Patent Publication Number: US-2009230140-A1

Title: Reinforcing member for sealed container

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention pertains to devices and systems for packaging products in a sealed container, and more particularly, to containers having a reinforcing member for maintaining the integrity of the container seal. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many products are shipped to end-users around the globe every day. Some products are stored and packaged in canisters, which may be sealed to prevent the enclosed items from exposure to ambient conditions. Some canisters are hermetically sealed to prevent exposure to air and/or humidity that may oxidize or otherwise corrode the products. These containers help to preserve the freshness of the packaged items. Examples of sealed, packaged products range from edible substances to industrial consumables. One specific type of product relates to welding consumables, and more specifically to welding electrodes. Stick welding is one very common type of welding procedure. The procedure utilizes a finite length welding rod that is consumed during the welding process. Stick electrodes function best when stored in air tight canisters. 
     Some canisters that store welding rod are constructed from durable but relatively thin sheets of material. The sheets are formed into a cylindrical tube and fused at the longitudinal seam. The respective ends of the tube are rolled to form a lip that receives a cap and/or an end plate. The cap at one end of the canister may be fitted with a removable pop-open cap providing easy access to the contents of the container. The cap is typically manufactured with a scored circumference and a pull tab is included for manually removing the cap. The distal end of the canister receives a more rigid, permanently affixed end plate. To receive the end plate, the tube is rolled to form a lip. The end plate is subsequently crimped to the lip thereby affixing the end plate to the tube, creating an airtight seal. It is noteworthy to mention that in the packaging process, the pop-open cap may be installed before the end plate, since the pop-open cap is naturally more fragile and susceptible to damage. Accordingly, the welding rod may be first placed into the canister having the pop-open tabbed cap already installed, there after the end plate is crimped sealing in the contents until needed by the end user. 
     During handling and shipment, the canisters may be dropped, knocked together or may otherwise collide with other articles. Impact thrusts the product within the canister against the canister walls. The inertia deforms the cylindrical tube frequently breaching the hermetic seal and exposing the contents of the canister to ambient conditions. Even relatively low impact shock can affect the integrity of the canister seal. For welding rod in particular, it is vital to ensure that the canister remains in tact even after it is delivered to the end user. 
     What is needed is a reinforcing member that helps maintain the seal of an airtight container. The reinforcing member should be easy to install and remove. Additionally, it should be the inexpensive to manufacture. The reinforcing member should help to preserve the integrity of canister seal by supporting the walls of the canister, absorbing force that might otherwise deform the canister walls. The embodiments of the subject invention obviate aforementioned problems. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The embodiments of the present invention pertain to a system for containing associated materials including a container body having at least a first opening enclosed by a removable seal, and means for protectively supporting the container body for substantially preventing impact forces from breaking the removal seal. 
     In one aspect of the embodiments of the subject invention said means for protectively supporting includes a reinforcing member configured to protectively support the container body proximal to the at least a first opening. 
     In another aspect of the embodiments of the subject invention, the reinforcing member extends at least partially around the circumference of the container body, and wherein the reinforcing member is substantially rigid for preventing the container body from deforming under pressure. 
     In yet another aspect of the embodiments of the subject invention, the reinforcing member is a contiguously formed, unitary article, and may be generally concave. 
     In another aspect of the embodiments of the subject invention, the at least a first opening of the container body is hermetically sealed. The seal may comprise a removable pop-open, tabbed cap. 
     In still another aspect of the embodiments of the subject invention, the system may include a resealing member extending at least partially around the circumference of the container body in replacement of said means for protectively supporting for resealing the at least a first opening. 
     In even another aspect of the embodiments of the subject invention, the resealing member may be constructed from a generally pliable polymer and may be readily separable from the container body. 
     In another aspect of the embodiments of the subject invention, the configuration of the reinforcing member is constructed to match the circumference of a first end of the container body. 
     In even yet another aspect of the embodiments of the subject invention, the system may include means for holding the reinforcing member in place during transportation, which may include but is not limited to: fasteners, adhesives, and the like. 
     In another embodiment of the subject invention, a method of preserving the integrity of a container seal for a container having one or more walls and at least a first opening hermetically enclosed by the container seal, includes the steps of providing means for jacketing the one or more walls of the container, and strengthening the container from associated impact forces thereby protecting the one or walls from deforming under pressure. 
     In one aspect of the embodiments of the subject invention, said means for jacketing includes a substantially rigid reinforcing member configured to closely match the circumference of the one or more walls. 
     In another aspect of the embodiments of the subject invention, other steps include juxtaposing the substantially rigid reinforcing member to the exterior of the one or more walls of the container. 
     In yet another aspect of the embodiments of the subject invention, the step of juxtaposing the substantially rigid reinforcing member, includes juxtaposing the substantially rigid reinforcing member to the exterior of the one or more walls of the container proximate to the at least a first opening. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sealed container according to the embodiments of the subject invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an open canister containing one or more articles according to the embodiments of the subject invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of canister, a reinforcing member, and a re-sealing member according to the embodiments of the subject invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same,  FIG. 1  shows a container for holding various articles, depicted generally at  10 . The container  10  may be used to package a plurality of articles  13 , shown in  FIG. 2 , for storage or transportation purposes. As such, the container  10  may be generally rigid, or semi rigid. In one embodiment, the container  10  may be a tubular receptacle constructed from metal or metal alloy. Alternatively, paper-based products or other fibrous material may be used to construct the tubular receptacle. However, persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand the application of the embodiments of the subject invention to any size or shape of container  10 , as well as any material used to construct the container  10 . By way of example, the figures depict a generally cylindrical canister  12 . The canister  12  may be used to contain rod-like articles, such as for example, welding rods  16 . However, the type of articles  13  contained by the canister  12  should not be construed as being limited to welding materials or even rod shaped articles. Rather any type of article  13  may be stored in the canister  12  as is appropriate for use with the embodiments of the subject invention. 
     In the current embodiment, the canister  12  may be constructed from a tubular member having first and second ends  20 ,  21 . Each of the first and second ends  20 ,  21 , may be capped for sealing the contents of the container  10  from exposure to ambient conditions. In one embodiment, the first end  20  of the canister  12  may be hermetically sealed with a pop-open, tabbed cap or seal  17 . The seal  17  may therefore be readily removable. More specifically, the seal  17  may be removed without the use of tools. The second end  21  of the canister  12  may also be sealed, which may comprise a more permanently affixed end plate  23 , or end cap  23 . In an exemplary manner, the second end  21  of the tubular member may be rolled and the end plate  23  crimped in place so as to form an airtight seal. However, it is to be understood that any type of seal and manner of sealing the first and second ends  20 ,  21  of the canister  12  may be chosen with sound engineering judgment. It is also noted that any sequence of sealing the first and second ends  20 ,  21  and filling the canister  12  with articles  13  may be selected without departing from the intended scope of coverage of the embodiments of the subject invention. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the container  10  is shown including a plurality of rod-like articles  13 , which by way of example may be a plurality of welding rods  16 . Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand the affect of impact from the articles  13  on the walls of the container  10  resulting from sudden deceleration of the container contents. Namely, the inertial forces from the rod-like articles  13  will tend to flatten out the walls of the container  10 , deforming its circumference from the original shape, having the undesirable affect of breaching the seal  17 . While the container  10  is depicted to be generally circular, similar affects may occur to any configuration of container  10 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 3 , for illustration purposes, a reinforcing member  30  is shown positioned adjacent to the first end  20  of the container  10 . Operationally, the reinforcing member  30  may be placed over the first end  20  of the container  10  for protectively supporting the walls of the container  10  and the seal  17  from damaged during handling and/or transportation. In particular, the reinforcing member  30  may function to absorb or diffuse forces that may otherwise impact the container  10 , and more particularly, may deform the container walls thereby breaking the integrity of the seal  17 . Accordingly, the reinforcing member  30  may be configured to closely match the contour of the first end  20  of the container  10 . More specifically, the reinforcing member  30  may fit tightly over the container  10 . That is to say that the clearance between the reinforcing member  30  and the container  10  may be close to or substantially zero. In this manner, force impacted at the first end  20  of the container  10 , whether internally or externally, will be directed away from the container walls by the reinforcing member  30 . 
     In the current example, the reinforcing member  30  may have a generally circular cross-section matching the cylindrical contour of the container  10 . Additionally, the reinforcing member  30  may include one or more concentric sections having differently sized diameters that correspond directly to the diameters of the container  10 . The reinforcing member  30  may further include side walls  33  that extend longitudinally along the container  10  forming a generally concave reinforcing member. Any length of side walls  33  may be selected as is appropriate for use with a particular container  10 . In this manner, the side walls  33  extend at least partially along the length of the container  10 . In one embodiment, the length of the side walls  33  may range from 0.25 inch to 5 inches. It is noted here that the configuration of the reinforcing member  30  and the container  10  should not be construed as limiting, but rather exemplary in nature. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand the application of the embodiments of the subject invention to any configuration of reinforcing member  30  and container  10 . The reinforcing member  30  may also extend radially around the circumference of the first end  20  of the container  10  shielding it from direct impact on the exterior as well as reinforcing the wall structure from deformation caused by forces from within the container  10 . Alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein the reinforcing member  30  extends only partially around the circumference of the container  10 . In any manner, the reinforcing member  30  may be constructed as a rigid member capable of channeling impact forces away from the walls and/or end plates of the container  10 . 
     The reinforcing member  30  may be constructed from a polymer material. In one embodiment, the reinforcing member  30  may be constructed from a thermoplastic material, like for example acetal. In another embodiment, the reinforcing member may be constructed from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), like Santoprene™ as developed by Advanced Elastomer Systems. Still, the reinforcing member  30  may be constructed from any material as is appropriate for use with the embodiments of the subject invention. Accordingly, the reinforcing member  30  may be fashioned via a plastic molding process like for example injection molding. In this way, the reinforcing member  30  may be manufactured as a contiguously formed, unitary article. However, the reinforcing member  30  may alternatively be assembled from multiple individual components without departing from the intended scope of coverage of the embodiments of the subject invention. 
     In operation, the container  10  may be filled with welding rods  16  and sealed in a manner consistent with the aforementioned description. The reinforcing member  30  may then be positioned adjacent to the first end  20  of the container  10  and snugly secured thereon. It may be desirable to incorporate means for holding the reinforcing member  30  in place during transportation, like for example fasteners. Such fasteners may include light adhesives such as that developed by the 3M Corporation. Still any means of holding the reinforcing member  30  in place may be chosen. When access to the container contents is desired, the user may remove the reinforcing member  30  and pop open the seal  17  providing direct access to the articles  13  stored inside. Additionally, the container  10  may include a re-sealing cap  37 , shown in  FIG. 3 . The re-sealing cap  37  may also be contoured to match the circumference of the container opening. However, the re-sealing cap  37  may be crafted from a more pliable material that minimizes exposure of container contents to ambient conditions when installed. The user may cover the container opening by replacing the reinforcing member  30  with the re-sealing cap  37 . In this manner, the container  10  may utilize two covers, one that protects against impact and another that re-seals the open container  10 . 
     The invention has been described herein with reference to the described embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalence thereof.