Abstract:
The invention relates to a system for securing a cover on a container by providing a retaining mechanism having a projection that is received by corresponding apertures and/pr cavities in the cover and container, thus preventing the rotation of the cover with respect to the container. The cover can include a projection, such as a gas outlet, by which the retaining mechanism can be anchored to the cover. A sealing assembly can be received in the gas outlet, and include a projection extending outward from the gas outlet thus preventing the removal of the retaining member until the sealing assembly is removed. Preferably, the sealing assembly also closes a gas aperture in the cover when inserted into the gas outlet.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a rotation mechanism for sealing transport containers for liquids.  
         [0002]     An example of a clamping ring used for sealing transport containers is disclosed in the form of a lid for a pot in EP 1 215 138 B1, in which a pressure release device is provided on the lid and a locking ring fits around the lip of the pot for substantially creating a seal with the pot. A part of a securing mechanism extends horizontally from the pressure release device, and a bolt pointing downwards is provided on the end of the securing mechanism, wherein the bolt is received by an aperture in the clamping ring.  
         [0003]     This securing mechanism and others like it can have various shortcomings. The securing mechanism can become deformed, and it can be difficult to take apart the pressure release valve or the securing mechanism. Furthermore, in such a case it is necessary to replace the valve and the securing means, which is associated with considerable costs.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, a system and method for securing a cover onto a container is provided, including a visual verification that the cover is secured. In one embodiment of the invention, a retaining mechanism is provided which prevents the cover from being inadvertently lifted from the container, more specifically, from being rotated when in the locked position.  
         [0005]     Another embodiment of the invention provides a securing assembly for ensuring that the retaining mechanism cannot be inadvertently removed from the cover unless the securing assembly is disassembled or broken. A user is thus visually alerted to the risk, ensuring that the user either replace the securing assembly or take necessary precautions while handling the container.  
         [0006]     In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a retaining mechanism comprises a projection that engages a corresponding cavity or aperture in a cover, a container with which the cover creates a seal when in the locked position, and a latching ring, which maintains the cover in place on the container.  
         [0007]     The object of the invention under consideration is therefore to create a more reliable and economical system for securing a cover by latching a clamping ring than presently available.  
         [0008]     It is also an object of the invention to provide a system for securing a cover by latching a clamping ring providing a securing element that is not easily deformed.  
         [0009]     A further object of the invention is to provide a system for securing a cover by latching a clamping ring that is easy to use, that can be assembled and disassembled relatively simply.  
         [0010]     The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.  
         [0011]     The invention accordingly comprises the several steps and the relation of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others, and the apparatus embodying features of construction, combination (s) of elements and arrangement of parts which are adapted to effect such steps, all as exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a front elevational cross-sectional view of a container and cover in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a partial view of a cover, fastener and retaining mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3   a  is a partial view of a cover and fastener in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3   b  is a perspective view of a retaining mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross sectional view of a container, cover, fastener and retaining mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0018]     Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. In general, a system for securing a cover on a container is provided. In one embodiment of the invention, a fastener, such as a clamping ring, secures the cover in place and helps create a seal between the cover and the container. It is preferable for a seal to be created to prevent leakage, especially if the container is filled with liquid. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamping ring covers the seal formed between the cover and the container, thus protecting it and helping to prevent it from being broken.  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is an illustrative depiction of a container generally indicated as  1  in which liquids can be held. Container  1  preferably has an outlet (not shown) proximate its lower end or on the lower area of the sidewall. Preferably, container  1  is suitable for being transported. For example, container  1  can have castors  8  as shown. Alternatively, container  1  can be transported using forklifts or the like, rather than being rolled. Container  1  can thus be formed as a transport container.  
         [0020]     In accordance with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , container  1  comprises a tank  2 , which has an opening generally indicated as  4  proximate its upper end. Opening  4  can provide access to the interior of the tank  2 , for example, for maintenance work, cleaning or the like. It is common for opening  4  to be called a “manhole”.  
         [0021]     At least during transport, it is preferable for container  1  and thus opening  4  to be closed, more preferably sealed, to prevent the contents of container  1  from spilling or leaking out of container  1 . A cover  3  can be placed on container  1  to close opening  4 . Cover  3  is preferably placed on a seal  6 , which can facilitate sealing cover  3  and container  2 . A fastener  5  can be provided to apply pressure on cover  3  onto container  1  to keep cover  3  in place with respect to container  1  and can also shield cover  3  and container  2  where they meet.  
         [0022]     Reference will now be made to  FIG. 2 , wherein a portion of cover  3  and faster  5  is shown with gas outlet  7  and a retainer  10  are shown. Retainer  10  preferably prevents fastener  5  from being shifted out of place, and preferably, from being inadvertently released from container  1 . In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , fastener  5  is placed on container  1  so that a notch generally indicated at  12  of fastener  5  receives a pin  13  of container  1 . Once pin  13  is received in notch  12 , fastener  5 , which can either be connected to or be independent from cover  3 , is preferably rotated, thus permitting pin  13  to enter a channel generally indicated at  12   a  of notch  12 . Therefore, once fastener  5  is in this locked position, neither fastener  5  nor cover  3  can be removed simply by pulling at it. Rather, fastener  5  must be rotated until pin  13  is no longer within channel  12   a  of notch  12  before fastener  5  and cover  3  can be pulled away from container  1 .  
         [0023]     However, an additional verification that cover  3  is properly in place is provided by retainer  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3   b,  retainer  10  comprises a projection  11  which can be inserted into a corresponding aperture in fastener  5 . Preferably, container  1  has a corresponding aperture or cavity for receiving projection  11 . Therefore, when projection  11  is received by fastener  5  and container  1 , fastener  5  is substantially prevented from rotating or shifting, thus preventing the inadvertent release of pin  13  from notch  12 .  
         [0024]     Notches  12  and pin  13  interact in such a way that fastener  5  can be rotated into a latching position in which cover  3  sits firmly on container  1  or a position in which fastener  5 , preferably together with cover  3 , can be removed from container  1 . The interaction of projection  11  and fastener  5  and container  1 , more preferably also with cover  3 , substantially prevents rotation of fastener  5 , unless projection  11  has been removed.  
         [0025]     Cover  3  preferably includes a gas outlet  7 . Gas outlet  7  is preferably constructed and arranged to relieve excess pressure in container  1 , or to limit the amount of excess pressure in container  1 . Preferably, gas outlet valve  7  can release gas from within container  1  when a predetermined pressure is reached.  
         [0026]     An exemplary embodiment of retainer  10  extends toward gas outlet  7  as shown in  FIG. 2 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3   b,  retainer  10  has a first leg  10   a  having projection  11 , first leg  10   a  extending substantially parallel to cover  3   a  second leg  10   b  extending away from cover  3 , and a third leg  10   c  having an aperture generally indicated at  19 . Aperture  19  preferably can receive at least a portion of gas outlet  7 . In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , when retainer  10  is properly positioned to retain fastener  5  and cover  3  in place with respect to container  1 , projection  11  is received by container  1  and third leg  10   c  is positioned such that gas outlet  7  is at least partially received within aperture  19 .  
         [0027]     In accordance with the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , gas outlet  7  comprises a hollow housing  40  and includes a plug assembly  14  therewithin. Plug assembly  14  preferably comprises a plug  22  which can substantially seal a gas aperture  25  in container  1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , top  30  exerts a pressure on a spring  23  and thus plugs  22  toward container  1  to close gas aperture  25 . Alternatively, when the pressure within container  1  is greater than desired, plug  22  can be pushed outward in order to permit gas to exit container  1 . Gas outlet  7  preferably comprises one or more openings  26 , more preferably proximate cover  3 . The gas escaping from container  1  can thus exit through the one or more openings  26  to relieve the pressure within container  1 . Once the desired pressure is achieved, plug  22  preferably substantially seals gas aperture  25  again. It is to be understood that whereas a spring  23  is preferred, for example, because it permits the movement of plug  22  without requiring the movement of a top  30  of plug assembly  14 , this selective movement can be provided in a variety of ways without the use of a spring.  
         [0028]     Top  30  preferably includes one or more protrusions  15 , and gas outlet  7  preferably comprises one or more top notches generally indicated at  16 . According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, plug assembly  14  is inserted into housing  40  of gas outlet  7  until protrusions  15  are received by top notches  16 , whereupon top  30  is rotated until protrusions  15  are sufficiently within top-notch channel  16   a.  Thus, top  30  is substantially prevented from being removed from gas outlet  7  by merely pulling it. Rather, top  30  must be rotated and then pulled in order to be removed from gas outlet  7 .  
         [0029]     The combination of protrusions  15  and top notch  16  provide an additional benefit. It can prevent the removal of retainer  10 . Once retainer  10  is positioned so that gas outlet  7  is received within aperture  19  and projection  11  is sufficiently received by container  1 , protrusions  15 , which extend outwardly from gas outlet  7 , can prevent the removal of retainer  10 .  
         [0030]     In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a bolt  31  provides an additional reassurance as well as a visible indicator that retainer  10  is properly in place. In the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 2 , top  30  has a groove  28 . When top  30  is rotated to and properly positioned, groove  28  aligns with one or more bolt apertures  27  of gas outlet  7 . Therefore, once retainer  10  and plug assembly  14  are properly positioned, bolt  31  can be slid through a first bolt aperture  27 , through groove  28  and through a second bolt aperture  27 , such that bolt  31  is located within groove  28  with a portion of bolt  31  extending outward from gas outlet  7 . Thus top  30  can be prevented from being rotated unless bolt  31  is removed or broken. This can thus substantially prevent the removal of retainer  10  as long as container  1  is still under pressure.  
         [0031]     Whereas groove  28  can be preferable because it can prevent top  31  from being rotated to release protrusion  15 , it is not necessary. Alternatively, bolt  31  can be positioned above top  30 , thus preventing top  31  from being removed without removing or damaging bolt  31 .  
         [0032]     As described above, certain embodiments of the invention provide assurance that container  1  is properly closed, and a confirmation of the authenticity of the seal between cover  3  and container  1 , thus substantially preventing accidental opening and spilling of the contents of container  1 .  
         [0033]     Whereas gas outlet  7  is illustrated as being cylindrical and extending substantially perpendicularly from cover  3 , it is to be understood that gas outlet  7  can take other forms, such any extending at an acute or obtuse angle, being cubical, curved, etc., without deviating from the scope of the invention. Additionally, aperture  19  can be a different shape, for example, rectangular, oval, etc. without deviating from the scope of the invention.  
         [0034]      FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of cover  3  and fastener  5  secured to container  1 , wherein retainer  10  prevents cover  3  from being removed from container  1 . The embodiment of container  1  has a flange  20  that extends around opening  4 . A seal  21  lies on flange  20 , and as shown, fastener  5  and cover  3  are pressed on to seal  21 . As illustrated, fastener  5 , cover  3  and flange  20  have apertures preferably aligned and suitable for receiving projection  11 . Projection  11  of retainer  10  can be inserted through these apertures to prevent fastener  5  from being rotated about container  1 . Projection  11  is preferably covered by first leg  10   a  of retainer  10 , which can protect projection  11  from becoming deformed.  
         [0035]     In the embodiment show, first leg  10   a  extends substantially parallel to cover  3  until it meets second leg  10   b  at a substantially 90 degree angle, which then meets third leg  10   c  at a substantially 90 degree angle. However, it is to be understood that the connections between second leg  10   b  and first leg  10   a  and/or third leg  10   c  need not be at substantially 90 degrees, but can be an acute or obtuse angle. Alternatively, the connection can be gradual, rather than at a defined angle. Additionally, the connection between first leg  10   a  and second leg  10   b  can be recessed from cover  3  and first leg  10   a  can extend away from cover  3 , which may facilitate assembly. Furthermore, first, second and/or third leg  10   a,    10   b,    10   c  can be curved rather than straight as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3   b,  and can be separate pieces rather than one integral piece.  
         [0036]     One method by which fastener  5  can be removed in accordance an embodiment of the invention includes removing bolt  31  from groove  28 . Top  30  is then rotated to release protrusions  15  from top notch  16 . Gas outlet  7  is thus made non-functional or is opened completely. The pressure exerted by spring  23  against plug  22  is thus removed, and therefore plug  22  retracts away from gas aperture  25 . Any excess pressure in container  1  is consequently relieved, and the interior of container  1  is thus at ambient pressure. By removing the plug assembly  14 , retainer  10  can be pulled away from cover  3  until it is released from gas outlet  7 . Simultaneously, projection  11  is also pulled out of the apertures of fastener  5 , cover  3  and flange  20  until projection  11  fastener  5  is released. Once projection  11  is removed, fastener  5  can be rotated to release pin  13  from notch  12 , after which fastener and thus cover  3  can be removed from container  1 .  
         [0037]     The invention can be particularly advantageous for transport containers in which the persons who fill the containers are not the ones who empty the containers. The latter are thus often not familiar with all the technical details of the transport containers. Therefore, a transport container that prevents faulty operation, such as opening the manhole when the container is under pressure, as provided in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, can be advantageous. The examples provided herein are merely exemplary, as a matter of application specific to design choice, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any way.  
         [0038]     This completely removable retainer  10  can also facilitate replacement of retainer  10  should the need arise. For example, if retainer  10  becomes deformed, or broken, etc., a new retainer can simply be used and the unusable retainer discarded. This can also reduce maintenance cost by permitting partial replacement rather than the replacement of the entire cover or container. However, retainer  10  is preferably formed of a substantially resilient material that is substantially resistant to deformation, chipping, cracking, etc.  
         [0039]     Thus, while there have been shown and described and pointed out novel features of the present invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the disclosed invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.  
         [0040]     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.