WO2008155750A1

WO2008155750A1 - A fibre drum

Info

Publication number: WO2008155750A1
Application number: PCT/IE2008/000065
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Lee; Norman Lee; Peter Lee
Original assignee: Fibre Drums (Ireland) Limited
Priority date: 2007-06-20
Filing date: 2008-06-20
Publication date: 2008-12-24
Also published as: IE20080520A1

Abstract

A fibre drum 1 has a cylindrical drum body 2 which has a closed bottom end 3 and a top end which is closed by a lid 4. The drum also has a retaining band 5. The cylindrical drum body 2 has a curled over top bead 10. On assembly, the lid 4 is pulled around the top bead 10 of the drum as one continuous piece. The lid 4 is of a single shot plastics material having a main top part 20 with an inverted channel rim 21 and a plurality of spaced-apart depending wings 22. The wings 22 are attached to the main body of the lid 4 by an integral plastics hinge about which the wings 22 are moved so that an edge 40 of each wing 22 is engaged under in-board groove 41 defined by the top bead 10. This engagement provides highly efficient load transfer at the face of the main cylindrical paperboard body 2, in the case of a fall or impact. The lid also has depending fingers 23 which extend to retain the band 5 as an integral part of the lid after first fitting.

Description

"A Fibre Drum"

Introduction

This invention relates to a drum comprising a cylindrical body which is closed at a base end and open at a top end. A lid is used to close the top of the drum.

Such drums are well known and are widely used for the storage of bulk products such as dry ingredients in granule or powder form.

It is known to manufacture the cylindrical body of such a drum from paperboard and the drums are referred to as fibre drums. Generally the top edge of the cylindrical body is rolled over to form a reinforced top edge. When the drum is filled, a lid is applied to the top edge and held in place by a steel locking band.

If such known drums are subjected to an impact the strain is transmitted to the steel locking band which will permanently deform on impact whilst the drum body will generally recover much of its original shape. Thus, the integrity of the closure is severely compromised. In addition, steel bands require zinc coating to prevent corrosion and the zinc can cause contamination issues. Metal bands by their nature also have sharp points. They are also relatively heavy and can spark on impact thus presenting explosion risks

This invention is directed towards providing an improved fibre drum which will address at least some of these problems.

Statements of Invention

According to the invention there is provided a fibre drum comprising a cylindrical paperboard body having a curled-over bead defining an opening which is closable by a lid having a plurality of depending wings which engage with the bead to mount the lid to the cylindrical body.

In one embodiment the wings engage underneath the bead.

In one case the lid has a main top part and an inverted channel rim which fits over the bead.

In one embodiment the wings are attached to the main body of the lid by a plastics hinge about which the wings are moved from a release position to an engaged position in which the wings are engaged with the bead.

The wing may comprise an edge which is engagable under an in-board groove defined by the bead when the wing is in the engaged position.

In one case the Hd is of plastics material. The lid may define a recess for receiving a retaining band. In one case the retaining band is of plastics material.

In one embodiment the lid has fingers wherein at least some of the fingers extend over at least portion of the retaining band on first application, acting as retainers thereafter.

In one embodiment the retaining band comprises a locking closure having a lever which is movable from a locking position in which the band is locked to the drum to a release position in which the band is retained by the fingers and the lid is demountable from the drum.

In one case the locking closure comprises a first part to which one end of the band is mounted and a second part to which the other end of the band is mounted, the parts being pivotally connected together, the lever being mounted to one of the parts for drawing the two parts together about the pivot in the locked position and for moving the two parts apart in the release position. In one embodiment at least one of the first part and the second part comprise a peelback prevention means, such as a bridging element.

The invention also provides a lid for a fibre drum of the type having a curled-over bead, the lid having a plurality of depending wings for engagement with a bead of fibre drum on mounting the lid to a fibre drum. The wings may be adapted to engage underneath a bead of a fibre drum. The lid may comprise a main top part and an inverted channel rim which is adapted to fit over a bead of a fibre drum. In one case the wings are attached to the main body of the lid by a plastics hinge about which the wings are moved from a release position to an engaged position.

The wings may comprise an edge which is adapted for engagement under an inboard groove defined by a bead of a fibre drum when the wing is in the engaged position. In one case the lid is of plastics material. The lid may define a recess for a retaining band, which may be of plastics material.

In one case the lid comprises fingers wherein at least some of the fingers extend over at least portion of the retaining band on first application, acting as retainers thereafter. In one case the retaining band comprises a locking closure having a lever which is movable from a locking position in which the band is locked to the drum to a release position in which the band is retained by the fingers and the lid is de-mountable from the drum. The locking closure may comprise a first part to which one end of the band is mounted and a second part to which the other end of the band is mounted, the parts being pivotally connected together, the lever being mounted to one end of the parts for drawing the two parts together about the pivot in the locked position and for moving the two parts apart in the release position.

In one embodiment at least one of the first part and the second part comprise a peelback prevention means, such as a bridging element.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only, in which:- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a fibre drum according to the invention;

Fig. IA is a perspective view of the drum with a locking band in place;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the drum of Fig. 1;

Fig. 2A is a side elevational view of the drum of Fig. IA;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the drum of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of a detail of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 with a locking band in place;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the drum with a locking band in place;

Figs. 7(a) to 7(c) are cross sectional views of the region on the line VII — VII in Fig. 2 showing the fitting of the locking band;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a lid of the drum;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the lid;

Fig. 10 is a cut-away view of the lid;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of detail B of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a side view of the lid;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged view of detail C of Fig. 12;

Figs. 14 to 20 are various views of details of the lid; Fig. 21 is an isometric view of a lid according to the invention with a retaining band in place and the lid mounted to a drum;

Fig. 22 is a side elevational view of the lid and drum of Fig. 21;

Fig. 23 is a top plan view of the lid of Figs. 21 and 22;

Fig. 24 is an enlarged elevational view of a band closure device of the lid of Figs. 21 to 23 is a closed position;

Fig. 25 is an isometric view of the lid of Figs. 21 to 24 with the closure device open;

Fig. 26 is an isometric view of one part of the closure device of the lid of Figs. 21 to 25;

Fig. 27 is an isometric view of another part of the closure device; and

Fig. 28 is an exploded isometric view of the closure device.

Detailed Description

Referring to the drawings a fibre drum 1 according to the invention has a cylindrical drum body 2 which has a closed bottom end 3 and a top end which is closed by a lid 4. The drum also has a retaining band 5.

The cylindrical drum body 2 has a curled over top bead 10 (which is particularly evident in Figs. 4, 5 and 7). On assembly, the lid 4 is pulled around the top bead 10 of the drum as one continuous piece. This ensures that the lid is the load- bearing part of the assembled drum. The band 5 performs primarily a retaining function. In more detail, the lid 4 is of a single shot plasties material having a main top part 20 with an inverted channel rim 21 and a plurality of spaced-apart depending wings 22. The wings 22 are attached to the main body of the lid 4 by an integral plastics hinge about which the wings 22 are moved in the direction of the arrow A in Fig. 4 so that an edge 40 of each wing 22 is engaged under in-board groove

41 defined by the top bead 10. This engagement is important in providing highly efficient load transfer at the face of the main cylindrical paperboard body 2, in the case of a fall or impact.

The fitting of the lid 4 will be particularly apparent from Figs. 7(a) to 7(c). The lid is first aligned so that the channel 21 is aligned with the bead 10 and the lid is pushed down in the direction of the arrow B. The wings 22 are then pushed inwardly in the direction of the arrow C so that each lid wing edge 40 engages in the groove 41 defined by the bead 10 by the plastic lever operated retaining band 5 the fingers 23 also extend to retain the band as an integral part of the lid after first fitting.

In the event of a shock impact the stress is borne primarily by the lid 4 and not the band 5. Because of this, the band 5 can be made of a cheap lightweight recyclable material such as plastic and the releasable lever clip of the band can also be of plastic. The use of light plastic band 5 greatly improves recyclability of the drum as it is only of two easily separated materials - the paperboard and plastics thereby allowing much greater and simpler recycling as all parts are detachable and there are only two waste streams.

Referring in particular to Figs. 21 to 26 there is illustrated another closure lid 50 according to the invention. The lid is similar to that described with reference to Figs. 1 to 20 and like parts are assigned the same reference numerals.

The lid 50 has a retaining band 51 having a locking closure 52 which has a lever

55 which is movable from a locking position in which the band 51 is locked to a drum 2 to a release position in which the band 51 is retained by the fingers 23 and the lid is demountable from the drum 2. The locking closure comprises a first part defined by the locking lever 55 to which one end 56 of the band 51 is mounted and a second part 57 to which the other end 58 of the band 51 is mounted. The parts 55, 57 are pivotally mounted together by pivot fingers with recesses 59 on the first part 55 which engage with a corresponding pivot pins 60 on the second part 57. The lever 55 is used to draw the two parts 55, 57 together about the pivot in the locked position and for moving the two parts 55, 57 apart for the release position. In the release position the band 51 is retained by the fingers 23 and the lid 50 is demountable from the drum 2.

A peelback prevention bridge 65 is incorporated in the base and top of the locking clip to ensure that strain on the welded joints is always directionally correct, thereby ensuring that locking bands 51 can never suffer degradation of a welded joint between band 51 and clip. This ensures integrity of the system even after multiple opening and closing operations.

One advantage of the drum of the invention is its flexibility in the case of any deformation caused by an impact, such as U N hazardous cargo drop tests and day-to-day usage accidents. The drum of the invention has been tested to the highest U N specification, that is drop tests from 1.8 metres with a full load, with excellent results. Video evidence during testing shows that at the time of impact a drum of the invention deforms quite dramatically and then bounces back and regains most of its pre-impact shape. The flexibility of the drum and closure allows for this and therefore remains a tight fitting and complete unit after impact. Conventional steel locking bands on conventional straight fit lids often part immediately after impact because the steel locking band, once deformed, does not regain its original shape and fit.

The closure system of the invention is also adaptable to automatic closure systems.

Clip protrusion is reduced because the band is located tight against the body of the drum rather than on the outer rim of the Hd. In the invention the band is retained by fingers on opening and removal of lid. Three component waste streams at end of life reduced to two. Overall package weight is reduced due to removal of steel components. The risk of contamination is also reduced due to removal of zinc coated steel from the top of the drum. Safer handling due to removal of steel and possible sharps. Bespoke printed plastic strapping may be used in automated system to enhance security. Because the band is of plastic there is a reduced risk of sparks causing explosion.

The lid has a click-on lid closure action which ensures that the lid is correctly fitted before clamping. The system is cleaner to use in Laboratory conditions due to absence of steel. The drum and lid have a lower tare weight for shipping and disposal. No tools are required to remove the plastic lid and base from fibre body for disposal/recycling.

There are also environmental advantage through reduction from 3 to 2 recycling products. All materials are recyclable. On average 70% made from renewable natural materials.

Because a plastic band is used there is no concern about cuts or contamination from galvanised metal. The captive locking band stays on lid, reducing clutter and possible damage to loose bands.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in detail.

Claims

1. A fibre dram comprising a cylindrical paperboard body having a curled-over bead defining an opening which is closable by a lid having a plurality of depending wings which engage with the bead to mount the lid to the cylindrical body.

2. A drum as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wings engage underneath the bead.

3. A dram as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the lid has a main top part and an inverted channel rim which fits over the bead.

4. A dram as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the wings are attached to the main body of the lid by a plastics hinge about which the wings are moved from a release position to an engaged position in which the wings are engaged with the bead.

5. A dram as claimed in claim 4 wherein the wing comprises an edge which is engagable under an in-board groove defined by the bead when the wing is in the engaged position.

6. A dram as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the lid is of plastics material.

7. A dram as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the lid defines a recess for receiving a retaining band.

8. A dram as claimed in claim 7 wherein the retaining band is of plastics material.

9. A drum as claimed in claim 7 or 8 wherein the lid comprises fingers wherein at least some of the fingers extend over at least portion of the retaining band on first application, acting as retainers thereafter.

10. A drum as claimed in claim 9 wherein the retaining band comprises a locking closure having a lever which is movable from a locking position in which the band is locked to the drum to a release position in which the band is retained by the fingers and the lid is demountable from the drum.

11. A drum as claimed in claim 10 wherein the locking closure comprises a first part to which one end of the band is mounted and a second part to which the other end of the band is mounted, the parts being pivotally connected together, the lever being mounted to one of the parts for drawing the two parts together about the pivot in the locked position and for moving the two parts apart in the release position.

12. A drum as claimed in claim 11 wherein at least one of the first part and the second part comprise a peelback prevention means.

13. A drum as claimed in claim 12 wherein the peelback prevention means comprises a bridging element.

14. A drum substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. A lid for a fibre drum of the type having a curled-over bead, the lid having a plurality of depending wings for engagement with a bead of a fibre drum on mounting the lid to a fibre drum.

16. A lid as claimed in claim 13 wherein the wings are adapted to engage underneath a bead of a fibre drum.

17. A lid as claimed in claim 13 or 14 wherein the lid has a main top part and an inverted channel rim which is adapted to fit over a bead of a fibre drum.

18. A lid as claimed in claim 14 or 15 wherein the wings are attached to the main body of the lid by a plastics hinge about which the wings are moved from a release position to an engaged position.

19. A lid as claimed in claim 16 wherein the wing comprises an edge which is adapted for engagement under an in-board groove defined by a bead of a fibre drum when the wing is in the engaged position.

20. A lid as claimed in any of claims 13 to 17 wherein the lid is of plastics material.

21. A lid as claimed in any of claims 13 to 18 wherein the lid defines a recess for a retaining band.

22. A lid as claimed in claim 19 wherein the retaining band is of plastics material.

23. A lid as claimed in claim 19 or 20 wherein the lid comprises fingers wherein at least some of the fingers extend over at least portion of the retaining band on first application, acting as retainers thereafter.

24. A lid as claimed in claim 21 wherein the retaining band comprises a locking closure having a lever which is movable from a locking position in which the band is locked to the drum to a release position in which the band is retained by the fingers and the lid is de- mountable from the drum.

25. A lid as claimed in claim 22 wherein the locking closure comprises a fist part to which one end of the band is mounted and a second part to which the other end of the band is mounted, the parts being pivotally connected together, the lever being mounted to one of the parts for drawing the two parts together about the pivot in the locked position and for moving the two parts apart in the release position.

26. A lid as claimed in claim 25 wherein at least one of the first part and the second part comprise a peelback prevention means.

27. A lid as claimed in claim 26 wherein the peelback prevention means comprises a bridging element.

28. A lid substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.