WO2014177506A1

WO2014177506A1 - Clamping device and method for securing drums to a surface

Info

Publication number: WO2014177506A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/058576
Authority: WO
Inventors: Holger VETTER
Original assignee: Cordstrap B.V.
Priority date: 2013-04-29
Filing date: 2014-04-28
Publication date: 2014-11-06

Abstract

The current invention concerns a clamping device (1, 1') for securing at least one drum (7, 7') on a transport surface (11), such as a pallet, said clamping device comprises an upper surface and lower surface, said lower surface comprises at least one curved, open channel able to engage with an upper rim of said drum, characterized in that, said upper surface of said device is provided with one or more profiles, said profiles forming paths adopted to receive a strap.In a second aspect, the invention provides for a method of securing at least one drum to a transport surface.

Description

CLAMPING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SECURING DRUMS TO A SURFACE TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to apparatus for securing cargo and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a clamping device for securing drumlike containers in place against movement on a cargo vehicle, floor or platform.

BACKGROUND

Steel drums, kegs and the like are and have been used extensively in industry for containing, storing, shipping and dispensing products. The drum is relatively easy to manufacture and exhibits high strength characteristics due to its shape. Drums come in a variety of sizes varying in both height and diameter, for the purpose of containing articles of manufacture, bulk goods, liquid and gas.

However, since the first drum was shipped on a cargo vehicle, there have been problems securing the drum in place against movement relative to the vehicle. The same shape that makes the drum strong and easy to manufacture also makes it difficult to tie down.

Naturally, the drums could be fitted into rectangular containers for ease in shipment, as are canned goods; but this would require the effort and expense of building secondary containers.

A drum is a difficult container to secure under high horizontal longitudinal or lateral loads because it has few features for grasping the drum without subjecting the side wall, the weakest surface of the drum, to loading which is apt to damage the drum.

During transport, they sometimes undergo lateral movement (e.g., sliding, shifting or "walking") during handling and transport. Such lateral movement of containers or drums may result in damage to and/or leakage from such containers or drums. Such leakage from the containers or drums is particularly problematic when the containers or drums contain chemical substances which are hazardous, toxic, expensive or explosive. Also, shifting or movement of containers or drums may result in toppling or falling of the containers or drums from an underlying pallet or support platform.

Thus, it is desirable to devise methods and/or devices for preventing lateral movement, sliding, shifting or walking of containers, such as chemical drums, during transportation and handling.

Various prior devices have been described for securing or holding containers, such as chemical drums, during transportation and handling. Examples of such prior devices are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,217,892, 4,730,732, 4,061,391, 3,388,792, 3,004,746, 4,529,345 and 3,217,892, DE 20 2011 052 068 and DE 10 2007 032 860.

DE 20 2011 052 068 describes a plate that is positioned on a plurality of drums and which comprises incisions for receiving a strap. The plate described in DE 20 2011 052 068 does not readily attach to the drums but simply lies above them. This implies that the drums can still slip during transport.

DE 10 2007 032 860 describes a system and methodology for strapping a plurality of containers. However, again the solution provided does not prevent drums from slipping during a transport, as they are not securely connected to each other.

US 3 217 892 describes a tie down element welded to a deck and an upper fastening member, suitable for securing four drums on a deck. The upper fastening member is able to engage with the drum head. A tie-rod is provided, retained by the tie-down element, applying downward pressure to the element. US 3 217 892 describes a rather cumbersome matter of securing a constellation of four drums on a pallet. Moreover, the latter does not ensure prevention of slipping or sliding of the drums, during lifting and transporting of the pallet.

In addition to the devices described in the above-listed prior documents, it has been common practice in the art to utilize straps, bands, and/or plastic wrapping materials to secure and hold groups of drums shipped on pallets. For example, it is common practice to ship a quartet of four chemical drums in two-by-two side by side rectangular configuration on a generally rectangular shipping pallet. With said quartet of drums so positioned on the shipping pallet, it is common practice to wrap a plastic or metal band around the outside of the drums and/or to apply plastic shrink wrap material to the drums in an effort to hold the drums in position on the pallet and to prevent the drums from shifting, moving or dropping from the pallet during transport while such banding or plastic shrink wrapping around the drums may, in some instances, serve to hold the drums on the pallet, it typically does not prevent the drums from shifting or walking relative to one another over the surface of the pallet.

Thus, there remains a need in the art for improved systems and devices for securely holding groups of containers, such as chemical drums, in substantially fixed position on a horizontal underlying surface, such as a shipping pallet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a clamping device which is particularly designed and constructed to firmly secure a drum-like container in place on a cargo floor or platform in a manner such shifting or sliding of the pallets during transport is prevented.

The current invention thereto provides a clamping device according to claim 1.

In particular, the device is thus designed to be able to engage with one or more drums and to provide paths for receiving securing means such as straps, in order to strap the containers to a surface (such as a pallet). The current invention furthermore provides a kit comprising a clamping device and one or more straps according to claim 10 and a pallet according to claim 15.

In a final aspect, the invention provides for a method for securing drums to a surface according to claim 13.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of the device according to the current invention. Figure la is a detail of the upper surface of an embodiment of the device, while Figure lb shows a detail of the lower surface. The upper surface is provided by profiles forming a path for securing means, while the lower surface is provided with open channels.

Figures 2 and 3 show other possible embodiments of the device according to the current invention.

Figure 5 shows a detail of a exemplified device according to the current invention, engaged to the upper rim of a drum. Figures 4, 6-8 show embodiments of drums secured according to an embodiment of the method of the current invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns a device and a method for securing at least one drum on a transport surface, prior to transport. The latter ensures that the barrels are well positioned and remain in their position during the entire duration of the trip, as well as ensures that the barrels stay safely secured to a surface, such as a pallet. During transport of drums over the road, drums should be secured against at least 0,8 G or more. Due to these stringent demands, people tend to block the load to the bulkhead of the trucks, which is often cumbersome. The current invention overcomes these problems, and provides a very straightforward and safe manner for securing drums on a surface. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in disclosing the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. By means of further guidance, term definitions are included to better appreciate the teaching of the present invention.

As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings: "A", "an", and "the" as used herein refers to both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. By way of example, "a compartment" refers to one or more than one compartment. "About" as used herein referring to a measurable value such as a parameter, an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of +/-20% or less, preferably +/-10% or less, more preferably +/-5% or less, even more preferably +/-1% or less, and still more preferably +/-0.1% or less of and from the specified value, in so far such variations are appropriate to perform in the disclosed invention. However, it is to be understood that the value to which the modifier "about" refers is itself also specifically disclosed.

"Comprise," "comprising," and "comprises" and "comprised of" as used herein are synonymous with "include", "including", "includes" or "contain", "containing", "contains" and are inclusive or open-ended terms that specifies the presence of what follows e.g. component and do not exclude or preclude the presence of additional, non-recited components, features, element, members, steps, known in the art or disclosed therein. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers and fractions subsumed within that range, as well as the recited endpoints.

The expression "% by weight" (weight percent), here and throughout the description unless otherwise defined, refers to the relative weight of the respective component based on the overall weight of the formulation.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a clamping device for securing at least one drum on a transport surface, such as for instance a pallet. In one embodiment, the device comprises an upper and a lower surface, which both have a different function during securing of the drums. In a preferred embodiment, the lower surface of the device comprises at least one curved, open channel, which corresponds to and is able to engage with the upper rim of a drum. The upper surface on the other hand is by preference provided with one or more profiles, said profiles forming paths for receiving securing means. Such securing means are by preference straps, such as steel straps, polypropylene straps or polyester straps with or without a polymer coating. By preference, the current invention is used in conjunction with polyester straps, comprising polyester yarns, either woven or composite yarns. Straps produced of composite yarns will by preference be coated in a polymer coating such as polypropylene or polyethylene. The profiles forming said path for the straps may be in the form of elevations or protrusions on the surface of the device, or alternatively, by indentations on the surface. In a preferred embodiment, the device is provided with at least two paths for straps, whereby the latter are placed perpendicular with respect to each other. The profiles on the upper surface of the clamping device ensure that the straps will be retained in place when securing and transporting the load. By providing at least two paths, perpendicular to each other, various configurations of drums may be secured by a minimum of devices. E.g. two drums may be secured to a pallet by use of only one clamping device. By preference, one of the paths on the device will receive a strap, whereby said strap runs from the platform comprising the drums along the longitudinal direction of the drum. By preference, the strap will be guided along or under the platform, in a direction essentially parallel to one of the sides of the platform.

One device is hence suitable for various situations and needs with regards to securing barrels to a platform. The latter ensures a streamlined and uniform securing of drums and furthermore omits the need to utilize external structures (such as bulkheads) of the transport vehicle for securement of the load.

Most drums used for transport comply with the international standard size, such as the commonly used 200-litre drum (55 gallon drum in US, 44-gallon drum in UK) which is a cylidnrical container with a nominal capacity of 200 litres. These drums have standardized inside and outside dimensions, which are specified in ANSI MH2.

In an embodiment, said paths may comprise at least 30% of the surface of the clamping device. In a further preferred embodiment, said path comprises at least 40% of the upper surface of the device. In a more preferred embodiment, said paths comprise between 30% and 75% of the total upper surface, between 40% and 60%. As mentioned, the lower surface of the device is provided with at least one open channel. By preference, the channel will have a U-shaped form in cross sectional view. The channels will be thus designed that they are able to engage with the upper rim of a drum or container. They comprise therefore a curvature, whereby the radius of the curvature corresponds to the radius of curvature of the upper rim of the drum.

In another, more preferred embodiment, the device is provided with at least two channels. In an even more preferred embodiment, said device comprises four channels. The middle channels are thus designed to operate in specific situations and configurations of the drums. The middle channels may for instance be utilized for simultaneously clamping two drums, standing side by side, at the middle of their upper drum rims. In another embodiment, the inner channel may be used for clamping the upper rim of one drum (by preference at the outer free side, not facing any other drum). In this specific configuration, by preference 3/4^th of the clamping device will lean on the surface of the drum, whereby one of the middle channels is used to clamp on the upper drum rim. Hence, the device according to the current invention is multifunctional and multi-employable in various situations and configurations of the drums.

The channels will be preferentially grouped on one or more pairs, depending on the total amount of channels provided. Preferably, said pairs are positioned in such a manner that the channels within a pair are faced with their concave parts towards each other. In an embodiment, said channels in pair are divided by a protrusion (such as for instance an inner wall segment), forming a separation between the channels. By preference, multiple pairs of channels are aligned with the convex part of a channel belonging to a pair facing each other. Said pairs are positioned in a mirror-symmetrical manner. The latter will allow that two drums, standing next to each other, e.g. in a point symmetric manner, can be linked together by use of one device, able to engage with both rims of the drums.

In a further embodiment, said channel corresponds to between 0.10 and 10% of the circumference of said upper drum rim, by preference between 0.25% to 5%, more by preference between 0.25 and 2%. The latter will ensure adequate functioning of the device, and optimal securing of the drums. When the dimensions of the device are chosen too small in view of the circumference of the drum, slippage of the device during securing or transport may occur. If the dimensions are chosen too big, the device will lose its functionality as they will no longer be able to effortlessly connect to two barrels simultaneously, regardless of their configuration.

In another embodiment, the depth of the channels correlates with at least 80% of the height of the device. In a more preferred embodiment, said depth of the channels correlates with at least 90% of the height of the device. In another embodiment, the device will have a ratio length L versus height H between 10: 1 and 2 : 1, more by preference between 7 : 1 and 4: 1. In an example of the current invention, said ratio L: H is 6 : 1.

In a further embodiment, said channels may be provided with anti-slip material or friction-increasing elements. The latter will prevent sliding of the device from the rim of the drums. It should be clear to a skilled person that various sorts of anti- slip material are suited to be combined with the current device. Examples of anti- slip material may for instance comprise rubbers or thermoplastic material. In an embodiment, said channels may at their inner walls be provided with friction- increasing elements, whereby friction-increasing elements could for instance be indentations or protrusions.

The clamping device may be produced by several ways as well as with several possible materials. By preference the device is produced by way of injection molding or extrusion. The current invention is therefor also related to a mould suitable for producing the clamping device according as currently described. Typical plastic materials that may be used in conjunction with the current invention comprise, but are not limited to polyethylene (PE), polypropylene, acetal, acrylic, polyamides, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate or thermoplastic elastomers. In a more preferred embodiment, said device will be produced as a two component product, for example a two component product comprising polypropylene and a TPE.

In a second aspect, the current invention comprises a method for securing drums on a surface. In an embodiment, one or more drums are provided on a surface, by preference in a point symmetrical manner. At least one clamping device is provided, which is able to engage with the upper rim of a drum. Said clamping device is providing a path for receiving securing means such as a strap. In a next step, at least one securing means is provided, whereby said securing means run in the longitudinal direction of the drum and whereby said securing means follow a path provided by the device. Finally, said one or more drums will be secured to the surface by use of joining means for the securing means. Said joining means may comprise a buckle for joining the ends of the securing means together, or alternatively may comprise a physical joint such as, but not limited to gluing, welding, or for instance melting of said securing means.

In a preferred embodiment of this method, the securing means run from the surface along the longitudinal direction of the drums, towards the path provided by the one or more clamping devices. In an embodiment, this path runs parallel to the upper surface of one or more drums. The securing means run by preference underneath the surface comprising the drums, or at least partially underneath said surface. In a further embodiment, second securing means may be provided, running perpendicular to the direction of the first securing means.

The current method ensures an optimal securing of the drum to a surface, such as a pallet, prior to and during road transport. The method omits the need to make use of internal structures of the transport vehicle as seen in prior art methods.

The current method is suitable for securing configurations of one, two, three, four or more drums on a surface such as a pallet.

In an embodiment of the current invention, one drum is secured to said surface, such as seen in Figure 7A. One drum (7) may be secured to said surface by use of at least two clamping devices (1, 1'), by preference placed opposite of each other on the upper rim of said drum, and receiving a strap (9), running in the longitudinal direction of the drum and following the path provided by the devices (1, 1').

In another embodiment, said two drums (7, 7') are secured to a surface as seen in Figure 7B. Said both drums are connected by at least one clamping device (1), which is able to clamp to the rim of each respective drum and whereby the clamping device receives a strap (9), running in the longitudinal direction of the drum. In a preferred embodiment, the latter will secure the barrels to the surface, as it will by preference be attached or run underneath the surface. A second strap (10) may be provided, perpendicular to the direction of the first strap, thereby engaging the two drums (7, 7')-

In another alternative embodiment, said at least three drums (7, 7', 7") are secured to a surface. The method involves the use of at least two clamping devices (1, 1'), receiving a strap (9) running in the longitudinal direction of the drums (7, 7', 7"'). In an embodiment, said drums (7, 7', 7"') are placed in a triangular configuration, whereby two drums (7, 7') are placed side-by-side and whereby a third drum (7"') is placed in the center of the two aligned drums (7, 7')- By preference, the two drums placed side-by-side will be linked together by one clamping device (1) positioned at the rim (6, 6') of both drums. In a preferred embodiment, the inner channels (5', 5") of the device (1) are utilized for the latter. The third drum will equally receive a clamping device ( ), placed opposite from the first clamping device (1), by preference at the unpaired, free rim side (6"') of the barrel (7"'). Again, preferentially one of the inner channels (5', 5") are used for this purpose. In a preferred embodiment, a strap (9) will run from the in the longitudinal direction of the barrels (7, 7', 7"), originating from the transport surface (11), and will follow a path (4) provided by the two devices (1, 1'), whereby said path (4) runs parallel to the upper surface of the drums.

In another embodiment, four drums (7, 7', 7", 7"') are provided on a surface (10) such as a pallet, grouped in a rectangular configuration, two-by-two as seen in Figure 4 and Figure 6A-C. By preference, said barrels (7, 7', 7", 7"') are two-by- two linked with a clamping device (1, 1'), whereby a path (4) is formed by said devices (1, 1') for receiving at least one strap (9), said path runs parallel to the upper surface of the drums. A second strap (10) may be provided, running perpendicular to the direction of the first strap, and along the circumference of the drums, thereby engaging the four drums (7, 7', 7", 7"'). Figure 8 shows an example of drums secured on a pallet by the method according to the current invention. The drums remain safely in place, even when being subjected to tilting movements under an angle a as is often the case during handling and transporting. It should be understood that the current invention is not limited to above- mentioned configuration or number of drums. In a final aspect, the current invention provides a kit for securing drums to a surface. In an embodiment, such kit comprises at least one clamping device according to one of the above mentioned embodiments and at least one strap, such as a composite or woven strap. Optionally said kit may comprise a pallet. In a further embodiment, said kit comprises also joining means for the strap such as a buckle. In a further embodiment, said kit may equally comprise a tensioner for tensioning said straps.

The invention is further described by the following non-limiting examples which further illustrate the invention, and are not intended to, nor should they be interpreted to, limit the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES Figure 1 shows a potential embodiment of the clamping device (1) of the current invention. The clamping device comprises an essentially beam or half cylindrical form. The upper surface of the device (2) is provided by profiles (3) forming two paths (4, 4') each suitable for receiving a strap. In the current embodiment as shown in Figure 1A, each path (4, 4') is formed by raised profiles (3). The paths are positioned in the midsection of the upper surface of the device and both paths run perpendicular to each other.

As seen on Figure IB, the lower surface (8) of the device (1) is provided with channels (5, 5', 5", 5"') which correspond to and are able to engage with the upper rim (6) of a drum (7). The channels extend in the longitudinal direction of the device and are open channels. The upper walls of the channels are provided with protrusions which serve as friction-increasing elements. The channels will show a curvature, which corresponds to the curvature of the upper rim of the drum. In the example as shown in Figure IB, the device is provided with four channels, two outer channels (5 and 5") and two inner channels (5' and 5"'), grouped in pairs, and positioned in a mirror-symmetrical manner.

Figure 5 shows a detail of a clamping device (1) according to the current invention connected to a drum. The channel (5) of said device (1) is engaged to the upper rim (6) of the drum (7). Figures 2 to 3 show different embodiments of the clamping device according to the current invention. In Figure 2, the clamping device comprises only one curved channel (5) for engaging to an upper drum rim (6). The clamping device (1) is particularly suitable for engaging with the outer rim of a drum (6), by preference at a free side of a drum, said side being unpaired to another drum. Figure 3 shows a smaller version of the clamping device as seen in Figure 1, comprising two paths for straps, perpendicular to each other, forming T-pathway.

An example of a device according to the current invention may have the following dimensions:

- outer length L: 120 mm

- outer height H : between 22 and 30 mm

- inner height of the channels: between 18 and 20 mm

- outer width of the device: 80 mm

The height of a barrel rim is typically between 16 and 18 mm, the width of the rim at its largest point may lie between 4 and 12 mm and the diameter of the barrel lid may be 585 mm. Features shown in the figures:

1, 1', 1": clamping device

2 : upper surface

3 : profile

4, 4', 4", 4"': paths

5, 5', 5", 5"', 5"": channels

6, 6': upper rim

7, 7', 7", 7"', 7"": drum

8 : lower surface

9 : strap

10: strap

11 : transport surface

12: friction increasing elements

Claims

1. A clamping device (1) for securing at least one drum (7) on a transport surface (11), such as a pallet, said clamping device comprises of an upper surface (2) and lower surface (8), said lower surface (8) comprises at least one curved, open channel (5) able to engage with an upper rim (6) of said drum (7), characterized in that, said upper surface (2) of said device (1) is provided with one or more profiles (3), said profiles (3) forming paths (4) adopted to receive a strap (9).

2. Clamping device according to claim 1, characterized in that said device (1) is provided with at least two paths (4, 4'), whereby said paths (4) are placed perpendicular with respect to each other.

3. Clamping device according to claim 2, characterized in that one path (4) extends in the longitudinal direction of said device.

4. Clamping device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said channels (5) extend in the longitudinal direction of said device C D-

5. Clamping device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radius of said curved channel (5) corresponds to the radius of curvature of an upper rim (6) of said drum (7).

6. Clamping device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device comprises at least two channels (5) whereby channels (5) are positioned in a mirror-symmetrical manner.

7. Clamping device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said channel (5) has a U-shaped form in cross sectional view.

8. Clamping device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said channels (5) are provided with anti-slip material or friction- increasing elements (12).

9. Clamping device according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that said channel corresponds to between 0.10 and 10% of the circumference of said upper drum rim (6), by preference between 0.25 and 5%.

10. A kit for securing at least one drum to a surface, comprising at least one clamping device according to any of the claims 1 to 8 and at least one strap (9) wherein said strap is suitable to be positioned on a path (4) of the upper surface (2) of the device (1).

11. The kit according to claim 10, comprising joining means for the strap (9), such as a buckle.

12. The kit according to any of the preceding claims, comprising two clamping devices and one strap, or two clamping devices and two straps, or one clamping device and two straps.

13. Method for securing at least one drum on a transport surface, said method comprising :

- providing one or more drums (7) on a surface (11), said drums (7) being arranged in a point-symmetrical manner;

- providing at least one clamping device (1) able to engage with the upper rim (6) of said drum and providing a path (4) for securing means such as a strap (9);

- providing at least one strap (9) in the longitudinal direction of the drum, said strap following a path (4) provided by said device (1); and

- securing drum to said surface by joining means.

14. Method according to claim 13, providing a second strap (10) perpendicular to the direction of the first strap (9).

15. A pallet comprising one or more drums, secured by a clamping device (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 9 and a strap, or by the method according to claim 13 or 14.