LIGHTWEIGHT DISPOSABLE DRUM

Abstract

A disposable drum is disclosed, which has a drum body with a generally tapered shape that enables another disposable drum to be substantially inserted into a cavity of the drum body. The drum body has a net weight of less than or equal to about 9 pounds and an internal volume of at least about 40 gallons.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This application relates generally to drums and methods of forming drums. More specifically, this application relates to disposable and lightweight drums and methods of forming such drums.

2. Background of the Invention and Related Art

Some waste materials are commonly incinerated in waste treatment plants. Incinerators burn waste using temperatures up to and over one thousand degrees Fahrenheit. Incineration facilities typically receive and incinerate hazardous and non-hazardous waste in liquid, solid, semi-solid, sludge and gas forms. Examples of incinerated waste includes industrial, medical, and municipal waste such as inorganic cleaning solutions, oil, spent flammable solvents, laboratory chemicals, paint residues, toxic or reactive chemicals, infections and medical waste, household hazardous materials, and other such materials. Incineration is particularly effective in treating hazardous waste where pathogens and toxins can be destroyed by the high temperatures. When incinerated, these materials are converted into ash, flue gas, and heat. The remaining solid mass is a mere fraction of the volume of the original waste, such as less than ten percent the initial volume.

In some incineration process, waste materials are placed in containers, such as 55-gallon drums, or cylindrical containers, as they are transported to the incinerator. The drums assist to contain the waste materials and prevent spills or accidents. The drums are particularly useful when incinerating liquids, which must be contained until the liquids arrive at the incinerator. Some processes incinerate the drum along with the waste materials; these processes are drum-dependent and need a constant supply of disposable drums in order to maintain constant operation of the incineration facility.

The need for a constant supply of low-cost, disposable drums has been long-felt and onerous. Drums are commonly made in 30 gallon and 55-gallon sizes and are used to ship various products from oil to food products. Plastic drums are available. However, because existing 55-gallon plastic drums are made of approximately twenty two pounds of plastic, it has not been economically feasible to manufacture or purchase new plastic drums for the incineration process because the cost of that much plastic, metal, or composite material is relatively high. Instead, incineration facilities have historically purchased used drums that are not otherwise reusable. An example of a used drum is a plastic, steel, or composite 30-gallon or 55-gallon drum that was previously used to ship food products, liquids, or oils. These drums have historically been acquired from industrial and manufacturing plants known to have used drums.

Because incinerating factories can be dependent on third parties for a supply of used incinerators can face difficulties when known suppliers do not have a ready supply of used drums. As a result, some incinerating facilities utilize large amounts of employee time in locating, acquiring, processing and transporting used drums. When drums are not available locally, incinerating facilities are forces to ship drums from long distance. Some incinerating facilities have been known to ship used drums over thousands of miles, which can dramatically increase the cost of acquiring drums. Other incinerating facilities have paid up to two or three times the average drum cost for used drums when drum supplies are low.

Shipping used drums involves various disadvantages. For example, because drums are initially sealed over when initially used, used drums frequently still have a sealed lid or top. As such, used drums can take up a lot of space in shipping because they must be stacked on top of each other. Thus, when shipped in a standard shipping container, used drums are typically stacked only three high, which provides room for only about 340 to 360 used drums in a standard semi-trailer. Moreover, these drums must usually be loaded and unloaded by hand, which increases the overall cost and labor involved. As such, the cost of shipping used drums can be very expensive and labor intensive. The use of used drums can thus present a large number of challenges to incinerating facilities.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to overcome the challenges presented with the current use of known plastic drums or other used drums in incinerating facilities.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in response to limitations in previous disposable drum solutions and needs in the art that have not yet been fully resolved by currently available plastic or used drums. Thus, the present invention is directed to a disposable drum that has a net weight of less than or equal to about nine pounds of plastic and an internal volume of at least about 35 or 40 gallons. The drum body also has a generally tapered shape that enables another disposable drum to be substantially inserted into the cavity of the drum body. Despite its lightweight properties, embodiments of the drum body can be configured to support a vertical load up to, for example, about 600 to about 800 pounds. Thus, the present drum can be made of a small enough amount of material to provide an economically feasible option for incinerating processes. Furthermore, given its potential strength capabilities and adequate internal volume, the present drum can effectively replace the need for used drums. Some embodiments of the drum can also be stackable, permitting compact shipment and thus lower shipping costs.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention may be incorporated into certain embodiments of the invention and will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. The present invention does not require that all the advantageous features and all the advantages described herein be incorporated into every embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above recited and other features and advantages of the present invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that the drawings depict only typical embodiments of the present invention and are not, therefore, to be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, the present invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a representative drum.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of a top exterior detail portion of one embodiment of a representative drum.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side, perspective view of a stack of representative drums.

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial cross section view of a top portion of one embodiment of a representative drum and a representative lid.

FIG. 5 illustrates a partial cross section view of a top portion of another embodiment of representative drum and another representative lid.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross section view of a bottom portion of one embodiment of a representative drum and a representative spacer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention.

A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

The following disclosure of the present invention may be grouped into subheadings. The utilization of the subheadings is for convenience of the reader only and is not to be construed as limiting in any sense.

For the purposes of the present invention, the phrase “A/B” means A or B. For the purposes of the present invention, the phrase “A and/or B” means “(A), (B), or (A and B).” For the purposes of the present invention, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C” means “(A), (B), or (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C).”

Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments of the present invention; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent.

The description may use the phrases “in an embodiment,” or “in various embodiments,” which may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments. Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments of the present invention, are synonymous with the definition afforded the term “comprising.”

The terms “coupled” and “connected,” along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular embodiments, “connected” may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical contact with each other. “Coupled” may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. However, “coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other.

The description may use perspective-based descriptions such as up/down and top/bottom. These descriptions refer to the orientations and parts of a drum during normal use, with the opening in the drum being at the top or top portion. Similarly, the terms inside/outside and in/out are used in their common meaning, referring to the inside parts of a drum within its hollow interior or cavity and the outside parts referring to outer surfaces.

This application relates generally to drum devices and methods of forming container devices. More specifically, this application relates to disposable and/or lightweight drums and methods of forming such drums.

The drums of the present invention have been developed in response to limitations in previous disposable drum solutions and needs in the art that have not yet been fully resolved by currently available drums. Thus, the present invention is a disposable drum having a net weight of less than or equal to about nine pounds of plastic of polymeric material and an internal volume of at least about 35 or 40 gallons. The drum body also has a generally tapered shape that enables another disposable drum to be substantially inserted into a cavity of the drum body. Despite its lightweight properties, embodiments of the drum body can be configured to support a vertical load up to, for example, about 600 to about 800 pounds. Thus, the present drum can made of a small enough amount of material to provide an economically feasible option for incinerating processes. Furthermore, given its potential strength capabilities and adequate internal volume, the present drum can effectively replace to the currently available drums. Some embodiments of the drum can also be stackable, permitting compact shipment and thus lower shipping costs.

Representative Drums

Reference will first be made to FIG. 1, which illustrates a perspective view of a drum 10 that can be used to carry materials in incinerating processes. Generally, the drum 10 includes a drum body 12 having a top end 14 and a bottom end 16. The drum body 12 can generally include a sidewall 18 and a bottom wall 20. The sidewall 18 can form a generally tapered cylindrical shape about an inner cavity 24 that opens through an opening 22 in the top end 14 of the drum body 12. For convenience, before turning to a discussion of these individual components and features, common characteristics and features shared by some embodiments of the drum 10 will be discussed for convenience.

In some embodiments, the drum 10, including all of its component parts, is made from any desirable material with suitable properties and/or characteristics. By way of non-limiting example, in some embodiments, the drum 10 is made of one or more of the following materials or combinations thereof: polymer materials, composite materials, synthetic materials, wood or fibrous materials, or resins. For example, the drum 10 can comprise or consist essentially of a polymer material such as polypropylene or a recycled plastic. The use of recycled plastic may reduce manufacturing costs. Examples of recycled plastic materials include recycled plastic and a resin. Some recycled plastic materials or other polymer materials can include calcium, which can strengthen the material. When used, plastic drums 10 made of another such polymer material can reduce the fuel required in incineration processes because these materials can act as a fuel source themselves. Further, in some embodiments, the desirable or selected material is homogenous or uniform throughout while in other embodiments the selected material includes voids or encapsulates non-homogenous materials.

In addition, in some embodiments, the drum 10, including its component features, can be manufactured together as a single piece structure by any suitable method. By way of non-limiting example, in some embodiments, some or all of the component parts of the drum 10 is/are manufactured by one or more of the following methods: injection molding, rotational molding, blow molding, casting and/or other molding processes, machining, cutting, carving, routing, punching, milling and/or other suitable forming or manufacturing processes. For example, in some embodiments, the drum 10 is manufactured using a blow molding process. Two potential benefits involved in blow molding are the ability to control the thickness of portions of the sidewall 18 and bottom wall 20 and the ability to rapidly manufacture a drum 10. For instance, a blow molding process can have a cycle time of approximately one to two minutes or less.

Because the drum 10 may eventually be consumed in an incinerating process, it is desirable to manufacture the drum 10 efficiently and economically. Accordingly, the drum 10 can be manufactured out of a relatively low amount of material, which can reduce manufacturing costs. By reducing the economic cost of the drum 10, the drum 10 can be disposable in the incinerating processes. Accordingly, non-limiting examples of the drum can have a net weight of between about 5 and about 15 pounds depending upon the strength needed. Specifically, in various embodiments, the drum 10 can have a net weight of less than about 5 pound, less than about 6 pound, less than about 7 pound, less than about 8 pound, less than about 9 pound, less than about 10 pound, less than about 11 pound, less than about 12 pound, less than about 13 pound, less than about 14 pound, and less than about 15 pound. In other embodiments, the drum 10 can have a net weight of greater than 15 pounds. Furthermore, drums 10 of these net weights can have an inner cavity 24 with an internal volume of between about 30 to about 60 gallons, including about 30 to about 35 gallons, about 35 to about 40 gallons, about 40 to about 45 gallons, about 45 to about 50 gallons, about 50 to about 55 gallons, and about 55 to about 60 gallons.

For example, a representative drum 10 can have a net weight of approximately 7 to 8 pounds and have an inner cavity 24 with an internal volume of about 40 to 50 gallons. Another representative drum 10 can have a net weight of approximately 8 to 10 pounds and have an inner cavity 24 with an internal volume of about 40 to 50 gallons. Yet another representative drum 10 can have a net weight of approximately 10 to 12 pounds and have an inner cavity 24 with an internal volume of about 40 to 50 gallons. Still another representative drum 10 can have a net weight of approximately 12 to 15 pounds and have an inner cavity 24 with an internal volume of about 40 to 50 gallons. Such drums 10 can be substantially lighter and thus less expensive than available prior art drums, such as the 22 pound plastic 55-gallon drum previously mentioned.

Referring still to FIG. 1, reference will now be made to the specific shapes, component, and characteristics of the drum body 12 of the drum 10. As shown, the drum body 12 can include a generally tapered shape, tapering from a larger diameter at top 14 to a smaller diameter at bottom 16. For example, in some instances, the top diameter of the top end 14 can be between about 21 inches and about 25 inches, and the bottom diameter of the bottom end 16 can be about 17 inches and about 21 inches. In other instances, the top diameter of the top end 14 can be between about 18 inches and about 28 inches and the bottom diameter of the bottom end 16 can be about 16 and about 26 inches. In a specific embodiment, the top diameter is about 23 to 23.5 inches and the bottom diameter is about 19 to 20 inches. Because the bottom diameter can be smaller than the top diameter, a second similar drum 10 can be received into the inner cavity of the drum 10. This ability can allow multiple drums to be stacked in a manner that occupies a reduced amount of space than occupied by former used drums having enclosed tops or otherwise substantially parallel sidewalls. A stack of representative drums 10 is illustrated in FIG. 3, which is described below.

As shown, for convenience, the drum body 12 can be described generally as having a upper portion 50, a lower portion 52, and a bottom portion 54. Reference will first be made to the upper portion 50, a close-up view of which is depicted, according to some embodiments, in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper portion 50 can include a flanged rim 26, a neck 28, a first upper bevel 30, an annular ring 32, a lip 34, and a second lower bevel 36. The flanged rim 26 can form at least a portion of the top 14 drum 10. The flanged rim 26 can have a vertical and/or horizontal thickness to provide strength and volume to the upper portion 50 of drum 10. The flanged rim 26 can be configured, shaped, and sized to be gripped by or receive a parrot clamp or other device for handling on an underside of flange 26. Once gripped, the entire drum 10 including the drum's internal contents can be carried by the parrot clamp. As further shown, beneath the flanged rim 26 is a neck 28 that forms an inward oriented surface that can facilitate gripping of the flanged rim 26 as well as accommodate a lid or lid securing component, as described below and shown in FIGS. 4 through 5.

Below the neck 28, the drum 10 can have a first or upper beveled surface, or bevel, 30 that extends radially outwardly as is extends downward. In some embodiments, the bevel 30 extends downward between about 1 inch to about 10 inches, about 2 inches to about 7 inches, or about 4 inches to about 6 inches. In some embodiments, the drum body 12 does not include this bevel 30. The bevel 30 can terminate at its lower end at or near the peak of the annular ring 32. The annular ring 32 can function as a strength or stiffening ring, to fortify the upper portion 50 of the drum body 12, which can provide increase the drum's load bearing abilities. Additionally, the annular ring 32 can provide the annular width needed for a lower ledge or lip 34. In some configurations, the drum body 12 does not include an annular ring 32.

The lip 34 can provide a flat or substantially flat undersurface of drum body 12 that is conveniently disposed along upper portion 50. The undersurface of the lip 34 can be used to raise, grip and/or carry the drum 10 using a barrel clamp, fork lift, or other such device. The undersurface of the lip 34 also provides a resting surface that limits the downward travel of the drum 10 when it is inserted into another drum 10 during storage and transport. By limiting the downward travel, the lip 34 can avoid the problem of adjacent drums 10 getting stuck together. The lip 34 can also provide a convenient surface that can be grabbed with the hand when manually lifting the drum 10. As shown, in some embodiments, the lip 34 can be rounded. In other embodiments, the lip 34 is square, angular or otherwise formed. In some embodiments, the lip 34 and its undersurface can extend radially outward between about 0.5 inches to about 4 inches, about 0.75 inches to about 2 inches, or about 1 inch to about 1.5 inches. In some instance, no lip 34 is formed under the annular ring 32.

Beneath the lip 34 or annular ring 32, the drum 10 can have another beveled surface, or bevel, 36 that tapers radially inwardly as it extends downward. In drum embodiments incorporating the first or upper bevel 36, this bevel 36 can be a second or lower bevel 30. In some embodiments, the lower bevel 36 is present, but not the upper bevel 30. Bevel 36 can provide a gradual transition from lower portions of the drum 10 to the lip 34. Accordingly, the bevel 36 can tapering inward with a steeper incline than the general taper of the middle portion 52 and bottom portion 54 of the drum body 12.

Bevel 36 can also functions to permit the flow of air in adjacent drums 10 when stacked, to at least partially avoid the problem of adjacent drums 10 getting stuck together. In some embodiments, bevel 36 extends downward between about 1 inch to about 8 inches, about 2 inches to about 6 inches, or about 4 inches to about 5 inches. In other embodiments, the drum body 12 does not include a lower bevel 36, but the lip 34 or other upper structure connects directly to middle portion 52 of the drum body 12.

Reference will again be made to FIG. 1 and specifically to the middle portion 52 and the lower portion 54 of the drum body 12. In generally, the middle portion 52 and lower portion 54 can include a gradual radially inward taper as sidewall extends downward. In some embodiments, the middle portion 52 and the lower portion 54 are graduated or stepped, with the step occurring at a transition 40 or an inwardly directed annular ring (not shown), outwardly directed annular ring(not shown), or other suitable feature. These features can also strengthen or stiffen the drum body 12 and increase its load-bearing abilities. In these embodiments, the middle portion 52 can have approximately the same length as the lower portion 54. Alternatively, the middle portion 52 can be between about 5% to about 100% longer than the bottom portion, including between about 5% to about 25%, about 25% to about 50%, about 50% to about 75%, about 75% to about 100%. In other embodiments, two or more such transitions 40, rings, or other strengthening features are formed at one or more locations along the middle portion 52 or lower portion 54. For example, the middle portion 52 and the lower portion 54 can include two, three, four, five, six, or more than six transitions 40, rings, or other strengthening features. Such embodiments can include transitions 40 or rings formed equidistantly apart or otherwise strategically or occasionally placed. As further shown, the bottom portion 54 can include a rounded edge 44 that strengthens the bottom end 16 of the drum body 12.

As mentioned, in various embodiments, the drum 10 can have a net weight of construction material between about 5 pounds and about 15 pounds. To provide such a lightweight drum body 12, the thicknesses of the sidewall 18 and bottom wall 20 can be controlled and limited. For instance, in some embodiments, the maximum thickness of the sidewall 18 and bottom wall 20 can be about 0.15 inches with an average thickness of between about 0.1 inches and about 0.135 inches. Specifically, the flanged rim 26 can have an average thickness between about 0.075 inches and about 0.125 inches or between about 0.09 inches and about 0.11 inches. The first bevel 30, the annular ring 32, and/or the lip 34 can have an average thickness between about 0.08 inches and about 0.145 inches or between about 0.1 inches and about 0.13 inches. The second bevel 36 can have an average thickness between about 0.08 inches and about 0.15 inches or between about 0.1 inches and about 0.14 inches. The middle portion 52 of the drum body 12 and the bottom portion 54 of the drum body 12 can have an average thickness between about 0.08 inches and about 0.135 inches or between about 0.1 inches and about 0.13 inches. The bottom rounded edge 44 can have an average thickness between about 0.05 inches and about 0.135 inches or between about 0.65 inches and about 0.13 inches. Additionally, in embodiments using blow molding manufacturing, the thickness of a joints formed in the drum body 12 can be reinforced with an increased thickness of an additional 5% to 100% thickness, including about 5% to about 25%, about 25% to about 50%, about 50% to about 75%, about 75% to about 100% to that of the thickness of an adjacent wall of the same portion of the drum body 12.

The combination of wall thicknesses and features of the drum body 12 can combine to provide a drum 10 that is shaped and structured to support the load of multiple filled drums 10. This can allow filled drums to be stacked, as is customary in some incinerating processes. For instance, in some incinerating processes, multiple filled drums 10 can be placed on a pallet or other object and/or stacked upwards, including up to four levels high with a pallet or other relatively flat object between each level. A drum 10, such as a 40 to 50 gallon drum may be customarily filled with contents weighing up to 175 pounds to 250 pounds or more. Accordingly, a drum 10 may be subject to a vertical load of up to 500 or even 800 pounds. In some instances, the vertical load may be up to or above 1,000 pounds. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the drum 10 that is shaped and structured to support the load of up to about 600 pounds, up to about 800 pounds, or up to about 1,000 pounds resting a top portion of the drum body 12.

Reference will now be made to FIG. 3, which illustrates a stack of empty drums 10. As shown, during transportation, storage, or when otherwise not being used, a set of drums 10 can be stacked vertically, with each upper drum 10 being inserted into the cavity 24 (shown in FIG. 1) of another lower drum 10. This is at least partially facilitated by the generally tapered shape of the drum body 12. As shown, the stack of drums 10 includes five drums 10. However, in transit, it has been found that between about ten and about twenty drums 10 can be stacked vertically within a standard shipping container. In some specific instances about four stacks of about fifteen drums 10 can be placed on a pallet within a standard shipping container. In these instances, about 1660 drums can be shipped in a standard shipping container, which is a dramatic increase over the prior 300 to 350 used drums that fit into a standard shipping container, as mentioned above. This increase in volume can reduce the overall cost of shipping drums 10.

As shown, each drum 10 can be inserted into a lower drum 10 up to the annular ring 32 of the top drum. Because in some embodiments the annular ring 32 extends outwardly farther than the opening 22 of the lower drum 10, this annular ring 32 can limit the depth to which the drum 10 can be inserted into the lower drum 10. As further shown, the portion 60 of the drum 10 which extends out of the lower drum 10 can be the portion of the drum 10 that is above the annular ring 32. This portion 60 can have a length of between about 1 inch and about 12 inches, including between about 2 inch and about 10 inches, and between about 3 inch and about 8 inches.

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 4 and 5, which illustrate embodiments of a lid 70, 80 that can be included with the drum 10. Reference will first be made to FIG. 4, which illustrates a cross-section view of a lid 70 and a clamp 72 on a drum body 12 (which is not shown in cross section). As show, a flat lid 70 can be placed on top of the drum body 12 and fastened thereon using one or more clamps 72. The one or more clamps 72 can have a top portion 76 with a flange that presses downward on a top surface of the lid 70. The one or more clamps 72 can also have a lower portion 74 with a flange that presses upwards on a bottom surface of the flanged rim 26 to secure the lid 70 to the flanged rim 26. In some instances, the lid is secured by two or more clamps 72, including up to four, six, ten, or more than ten clamps 72.

Referring now to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, a lid 80 can be included with the drum 10 that locks around the flanged rim 26. FIG. 5 illustrates a partial cross-section view of a lid 80 and a drum body 12 (which is not shown in cross section). As shown, the lid 80 can include an overlapping portion 82 that has a flanged bottom portion 84 that latches under the flanged rim 26 to secure the lid 80 to the flanged rim 26. This lid 80 can reduce the need for manual application of clamps 72.

In some embodiments, as with other portions of the drum 10, the lid 70, 80 can be made from any desirable material with suitable clamps, properties and/or characteristics known to those skilled in the art. By way of non-limiting example, in some embodiments, the lid 70, 80 is made of one or more of the following materials or combinations thereof: polymer materials, composite materials, synthetic materials, wood or fibrous materials, or resins. For example, the lid 70, 80 can be made of a polymer material such as polypropylene or a recycled plastic. The use of recycled plastic can reduce manufacturing costs. Examples of recycled plastic materials include recycled plastic and a resin. Some recycled plastic materials can further include calcium, which can strengthen the material without adding substantial weight. When used, plastic lids 70, 80 can reduce the fuel required in incineration processes since the plastic material can act as a combustion fuel source. Further, in some embodiments, the desirable or selected material is homogenous or uniform throughout while in other embodiments the selected material includes voids or encapsulates non-homogenous materials.

Reference will now be made to FIG. 6, which illustrates cross section view of a bottom portion 54 of a drum body 12, with a sidewall 18 and an adjoining bottom wall 20. As shown, a spacer 90 can be located at one or more locations along the bottom portion 54 interior of the drum 10. The spacer 90 can extend between a sidewall 18 and an adjoining bottom wall 20. In some configurations, the spacer 90 is a substantially vertically-oriented ridge. In other configurations, the spacer 90 can be a bulge, bump, protrusion, dent, detent, or other inwardly oriented feature. The spacer 90 can limit the downward travel of another drum 10 that is inserted into the drum 10 to reduce the risk of the drums 10 becoming stuck together.

EXAMPLE

Reference will now be made to a specific example of a drum 10 and test results of one or more tests conducted with an actual drum. Reference will again be made to FIG. 1, which substantially illustrates the drum 10 manufactured and tested. The general parts and features of the drum 10 are illustrated and described above and will not be repeated here. The drum 10 was manufactured using a blow molding process. About 7 to about 8 pounds of a plastic material was used in the blow molding process. No other materials were used, and thus, the drum 10 had a net weight of between about 7 to about 8 pounds. The plastic material included a composition of at least recycled plastic beads manufactured by Chevron Corporation, resin, and calcium.

The drum 10 was manufactured to have an internal volume of about 42 gallons, a height of about 29.3 inches, a bottom diameter of about 19.4 inches, and a top diameter of about 23.3 inches. The flanged rim 26 had a minimum average thickness of 0.1 inches and a minimum thickness of 0.1 inches. The first bevel 30 and annular ring 32 had a minimum average thickness of 0.125 inches and a minimum thickness of 0.1 inches. The second bevel 36 had a minimum average thickness of 0.135 inches and a minimum thickness of 0.1 inches. The middle portion 52 and lower portion 54 had a minimum average thickness of 0.125 inches and a minimum thickness of 0.1 inches. The rounded edge 44 had a minimum average thickness of 0.125 inches and a minimum thickness of 0.065 inches. Additionally, the thickness of transitions formed in the drum body 12 were reinforced with an increased thickness of an additional 5% to 100% thickness, including about 5% to about 25%, about 25% to about 50%, about 50% to about 75%, about 75% to about 100%.

In testing, a set of similarly manufactured drums 10 were filled with approximately 250 pounds of fluid. A piece of plywood or similar material was set over the drum's opening 22 and a second drum 10 equally filled was set on top of the first drum 10. Similarly, a third and fourth drums 10 were placed on top of the first. Accordingly, the bottom drum 10 held a vertical weight of between 750 to 800 pounds, including the weight of the drums 10, the fluid, and the plywood. Several similar stacks of drums 10 were duplicated. These drums 10 were left outdoors in the summer sun and heat for approximately 24 hours. During this time, no failure of the drums 10 was observed, including any collapsing, folding, or rupturing. Accordingly, the about 7 to about 8 pound drums 10 were observed to be capable of supporting a vertical load of about 750 to about 800 pounds.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A disposable drum comprising: a drum body having a generally tapered shape that defines a cavity therein and is configured to receive another disposable drum substantially inserted into the cavity of the drum body, the drum body comprising a net weight of less than or equal to about nine pounds of incinerable material, the drum body having a maximum thickness of about 0.125 to 0.135 inches; andthe cavity having a volume of at least about 40 gallons.

2. The disposable drum of claim 1, wherein the drum body comprises a polymer material.

3. The disposable drum of claim 2, wherein the polymer material comprises polypropylene.

4. The disposable drum of claim 2, wherein the polymer material comprises recycled plastic, resin, and calcium.

5. The disposable drum of claim 1, wherein the drum body comprises a net weight of less than or equal to about eight pounds.

6. The disposable drum of claim 1, wherein the drum body is shaped and structured to support a weight of about 600 pounds on the top portion of the drum body.

7. The disposable drum of claim 1, wherein the drum body has a height between about 28 and about 32 inches, a top diameter between about 21 and about 25 inches, and a bottom diameter of about 17 and about 21 inches.

8. The disposable drum of claim 1, wherein the drum body has a maximum sidewall thickness of about 0.15 inches.

9. The disposable drum of claim 1, wherein a top portion of the drum body includes a flanged top rim.

10. The disposable drum of claim 9, further comprising an annular strength ring disposed upon an upper portion of the drum body, the ring comprising a beveled top portion and a lip bottom portion.

11. The disposable drum of claim 10, wherein the drum body further comprises a beveled surface beneath the lip bottom portion of the strength ring, the beveled surface tapering inward as it extends downward.

12. The disposable drum of claim 1, wherein a middle or bottom portion of the drum body comprises a strength ring.

13. The disposable drum of claim 1, wherein the drum body is manufactured using a blow molding process.

14. The disposable drum of claim 1, further comprising a spacer disposed along an inner surface of a bottom portion of the cavity.

15. A disposable drum comprising: a drum body comprising a generally tapered shape that defines a cavity therein and is configured to receive another disposable drum to be substantially inserted into the cavity of the drum body, the drum body comprising a net weight of less than or equal to about nine pounds of incinerable material, the drum body having a maximum sidewall thickness of about 0.125 to 0.135 inches the drum body comprising a polymer material;a top portion of the drum body comprising a flanged rim; andthe cavity having a volume of at least about 40 gallons.

16. The disposable drum of claim 15, wherein the polymer material comprises recycled plastic, resin, and calcium.

17. The disposable drum of claim 15, wherein the drum body has a height between about 28 and about 32 inches, a top diameter between about 21 and about 25 inches, and a bottom diameter of about 17 and about 21 inches.

18. The disposable drum of claim 15, wherein the drum body is shaped and structured to support a load of up to about 600 pounds resting on a top portion thereof.

19. The disposable drum of claim 15, further comprising a strength ring disposed upon the top wherein the strength ring includes a beveled top portion, a lip bottom portion, and a beveled surface beneath the lip bottom portion of the strength ring, the beveled surface tapering inward as it extends downward.

20. A disposable drum comprising: a drum body comprising a net weight of less than or equal to about nine pounds of incinerable polymer material, a maximum sidewall thickness of about 0.125 to 0.0135 inches, a height between about 28 and about 32 inches, a top diameter between about 21 and about 25 inches, a bottom diameter of about 17 and about 21 inches, the drum body defining a cavity therein and being shaped and structured to support a load of up to about 600 pounds resting on a top portion thereof;a top portion of the drum body including a flanged top rim, a neck beneath the flanged top rim, a strength ring beneath the neck, and a beveled surface beneath the strength ring, the beveled surface tapering inward as it extends downward the strength ring having a beveled top portion, a lip bottom portion; andthe cavity having a volume of at least about 40 gallons.