Blow molded drum

• US 6,045,000 A
• Filed: 12/02/1997
• Issued: 04/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Entegris Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fluroware, Inc.
• Inventors: Hennen, John M., Rauworth, Barry Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): POLLARD, STEVEN M
• Application Number:
  US08/982,671
• Time in Patent Office: 854 Days
• Field of Search: 220/601, 220/608, 220/634, 220/4.05, 220/203.01
• US Class Current: 220/601
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/12 Cans, casks, barrels, or drums
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/20 characterised by location or arrangement of filling or discharge apertures
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 11/06 Drums or barrels thermally insulated B65D81/3802
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 11/08 Arrangements of filling or discharging apertures
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2231/005 the container being rigid
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0283 specially adapted for transferring liquids of high purity
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0288 Container connection means for dispensing beverages on draught B67D1/0829
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0294 Combined with valves

Abstract

A plastic blow molded drum has unique top and bottom structure providing protection and strength for the drum and attachments. An integrally formed top structure with a sufficiently deep recess provides protection for drum inserts and associated closures. Additionally, the bottom structure includes a sump and structural member formed by the pinched-off parisan during the blow molding process. The drum has a top wall, a cylindrical side wall, and a bottom wall defining an open interior. The top wall has an access port comprising a fitting integrally formed with the drum. The fitting having an upwardly extending neck with inside threads and a top shoulder. A drum insert is engaged with the fitting and provides an additional second threaded fitting and a second shoulder both extending upwardly above the shoulder of the integral fitting. A closure comprising a plug portion and a threaded nut portion engages the second threaded fitting, closes the port, and extends above the second shoulder. The closure has an uppermost portion, which may be a protective cover or venting valve handle. The protective recess may suitably be formed by the chime and/or further downward recessed portions of the top wall such that the first fitting, the second fitting, and the closure, including the uppermost portion of the closure are all below the top edge of the chime.

Claims

1. A combination plastic molded drum, drum insert, and closure, the plastic molded drum comprising a cylindrical wall, a top structure, and a bottom structure:

the top structure, the cylindrical wall, and the bottom structure all integrally molded;

the top structure comprising a top wall and a chime having a top edge extending circumferentially around, upwardly, and radially outward with respect to said top wall, the top wall comprising an integrally molded recessed portion, the top structure further comprising an upwardly extending first fitting integrally molded with the recessed portion, the first fitting having a first neck portion with a threaded portion and a first shoulder,

the drum insert comprising a base portion, an integral second fitting portion, and a downhole tube portion, the base portion sized for threadably engaging the first neck portion, the second fitting comprising a second threaded neck portion and a shoulder portion, the second fitting positioned above the base portion such that when the drum insert is assembled with the first fitting the second fitting is above the first fitting,

the closure comprising a plug portion and a handle, the plug portion sized to sealingly plug into the second fitting, handle extending circumferentially around the plug portion and rotatably secured thereto, the handle threadably engageable with the second fitting to secure the closure in place on the drum insert,

the recessed portion positioned such that the first fitting, the drum insert, and the closure do not extend above the top edge of the chime.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the recessed portion is localized around the first fitting.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the recessed portion extends substantially throughout the top wall.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein the closure comprises a vent outlet and a vent valve for relieving pressure within the drum.

5. The combination of claim 4 further comprising a cover extending over the handle, the vent outlet, and vent valve.

6. A combination blow molded plastic drum, drum insert, and closure, the plastic molded drum comprising, a cylindrical wall, a top structure, and a bottom structure, the top structure and the cylindrical wall integrally molded;

the top structure comprising a top wall, an integral recessed portion, an upwardly extending first fitting, and an upwardly extending chime;

the top wall, the recessed portion, the first fitting, and the chime all integrally molded;

the drum insert comprising a base portion threadably engaging the first neck portion, and a second fitting extending upwardly from the base portion, the second fitting having threads positioned above the first fitting, and a downtube portion extending downwardly from the base portion;

the closure comprising a plug portion and a nut portion, the plug portion sized to plug the second fitting, the nut portion extending around the plug portion and threadably engageable with the second fitting to secure the closure in place on the drum insert; and

the chime extending above the closure when the closure is secured on the drum insert.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein the first fitting has internal threads and the base portion has cooperating external threads.

8. The combination of claim 6, wherein the recessed portion is localized around the first fitting.

9. The combination of claim 6, wherein the recessed portion extends substantially throughout the top wall.

10. The combination of claim 6, wherein the closure comprises a vent outlet and a vent valve for relieving pressure within the drum.

11. The combination of claim 6, wherein the first fitting extends from the recessed portion a distance not more than substantially one half the vertical distance between the recessed portion and the top edge of the upperwardly extending chime.

12. A plastic molded drum comprising, a cylindrical wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and an upwardly extending chime extending from the top wall, all of which are integrally molded, the drum further comprising a first fitting extending upwardly from the top wall, a drum insert threadably attached to the first fitting, having a second fitting extending upwardly from the first fitting and a downhole tube portion extending downwardly from the base portion, the drum further comprising a closure having a plug portion and a nut portion, the plug portion engageable into the second fitting, the nut portion threadably engageable with the first fitting, the closure extending upwardly from the second fitting, the chime and top wall configured such that the closure does not extend above the chime.

13. The combination of claim 12, wherein the first fitting has internal threads and the base portion has cooperating external threads.

14. The combination of claim 12, wherein the closure comprises a vent outlet and a vent valve for relieving pressure within the drum.

15. The combination of claim 12, wherein the first fitting extends from the top wall a distance not more than substantially one half the vertical distance between the top wall the uppermost portion of the chime.

16. A blow molded plastic drum formed from a parison, the drum comprising a cylindrical wall, a top structure, and a bottom structure, the bottom structure and the cylindrical wall integrally molded;

the bottom structure comprising a downwardly extending chime with the lower surface defining a resting plane for seating on a horizontal surface, a bottom wall portion, the bottom wall portion having formed therein a sump, a centrally positioned upwardly relieved area, a channel extending in a generally circular direction around the centrally positioned upwardly relieved area and an elongated web member traversing below the upwardly relieved area and extending downwardly substantially to the level of the resting plane, said member providing support for the upwardly relieved area and formed from the parison pinched off during the blow mold process.

17. The drum of claim 16 wherein the channel is inclined toward the sump.

18. The drum of claim 16 wherein the bottom wall at the channel is raised from the resting plane.