Container assembly including a detachable follow plate for loading bulk material therefrom

Abstract

The invention relates to a container assembly that includes a built-in follow plate for loading a viscous fluid into the barrel of a dispensing device. The assembly includes a drum for holding a viscous fluid therein and a lid for fitting over the drum open top to effect closure of the drum. The assembly includes a horizontally oriented follow plate detachable from the lid. The follow plate includes a central hub arranged for receiving the barrel of a dispensing device. The follow plate moves in response to a change in the level of fluid in the drum as it is drawn into the barrel of the dispensing device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container assembly including a built-in follow plate for loading a viscous fluid into the barrel of a bulk dispensing device, said assembly comprising:
 a. a drum for holding a viscous fluid therein, said drum including an open top, a central axis, and an inner side wall;   b. a lid including a peripheral channel arranged for fitting over said drum open top to effect closure thereof, and an annular skirt extending inwardly from said peripheral channel to define a central opening through which the barrel of a dispensing device may be extended; and,   c. a horizontally oriented follow plate detachable from said lid and including an opening arranged for receiving the barrel of a dispensing device, said follow plate being movable by external means along the central axis of the drum in response to a change in the level of viscous fluid in the drum as it is drawn through the opening and into the barrel of the bulk dispensing device, said follow plate including an inner region and an outer peripheral region in sliding engagement with said drum inner side wall.   
     
     
         2 . A container assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said annular skirt includes a bottom surface, said assembly additionally comprising a pull tab formed of a sheet material and interposed between said lid assembly and said follow plate, upon which force is applied to detach said follow plate from said lid assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The container assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said opening is a central hub. 
     
     
         4 . The container assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said inner region includes a predetermined thickness and wherein said outer peripheral region includes a thickness that is less than said predetermined thickness. 
     
     
         5 . The container assembly as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said container assembly additionally comprises a cap for covering said central hub. 
     
     
         6 . The container assembly as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said cap assembly additionally comprises a pull tab for removing said cap from said central hub. 
     
     
         7 . The container assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said viscous material is a caulking material. 
     
     
         8 . The container assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said viscous material is an epoxy material. 
     
     
         9 . A container assembly including a built-in follow plate for loading a viscous fluid into the barrel of a bulk dispensing device, said assembly comprising:
 a. a drum for holding a viscous fluid therein, said drum including an open top, a central axis, and an inner side wall;   b. a lid including a peripheral channel arranged for fitting over said drum open top to effect closure thereof, and an annular skirt extending inwardly from said peripheral channel to define a central opening through which the barrel of a dispensing device may be extended; and,   c. a horizontally oriented follow plate detachable from said lid and including an opening arranged for receiving a connection, said follow plate being movable by external means along the central axis of the drum in response to a change in the level of viscous fluid in the drum as it is drawn through the opening and into the barrel of the bulk dispensing device, said follow plate including an inner region and an outer peripheral region in sliding engagement with said drum inner side wall.   
     
     
         10 . The container assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said connection is a member selected from the group consisting of a hose, a pipe, or a tube. 
     
     
         11 . The container assembly as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said inner region and said outer region have equal predetermined thicknesses. 
     
     
         12 . The container assembly as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said inner is comprised of a material that is different from said outer region. 
     
     
         13 . The container assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said viscous material is an edible food. 
     
     
         14 . A follow plate for loading viscous fluid into the barrel of a bulk dispensing device, the follow plate being arranged for use in combination with a container assembly arranged for containing a viscous fluid therein, the container assembly having a drum including an inner side wall, an open top, and a lid arranged for fitting over the open top of the drum to effect closure thereof, said follow plate comprising:
 a. a disk member detachably connected to the lid of the container assembly, said disk member including a centrally located hub that is open at both ends, cylindrical in shape, and arranged for attachment to the barrel of a bulk dispensing device, said disk member further including an outer periphery of generally circular shape;   b. a overmold member being generally circular in shape and including a central opening in which said disk member is disposed, said overmold member extending radially from the outer periphery of said disk member to contact the inner side wall of the drum; and,   c. said follow plate being movable by external means along the central axis of the drum in response to a change in the level of viscous fluid in the drum as said viscous material is drawn through said hub and into the barrel of the bulk dispensing device.   
     
     
         15 . The follow plate of  claim 14 , wherein said disk member is formed of a rigid plastic material. 
     
     
         16 . The follow plate of  claim 14 , wherein said disk member additionally comprises at least one rib extending radially from said hub to said outer periphery. 
     
     
         17 . The follow plate of  claim 14 , wherein said disk member is formed of polypropylene. 
     
     
         18 . The follow plate of  claim 14 , wherein said overmold member is reduced in thickness as it extends radially from the outer periphery of said disk member to the inner side wall of the drum. 
     
     
         19 . The follow plate of  claim 18 , wherein said overmold bends against the inner side wall of the drum during downward advancement of the follow plate during loading of viscous fluid into the barrel of the bulk dispensing device.