US2941689A - Shipping container for oil samples and the like - Google Patents

Description

SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR OIL SAMPLES AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 29, 1958 J. 5. BLACK June 21, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGZ.

FIG]. 29 3 40 2'7 O 4 E H 1 J m :1- wmm m m M O 2 I 4 w z 444% June 21, 1960 J. 5 BLACK 2,941,689

SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR OIL SAMPLES AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 29, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 llcontainer.

Unite 2,941,689 SHIPPING CONTAlNER FOR 01L SAMPLES AND THE LIKE James S. Black, Makati, Risa], Republic of the Philippines, assignor to Standard-Vacuum Oil Company,

White Plains, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 29, 1958, Ser. No. 770,503

7 Claims. (Cl. 220-43) and a neckportion. of smaller diameter with a cork closureelement. Aside from the fact that the glass is easily broken, there is nofacility in that type of sample bottle for data sheets pr other information or intelligence to'accompany the liquid contents of the bottle, except the possibility of labels or sheets attached to the outside of the bottles. V

This invention provides a container "which is made of molded unbreakableplastic material and is useable over and over again and lends itself admirably for storage or transport of liquid contents such as lubricating oil samples. And in addition to providing a main body portion for containing the liquid sample, a second chamber within a cup closure element provides a space sealed off from the liquid contents, in which a data sheet relating to the contents may accompany the sample. Hence the liquid sample is prevented from soiling the data sheet and the liquid is protected against contamination.

The cup closure element fits snugly into a restricted neck portion extending upwardly from the main body portion of the container and a capping closure fits over the neck to enclose the data sheet within the cup closure element so that when the cap closure is in place the combined container parts present an overall cylindrically shaped .container without offsets on the exterior surface of the Hence, the closed container lends itself to .be conveniently enclosed within a cooperating heavy paper wrapping enclosure which when folded into place provides a; sturdily packaged unbreakable shipping container which is suitable for transporting the container,

, data sheet and liquid contents as a unit from place to place by mail or by other modes of UHIISPOITEIUQII w1thfout the necessity of packing the container bottle in extra protective packing material.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention are pointed out in the annexed claims, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, in which Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of the assembled conf'tainer, partly in section;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the container shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an exploded view showing, in elevation, ;the three separate parts of the container prior to assembly, each being shown partly in section;

States Patent 0 Fig. 4 is a plan view of the inside of the wrapping and shipping enclosure, showing the container in position prior to enclosing it to provide a unitary shipping container;

Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of the shipping container with the outside enclosure closed; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective of the unitary shipping container closed ready for shipping.

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate similar parts throughout the several views, the container designated generally by reference numeral 10 comprises a main body 11, cup closure. element 12 and a cover cap 13 each of which is molded of a plastic material suchas polyethylene, or other similar or suitable moldable plastic material. The walls of the body portion and cup portion are made ofa material which is somewhat flexible, yet sufliciently rigid to hold their shapes when the main body is charged with liquid such as a sample of lubricating oil. The cover cap 13 is preferably made of a plastic which is somewhat more rigid than the plastic making up thebody portion 11 or at' least made of thicker walls to provide desirable rigidity. In some instances it may be desirable to provide an inner replaceable liner 23 which is preferably made of a different material from that used for the main body 11; for example, vinyl, Saran, nylon, or whatever is suitable for the contents to be carried in. the bottle. In this case it is desirable to make the cup closure element 12-of the same type of plastic as the liner 23.1 t

The main body 11, as shown, comprises a main cylindrically shaped side wall portion 14, an inwardly dished bottomwall 15, an inwardly extending horizontally 'disposed annular shoulder 16 and an upwardly extending cylindrically shaped neck portion 17, the wall of which has external outwardly projectingscrew threads 18. The threads 18 at their upper end terminate. short of the top edge 19 of the neck, there being an upwardly extending tubular neck portion 20 between the small annular shoulder 21 at the upper end of the threads and upper annular edge 19 of the neck. For convenience of description this portion 20 is herein referred to as a hollow cylindrical boss so that it may be said the threaded neck portion 17 terminates at its upper end in a hollow cylindrical boss. The threads 18 at their lower end terminate at a narrow annular shoulder. 22. The

wall of the hollow boss 20 is generally cylindrical but this wall in an upward direction tapers inwardly slightly for reasons mentioned later.

The cup closure element 12 comprises a generally cylindrically shaped side wall 25 and a bottom wall 26 forming a cup or chamber 27 having an open upper end 28. The upper circular end of the cup element 12 has extending outwardly and horizontally an annular flat rim portion 29 from which extends a downwardly extending annular apron portion 30. It will be noted thatthe side wall 25 tapers outwardly slightly in an upward direction at its upper end portion 31 and the downwardly extending apron ring 30 lies substantially parallel with the portion 31 and is spaced apart therefrom to provide an annular channel 32 which has a width which corresponds with the thickness of the cylindrical tapered wall of the hollow boss 20. That is, the thickness of the wall of hollow boss 20' is such'that it will slide with a snugfit into channel 32. Now it may be observed that when the cup element 12 having a diameter to fit into the neck, is inserted into the mouth 33 of the bottle, provided by the hollow boss 20, the diameter of the'portion 31 of the cup is such that it will exert a force radially outward against the boss portion 20 when the cup closure element is pressed home which is the position shown in Fig. 1. When the cup closure 12 is thus in its closed position the wall 31 of the cup presses outwardly against the interior surface of hollow boss 20 and the annular wall 20 fits snugly into the channel 32. Inasmuch as there; is a. pressure exerted in a radially outward: direction, the outer surface of portion 31 bears against the inner surface offboss portion 20, which in turn" causes the outer surface of the circular wall of boss 20 to bear against the interior surface of the depending circular apron'30. Hence, when the cup element 12 is inserted in the mouth '33: and pushed into its seatediposition (as shown in Fig. 1) the cup closure element closes the mouth of the bottle with a double seal int-he channel 32 which will be effective in closing the chamber 34 of the main body ofthe container and will eifectively seal the interior of chamber 34 from the cup chamber 27. A folded sheet (represented by dotted lines 35) containing data concerning a sample carried in chamber 34 or containing other information or intelligence maybe conveniently" placed in the data chamber 27, to accompany the sample.

The closure 13 comprises an inverted cup-shaped cap having a top wall 40 from which depends a generally cylindrically shaped side wall 41 having vertical flutings 4 Extending from the crease line 71 of the body. .panel 51 is a tuck flap 72 to which the glue flap is fastened when the container is rolled-up in the enclosure wrapper, it being noted that the length 1 of the panel 51 plus the length 1 of the glue flap 52 is equal to the length of the periphery around the cylindricalcontainer and the width' W of the flaps, 63 and. 6.5 is slightly less than the diameter of the container.

To enclose the container 10 in the shipping wrapper 50 7 it is placed on the wrapper as shown'in Fig. 4. It is then rolled-up in the wrapper and the glue 55 is moistened and the glue flap sealed to the tuck flap 72. .The triangular panels 73 and 74 are tucked in andv panel 7 0 then folded over these panels to expose the metal clasp 60, the top tab 56 is then folded down on the flap 7!) with the wings of the metal clasp 60 extending through the aperture 58 and the metal wings are then spread to lock the top end closure as shown in Fig. 6. .A similar operation closes the bottom end closureto produce the unitaryshipping ping wrapper 50 stowed in sample chamber 34 and data cap, thus providing an annular apron'portion. 4.4- which 'fitsover'the upstanding neck'portion- 17aof the container when the: cap .13. is screwed home on the neekzthreads -18 as :shown in Fig; 1. .The. upper end. portion 45 of the. cylindrical wall of the cap above the threads 42 is of slightly reduced diameter and. registers with and fits over and' grips the. exterior surface of. the apron 30 which surrounds the upstanding hollow boss 20 of the neck of the container. Theinterior of the top wall is provided I .with a peripheral channel or groove 46 into which the rim '29 of cup 12 fits when the cap13 is screwed home on the neck 17 of the main body of the container (as shown in Fig. 1). Hence, the cap grips the rim and apron portion of the cup closure element to insure an even tighter seal to prevent leakage of liquid contents, from the cham- 'ber'34 and to protect the data sheet within the cup chamber 27, while. the. depending disc portion 47 fits into the open end 28. of the cup. closure element. A series of slots 48 molded into the lower edge-portion of. the cap PIo- 'vides for additional flexibility to the. annular apron portion 44 of the cap.

The wrapping enclosure designated generally by reference. numeral 50 comprises a flat blank made preferably of heavy kraft paper to provide ample,v strength .and cushioning when the container 10 is enclosed and sealed in the shipping closure. It. comprises a main body panel. 51

having a, height h; corresponding to the height of the as- :sembled container 10. Extending frompanel. 51 1s a glue fl'apSZ which is provided by folding a flap 53 over on .itself along crease. 5.4 and gluing it to provide the reinforced glue flap 52 which is provided on its lnner surface with adhesive 55 coextensive with the height of panel 51., At. the ends of the glue flap 52 is a top closure tab .56 and bottom closure tab 57 each provided with an aperture 5.8 and 59 to receive the wings of metal clasps 60 and. 61, later described. Y

Extendingfrom crease line 62 of panel 5.1 is a top closure flap 63 and. extending from crease line 64 of panel 51. is a bottom closure flap 65.. These top and bottom closure flaps have the shape of a trapezoid and are scored metal clasp having wings which may extend through apertures 58 and. 59 and then spread to lock the closure. flap 56 and 57 to the panels 70, 70a.

.sheet stowed in data chamber 27. Then when the initi l :receiver wishes to ship the container .(for example, to

send a sample of lubricating oil to a laboratory), he removes the sheet 35" and wrapper 50, placesthe sample in the container, places such data as desired. on sheet35, places it in the cup 25, close the container with, cap 13, and encloses the. closed container inthe shipping wrapper 50 for transport to the desired place.

' The terms and expressions which have been employed herein are used as terms of description and notof limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and'expressions, of'excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

What is claimed is: i

1. A molded plastic container for liquid contentssuch as samples of lubricating .oil or the like whichcornprises a main body portion providing a main chamber for stowing liquid contents, av hollow neck portion of generally cylindrical shape extending upwardly from said main body portion providing a hollow boss having a cylindrical wall, a cup-shaped, closure element extending into said hollow neck portion providing a data chamber in which to stow a data sheet, said cupeshaped closure at its upper end having a horizontally disposed annular rim. portion and a cylindrical apron portion extending downwardly. from the outer. peripheral edge of said annular rim portion providing an annular channel into which said cylindrical'wall of said hollow boss .extends and snugly fits, thereby sealing the data chamber from said main chamber, and a closure cap removably secured on said neck closing said data chamber and securely holding said cup closure element in closed position to prevent leakage, ofcontents from said main chamber.

2. A molded plastic container forliquid contents such as .a. sample of lubricating oil or the like which comprises a main body portion having a generally cylindrical side wall and a bottom wall providing a main chamber in which to stow said. contents, a hollow cyl-indri'cally'shaped neck of a diameter less than the diameter of said body extending upwardly from said body portion and having male threads on its exterior surface, a cup-shaped closure element having a circular wall, open at its upper end, inserted in said hollow neck and providing a chamber in which to stow data, a rim and apron portion at the top end of said circular wall providing an annular channel into which the upper endof neck extends and snugly fits, the upper end portion of said circular wall of said cup element being outwardly tapered so that it exerts an outward radial pressure upon the interior surface of said hollow neck thereby sealing said main chamber to prevent leakage of contents therefrom, an inverted cuplhaped cap having a cylindrical side wall and top wall and female threads on the interior surface of said side wall, Quid cap being screwed onto said neck to close said open end of said cup closure element and to hold said cup closure element in sealedposition in said neck.

3. A molded plastic container constructed according to claim 2 and having a replaceable interliner, lining said main chamber.

4. A molded plastic container for liquid contents such as a sample of lubricating oil or the like which comprises a main body portion having a generally cylindrical side wall and a bottom wall providing a main chamber in which to stow said contents, a hollow cylindrically shaped neck of a diameter less than the diameter of said body extending upwardly from said body portion and having male threads on its exterior surface, said neck having a hollow boss at its upper end, said boss having an inwardly tapered cylindrical wall forming a mouth, a cup-shaped closure element having a generally cylindrically shaped side wall open at its upper end inserted into said mouth through said hollow boss and providing a chamber in which to stow data, the upper end of the cylindrical wall of said cup element being outwardly tapered so that it exerts an outward radial pressure upon the interior surface of said hollow boss, a horizontally disposed fiat rim at the upper end of said cup and a downwardly disposed apron connected to said flat rim forming an annular channel around the cylindrical wall of said cup element into which the cylindrical wall of said hollow boss extends, said hollow boss exerting a pressure outwardly against said apron thereby sealing said main chamber to prevent leakage of contents therefrom, an inverted cup-shaped cap having a cylindrical side wall and top wall and female threads on the interior surface of said side wall, said cap being screwed onto said neck to close said open end of said cup closure and to grip said apron and to hold said cup closure in sealed position in said neck.

5. A molded plastic container constructed according to claim 4 and having a replaceable plastic liner lining the walls of said main chamber.

6. A shipping package for shipping liquid contents such as samples of lubricating oil or the like which comprises l) a bottle having a main body portion providing a main chamber for stowing liquid contents, a hollow neck portion extending upwardly from said main body portion, a cup-shaped closure element extending into said hollow neck portion providing a data chamber sealed from said main chamber in which to stow a data sheet and a closure cap removably secured on said neck closing said data chamber and securely holding said cup closure element in closed position to prevent leakage of contents from said main chamber, the exterior of said bottle being generally cylindrical in shape and free from offsets, and (2) a wrapper of heavy sheet material enclosing said bottle, said wrapper comprising a main panel encircling the cylindrical side wall of said bottle and a reinforced glue fiap secured to said main panel, top and bottom closure flaps folded over the top and bottom of said bottle, top and bottom closure tabs secured to said glue flap and folded over said top and bottom flaps, and metal clasps extending through said tabs and holding said flaps in folded position.

7. A container constructed according to claim 2 enclosed in a Wrapper of heavy sheet material which comprises a main panel encircling the cylindrical Wall of said container, a tuck flap extending from said main panel, a glue flap adhesively secured to said tuck flap, a top flap secured to said main panel and folded to cover the top of said container and a bottom flap secured to said main panel and folded to cover the bottom of said container, a metal clasp secured to each of said flaps, a top tab extending from said glue flap and folded onto said [top flap and locked in place by one of said clasps, a bottom tab extending from said glue flap, folded onto said bottom flap and locked in place by the other of said clasps.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,317,882 Boesel Apr. 27, 1943 2,357,147 Taylor Aug. 29, 1944 2,721,552 Nosik Oct. 25, 1955 2,753,081 Hobson July 3, 1956

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