Container with screw-on cap having a controlled-torque latch

Abstract

A container for transporting and storing vessels containing hazardous liquids and a method for making such a container. The container has a cylindrical housing and a cap that screws into the mouth of the housing and is locked by a latch. When the cap is screwed into place, an elastomeric sealing ring on the cap is compressed against the housing to provide a liquid-tight seal between the housing and cap. Interlocking hook-shaped members that project from the housing and from a central location of the latch act as a fulcrum on which the latch can be pivoted. Under the bias of a serpentine tongue, a locking member that projects from an end of the latch protrudes through a bore in the housing and is adapted to be received by a hole in the cap, thus locking the cap until the other end of the lever is depressed to disengage the locking member from the hole of the cap. The hole in the cap is drilled at a position such that the locking member fits into the hole when the cap has been sufficiently screwed into the housing to provide a liquid-tight seal between the cap and housing, yet not so tight as to damage the threaded portions or make it unduly difficult to unscrew the cap.