U.S. patent application number 10/378251 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-09 for hermetically sealed container for stick electrodes.
Invention is credited to Mohrbacker, Michael A., Nikodym, Anthony F., Schroeder, Jeffery P..
Application Number | 20040173613 10/378251 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32926441 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040173613 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schroeder, Jeffery P. ; et
al. |
September 9, 2004 |
Hermetically sealed container for stick electrodes
Abstract
A container for hermetically sealing stick electrodes is
provided. The container comprises a lid and a body such that the
lid and body mate to form an hermetic seal. An interference fit is
formed between the mating of a seal structure, disposed on either
the lid or the body, and its corresponding part thereby
hermetically sealing a hollow interior of the container. The
hermetic seal is reusable, and, as such, sealing can be
reestablished simply by again mating the lid with the body.
Inventors: |
Schroeder, Jeffery P.; (Tipp
City, OH) ; Nikodym, Anthony F.; (Troy, OH) ;
Mohrbacker, Michael A.; (Kansasville, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Patrick S. Yoder
Fletcher, Yoder & Van Someren
P.O. Box 692289
Houston
TX
77269-2289
US
|
Family ID: |
32926441 |
Appl. No.: |
10/378251 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/276 ;
220/780; 220/795 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/26 20130101;
B65D 2543/00527 20130101; B65D 2543/0074 20130101; B65D 2543/00296
20130101; Y02W 30/80 20150501; B65D 2543/00629 20130101; B65D
2543/00537 20130101; Y02W 30/807 20150501; B65D 2543/00972
20130101; B65D 2543/00685 20130101; B65D 2543/00175 20130101; B65D
2543/00796 20130101; B65D 43/0212 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/276 ;
220/795; 220/780 |
International
Class: |
B65D 017/40; B65D
041/18 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A container for stick electrodes, comprising: a hollow body
having a ribbed exterior portion; and a lid configured to mate with
the body, the lid having an interior surface; wherein an hermetic
seal is formed via engagement between the exterior and interior
sections to seal an enclosed volume configured to receive a
plurality of stick electrodes.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the hermetic seal comprises an
interference fit between the ribbed exterior portion and the
interior surface.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein the hollow body and lid
comprise an injection molded plastic.
4. The container of claim 3, wherein the injection molded plastic
comprises a high density polyethylene (HDPE).
5. The container of claim 1, wherein the ribbed portion comprises a
latching rib adapted to engage a stop rib disposed on the interior
surface, wherein engagement between the latching rib and stop rib
removably secures the lid to the body.
6. The container of claim 1, further comprising a separable
secondary seal adapted to hermetically seal the container.
7. The container of claim 1, further comprising an indicator, the
indicator adapted to provide visual indication of initial
separation of the lid and body.
8. A container for stick electrodes, comprising; a plastic hollow
body having a plurality of ribs disposed continuously about a
perimeter of an exterior surface; a plastic lid having an interior
surface, wherein the interior surface and ribs engage to form an
interference fit, the interference fit adapted to hermetically seal
an enclosed volume configured to receive a plurality of stick
electrodes; and an indicator disposed about a joint of the
container, the indicator adapted to indicate initial separation of
the lid from the body.
9. The container of claim 8, wherein the indicator provides a
second hermetic seal for the enclosed volume.
10. The container of claim 9, wherein the indicator visually
indicates breach of the second hermetic seal.
11. The container of claim 8, wherein the body comprises a base
portion, the base portion adapted to maintain the hollow body in an
upright position.
12. The container of claim 8, wherein the body comprises a flange
portion, the flange portion adapted to restrict movement of the
lid, and wherein the flange portion and lid mate to form a
substantially continuous surface.
13. The container of claim 8, wherein the body comprises a latching
rib adapted to engage a stop rib disposed on the interior surface,
wherein engagement between the latching rib and stop rib removably
secures the lid to the body.
14. The container of claim 8, wherein the body and lid comprise a
high density polyethylene (HDPE).
15. A container for stick electrodes, comprising: a first plastic
hollow body adapted to carry a plurality of stick electrodes; a
second plastic hollow body adapted to mate with the first hollow
body; and an integrated seal structure disposed on either the first
or second body, the integrated seal structure adapted to form an
hermetic seal upon mating of the first and second bodies.
16. The container of claim 15, wherein the integrated seal
structure comprise a plurality of ribs.
17. The container of claim 16, wherein the integrated seal
structure is reusable.
18. The container of claim 15, further comprising a separable
sealing ring adapted to hermetically seal the container.
19. A container for stick electrodes, comprising: a first plastic
hollow body, the adapted to mate with a second plastic hollow body
thereby forming an enclosure, the enclosure configured to house a
plurality of stick electrodes; packaging at least partially
disposed about external surfaces of the first and second bodies,
the packing adapted to form an initial hermetic seal for the
enclosure; and an interface between the first and second bodies,
the interface adapted to form a reusable hermetic seal independent
of the initial hermetic seal.
20. The container of claim 19, wherein the first and second hollow
bodies comprise an injection molded plastic.
21. The container of claim 20, wherein the injection molded plastic
comprises a high density polyethylene (HDPE).
22. The container of claim 19, wherein the reusable hermetic seal
comprises a plurality of ribs disposed on either the first or
second body.
23. A method for hermetically sealing stick electrodes, comprising:
forming a hollow plastic body via an injection molding process,
wherein the plastic body comprises a plurality of continuous ribs
disposed about a perimeter of an exterior surface; forming a
plastic lid via an injection molding process; disposing at least
one stick electrode within the plastic hollow body; and mating the
lid with the body such that the mating of the ribs with an interior
surface of the lid forms an hermetic seal between the lid and
body.
24. The method of claim 23, further comprising visually indicting
initial separation of the lid from the body.
25. The method of claim 23, further comprising at least partially
disposing removable packaging about a joint, the packing adapted to
form an initial hermetic seal.
26. The method of claim 23, further comprising removably securing
the lid to the body.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to containers for
welding electrodes, and more particularly, to a hermetically sealed
container for stick electrodes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Welding is a method that may be used to join work pieces,
typically by fusing and adding materials at a joint location. An
exemplary type of welding process is arc welding. To facilitate
this form of welding, an electric source is generally coupled to an
electrode. An electric arc is produced between the electrode and
the work piece when the electrode is brought into close proximity
to, or in contact with, the work piece. Electric current flows from
the power source, through the electrode to the work piece and back
to the electrical power source through a conductive cable. The heat
produced by the arc melts the work piece, or work pieces. The
molten metal cools once the arc is removed, causing the molten
material to solidify. Material comprising the electrode is often
also melted and added to the joint. Stick electrodes are one type
of electrode used in arc welding, and are particularly favored in
simple, robust systems, as well as for highly portable welding
applications.
[0003] In typical systems, the type of weld and ambient conditions
are factors that may be decisive in determining the optimal
electrode type for use with a given task. Stick electrodes, for
example, are available in various sizes and materials, and often
include some type of flux, applied as an external coating, that
facilitates flow of metal and protects the weld. For best
performance, stick electrodes are stored in an hermetically sealed
container. Depending on the electrode type selected, unnecessary
exposure to air and moisture can negatively affect the performance
of the weld, particularly due to degradation in the flux coating.
For example, certain electrode types, when exposed to the
atmosphere, will absorb moisture. Such moisture may lead to
cracking or unwanted porosity in the weld. In turn, this can lead
to premature failure and poor quality of the weld. Although
electrodes exposed to moisture may be restored via a redrying
process, this process can be expensive and time consuming.
Moreover, there is no assurance that the electrode can be restored
to its original condition.
[0004] To protect stick electrodes during transport from the
manufacturer to the consumer, electrodes are typically sold in
containers that conform dimensionally to the electrodes. To further
protect the electrodes, the containers may have supplemental
packaging to prevent the ingress of ambient air and moisture. This
supplemental packaging, however, must be removed in order to use
the electrodes. In other words, once this supplemental packaging is
removed, any sealed protection provided by such is lost. To
preserve the quality of the electrodes, the user must subsequently
place the electrodes in another container that provides the
necessary protection. Thus, the consumer is burdened with an
unnecessary expense, as the original container provided by the
manufacturer is typically discarded. Where several electrode types,
or large quantities of electrodes are needed, many such replacement
containers may be required.
[0005] Additionally, traditional original packaging containers for
stick electrodes are formed via a relatively imprecise molding
process. As such, these containers typically cannot provide the
good tolerances generally necessary for reusable sealing.
[0006] There exists a need for a novel container for stick
electrodes that can protect against unwanted degradation of the
electrodes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present technique provides a resealable container for
stick electrodes designed to respond to such needs. According to
one embodiment of the present technique, a container for stick
electrodes is provided that comprises a hollow body having a ribbed
exterior section. The container further comprises a lid configured
to mate with the body. In one exemplary embodiment, an interference
fit is formed upon engagement of the interior of the lid with the
ribbed exterior section of the hollow body.
[0008] According to another embodiment of the present technique, an
integrated seal structure, disposed on either a first or second
hollow body of a container for stick electrodes, forms a reusable
hermetic seal upon the mating of the first and second hollow
bodies.
[0009] According to yet another aspect of the present technique, a
method for hermetically sealing stick electrodes is provided. The
method may comprise forming a plastic lid and hollow body via an
injection molding process. The method may further comprise mating
the lid and body such that the mating forms an hermetic seal
between the lid and body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The foregoing and other advantages and features of the
invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed
description and upon reference to the drawings in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container for stick
electrodes according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
technique, the container being illustrated in the assembled
configuration;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container for stick
electrodes of FIG. 1 in the open configuration illustrating the lid
portion separated from the body portion;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side view of the body portion of the container
including a ribbed portion;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a detail view of the ribbed portion of the
container illustrated in FIG. 3, the detail view illustrating an
exemplary interface between the inner surface of a lid and the
ribbed portion of the container, the outline of the lid represented
by the dashed lines;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a partial cut-away view of the container lid
illustrating a stop rib disposed on the interior surface of the
lid; and
[0016] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the container lid along lines
6-6 illustrated in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Referring generally to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary container
for stick electrodes is illustrated. FIG. 1 depicts the container
10 in an assembled configuration, whereas FIG. 2 depicts the
container 10 in an open configuration. The exemplary container 10
comprises a hollow body 12 mated with a lid 14. Both the lid 14 and
body 12 may be formed from plastic. However, other materials may
also be envisaged. In one preferred embodiment, the body 12 and lid
14 may be formed of a plastic such as high density polyethylene
(HDPE). Additionally, in yet another preferred embodiment, both the
lid 14 and the body 12 may be formed via an injection molding
process. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, during
injection molding, plastic resin is heated and injected into a
preformed mold. The resin is allowed to cool and then molded
container components are subsequently removed. By employing this
process, for example, improved tolerances between mating portions
may be achieved. Moreover, cleaner surfaces and crisper edges may
be produced. Such enhanced structural features facilitate creation
of mutually cooperating molded-in or integral sealing elements and
surfaces as described more fully below.
[0018] In FIGS. 1 and 2, a number of exemplary structural features
of the container 10 are illustrated. For example, the body 12 may
comprise a label portion 16, the label portion 16 may be configured
for placement of a label identifying the manufacturer of the
electrodes, the type of electrodes, usage or manufacturing dates,
and so forth. Additionally, the body 12 comprises a base portion 18
that extends outwardly from the body 12. The base portion 18
providing a larger footprint for the container 10 and, as such,
facilitates placement of the container 10 in an upright position.
It should be noted that by employing injection-molding techniques,
additional complex and intricate designs and features may be molded
into the shape of the container. As applied to the exemplary
embodiments, injection molding permits close tolerances for and
between dimensions of the container to be achieved.
[0019] When in the assembled position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a
hollow interior 20 may be hermetically sealed. As such, materials
or elements disposed within the hollow interior 20 are protected
from the environment 22. For example, electrodes 24 disposed within
the hollow interior 20 may be protected from unwanted moisture and
the absorption of such from the environment 22. During shipping
from the manufacturer to the consumer, for example, the electrodes
24 disposed within the hollow interior 20 of the exemplary
container 10 would remain isolated from the moisture within the
surrounding environment 22. Moreover, the electrodes 24 would
remain fresh, thereby affording optimal performance.
[0020] Disposed around the exterior of the exemplary container 10
may be one of several types of external packaging 26. An exemplary
type of external packaging 26 may be placed about at least a
portion of the external surfaces of both the body 12 and lid 14.
Preferably, the packaging 26 is placed over a joint 28 (see FIG.
1), the joint 28 being disposed along a visible mating junction
between the lid 14 and the body 12. The exemplary external
packaging 26 may serve a number of functions. For example, the
packaging 26 may be closely affixed to the exterior surface of the
container 10 so as to provide a removable hermetic seal that
prevents the ingress of moisture and contaminants into the hollow
interior 20. In the exemplary embodiment, the packaging 26
comprises an adhesive tape affixed about the joint 28. Because the
packaging 26 must be removed prior to accessing the electrodes 24
disposed within the container 10, the packaging 26 may also
comprise an indicator 30. The indicator 30 may be employed to
signify to the consumer that the lid 14 and body 12 may have been
separated after the manufacturer has sealed the container 10. In
the exemplary embodiment, the indicator 30 comprises a tear-strip
disposed about the joint 28. To separate the lid 14 from the body
12 for access to the electrodes 24, the consumer would pull the
tear-strip 30, thereby visibly breaching the packaging 26 and
indicating possible prior separation. However, once the tear-strip
30 is removed, the external packaging 26 no longer provides an
hermetic seal to the hollow interior 20.
[0021] In FIG. 2, the container 10 is illustrated in the open
configuration. A flange 32 may be disposed about a perimeter of the
body 12. Preferably, the flange 32 interacts with the lid 14 so as
to define the maximum travel of the lid 14 onto the body 12. In
other words, the base of the lid 14 abuts against the flange 32
and, as such, the flange 32 prevents further downward movement of
the lid 14. The flange 32 also may be radially dimensioned so as to
conform to the external perimeter of the lid 14. If so designed,
flange 32 and the external surface of the lid 14 would form a
substantially continuous surface at the joint 28. The flange 32 may
also be dimensioned similarly to the base portion 18 to facilitate
stacking of the containers.
[0022] Also illustrated in FIG. 2, is a ribbed portion 34 disposed
on the exterior of the body 12. The ribbed portion 34 may be
located above the flange 32 about the perimeter of the body 12 and
may also be integrally molded into the body 12. Although the
exemplary embodiment illustrates the ribbed portion 34 on the body
12, the ribbed portion 34 may also be disposed on an interior
surface of the lid 14 as well. The ribbed portion 34 comprises a
plurality of ribs 36 that, in the instant embodiment, are spaced
from one another. By employing an injection molding process, for
example, good dimensional tolerances with respect to each of the
ribs 36 can be achieved.
[0023] Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, further details regarding the
exemplary ribbed portion 34 are illustrated. As stated above, the
ribs 36 are spaced from one another. Moreover, in the illustrated
embodiment, the ribs 36 are dimensioned substantially identically
to one another. Each rib 36, in the exemplary embodiment, runs
continuously about the perimeter of the body 12. As the lid 14 is
brought into engagement with the body 12, each successive rib 36
engages with the interior surface 38 of the lid 14 (see FIG. 4).
The engagement between each rib 36 and the interior surface 38
preferably forms an interference fit between the two structures.
Additionally, each rib may, upon engagement with the interior
surface 38, elastically deform so as to both further conform with
and better seal against, the interior surface 38.
[0024] When the lid 14 is fully engaged with the body 12 and abuts
against the flange 32 (the lid 14 shown in dashed lines in FIG. 4),
each rib 36 engages with a respective portion of the interior
surface 38 and resultantly forms a seal. The ingress of
contaminants from the ambient environment 22, more particularly
moisture, is prevented by the interference fit between the interior
surface 38 and each rib 36. In a present and particularly preferred
embodiment, the engaged ribs 36, in conjunction with the interior
surface 38, form an hermetic seal. Because the injection-molding
process, for example, permits good dimensional tolerances to be
realized, the achieved uniformity facilitates the hermetic seal
being maintained along the length of the ribbed portion 34.
Advantageously, because the interior surface only engages the ribs
36 along the ribbed portion 34, the force necessary to overcome the
cumulative resistive force of the engaged ribbed portion 34 is
limited. Additionally, between each rib 36 a recess 40 is formed.
Each recess 40 may provide an area for containments to collect.
When viewed cumulatively, the recesses 40 may also provide a
labyrinth-like structure that further prevents the ingress of
unwanted contaminants, particularly moisture. An o-ring type seal
42 may also be placed around the ribbed portion 34 for additional
sealing. When provided, this seal 42, in conjunction with the lid
14, provides an additional hermetic seal to the container 10.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, disposed directly above the
ribbed portion 34 may be a latch rib 44. Preferably, the latching
rib 44 is slightly larger than the ribs 36. Moreover, the latching
rib 44 may be dimensioned to engage with a stop rib 46 disposed on
the interior surface 38 of the lid 14. As the lid 14 is placed onto
the body 12, the stop rib 46 abuts against the top of the latching
rib 44. This abutment impedes the movement of the lid. However, as
additional downward force is applied, the engagement between the
stop rib 46 and the latching rib 44 outwardly elastically deforms
the lid 14. Subsequently, the stop rib 46 moves past the latching
rib 44 coming to rest in a recess 40 while the lid 14 snaps back
into its previous undeformed state. At this point, lid 14 is
removably secured to the body 12. A force in the opposite direction
would then be required to again deform the lid 14 thereby allowing
removal of the lid 14 from the body 12. This feature prevents the
lid 14 from unintentionally escaping from the body 12 and also adds
to the frictional resistance to removal provided by the engagement
of the ribs 36 against the interior surface 38. Preferably, the
stop rib 46 is positioned on the lid 14 such that the lid 14 abuts
against the flange 32 immediately after the stop rib 46 passes the
latching rib 44. The engagement between the stop rib 46 and the
latching rib 44 thereby biases the lid 14 into the flange 32
thereby creating a tight fit between the lid 14 and the flange 32
at the joint 28. This tight fit not only retards the ingress of
contaminants, but also prevents unwanted movement of the lid 14
while on the body 12.
[0026] In operation of the exemplary embodiment, the consumer would
remove the tear-strip 30 thereby breaking a first hermetic seal
provided by the manufacturer. Nonetheless, the engagement of the
ribbed portion 34 with the interior surface 38 of the lid 14
maintains another hermetic seal, thereby preserving the
hermetically sealed nature of the container 10. By applying a
removal force, the consumer is able to disengage the lid 14 from
the body 12 to access the electrodes 24. Subsequently, the consumer
may hermetically reseal the electrodes 24 within the original
container 10 provided by the manufacturer by placing the lid 14
back on the body 12. The ribs 36 would reengage the interior
surface 38 of the lid 14, thereby hermetically resealing the
electrodes 24 within the container 10. This, advantageously, allows
the consumer to store the electrodes 24 within the original
container provided by the manufacturer. Because the original
container is hermetically resealable, the consumer would no longer
be required to purchase a secondary container inside of which the
electrodes are to be stored.
[0027] While the invention may be susceptible to various
modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been
shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in
detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention
is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed.
Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents,
and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the following appended claims. For example,
the form, spacing and number of ribs sufficient to provide the
desired seal may be vary between the embodiments.
* * * * *