Dual Opening Overpack Drum

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and incorporates entirely by reference U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/522,478 filed on Jun. 20, 2017.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to overpack drums and, more particularly, to overpack drums including dual openings at opposing ends.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Overpack drums are a type of protective packaging for containing non-hazardous materials or provide outer protection. Generally, an overpack drum is a larger container in which a smaller container can be placed. Overpack drums can be made using a number of different materials and sizes ranging from traditional 55-gallon metal drums to 95-gallon hard plastic overpack drums. A salvage drum is a type of overpack drum which is needed when there are hazardous materials in a leaking or otherwise damaged container which need to be contained.

Importantly, loading of containers into presently available overpack drums is a cumbersome process requiring the user to lay both the container and the overpack drum on their respective sides and in alignment before directing the container into the interior portion of the overpack drum. Thereafter, the overpack drum must be lifted into proper position. Alternatively, the container can be lowered into the interior portion of the overpack drum, which requires additional machinery.

In view of the problems discussed above, there exists a need for an overpack drum having dual openings on opposing sides for permitting easy loading and securing of a container within the interior chamber of the overpack drum of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one form of the present invention, there is provided an over pack drum for storing hazardous materials including a cylindrical main body extending between top and bottom ends, the cylindrical main body defining an open channel wherein each of the top and bottom ends of the cylindrical main body are open-ended; a top cover being configured for coupling with the top open end of the cylindrical main body; a bottom cover being configured for coupling with the bottom open end of the cylindrical main body; and a plurality of roller ball and bearing assemblies partially embedded within the bottom cover such that a portion of each of the roller balls extends beyond the upper facing surface of the bottom cover for permitting multidirectional movement of a container moved thereon.

In accordance with one form of the present invention, there is provided an over pack drum for storing hazardous materials including a main body extending between top and bottom ends, the main body defining an open channel wherein each of the top and bottom ends of the main body are open-ended; a top cover being configured for coupling with the top open end of the main body; a bottom cover being configured for coupling with the bottom open end of the main body; and a plurality of roller ball and bearing assemblies partially embedded within the bottom cover such that a portion of each of the roller balls extends beyond the upper facing surface of the bottom cover for permitting multidirectional movement of a container moved thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of dual opening overpack drum design;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, front elevational view of the dual opening overpack drum design of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded, rear elevational view of the dual opening overpack drum design of FIG. 1, and including the bottom cover shown in cross-section;

FIG. 4 is an exploded, left side elevational view of the dual opening overpack drum design of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded, right side elevational view of the dual opening overpack drum design of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded, top plan view of the dual opening overpack drum design of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an exploded, bottom plan view of the dual opening overpack drum design of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a dual opening overpack drum design of FIG. 1.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the several views of the drawings, the dual opening overpack drum of the present invention is shown and is generally indicated as 10. The dual opening overpack drum is configured for storage of containers.

As shown in FIGS. 1-8, the overpack drum 10 includes a cylindrical main body 12 extending between top and bottom ends 14 and 16. Each of the top and bottom sides 14 and 16 are open such that the inner facing surface of the main body surrounds an open channel therethrough. A top cover 18 is sized and configured for coupling with the top end 14 of the main body 12. In one embodiment, a raised perimeter lip 20 extends from the top end 14 of the main body 12. The raised perimeter lip 20 includes a threaded outer facing surface 22 for mated receipt of corresponding threads located on the inner facing surface (not pictured) of the top cover 18. A bottom cover 24 is sized and configured for coupling with the bottom end 16 of the main body 12. In one embodiment, the interior and exterior portions of the perimeter edge of the main body 12 includes a threaded zone 26 for mated receipt with corresponding threaded surfaces within a slot 28 of the bottom cover 24.

The bottom cover 24 includes a plurality of roller ball and bearing assemblies 30 (see FIG. 3), each of which are partially embedded within the bottom cover 24 such that a portion of each of the roller balls 32 extends beyond the upper facing surface 34 of the bottom cover 24 for permitting multidirectional movement of a container being moved thereon for storage purposes.

The bottom cover 24 may include a plurality of caster wheels 36 for permitting easy ground transportation of the overpack drum 10.

While the overpack drum 10 has thus far been shown and described to include two rows of three roller ball and bearing assemblies 30, thereby totaling six roller ball and bearing assemblies 30, it is contemplated that different arrangements of roller ball and bearing assemblies 30 may be used.

While the present invention has been shown and described in accordance with several preferred and practical embodiments, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention.