Pail, closing ring, and method for assembling a pail

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pail body having a pail end defining a pail opening, a lid closing the pail opening, and a clamping ring clamping the lid onto the pail end, wherein the clamping ring comprises a lever connected to the ends of a split clamping ring, which lever in a closed position clamps the split clamping ring onto the pail end, and in an open position widens the ring, and spring means connecting the lever to at least one of the ring ends, to the clamping ring, and a method for applying the clamping ring to a pail body.

Claims

1. Pail, comprising a pail body having a pail end defining a pail opening, a lid closing the pail opening, and a clamping ring clamping the lid onto the pail end, a split clamping ring having ends, wherein the clamping ring comprises a lever connected to the ends of the split clamping ring, which lever in a closed position clamps the split clamping ring onto the pail end and in an open position widens the split clamping ring, further comprising spring means having a spring load connecting the lever to at least one of the ends of the split clamping ring, and the pail end comprises an outwardly extending guiding surface for cooperation with the clamping ring, the spring means providing push-on operation whereby the split ring widens temporarily against the spring load to its open position when the pail end is passing though the split clamping ring and closes in response to the spring load to its closed position when the pail end has passed through the split clamping ring.

2. Pail, according to claim 1, wherein the lever comprises a lever end connected by hinge means to a first ring end, and a connector connected by hinge means to a middle lever part, and by hinge means to a second ring end, and the spring means connect the connector to the middle lever part.

3. Pail, according to claim 1, wherein the lever comprises a lever end connected by hinge means to a first ring end and a connector connected by hinge means to a middle lever part and by hinge means to a second ring end, and the spring means connects the lever end and/or the connector to the respective ring end.

4. Pail, according to claim 3, wherein the connector comprises connector strips extending laterally along the lever in the closed position, and the hinge means are slideably mounted in the connector strips.

5. Pail, according to claim 4, wherein the connector strips extend along one of the ends of the split clamping ring, and the hinge means is slideably connected to the connector strips.

6. Pail, according to claim 5, wherein the hinge means connects the connector to a middle lever part, the hinge means being slideably mounted in the middle lever part.

7. Pail, according to claim 1, wherein the spring means comprises a compression spring and/or a pull spring.

8. Pail, comprising a pail body having a pail end defining a pail opening, a lid closing the pail opening, and a clamping ring clamping the lid onto the pail end, a split clamping ring having ends, wherein the clamping ring comprises a lever connected to the ends of the split clamping ring, which lever in a closed position clamps the split clamping ring onto the pail end and in an open position widens the split clamping ring, further comprising spring means having a spring load connecting the lever to at least one of the ends of the split clamping ring, wherein the clamping ring comprises a ring edge having a guiding surface for cooperation with the pail end, the spring means providing a push-on operation whereby the split ring widens temporarily against the spring load to its open position when the pail end is passing though the split clamping ring and closes in response to the spring load to its closed position when the paid end has passed through the split clamping ring.

9. Pail, according to claim 8, wherein the ring edge comprises an inwardly extending projection which snaps behind the pail end.

10. Pail, according to claim 1, wherein the pail end is located in a necked pail body section, the pail has an outer contour, and the clamping ring and the lever reside within the outer contour of the pail.

11. Pail, according to claim 1, having dimensions such that 22 pails can be mounted on a euro pellet.

12. Clamping ring for a pail, comprising a split clamping ring having ends, a lever connected to the ends of the split clamping ring, which lever in a closed position clamps the ring onto a pail end, and in an open position opens the clamping ring, and spring means having a spring load connected to the lever and at least one of the ends of the split clamping ring, and the clamping ring further comprises a ring edge having a guiding surface for cooperation with the pail end, the spring means providing push-on operation to the clamping ring whereby the split clamping ring widens temporarily against a spring load biasing of the clamping ring and closes in response to the spring load when the pail end has passed through the split clamping ring.

13. Method for assembling a set comprising a pail lid and a clamping ring according to claim 12 onto a pail, comprising pushing the clamping ring over the lid onto the pail in a clamping arrangement, wherein the clamping ring, against spring load biasing of the spring means, temporarily widens when the pail end passes through the ring, further comprising mounting the clamping ring onto the lid, and pushing the ring mounted on the lid onto the pail.

14. Method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the pail has a pail end comprising an outwardly extending guiding surface and/or the clamping ring comprises a ring edge having a guiding surface, and during the pushing of the clamping ring over the lid the guiding surface or guiding surfaces guide the pushing of the clamping ring over the lid, and temporarily widening of the clamping ring.

15. Pail, according to claim 2, wherein the clamping ring comprises a ring edge having a guiding surface for cooperation with the pail end.

16. Pail, according to claim 15, wherein the ring edge comprises an inwardly extending projection which snaps behind the pail end.

17. Pail, according to claim 8, wherein the pail end comprises an outwardly extending guiding surface for the clamping ring.

18. Pail, according to claim 3, wherein the clamping ring comprises a ring edge having a guiding surface for cooperation with the pail end.

19. Pail, according to claim 3, wherein the ring edge comprises an inwardly extending projection which snaps behind the pail end.

20. Pail, according to claim 8, wherein the spring means comprises a compression spring and/or a pull spring.

Description

BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) Mentioned and other characteristic features of the pail, the closing ring and a method according to the invention will be further discussed and will become apparent by reference to several embodiments, which are presented for explanatory purposes but not intended to limit the invention to any extent. Thereto reference is made to the drawings, wherein

(2) FIGS. 1-3 show in perspective views the formation of a set comprising a lid and clamping ring, followed by the push on mounting of this set on a pail;

(3) FIGS. 4A-4F show steps of a method according to the invention;

(4) FIGS. 5A and 5B show in top view and perspective view the clamping ring according to the invention;

(5) FIGS. 6A-6D show more in detail the closed and opening procedure for the split clamping ring according to the invention;

(6) FIGS. 7A and 7B show in perspective view an alternative clamping ring according to the invention;

(7) FIGS. 8A and 8B show in another perspective view another split clamping ring according to the invention;

(8) FIG. 9 in top view the optimal storage of pails provided with the lid and clamping ring according to the invention; and

(9) FIG. 10 in cross section an alternative of the pail of the invention as shown in FIG. 4F.

ILLUSTRATED DISCUSSION OF THE DETAILED EMBODIMENTS

(10) FIGS. 1-3 show a pail 1 according to the invention, and the mounting on the pail body 2 of a lid 3 with a clamping ring 4. As shown, the clamping ring 4 is first mounted onto the lid 3, and this set 5 is pushed on the pail body 2 according to the arrow 6. The push on mounting of the set 5, in particular the clamping ring 4 onto the pail body is accomplished by temporarily widening the lever closure 7 for the split clamping ring 4.

(11) FIGS. 4A-4F show the push on method according to the invention. The set 5 comprises the lid 3 and the clamping ring 4. The lid 3 comprises a central panel 8 surrounded by a counter sink 9 and ending in a curled lid edge 10. The clamping ring 4 comprises a downwardly directed skirt 12 provided with an inwardly directed projection 13 and ending in an outwardly extending guiding surface 14. The diameter of the projection 13 is such that the lid edge 10 is resting on the projection 13 but may move still along the skirt 12. In this respect it is noted, that the projection 13 may be a circumferential projection, or may comprise projection parts which are circumferentially spaced.

(12) The pail body 2 comprises a pail end 15 provided with an outward curl having an elongated form and provided with a guiding surface 17.

(13) When the set 5 is mounted onto the pail body 2 the set 5 rests with the guiding surface 14 onto the guiding surface 17 of the curl 16. Pressing the push on force according to arrow 6, results in a sliding of the guiding surface 14 over the guiding surface 17 whereby the distance between the clamping ring 4 and the lid edge 5 decreases, see FIG. 4C. The ultimate position, in which the clamping ring 4 has its largest diameter by widening the clamping ring 4, is shown in FIG. 4D. Subsequently, the projection 13 snaps under the spring load of the spring means 34, behind the curl 16 (see FIG. 4E), and the ultimate closed position is shown in FIG. 4F, in which the curl 16 is in intimate contact with the projection 13 forming a reliable snap connection. In this situation there is a close contact in between the lid 3 and the pail end 15 because of the inter position of a compound 18.

(14) FIGS. 5A and 5B show in more detail the clamping ring 4 provided with the lever closure 7. The lever closure 7 comprises a lever 19 comprising a connector 20 connected to a middle lever part 21 and to an end 22 of the clamping ring 4.

(15) FIGS. 6A-6D show the construction and function of a first embodiment of the lever closure 7 according to the invention.

(16) FIG. 6A shows the lever closure 7 according to the invention. The lever 19 is connected with its lever end 23 to a ring end 24. The connection is via hinge means 25 comprising a hinge pin 26.

(17) The connector 20 comprises two connector strips 27 extending along the lever 19. The connector is connected at the connector end 28 to the ring end 22 via hinge means 25 comprising a hinge pin 29. The other connector end 30 is connected to the middle lever part 21 via hinge means 25 comprising a hinge pin 31. As shown more clearly in FIG. 6B, the hinge pin 31 connected to the connector strips 27 is guided in a slot 32 formed in the lever front part 33. Spring means 34 in the form of a zig-zag spring 35 is connected with the hinge pin 31 and at the other end with a pin 36 connected to the lever 19.

(18) FIG. 6C shows that when the lever closure 7 is opened, by turning the lever 19 in the direction of the arrow 37 that the pin 31 slides in the slot 32.

(19) FIG. 6D shows that when a hoop force is exerted on the clamping ring 4 urging the clamping ring to increase its diameter, that the distance d between the ring end 22 and 24 increases, because the connector strips 27 with the pin 31 slides through the slot 32 against the spring force of the spring means 34. When the hoop force is reduced, the spring means 34 urge the connector to its position as shown in FIG. 6B whereby the distance d between the ring ends 22 and 24 is reduced to its original distance. It is appreciated, that this temporary widening is accomplished while the lever 19 is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 6A and there is no need for bringing the lever 19 in an opened position as shown in FIG. 6C.

(20) FIGS. 7A and 7B show an alternative lever closure 38 according to the invention. In this case, the hinge pin 31 is stationary and connects in stationary manner the connector strips 27 with the middle lever part 21. In this case, the ring end 22 is provided with strips 39 provided with a slot 40 in which the hinge pin 29 slides and is connected with spring means 41 to a pin 42 connected to the strips 39. In the same manner as discussed in relation to the lever closure 7, when urging a circumferential hoop force on the clamping ring 4, will result in a sliding of the pin 29 in the slot 40, towards left end of the slot 40 thereby widening the clamping ring 4 and the distance between the ring ends 22 and 24. Release of the hoop force, will result in a movement of the pin 29 in the slot 40 towards under the spring force 41 whereby the clamping ring is reduced in diameter and the ring ends 22 and 24 approach one another.

(21) FIGS. 8A and 8B shows a further alternative of a lever closure 43 according to the invention. In this case, the ring end 24 via spring means 34 connected to the pin 36 which is slidable in a slot 45 under the spring force of spring means 34. Accordingly, in the same manner as described in relation to the lever closures 7 and 38, upon generating a hoop force, the pin 26 will slide in the slot 45 against the spring force of spring means 34 whereby the clamping ring widens and increases in diameter. Release of the hoop force will result in a sliding of the pin 36 in the slot 45 such that the ring ends 22 and 24 will approach one another and the clamping ring will obtain its original form.

(22) Although not described in detail as an embodiment of the invention it is evident that in an alternative embodiment of the invention the clamping ring comprises a lever connected to the ends of a split clamping ring which lever in a closed position clamps the ring onto a pail end, and in an open position opens the clamping ring, and spring means connected the lever at least one ring end.

(23) Moreover, the hinge means may be slideably connected in the middle lever part or in the connecting strips.

(24) It is noted that these lever closures 7, 38 and 43 according to the invention are dimensioned such, that they will provide a sufficient clamping force for clamping the lid 3 on the pail body 2. Such that the pails filled to its volume will be product (such as paint and ink), water and air tight during normal handling, transport and use. When complying with the UN-approval, the pails filled to its volume will pass the drop test, such as a drop test for 20 liter pails for a drop test height of 1.80 m.

(25) Still, when applying a push on force, when the clamping ring contacts and presses on the pail end, a sufficient hoop force is generated for temporarily widening the clamping ring 4, whereby the clamping ring may pass over and snaps beyond the pail end. Such push over force is adjusted to the clamping force of the closure and of the spring force of the spring means. The clamping force is for instance determined by the distance between the on the one hand the pins 29 and 31 of the lever in comparison to the distance between the pins 31 and 26 of the lever. This determines the clamping force of the lever 19, in particular when in its closed position the lever takes an over centered position in view of the pin 26 and the pins 29 and 31.

(26) The pails are generally made of metal, such as steel, plated steel and the like, and have diameters up to for instance 286 mm, and having a wall thickness of the pail body of about up to 0.35 mm.

(27) Although not discussed in detail, the lever closures according to the invention may still be provided with temper proof means which would make noticeable an undesired opening of the lever 19. On the other hand, the levers may be provided with arresting means, such that an undesired opening of the lever is avoided.

(28) FIG. 9 shows pails 1 according to the invention of which the lid 3 is clamped on the pail body using a clamping ring 4 provided with a lever closure 7 according to the invention. The lever closure 7 has an arc length L which is of such length, that the lever closure may be confined in the interstitial space 47 between the pails 1. Such pails having a content of about 20 liter and an outer top diameter of 296 mm, such that 22 of such pails may be stacked on a euro pellet.

(29) In this respect it is noted, that the outer dimension of the clamping ring 4 is such that it remain within the confinement of the pail body. Thereto, it is preferably and even desirable that the pail end with the lid end clamping ring is present in and on a necked portion of the pail body.

(30) Finally, FIG. 10 shows the pail 48 which is similar to the pail shown in FIG. 4F, but a sufficiently tight closure between pail end 15 and the lid 3 is obtained without the use of a compound 18.