CA2438034A1 - Open five-piece container with bail bar arrangements - Google Patents

Open five-piece container with bail bar arrangements Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2438034A1
CA2438034A1 CA002438034A CA2438034A CA2438034A1 CA 2438034 A1 CA2438034 A1 CA 2438034A1 CA 002438034 A CA002438034 A CA 002438034A CA 2438034 A CA2438034 A CA 2438034A CA 2438034 A1 CA2438034 A1 CA 2438034A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
pieces
container
piece
bail bar
opposite
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002438034A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Rock Nolet
Eric Fredrickson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
IPL Inc
Original Assignee
IPL Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by IPL Inc filed Critical IPL Inc
Priority to CA002438034A priority Critical patent/CA2438034A1/en
Priority to US10/766,998 priority patent/US20050040166A1/en
Publication of CA2438034A1 publication Critical patent/CA2438034A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D11/00Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material
    • B65D11/18Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected
    • B65D11/1833Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected whereby all side walls are hingedly connected to the base panel
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D21/00Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
    • B65D21/02Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
    • B65D21/0235Containers stackable in a staggered configuration
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D21/00Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
    • B65D21/02Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
    • B65D21/06Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together with movable parts adapted to be placed in alternative positions for nesting the containers when empty and for stacking them when full
    • B65D21/062Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together with movable parts adapted to be placed in alternative positions for nesting the containers when empty and for stacking them when full the movable parts being attached or integral and displaceable into a position overlying the top of the container, e.g. bails, corner plates

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Rigid Containers With Two Or More Constituent Elements (AREA)
  • Stackable Containers (AREA)

Abstract

A five-piece open container wherein opposite side edges and opposite end edges are pivotally foldable onto a bottom piece includes a pair of bail bar arrangements pivotally mounted to the upper edges of the end pieces and adapted to engage the upper edges of the opposite side edges of the container to thereby reinforce the open five-piece container when in the erected position.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTIC>N
Open five-piece container with bail bar arrangements FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a container formed of a bottom piece and a pair of opposite side pieces and a pair of opposite end pieces which are hingedly foldable onto the bottom piece. More particularly, the present invention pertains to such container having a pair of bail bar arrangements to reinforce the open container when the side pieces and end pieces are in the erected position.
Five-piece open containers are wef!-known and comprise a bottom piece formed of plastics material and four side pieces also formed of plastics material and pivotally mounted to the bottom piece so that the side pieces may be pivotally moved between an erected position and a non erected folded position.
The upper corner of each piece is provided moving parts which are integral with the side pieces and which enable the side pieces to be secured in an erected inter-engagement. One example of such container may be found described in applicant's U.S. patent I~o. 5,515,987 issued May 14, 1996. Some five-piece open containers comprise side pieces which are much longer than the end pieces; hence, the side pieces may be subjected to flexing when similarly constructed containers are stacked one above the other. One example of such open container may be found described in applicant's Canadian patent No.
2,202,119 issued May 23, 2000.
OBJECTS AND STATEII~ENT OF THE iNVENTtOt~l It is an object of the present invention to provide an open five-piece container wherein the side pieces are prevented to flex under heavy loads.
This is achieved by providing a five-piece open container with a pair of pivotable bail bar arrangements which further secure the container in its erected position, especially when similarly constructed containers are stacked one on top of the other.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide such container with a pair of bail bar arrangements wherein one side piece of the; erected container may be outwardly open to give access inside the container wllen In a stacked formation with other similarly constructed containers.
This is achieved by providiing a container which comprises:
a bottom piece having opposite side edges and opposite end edges;
a pair of opposite side pieces, each having an upper edge and a lower edge, the lower edge hingedly connected to an associated side edge of the bottom piece;
a pair of opposite end pieces, each having are upper edge and a lower edge, the lower edge being hingedly connected to associated end edge of the bottom piece;
latching means for securing the side pieces and the end pieces to one another in a vertical condition so as to form an open five-piece container;
a pair of bail bar arrangements having one end hingedly connected to the upper edge of the end pieces and an opposite end;
the upper edges of the side pieces having lodging means receiving opposite end portions of the opposite end of the bail bar arrangement;
whereby the bail bar arrangements are pivotabie between a first position wherein the bail bar arrangements rests substantially horizontally ornthe side pieces to reinforce the side pieces and a second position substantially parallel to outer faces of the end pieces.
In one form of the invention, each bail bar arrangement consists of a rr-shaped ~0 configuration consisting of two-parallel arms having one end hingedly connected to an end piece and an opposite end formed of a 'transverse rod having its opposite ends engaged in 'the upper edge of the side pieces.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a container with foldable side pieces and end piece s equipped with a bail bar arrangement so configured that, when the end pieces and side pieces are inwardly folded to lie in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the bottom piece, the bail bar arrangement will also lie in a substantially similar parallel plane to the bottom piece.
Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from thE: detailed description given hereinafter. It should be understood, however, that: this detailed description, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, is given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTI~N ~F TtiE DRAIIVINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container made in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the connection of one end of the bail arrangement;
Figure 3 is an enlarged perspeotive view showing the connection of an opposite end of the bail arrangement;
Figure 4. is a cross-sectional view showing one end of the container with its bail-bar arrangement in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the container in the non-erected condition;
Figure 6 is a perspective view, similar to that shown in figure 3, showing the bail bar arrangement lying substantially in the plane of the end pieces; and Figure 7 is a perspective exploded view showing a cross stacking arrangement of containers made in accordance with the present invention.
DESGRIPTtON OF PREFERRED EMDODIMENT
Referring to figure 1, there is shown a five-piece open container, generally denoted 10, made entirely of rigid plastics material. The container essentially consists of a bottom piece 12, a pair of opposite side pieces '14 and 16 and a pair of opposite end pieces 18 and 20. To facilitate the manual handling of the container, each opposite side piece displays an elongated opening 22, 24 and each opposite end piece displays an elongated opening 26, 28 . The structural appearance of the five pieces of the container is conveni:ional, consisting of reinforcing ribs to provide rigidity while a plurality of openings provide lightness (and, in certain cases, aeration to products therein).
The side pieces and end pieces are hingedly connected to the bottom piece along the lower edge thereof. A detailed construction of the connection of the lower edges of the side and end pieces to the sides and ends of the bottom piece will not be described as it does not form part of the present invention;
however, reference may be made to applicant's U.S. patent No. 5,515,987 issued May 14, 1996 for an understanding of its construction. The advantage of such construction is that no metallic parts are used for the connection of the side and end pieces to the bottom piece.
Similarly, the corners of the upper part of the side anrJ end pieces are provided with latching means for securing the end pieces and the side pieces to one another in a vertical erecteri condition so as to form an open five-piece container.
Again, a detailed construci:ion of the latching means wilt not be described as it does not form part of the present invention. However, reference may be made to applicant's above mentioned U.S. patent. The advantage of such latching construction is that quick connection and disconnection can be effected to move the container from an erected condition to a non-erected condition, or vice-versa, as illustrated in the drawings.

-5_ The present invention is particularly concerned with further securing the side and end pieces to one another in their erected position, especially in those cases where the side pieces are much longer than the end pieces. The invention therefore provides a pair of bait bar arrangements, generally denoted 40, 42 which are of identical construction (hence, it is considered unnecessary to describe each one separately). Thus, referring to the bail bar arrangement 40, it consists of a rr-shaped construction consisting of a pair of arms 44 and 46, each having one end pivotally mounted at the upper edge of the end piece 18 (see figure 2} and an opposite end integrally fixed to a transverse rod 48 (see figure 3). The opposite ends 50 and 52 of rod 48 are engaged in correspondingly shaped recesses (one being shown in figure 3 as 53} at the upper edges of the side pieces 14 and 16.
Figure 4 shows that the ar-m 44 of the bail bar arrangement 40 is pivotable (as indicated by arrow 54) to a substantially horizontal position to engage the recess in the upper edge of the side piece 14. Arm 44 is also pivotable to a position substantially parallel to the outer waN of the end piece 18 (see figure 5).
As can be seen in figures ~t and 2, the arms 44, 46 have a T'-shaped end 56, engaging reinforcing ribs in the side wall on the end piece 18. The geometry of the extremities of the arms 44, 46 is such that the pin can be forced into a snap-in engagement to the ribs of the end piece as a result of the use of flexible plastic material for the entire container. Similarly, and for the same reasons, the opposite end 50 of the trarosverse rod 48 has a circular portion 52a between rib positions 52b and 52c trvhich may be snapped in engagement in their corresponding recess 53 at the upper edge of the side piece 14. The rib positions 52b and 52c limit lateral movement of the long side piece 16. A
similar arrangement is provided on the opposite end 50 for the long piece 14.
Figure 5 shows the five-piece container in the folded condition with the side pieces 14 and 16 lying over the bottom piece 12 and the end pieces 18 and 20 lying horizontally over the folded side pieces 14 and 15. Figure 5 shows the bail bar arrangements 40 and 42 in a position lying substantially parallel to the plane of their respective end pieces 18 and 20. On the other hand, figure 6 which 4 is a view similar to that of figure 5 shows, however, the bail bar arrangements and 42 lying substantially in a plane including the plane of the end pieces 18 and 20 and over the side piece 14. Hence, the rotation of the bail bar, whether lying on an end side piece or in a plane extending on the prolongation of the end piece does not affect the collapsing height. For the collapsing configuration of figure 5, there is sufficient room under the bottom piece to receive the bail bars.
Referring to figure 7, there is shown four similarly constructed containers 10, 10', 10", 10"' so disposed as to be mounted in a cross wise stacking arrangement.
It can be seen that the provision of the bail bar arrangements 40 and 42 of the lower container 10 wilt prevent the upper containers 10' and 10"' to accidently slide into the lower container 10.
These containers may also be stacked vertically one above the other. Indeed, it is well known in the art that these containers have upper edges so configured so that they may engaged with correspondingly shaped side and end edges of the bottom piece of a superposed container. However, a detailed construction is not deemed necessary. On the other hand, in such stacked condition, the engagement of the transverse rod of the bail bar arrangements is such that one of the rod end may be snapped-out of engagement from its corresponding recess in the upper edge of one side piece and the latching means at the corners of the side piece with the opposite end piece released so tl-at one side piece may be outwardly moved to provide access to the inside of tile container even though forming part of a staked arrangement.
In some cases where it may be desired to have access to a product through an end piece of the container, the bail bar is snapped out of its engagement in the recesses 53 and rotated 270° in a position parallel to the end piece.
The latching at the corners is removed, the side pieces are flexed towards the inside to disengage the fluides 60 (see figure 2) and the end piece is pivoted outwardly.
Although the invention has been described above with respect to one specific form, it will be evident to a person skilled Yn the art that it may be modified and _7_ refined in various ways. It is therefore wished to have it understood that the present invention should not be limited in scope, except by the terms of the following claims.

Claims (6)

1. A container comprising:
a bottom piece having opposite side edges and opposite end edges;
a pair of opposite side pieces, each having an upper edge and a lower edge, said lower edge hingedly connected to an associated side edge of said bottom piece;
a pair of opposite end pieces, each having an upper edge and a lower edge, said lower edge being hingedly connected to associated end edge of said bottom piece;
latching means for securing said side pieces and said end pieces to one another in a vertical condition so as to form an open five-piece container;
a pair of bail bar arrangements having one end hingedly connected to the upper edge of said end pieces and an opposite end;
said upper edges of said side pieces having lodging means receiving opposite end portions of said opposite end of said bail bar arrangement;
whereby said bail bar arrangements are pivotable between a first position wherein said bail bar arrangements rests substantially horizontally on said side pieces to reinforce said side pieces and a second position substantially parallel to outer faces of said end pieces.
2. A container as defined in claim 1, wherein each said bail bar arrangement consists of a .pi.-shaped configuration consisting of two parallel arms having one end hingedly connected to said end place and an opposite end integral with a transverse rod having opposite ends engaged in said upper edges of said side pieces.
3. A container as defined in claim 2, wherein the upper edges of said side pieces define a recess configured to provide a snap-in engagement of said opposite ends of said rod.
4. A container as defined in claim 2, wherein said ends of said arms pivotally connected to said end pieces are configured to be received in recesses in the upper edges of said end pieces through a snap-in engagement.
5. A container as defined in claim 1, wherein said side pieces and said end pieces are inwardly pivotable to lie in planes parallel to said bottom piece; said bail bar arrangement being pivotable to lie in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of said end pieces when folded horizontally over said bottom piece; said bail bar arrangements extending in the prolongation of said end pieces.
6. A container as defined in anyone of claims 1 to 5, wherein said container is entirely formed of plastic material.
CA002438034A 2003-08-21 2003-08-21 Open five-piece container with bail bar arrangements Abandoned CA2438034A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002438034A CA2438034A1 (en) 2003-08-21 2003-08-21 Open five-piece container with bail bar arrangements
US10/766,998 US20050040166A1 (en) 2003-08-21 2004-01-28 Open five-piece container with bail bar arrangements

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002438034A CA2438034A1 (en) 2003-08-21 2003-08-21 Open five-piece container with bail bar arrangements

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2438034A1 true CA2438034A1 (en) 2005-02-21

Family

ID=34140477

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002438034A Abandoned CA2438034A1 (en) 2003-08-21 2003-08-21 Open five-piece container with bail bar arrangements

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20050040166A1 (en)
CA (1) CA2438034A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100288664A1 (en) * 2003-01-27 2010-11-18 Rich Glover Reusable pallet container
US7357269B2 (en) * 2005-11-01 2008-04-15 Rehrig Pacific Company Container
US20070095842A1 (en) * 2005-11-01 2007-05-03 Apps William P Container
US20080116201A1 (en) * 2006-11-17 2008-05-22 Kyle Baltz Container
US7641066B2 (en) 2007-06-11 2010-01-05 Rehrig Pacific Company Collapsible container
US7717283B2 (en) * 2007-11-06 2010-05-18 Rehrig Pacific Company Collapsible container
US8261923B2 (en) * 2008-04-22 2012-09-11 Otto Industries North America, Inc. Collapsible container
MX2011005654A (en) * 2010-05-27 2011-11-28 Rehring Pacific Company Dual height collapsible container.
GB2480673B (en) * 2010-05-28 2014-10-29 Belron Hungary Kft Zug Branch Pallet container
US20120067877A1 (en) * 2010-09-21 2012-03-22 Shaumil Dave Collapsible carrying device
US20140360552A1 (en) * 2012-07-19 2014-12-11 Brittmore Group LLC Solar Panel Field Array Support System and Apparatus and Method for Construction Use
US10703531B2 (en) 2016-03-11 2020-07-07 Rehrig Pacific Company Collapsible crate with wood appearance
US11597557B2 (en) 2018-10-04 2023-03-07 Rehrig Pacific Company Reconfigurable beverage crate
US20210394958A1 (en) * 2020-06-17 2021-12-23 H-E-B, Lp Tote system for facilitating retail pick-up orders
US20220033162A1 (en) * 2020-07-31 2022-02-03 Susan Maunders Olson Protective structure for artwork
US11350741B2 (en) * 2020-09-18 2022-06-07 EP Family Corp. Collapsible organizer and method for utilizing thereof

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1958737A (en) * 1933-12-08 1934-05-15 Grand Rapids Sample Case Compa Basket
US2552929A (en) * 1946-04-25 1951-05-15 Lee A Fordon Corner reinforcing member and bail ear
US2519666A (en) * 1947-03-17 1950-08-22 Howard C Knox Paper hanger's paste bucket with bail that forms brush rest
US2541846A (en) * 1947-06-19 1951-02-13 Fred J Ullrich Reinforced box
US2643788A (en) * 1949-11-02 1953-06-30 Burrows Miles Govan Collapsible container
US4505390A (en) * 1983-11-22 1985-03-19 Kirk Jr Ronald K Bottle-nesting cup with three-position handle
CA2153141C (en) * 1995-06-30 1998-10-06 Roch Nolet Five-piece container having foldable side pieces
CA2180811C (en) * 1996-07-09 2002-07-30 Michel Jacques Five-piece container with hingeable sides
US6405888B1 (en) * 2000-02-12 2002-06-18 Rehrig Pacific Company Collapsible container

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
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