BRPI0710222A2 - collapsible container with resiliently suspended floor - Google Patents

Abstract

<B> FOLDING CONTAINER WITH ELASTICALLY SUSPENDED FLOOR <D> referring to a container (10, 30) with a floor (20) to support products, suspended via elastic elements (22) of the walls (12, 14, 16 and 18) in order to automatically adjust the height of the floor, and thus that of the product, depending on the weight of the product inside the container. Optionally, an adjustment mechanism (32) is provided to allow adjustment of the effective length of the elastic suspension elements (22).

Description

FOLDING CONTAINER WITH SUSPENSIONALLY SUSPENDED FLOOR

The invention in question relates to containerized goods for transportation and display of products and, in particular, a foldable container with an elastically suspended floor useful for transporting and displaying products.

A growing trend in retail industries is a product shipping container, which is also appropriate for exhibiting and selling these products in the retail market. This significantly reduces the work involved in transferring transport containers to display units and the arrangement of product exhibits. The present invention is specifically, but not exclusively, related to transport containers (alternatively called crates, boxes or coffins), typically made of molded plastics materials, which are at least partially foldable to reduce the volume of (empty) containers to Return shipping. A typical set of examples to which the invention in question is applicable are containers referred to as "cargo boxes", of horizontal dimensions 60x40 cm, and height 75-110cm.

When such containers as these are used for production from retail distributors, the "top of the stack" disconforming the top items is removed. This can make it difficult for consumers to access items by requiring them to bend down to reach the remaining items. Additionally, there is a negative psychological effect on the product remaining at the bottom, which consumers perceive as "left over" or "old", and are considered less desirable.

For these and other reasons, it would be advantageous to provide a transport and display container that would provide a self-elevating floor and would tend to raise the perceived height of the stack of items as they were removed. At the same time, it would be advantageous if the self-elevating floor did not interfere with the folding of a folding container to facilitate volume reduction of the return carriage in a conventional manner.

The invention in question is a transport and display container with the elastically suspended floor.

According to the teachings of the present invention, a container is provided which contains: (a) a set of four walls, each of these walls being implemented as a folding wall, having at least one alternating foldable portion between a perpendicular forming position and a position Tripe; (b) a floor developed in its evertically displaceable interior relative to the set of walls; and (c) a suspension arrangement including at least four elastic suspending members. This suspension arrangement should suspend the wall arrangement option, so that when floor is loaded with a first load, this floor will assume a lower position and when a portion of the load is removed, the suspending arrangement will raise the floor to a position. higher.

According to further features of the subject invention, each of the elastic suspension members includes a length of an elastomeric material. According to additional features of the subject invention, each elastic suspension member includes a coil spring.

In accordance with further features of the present invention, the wall assembly has a locking arrangement arranged to join the floor to define a fully raised position.

According to additional features of the subject invention, the locking is developed below the folding portions.

According to additional features of the invention in question, suspension elements are attached to the folding portions of one of the walls.

In accordance with further features of the subject invention, a base is also provided fixedly attached to the set of walls below the floor.

According to additional features of the subject invention, the base is configured to provide at least one channel for insertion of a pallet carrier to suspend the container.

Also provided, according to additional features of the present invention, is a container comprising: (a) a set of four walls; (b) floor developed within its evertically displaceable interior relative to the set of walls; and (c) a suspension arrangement including at least four elastic suspending members, the suspension arrangement being designed to suspend the floor relative to the wall assembly, so that when the floor is loaded with a first load, the floor assumes a lower position. and when a portion of the load is removed, the suspension arrangement raises the floor to a higher position.

According to additional features of the invention in question, the adjusting mechanism is configured to adjust an effective length of the elastic suspension elements between an operating length where the floor is elastically inclined to an elevated position and a dead length when the floor assumes a lower position, even in the absence of an applied load.

According to additional features of the present invention, the adjusting mechanism is configured to simultaneously adjust an effective length of all elastic suspending elements substantially equally.

In accordance with further features of the present invention, the adjusting mechanism includes a floor-mounted rotating rotary cylinder, each of the elastic suspension elements being attached to the rotary cylinder so that the rotary cylinder rotation simultaneously adjusts an effective length of all the rotating cylinder elements. elastic suspension.

According to additional features of the present invention, the adjusting mechanism further includes a handle accessible from an upper floor surface to manually rotate the cylinder.

According to further features of the subject invention, the adjusting mechanism further includes a locking arrangement for locking the rotary cylinder in at least one position relative to the floor.

In accordance with additional features of the invention in question, the adjusting mechanism further includes a lock-out arrangement that allows the rotation of the rotary cylinder to shorten the effective length of the elastic suspension elements and to inhibit rotation of the rotary cylinder, and increases the effective length of the elastic suspension elements. .

In accordance with further features of the invention in question, the adjusting mechanism further includes a selectively operable manually actuated locking mechanism for releasing the ratchet arrangement allowing rotation of the swivel cylinder to increase the effective length of the elastic suspension elements.

Description of the attached drawings

The invention is described herein by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are side view and isometric view, respectively, of a first embodiment of a container, constructed and operative in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, with a front wall removed to show an elastically suspended floor in a fully raised unloaded position.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are views similar to Figures 1A and 1B, respectively, showing the elastically suspended floor in a partially loaded intermediate position. 3Α and 3Β are views similar to Figures 1A and 1B, respectively, showing the elastic floor suspended in a lower and fully loaded state.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are isometric views of the container of Figure 1A in a partially folded state, Figure 4B has a front wall removed to reveal internal folding configurations.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are isometric views of the container of Figure 1A in a fully folded state, Figure 5B has a front wall removed to reveal internal folding configurations.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are isometric views of a second embodiment of the container constructed and operated in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, with a front wall removed to show the floor in a lower state and in a state where the suspended elastic floor is raised, respectively.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are isometric views of the floor and the separate suspension arrangement of the container of Figure 6A, showing a lower state and a state where the suspended elastic floor is raised, respectively.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are similar views to Figures 7A and 7B, respectively, cut to show details of an adjusting mechanism for adjusting an effective load of said elastic suspension elements.

FIGS. 9A is a view similar to Figure 7B with an upper floor surface removed, and FIGS. 9Β and 9C are enlarged views of the region of Figure 9A designated "A" showing a ratchet arrangement in an operative and interrupted state, respectively.

Description of said embodiments

The present invention is a transport and display container with elastically suspended floor.

The principles and operations of the container according to the invention in question can be better understood with reference to the drawings and accompanying description.

By way of introduction, the present invention is a foldable containment in which a shelf or "floor" to support the product inside the container is suspended through elastic suspension elements of the container walls, when in its open state, to automatically adjust the height of the container. floor, and here of the product, as a function of the weight of the product within the container. The present invention will be presented herein with reference to two non-limiting examples: first, a basic embodiment will be described with reference to figures 1A-5B; then, with reference to figures 6A-9C, an alternative embodiment including adjustment mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1A-5Bshow a generally designated container 10 constructed and operated in accordance with the teachings of the present invention for transporting and displaying the product. Generally speaking, container 10 includes a wall assembly 12, 14, 16 and 18, and an internally foldable and vertically displaceable floor 20 relative to the wall assembly. A suspension arrangement including at least four elastic suspension elements 22 is deployed to hold floor 20 relative to the wall assembly, so that when the floor is loaded with a first load (not shown), this floor assumes lower position (Figures 3A and 3B) and, when part of the load is removed, the suspension arrangement rises the floor to a higher position. (Figures 2A-2B and Figures1A-1B).

At this stage, it has already been estimated that the present invention provides a solution to the aforementioned disadvantages of use and the psychological effect of "end of the stack" by gradually raising the level of lower products as a function of the heavier as the top layers are removed. .

Before focusing on the features of this invention further, it will be necessary to define certain terminologies as used herein in the descriptions and claims. First, when reference is made to elements being "elastic" or "elastic" operating, it should be noted that terms such as estans are used here in the broadest sense to refer to any element that provides restorative elastic force without significant permanent deformation during each movement. dociclo. Thus, the "elastic suspension elements" of the present invention may be implemented using a length of an elastomeric material, a coil spring or any other manageable element with the appropriate properties. More preferably, the suspension elements are formed primarily and exclusively of an elastomeric material, such as natural or synthetic rubber. Elastomeric suspension elements are generally not susceptible to damage by folding during container folding, which may, under certain circumstances, be problematic for coil springs or the like.

The term "container" is used herein as a thermogenic for crate containers, boxes, coffins and the like, regardless of the building materials they are formed of and regardless of whether there are solid walls or structures emptied by openings. In addition, the term "container" is used to include a structure in which the suspended floor of the present invention is the sole basis of the structure formed by the set of four walls.

Referring now to the features of container 10 in more detail, four suspension elements 22 are typically used, although additional suspension elements (e.g. six in total) may optionally be provided, preferably symmetrically foldable. Optionally, the number of suspension elements may vary, for example, by folding each element at each corner to accommodate different weight products. Alternatively, or additionally, the suspending elements are interchangeably joined, allowing for replacement of the suspension elements having different thicknesses, lengths or other mechanical properties, all according to the intended use of the container. In addition, combinations of suspension elements of different lengths or, not differing properties, may be used together to provide a desired force against a more linear displacement function that would be obtained with a single elastic element of the suspension. type where pairs of wall posts fold internally. The suspending elements 22 are preferably joined to the pairs of walls 12 and 16 configured to fold first. In this illustrated implementation, this is the pair of sides 12 and 16 that extend along the shorter sides of the container. This has a particular advantage, as seen in Figures 4B and 5B, that the height of the wall-folding portion doubles within the larger dimension ("length"), thereby reducing the amount of overlap of the folded walls. This minimizes interference from the first side biasing 16 with folding second side suspension elements 22.

The wall assembly optionally features an arrangement of locking features 23 (only one shown) deployed to couple the floor to thereby define a fully raised position (Figures 1A and 1B). This allows the pre-tensioning suspension elements to be deployed in the fully raised position so that they fully extend this position when there is still some load applied to the floor 20. In certain particularly preferred implementations, the locking characteristics 23 are folded to define a fully raised position. of the floor 20 which is not higher than the level of joints on the first side of a folding container, thereby ensuring that the floor does not reach a position that interferes with the folding of the container walls.

In the main implementation shown here, container 10 includes a base 24 fixedly attached to the lower floor wall assembly 20. This helps to ensure the structural integrity and rigidity of the container as a set, and makes the container usable in a conventional manner if the floor arrangement is arranged. and the suspension were removed. In the main implementation shown here, base 24 is configured to provide at least one channel 26, 28 for inserting a pallet conveyor (not shown) to lift the container.

Referring now to Figures 6A-9C, it is shown that a second embodiment of a container, generally 30, constructed and operative in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Container 30 is generally similar to container 10 described above, and equivalent elements are similarly designated. It is a particularly chosen feature of this embodiment of the present invention that the container 30 includes a suspension element length adjusting mechanism for adjusting the effective length of the suspension elements 22. Typically, the "effective length" of the suspension elements is the length from a point of attachment to the container walls to the entry point to the floor 20. Preferably, the length adjustment mechanism of the suspension elements is manually operable (either directly by hand or by means of a "key" mechanism), and preferably simultaneously adjusts the length. of all the elements of suspension in a similar way.

The provision of a suspension element adjustment mechanism serves as either one or two of the important functions. One function is to allow the lifting force adjustment to make the mechanism useful for different weight products. Thus, for parabata or watermelons, the suspension elements are more shortened to provide a higher lifting force than for a less dense or less densely packed product. As a result, the same container can be used to maintain a comfortable top-of-stack level for a wide variety of products. It should be noted that this function can also be used to favor a non-collapsible container.

The second function is to release tension on the suspension elements before folding the transport container or return storage, thereby ensuring that there is no potentially hazardous effort, inconvenient request or a tendency to open.

Prior to product loading, the effective length of the suspension elements is adjusted (shortened) to set a tension level to a fully loaded and / or fully raised state. Here too, the locking mechanism feature can be provided to separately define a fully raised position.

Referring now to the detachment features in more detail, a nonlimiting example of a preferred embodiment of the adjusting mechanism 32 illustrated in Figures 7A-9C. In this case, the adjusting mechanism is based on a cylinder or a wheel 34, first unfolded below or within the floor 20 to which the suspension elements 22 are attached.A Wheel rotation 34, for example, by rotating a handle 36 accessible from above the floor 20 causes coiling in the suspending elements 22 simultaneously of the state of figure 8A, so that it appears 8A thereby shortening its effective length and / or pressing against the locking elements. In the example shown here, the suspension elements bend at a reduced diameter of the coil surface which is situated between the above and below discs, the above disc being removed in figures 8A and 8B for ease of presentation. The cable may be suspended from the floor, or it may be a removable "key" used by authorized persons only. Optionally, a locking mechanism can be operated automatically by being bent under the cable or removing the key.

Once a desired length or degree of detent is achieved, the wheel is locked against rotation, for example by inserting one or more locking pin hole holes formed in the wheel and the floor, or better by a ratchet mechanism such as 9B and 9C below.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 9B, the cylinder 34 is formed here with an outer edge formed as a sawtooth gear against which the slanted ratchet arm 38 rests. This configuration allows clockwise rotation of the cylinder as shown to shorten an effective length of the elastic suspension elements 22, but inhibits the rotation of the cylinder in the reverse direction by preventing elongation of the elastic suspension elements. This conveniently allows shortening of the suspension elements to raise the floor 20e and / or pre-tension against the locking characteristics, and then maintain the desired level of tension during loading and unloading of the product. When the container items have been removed, floor reduction 20 is performed by rotating a deliberate level 40 with an eccentric shape that resists docarne armament 38, decoupling it from cylinder teeth 34 so as to turn off the ratchet arrangement and allow rotation of the ratchet. cylinder to lengthen an effective length of the non-suspending elastic elements to a dead length, allowing the floor20 to assume the position of FIGS. 6A ready for container bending and return transport.

It will be clear to one of ordinary skill in the art that many other implementations of the suspension element length adjustment mechanisms are possible. By way of a non-limiting example, a similar result can be achieved by using an under floor scissors mechanism. Furthermore, it should be noted that the length adjusting mechanism of the suspension elements may alternatively be foldable as part of the container walls rather than the floor.

Referring now to both embodiments above, particularly the preferred embodiments shown herein have downwardly foldable openings 42 in an upper portion of at least one of the container sidewalls. Due to the upward movement of the floor, the opening of these accesses can be positioned relatively high on the walls and still has sufficient resources for a customer to access the product within the container. In the preferred examples illustrated here, the downwardly folded opening extends no more than approximately one third downwards. of the total depth of the container when the floor is at its lowest state.The maximum movement distance of the floor 20 is preferably at least about 10%, more preferably at least 20%, and even more preferable at 25% of the total container occupancy depth. The maximum height reached by the floor is generally no more than 70% of the total container occupancy depth.

The container can be made of any material. Most preferably the invention is implemented using molded plastic containers. As mentioned above, the container can be adapted for handling by pallet carriers and forklift trucks.

It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended as an example only, and that many other implementations are possible within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (23)

1. A SUSPENDANTLY FOLDING FLOOR CONTAINER, characterized in that it comprises: (a) a set of four walls, each of said walls being implemented as a foldable wall having at least one alternating foldable portion between a perpendicular container forming position and a folded position; ) a floor developed in its interior and vertically displaceable relative to the set of walls; and (c) a suspension arrangement including at least four elastic suspension elements, said suspending arrangement being developed to suspend said slippage to said wall assembly, such that when said floor is loaded with a first load, said floor assumes a position lower and, when a part of the load is removed, said suspension arrangement under said floor to a higher position. 2. SUSPENSELY FOLDING FOLDING CONTAINER as claimed in 1 and further characterized in that each of said elastic suspending elements includes a length of an elastomeric material. 3. FOLDING SUSPENSIONALLY FOLDING CONTAINER, as claimed in 1 and further characterized in that each of said elastic suspending elements includes a coil spring. 4. SUSPENDELY ELASTICALLY FOLDING CONTAINER as claimed in 1 and further characterized by said set of walls having a locking feature arrangement designed to join said floor to define a fully raised position. 5. FOLDING SUSTAINABLE FLOOR CONTAINER as claimed in 1 and further characterized in that said locking characteristics are developed below said folding portions. 6. FOLDING SUSTAINABLE FLOOR CONTAINER as claimed in 1 and further characterized in that each of said suspending elements are attached to said folding portions of one of said walls. 7. FOLDING SUSTAINABLE FLOOR CONTAINER as claimed in 1 and further characterized by comprising a fixed base attached to said set of walls below said floor. 8. FOLDING SUSPENDELY FLOOR CONTAINER as claimed in 7 and further characterized in that said base is configured to provide at least one channel for insertion of a pallet conveyor to suspend the container. 9. SUSPENDELY ELASTICALLY FOLDING CONTAINER, as claimed in 1 and further characterized by said suspension arrangement further including an adjusting mechanism configured to adjust an effective length of said elastic suspension elements. 10. FOLDING SUSPENDELYLY CONTAINER CONTAINER, as claimed in 9 and further characterized in that said adjusting mechanism is configured to adjust an effective length of said elastic suspending elements between an operating length on said floor is elastically induced toward an upright position and an inoperative length. said floor assumes said lowered position even in the absence of an applied load. 11. SUSPENDANTLY FOLDING FLOOR CONTAINER as claimed in 9 and further characterized in that said adjusting mechanism is configured to simultaneously adjust an effective length of said elastic suspension elements equally substantially. 12. SUSPENSELUALLY FOLDING FLOOR CONTAINER, as claimed in 9 and further characterized in that said adjusting mechanism includes a rotatable swivel cylinder associated with said floor, each of said elastic suspension elements being attached to the swiveling dicocylinder so that the rotation of said cylindrical cylinder makes adjustment. simultaneously of an effective length of all said elastic suspension elements. 13. SUSPENDANTLY FOLDING FLOOR CONTAINER, as claimed in 12 and further characterized by said adjusting mechanism further including a cable accessible from an upper surface of said floor to manually rotate said rotating cylinder. 14 SUSPENDANTLY FOLDING FLOOR CONTAINER as claimed in 12 and further characterized in that said adjusting mechanism further includes a locking arrangement for locking said rotating cylinder in at least one position relative to said floor.15. SUSPENDANTLY FOLDING FLOOR CONTAINER, as claimed in 12 and further characterized by said adjusting mechanism further including a ratchet arrangement to allow rotation of said cylindrical to shorten an effective length of said suspension elements and to inhibit rotation of said rotating cylinder to increase length effecting said elastic suspension elements.16. SUSPENDELY ELASTICALLY FOLDING CONTAINER, as claimed in 15 and further characterized by said adjusting mechanism further including a selectively operable manually activated ratchet mechanism to release said ratchet arrangement to allow rotation of said rotatable suspension elements.17 . SUSPENSELY FOLDING FOLDING CONTAINER, characterized in that it comprises: (a) a set of four walls, (b) an internally developed and vertically foldable floor relative to said set of walls; and (c) a suspension arrangement including at least four elastic suspension elements, said suspending arrangement being developed to suspend said slippage to said wall assembly, such that when said floor is loaded with a first load, said floor assumes a position lower and, when a portion of the load is removed, said suspension arrangement under said floor to a higher position, said suspension arrangement further including an adjusting mechanism configured to adjust an effective length of said elastic suspension elements.18. SUSPENDELY ELASTICALLY FOLDING CONTAINER, as claimed in 17 and further characterized in that said adjusting mechanism is configured to adjust an effective length of said elastic suspending elements between an operating length in said floor is elastically induced toward an upright position and a dead length at which said. floor assumes said lowered position even in the absence of an applied load.19. SUSPENSIONALLY FOLDING CONTAINER, as claimed in 17 and further characterized in that said adjusting mechanism is configured to simultaneously adjust an effective length of said elastic suspension elements equally substantially.20. SUSPENSELY FOLDING FOLDING CONTAINER, as claimed in 17 and further characterized in that said adjusting mechanism includes a rotary swivel cylinder associated with said floor, each of said elastic suspension elements being connected to the swiveling ditocylinder so that the rotation of said cylindrical cylinder simultaneously adjusts. an effective length of all said elastic suspension elements.21. SUSPENDANTLY FOLDING FLOOR CONTAINER, as claimed in 20 and further characterized by said adjusting mechanism further including a cable accessible from an upper surface of said floor to manually rotate said rotating cylinder.22. SUSPENDANTLY FOLDING FLOOR CONTAINER, as claimed in 20 and further characterized by said adjusting mechanism further including a locking arrangement to lock said rotating cylinder in only one position relative to said floor.23. SUSPENDANTLY FOLDING FLOOR CONTAINER, as claimed in 20 and further characterized by said adjusting mechanism further including a ratchet arrangement to allow rotation of said driveline to shorten an effective length of said suspension elements and to inhibit rotation of said slewing cylinder to increase length said elastic suspension elements. SUSTAINABLE FOLDING FLOOR CONTAINER, as claimed in 23 and further characterized by said adjusting mechanism further including a selectively operable manually activated ratchet mechanism to release said ratchet arrangement to allow rotation of said swivel cylinder to increase effective length of such suspension elements. SUSPENSELY FOLDING FOLDING CONTAINER, characterized in that it comprises: (a) a set of four walls, each of said walls being implemented as a folding wall having at least one alternating foldable portion between a perpendicular container forming position and a folded position; floor developed in its interior and vertically displaceable relative to said set of walls; and (c) a suspension arrangement including at least four elastic suspension elements, said suspending arrangement being developed to suspend said slippage to said wall assembly, such that when said floor is loaded with a first load, said floor assumes a position lower and, when a part of the load is removed, said suspension arrangement under said floor to a higher position.2. SUSPENSELY FOLDING FOLDING CONTAINER as claimed in 1 and further characterized in that each of said elastic suspending elements includes a length of an elastomer material.3. SUSPENDLYLY FOLDING FLOOR CONTAINER, as claimed in 1 and further characterized by said set of walls having a locking feature arrangement designed to join such a fully raised position.CONTAINER FOLDING FLOORLY FLOORING, as claimed in 1 and further elements Suspension elements will be attached to said folding portions of one of said walls.CONTAINER FOLDING SUSPENDELELALLY, as claimed in 1 and further characterized by comprising a fixed base attached to said set of walls below said floor. further characterized in that said base is configured to provide at least one channel for insertion of a pallet conveyor to suspend the container.CONTAINER FOLDING SUSPENDELY, as claimed in 1 and further characterized in said arrangement of su It may further include an adjusting mechanism configured to adjust an effective length of said elastic suspension elements. FOLDING SUSPENSELY FLOOR COUNTANT, as claimed in 7 and further characterized in that said adjusting mechanism is configured to adjust an effective length of said elastic suspending elements between an operating length in said floor is resiliently induced towards an upright position and a dead length at which said floor assumes said lowered position even in the absence of an applied load. effective length of all said elastic suspension elements substantially equally.CONTAINER FOLDING SUSPENDELYLY, as claimed in 7 and further characterized by said adjusting mechanism including a swiveling cylinder rotary river associated with said floor, each of said elastic suspension elements being connected to the rotary dithocylinder such that the rotation of said cylindrical cylinder simultaneously adjusts an effective length of all said elastic suspension elements.CONTAINER FOLDING WITH SUSPENSELYLY FLOOR, as claimed in 10 and further characterized in that said adjusting mechanism further includes a ratchet arrangement to allow rotation of said cylindrical to shorten an effective length of said elastic suspension elements and to inhibit rotation of said rotary cylinder to increase an effective length of said elastic suspension elements. SUSPENDELY ELASTICALLY FOLDING CONTAINER, as claimed in 11 and further characterized by said adjusting mechanism further including a selectively operable manually activated ratchet mechanism to release said ratchet arrangement to allow rotation of said rotatable suspension elements.13 . SUSPENDERLY ELASTICALLY FOLDING CONTAINER, as claimed in 1 and further characterized in that said suspension arrangement is configured such that the number of suspension elements developed to suspend said floor relative to said wall assembly can be varied to accommodate production of different weights.14. SUSPENDANTLY FOLDING FLOOR CONTAINER as claimed in 1 and further characterized in that said suspension arrangement includes a plurality of suspension elements having different densities interchangeably developed to suspend said floor relative to said wall assembly.