RECYCLABLE TRUNCATED BODY DRUM

Abstract

"RECYCLABLE TRUNCONE-SHAPED DRUM" SUMMARY The kraft fiber truncated cone-shaped drum body for packaging drums has an upper rim defining the top opening. The upper rim has a curved portion projecting outwards from the side wall of the container. This curved portion is formed as a single piece with the side wall and is designed to support the lid and allow for the stacking of several drums inside one another. The truncated cone-shaped packaging drum comprises a drum body according to the invention, a base, a lid, and a metal band. [Fig. 1]

Description

Title of the invention: "RECYCLABLE TRUNCONE BODY DRUM" Scope of application

[0001] The present invention relates to a drum, and in particular a drum body, improved frustoconical, recyclable and stackable.

[0002] In the packaging and conditioning sector, and in particular in the cardboard drum sector, it is common practice to use drums having a truncated conical cardboard body, a discoidal wooden lid and base, and a metal band fixing the lid to the drum body.

[0003] Typically, the truncated conical drum body has, at the top opening, which forms the main base of the body, a sheet metal band or rim attached to the cardboard body by external fasteners. This sheet metal band or rim serves as an attachment point for the metal band that holds the lid in place. Document EP0409799A2 describes an example of this type of drum.

[0004] This sheet metal edge is shaped to be crimped and to serve as a hooking element for the metal band ensuring the closure of a classic disc-shaped lid.

[0005] Various embodiments of these drums provide for the fixing of the sheet metal strip to the body of the drum by deformation of the latter so that the assembly of the sheet metal strip and the body of the drum is partly or entirely achieved by embedding the two components by coupling of form and / or force.

[0006] Unfortunately, this type of drum is not compatible with increasing recyclability requirements, as it is difficult to separate the drum body from the sheet metal rim.

[0007] Furthermore, the procedure for attaching the sheet metal rim considerably lengthens the production time of the drum and results in rather low productivity for this type of product. Solution provided by the invention

[0008] It was therefore particularly important to satisfy the requirement of an improved truncated conical barrel and, in particular, of a barrel body capable of eliminating the typical disadvantages encountered in the state of the art.

[0009] In particular, the aim of the present invention is to provide a truncated conical drum body that is easily recyclable and environmentally friendly.

[0010] Another objective is to offer a drum body that is quick and easy to manufacture, allowing an overall reduction in the production time of the drum itself.

[0011] Another objective is to offer a truncated conical barrel that is generally lighter and easier to handle.

[0012] Finally, the aim is also to produce a stackable drum body in order to facilitate and optimize the storage of drums and, in so doing, their transport and storage.

[0013] This requirement is satisfied by a drum body and a barrel conforming to the attached independent claims. The dependent claims arising therefrom describe preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention which themselves comprise other advantageous aspects. Description of the drawings

[0014] The characteristics and advantages of the truncated conical body of the shaft are clearly evident from the description of the few typical embodiments given below by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the attached figures, among which: - the [Fig.l] [Fig.l] which shows the exploded view of a truncated conical shaft in one embodiment of the present invention; - the [Fig.2] [Fig.2] which shows the perspective view of a barrel body in one embodiment of the present invention; - the [Fig.3] [Fig.3] which shows the perspective view of a truncated conical shaft in one embodiment of the present invention; - the [Fig.4] [Fig.4] which shows the cross-sectional view of a truncated conical shaft in one embodiment of the present invention; - the [Fig.5] [Fig.5] which shows a stack of barrel bodies conforming to one embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description

[0015] Regarding the figures above, the reference number 1 designates the complete truncated conical packaging drum.

[0016] The truncated conical barrel 1 comprises a barrel body 2, preferably made of a biodegradable material such as paper, cardboard, preferably kraft fiber, and even more preferably made of a laminate of glued kraft fiber layers.

[0017] The body of the barrel 2 develops along and around a development axis Z into a lateral wall 200 and generates an internal volume extending between an upper inlet mouth 20 and a lower opening.

[0018] The upper inlet 20 constitutes the major base of the conical trunk delimited by the lateral wall 200, the lower inlet constitutes the minor base of the conical trunk.

[0019] The truncated conical barrel 1 also includes a bottom 6 inserted into the lower opening of the barrel body 2. The bottom is preferably a flat or shaped discoidal element, preferably made of wood or cardboard.

[0020] The truncated conical barrel 1 also includes a lid 4, preferably discoidal, made of wood or cardboard, installed at the level of the upper inlet mouth 20 of the barrel body.

[0021] The truncated conical barrel 1 also includes a metal ring 5 ensuring that the cover 4 is held on the upper inlet mouth 20.

[0022] According to the present invention, the upper inlet 20 of the drum body 2 is delimited by a rim 30. This upper rim 30 is curved outwards and constitutes the first curved part 300, or first edge, of the drum body. It projects outwards from the side wall 200 and is oriented towards the side opposite the development axis Z.

[0023] The first curved part 300 can serve as a support surface for a cover 4, preferably discoidal.

[0024] The first curved part 300 and the side wall 200 are in one piece.

[0025] The first curved part 300 is made of the same material as the wall lateral 200, preferably kraft fiber.

[0026] In one embodiment, the side wall 200 is uniform and has no discontinuities.

[0027] In one embodiment, the barrel body 2 includes a lower rim 31 delimiting the lower opening. This lower rim 31 is curved inwards and constitutes the second curved part 310, or second rim, of the barrel body. It projects inwards from the side wall 200 and is oriented towards the development axis Z.

[0028] The second curved part 310 can serve as a support surface for the discoidal bottom 6 and, by fitting the bottom into the side wall 200, create a stable connection ensuring the closure of the lower opening of the barrel 1.

[0029] The second curved part 310 and the side wall 200 are in one piece.

[0030] The second curved part 310 is made of the same material as the side wall 200, preferably kraft fiber.

[0031] For the purposes of this description, the term "curved portion" refers to a rim that extends a small thickness beyond the side wall. For example, the first and second curved portions may extend a radial thickness of between 3 mm and 2 cm from the side wall 200.

[0032] In another embodiment, not shown in the figures, the lower edge 31 is folded inwards by means of a press so as to create a crown-shaped annular lip onto which the base can be applied, for example by gluing. This lip extends internally over a radial thickness of between 2 and 6 cm, preferably over a radial thickness of 3 cm.

[0033] In one embodiment, the metal band 5 includes an annular element 52 encircling the upper edge 30 of the barrel body 2 and an opening and closing means 50, such as a handle or lever 50, allowing the band 5 to be brought into the open position, where the annular element 52 is loosened and allows the lid 4 to be separated from the barrel body 2, and into the closed position, where the annular element 52 is tightened around the lid 4 resting on the curved part 300 to ensure the closure of the upper inlet mouth 20.

[0034] In other words, the metal ring 5 can be opened and closed so as to allow the cover 4 to be installed and removed.

[0035] In one embodiment, such as that illustrated in [Fig.4], the annular element 52 has a C-shaped section which allows it to be inserted simultaneously onto the first curved part and the lid 4 resting on the latter, thus clamping the two components to ensure the closure of the barrel 1.

[0036] In the embodiment shown in [Fig. 5], the metal band 5 is applied to the side wall 200 of the drum body 2 when it is to be stacked, preferably at about three-quarters (¾) of the height H of the drum body 2, and acts as a stop preventing the stacked drum bodies 2 from sinking during transport or storage. In this case, the annular element 52 acts as a stop for the rim 30 of the lower drum body.

[0037] In other words, as shown in [Fig.5], the side walls of the drums stacked one inside the other are exposed over a height H2 equal to about one quarter (¼) of the height H of the drum body.

[0038] In a stack of drum bodies 2 such as that shown in [Fig.5], the upper drum body may, on the other hand, have the metal band 5 applied to the rim 30.

[0039] The present invention innovatively solves the disadvantages of truncated conical barrels characteristic of the current state of technology.

[0040] Thanks to the present invention, the truncated conical shaft also has the advantage of being easy to manufacture.

[0041] Another advantage is that the truncated conical drum is easily recyclable and environmentally friendly. Indeed, such a truncated conical drum comprises elements that can be easily separated for recycling.

[0042] A second advantage is that this type of drum body is lighter than conventional truncated conical drum bodies. This characteristic makes the drum more maneuverable and reduces the load on transport vehicles.

[0043] Another advantage is that the truncated conical barrel allows other truncated conical barrels to be easily stacked and extracted.

[0044] Stackability greatly facilitates storage and optimizes space utilization, reducing costs and the number of means of transport required to handle a given number of drums.

[0045] Furthermore, although it does not include any metal elements directly attached to the drum, the drum body of the present invention has the necessary mechanical resistance characteristics, in particular thanks to the curvature of the upper edge.

[0046] It is evident that technicians specializing in this field will be able, in order to satisfy specific requirements, to modify the embodiments of the truncated conical shaft, by defining variants or by replacing elements with functionally equivalent elements.

[0047] These variants are also included within the scope of protection defined by the following claims. Furthermore, each variant described as belonging to a possible embodiment can be implemented independently of the other variants described.

Claims

Demands

1. A truncated conical drum body (2), preferably made of kraft fiber, for a truncated conical packaging drum (1), develops along and around a development axis (Z) into a side wall (200) and generates an internal volume extending between a top inlet mouth (20) delimited by a top rim (30) and a bottom opening, characterized in that the top rim (30) includes a first curved part (300) projecting outwards from the side wall (200), i.e. in a direction opposite to the development axis (Z), said first curved part (300) and the side wall (200) being of one piece and being able to serve as a support for a lid (4).

2. Barrel body (2) according to claim 1 having the first curved part (300) made of the same material as the side wall (200).

3. Barrel body (2) according to any one of the preceding claims having a side wall (200) that is uniform and does not have any discontinuity.

4. Barrel body (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, the upper inlet mouth (20) constituting the major base of the conical trunk delimited by the side wall 200 and the lower inlet constituting the minor base.

5. Barrel body (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a lower rim (31) delimiting the lower opening, said lower rim (31) comprising a second curved part (310) projecting inward from the side wall (200), i.e. oriented towards the development axis (Z).

6. Barrel body (2) according to claim 5, the second curved part of which (310) constitutes a support surface for the discoidal bottom (6) and, by fitting the bottom into the side wall (200), creates a stable connection ensuring the closure of the lower opening.

7. Barrel body (2) according to claim 5 or 6 having the second curved part (310) and the side wall (200) in one piece.

8. Barrel body (2) according to claim 5, 6 or 7 having the second curved part (310) made of the same material as the side wall (200).

9. Truncated conical drum (1) for packaging comprising: - a drum body (2) according to one or more prior claims; - a bottom (6) inserted into the lower opening of the drum body 2. - a lid (4) inserted into the upper inlet mouth (20) of the drum body and resting on the curved part (300); - a metal band (5) capable of ensuring the connection between the lid (4) and the drum body (2).

10. Truncated conical barrel (1) according to claim 9 having a bottom (6) that is a discoidal element.

11. Truncated conical barrel (1) according to claim 9 or 10 having a bottom (6) made of wood or cardboard.

12. Truncated conical barrel (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 11 having the lid (6) a discoidal element.

13. Truncated conical barrel (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 12 having the lid (4) made of wood or cardboard.

14. Truncated conical barrel (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 13 wherein the metal band (5) comprises an annular element (52) encircling the upper rim (30) of the barrel body (2) and an opening and closing means (50) enabling the metal band (5) to be brought into the open position, where the annular element (52) is loosened and allows the lid (4) to be separated from the barrel body (2), and into the closed position, where the annular element (52) is tightened around the lid (4) resting on the curved part (300) to ensure the closure of the upper inlet mouth (20).

15. Truncated conical barrel (1) according to claim 14 wherein the annular element (52) has a C-shaped section which allows it to be inserted simultaneously on the first curved part (300) and the lid (4) resting on the latter, thus clamping the two components to ensure the closure of the upper inlet mouth of the barrel (20).

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