Receptacles – Closures – Removable closure situated by resilient distortion and...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-19
2001-08-28
Newhouse, Nathan J. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Closures
Removable closure situated by resilient distortion and...
C220S276000, C220S781000, C220S780000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279774
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a cover that can be securely locked to a container to prevent cover removal during handling and storage.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
There is an ongoing demand for container assemblies capable of providing a secure lock between the cover and container. It is particularly desirable for container assemblies to withstand the forces caused by handling during shipment and storage. Containers are known to be inadvertently dropped, tipped, overstacked, and otherwise mishandled. It is important for container assemblies to maintain their integrity despite such mishandling.
Container assembly integrity is particularly important for plastic containers of relatively large size (e.g., 3.5 gallons or more) that are used to contain “Regulated Materials” (as defined by the United States Department of Transportation) such as toxic, corrosive, flammable and poisonous materials in liquid or non-liquid form. The United States Department of Transportation sets minimum performance requirements based on container contents. Similar requirements in the United States Code of Federal Regulations govern drop-tests, burst-strength and other standards to assure that containers will not burst or spill during shipment or during rough handling at filling or storage facilities. Although it is particularly important that containers filled with Regulated Materials adhere to governmental regulations, container integrity is of course desirable for many other uses as well.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved locking mechanism for a container assembly.
It is another object of the invention to provide a cover that can be securely locked to a container to prevent removal of the cover from the container during handling and storage.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a container assembly that is stackable.
Other objects will be apparent to those of skill in this art in view of the following descriptions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one preferred aspect of this invention, the container assembly's cover includes an outer skirt extending downwardly adjacent to its perimeter and the outer skirt defines an inwardly extending rib. The container body has an upper wall portion with a flange extending outwardly therefrom and positioned for engagement with the cover's rib. The outer diameter of the container's flange is larger than the inner diameter of the cover's outer skirt to cause interference between the flange and skirt that is preferably greater than about 0.2% as measured on the diameter. The interference is most preferably in a range from about 0.8% to about 1.5%.
According to another preferred aspect of this invention, the cover also includes an inner skirt extending downwardly from the cover's body and spaced radially inwardly from the outer skirt. A perimeter portion of the cover extends between the inner and outer skirts. A lock is formed by engaging the cover's rib with the container's flange upon insertion of the wall's upper portion into the radial space between the inner and outer cover skirts. The radial space is narrower than the upper portion of the container's wall and the perimeter portion of the cover has a reduced thickness and is sufficiently deformable for insertion of the wall's upper portion into the radial space for engagement.
Another preferred feature of the invention provides a plurality of supports extending between the perimeter portion of the cover in one plane and a body portion of the cover in another plane. The supports include a surface extending inwardly from the perimeter portion and an axially-extending surface that connects with the cover's body portion. The supports reduce movement of the cover's inner skirt with respect to the cover's body portion that can eliminate the need for support ribs that otherwise extend from the inner skirt toward the cover's body portion.
Yet another preferred aspect of the invention is provided to protect a container assembly against the forces that can be encountered during handling and storage. In this aspect, the cover's skirt defines an upper rib and a spaced lower rib and the container's wall defines an upper flange and a spaced lower flange. The cover's lower rib is engageable with the container's lower flange, and the cover's upper rib is engageable with the container's upper flange upon insertion of the container's upper wall portion into the radial space between the inner and outer cover skirts. An intermediate flange also extends outwardly from the container's wall at a position between the upper and lower flanges. Upon assembly, the intermediate flange resists radially inward deflection of the portion of the outer skirt between the upper and lower ribs, thereby resisting leakage and unintentional disengagement of the cover from the container.
A stackable container is also provided. The cover preferably includes a supporting surface that extends between the cover's perimeter and body portions wherein the supporting surface and the body portion together define a cover recess. The container includes a bottom portion adapted to rest on top of the body portion, and at least partially within the recess, of an underlying cover when the container is stacked on top of an underlying cover. A perimeter surface of the container's bottom portion and the supporting surface of the underlying cover are both sized to enable contact therebetween under load. The bottom portion and supporting surface cooperate with one another to resist excessive deflection of the underlying cover.
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Clute Charles P.
Davis Darrell
Newhouse Nathan J.
Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP
Southcorp Packaging USA
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