The present disclosure relates to a closure system for containers and a container including the closure system.
A container, such as a bucket, bag, and the like, is used to store and/or transport material from one location to another. The container may be used to hold material, such as tools or equipment, related to activities like construction, carpentry, mechanical work, electrical work, and the like. Such material may have considerable bulk and weight. Hence, appropriate safety measures may have to be followed during handling of the container containing such material. Failure to follow the appropriate safety measures may pose a potential safety hazard to personnel present around the containers.
For example, during transportation of the container filled with the tools, the container may be moved from one location to another at a considerable height from a ground surface. In some situations, during movement, the container may accidently open or tip over. In such a situation, the tools may spill out of the container posing a potential safety hazard to personnel present below the container. Hence, a closure assembly may be provided on the container to prevent spilling out of the material contained in the container. However, such a closure assembly may have a complicated usage procedure and/or may not be failsafe.
Additionally, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) propose a new ANSI/ISEA 121-2018 Dropped Object Prevention Standard. This Standard requires all containers with the closure system to be tested to twice that of their maximum capacity in the inverted state of the container. Such a design may prevent the material contained in the container from exiting the container and causing harm to personnel present below the container if the container were to become inverted in a fall. Hence, there is a need for an improved closure system for such containers.
In one aspect, a closure system for a container having a body is provided. The body includes a top edge and defines an internal volume extending from the top edge. The closure system includes a drawstring configured to close the top edge. The closure system also includes an internal flap spaced apart from the top edge. The internal flap includes a first side and a second side. The first side is attached to an inner surface of the body. The second side is detachably connected to the inner surface of the body. The internal flap is configured to cover the internal volume upon connection of the second side to the inner surface of the body.
In another aspect, a container is provided. The container includes a body having a top edge. The body defines an internal volume extending from the top edge. The container also includes a drawstring configured to close the top edge. The container further includes an internal flap spaced apart from the top edge. The internal flap includes a first side and a second side. The first side is attached to an inner surface of the body. The second side is detachably connected to the inner surface of the body. The internal flap is configured to cover the internal volume upon connection of the second side to the inner surface of the body.
In yet another aspect, a container is provided. The container includes a body having a top edge. The body defines an internal volume extending from the top edge. The container also includes a closure system for closing the internal volume. The container is ANSI/ISEA 121-2018 compliant.
Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description in connection with the following figures. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Like numbers used in the figures refer to like components. However, it will be understood that the use of a number to refer to a component in a given figure is not intended to limit the component in another figure labeled with the same number.
In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying figures that form a part thereof and in which various embodiments are shown by way of illustration. It is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Referring to
The container 100 includes a body 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 102 has a substantially hollow and cylindrical configuration defining an internal volume 104 of the container 100. In other embodiments, the body 102 may have any other configuration, such as rectangular, elliptical, and the like. The body 102 includes an inner surface 106 and an outer surface 108. The body 102 also includes a first portion 110 and a second portion 112. The second portion 112 is attached to the first portion 110. As shown in
The first portion 110 also includes a top edge 114. The internal volume 104 of the container 100 extends from the top edge 114 into the second portion 112. The first portion 110 also includes a bottom edge 116. The bottom edge 116 is disposed spaced apart with respect to the top edge 114. The bottom edge 116 is attached to the second portion 112. In some embodiments, the bottom edge 116 may be directly attached to the second portion 112, such as by an adhesive, stitching, and the like. In some embodiments, an additional material or fabric (not shown), such as a reinforcing material or fabric, may be attached over an attachment portion (not shown) of the bottom edge 116 and the second portion 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the second portion 112 has a substantially semi-rigid configuration. In other embodiments, the second portion 112 may have a substantially flexible configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the second portion 112 is made of canvas with hard backing. In other embodiments, the second portion 112 may be made of any material, such as cotton fabric, polymer fabric like polyester or nylon, bonded foam, knit foam, natural leather, synthetic leather, tarpaulin, or a combination thereof. It should be noted that each of the first portion 110 and the second portion 112 may include single or multiple layers of same or different materials.
The second portion 112 includes a top portion 118. In the illustrated embodiment, the top portion 118 includes a rim-like configuration. As such, the top portion 118 has a substantially rigid configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the top portion 118 is made of a Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) strip. In other embodiments, the top portion 118 may be made of any material, such as a hardboard strip, a polymer strip, a metal strip, or a combination thereof. The bottom edge 116 of the first portion 110 is attached adjacent to the top portion 118 of the second portion 112. The second portion 112 also includes a base portion 120. The base portion 120 is disposed spaced apart with respect to the top portion 118. In the illustrated embodiment, the base portion 120 has a substantially rigid configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the base portion 120 is made of a hardboard material, such as Polyethylene (PE). In other embodiments, the base portion 120 may have a substantially flexible configuration. As such, the base portion 120 may be made of any material, such as canvas, cotton fabric, polymer fabric like polyester or nylon, bonded foam, knit foam, natural leather, synthetic leather, tarpaulin, or a combination thereof.
The container 100 also includes a closure system 122. In the illustrated embodiment, the closure system 122 includes an internal flap 124. The internal flap 124 is disposed in the internal volume 104 of the body 102 and attached to the inner surface 106 of the body 102. The internal flap 124 is adapted to selectively open or close the container 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the internal flap 124 has a substantially planar configuration with a circular shape. In other embodiments, the internal flap 124 may have any other configuration, such as rectangular, oval, elliptical, and the like. Also, the internal flap 124 has a substantially semi-rigid configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the internal flap 124 is made of a hardboard material, such as Polyethylene (PE). In other embodiments, the internal flap 124 may be made of any material, such as canvas, bonded foam, knit foam, natural leather, synthetic leather, tarpaulin, or a combination thereof. The hardboard material may be covered in a fabric, such as canvas, cotton fabric, polymer fabric like polyester or nylon, or a combination thereof.
Referring to
The second side 404 of the internal flap 124 is detachably connected to the inner surface 106 of the body 102. More specifically, the second side 404 of the internal flap 124 is detachably attached to the first portion 110 of the body 102. The internal flap 124 also includes a hook and loop connection 406. The hook and loop connection 406 is adapted to detachably connect the second side 404 to the inner surface 106 of the body 102. In other embodiments, the second side 404 of the internal flap 124 may be detachably attached to the first portion 110 of the body 102 using any other fastening method, such as a button fastener, a snap-fit connection, and the like. More specifically, the hook and loop connection 406 includes a first strip 408 and a second strip 410. In the illustrated embodiment, the first strip 408 forms a hook part of the hook and loop connection 406. The second strip 410 forms a loop part of the hook and loop connection 406.
In other embodiments, the hook part and the loop part of the hook and loop connection 406 may be interchangeably provided on the second strip 410 and the first strip 408, respectively. The hook and loop connection 406 may be any detachable fastener, such as Velcro™. The first strip 408 is disposed on the second side 404 of the internal flap 124. The second strip 410 is disposed on the inner surface 106 of the body 102, and more specifically, on the first portion 110 of the body 102. Upon connection of the first strip 408 and the second strip 410, the second side 404 of the internal flap 124 is attached to the inner surface 106 of the body 102. Accordingly, the internal flap 124 is adapted to cover the internal volume 104 of the body 102 of the container 100 upon attachment to the inner surface 106.
Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, the locking member 130 is a button stopper type locking member made of Polypropylene (PP). In other embodiments, the locking member 130 may be any locking element, such as a clip type locking member, a clamp type locking member, a ratchet type locking member, and the like, and may be made of any material, such as a metal, an alloy, a polymer, and the like. As such, the locking member 130 may be pressed to release the cord 128. Further, the cord 128 may be adjusted through the locking member 130, for example by pulling the cord 128 through the locking member 130 and/or slidably adjusting the locking member 130 on the cord 128. Further, the locking member 130 may be released to lock the locking member 130 on a desired position on the cord 128 in order to selectively close or open the top edge 114.
The closure system 122 also includes a buckle 132. The buckle 132 is attached on the outer surface 108 of the body 102, and more specifically, on the first portion 110 of the body 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the buckle 132 is a clip type buckle. In other embodiments, the buckle 132 may be any buckle, such as a tongue type buckle, a military type buckle, an auto-grip buckle, an auto-lock buckle, a ratchet type buckle, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the buckle 132 is made of a polymer, such as nylon, polypropylene, polystyrene, or polythene. In other embodiments, the buckle 132 may be made of any material, such as a metal, an alloy, a polymer, and the like and/or a combination thereof.
The buckle 132 includes a male part 134 and a female part 136. The male part 134 of the buckle 132 is attached to a first side 138 of the first portion 110 using a first strap 148. The male part 134 may be attached to the first strap 148 by various methods, such as adhesives, stitching, and so forth. The male part 134 may be adjusted by adjusting an overall length of the first strap 148. The first strap 148 may be attached to the first side 138 of the first portion 110 by various methods, such as by an adhesive, stitching, and the like. The female part 136 of the buckle 132 is attached to a second side 140 of the first portion 110 of the body 102 using a second strap 150. The female part 136 may be attached to the second strap 150 by various methods, such as adhesives, stitching, and so forth. The female part 136 may be adjusted by adjusting an overall length of the second strap 150. The second strap 150 may be attached to the second side 140 of the first portion 110 of the body 102, such as by an adhesive, stitching, and the like. The second side 140 is disposed opposite to the first side 138. The male part 134 is adapted to detachably connect to the female part 136. As such, upon engagement of the male part 134 with the female part 136, the buckle 132 is adapted to retain the first portion 110 of the body 102 in a closed configuration. Also, upon disengagement of the male part 134 from the female part 136, the buckle 132 is adapted to allow the first portion 110 to be changed to an open configuration.
The container 100 also includes a support strap 142. The support strap 142 is connected to the second portion 112 of the body 102. More specifically, the support strap 142 is connected around the top portion 118 of the second portion 112 of the body 102. Referring to
The container 100 also includes a loop 210. The loop 210 is provided on the outer surface 108 of the body 102, and more specifically, on the first portion 110 of the body 102. The loop 210 is attached around the cord 128 of the drawstring 126 and the first strap 148 of the male part 134 of the buckle 132. Accordingly, the loop 210 is adapted to receive each of the drawstring 126 and the male part 134 of the buckle 132. As such, the loop 210 places the drawstring 126 and the male part 134 of the buckle 132 adjacent to each other, in turn, improving usability, convenience, and ease of operation. In the illustrated embodiment, the loop 210 is made of an elastomeric polymer, such as polyester. In other embodiments, the loop 210 may be made of any material, such as canvas, cotton fabric, polymer fabric like nylon, bonded foam, knit foam, natural leather, synthetic leather, tarpaulin, or a combination thereof.
Referring to
A method for using the container 100 will now be explained with reference to
Referring to
Referring to
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) propose an ANSI/ISEA 121-2018 Dropped Object Prevention Standard. The ANSI/ISEA 121-2018 Dropped Object Prevention Standard will hereinafter interchangeably be referred to as the “Standard”. The Standard requires all containers with a closure system to be tested to twice that of the maximum holding capacity of the container in an inverted state. The Standard is primarily designed to prevent exiting of material contained in the container, when the container may invert or fall, and, thus, prevent harm to personnel around the container due to dropped material.
The container 100 described herein conforms to the Standard. In the illustrated to embodiment, the container 100 has a maximum holding capacity of about 100 Pounds (lbs.). As such, the testing capacity for the container 100 is about 200 lbs. in the inverted state. It should be noted that the maximum holding capacity of the container 100 described herein is merely exemplary and may vary. For example, based on application requirements, different elements of the container 100 including, but not limited to, the first portion 110, the second portion 112, the internal flap 124, the drawstring 126, the buckle 132, the support strap 142, and the hook 144 may be appropriately sized or strengthened or may be constructed with material having appropriate load rating in order to increase or decrease the maximum holding capacity of the container 100. As such, a container (not shown) having a maximum holding capacity of about 250 lbs., and having a configuration similar to the configuration of the container 100, has been tested with about 500 lbs. testing capacity in the inverted state.
A testing procedure of the container 100 conforming to the ANSI/ISEA 121-2018 Standard will now be explained with reference to
Referring to
The container 100 described herein provides a simple, efficient and cost-effective method to hold and transport material therein with the Standard compliant closure system 122. As such, the closure system 122, including the internal flap 124, the drawstring 126, and the buckle 132, provides a simple, effective, and a failsafe locking of the internal volume 104 of the container 100 while preventing dropping of the material from the container 100 in case of inversion or fall of the container 100. Accordingly, the closure system 122 may provide added protection to personnel present around the container 100 against injury due to dropped material from the container 100. Further, the closure system 122 may be incorporated in any container with little or no modification to the existing system, in turn, improving product compatibility and usability.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing feature sizes, amounts, and physical properties used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified by the term “about”. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the foregoing specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing the teachings disclosed herein.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/IB2020/050882 | 2/4/2020 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62807848 | Feb 2019 | US |