with the embodiment previously described with the exception that in the regions between the locking devices 46 the skirt 33 extends on the inside 38 of the container wall 39 and in the regions surrounding the locking devices 46 on the outside 54 of the container wall 39. As a result, the locking devices 46 must first be guided from outside through the hole 45 in skirt 33 and then through the hole 44 in the container wall 39. In corresponding manner the flange 36 extending downwards extends in the said regions adjacent to the locking devices 46 on the inside 38 of the container wall 39. By this embodiment very secure sealing is achieved in the regions surrounding the locking devices. Fig. 6 shows a partial section corresponding to section II-II in Fig. 1 of a third embodiment of the plastic packaging means. This embodiment is completely identical with the embodiment described with reference to Figs. 1-4 with the exception that the openings in the container wall and skirt are formed as corresponding indentations 74, 75. The latter are produced simultaneously in skirt 63 of the casing ring 62 and container wall 69 once the casing ring 62 has been fitted to the container, inasmuch as a mandrel having a diameter substantially corresponding with the diameter of neck section 77 of the locking devices 76 is pressed radially into the container wall 69 and thereby the skirt 63. To facilitate this pressing-in operation with a view to producing the indentations 74, 75 the container and the casing ring may possibly first be heated to a suitable temperature. Thereupon, possibly prior to cooling having taken place, the locking device 76, which is advantageously produced in a piece with the handle 81, is pressed into the indentation 74 in the container wall 69 thereby locking the casing ring 62 to the container since the larger diameter of insertion knob 78 of the locking device 76 will locally expand indentations in the container wall 69 and skirt 63 and prevent withdrawal of the locking device 76. As an alternative to first producing the indentation with the aid of a mandrel and then pressing in the locking device, the indentations can possibly be produced direct by pressing in the locking device. This embodiment has the advantage that it entirely eliminates the need for the sealing effect about the locking device 76,

The invention can be varied in many ways without thereby deviating from its idea.

Claims

P a t e n t c l a i m s

1. A plastic packaging means preferably for liquids, especially for painting, and which comprises a container (1) and a reinforcing casing ring (2, 32, 62) secured to its upper edge region, said casing ring having a skirt (3; 33) in sealing engagement with the container (1), the said casing ring (2, 32, 62 62) being designed to co-operate with a lid (22) in a sealing manner, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that in the container wall (9; 39, 69) and in the skirt (3; 33, 63) are openings aligned with one another (14, 15; 44, 45, 74, 75) for receiving locking devices (16; 46, 76) which are designed to lock the two parts to one another in a non-separable manner,

2, A packaging means according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the openings are through-holes and in that the locking devices (16, 46) are, above the actual locking, designed to block the holes (14m 14; 44, 45) in a tightly closing manner,

3. A packaging means according to claim I, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the openings are indentations (74, 75) extending in the direction towards the inside of the container and corresponding with one another.

4. A packaging means according to one or several of claims 1-3, c har a c t e r i s e d in that the locking devices (16; 46, 76) co-operate with the opening (14, 15; 44, 45, 74, 75) subject to snap action, since they comprise a neck section (17, 77) which at one of its ends passes over into an insertion knob (18, 78) and at its other end passes over into a main section (19), the said knob (18, 78) and the main section (19) having larger diameters than the neck section (17, 77).

5. A packaging means according to one or several of claims 1-4, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that it has two locking devices located diametrically opposite one another, which are connected or produced in one piece with a handle (21, 81) forming part of the packaging means.

6. A packaging means according to one or several of claims 1-5 c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the skirt (3, 63) is over its entire periphery located on the inside (8, 68) of the container wall (9, 69).

7. A packaging means according to one or several of claims 1-5, ch a r a c t e r i s e d in that the skirt (33) extends in the regions between the locking devices (16) on the inside (38) of a container wall (39), and in the regions surrounding said locking devices on the outside (54) of the container wall (39),

8. A packaging means according to one or several of claims 1-7 and where the skirt (3; 33, 63) has a circumferential bead (12) which subject to snap action co-operates with a corresponding circumferential groove (13) on the inside (8; 38, 68 of the container wall (9; 39, 69) c ha r a c t e r i s e d in that the bead (12) and the groove (13) are omitted in the regions about the locking devices (16; 46, 76),

9. A packaging means according to one or several of claims 1-6 and where the casing ring (2; 32, 62) has an inner skirt (4, 34, 64) located inward of the skirt (3; 33, 63) as well as radial reinforcing ribs (5) extending between the two skirts (3, 4; 33, 34, 63, 64), c h ar a c t e r i s e d in that in direct vicinity of the openings (14; 44, 74) in the skirt (3; 33, 63) and at both sides of said openings are fitted further reinforcing ribs (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d),