Seam assembly and methods

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to a container that is configured to store contents under pressure. The container includes a body extending from a first open end to a second end opposite the first open end. The container includes a base plate configured to close a first open end. The container includes a seam coupling a perimeter of the base plate to the first open end of the body. The seam includes a plate flange that extends from the base plate and is folded at least once to create two or more overlapping sections. The seam includes a body flange that extends from the body and is interposed between each of the two or more overlapping sections. A securement feature further seals the seam, the securement feature including at least one of an adhesive, a weld, a crimped interface, or an auxiliary fold of the body flange.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A container that is configured to store contents under pressure, comprising: 
 a body extending from a first open end to a second end opposite the first open end;   a longitudinal axis extending from the first open end to the second end, the longitudinal axis defining a first direction that extends along the longitudinal axis toward the first open end, and a second direction extending opposite the first direction;   a base plate configured to close a first open end; and   a seam coupling a perimeter of the base plate to the first open end of the body,    wherein a cross-sectional profile of the seam includes:     a body flange, the body flange including a first body section extending from the body to a first body bend, and a second body section disposed outward of the first body section, relative to the longitudinal axis, the second body section extending from the first body bend in the first direction, and   a plate flange engaging and at least partially circumscribing a surface of the body flange, the plate flange including a first plate section extending from the base plate to a first plate bend, a second plate section disposed outward of the first plate section, relative to the longitudinal axis, the second plate section extending from the first plate bend to a second plate bend in the first direction, and a third plate section disposed between the first plate section and the second plate section, the third plate section extending from the second plate bend in the second direction, and   wherein a securement feature further seals the seam, the securement feature including at least one of an adhesive, a weld, a crimped interface, or at least one auxiliary bend.     
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the additional bend in the cross-sectional profile include: 
 the second body section extending from the first body bend to a second body bend, and a third body section disposed between the first body section and the second body section that extends from the second bend in the second direction, and   the third plate section extending from the second plate bend to a third plate bend, and a fourth plate section disposed between the second plate section and the third plate section that extends from the third plate bend in the first direction.   
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein, at the cross-sectional profile of the seam, the second body section overlaps and engages the second plate section along a first distance, wherein the fourth plate section overlaps and engages the third body section along a second distance, and wherein a ratio of the second distance to the first distance is between about 0.3 and about 0.7. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the securement feature includes the adhesive being disposed between the second plate section and the third plate section.  
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the securement feature includes the weld joining the third plate section to the body.  
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the securement feature includes the crimped interface, and the crimped interface includes a plurality of undulations arranged along the seam. 
     
     
         7 . A pressurized container, comprising: 
 a body extending from a first open end to a second end opposite the first open end;   a base plate configured to close the first open end; and   a seam coupling a perimeter of the base plate to the first open end of the body;    wherein the seam includes: 
 a plate flange that extends from the base plate and is folded at least once to create two or more overlapping sections, and 
 a body flange that extends from the body and is interposed between each of the two or more overlapping sections, 
 wherein a securement feature further seals the seam, the securement feature including at least one of an adhesive, a weld, a crimped interface, or an auxiliary fold of the body flange. 
   
     
     
         8 . The pressurized container of  claim 7 , wherein the securement feature includes the adhesive being interposed between the body flange and the plate flange. 
     
     
         9 . The pressurized container of  claim 7 , wherein the securement feature includes the weld that couples the plate flange to the body. 
     
     
         10 . The pressurized container of  claim 9 , wherein the weld circumscribes a perimeter of the body. 
     
     
         11 . The pressurized container of  claim 10 , wherein one or more of the overlapping sections is fused to the body flange by welding, the welding being a laser weld or a seam weld.  
     
     
         12 . The pressurized container of  claim 7 , wherein the securement feature includes the crimped interface, and the crimped interface includes overlapping and engaging undulations in the body flange and the plate flange. 
     
     
         13 . The pressurized container of  claim 7 , wherein the plate flange includes four or more sections.  
     
     
         14 . The pressurized container of  claim 7 , wherein a longitudinal axis extends from the first open end to the second end, the longitudinal axis defining a first direction that extends along the longitudinal axis toward the first open end, and a second direction extending opposite the first direction, 
       and wherein a cross-sectional profile of the seam includes:  
       the body flange including a first body section extending from the body to a first body bend, and a second body section disposed outward of the first body section, relative to the longitudinal axis, which extends from the first body bend in the first direction, 
       the plate flange including a first plate section extending from the base plate to a first plate bend, a second plate section disposed outward of the first plate section, relative to the longitudinal axis, that extends from the first plate bend to a second plate bend in the first direction, and a third plate section disposed between the first plate section and the second plate section that extends from the second plate bend in the second direction. 
     
     
         15 . The pressurized container of  claim 14 , wherein the cross-sectional profile of the seam further includes: 
 the second body section extending from the first body bend to a second body bend, and a third body section disposed between the first body section and the second body section that extends from the second bend in the second direction, and   the third plate section extending from the second plate bend to a third plate bend, and a fourth plate disposed between the second plate section and the third plate section that extends from the third plate bend in the first direction.