U.S. patent application number 11/014935 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-29 for reduced thickness cover.
Invention is credited to Michael D. Stolzman.
Application Number | 20060138141 11/014935 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36610201 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060138141 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stolzman; Michael D. |
June 29, 2006 |
Reduced thickness cover
Abstract
A unitary cover is used with a tubular container having an open
end with a cylindrical connecting bead at the open end. The unitary
cover comprises a central circular wall of a size corresponding to
the container open end. A concentric ring region surrounds the
central circular wall and defines a peripheral flange having a
downwardly opening channel receivable on the cylindrical connecting
bead to close the open end of the container. The peripheral flange
has a substantially greater wall thickness than the central
circular wall
Inventors: |
Stolzman; Michael D.; (Lake
Forest, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOOD, PHILLIPS, KATZ, CLARK & MORTIMER
500 W. MADISON STREET
SUITE 3800
CHICAGO
IL
60661
US
|
Family ID: |
36610201 |
Appl. No.: |
11/014935 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/320 ;
220/796 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00092
20130101; B65D 47/12 20130101; B65D 45/34 20130101; B65D 2543/00416
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/320 ;
220/796 |
International
Class: |
B65D 45/32 20060101
B65D045/32 |
Claims
1. A unitary cover for use with a tubular container having an open
end with a cylindrical connecting bead at the open end, the unitary
cover comprising: a central circular wall of a size corresponding
to the container open end, a concentric ring region surrounding the
central circular wall and defining a peripheral flange having a
downwardly opening channel receivable on the cylindrical connecting
bead to close the open end of the container, the peripheral flange
having a substantially greater wall thickness than the central
circular wall.
2. The unitary cover of claim 1 wherein the cover comprises a wall
thickness nominally about 0.09 inches for the peripheral flange and
a wall thickness nominally 0.06 inches for the central circular
wall.
3. The unitary cover of claim 1 wherein the concentric ring region
comprises first and second concentric rings disposed between the
peripheral flange and the central circular wall to define a
generally corrugated structure.
4. The unitary cover of claim 3 wherein wall thickness of the
concentric ring region gradually decreases transitioning from the
peripheral flange to the central circular wall.
5. The unitary cover of claim 1 wherein the peripheral flange has a
wall thickness about 50% greater then wall thickness of the central
circular wall.
6. A unitary cover for use with a tubular container having an open
end with a cylindrical connecting bead at the open end, the unitary
cover comprising: a central circular wall of a size corresponding
to the container open end, a plurality of concentric rings
surrounding the central circular wall and including a peripheral
flange having a downwardly opening channel receivable on the
cylindrical connecting bead to close the open end of the container,
the peripheral flange having a substantially greater wall thickness
than the central circular wall.
7. The unitary cover of claim 6 wherein the cover comprises a wall
thickness nominally about 0.09 inches for the peripheral flange and
a wall thickness nominally 0.06 inches for the central circular
wall.
8. The unitary cover of claim 6 wherein the plurality of concentric
rings comprises first and second concentric rings disposed between
the peripheral flange and the central circular wall to define a
generally corrugated structure.
9. The unitary cover of claim 8 wherein wall thickness of the
concentric ring region gradually decreases transitioning from the
peripheral flange to the central circular wall.
10. The unitary cover of claim 6 wherein the peripheral flange has
a wall thickness about 50% greater then wall thickness of the
central circular wall.
11. The unitary cover of claim 8 wherein the first concentric ring
has a greater wall thickness than the central circular wall and the
second concentric ring has a greater wall thickness than the first
concentric ring and the peripheral flange has a greater wall
thickness than the second concentric ring.
12. The unitary cover of claim 6 further comprising a pair of bung
openings in the central circular wall.
13. The unitary cover of claim 6 wherein the peripheral flange has
a diameter to be received on a tubular container having an, 18
inch, a 211/2 inch or a 23 inch connecting bead.
14. The unitary cover of claim 6 wherein the cover comprises a
unitary wall element of synthetic resin.
15. A unitary cover for use with a tubular container having an open
end with a cylindrical connecting bead at the open end, the unitary
cover comprising: a central circular wall of a size corresponding
to the container open end, a series of concentric rings surrounding
the central circular wall and defining a corrugated structure, an
outermost ring comprising a peripheral flange having a downwardly
opening channel receivable on the cylindrical connecting bead to
close the open end of the container, the peripheral flange having a
substantially greater wall thickness than the central circular
wall.
16. The unitary cover of claim 15 wherein the cover comprises a
wall thickness nominally about 0.09 inches for the peripheral
flange and a wall thickness nominally 0.06 inches for the central
circular wall.
17. The unitary cover of claim 15 wherein wall thickness of the
series of concentric rings gradually decreases transitioning from
the peripheral flange to the central circular wall.
18. The unitary cover of claim 15 wherein the peripheral flange has
a wall thickness about 50% greater then wall thickness of the
central circular wall.
19. The unitary cover of claim 15 wherein a first concentric ring
has a greater wall thickness than the central circular wall and a
second concentric ring has a greater wall thickness than the first
concentric ring and the peripheral flange has a greater wall
thickness than the second concentric ring.
20. The unitary cover of claim 15 wherein the cover comprises a
unitary wall element of synthetic resin.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a drum cover and, more
particularly, to a cover of reduced wall thickness.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In one form of conventional shipping and storage container,
a drum comprises a tubular container having an open end with a
cylindrical connecting bead at the open end. The connecting bead
may be provided by a metal connecting ring rolled onto the side
wall or a plastic connecting ring molded directly to or otherwise
adhered to the side wall. Alternatively, the side wall may be of
molded plastic construction with an integral connecting bead.
[0003] The conventional drum includes a removable cover for closing
the open end of the tubular side wall. A typical cover includes a
central circular wall with a peripheral connecting flange
receivable on the connecting bead so that the circular wall closes
the open end of the container. A locking band secures the cover on
the drum. While such a container may be used for storage purposes,
often the containers must be lifted by lifting equipment.
Advantageously, the drum should be designed to accommodate parrot
beak drum lifting devices. If the cover is not of sufficient
thickness, the drum may not pass a typical parrot beak test.
Typically, such a cover includes circular channels or rings formed
in the circular wall providing a corrugated or wave-like
appearance.
[0004] A typical cover is formed of molded synthetic resin, such as
high density polyethylene. In designing such a cover, consideration
may be given to minimizing weight and cost of the cover while also
satisfying test requirements. As such, a conventional cover is
manufactured having a wall thickness sufficient to pass a parrot
beak test. A typical cover for a 211/2'' drum has a wall thickness
on the order of 0.09'' nominal. Lesser thickness covers have been
considered, but have not always successfully passed this test.
[0005] The present invention is directed to solving one or more of
the problems discussed above in a novel and simple manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with the invention, there is provided a cover
for use with a tubular container including areas of different wall
thickness.
[0007] Broadly, in accordance with one aspect of the invention,
there is disclosed a unitary cover used with a tubular container
having an open end with a cylindrical connecting bead at the open
end. The unitary cover comprises a central circular wall of a size
corresponding to the container open end. A concentric ring region
surrounds the central circular wall and defines a peripheral flange
having a downwardly opening channel receivable on the cylindrical
connecting bead to close the open end of the container. The
peripheral flange has a substantially greater wall thickness than
the central circular wall.
[0008] It is a feature of the invention that the cover comprises a
wall thickness nominally about 0.09 inches for the peripheral
flange and a wall thickness nominally 0.06 inches for the central
circular wall.
[0009] It is another feature of the invention that the concentric
ring region comprises first and second concentric rings disposed
between the peripheral flange and the central circular wall to
define a generally corrugated structure.
[0010] It is still another feature of the invention that wall
thickness of the concentric ring region gradually decreases
transitioning from the peripheral flange to the central circular
wall.
[0011] It is still another feature of the invention that the
peripheral flange has a wall thickness about 50% greater then wall
thickness of the central circular wall.
[0012] There is disclosed in accordance with another aspect of the
invention a unitary cover for use with a tubular container having
an open end with a cylindrical connecting bead at the open end. The
unitary cover comprises a central circular wall of a size
corresponding to the container open end, a plurality of concentric
rings surrounding the central circular wall and including a
peripheral flange having a downwardly opening channel receivable on
the cylindrical connecting bead to close the open end of the
container, the peripheral flange having a substantially greater
wall thickness than the central circular wall.
[0013] It is a feature of the invention that the plurality of
concentric rings comprises first and second concentric rings
disposed between the peripheral flange and the central circular
wall to define a generally corrugated structure.
[0014] It is a further feature of the invention that the first
concentric ring has a greater wall thickness than the central
circular wall and the second concentric ring has a greater wall
thickness than the second concentric ring and the peripheral flange
has a greater wall thickness than the second concentric ring
rib.
[0015] It is still another feature of the invention that the
peripheral flange has a diameter to be received on a tubular
container having an, 18 inch, a 211/2 inch or a 23 inch connecting
bead.
[0016] It is still a further feature of the invention that the
cover comprises a unitary wall element of synthetic resin.
[0017] There is disclosed in accordance with another aspect of the
invention a unitary cover for use with a tubular container having
an open end with a cylindrical connecting bead at the open end. The
unitary cover comprises a central circular wall of a size
corresponding to the container open end, a series of concentric
rings surrounding the central circular wall and defining a
corrugated structure, an outermost ring comprising a peripheral
flange having a downwardly opening channel receivable on the
cylindrical connecting bead to close the open end of the container,
the peripheral flange having a substantially greater wall thickness
than the central circular wall.
[0018] Further features and advantages of the invention will be
readily apparent from the specification and from the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a container
including a cover according to the invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the cover of FIG. 1 taken
along a line 2-2;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, for a cover
according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; and
[0022] FIG. 4 is a detailed sectional view of a left portion of the
sectional view of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, as disclosed
in FIG. 1, a shipping and storage container in the form of a drum
12 includes a tubular side wall 14 closed by a bottom wall (not
shown) and having an open end 16 to define an interior space 18. A
cylindrical connecting bead 20 is at the open end 16. The open end
16 is selectively closed by a closure in the form of a cover 22 in
accordance with the invention removably secured to the connecting
bead 20 with a locking band 24.
[0024] In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the drum 12
comprises a cylindrical, blow-molded plastic drum. The drum has a
capacity of 55 U.S. gallons and the connecting bead 20 has a
diameter of about 211/2''. As is apparent, the dimensions of the
drum 12 may vary and other typical dimensions of the connecting
bead 20 are about 18'' and 23''. The present invention is directed
particularly to the cover 22 which can be used with drums of other
construction, such as metal, fiberboard, or composite construction,
as will be apparent.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 2, the cover 22 is illustrated in greater
detail. The cover 22 is sized to be used with any one of an 18'',
211/2'' or 23'' drum. As is apparent other sizes could also be
used. The cover 22 comprises a unitary wall element of molded
synthetic resin, such as high density polyethylene. The cover 22
includes a central circular wall 26. The central circular wall 26
comprises a circular planar panel 28 of a size corresponding to the
container open end 16. A pair of conventional threaded bung
openings 30 and 32 are provided in the panel 28. The central
circular wall 26 is surrounded by a concentric ring region 34
comprising a series of concentric rings 36, 37 and 38 stamped or
molded integrally with the cover 22. The concentric rings 36-38
define a generally corrugated or wavelike structure around the
periphery of the central circular wall 26. The inner rings 36 and
37 provide stiffening and expansion. The outermost ring 38 defines
a peripheral flange having a downwardly opening annular channel 40
for receiving the connecting bead 20.
[0026] The circular panel 28 has a flat upper surface 42 having a
peripheral edge 44. The first concentric ring 36 is radially
outwardly of the peripheral edge 44 and is generally an inverted
V-shape having a longer side 46 joined to the center wall
peripheral edge 44 and a shorter side 48. The second concentric
ring 37 is radially outwardly of the first concentric ring 36 and
is generally an inverted V-shape having a shorter side 50 and a
longer side 52. The shorter side 50 is joined to the first
concentric ring shorter side 48 at a lower peak 54.
[0027] The peripheral flange 38 is radially outwardly of the second
concentric ring 37. The peripheral flange 54 comprises a downwardly
opening U-shaped wall portion 56 connected by a curved wall 58 to
the second concentric ring 37 at a lower edge 60 of the second
concentric ring longer side 52. The U-shaped wall portion 56
defines the downwardly opening channel 40 receivable on the
cylindrical connecting bead 20 to close the open end 16 of the
container 12. Particularly, and with reference to FIG. 4, an
annular gasket 62 is positioned in the channel 40. The gasket 62 is
seated on the connecting bead 20. The locking band 24 sandwiches
the U-shaped wall portion 56, gasket 62 and connecting bead 20 to
retain the cover 22 on the drum 12 in a conventional manner.
[0028] In accordance with the invention, the cover 22 is adapted to
use a reduced wall thickness in non-critical areas, while
maintaining a standard wall thickness in critical areas. Such a
cover is adapted to pass conventional parrot beak tests.
[0029] Particularly, the central circular wall 26 has a first wall
thickness. The walls of the peripheral flange 38 have a second wall
thickness substantially greater than the thickness of the central
circular wall 26. In accordance with the invention, the peripheral
wall thickness is about 50% greater than the central circular wall
thickness. In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, the wall
thicknesses are nominally 0.09'' and 0.06''. As will be apparent,
the wall thickness at edges may be slightly less to provide draft
for mold purposes. In this embodiment of the invention the first
and second concentric rings 36 and 37 have the same wall thickness
as the central circular wall 26. The transition between wall
thicknesses occurs at a transition point 64 proximate the peak
60.
[0030] With a conventional 211/2'' cover of uniform 0.09'' wall
thickness weight is about 1.85 lbs. A corresponding cover in
accordance with the just described embodiment of the invention has
a weight of about 1.1 lbs.
[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a cover 122 according to an alternative
embodiment of the invention. The cover 122 has similar elements to
those of the cover 22 and are renumbered by adding 100 to the
reference numbers from FIG. 2. The cover 122 includes wall
thickness of the concentric ring region 134 gradually decreasing
transitioning from the peripheral flange 138 to the central
circular wall 126. Particularly, the first concentric ring 136 has
a greater wall thickness than the central circular wall 126 and the
second concentric ring 137 has a greater wall thickness than the
first concentric ring 136 and the peripheral flange 138 has a
greater wall thickness than the second concentric ring 137.
[0032] With the cover 122, transitions occur at points labeled T.
Wall thickness of the peripheral flange 138 is A; of the second
concentric ring longer side 152 is B; of the second concentric ring
shorter side 150 and first concentric ring shorter side 148 is C;
of the first concentric ring longer side 146 is D; and of the
central circular wall 126 is E. In one embodiment of the invention
the dimensions are A=0.09''; B=0.08''; C=0.075''; D=0.065'' and
E=0.06''.
[0033] Thus, in accordance with the invention, there is provided a
unitary cover including reduced wall thickness in non-critical
areas to reduce weight.
* * * * *