New Pig is the creator of the contained absorbent industry and an innovator in providing solutions to industrial and hazardous material leak and spill response problems. New Pig has designed a line of funnel products that, when attached to a 30 or 55 gallon drum  help customers comply with federal regulations requiring hazardous waste containers to be sealed to prevent Volatile Organic Compund emissions.  These funnels are collectively known as the Safe Waste Burpless Drum Funnels, and are equipped with internal vent tubes, which allow the waste to be poured into the drums at 3.0 gallons/second, without any splashback, and preventing pressure build up.

New Pig makes this funnel to withstand the "war", as its main use is in body shops, dry cleaners and fast food restaurants.  The product itself has corrugated, impact resistant sides that will not bend, allowing the funnel to remain tightly sealed even in the event of a fall.  Therefore, the new lid sealing mechanism must be able to withstand a fall from approximately three feet as well.  A durable powder-coat finish is applied to resist chipping and some models have a textured poly-coated interior as well, which adds chemical resistance.

The current funnel lid is sealed by the action of a hinge and three spring-loaded clamps, which prevent vapor and liquid release.  Each of these clamps must be opened before putting anything into the drum, and then must be refastened after the user has deposited the hazardous waste.  The design is functional, but not user friendly.

The objective of the lid-sealing project is to create a functional, inexpensive design for sealing New Pig Corporation's closed head funnel family.  The lid must seal with its mating part and hold a minimum 3 pounds per square inch.  Preferably, the design will allow for the lid to be sealed and unsealed with one hand in one motion.  Cost design criteria must also be determined.

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Conceptual Design
Pictures of Prototype
Force Analysis
Cost of Fabrication
Design Recommendations