THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERIC ATTACHMENT SYSTEM FOR TRANSFER OF PARTICULATE MATERIALS

• US 20100253071A1
• Filed: 03/26/2010
• Published: 10/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steve M. Lloyd
• Original Assignee: Steve M. Lloyd
• Inventors: Lloyd, Steve M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,187,197 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/236
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 1/28 Controlling escape of air or dust from containers or receptacles during filling
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 39/007 Guides or funnels for introducing articles into containers or wrappers
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 69/181 by means of sealed systems

Abstract

A system for attaching a thin film sleeve to a drum using a flange made of thermoplastic material. The inner surface of the flange having an integrally molded portion, where the integrally molded portion is used to create a seal with a different thermoplastic material. The second thermoplastic material can be attached to the drum, thereby forming a seal between the drum, the second thermoplastic material, and the flange. The outer surface of the flange being integrally sealed with the thin film sleeve, thereby creating a barrier between any product being transported through the sleeve to the drum.

Claims

1. An attachment system for use between a flexible containment structure and a drum comprising:

an annular thermoplastic material with an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface;

the inner circumferential surface comprising a molded edge that contains an integrally molded raised portion; and

the outer circumferential edge being configured to form a seal with a second thermoplastic material.

2. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins and thermoplastic elastomers.

3. The attachment system of claim 1, further comprising:

a receiver;

the receiver comprising a plurality of grooves configured to receive the integrally molded raised portion.

4. The attachment system of claim 3, further comprising

a drum, wherein the receiver is circumferentially sealed to an outside wall of the drum.

5. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material is compounded with at least one additive selected from the group consisting of thermal stabilizers, compatibilizers, pigments, extenders, slip additives, and flow enhancers.

6. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the annular thermoplastic material is in the shape of a flange, wherein the flange comprises the inner circumferential surface and oriented perpendicular to the outer circumferential surface.

7. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the integrally molded raised portion has a profile that is selected from the group consisting of O-ring, Half O-ring, square, lip seal, and triangle.

8. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the seal is a heat seal or a bonded seal.

9. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the second thermoplastic material is a polyolefin film.

10. The attachment system of claim 2, wherein the polyolefin is polypropylene.

11. An attachment system for use between a flexible containment structure and a drum comprising:

an annular thermoplastic material with an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface;

the inner circumferential surface comprising a molded edge that contains an integrally molded raised portion;

the outer circumferential surface being oriented perpendicular to the inner circumferential surface and being configured to integrally connect with a second thermoplastic material;

a rigid mechanical docking interface comprising a corrugated surface, wherein the corrugated surface contains at least one ridge and at least one groove and wherein the corrugated surface is configured to form a removable seal with the inner circumferential surface where the integrally molded raised portion is in removable contact with one of the at least one groove, and one of the at least one ridge is in contact with the inner circumferential surface.

12. The attachment system of claim 11, further comprising:

a drum, wherein the rigid mechanical docking interface is circumferentially sealed to an outside wall of the drum.

13. The attachment system of claim 11, wherein the integrally molded raised portion has a profile that is selected from the group consisting of O-ring, Half O-ring, square, lip seal, and triangle.

14. The attachment system of claim 11, wherein the thermoplastic material is compounded with at least one additive selected from the group consisting of thermal stabilizers, compatibilizers, pigments, extenders, slip additives, and flow enhancers.

15. An attachment system for use between a flexible containment structure and a drum comprising:

an annular thermoplastic material with an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface;

the inner circumferential surface comprising a molded edge that contains an integrally molded raised portion, wherein the integrally molded portion has a profile selected from the group consisting of O-ring, Half O-ring, square, lip seal, and triangle;

the outer circumferential surface being oriented perpendicular to the inner circumferential surface and being configured to integrally connect with a second thermoplastic material, wherein the second thermoplastic material is a flexible containment structure;

a rigid mechanical docking interface comprising an outer corrugated surface, wherein the outer corrugated surface contains at least one ridge and at least one groove and wherein the corrugated surface is configured to form a removable seal with the inner circumferential surface where the integrally molded raised portion is in removable contact with one of the at least one grooves, and one of the at least one ridges is in removable contact with the inner circumferential surface;

a drum, wherein the drum comprises at least an outside wall;

the rigid mechanical docking interface comprising an inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the rigid mechanical docking interface forms a seal to the outside wall of the drum.