Patent Application
20140060124
This invention relates generally to the storage of chemical or otherwise hazardous materials in drums or barrels, and more specifically to a lock mechanism for locking a barrel, or the pump of a barrel, containing hazardous materials.
Strict regulations apply to the handling, storing, and use of chemicals and other hazardous materials, such as cleaning materials, especially in areas where food processing takes place. The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) instituted strict regulations regarding the presence and storage of cleaning materials, and other hazardous materials, during food processing. Current practice requires that during food processing, barrels and drums containing hazardous materials must be locked up. This may require that the barrels be physically moved between a secured and locked area during food processing to an area that is easily accessible during cleaning. This transportation is not convenient nor efficient given the potential size and weight of the barrels filled with cleaning materials.
As such, there is a need for a locking mechanism that can be utilized on a chemical barrel so as to abide by the safety regulations, while also allowing the barrel to remain in an area during food processing, and also allowing for the pump apparatus to remain within the barrel bung, thereby providing easy and quick access to the material when cleaning is commenced.
The present invention provides a device for locking a barrel and/or barrel pump.
In one aspect of the invention, the barrel lock includes a substantially tubular lock body sized and configured for placement about a barrel opening, a bung stopper, or a pump apparatus positioned in said barrel opening. The tubular lock body may be capable of assuming at least an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position, the tubular lock body extends about a lock body axis and forms a lock body opening. The barrel lock also includes a closure mechanism sized and configured to engage with the lock body, wherein when the closure mechanism is engaged with the lock body, the closure mechanism at least partially covers the lock body opening. The barrel locks also includes a locking mechanism on the lock body configured to retain the lock body in the closed position and to retain the closure mechanism in engagement with the lock body.
The tubular lock body may have at least two lock body segments wherein a first segment is rotatably coupled to a second segment, wherein each segment is rotatable about a hinge axis.
The tubular lock body may have two lock body segments rotatably coupled at a hinge portion, and rotatable about a common hinge axis.
The closure mechanism may have an engagement member to engage with the lock body, a hooked portion having a distal end, and a ledge at the distal end.
The closure mechanism may have an elongated engagement member to engage with the lock body, a hooked portion having a distal end, and a ledge at the distal end, and the engagement member may be configured to engage with the hinge.
The hooked portion of the engagement member may be substantially flat.
The locking mechanism may have a pair of separated flanges extending from the lock body, radially from the lock body axis. Each flange may comprise an aperture for receiving a locking means.
The locking means may be a padlock.
The barrel lock may be configured such that when the closure mechanism is engaged with the lock body, the ledge is positioned between the flanges below and in at least partial vertical alignment with the apertures.
The lock body may also have a cutaway section for receiving a pump spout therethrough.
The invention also includes a method for using and securing the device to lock the pump or barrel opening.
Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
The segments 22, 24 each have a connecting edge 22a, 24a and a distal edge 22b, 24b. In the closed position, the distal edges 22b, 24b come together to at least substantially enclose the lock body 20 about the lock axis 21. There may be a cutaway portion 23 formed in one or both of the distal edges 22b, 24b to allow for passage of a pump spout 83 therethrough when the body 20 is in a closed position, as shown in
Each of the segments 22, 24 may have an engagement ledge 62 on the inner face 22c, 24c at the bottom end 38 of the lock body. The engagement ledge 62 accommodates securing the pump lock 10 over the pump 82 and/or the barrel opening 88 by reaching below a ridge 63 in the perimeter of the barrel opening 88 and prohibiting the upwards movement and removal of the lock 10 from the barrel opening 88 when the pump lock 10 is in a closed position and locked. This secures the pump lock 10 over the opening 88 even when there is no pump 82 present.
The flanges 26 are generally spaced apart when the lock body 20 is in the closed position to accommodate the passage and the positioning of the closure mechanism 40 at least partially between the two flanges 26.
The hooked portion 44 is configured to extend substantially perpendicular to the engagement member 42 for a portion 44a thereof to extend over the upper opening 25 of the pump body 20 when in the second closed position, as shown in
The second, parallel portion further comprises the ledge 46 at the distal end, which is configured to assist in the locking of the pump lock 10 and interact with the locking apparatus 30, such as the flanges 26 and locking mechanism 50 of a preferred embodiment. When the latching mechanism 40 is engaged with the lock body 20, the ledge 46 extends outwardly to be positioned at least partially between the flanges 26. In the preferred embodiment, the second, parallel portion extends downward at a necessary length such that the ledge 46 is positioned below the apertures 29 in the flanges 26. Furthermore, the ledge 46 and apertures 29 preferably at least partially overlap in longitudinal alignment, such that when a locking mechanism 50, such as a padlock, is passed through the apertures 29, longitudinal, upwards movement of the latching mechanism 40 is prevented by way of the ledge 46 being restricted by the locking mechanism 50. This longitudinal overlap can be accomplished by selecting a specific diameter 43 of the hook portion 42, or by selecting a specific length 45 of the ledge 44, or both in combination. This, therefore, locks the lock body 20 in the second, closed position, and also locks the latching mechanism 40 in engagement with the lock body 20. This accommodates the locking of the pump lock 10 over the pump or bung hole, because upwards removal of the entire lock 10 is prevented by the pump spout 83 extending through the lock body 20 that is locked in the second, closed position and therefore cannot be opened and removed. The lock also prevents manipulation of the pump 82, by way of the latching mechanism 40, by preventing access to the pump 40 by locking the latching mechanism 40 in engagement with the lock body 20 over the lock body opening 25.
The hooked portion 44 may be substantially semi-circular in shape, as shown in
The barrel lock 10 may be constructed of any strong material for which breakage would not be a concern, such as stainless steel. Alternatively, other materials that may present advantages in certain aspects may be used, such as injection molded plastic which may be a more cost-effective material.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
