DRUM RING AND LEVER SYSTEM
A two piece clamping ring and lever system for retaining removable lids to containers comprises a split circular ring. The ring first end includes outwardly extending receiving hooks. The second end of the ring includes pivot bosses comprising a pivot shaft and enlarged button. A lever with pivot shafts engages with the ring first end. When the lever is closed contact surfaces on an inwardly projecting transverse beam on the underside of the lever and outwardly projecting beams on the ring first end engage to relieve stresses on the lever pivot shafts and ring first end pivot receiving hooks. A second stress transfer relationship is engaged as an inwardly facing transverse beam extending between the sidewalls of the ring second end is slideably engaged into corresponding receiving channels outwardly facing from the ring first end thereby relieving stresses on the pivot bosses and corresponding longitudinally extending lever bearing surface.
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This application claims priority to and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/455,114, filed May 28, 2009, which claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/056,969, filed May 29, 2008, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to lidded container sealing systems and, more particularly, to a two piece polymeric clamping ring assembly for securing a lid to a container.
BACKGROUNDA wide variety of materials are stored and or transported in lidded containers, where the lid is secured to the container with a clamping ring. A number of different container, lid, and damping ring configurations have been employed.
Originally lids were secured on containers with clamping rings made of metal construction, having a generally U-shaped cross-section. However, these metal clamping rings are prone to corrode, or when painted the paint is prone to flake off, leaving particles of contamination within the container contents.
Thereafter, clamping rings of a thermoplastic construction were designed for the clamping of lids on containers without the concern for particulate contamination to the container contents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,216 to Gregory (1987) discloses a three piece thermoplastic clamping ring having a U-shaped cross-section, a clamping link, and a pivotable clamping lever; however, these clamping rings were not cost competitive with metal clamping rings meeting similar container performance criteria. U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,537 to Bordner (1992) discloses a two piece polymer clamping ring designed for use in securing a lid to a fiber container; however, when this design was employed to secure plastic lids on plastic containers, excessive stress was imposed upon the pivot shaft or pin integrally formed upon the pivot arm of the clamping system which caused the system to fail. U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,482 to Bordner (1998) discloses a lower profile two piece polymer clamping ring designed to provide a more secure union between the container and the lid than the previous Bordner design when used on fiber or plastic containers; however, this clamping system having a similar design in the pivot shaft or pin integrally formed upon the pivot arm of the clamping system is prone to fail in a similar fashion as the previous design.
Conventional designs include transverse molded pivot shafts on both the clamping ring and the pivot arm or lever. During the injection molding process these transverse molded pivot shafts are typically the last point where the polymer fills the mold. Because of the symmetrical nature of the clamping ring and lever, the polymer will fill the pivot shaft from both sides leaving a knit-line in the center of the pivot shaft. This knit-line is typically weaker than the surrounding polymer and may fracture under stresses induced as the lever is closed drawing the two ends of the clamping ring tight around the container and lid assembly, or fail as a result of stresses induced when the container is tipped or dropped.
Another common feature of these designs includes a receiving notch integrally molded to the clamping ring that receives the transverse molded pivot shaft. The receiving notch is generally C shaped and is prone to opening up under stress thereby allowing the pivot arm to disengage and the system will fail to clamp the lid to the container with sufficient force. U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,482 to Bordner (1998) discloses a stress transfer relationship between the two ends of the ring designed to relieve excess stress from the pivot arm and receiving notch interface; however, these features do not sufficiently engage each other to provide the required stress transfer to eliminate the breakage of the pivot arm or bending of the receiving notch in similar stress environments to those described above.
In one form of the conventional two piece polymer clamping ring assemblies, the pivot arm or lever has a cover portion extending over the receiving portion of the ring pivot shaft that is thermally or ultrasonically welded shut after assembly of the lever to the clamping ring. This feature is designed to secure the pivot shaft to the lever while allowing the two components to maintain a slideable relationship as the lever is opened and closed. The secondary plastic welding operation required to secure the two components together adds manufacturing cost to the assembly.
The present invention is directed at solving one or more of the problems discussed above in a novel and simple manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention discloses a two piece polymer clamping ring and lever system for retaining removable lids to containers. While providing the advantages of polymer ring attributes to mitigate contamination seen in metal counterparts, the system is easy to assemble without the addition of secondary equipment such as welding required to securely retain the ring pivot shaft in the lever.
In a preferred embodiment the polymeric clamping ring assembly is able to withstand greater stresses than conventional designs without breaking or yielding due to a combination of the nesting feature of the ring second end over the lever, the nesting of the lever over the first end of the ring, and the ability of the pivot bosses joining the second end of the ring to the lever to move independent of one another as the container is tipped over or dropped on the ring. The independent nature of the pivot bosses allows them to move with the container impact and return to their original shape without fracturing in a similar mode to the conventional transverse molded pivot shafts.
Another feature of the invention is to provide a two piece polymer clamping ring and lever system for retaining removable lids to containers. The clamping ring comprises a split circular ring, having an inwardly opening generally U-shaped channel formed of polymeric material, having first and second ends, an outer circumferential wall and oppositely disposed inwardly facing sidewalls. The ring first end including a plurality of outwardly extending receiving hooks, a plurality of outwardly facing receiving channels, and a plurality of outwardly extending stress transfer beams. The ring has an oppositely disposed second end including a flared region with mutually inwardly facing internal surfaces slideably moveable in adjacency over the outwardly facing side surfaces of the lever. The inwardly facing sidewalls of the second end of the ring include an inwardly facing transverse beam extending between the sidewalls and inwardly extending pivot bosses comprising of a pivot shaft and enlarged button. A lever having an inwardly opening generally U-shaped channel form having mutually inwardly facing internal surfaces slideably moveable in adjacency over the side surfaces of the ring first end. The lever having a pivot end,formed with a plurality of pivot shafts inwardly extending from the spaced apart sides of the lever to a pivot beam longitudinally disposed about the center of the lever underside, and a plurality of ring pivot boss receiving windows projecting through oppositely disposed lever sidewalls having pivot boss access openings extending to pivot shaft bearing surfaces spaced from the lever pivot shafts a distance selected for drawing together the ring first and second ends. The lever having an inwardly extending transverse beam between the spaced apart sides rearward of the pivot boss access opening. The lever pivot shafts are configured for pivotable engagement with the ring first end receiving hooks and the lever receiving windows are configured for slideably receiving the ring second end pivot bosses. Movement of the lever from a generally radial position to a generally tangential position during closing of the lever constricts the ring trapping the lid and container flanges in the U-shaped split ring channel.
It is another feature of the invention that the movement of the lever from a generally radial position to a generally tangential position during closing of the lever engages a first stress transfer feature between a transverse beam extending between spaced apart sidewalls of the lever underside and a plurality of outwardly facing beams on the first end of the ring. This feature transfers stresses from the lever pivot shafts and the corresponding ring first end receiving hooks.
It is another feature of the invention that the movement of the lever from a generally radial position to a generally tangential position during closing of the lever engages a second stress transfer feature between a transverse beam extending between spaced apart sidewalls of the second end of the ring underside and a plurality of outwardly facing receiving channels on the first end of the ring. This feature transfers stresses from the ring second end pivot bosses and the corresponding lever receiving windows.
Other objects of the present invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.
The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing the construction, combination of elements, and interrelationships that are exemplified in the following disclosure and the accompanying drawings.
A fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Drawings—Figures
- 20 two piece clamping ring assembly
- 22 U-shaped channel
- 24 ring first end pivot receiving hook—first
- 25 ring first end pivot receiving hook—second
- 26 ring second end (flared end)
- 28 ring lockpin lug—first
- 29 ring lockpin lug—second
- 30 lever pivot boss access opening—first
- 31 lever pivot boss access opening—second
- 32 pivot button—first
- 34 pivot boss shaft—first
- 36 lever pivot boss bearing surface—first
- 37 lever pivot boss bearing surface—second
- 38 first end of ring
- 40 lever pivot shaft—first
- 42 lever pivot shaft—second
- 43 pivot boss shaft—second
- 44 pivot button—second
- 46 container
- 48 lid
- 50 flexible gasket
- 52 annular lid rim
- 54 container upper contact surface
- 56 lid outer circumferential sidewall
- 58 container rim edge
- 60 container sidewall
- 62 Lever pivot boss—first
- 63 Lever pivot boss button—first
- 64 Lever pivot boss—second
- 65 Lever pivot boss button—second
- 66 ring second end sidewall—second
- 68 ring second end sidewall—first
- 70 ring lockpin lug aperture—first
- 72 ring lockpin lug aperture—second
- 76 ring pivot receiver opening—first
- 77 ring pivot receiver opening—second
- 78 lever sidewall—second
- 80 lever sidewall—first
- 82 ring object
- 84 lever object
- 86 lever pivot boss receiving window—first
- 88 lever pivot boss receiving window—second
- 90 lever lockpin aperture
- 92 container groove
- 94 ring inner circumferential wall
- 96 ring upper sidewall
- 98 ring lower sidewall
- 100 container rim side surface
- 102 container assembly
- 104 container assembly rim structure
- 106 lever pivot boss alignment—first
- 108 lever pivot boss alignment—second
- 110 lever longitudinal pivot beam
- 112 lever detent ribs—first
- 114 lever detent ribs—second
- 116 ring detent ribs—first
- 118 ring detent ribs—second
- 120 lever transverse stress transfer rib
- 122 ring stress transfer beam—first
- 124 ring stress transfer beam—second
- 126 ring transverse stress transfer beam
- 128 ring stress transfer receiving channel—first
- 130 ring stress transfer receiving channel—second
- 132 ring first end cutaway
- 134 ring second end cutaway
In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, as shown in
The rim structure of the container assembly 102 is shown in general at 104 in
Sidewall 68 of ring second end 26 has an inwardly extending boss comprising pivot boss shaft 43 and pivot button 44. A similar boss comprising pivot shaft 34 and pivot button 32 extends inwardly from the ring second end 26 opposite sidewall 66 as shown in
Comparing
While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.
Claims
1. A two piece clamping ring and lever system for retaining removable lids to containers, comprising:
- a split circular ring, having an inwardly opening, U-shaped channel and having first and second ends, said ring first end including opposed, outwardly facing side surfaces; said ring second end including a pivot boss having a fixed end by which it is mounted to the ring second end and further having a free end configured to extend into an interior region of the ring second end; and
- a lever having an inwardly opening U-shaped channel, having mutually inwardly facing internal surfaces slideably moveable in adjacency over the side surfaces of the ring first end, said lever having an end configured for pivotable engagement with the ring first end; said lever having a pivot boss bearing surface, against which the pivot boss is rotatably receivable, whereby said ring first and second ends are drawn together as said lever is moved from a radial position to a tangential position to close the split circular ring.
2. The two piece clamping ring and lever system of claim 1, in which the lever comprises a longitudinally extending slot in which the pivot boss is slidable, the pivot boss bearing surface being provided at an end of the slot.
3. The two piece clamping ring and lever system of claim 2, in which the lever comprises a side wall and the slot extends through said lever side wall.
4. The two piece clamping ring and lever system of claim 3, in which the pivot boss comprises a pivot shaft receivable through said slot and the pivot boss free end comprises a button receivable adjacent a said lever internal surface.
5. The two piece clamping ring and lever system of claim 4, in which the slot comprises an access opening through which the button may be passed for engagement with said lever internal surface.
6. The two piece clamping ring and lever system of claim 1, in which the lever end is formed with a pivot shaft inwardly extending from a side of the lever to a pivot beam longitudinally disposed on the lever underside at least partially in said inwardly opening U-shaped channel; the lever end pivot shaft being engageable with an outwardly extending receiving hook provided on said ring first end.
7. The two piece clamping ring and lever system of claim 6, comprising an axially aligned pair of said lever end pivot shafts.
8. The two piece clamping ring and lever system of claim 6 in which:
- said lever second end comprises inwardly facing sidewalls and an inwardly facing transverse beam extending between said sidewalls;
- said ring first end outwardly extending receiving hook being configured with an outwardly facing receiving channel, said ring second end inwardly facing transverse beam configured to engage said ring first end outwardly facing receiving channel in a stress transfer relationship as said lever is moved from a radial position to a tangential position during closing of the clamping ring, thereby relieving stresses on said ring second end pivot boss and said lever corresponding pivot shaft bearing surface.
9. The two piece clamping ring and lever system of claim 1 wherein:
- said ring first end comprises an outwardly extending stress transfer beam and said lever comprises an inwardly facing transverse beam between spaced apart sides of said lever, configured to engage said ring first end outwardly extending stress transfer beam in a stress transfer relationship as said lever is moved from a radial position to a tangential position during closing of the clamping ring.
10. The two piece clamping ring and lever system of claim 4 wherein:
- said lever comprises a pivot boss alignment surface configured to provide a secondary capture region for said pivot boss button, acting in slideable engagement with the inwardly disposed surface of said pivot boss button for slideably retaining said pivot boss button when the clamping ring system is exposed to dynamic shock conditions.
11. The two piece clamping ring and lever system of claim 1 comprising a pair of said pivot bosses disposed one each on opposite sides of the ring second end and a pair of said pivot boss bearing surfaces disposed one each on opposite sides of the lever.
12. In a container assembly wherein a cylindrical container is provided having a bottom and cylindrical sidewalls extending to an annular end portion defining a top opening and a removable lid overlying said opening, a two piece clamping ring and lever system for retaining said removable lid to said container, comprising:
- a split circular ring, having an inwardly opening, U-shaped channel and having first and second ends, said ring first end including opposed, outwardly facing side surfaces; said ring second end including a pivot boss having a fixed end by which it is mounted to the ring second end and further having a free end configured to extend into an interior region of the ring second end; and
- a lever having an inwardly opening U-shaped channel, having mutually inwardly facing internal surfaces slideably moveable in adjacency over the side surfaces of the ring first end, said lever having an end configured for pivotable engagement with the ring first end; said lever having a pivot boss bearing surface, against which the pivot boss is rotatably receivable, whereby said ring first and second ends are drawn together as said lever is moved from a radial position to a tangential position to close the split circular ring.
13. The container assembly and two piece clamping ring and lever system of claim 10, in which the lever comprises a longitudinally extending slot in which the pivot boss is slidable, the pivot boss bearing surface being provided at an end of the slot.
14. The container assembly and two piece clamping ring and lever system of claim 13, in which the lever comprises a side wall and the slot extends through said lever side wall.
15. The container assembly and two piece clamping ring and lever system of claim 14, in which the pivot boss comprises a pivot shaft receivable through said slot and the pivot boss free end comprises a button receivable adjacent a said lever internal surface.
16. The container assembly and two piece clamping ring and lever system of claim 13, in which the slot comprises an access opening through which the button may be passed for engagement with said lever internal surface.
17. The container assembly and two piece clamping ring and lever system of claim 12, in which the lever end is formed with a pivot shaft inwardly extending from a side of the lever to a pivot beam longitudinally disposed on the lever underside at least partially in said inwardly opening U-shaped channel; the lever end pivot shaft being engageable with an outwardly extending receiving hook provided on said ring first end.
18. The container assembly and two piece clamping ring and lever system of claim 17, comprising an axially aligned pair of said lever end pivot shafts.
19. The container assembly and two piece clamping ring and lever system of claim 17 in which:
- said lever second end comprises inwardly facing sidewalls and an inwardly facing transverse beam extending between said sidewalls;
- said ring first end outwardly extending receiving hook being configured with an outwardly facing receiving channel, said ring second end inwardly facing transverse beam configured to engage said ring first end outwardly facing receiving channel in a stress transfer relationship as said lever is moved from a radial position to a tangential position during closing of the clamping ring, thereby relieving stresses on said ring second end pivot boss and said lever corresponding pivot shaft bearing surface.
20. The container assembly and two piece clamping ring and lever system of claim 12 wherein:
- said ring first end comprises an outwardly extending stress transfer beam and said lever comprises an inwardly facing transverse beam between spaced apart sides of said lever, configured to engage said ring first end outwardly extending stress transfer beam in a stress transfer relationship as said lever is moved from a radial position to a tangential position during closing of the clamping ring.
21. The container assembly and two piece clamping ring and lever system of claim 15 wherein:
- said lever comprises a pivot boss alignment surface configured to provide a secondary capture region for said pivot boss button, acting in slideable engagement with the inwardly disposed surface of said pivot boss button for slideably retaining said pivot boss button when the clamping ring system is exposed to dynamic shock conditions.
22. The container assembly and two piece clamping ring and lever system of claim 12 comprising a pair of said pivot bosses disposed one each on opposite sides of the ring second end and a pair of said pivot boss bearing surfaces disposed one each on opposite sides of the lever.
23. A two piece clamping ring and lever system for retaining removable lids to containers, comprising:
- a lever and
- a split circular ring having an inwardly opening, U-shaped channel and having first and second ends, said ring first end including opposed, outwardly facing side surfaces; said ring second end including a pivot shaft by which the lever is mounted to the ring second end;
- in which the lever comprises an inwardly opening U-shaped channel, having mutually inwardly facing internal surfaces slideably moveable in adjacency over the side surfaces of the ring first end, said lever being formed with a pivot shaft inwardly extending from a side of the lever to a pivot beam longitudinally disposed on the lever underside at least partially in said inwardly opening U-shaped channel; the lever end pivot shaft being engageable with an outwardly extending receiving hook provided on said ring first end.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 23, 2013
Publication Date: Jan 16, 2014
Applicant: AMERICAN FLANGE & MANUFACTURING CO., INC. (Carol Stream, IL)
Inventor: Dale W. TAYLOR (Hamilton, IN)
Application Number: 14/033,732