AU2012233061A1 - A Knock-Down Pallet Bin - Google Patents

Abstract

A knock-down pallet bin including a pallet base, a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall, and a fourth side wall, each of the first, second, third and 5 fourth side walls being pivotally attached at or adjacent a lower end to the pallet base so that they can be moved from an in-use upright position to a collapsed position in which they extend over the pallet base and below an imaginary plane defined by at least two upper edge surfaces of the pallet base. F-igure 1

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (ORIGINAL) Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority Related Art: Name of Applicant: Willem Industries Pty Ltd. Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service and Correspondence: PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 AUSTRALIA Invention Title: A Knock-Down Pallet Bin Our Ref: 954687 POF Code: 355029/355029 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): - 1- 2 A KNOCK-DOWN PALLET BIN Field of the Invention 5 The present invention relates to collapsible transport bins having pallet type bases. These bins are also known as "knock-down" pallet bins. Background of the Invention 10 Knock-down pallet bins are commonly used to store and transport many different products. Fruit, vegetables, plastic fittings, and small machine components are examples of just a few of the different products that are transported in knock-down pallet bins. 15 Knock-down pallet bins are advantageous because they can be loaded with goods and then easily transported by a fork lift to a storage facility or directly onto a truck for transport. After emptying, the knock-down pallet bin can be folded to the collapsed configuration and then stacked on top of another collapsed pallet bin. The collapsed pallet bins are easily and more 20 economically stored and transported back to the original user as such bins occupy far less load space than traditional fixed wall pallet bins. The present invention seeks to provide an improved knock-down pallet bin. This discussion of the background to the invention is included to explain the 25 context of the invention. This is not to be taken as an admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of this application. Summary of the Invention 30 The present invention provides a knock-down pallet bin including: a pallet base; a first side wall; 3 a second side wall; a third side wall; and a fourth side wall; each of the first, second, third and fourth side walls being pivotally attached at 5 or adjacent a lower end to the pallet base so that they can be moved from an in use upright position to a collapsed position in which they extend over the pallet base and below an imaginary plane defined by at least two upper edge surfaces of the pallet base. 10 The upper edge surfaces of the pallet base establish load bearing surfaces upon which a second knock-down pallet bin can be stacked on top of the first knock-down pallet bin when it is in a collapsed configuration. The second knock-down pallet bin may be in the in-use configuration or in a collapsed configuration. 15 In the collapsed configuration of the knock-down pallet bin, the first, second, third and fourth side walls of the pallet bin are located below the imaginary plane defined by the at least two upper edge surfaces of the pallet base. Accordingly, when the second knock-down pallet bin is stacked on the upper 20 edge surfaces of the first knock-down pallet bin, the pallet base of the second knock-down pallet bin does not come into contact with the side walls of the first knock-down pallet bin. In the collapsed configuration of the knock-down pallet bin, the side walls of the 25 knock-down pallet bin extend generally horizontally, with the second and third side walls located between the first and fourth side walls. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the knock-down pallet bin has four load bearing upper edge surfaces, one upper edge surface 30 formed on each of four corner members of the pallet base. The four corner members preferably extend upwardly away from a floor of the pallet base. Each side wall of the pallet bin is preferably pivotally connected between two of the four corner members.

4 Each corner member preferably includes a first and a second elongate slot extending generally vertically. The first and second slots are ideally located orthogonally and may be of different lengths. 5 Each of the first, second, third and fourth side walls preferably includes first and second pivot members arranged so that each side wall can be pivotally connected via its pivot members between two of the corner members. Each pivot member is preferably arranged to be received within the associated slot of 10 the adjacent corner member. The pivot member and associated slot are preferably configured so that the pivot member can traverse along the slot and rotate about a generally horizontal pivot axis. Accordingly, any of the side walls of the pallet bin can be lifted generally upwardly causing the pivot members of that side wall to traverse along the associated slots of the corner members to 15 which it is connected and can then be moved to the collapsed position by pivoting that side wall inwardly about the generally horizontal pivot axis so that the side wall folds towards and over the pallet base. In the collapsed position, each of the side walls extends generally horizontally. 20 By enabling upward movement of each side wall away from the pallet base prior to commencing any pivotal movement of the side wall, it is possible to ensure that there is proper clearance for that side wall to move to the collapsed position, where it extends generally horizontally, without interfering contact with any of the other side walls. This is because the side wall to be collapsed is 25 lifted upwardly away from the vertical height of any of the previously collapsed side walls before any pivotal movement occurs. Any interfering contact with any of the previously collapsed side walls would prevent the next side wall to be collapsed from moving to the generally horizontal collapsed position. 30 It will thus be appreciated that the slots in the corner members will ideally have sufficient length to enable the second, third and fourth side walls to progressively pivot about a horizontal pivot axis located at a greater distance 5 above the floor of the pallet base than that about which the previously collapsed side wall was pivoted. Although reference is made to each corner member having first and second 5 elongate "slots", it should be appreciated that the present invention is not to be restricted to the use of such "slots". Any mechanism that allows movement of the side walls upwardly before pivoting movement to the collapsed position of the side wall, is encompassed by the present invention. 10 It should also be appreciated that the load bearing upper edge surfaces of the pallet base may be established on members other than the corner members. For example, the load bearing upper edge surfaces of the pallet base may be established on members located mid-way along each side edge of the pallet base. 15 The first, second, third and fourth side walls are preferably arranged to be locked in the in-use position by locking means. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking means is located at or adjacent an upper end of the side walls. For example, each of the first and second side 20 walls may be fitted with male fittings at either upper side edge, and each of the third and fourth side walls may be fitted with female fittings at either upper side edge. The side walls will then preferably be arranged so that the male fittings of the first and second side walls engage within the female fittings of the adjacent third and fourth side walls. Accordingly, the male fittings of the first side wall 25 can be easily disengaged from the female fittings of the adjacent third and fourth side walls simply by lifting the first side wall upwardly, causing the pivot members of the first side wall to travel upwardly within the slots of the associated corner members. Once the male fittings of the first side wall are disengaged, the first side wall is free to pivot to the collapsed position. 30 Each corner member is preferably configured to prevent the adjacently connected side walls from being able to pivot outwardly away from the pivot base. To this end, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, 6 each corner member includes two orthogonally projecting arms arranged to contact an outer side of the adjacent side walls and to thereby prevent pivotal movement of the side walls in a direction away from the pallet base. 5 Alternatively, the corner members may be configured so as to permit the adjacently connected side walls to pivot outwardly away from the pivot base in a limited manner. To this end, each corner member may include two orthogonally projecting arms configured such that they contact the outer side of the adjacent side walls in a manner that limits the pivotal movement of the side wall in a 10 direction away from the pallet base. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the components of the knock-down pallet bin are fabricated mainly from metal. Each side wall includes a metal tube frame and a panel. The panel may be made of metal, 15 wood or a plastics material. The pallet base is preferably made from metal tubing and a pair of timber bearers. The pallet base is configured so that the tynes of a fork lift can pass therethrough to lift the pallet bin. Description of the Drawings 20 An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a knock-down pallet bin in accordance with an embodiment of the 25 invention in the in-use configuration; Figure 2 shows the pallet bin of Figure 1 with the first side wall moved to the collapsed position; 30 Figure 3 shows the pallet bin of Figure 1 with the first and second side walls moved to the collapsed position; 7 Figure 4 shows the pallet bin of Figure 1 with the first, second and third side walls moved to the collapsed position; Figure 5 shows the pallet bin of Figure 1 in a collapsed configuration; 5 Figure 6 illustrates the connection between two adjacent side walls and one of the corner members as viewed from inside the pallet bin. Only the frame of the pallet bin is shown. The panels of the side walls have been removed for illustration purposes only; 10 Figure 7 illustrates the locking mechanism used to lock two adjacent side walls together to hold them in the in-use position; Figure 8 is an isometric view of one of the corner members of the pallet bin 15 shown in Figure 1; Figure 9 shows four collapsed pallet bins in accordance with an embodiment of the invention stacked one on top of the other ready for transport; 20 Figure 10 shows a knock-down pallet bin in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, again in the in-use configuration; and Figure 11 shows the pallet bin of Figure 10 with two side walls moved to the collapsed position. 25 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Figure 1 illustrates a knock-down pallet bin 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The pallet bin 10 includes a pallet base 20, a first 30 side wall 30, a second side wall 40, a third side wall 50 and a fourth side wall 60.

8 Each of the first side wall 30, the second side wall 40, the third side wall 50 and the fourth side wall 60 are made from a metal frame with an associated panel. The pallet base 20 includes a pair of wooden bearers 21 and a metal frame 22. 5 The metal frame 22 has openings 23, 24 for receiving the tynes of a fork lift and also includes supports 25 (Figure 6) on which a floor panel (not shown) for the pallet bin 10 can be affixed. The floor panel establishes the floor height of the pallet bin 10. 10 The pallet base 20 also includes four corner members 70. As will be explained in more detail below, each of the first side wall 30, second side wall 40, third side wall 50 and fourth side wall 60 are connected between two of the four corner members 70. 15 Each corner member 70 includes a load bearing upper edge surface 72 and two orthogonally projecting arms 74. The load bearing upper edge surfaces 72 are the surfaces upon which the wooden bearers 21' of a second pallet bin 100 are located when the second pallet bin 100 is located on top of the first pallet bin 10. The upper edge surfaces 72 lie in an imaginary plane below which the first 20 side wall 30, second side wall 40, third side wall 50 and fourth side wall 60 must be located when in the collapsed position. This is best illustrated in Figure 5 which shows the upper edge surfaces 72 of the corner members 70 extending vertically above the collapsed fourth side wall 60. 25 The two orthogonally projecting arms 74 are provided to prevent the side walls 30, 40, 50, 60 connected to the corner member 72 from being able to pivot outwardly away from the pivot base 20. The arms 74 are arranged to contact an outer side of the adjacent side walls 30, 40, 50, 60 to prevent pivotal movement of the side walls 30, 40, 50, 60 in a direction away from the pallet 30 base 20. The knock-down pallet bin 10 is arranged so that the first side wall 30 is collapsed first (Figure 2) so as to extend over the floor of the pallet base 20.

9 The second side wall 40 is then collapsed over the first side wall 30 (Figure 3). The third side wall 50 is then collapsed over the second side wall 40 (Figure 4). Finally, the fourth side wall 60 is collapsed over the third side wall 50 (Figure 5). When each of the side walls 30, 40, 50 60 are in the collapsed position they 5 extend generally horizontally with the second and third side walls 30, 40 located between the first and fourth side walls 30, 60. As shown in Figure 5, the second side wall 40 rests upon the first side wall 30 when in the collapsed position. However, this may not always be the case. If 10 the first side wall 30 and/or second side wall 40 are lower in height then they may be located end to end rather than one on top of the other. Similarly, the fourth side wall 60 is shown resting on the third side wall 50 in Figure 5. However, if the third and fourth side walls 50, 60 are lower in height, then they may be located end to end rather than one on top of the other (as shown in 15 relation to the second embodiment illustrated in Figure 11). In order for the collapsed side walls 30, 40, 50 ,60 to be located entirely below the upper edge surfaces 72 of the corner members 70, the side walls 30, 40, 50, 60 must be able to extend generally horizontally when in the collapsed 20 position. For this to be achieved, each side wall 40, 50 , 60 must pivot from the in-use position to the collapsed position about a horizontal pivot axis located vertically higher above the floor of the pallet base 20 than the horizontal pivot axis of the previously collapsed side wall 30, 40, 50. The horizontal pivot axis must be located vertically above the floor of the pallet base 20 at a height to 25 ensure that there is no interfering contact with a previously collapsed side wall as the side wall in question is pivoted to the collapsed position. In accordance with the present embodiment, this is achieved by connecting each side wall 30, 40, 50, 60 between two of the corner members 70 using an 30 arrangement that allows translation and rotation of the side walls 30, 40, 50, 60. This is achieved in the illustrated embodiment with a "pin and slot" connection.

10 The "pin and slot" connection for the first side wall 30 will hereafter be described. A similar "pin and slot" connection is included on each of the second, third and fourth side walls 40, 50, 60. 5 Located at either side edge of the first side wall 30 is a pivot member. Each pivot member is in the form of a spring loaded pin 30A. Figure 6 best depicts one edge of the first side wall 30 and its pivotal connection to the corner member 70. The spring loaded pin 30A extends through an aperture in the frame of the first side wall 30 and is arranged so that an end portion of the pin 10 30A extends into a slot 74 formed in the adjacent corner member 70. In relation this feature, it should be appreciated though that a suitable alternative arrangement might be to omit such a spring and rely completely on the manual operation of such a pin. 30A. 15 As best shown in Figure 8, the corner member 70 actually includes two elongate slots 74 extending generally vertically. The slots 74 are located orthogonally so that the spring loaded pin of one of the associated side walls can be engaged within one of the slots 74 and the spring loaded pin of the other associated side wall can be located in the other slot 74. 20 The end of the spring loaded pin 30A is sized so that it can traverse along the slot 74 and rotate about a generally horizontal pivot axis whilst engaged within the slot 74. As the spring loaded pin 30A at either edge of the first side member 30 is contained in a slot 74 of an adjacent corner member 70, the side member 25 30 can be lifted upwardly away from the floor of the pallet base 20 along the length of the slot 70. Accordingly, the first side member 30 can be lifted upwardly causing the pins 30A to traverse in their respective slots 74 before being pivoted about the horizontal pivot axis to the collapsed position. 30 It will of course be appreciated that each side wall member 30, 40, 50, 60 need only be lifted vertically away from the floor of the pallet base 20 a sufficient distance to enable the side wall member 30, 40, 50, 60 to move to the collapsed 11 position without any interfering contact with any of the side walls 30, 40, 50 previously moved to the collapsed position. The first, second, third and fourth side walls 30, 40, 50, 60 are arranged to be 5 locked in the in-use position by locking means. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the locking means includes a male fitting 80 extending from the upper ends of each of the third and fourth side walls 50, 60 and a female fitting 85 located in the upper ends of each of the first and second side walls 30, 40. The male fittings 80 of each of the third and fourth side walls 50, 10 60 are arranged to locate within the female fittings of the adjacent side walls 30, 40 thereby locking the adjacent side walls 30, 40, 50, 60 together. The locking means thus works to prevent unintended pivotal movement of any of the side walls 30, 40, 50, 60 to the collapsed position. 15 The male fittings 80 of the third side 50 wall can be disengaged from the female fittings of the adjacent first and second side walls 30, 40 simply by lifting the third side wall 50 upwardly causing the pins 30A of the third side wall 50 to travel upwardly within the slots 74 of the associated corner members 72. Once the male fittings 80 are disengaged the first sidewall 30 is free to pivot to the 20 collapsed position. The second side wall 40 can be similarly disengaged from the third and fourth side walls 50, 60. An additional locking means may be provided to further secure the side walls 30, 40, 50, 60 in the in-use position. An example of such an additional locking 25 means is shown in Figure 6 as arrangement 88. The arrangement 88 includes a spring biased pin that is arranged to engage with the corner member 72. Figure 9 shows four collapsed pallet bins 10 stacked one on top of the other ready for transport. As shown, the bearers 21' of the second pallet bin 100 in 30 the stack rest upon the four load bearing upper edge surfaces 72 of the corner members 70 of the first pallet bin 10 in the stack. Thus the weight of the second pallet bin 100 in the stack and any other pallet bins there above is transferred to 12 the ground via the four corner members 70 and bearers 21 of the first pallet bin 10 in the stack. It will also be appreciated that the pallet base 20 of the second pallet bin 100 in 5 the stack does not provide any loading on the side walls 30, 40, 50, 60 of the first pallet bin 10 of the stack. Accordingly, the pallet bins 10 can be stacked without any risk of damage. Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a knock-down pallet bin 10 in accordance with a 10 second embodiment of the invention, which will now be described. With the exception of the following features, the second embodiment will substantially resemble the aforementioned preferred embodiment, and features that are the same in the aforementioned preferred embodiment and the second embodiment will be shown in Figures 10 and 11 with the same reference numerals as in 15 Figures 1 to 9. The pallet base 220 of the second embodiment includes a metal frame 222 that is connected to the four corner members 70 of the pallet base 220. The metal frame 222 has a single opening on each of the four sides of the pallet base 220 20 which permits the receiving of tynes of a fork lift from any of the four sides of the pallet base. The pallet base 220 of the second embodiment includes a floor 201 which contains two cut-out sections 202, one located centrally under the lower edge of 25 the first side wall 30 and the second side wall 40 (cut-out section not shown). The cut-out sections 202 are configured so as to receive the male fitting 80 when the third and/or fourth side wall 50, 60 are in the collapsed positions (Figure 11). In this way, the cut-out sections 202 allow the male fittings 80 to protrude below the plane of the upper surface of the floor 201 of the pallet base, 30 and permits the third and fourth side walls to sit substantially flush with the pallet floor.

13 As shown in Figure 11, the height of the side walls permits the third and fourth side walls 50, 60 to be located end to end, and the male fittings 80 to co-locate in a cut-out section 202 that is located centrally under the lower end of the first and second side walls 30, 40. However, it will be appreciated that if the side 5 walls were of a different height, then the number and location of the cut-out sections 202 may need to be different so as to permit the receiving of the male fittings 80. The embodiments have been described by way of example only and 10 modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention are envisaged.

Claims (20)

1. A knock-down pallet bin including: a pallet base; a first side wall; 5 a second side wall; a third side wall; and a fourth side wall; each of the first, second, third and fourth side walls being pivotally attached at or adjacent a lower end to the pallet base so that they can be moved from an in 10 use upright position to a collapsed position in which they extend over the pallet base and below an imaginary plane defined by at least two upper edge surfaces of the pallet base.

2. A knock-down pallet bin according to claim 1 wherein the upper edge 15 surfaces of the pallet base are load bearing surfaces upon which a second knock-down pallet bin can be stacked on top of the first knock-down pallet bin when it is in a collapsed configuration.

3. A knock-down pallet bin according to any one of the preceding claims 20 wherein in the collapsed configuration of the knock-down pallet bin, the first, second, third and fourth side walls of the pallet bin are located below the imaginary plane defined by the at least two upper edge surfaces of the pallet base. 25

4. A knock-down pallet bin according to claim 3 wherein in the collapsed configuration of the knock-down pallet bin, the side walls of the knock-down pallet bin extend generally horizontally, with the second and third side walls located between the first and fourth side walls. 30

5. A knock-down pallet bin according to any one of the preceding claims including four load bearing upper edge surfaces.

6. A knock-down pallet bin according to claim 5 wherein one upper edge surface is formed on each of four upright members of the pallet base. 15

7. A knock-down pallet bin according to claim 6 wherein the four upright members form four corner members each located at a corner of the pallet base. 5

8. A knock-down pallet bin according to claim 7 wherein each side wall of the pallet bin is pivotally connected between two of the four corner members.

9. A knock-down pallet bin according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein each corner member includes a first and a second elongate slot extending generally 10 vertically.

10. A knock-down pallet bin according to claim 9 wherein the first and second slots of each corner member are located orthogonally. 15

11. A knock-down pallet bin according to claim 10 wherein the slots of each corner member are of different lengths.

12. A knock-down pallet bin according to any one of claims 7 to 11 wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth side walls includes first and second 20 pivot members arranged so that each side wall can be pivotally connected via its pivot members between two of the corner members.

13. A knock-down pallet bin according to claim 12 wherein each pivot member is arranged to be received within an associated slot of the adjacent 25 corner member.

14. A knock-down pallet bin according to claim 12 wherein the pivot member and associated slot are configured so that the pivot member can traverse along the slot and rotate about a generally horizontal pivot axis. 30

15. A knock-down pallet bin according to any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein each pivot member is a spring biased pin.

16. A knock-down pallet bin according to claim 14 wherein the pivot of the 35 first, second, third and fourth side walls are progressively located at a greater distance above the floor of the pallet base. 16

17. A knock-down pallet bin according to any one of the preceding claims further including locking means to lock the first, second, third and fourth side walls in the in-use position. 5

18. A knock-down pallet bin according to claim 17 wherein the locking means is located distal of the pallet base.

19. A knock-down pallet bin according to any one of the preceding claims 10 further including means to prevent the first, second, third and fourth side walls from pivoting outwardly away from the pivot base.

20. A knock-down pallet bin according to claim 19 wherein the preventing means includes arms projecting from the pallet base and arranged to contact an 15 outer side of the side walls to thereby prevent pivotal movement of the side walls in a direction away from the pallet base.