Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6216907
-
Patent Number
6,216,907
-
Date Filed
Monday, December 13, 199925 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, April 17, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 220 49503
- 220 49505
- 220 49506
- 220 49508
- 220 16
- 220 404
- 220 405
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A common metal drum is used in an upside down orientation and has a drum liner system installed through the designated bottom surface thereof. The drum liner system comprises an adapter mounted through the designated bottom surface. The adapter has a relatively large opening through which the liner is easily installed and the drum can be easily inspected and repaired. In another aspect, the adapter and a liner collar share a common thread, and a cover is mountable over this common thread. The thread portion on the liner collar is selectively movable relative to the thread portion on the adapter to cause a locknut effect therebetween and to retain the cover on the adapter and the liner collar. In a further aspect, a drum liner is bonded to the liner collar and is folded inside the liner collar. A hermetic wrapper is stretched around the liner collar and the drum liner. This drum liner package is particularly advantageous for being shippable to a user in an aseptic condition and for being maintainable in this condition prior to use.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to drum liners and more specifically the present invention relates to drum liners that are mountable is common metal drums and that are washable and shippable to users in an aseptic condition and reusable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Drum liners are used primarily to prevent product contamination in metal drums and other barrels containing products that are sensitive to deterioration. Drum liners are also installed in re-used metal drums to extend the useful life of the drum. Although several designs of drum liners exist in the art, it is believed that some specific requirements of the industry have not been properly addressed in the past by prior designs.
One specific example of a very demanding industry with regard to container-related product contamination is the transportation of maple syrup. Maple syrups are recognized by their respective flavour which is relatable by the experts, to the location of a maple grove and to the setting and maple species within that maple grove. Maple syrups are very sensitive to taste deterioration, and the simple contact of the product with an improperly painted metal surface for example, or with the lightly corroded metal of a container can deteriorate its flavour beyond usability. Plastic liners have been used in the past inside metal drums and common plastic barrels for storing and transporting maple products. However, there remain some concerns with these liners. For example, the syrup is known to adhere to the interior of the liner, and because of the structural arrangement of these liners, recovery can hardly be made. When a purchased batch of syrup is contained in several barrels, the lost of syrup remaining in the empty liners can be substantial.
Another concern with liners of the prior art is that generally, metal drums have bung holes of relatively small size through which some liners are installed. The relatively small sizes of theses bung holes represent certain limitations in the installation of a liner. These limitations are known to compromise the cleanliness and impermeability of a new liner during its installation inside a barrel.
Examples of prior art plastic liners for use in metal drums and plastic barrels are illustrated in the following patent applications and issued U.S. patents.
AU-B-15,127 filed by R. M. Matyja, and published Oct. 29, 1992;
CA 2,061,161 filed by W. Lima et al., and published on Aug. 15, 1992;
GB 2,228,725 filed by G. K. Bunschoten, and published on Sep. 5, 1990;
U.S. Pat. No. 3,918,605 issued on Nov. 11, 1975 to C. J. Butler;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,094,432 issued on Jun. 13, 1978 to S. Zilbert;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,634 issued on Sep. 10, 1991 to G. P. McFarlin et al.;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,307 issued on Oct. 13, 1992 to T. W. Hauk;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,308 issued on Oct. 13, 1992 to D. A. Larson;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,019 issued on Dec. 8, 1992 to B. Büdenbender;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,138 issued on Jun. 8, 1993 to D. E. Nichols;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,620 issued on Jun. 29, 1993 to W. Lima et al.;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,913 issued on Jan. 10, 1995 to T. M. Rieke et al.;
Because of the aforesaid concerns, basically, it is believed that there continues to be a need in the industry for a drum liner system which is mountable in a common metal drum, which allows for a sanitary installation of the liner therein and from which adhered product can be easily washed out and recovered.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides for a drum liner system which has a large opening, a holed flange associated therewith for easy installation in a steel drum's end surface, and through which the drum can be easily cleaned and reconditioned. The liner is shippable to a user in an aseptic package. After use, the liner can be pulled inside-out through the large opening for washing adhered product therefrom. When the adhered product is maple syrup, the rinse water is evaporated to recover the syrup.
Broadly, in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a common metal drum having a drum liner system mounted therein. The common metal drum has a designated top and bottom surfaces. The drum is used in an upside down position and the drum liner system is installed through the designated bottom surface.
The drum liner system comprises an adapter mounted through an opening in the designated bottom surface of the drum, and having a flange connected to the designated bottom surface. An annular channel is bordering the flange and extends inside the opening. A liner collar is mounted over the adapter and has a sleeve portion extending inside the annular channel. A drum liner is bonded to the sleeve and extends inside the drum. The liner support system also includes a cover which is attachable to the adapter for covering the liner collar and the drum liner.
In this installation, the liner support surface is generally in a better condition than the opposite end of the drum. Because this designated bottom surface is generally free from any fittings, the opening and the adapter can have a relatively large size through which the drum can be easily inspected, repaired and reused several times for storing and transporting sensitive products. Also, the bung hole and vent plug in the designated top surface of the drum are usable as drain holes for assisting in the reconditioning of the drum.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drum liner system for installation in a metal drum or plastic barrel. This drum liner system comprises an adapter which is mountable in an opening in an end of a drum. The adapter has an annular flange and an annular channel bordering the annular flange and extending through a plane defined by the annular flange. The annular channel has a first external thread on a surface thereof. The drum liner system also comprises a liner collar mounted over the adapter and having a sleeve extending inside the annular channel. The liner collar has a second external thread on a surface thereof, and the second external thread is similar to and continuous with the first external thread on the adapter. The liner support system also comprises a drum liner bonded to the sleeve and a cover covering the liner collar and the liner. The cover has an internal thread on one of its surfaces and this internal thread has a similar shape and pitch as the first and second external threads, and is engaged over the first and second external threads.
The liner collar and the adapter are selectively positional relative to each other to wedge the first and second external threads against each other inside the internal thread to secure the cover on the adapter and on the liner collar. This locking action of the first and second external threads is advantageous for preventing inadvertent loosening of the cover during handling and transport of a drum having the liner support system mounted thereon.
In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided drum liner package for installation in a drum having an appropriate drum liner adapter mounted thereon. This drum liner package comprises a liner collar having an inside diameter and a depth perpendicular to the inside diameter. A drum liner is bonded to the liner collar, and is folded inside the liner collar. A hermetic wrapper is stretched around the liner collar and the drum liner. This drum liner package is particularly advantageous for being shippable to a user in an aseptic condition, and for being maintainable in this condition prior to use.
Still other features of the invention are that it is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to materials, equipment and labour, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low price of sale to the industry, thereby making such liner support system economically available to the public.
Other advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the present invention selected by way of example will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1
illustrates a common metal drum having a drum liner system according to the preferred embodiment mounted therein;
FIG. 2
is a vertical cross-section view through the drum illustrated in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is a partial exploded side view of the drum liner system according to the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 4
illustrates a top view of the cover used in the drum liner system according to the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 5
is a cross-section view of the cover illustrated in
FIG. 4
, as seen along line
5
—
5
in
FIG. 4
;
FIG. 6
illustrates a top view of the adapter used in the drum liner system according to the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 7
is a cross-section view of the adapter illustrated in
FIG. 6
, as seen along line
7
—
7
in
FIG. 6
;
FIG. 8
is an enlarged partial top view of the adapter showing internal notches therein, as seen in detail circle
8
in
FIG. 6
;
FIG. 9
is a top view of the liner collar used in the drum liner system according to the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 10
is a partial side view of the liner collar shown in
FIG. 9
, illustrated with one segment cut out to show cross-section details.
FIG. 11
is a bottom view of the liner collar shown in
FIGS. 9 and 10
;
FIG. 12
is a cross-section view of the liner collar as seen along line
12
—
12
in
FIG.10
;
FIG. 13
is a side view of the liner and liner collar wherein the liner is shown as being turned inside-out for washing adhered product therefrom for example;
FIG. 14
is a partial cross-section view of the adapter with the liner collar mounted therein;
FIG. 15
is a partial cross section view of the drum liner system according to the preferred embodiment, taken across the rim of the adapter;
FIG. 16
is a perspective view of a wrapped liner and liner collar in a preferred packaging arrangement for shipment to a user;
FIG. 17
is a partial cross-section view of the adapter, in an alternate use for retaining a collar-less liner, taken across the rim of the adapter;
FIG. 18
is an enlarged partial cross-section view of the adapter and the cover in the alternate use for retaining a collar-less liner, taken across the rim of the adapter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will be described in details herein a specific embodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an example of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.
Referring firstly to
FIGS. 1
,
2
and
3
, the drum liner system
20
according to the preferred embodiment comprises a plastic liner
22
and a liner collar
24
bonded to and circling the opening of the liner
22
. The drum liner system also comprises an adapter
26
for supporting the collar
24
, and a cover
28
which is mountable over the liner collar
24
and the adapter
26
for retaining the liner collar
24
in to the adapter
26
and for sealing the liner
22
. The dimensions of the liner collar
24
, the adapter
26
and the cover
28
are selected to provide sliding fit tolerances therebetween except where indicated otherwise, to afford mutual assembly and disassembly by hand. The material of construction of the liner
22
, the liner collar
24
, the adapter
26
and the cover
28
is preferably a food-approved grade of plastic. The liner
22
preferably has a thickness of about 4-6 mils or more.
The drum liner system
20
is preferably installed on a common metal drum
30
through the bottom surface
32
of the drum. The metal drum is thereafter used in the upside down orientation. A first reason for doing this is that the bottom surface
32
of a metal drum is generally in a better condition than the top surface with regard to corrosion after extended use. The second reason being that the top surface
34
of a metal drum contains a bung hole
36
and a vent plug
38
, the spacing of which relative to each other or to the rim of the drum represents a restriction in the diameter and placement of an adapter required for supporting a drum liner.
The bottom surface
32
of the drum allows for the relatively easy installation of a larger adapter
26
and a liner
22
with a larger opening, as opposed to a conventional installation. Another advantage related to the installation of the drum liner system in the bottom surface
32
of a metal drum is that the large opening through the adapter
26
is usable for washing, sand blasting and painting the interior of the drum while using the bung hole
36
and vent plug
38
as drain openings to assist in doing this work.
The modification of a metal drum
30
is effected by cutting an opening in the bottom
32
of the drum with a chisel, shears, nibbling machine or otherwise and by rivetting the adapter
26
to the opening. Rolled and sealed rivets
40
are preferred for retaining the flange of the adapter
26
to the bottom surface
32
, but other fasteners can also be used.
It is believed that the useful life of a steel drum for example is about 7-8 years. It is further believed that the installation of a drum liner system therein can extend the life cycle of the drum by another 10 to 12 years. Common steel drums are generally easily available at low cost. Therefore, the modification of a steel drum and the installation therein of a drum liner system according to the preferred embodiment represents substantial savings to a producer as compared to the purchase of new drums, plastic barrels or stainless steel containers.
Referring now to
FIGS. 4 and 5
, the cover
28
of the liner support system according to the preferred embodiment has a cylindrical configuration which is closed at one end and has an internal thread
50
on the inside surface thereof. The cover
28
also has a bung hole
52
at the center of the closed surface
54
. A pair of smaller openings
56
,
58
are also provided in the closed surface
54
for the convenience of the user. These smaller openings
56
,
58
can be used for examples as vent holes, as sampling holes or to install pressure relief devices (not shown).
A pair of parallel ribs
60
extends across the closed surface
54
on each side of the bung hole
52
and are raised above the closed surface
54
. These ribs are advantageous for turning the cover
28
and for engaging the internal thread
50
over the adapter
26
during the assembly of the liner support system
20
, as will be explained further hereinafter.
The adapter
26
, as it can be seen in
FIGS. 6
,
7
and
8
, has an annular flange
70
with a plurality of holes
72
therein for bolting or rivetting the flange to the surface of a drum. Bordering the inside edge of the flange
70
, there is provided a circular channel
74
connected to the flange
70
. The channel
74
has an outside circular wall
76
the section of which makes a right angle with a plane define by the flange
70
, and an inside circular wall
78
parallel to and at a distance from the outside circular wall
76
. The outside surface of the inside circular wall
78
relative to the central region of the adapter
26
has a first external thread
80
which corresponds in dimensions and pitch to the internal thread
50
in the cover
28
. The internal thread
50
is mountable over the first external thread
80
for securing the cover
28
to the adapter
26
.
The inside surface of the inside wall
78
relative to the central region of the adapter
26
has a series of equally spaced internal notches
82
formed therein. The function of these notches
82
will be explained later when describing the assembly of the liner collar
24
in to the adapter
26
.
Referring now to
FIGS. 9-12
, the liner collar
24
will be described in details. The liner collar
24
has a sleeve-like portion
90
with a lower circular lip
92
and an upper annular shoulder
94
. In use, the annular lip
92
is bonded to the opening of the plastic liner
22
for supporting the liner
22
thereto.
The outside surface of the annular shoulder
94
is shaped to form a second external thread
96
. This second external thread
96
has dimensions and a pitch similar to the first external thread
80
. The second external thread
96
is continuous with the first external thread
80
when the liner collar
24
is mounted over the adapter
26
. The internal thread
50
in the cover has more turns than the external threads on either the adapter or the liner collar. Therefore, the internal thread
50
of the cover
28
is simultaneously mountable over the first and second external threads
96
,
80
.
The liner collar
24
also has two series of external notches thereon
98
and
100
which are diametrically opposite from each other on the sleeve portion
90
. The external notches
98
and
100
are engagedly mountable into the internal notches
82
when the liner collar
24
is installed in the adapter
26
. The internal notches
82
in the adapter
26
are tapering in a counterclockwise direction when looking at the adapter
26
from the top. The external notches
98
and
100
are tapering in a clockwise direction. The respective diametrical spacings of the notches
82
and
100
,
98
are selected to provide an interference therebetween, when the liner collar
24
is mounted in the adapter
26
.
Because of the tapering arrangement of the notches
82
and
98
,
100
, the interlocking engagement is obtained only when the liner collar
24
is urged in a counterclockwise direction relative to the adapter
26
. In other words, the interlocking engagement is obtained when the cover
28
is being removed from the liner collar and the adapter assembly
24
,
26
.
The preferred liner collar
24
is made of resilient plastic material and the interference mentioned above is smaller than an allowable deformation thereof. Therefore, when the liner collar
24
is rotated in a clockwise direction relative to the adapter
26
, the external notches
98
,
100
are allowed to slip over the internal notches
82
. This feature is particularly advantageous for firstly installing a liner collar
24
inside a cover
28
, and then for mounting the liner collar and cover assembly
24
,
28
to the adapter
26
.
The liner collar
24
has two series of notches
98
,
100
as opposed to a continuous series of notches. The reason for this being for reducing a friction generated between the notches and a corresponding effort required to install the liner collar and cover assembly
24
,
28
to the adapter
26
. The plain segments
102
between the series of notches
98
,
100
can be longer or shorter than the illustrated embodiment, depending upon the dimensions and the resilience of the material used in the manufacturing of the liner collar
24
.
The overall diameter ‘A’ of the lip
92
in the liner collar
24
is an interference fit inside the diameter ‘B’ of the adapter
26
, such that the installation of the liner collar
24
in the adapter
26
requires a slight effort by the user, and such that its proper placement in the adapter
26
is confirmable by a sudden reduction of this effort. For this purpose also, the height ‘C’ of the sleeve portion
90
on the liner collar
24
is greater than the height ‘D’ of the inner wall
78
of the adapter
26
.
The interference fit mentioned above between the lip
92
and the inside diameter ‘B’ of the adapter
26
, is also advantageous for retaining a liner
22
to a drum when the liner
22
is pulled inside-out for example as illustrated in
FIG. 13
, and as will be explained hereinbelow.
The liner collar
24
also has a series of indentations
104
on the underside of the shoulder
94
. These indentations
104
which are partly seen in
FIG. 11
, are useful for receiving a pair of pins on a manual tool (not shown) for installing the liner collar
24
in to the cover
28
, when such tool is used.
The liner collar
24
also has several vent slots
106
for allowing air to escape from outside a liner
22
being deployed in a drum. When the liner collar
24
is installed in the cover
28
, these vent slots
106
communicate through the thread
50
of the cover with one or more vent holes
108
through the cylindrical wall
110
of the cover
28
, as may be understood by looking at the illustrations in
FIGS. 3
,
10
,
11
,
14
and
15
.
Referring now particularly to
FIGS. 12 and 13
, an important dimension of the liner collar
24
is a relatively large inside diameter ‘D’. In the preferred embodiment, the inside diameter ‘D’ is at least about six to seven inches, but preferably about seven inches or more. This range of dimensions has been found to be appropriate for affording a relatively easy manipulation of the liner
22
during installation thereof in a drum, and for pulling this liner
22
inside-out of the liner collar
24
as illustrated in FIG.
13
. The liner
22
and liner collar
24
can then be taken out of the drum and rinsed with hot water for example, for recovering maple syrup which had adhered to the inside surface thereof for example.
The large inside diameter ‘D’ also has the advantage of requiring an equally large inside diameter ‘B’ for the adapter
26
. In the preferred embodiment, the diameter ‘B’ is at least about eight to nine inches or more, whereby a metal drum having the adapter
26
installed thereon is easily washed, sand-blasted and painted through the opening defined by the adapter
26
. For example, a
32
imperial gallon drum can accommodate an adapter
26
having an inside diameter ‘B’ of up to about 13 inches or slightly more.
Referring now to
FIGS. 14 and 15
, the thread engagement of the drum liner support system according to the preferred embodiment and the corresponding advantages will be explained. As it was mentioned before, the first external thread
80
on the adapter
26
, and the second external thread
96
on the liner collar
24
have a same shape and pitch. Therefore, when the liner collar
24
is mounted inside the adapter
26
, the cover
28
may be continuously threaded over both external threads
96
and
80
.
During the installation of the cover
28
over the adapter
26
and the liner collar
24
, the collar
24
is able to slip over the adapter
26
, because of the notches
82
,
98
and
100
, until the internal thread
50
in the cover
28
finds the start of the first external thread
80
in the adapter
26
and engages with this thread
80
.
When the cover
28
is being installed over the adapter
26
and liner collar
24
assembly, and the second external thread
96
reaches the top
120
of the internal thread
50
, a friction between the cover
28
and the liner collar
24
causes the liner collar
24
to move with the cover
28
to create a locknut effect. As can be understood, a slipping of the liner collar
24
in the clockwise direction as represented by arrow
122
in
FIG. 14
, causes the first and second threads
80
,
96
to move away from each other vertically. This spreading of the threads
80
and
96
causes a pressure to occur at surfaces
120
and
124
on the internal thread
50
of the cover
28
, and at the common bearing surface
126
between the liner collar
24
and the adapter
26
.
This slight misalignment of the first and second external threads
96
and
80
causes the liner collar
24
to act as a locknut over the adapter
26
to prevent the cover
28
from loosening during transport and handling of a drum on which the liner system
20
is installed.
When the cover
28
is being rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the engagement of the notches
82
,
98
, and
100
prevents the liner collar
24
from turning relative to the adapter
26
, thereby allowing the removal of the cover
28
. This feature is also appreciable for preventing the rotation and mangling of a deployed liner
22
when the cover
28
is being removed from the liner collar and adapter.
In regard to other features of the cover
28
, an O-ring
128
is preferably provided therein for sealing the cover
28
over the liner collar
24
. A circular lip
130
is also provided on the circumference of the cover
28
to engage over a circular shoulder
132
on the adapter
26
. The overlapping of the lip
130
over the shoulder
132
prevents dust and other particles from entering the annular channel
74
of the adapter
26
.
In
FIG. 16
, there is illustrated a preferred package for shipping a clean liner
22
and liner collar
24
to a user. Because the inside diameter ‘D’ and the depth ‘E’ of a liner collar
24
are relatively large, the liner
22
is foldable inside the liner collar
24
. For this purpose and other objectives mentioned herein before, the depth ‘E’ of the liner collar
24
is preferably about 2 inches.
A liner collar
24
and a liner
22
are preferably manufactured and sterilized under controlled conditions at the manufacturing plant, and shipped to a user in a wrapped and sealed condition in a plastic wrapper
134
for example. When the liner
22
is reused several times, it is preferably washed and sterilized under controlled conditions and similarly wrapped and sealed before shipment.
For those applications where extreme cleanliness is required, such as in the food industry for example, it is preferable to install a sterilized liner
22
and liner collar
24
inside a sterilized cover
28
having the O-ring
128
, for sealing the liner collar
24
to the cover
28
, before wrapping and sealing this assembly. A storing, delivery and installation of the liner
22
can thereby be effected without ever exposing the interior of the liner
22
to ambient air. In these applications, it will be appreciated that one of the openings
56
,
58
in the cover
28
may be used for applying a vacuum to this assembly during packaging.
An alternate use of the adapter
26
and cover
28
is illustrated in
FIGS. 17 and 18
. In this particular application, a ring
136
which has substantially a similar outside diameter as the inside wall
78
of the adapter
26
, is placed inside a collar-less liner
138
and over the inside wall
78
of the adapter
26
. Upon filling, the collar-less liner
138
is allowed to slip between the ring
136
and the inside wall
78
and to expand inside a drum. This application is particularly appreciable for allowing a liner
138
to expand against all inside surfaces of a drum during filling, to avoid the creation of air pocket between the drum and the liner
138
.
When the drum is full, the neck of the liner
138
is folded inside the ring
136
and the cover
28
is installed over the adapter
26
to cover the ring
136
and the liner
138
. The ring has a thickness ‘F’ which is substantially the same as the thickness of the upper annular shoulder
94
on the liner collar
24
, such that the cover
28
is still mountable over the adapter
26
. In this installation, however, an additional O-ring
140
is preferably installed inside a groove
142
defined by the lip
130
and the cylindrical wall
110
of the cover
28
, between the cover
28
and the circular shoulder
132
of the adapter
26
, to prevent contaminant from entering the circular channel
74
of the adapter
26
and for preventing contaminant from entering the liner
138
. It will also be appreciated that this double O-ring arrangement
128
,
140
, can also be used with the liner collar
24
, as explained hereinbefore.
As to additional details related to the manufacturing, installation and use of the drum liner system
20
of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description, and accordingly further discussion relative to the manner of making and using this system would be considered redundant and is not provided.
While one embodiment of the present invention has been described herein above, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications, alternate structures, alternate mounting arrangements and equivalents may be employed without departing from the true spirit and scope of this invention. Although the advantages of the drum liner system of the present invention has been described for use in storing and transporting maple syrup, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that similar advantages are obtained in the production and commerce of molasses, jams, sauces, beverage concentrates, water and even in the transport of granular fertilizer products for examples. Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. In combination, a drum and a drum liner system installed therein, said drum having a designated top and bottom surfaces and an opening in said designated bottom surface, said designated top surface having a bung hole therein, said drum being usable in an upside down position; said drum liner system comprising:an adapter mounted in said opening, and a drum liner affixed to said adapter and being deployed inside said drum; such that said opening and said adapter have a relatively large size through which said drum is easily repairable and said drum liner is easily mountable for storing and transporting sensitive products.
- 2. The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein said adapter has an inside diameter of about 8 to 9 inches.
- 3. The combination as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a liner collar mounted over said adapter and having a sleeve extending inside said inside diameter of said adapter and being bonded to said liner.
- 4. The combination as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a cover mounted over said liner collar and said adapter for covering said inside diameter of said adapter and said liner collar.
- 5. The combination as claimed in claim 4, wherein said liner collar has a first series of vent holes therein and said cover has a second series of vent holes therein, and said first series of vent holes being in communication with said second series of vent holes.
- 6. The combination as claimed in claim 4, wherein said adapter has a first external thread, said liner collar has a second external thread having common shape and pitch with said first external thread on said adapter and being continuous with said first external thread on said adapter, and said cover has an internal thread which is engaged over said first and second external threads for retaining said liner collar to said adapter and to said cover.
- 7. The combination as claimed in claim 6, wherein said adapter and said liner collar have respective interlocking notches for preventing a rotation of said liner collar relative to said adapter when said internal thread is being disengaged from said first and second external threads.
- 8. The combination as claimed in claim 6, wherein said cover has a pair of spaced-apart parallel ribs thereon for easing an engagement of said internal thread over said first and second external threads.
- 9. The combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein said adapter has a flange with holes therein for attachment to said designated bottom surface of said drum with fasteners.
- 10. A drum liner system for installation in a drum for transporting a sensitive product, said drum liner system comprising:an adapter mountable in an opening in an end of a drum and having an annular flange and an annular channel member bordering said annular flange and extending through a plane defined by said annular flange; said annular channel having a first external thread therein; a liner collar mounted over said adapter and having a sleeve extending inside said annular channel; said liner collar having a second external thread thereon, and said second external thread being similar to and continuous with said first external thread; a drum liner bonded to said sleeve; and a cover covering said liner collar and having an internal thread therein having a similar shape and pitch as said first and second external threads and being engaged over said first and second threads; such that said liner collar and said adapter are retainable to each other and to said cover, and are selectively relatively positional for wedging said first and second external threads against each other and inside said internal thread for securing said cover over said adapter and said liner collar.
- 11. The drum liner system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said adapter and said cover have relative sliding fit tolerances therebetween.
- 12. The drum liner system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said sleeve has external taper notches thereon and said annular channel has internal taper notches thereon which are engaged in interference with said external taper notches.
- 13. The drum liner system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said external taper notches and said internal taper notches are oppositely oriented to interfere with each other to prevent relative displacement thereof in a first direction.
- 14. The drum liner system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said liner collar is made with a resilient material and said sleeve is radially deformable for allowing a rotation thereof relative to said adapter and said internal and external taper notches, in a second direction opposite said first direction.
- 15. A drum liner package for installation in a drum having a drum liner adapter mounted therein, said drum liner package comprising:a liner collar having an inside diameter and a depth perpendicular to said inside diameter; a drum liner bonded to said liner collar and folded inside said inside diameter and said depth, and a hermetic wrapper stretched around said liner collar and said drum liner; such that said drum liner package is shippable to a user in an aseptic condition.
- 16. The drum liner package as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a cover partly enclosing said liner collar and wherein said hermetic wrapper is stretched around said cover, said liner collar and said liner.
- 17. The drum liner package as claimed in claim 15, wherein said inside diameter is about six to seven inches and said depth is about two inches.
- 18. The drum liner package as claimed in claim 16, wherein said cover has an internal thread therein, said liner collar has an external thread thereon and said external thread is engaged with said internal thread for retaining said liner collar to said cover.
- 19. The drum liner package as claimed in claim 18, further comprising an O-ring mounted between said cover and said liner collar for sealing said liner collar to said cover.
- 20. The drum liner package as claimed in claim 18, wherein said internal thread in said cover has more turns than said external thread on said liner collar.
US Referenced Citations (15)
Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Date |
Country |
15127 |
Oct 1992 |
AU |
2061161 |
Aug 1992 |
CA |
2228725 |
Sep 1990 |
GB |