CN1732115B - Bucket including safety seal - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a container (1), particularly a plastic container, preferably in the form of a bucket. The bucket includes a lid (2) for sealing the container, the lid having a receiving area (4) wherein an edge (3) defining the container opening engages and remains in a sealed position. The invention is characterized by interacting locking elements (10-14) and sealing surfaces (16-19) disposed in the receiving area of the lid and on the edge of the container opening. The locking elements are configured such that when the container is in a closed state, the sealing surfaces are reliably pressed against each other to form a seal that is released only by breaking the lid.

Description

Bucket including safety seal

technical field

The present invention relates to a container, in particular a plastic container, preferably in the form of a bucket, having a lid closing the container, said lid having a receiving area, a container rim delimiting the container opening when the container is in the closed state Engage and stay in the zone.

Background technique

Containers for the safe transport of liquid or pasty hazardous substances have been known for a long time. Common to these containers is that they must be sufficiently leak-tight to prevent escape of the hazardous substance being transported. Secondly, they must be equipped with a closure to ensure safe closing of the container, even under extremely high loads. In particular, such containers and their closures must also withstand the loads that may occur in the event of an accident, for example if the container is dropped from a certain height.

Such containers known in the prior art in particular comprise barrels or drum-shaped containers, the caps of which are securely screwed onto the container, forming a threaded closure. To ensure the closure, metal clips are additionally provided, which press the cap onto the container or prevent the screw closure from unscrewing. There are also closure systems that, after the cap is installed on the container, are flanged to prevent leakage. It is also known to glue or weld the cover or closure in the system, or to glue or weld an additional sealing film therein.

A common disadvantage of these container or closure systems is that they are complex and difficult to handle; for such objects that require a high degree of automatic control, the closure method is particularly problematic.

Contents of the invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a leakproof and securely closable container suitable for transporting hazardous substances in liquid or pasty form, which is simple and efficient to manufacture and handle.

This object is achieved by a container having the features of claim 1 . Useful embodiments form the subject of the dependent claims.

The container of the present invention, preferably configured as a barrel or drum, has a lid for closing the container, said lid having a receiving area therein in which the edge of the container opening engages and remains in the closed state . To this extent, the container of the invention is based on known containers.

However, compared with the prior art, the present invention adopts a completely different solution to solve the existing problems. The container of the present invention achieves secure and tight closure of the container by providing securely interconnectable catch members and corresponding cooperating sealing surfaces. Ease of handling and manufacture is ensured by a secure connection formed by latches and suitable sealing surfaces. Efficient use of the container is thus guaranteed.

The secure connection formed by the closure is preferably configured such that the lid of the container can only be released if at least part of the lid or part of the container is broken. The user thus has the assurance of being able to prove that there was a first opener, since only containers that have never been opened are unbroken, whereas containers that have been opened will either have a damaged lid or a damaged container.

According to a preferred embodiment of the container, the receiving area of the lid and the edge of the container opening are engaged on the closure of the container, i.e. a latch forming a secure connection, and the sealing surface is designed so that it can be placed on the lid; i.e. closing the container is This is done by translating the lid relative to the container. It is particularly advantageous if the lid is simply pushed onto or clipped onto the container from above. This allows the container to be automatically closed by the machine, since translation or pushing or clamping operations can easily be performed on the machine.

According to a preferred embodiment, at least two, preferably three or more, pairs of latches are provided in the receiving area of the lid and at the edge of the container opening, since multiple pairs of latches allow the lid to be fastened at several points, thus Helps close containers securely. The term "pair of latches" here does not refer to only two latches which are securely locked together, but may refer to a large number of latches which, however, are considered to be one in view of their similar configuration and the same mode of operation. Locking pair. This applies, for example, to closures formed by splitting.

According to a preferred embodiment of the container, at least two, preferably three or more, pairs of closures are designed so that at least one of the pairs of closures is different from the other pair of closures, in this case In this manner, the movement required to disengage one pair of latches is different from the movement required for the other pair of latches. This means that not all closure pairs can be disengaged immediately by a single movement of a part of the lid, ie the receiving area of the lid or the edge of the container opening. Instead, a different movement is required to disengage the latch pair as a whole, ensuring that a complex movement is required. It has proven particularly useful to provide at least two pairs of latches, which require opposing movements to disengage the latches. A particularly advantageous solution is, for example, a part of the receiving area that needs to be moved both outwards and inwards for the purpose of opening. This method therefore goes beyond the need for different, in particular opposite movements, to release the circumferential closure positioned on the opposite side. Here, these are quite different pairs of latches, which means that they are adjacent to each other, for example one above the other.

The provision of different types of closure pairs that require different movements to disengage the closure has the additional advantage that in this way, when the closure pairs form a secure connection, it is also possible for the closures provided in the receiving area of the lid and on the edge of the container opening. The sealing surfaces create a suitable clamping action. Even though a pressure of the sealing surfaces against each other is already achieved by suitable dimensioning of the lid and container opening, the provision of different closure pairs as described above ensures an additional contact pressure which can be reliably maintained in many stress situations.

In addition to the separately arranged sealing surfaces, it is advantageous to provide mating sealing surfaces on the latches that form a secure connection, because especially when different types of latch pairs are used, movement in different directions is required to disengage the latches. An interlock is achieved, which results in the securely locking latches being pressed against each other to a certain extent and thus forming a sealing surface.

According to a preferred embodiment, in particular in the form of an inserted or sprayed gasket, additional seals can be provided in the receiving area of the lid and/or in the edge of the container opening.

In order to achieve the so-called first-time opening guarantee, it can also be advantageous to provide a predetermined separation position in the receiving area of the lid and in the opening edge of the container, those areas which are easily detached in order to ensure a safe and non-releasable connection . In particular, it is advantageous to provide a predetermined separation position in the receiving area of the lid and on the edge of the opening of the container, which results in the partial receiving area of a pair of closures with different functions and/or the partial lid being unloaded, because this type of locking Pairs in particular prevent the release of reliable connections.

According to a preferred embodiment, the receiving area of the lid is substantially U-shaped in cross-section, the receiving area being open at the bottom in order to accommodate the edge of the opening of the container therefrom. The legs of the U-shaped receiving area surround the edge of the container opening and are securely held in a securely locked manner by means of a latch. At the same time the sealing surfaces are firmly pressed together, thus ensuring a sealing effect.

Of course, a large number of different combinations of detent hooks, latches, snap grooves, etc., and suitably configured sealing surfaces can be provided. In the shaped receiving area, there are two latches or detent hooks on the inner side of the outer leg, which interact with two latches on the outer side of the edge of the container opening. On its outside, the outer leg of the U-shaped receiving area also has another detent hook, which interacts with a cut-out part in the edge of the container opening, said cut-out part being arranged in the double wall part of the edge, in the edge on the outer arm. Two different closures are created by positioning detent hooks or closures on the inside and outside of the outer legs of the U-shaped receiving area and configuring corresponding cut-outs or closures in the edge region of the container opening Yes, the difference is that a latch formed by one pair of latches can be released by moving the outer legs outward, whereas to release a latch formed by the other pair of latches, the outer legs must be moved inwards.

The simple configuration of this pair of closure elements ensures, on the one hand, that the lid can be easily placed on the container by moving it vertically downwards. On the other hand, this triple locking system ensures that the lid fits securely on the container. The opposite opening movement of the different pairs of latches further ensures that the lid cannot be removed without breaking it.

In order to easily open the container without using any special special tools, and to ensure that the lid is easily closed, a constriction is designed on the outer leg of the U-shaped receiving area, so that an integral hinge or film hinge is formed in this area , which constitutes the lower portion of the outer leg. The effect of this film hinge is that the lower part of the outer leg is able to perform the movement required by the latch or detent hook and the cut-out when closing the container, ie when putting on the lid. The film hinge, the constriction, additionally offers the possibility of removing the lower part along the film hinge by simply using a cutting tool, such as a knife. Since the closures of the two different closure pairs of the receiving area are preferably arranged on the lower part of the outer leg, only one closure remains after the lower part has been removed. This last latch can be released by slightly moving the outer legs of the receiving area. This single retained closure allows continued use and reclosing of the container after the container has been opened for the first time, although it does not provide a secure closure that is guaranteed the first time. This single retaining closure also allows continued use and reclosing of the container after first opening, although it no longer ensures the secure closure that was guaranteed the first time.

For a uniform closure of the container it is preferred if the closure or the pair of closures are positioned circumferentially around the container opening and the lid; a closure interrupted or split by a recess, a ridge etc. may result in a corresponding plurality of closures, Although, as defined in the present invention, a uniform closure is advocated and one or two closures are used to form a closure pair.

Thanks to the method described above, the container of the present invention can use standard materials without special methods. Polyolefin-based plastics are preferred, especially polyethylene and polypropylene. Preferred for additional sealing facilitates no material selection is required, although depending on the application there may be special requirements regarding material selection. Only the dimensions of the components, such as the wall thickness, must be adapted to the application in order to withstand the required forces even in the case of unusual loads, for example in the event of an accident.

Description of drawings

Further advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The drawings are purely schematic.

Fig. 1 represents a kind of partially cut-away side view of the container that puts on the lid;

Figure 2 represents a detail of Figure 1 at different stages of closure (Figures 2a, 2b and 2c);

Figure 3 represents a cross-sectional view along the D-D line of Figure 2b;

Figure 4 represents a cross-sectional view along the line D-D of Figure 2c;

Figure 5 represents a perspective view of the container with the lid on;

Figure 6 shows a partial perspective view of the container with the lid removed;

Figure 7 shows two containers stacked one inside the other;

Figure 8 shows a cross-section of two covers stacked one on top of the other (Figure 8a) and a detail of Figure 8a (Figure 8b);

Figure 9 shows a top view of the container lid.

Detailed ways

FIG. 1 shows a partially cutaway side view of a closed container 1 according to the invention, that is to say with a lid 2 placed on the container 1 . In the illustrated embodiment the container 1 is in the form of a bucket to which a pivotable handle 27 is attached for portability.

As can be seen in the partially cutaway part of FIG. 1 , the container 1 has a slightly inwardly arched bottom 30 with support feet 31 on its outer edge; thus there is a gap between the bottom 30 and the support surface of the tub. small space. The container 1 also has a slightly conical, but substantially cylindrical outer shape, enabling nesting of empty containers.

Figures 2a to 2c show details of the cutaway, receiving area 4 and edge 3 of the container opening at different stages of closure of the container 1 .

In Fig. 2a, the container is still fully opened; the lid 2 rests lightly on the container opening, ie on the edge 3 of the container opening. As can be clearly seen in this detail view, the receiving area 4 is substantially U-shaped at the periphery of the lid 2 and is open at the bottom in order to accommodate the element 9 of the edge 3 of the container opening therefrom. The receiving area 4 thus has two legs 5 and 6 , the outer leg 5 and the inner leg 6 , which are connected to one another at the connection region 7 of the U-shaped base. The inside of the cover 2 is connected to the receiving area 4 via the cover connecting portion 22 ; In the exemplary embodiment shown, the receiving area 4 forms a circumferential stacking edge, so that closed containers 1 can be stacked one on top of the other. Movement relative to one another is mainly prevented by the receiving area 4 .

Two locking elements 12 , 13 are arranged on the inside of the outer leg 5 of the receiving area 4 , and a detent hook 14 is arranged on the outside of the outer leg 5 , almost at its bottom. The latches 12 and 13 and the detent hooks 14 are approximately equidistantly spaced along the outer leg 5 . Near the middle of the closure part 13, in the area between the closure part 12 and the closure part 13, a constriction is provided on the outer leg 5 of the U-shaped receiving area 4, thereby forming an integral hinge 15 or a film hinge 15; , a groove 20 is formed on the inner side of the outer leg 15 close to the middle of the locking member 13 .

On the side of the inner leg 6 opposite the inner side of the outer leg 5, a smooth sealing surface is formed; the sealing surface is somewhat angled with respect to the vertical.

In the area 7 of the connecting legs 5 and 6 of the U-shaped receiving area 4 , a space is provided in the bend 29 of the U-shaped receiving area 4 for receiving a gasket, which is not shown.

At the container opening, the container 1 has a lower portion with a double-walled rim. In this lower part of the rim 3 of the container 1 there is, in addition to the inner element 9 , an outer element 8 forming a double wall. The rim 3 of the container 1 thus consists of two parts, namely an upper first part in which the rim 3 comprises the element 9 and is single-walled, a lower second part in which the rim 3 comprises the outer element 8 and the inner element 9, and making it double-walled. On a first upper part of the rim 3 of the container 1, on the outside of the element 9, two detent hooks 10, 11 are formed, the cross-sectional configuration of which is essentially a triangular protrusion. The second lower part of the rim 3 of the container 1 has an opening 25 at the top. At the same time, the outer element 8 forms a cut-out portion 21 at the edge of the opening 5 .

The inner side of the inner element 9 of the rim 3 of the container 1 forms a smooth planar sealing surface 17 which cooperates with the sealing surface 16 of the receiving area 4 of the lid.

The closing process is shown in Figure 2b, 2c. Figure 2b shows that when the container 1 is closed with the lid 2, the element 9 is inserted into the U-shaped receiving area 4, the locking element 13 first slides over the detent hook 10, while the lower end of the outer leg 5 with the detent hook 14 is introduced into the In the opening 25 of the double wall part of the rim 3 of the container 1 .

When the container 1 is further closed with the lid 2 , as shown in FIG. 2 c , the closure element 12 also slides over the catch hook 10 and the closure element 13 slides over the second catch hook 11 . The configuration of the latches 12 and 13 and the detent hooks 10 and 11 is such that they have complementary inclined surfaces which allow the latches to slide over the hooks in the closing direction, thus preventing sliding back by positively locking the latches. At the same time, the lower part of the leg 5 is fully housed in the double-walled part of the edge 3 and the detent hook 14 rests under the cut-out part 21 when the closing is completed. Obviously, during the closing process, the lower part 33 of the outer leg 5 is pressed outwards by the detent hook 11 on the one hand, and the lower part 33 of the outer leg 5 is bent inward by the detent hook 14 on the other hand, so that it can be inserted into the double In the opening 25 of the wall edge 3. In particular this is also possible through the configuration of the film hinge 15 , which allows different movements of the lower part 33 depending on the phase of closing with the lid 2 .

In the fully closed state, it is obvious that on the one hand the locking elements 12 and 13 form a reliable connection with the detent hooks 10 and 11; In order to release all three pairs of latches, it is necessary to move the outer legs 5 outwardly to disengage the pairs of latches 12 and 10 and 11 and 13 , while an inward movement is necessary to disengage the pair of latches 14 and 21 . Due to the inclined surface bearing on the locking element 11, the locking effect of the locking element pair 14 and 21 is further enhanced when a lever effect acts in the direction of the locking position, so that the receiving area 4 is not damaged, i.e. not along the film hinge 15 Cutting off or removing the lower part 33 makes it impossible to release the locking mechanism. Only when the lower part 33 is removed along the film hinge by cutting off can the remaining closure part formed by the pair of closure parts 12 and 10 be released. This has the added advantage that after the container has been opened for the first time, everyone can see that the container is still suitable for further use and can be closed again since the lower part 33 remains in the double-walled portion of the rim.

In addition to forming the closure pair, due to the contact of the sealing surfaces 16 and 17, in particular by appropriately adjusting the size of the lid 2 with respect to the size of the container 1 or the edge 3 of the container, and the closure between the receiving area 4 and the edge 3 The mechanism is adjusted to a suitable configuration such that the sealing surfaces 16 and 17 are pressed together, thus creating a seal when the container is closed. In addition, the pairs of latches, in particular the pair of latches 12 and 10, also press the sealing surfaces together, in this case sealing surfaces 18 and 19 as shown in Figure 2c. The bending zone 29 of the U-shaped receiving area can comprise an additional, not shown gasket, which is pressed by the upper end of the element 9 against the connection area 7 of the receiving area 4, thus producing an additional sealing effect.

As can be seen in FIG. 2 c , the secure connection formed by the pair of locking elements 13 , 11 is further reinforced by a groove 20 provided on the inside of the film hinge 15 , into which the detent hook 11 can additionally engage.

Figures 3 and 4 show details in cross section of Figures 2b and 2c, in each case along the line D-D. Figures 3 and 4 show how the element 9 engages between the outer leg 5 and the inner leg 6 when the container 1 is closed. The sectional view clearly shows that a partition 23 and a reinforcing wall 24 are provided between the outer element 8 and the inner element 9 of the edge 3 and between the inner leg 6 of the cover 2 and the edge connection 22 of the cover 2, thus the second lower double wall of the edge 3 The portion has an opening 25 at the top which is substantially rectangular in cross section. The lower region of the outer leg 5 is thus provided with a supplementary recess into which the partition 23 can engage in the closed state.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are similar to FIG. 2c and show a part of the handle also hinged at the double wall of the edge 3 .

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the container 1 with the lid 2 on. This perspective view shows well how the handle 27 is articulated in rotation to the double-walled portion of the edge 3 , in particular to the outer element 8 .

In this figure, the partition 23 , the reinforcement wall 24 and the opening 25 can be seen very clearly. FIG. 5 also shows the configuration of the stack support 26 , which is arranged on the outside of the container 1 , in the lower part of the rim 3 , adjacent to the hinge point of the handle 27 . Figure 7 shows more clearly how the stack support works. Also mounted on the cover 2 is a pulling device 28 which allows the cover 2 to be removed when the lower portion 33 of the outer leg 5 of the receiving area 4 (shown above) has been removed.

Figure 6 also shows a partial perspective view with the container 1 and lid 2 removed. As can be seen from the figure, the lower part of the receiving area 4 is provided with the outer leg 5 of the detent hook 14 , which has a plurality of recesses 34 , so that the outer leg 5 can engage with the opening 25 and the partition 23 in the area of the recesses 34 have space.

FIG. 7 shows two containers 1 and 1' stacked on top of each other in a partially cutaway side view. How the stack supports 26 and 26' work is shown here more clearly, they rest on the upper edge of the element 9 when the containers are nested. This prevents the nested barrel from squeezing and ensures a defined load distribution. The side view of FIG. 7 also clearly shows that the detent hooks 10 and 11 are designed as circumferential ribs on the edge 3 , ie element 9 .

It can be seen from Figures 8a and 8b that not only the container but also the lid can be nested, as shown in Figure 8a. As shown in detail in FIG. 8 b , the connection area 7 of the receiving area 4 forms a circumferential stacking edge into which the lower end of the inner leg 6 of the upper cover 2 ′ can engage. However, in the cross-sections of FIGS. 8 a and 8 b it is clearly shown that a reinforcing wall 23 stops the inner leg 6 . The outer leg 5 is dimensioned such that the lower end of the leg 5 with the detent hook 14 is somewhat shorter than the lower end of the inner leg 6 , so that the outer leg 5 ends above the connection area 7 of the cover 2 lying below.

FIG. 9 shows a top view of the cover 2 with the periphery of the cover 2 with the receiving area 4 equally divided by the reinforcement wall 24 and the recess 34 and the detent hook 14 . Of course, although a plurality of detent hooks are formed around the periphery by means of recesses 34, these detent hooks 14 are to be understood as being used as a latch, since in particular all detent hooks 14 interact with the circumferential cut-outs 21, A latch pair is thus formed. Of course, by analogy and as the meaning of the term is used here, a latch pair can also be formed from a large number of detent hooks and latches.

Claims (20)

1. container, it is the form of bucket, lid (2) with a closing containers (1), described lid has the receiving area (4) of a U-shaped, this receiving area forms by outer leg and interior leg, when container is in closed condition, the container edge (3) that limits vessel port engages and remains in this receiving area, it is characterized in that, the outer leg (5) of the receiving area (4) of lid (2) has a disengaged position (15) of being scheduled to and has in this bottom (33) below disengaged position, described predetermined disengaged position is oriented to, make the bottom (33) of outer leg (5) of receiving area (4) be removed, at least two mutual actions and latching member with difference in functionality are to (21,14; 13,11) be arranged on point-blank on this bottom and the edge of vessel port on, this receiving area (4) and latching member make and to be arranged on sealing surfaces on the edge on the receiving area and vessel port in off position the time by force together reliably when container forming, seal to form; Wherein at least one latching member is to realize by right mobile opposite the moving of a kind of and another latching member of need throwing off to the release that is designed so that latching member, therefore in order to discharge the right locking mechanism of latching member that comprises difference in functionality, the part at the edge (3) of the part of Gai receiving area (4) or vessel port at least must move with opposite direction.

2. container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, latching member more than three or three is set to (12,10; 13,11; 14,21).

3. container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the edge (3) of the receiving area of lid (4) and vessel port is designed to, and makes that the cap for container sealing mainly is to realize by translation.

4. container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the edge (3) of the receiving area of lid (4) and vessel port is designed to, and makes cap for container sealing realize by from the top lid being shifted onto or clip on the container.

5. container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the described container (1) that is in closed condition is merely able to be released by destroying lid (2).

6. container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, sealing surfaces (16-19) is arranged with the latching member branch or is arranged on the latching member.

7. container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, at least one sealing member is arranged in the receiving area (4), or is arranged on the edge (3) of vessel port, and described sealing member is the packing seal that inserts or spray.

8. container as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, predetermined disengaged position (15) on the receiving area (4) of lid, can with receiving area and edge, have difference in functionality latching member right that part of separation, therefore the latching member that has only identical function is to keeping, so that allow the opening of container to close by enough lids.

9. container as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, the cross-sectional plane of receiving area (4) is opened in the bottom, the edge of vessel port is straight at least partially in the cross-sectional plane of first, and be contained between the interior leg (5) and outer leg (6) of U-shaped receiving area, and the arrester hook of interlocking when closing, latching member and engaging groove (20) are arranged on the inboard of an outer leg (5), and on the respective side of the first at edge, and in another leg (6) inboard and on the respective side of the first at the edge (3) of vessel port, sealing surfaces (16,17) is set.

10. container as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that, at least two arrester hooks (12,13) are arranged on the inboard of outer leg (5) of receiving area (4), and at least one arrester hook (14) is arranged on the outside of outer leg.

11. container as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that, the edge of vessel port (3) are double-walled at least in part, and the outer leg (5) of receiving area (4) is bonded in the space between two walls at edge at least in part.

12. the container as claim 11 is characterized in that, the edge of vessel port (3) are double-walleds in extending through the second portion that can be inserted into the marginal portion in the receiving area.

13. container as claimed in claim 9, it is characterized in that, the external component of the second portion of (3) (8) has a part (21) or a latching member that downcuts at the edge, arrester hook (14) mutual action on the outside of the outer leg (5) of itself and receiving area, and form a latching member to (14,21), latching member (12 on the outer inboard leg of itself and receiving area, 13) and with the outside of the element (9) of the first at the double-walled edge of vessel port on latching member (10,11) compare, need one opposite to open motion, to discharge latching member.

14. container as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that, described disengaged position (15) is that the form of film hinge is to separate with parting tool.

15. the container as claim 14 is characterized in that, described parting tool is a cutter.

16. container as claimed in claim 9, it is characterized in that, in the interior leg (5) of receiving area (4) and the join domain (7) of outer leg (6) packing seal is set, when container was in closed condition, the sealing pad was pressed into the receiving area by the upper end at the edge of vessel port.

17. the container as claim 16 is characterized in that, described packing seal is an O shape ring.

18. container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, latching member is disposed in as loop-hook or latching member (10-13) on the edge of vessel port and on the receiving area.

19. container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, is closed securely and closely when internal pressure reaches 1 crust at the container that has lid under the situation of liquid and slurry like material, and satisfies the UN permissive condition that is used for the peril of transportation liquid substance.

20. container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, is closed securely and closely when internal pressure reaches 0.8 crust at the container that has lid under the situation of liquid and slurry like material, and satisfies the UN permissive condition that is used for the peril of transportation liquid substance.

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