Drum closure system: closing ring, crimping machine and method of use

Abstract

An improved drum ring and apparatus for forming the ring during sealing of a drum utilizes a depending open leg having an initial diameter larger than the head of the drum to be sealed and a cover associated therewith. The open leg is deformable about the drum cover and drum body curl by a segmented forming tool to seal said cover to said drum in a compressed condition.

1 . An improved ring construction for use in a drum closure assembly wherein the drum closure assembly includes a drum body curl, and a drum cover, said ring construction comprising and annular metallic strip having a generally L shape defined by an upper leg and a depending open leg, said upper leg partially overlying said drum cover and said depending leg extending below said drum body curl.  
   
   
       2 . An improved ring construction as defined in  claim 1  wherein said strip has a first and second ends which substantially abut at a joint.  
   
   
       3 . An improved ring construction as defined in  claim 2  wherein said open leg defines an inner diameter greater than the diameter of said drum cover and said drum body curl.  
   
   
       4 . An improved ring construction as defined in  claim 3  wherein said open leg is formable to conform to the shape of said cover and drum curl.  
   
   
       5 . An improved ring construction as defined in  claim 2  wherein said strip has a threaded lug affixed at said first end and a unthreaded lug affixed at said second end and further comprising a threaded bolt passing through said unthreaded lug and engaging said threaded lug to fix said strip and lugs in rigid mechanical engagement before and after drum closure.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus for sealing a drum using the ring construction of  claim 1  comprising: an upper form tooling comprising an annular seat overlying said upper leg and a segmented lower form tooling comprising a plurality of segments movable radially and vertically relative to said upper forming tool.  
   
   
       7 . Apparatus as defined in  claim 6  wherein each segment had defined thereon a die face for engagement with said open leg such that said open leg is formed by said face into conforming relationship with said drum curl and cover.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus as defined in  claim 7  wherein said drum closure assembly includes a gasket intermediate said drum curl and said drum cover and said apparatus further comprising an actuator for compressing said top form tooling, said upper leg, said drum cover, said gasket and said drum curl to a desired position.  
   
   
       9 . Apparatus as defined in  claim 8  further comprising at least one actuator operatively connected to said lower form tooling to urge said segments of said lower form tooling selectively between a retracted position and a condensed position.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for sealing a drum wherein said drum has an open end with an annular drum curl formed thereon and a drum cover overlying open end and said drum curl, comprising: an upper forming tool defining a seat against which said drum cover and portion of a drum ring overlying said drum cover abut, a plurality of segments defining lower form tooling selectively movable between a retracted position and a condensed position wherein said segments each include a die face for engaging a portion of said drum ring extending below said drum curl for forming said drum ring to seal said drum.