WO2001087734A1

WO2001087734A1 - Top support assembly and support member

Info

Publication number: WO2001087734A1
Application number: PCT/NL2001/000374
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claude Decroix
Original assignee: Koninklijke Emballage Industrie Van Leer N.V.
Priority date: 2000-05-17
Filing date: 2001-05-17
Publication date: 2001-11-22
Also published as: NL1015227C2; AU5893001A

Abstract

Top support assembly and support member (13). The top portion of an IBC container (17) is supported by a support member (13). The support member (13) engages the threaded neck (11) of the container (17) on the one hand and rests on at least a rod (8) on the other hand. Such rod (8) extends over the top surface of the container (17) and is connected to the supporting structure of the container (17). Engaging of the threaded neck (11) can be realised for example by clamping or through engagement of the thread on the neck. A corresponding thread can be provided in the support member (13). The support member (13) is preferably realised as support plate.

Description

TOP SUPPORT ASSEMBLY AND SUPPORT MEMBER

The subject invention relates to a top support assembly for a container in a grid structure comprising at least a rod extending between opposite sides of said grid structure and connection means for connecting said rod to said container, said container having a closure in its top surface, comprising a threaded neck to receive a sealing cap. Such a top support assembly is generally known in the art. Support of the upper portion of a container is sometimes necessary to prevent dropping of the upper portion of such a container. For example this can occur during filling of a container with a hot contents, weakening the container material. Such containers are supported in a grid structure or in a sleeve structure and an assembly comprising a container and a supporting structure is known as IBC (Intermediate Bulk Container).

Sometimes it is also requested to somewhat increase the standard volume of such an EBC by raising the top surface of the container. For example the contents of a container can be increased from the nominal 1000 liter to 1060 liter at maximum.

To this end in the prior art, it is proposed to provide the container or bottle with eyelets. Such eyelets are moulded during (blow) moulding of the container or bottle. Rods are introduced through the eyelets and connected at opposite sides to the support structure of the IBC. Such a structure only partially meets the requirements to prevent sagging of the centre part of the container. The eyelets can not be provided in the centre because the closure is provided there. It is the centre near the closure which is most sensitive for dropping. A further drawback is that either quite some plastic material is needed to guarantee sufficient strength of the eyelets or there is a considerable chance that damage or breakage will occur during rough handling. Unfavourable conditions are also found during transport movement with fully loaded containers or bottles.

Additional provision of plastic material interferes with a relatively small wall thickness of the top of the container near the position of the eyelets. Changes in thickness results in weakening of the top surface of the container. A further drawback is that insertion of the rods is relatively time consuming and a precize job. Only after introduction through the eyelets, the rods can be connected to the remaining parts of the support structure. The part of the eyelets on top of the rod is subject to damage. Basically this part is made from a plastic material preliminary chosen to obtain optimum liquid tightness and other properties typical for containers but not directed to strength because to that end the supporting structure is provided.

The invention aims to overcome above drawbacks of the prior art and to provide a top support assembly which can be used on any IBC and does not require specific measures during production of the container or bottle.

According to the invention, the top support assembly as described above is characterised in that said connecting means comprise a support member being provided with an opening, of which the circumference at least partially corresponds to the outer circumference of said container neck and having means to engage said rod. According to the invention the part most prone to sagging, being the neck of the filling opening of the container, is engaged and supported. The threaded neck is strengthen anyway to be able to realise a perfect closure in combination with a closure cap. Engagement can be realised with a separate support member which means that all kinds of bottles can be supported either during there manufacturing or in a later stage. The support rod can either be provided after arrangement of the support member or before arrangement of the support member to the threaded neck.

The support member can comprise two support plates defining when positioned against each other (part) of a circular opening in between engaging the threaded neck. Such support plates can be screwed or otherwise connected to the rods. According to a further preferred embodiment the support member comprises a single element such as a support plate. Preferably the opening part of such a support member extends along more than half of the circumference of the threaded neck and preferably completely encloses the threaded neck. Engagement between the threaded neck and the part of the support member engaging the opening can be realised with any clamping means known in the art.

However, the opening is provided with a thread corresponding with the thread of the threaded neck. It has been found that the length of the thread of the neck of a container or bottle is sufficient to allow a support member to be placed on such a neck after which sufficient length remains for realising again tight closure with a closure cap. Generally the seal between the threaded neck and the closure cap is at the free end of the threaded neck inside the closure cap.

Of course it is possible to provide the threaded neck with a separate flange to cooperate with the supporting member. Although engagement of a single rod is possible, preferably two spaced rods are provided having the threaded neck of the container in between.

In many of currently used IBC's the centre part of the lower support structure is free i.e. the pallet like structure does not extend up to the centre, making stacking of IBC's possible with relatively elevated closures without a chance to damage such closure.

An example of the invention will be further elucidated referring to the enclosed drawings, wherein, fig. 1 shows in perspective an IBC provided with a support plate according to the invention; fig. 2 shows a cross section according to LI-LI in fig. 1; and fig. 3 shows a more detailed perspective view of the support plate according to the invention.

An intermediate bulk container is generally referred to by 1 in fig. 1. Generally such an LBC structure comprises a metallic grid structure 2 being realised from horizontal and vertical tubes. Connection of the vertical tubes can be realised with any method known in the art such as welding.

The IBC shown in fig. 1 does not comprise a specific lower pallet. A lower horizontal tube 5 is provided being connected to the vertical tubes and being connected to feet 6.

A valve connection 9 is provided in the lower part to empty bottle 17 from its contents by coupling a valve. Generally bottle 17 will be produced by blow moulding from a parison wherein the part near valve 9 and near fill opening 10 has a larger wall thickness. Rods 8 extend over the top surface of bottle 17 and are connected to the support structure. This connection can be by welding but will generally be removable to allow separation of bottle 17 and grid structure 2.

From fig. 1 it can be seen that a support plate 13 is provided engaging on the one hand on threaded neck 11 and on the rods 8 on the other hand. Further details of this structure are shown in fig. 2 which is a cross section according to II-II in fig. 1. Support plate 2 can be made from any material but is preferably realised by moulding and more particular from a plastic material. Near its extremities support plate 13 is provided with recessions to rest on rods 8. The wall thickness at the recessions 14 (fig. 3) is sufficient to transfer the loading to which the support plate 13 is subjected. In its centre support plate 13 is provided with thread 19 as is clear from fig. 3. An opening 18 is defined inside thread 19. Thread 19 corresponds to the thread of threaded neck 11. This means that support plate 13 can be screwed on threaded neck 11. Openings 16 are provided to discharge (rain) water whilst strengthening ribs 20 are present to increase the resistance against deflection of support plate 13.

After placing the support plate 13 in the position as shown in fig. 2 it is still possible to position cap 12 and to provide sufficient sealing through sealing ring 15 without contacting of the lower end of cap 12 with the upper part of support plate 13. Although a preferred embodiment has been described above, alternative embodiments will immediately be obvious for the person skilled in the art after reading the above. For example it is possible to replace recesses 14 by a semi tubular shape to receive rods 8. Rods 8 can have any shape different from circular. Threaded neck 11 can be provided with a flange below which support member 13 engages. Opening 18 is bounded in this example on all sides by support plate 13 but this should not necessary be true. For example it could be possible to introduce support plate 18 by sliding below the thread or a flange of threaded neck 11.

These and further alternatives are within the range of the enclosed claims.

Claims

1. Top support assembly for a container (17) in a grid structure (2) comprising at least a rod (8) extending between opposite sides of said grid structure and connection means for connecting said rod to said container, said container having a closure in its top surface, comprising a threaded neck (11) to receive a sealing cap (12), characterised in that, said connecting means comprise a support member (13) being provided with an opening (18), of which the circumference at least partially corresponds to the outer circumference of said container neck and having means to engage said rod.

2. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein said opening comprises a semi circular recess and said means to engage said rod comprises securing means for securing said support plate to said rod.

3. Assembly according to claim 2, comprising a pair of support plates, defining a circular opening when placed against each other.

4. Assembly according to one of the proceeding claims, wherein said opening comprises more than half of a circle.

5. Assembly according to claim 4, wherein said opening is bounded on all sides by said support member.

6. Assembly according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said opening is provided with a thread (19) corresponding to the thread of said neck (11).

7. Assembly according to one of the proceeding claims, wherein said means to engage said rod comprises a rod shaped accommodation (14).

8. Assembly according to one of the proceeding claims, comprising two spaced rods (8) having the neck (11) of the container in between.

9. Support member to be used in a container assembly, comprising a plastic container having a threaded neck, a supporting structure for said container and at least one rod extending between two opposite upper sides of said support structure along the surface of said container, said support member being arranged to engage said threaded neck and said at least one rod.

10. Support member according to claim 9, having two rods extending over the top surface of said container, the support plate being arranged to engage both rods.

11. Support member according to claim 9 or 10, being provided with reinforcement ribs (20) and drainage holes (16).

12. Support member according to one of the claims 9-11, provided with a (part) circular opemng to engage said threaded neck.

13. Support member according to one of the claims 9-13 comprising a support plate.