Method and apparatus for sealing an open head drum

An improved seal for an open head drum of the type including;

• a hollow tubular drum body defining an open end and a closed end;
• a lid seat defined in the hollow tubular drum body adjacent the open end for receiving a removable drum lid;
• a removable drum lid having a first portion for closing the open end of the hollow tubular drum body and a second portion for co-acting with the lid seat in sealed relationship for closing the hollow tubular drum body;
• the improved seal comprising:
• an endless sealing membrane continuously around the lid seat and the removable drum lid, the endless sealing membrane having a first annular portion attached to the lid seat, a second annular portion attached to the removable drum lid at a distance removed from the drum seat so as to define a planar spatial annulus between the drum seat along an annulus on the removable drum lid, and a flexible annular portion between the first and second annular portions, said flexible annular portion disposed immediately adjacent and over the planar spatial annulus between the drum seat and the removable drum lid whereby when separation of the removable lid from the seat occurs the endless sealing membrane at the flexible annular portion is substantially linearly disposed to prevent ingress of atmosphere interior of the drum.

A process for providing an open head drum with an improved seal, wherein the open head drum includes;

• a hollow tubular drum body defining an open end and a closed end;
• a lid seat defined in the hollow tubular drum body adjacent the open end for receiving a removable drum lid;
• a removable drum lid having a first portion for closing the open end of the hollow tubular drum body and a second portion for co-acting with the lid seat in sealed relationship for closing the hollow tubular drum body;
• the process including the steps of:
• providing an endless sealing membrane continuously around the lid seat and the removable drum lid;
• attaching the endless sealing membrane at a first annular portion to the lid seat;
• attaching the endless sealing membrane at a second portion to the removable drum lid at a distance removed from the drum seat so as to define a planar spatial annulus between the drum seat along an annulus on the removable drum lid;
• and,
• spacing the first annular portion and the second annular portion apart one from the other to provide a flexible annular portion disposed immediately adjacent and over the planar spatial annulus between the drum seat and the removable drum lid between the first and second annular portions whereby, when separation of the removable lid from the seat occurs, the endless sealing membrane at the flexible annular portion is substantially linearly disposed to prevent ingress of atmosphere interior of the drum.