Transportable, self-supporting container

摘要

A bulk shipping and storage container for liquids or dry powders comprising a rigid, round, plastic vessel, molded in one piece, and a lid for the vessel. Preferably, these parts are molded of poly(dicyclopentadiene), using the reaction injection molding (RIM) process. The lateral wall of the vessel is inclined inwardly from top to bottom so as to define an upper truncated conical section and lower truncated conical section coaxial with the upper section. The lateral wall is equipped with means for securing the lid to the top of the vessel. A recess is formed in the lateral wall of the vessel and this recess can be tapped with a threaded drainage hole to receive a threaded drain valve. The vessel's bottom is sloped towards this recess to permit complete draining of the container's contents. The container may be mounted on a pallet member or seated in a tub. Alternatively, it may be molded with an integral pallet formed by the lower portion of its lateral wall. Preferably, inelastic restraining straps or fastening wires are used to secure the container to the wooden pallet member. Preferably, one or more ring-shaped expansion chambers are formed in the vessel's lid. It is further preferred that when a container with an integral pallet or a container seated in a tub is stacked upon a similar container, the underside of the upper container's pallet will nest in the lower container's lid.