GB2092992A

GB2092992A - Moulded plastics containers

Info

Publication number: GB2092992A
Application number: GB8204616A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: ORLITE ENGINEERING Ltd
Current assignee: ORLITE ENGINEERING Ltd
Priority date: 1981-02-18
Filing date: 1982-02-17
Publication date: 1982-08-25
Also published as: FR2499945B3; ZA82805B; DE3129516A1; IL62154A0; FR2499945A1

Abstract

A resusable container for artillery shells or similar objects comprises an outer shell 10 formed of a reinforced plastics material, at least two tubular chambers 34 being defined in the outer shell 10, an inner shell 38, 40 disposed in each of the tubular chambers 34 and arranged to receive an artillery shell or similar object, and hand-operated closure elements 20 arranged to close an open end 14 of each of the inner shells 38,40 for removably securing the contents of the inner shells 38, 40 therewithin. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Shell canister Field of the invention The present invention relates to containers generally and more particularly to reusable containers made of high impact resistant material.

Background of the invention Artillery shells pose a number of serious packaging problems. They are large and heavy and susceptible to damage from impact. They are subject to extremely dangerous potential explosion if mishandled.

Conventionally artillery shells are supplied in single use wooden boxes, packed two to a box.

Inside the boxes, each shell is packed within an individual cardboard tube. This packing material is heavy and extremely expensive for single use applications.

Summary ofthe invention The present invention seeks to provide a reusable container for artillery shells or similar objects which is relatively light weight and which provides high impact protection to the contents thereof.

There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a multiple-use container for artillery shells or similar objects comprising an outer shell formed of a reinforced plastic material; at least two tubular chambers being defined in the outer shell; an inner shell being disposed in each of the tubular chambers and arranged to receive an artillery shell or similar object; and hand-operated closing apparatus arranged adjacent an open end of each of the inner shells for removably securing the contents of the inner shells therewithin.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention the inner shells are formed of a plastic material and are configured in a generally cylindrical configuration having a plurality of inwardly extending protrusions arranged to support a relatively narrow portion of an artillery shell therein.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the inner shell is disposed in spaced relationship with the outer shell and connected thereto by a plurality of spacer elements to provide enhanced impact protection. Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention the space between the inner and outer elements may be filled with a thermal insulator.

Still further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thermal insulation is provided between the adjacent inner shells.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention the outer shell is provided with mateable male and female protrusions to enable secure stacking of a plurality of the containers upon each other in one of four selected orientations.

Still further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention the outer shell is formed with edge recesses to securely accomodate strapping for holding a plurality of containers in stacked orientation without interfering with removal of the contents of the containers.

Brief description of the drawings The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following detaiied description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: Figures lA, 1Band 1Care respective top, side and end view illustrations of a container constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a sectional illustration taken along the lines 2 - 2 of Figure 1 B.

Detailed description of the invention Reference is now made to Figures 1A - 1 C and 2 which illustrate a reusable container for artillery shells or similar articles comprising an outer shell 10 which is typically formed of reinforced plastic. The outer shell may comprise a unitary member or alternatively be formed by suitable joining techniques of a plurality of discrete sections.

The outer configuration of the outer shell is seen in Figures 1A-1C and in Figure 2, to be generally rectangular with a closed end 12 and an open end 14.

Open end 14 is slightly broadened in all directions and is formed with a pair of apertures 16 and 18 corresponding to two openings for the ingress and egress of artillery shells or the like. Associated with apertures 16 and 18 are closure elements 20 formed with handle portions 22 and arranged for removable rotational locking engagement with the apertures 16 and 18. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, sidewall sockets 24 are provided alongside apertures 16 and 18 for engagement by suitable protrusions (not shown) attached to elements 20 for removable sealing closure in a bayonet type arrangement.

The top surface of the container outer shell 10 is formed with a pair of handle members 26 which extend parallel to the long axis of the container and which enable the container to be carried conveniently by two persons. Also disposed on the top surface of the container are a pair of protrusions 28 of oval shape arranged along an imaginary diagonal.

Arranged along the opposite diagonal are a pair of sockets 30 which are arranged for mating engagementwith protrusions arranged in corresponding locations and of the same configuration as protrusions 28.

As indicated partially in Figure 1B,the bottom surface of the container outer shell 20 is identical to the top surface described above except that the protrusions and sockets are interchanged. This arrangement provides easy and stable stacking of the containers with their openable ends 14 arranged on the same side.

A plurality of edge recesses 32 are formed in the outer shell of the container for securely receiving a tie-down strap which may be used to secure a plurality of stacked containers onto a pallet.

Referring now particularly to Figure 2, it may be seen that the outer shell 10 defines first and second generally cylindrical chambers 34, which are sepa rated by a wall of thermal insulation 36. Alternatively the thermal insulation 36 may be omitted. Disposed in cylindrical chambers 34 are a pair of inner shell members 38 and 40 which are joined by transverse ribs 42. Inner shell members 38 and 40 are typically formed from high impact resistance plastic and may be integral units or alternatively may be seamed from two or more sections.

The inner shell members 38 and 40 are spaced from the outer shell 10 by means of a plurality of spacer elements 44, which may be annular or of any other desired configuration. The space between the inner and outer shells may be filled with thermal insulation but need not be so filled.

Inner shell members 38 and 40 are formed with inwardly protruding ribs 46 which serve to tightly engage an artillery shell and which may be configured to tightly engage any non-cylindrical object which is inserted into the inner shell members 38 and 40.

Figure 2 shows shell member 40 with a shell disposed therein. At the rear of the shell there is disposed a conventional handle member 48 which engages the rear rim 50 of the shell. Disposed rearwardly of handle member 48 is a protective pad 52 mounted on the inward surface of closure element 20 to prevent accidental detonation of the explosive.

It is a particular feature of the invention that active or passive thermal insulation may be employed. By active insulation is meant materials which absorb heat through chemical changes therein and serve a heat-sinking type function. By passive thermal insulation is meant conventional materials such as fiberglass insulation which impede the transfer of heat.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and rather the scope of the invention is defined only by the claims which follow:

Claims

1. A multiple-use container for artillery shells or similar objects comprising: an outer shell formed of a reinforced plastic material; at least two tubular chambers being defined in the outer shell; an inner shell being disposed in each of said tubular chambers and arranged to receive an artilleryshell orsimilarobject; and hand-operated closing apparatus arranged adjacent an open end of each of the inner shells for removably securing the contents of said inner shells therewithin.

2. A container according to claim 1 and wherein said inner shells are formed of a plastic material.

3. A container according to claim 1 and wherein said inner shells are formed in a generally cylindrical configuration.

4. A container according to claim 3 and wherein said inner shells have at least one inwardly extending protrusion arranged to support a relatively narrow portion of an artillery shell therein.

5. A container according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said inner shell is disposed in spaced relationship with said outer shell.

6. A container according to claim 5 and wherein insulation material is interposed between said inner shells and said outer shell.

7. A container according to claim 5 and comprising spacer elements for maintaining said inner shell in spaced disposition with respect to said outer shell.

8. A container according to any of the preceding claims and also comprising an insulating material disposed between adjacent inner shells.

9. A container according to claim 8 and wherein said insulating material is active insulating material.

10. A container according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said outer shell is provided with mateable male and female protrusions to enable secure stacking of a plurality of said containers upon each other in one of four selected relative orientations of adjacent containers.

11. A container according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said outer shell is formed with corner recesses to securely accommodate strapping for holding a plurality of containers in stacked orientation without interfering with removal of the contents of said containers.

12. A container substantially as shown and described hereinabove.

13. A container substantially as shown in any of the drawings.

14. Any novel feature or combination of features described herein.