EP0204208A2

EP0204208A2 - Nesting lid for large lid container

Info

Publication number: EP0204208A2
Application number: EP86106844A
Authority: EP
Inventors: John D. Sinchok
Original assignee: Menasha Corp
Current assignee: Menasha Corp
Priority date: 1985-05-20
Filing date: 1986-05-20
Publication date: 1986-12-10
Also published as: EP0204208A3

Abstract

A nesting and stacking container box which will permit the nesting of container lids for large lidded containers. A hinging arrangement is provided so the lids can move from a closed position to a lateral hanging position with a stop member being provided so that the movement of the hinge arms which are freely, and rotatably mounted in the containers and lids is stopped at a position when the lids are in an open and nesting position. In this position the lids are angled outwardly from the containers. In one embodiment the lid members will continue to move in a manner such that the innermost portions of the lids when resting in a closed position on the containers will move outwardly and away from the containers. In another embodiment, a catch arrangement is provided between the lid and an upper wall portion of its container to afford a stationary positioning of the lid for nesting purposes.

Description

This invention relates to a hinged lid for containers having large or wide covers in relation to the height of the container. More particularly, the invention relates to container lids of the foregoing type wherein the hinging arrangement allows the lids to be moved laterally and to the sides of the container in a manner that multiple containers can be nested within each other and the container lids nested laterally and vertically of the containers.
When returning empty material handling containers for subsequent usage it is desirable that they be nested in a compact manner. This presents a problem when the container has a relatively short height while having relatively large attached lids. In order to nest the containers the lids must be in an open position and when they are hinged to the container this presents a problem in that they also must be nested in some particular manner.
In U.S. Patent 2,112,451 a stacking and nesting box is disclosed with a hinging type lid. The hinging is provided in a manner such that the lids are laterally disposed of the containers when they are in a nested condition. In one embodiment illustrating lid nesting, pintels 14 are positioned in a hinge so that they are close to the sides of the cover member. The hinge arms 13 are of substantial length to permit the cover members to be swung down to a substantially vertical collapsed position with the major portions of the cover members below the tops of the receptacles. In U.S. Patent 2,224,681 and 2,244,841 hinging covers for nesting containers are disclosed wherein the covers are laterally and vertically nested of the containers. The containers have a large height with respect to the container width and the lids do not completely close the containers. A hinged lid construction is also shown in U.S. Patent 3,655,088 wherein the cover is removable. U.S. Patent 3,282,462 shows an integral hinge for a cover with no lateral nesting being shown as is true of U.S. Patent 1,689,217 illustrating a lid of a triangular configuration.
The prior art does not provide a hinging arrangement for a large lidded container which will afford a nesting of the container lids in a manner such that the hinge arms extending between the container and the lid are kept to a minimum length and a large number of containers can be nested without interference of the open lid members.
The object of the present invention is to provide a nestable container having a wide attached lid.
The present invention provides an improved nesting and stacking container which allows for the nesting of an attached hinged lid comprising a container having a bottom, opposing side and end walls each extending upwardly from said bottom, and a pair of lid members; characterized by hinge arm members pivotally attaching said pair of lid members to said container in a manner to provide a free pivotal movement with respect to both said container and said lid members; said hinge arm members constructed and arranged to allow a pivoting of said lid members from a generally horizontal closed position to a lateral hanging position; and stop means operatively positioned with respect to said container to limit lateral downward movement of said lid members and permit upwardly extending portions of said lid members to extend outwardly from said container.
The hinging arrangement of the present invention affords nesting of a plurality of containers. In accordance with the hinging arrangement of this invention, the lid is held in a stationary and secure manner when in an open and nestable manner. The container of this invention is composed of a minimum number of parts and lends itself to a durable construction yet is easily manufactured.
In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top perspective view of the container of this invention,
Figure 2 is a view in vertical section taken along line 2-2 of Figure 4.
Figure 3 is a view in side elevation illustrating the nesting of a multiplicity of the containers with the lid members in an open and nested condition.
Figure 4 is a view in side elevation and partially in section showing tow of the containers in a stacked condition.
Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing an alternative embodiment of this invention.
Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the container in an open position.
Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the container of Figure 5 in a nested condition with other similar containers.
Figure 8 is a detail view of the catch arrangement for the lids of the container shown in Figures 5 and 6.

With reference to the drawings, the container generally 10 includes a tray portion 21 with a bottom 11 with end walls 12 and side walls 13 extending upwardly therefrom. Lid members or covers 14 and 15 having overlapping portions 16 and 17 will cover the top of the container when in a closed position as shown in Figure 1. This overlapping feature is known as well as the reinforcement thereof with walls and mating grooves described in U.S. Patent 4,432,467 entitled "Reinforced Lid Construction for Security Containers or the Like". In this instance, the covers 14 and 15 extend approximately one-half the width of the container. Hinge bars 18 and 19 in the form of rod-like members will interconnect the lid members 14 and 15 with the end walls 12.
As best seen in Figure 2, the hinge bar 18 will have a longitudinal portion 20 which will extend through the U-shaped slot 29 in lower flange section 33 of the lid 14 as well as under the lower surface wall 24 of the lid 14. In a similar manner, the hinge bar 19 will extend through the U-shaped slot 30 in lower flange 32 and under the lid 15. (See Figure 4). It will be seen that cut- outs 27 and 28 are provided in the lids 14 and 15 and above the slots for the purpose of assembling the hinge bars which will be explained later. Transverse portions 22 and 23 extend outwardly from the end walls 12 with inturned pintel portions such as indicated at 39 and 40 extending into the flange 31 of the end walls 12. This provides a direct straight bar connection between the container and the lids 14 and 15. This is best seen in Figure 1. The hinge bars 18 and 19 will be attached inside the flange 31 by the inturned pintel portions but will not extend into the end walls 12 or inside of the container. As hinge bars 13 and 19 with the longitudinal portions 20 extend completely across and under the covers 14 and 15, respectively, this will provide rotatable connection to both opposing end walls 12. It will be appreciated that this manner of attaching the hinge bars 18 and 19 through the slots 29 and 30 of cover flange 33 of the lids 14 and 15 as well as inside container flange 31 will not only afford rotation of the hinge bars with respect to the end walls 12 but also free-rotation of the lids 14 and 15 over the bar longitudinal portions 20.
As shown specifically in Figure 1, stop flanges 34 and 35 are provided on the flange 31 located in an upper rim section of the container. Stop surfaces 36 and 37 are disposed thereon and provide a ledge surface extending in a generally parallel manner with respect to the upper edge surface 43 of the container. (See Figure 3). It will be seen that the stop flanges 34 and 35 are preferably located adjacent the corner of the container and form a corner portion of the flange 31 between the end walls 12 and the side walls 13.
Referring specifically to Figure 3, it will be seen that the upper edge portion 43 of the flange 31 has the slots 44 and 45. These accommodate adjacent longitudinal bar portions 20 of the hinge bars 18 and 19 when the covers 14 and 15 are in a closed position. As best seen in this Figure, the side and end walls 13 and 12, respectively, are less than one-half the width of the container.
An alternative embodiment of the invention is described in Figures 5-8 and referred generally as numeral 110. This embodiment contains many of the same components as previously described for embodiment 10. Accordingly, they are referred to in the "100" series. As is seen, the container 110 has a tray portion 121 with the bottom 111 as well as the end walls 112 and side walls 113. It also has the overlapping covers 114 and 115 connected to the flanges 131 above the end walls 112 by the hinged bars 118 and 119. The major difference between embodiments 10 and 110 is in the type of flanges 134 and 135 which act as guides for the lids 114 and 115 as well as a particular catch means 141. The guide flanges 134 and 135 unlike guide stop flanges 34 and 35 are located on the lids l14 and 115 rather than on the flanges 131. As is seen, the guide flanges 134 and 135 are of the triangular configuration rather than a generally rectangular configuration as are the stop flanges 34 and 35. Another difference is the catch means 141 as provided by the compartments 143 in the side walls 113 and the hooks 147 extending from the lids 114 and 115. These compartments 143 will have a wall portion 142 which extends from the side walls 113 and connect with the outer flange portion 131 as well as a wall surface 148 for engagement with the hooks 147. This is best seen in Figure 8.
The container 10 of this invention will now be further described in conjunction with its operation. The container 10 when filled with material will assume a position as illustrated in Figure 1. The lids 14 and 15 will be closed and the overlapping sections 16 and 17 engaged on the previously indicated undercut portions of the corresponding lids 15 and 14. When the lids 14 and 15, are in a closed position it will be observed that a snug fit of the lids 14 and 15 will be afforded with longitudinal portions 20 accommodated in the slots 44 and 45 in the upper flange 31. Also, it will be seen that the lower flanges 32 and 33 of the cover lids 14 and 15 will extend over a portion of the flange 31. This is best seen in conjunction with Figure 4. A handle cut-out 38 is provided in the container 10 for ease of handling. When it is desired to stack other containers with the container 10, it will be positioned on a suitable supporting surface. A container 50 which is identical to container 10 will be positioned within the confines of the upper lid ridges 25 and 26. In this manner, the upper container 50 will not move laterally off of the lower container 10.
When it is desired to utilize the contents of the container 10 or 50, the lids 14 and 15 will be moved to an open position. This is afforded by the hinging action of the hinge bars 18 and 19 which are rotatably connected in both the covers 14 and 15 as well as in the flange 31 of the side walls 12. It will be appreciated that as the lids are moved from a closed position as indicated in Figure 1 and 4 they will move upwardly and outwardly with the hinge bar 18 moving in a counter-clockwise manner and hinge bar 19 in a clockwise motion. This motion will continue until the bars 18 and 19 will rest upon the respective stop surfaces 36 and 37 of the stop flanges 34 and 35 and be located parallel with the top of the container. Although further downward motion of the hinge bars 18 and 19 will be stopped, rotary motion of the lids 14 and 15 will continue with the portion resting above the side walls 13 when in a closed position now moving downwardly and towards the bottom 11 of the container while those portions such as the overlapping portions 16 and 17 moving outwardly and away from the container. This rotary motion is afforded by placing the pintel portions 39 and 40 below the center of gravity of the covers 14 and 15. The lid covers 14 and 15 will thus assume a position as illustrated in Figure 3,
The operation of embodiment 110 is in substantially the same manner as embodiment 10 except that the stop arrangement as provided by the catch means 141 is afforded between the lids l14 and 115 and the respective container walls 113 as well as the guide flanges 134 and 135 for the lids 114 and 115. As is seen, the lids or covers 114 and 115 as they are moved from the closed position shown in Figure 5 to the open position in Figure 6, move upwardly and outwardly until the hooks 147 connected to the lids l14 and 115 will engage the wall surfaces 148 and prevent further outward movement of the lids 114 and 115. At the same time, the guide flanges 134 and 135 will also contact the hinge bars 118 and 119 to stabilize the lids 114 and 115. The catch means 141 and the guide flanges give added stability to the lids 114 and 115 with respect to the tray portion 121 when they are in the opened and inclined position. The containers 110 as well as a similar container 150 can then be placed in a nested position shown in Figure 7.
When the contents of the containers are depleted and it is desired to return them to their point of origin or to conserve space, a nesting of the containers is desired. This is easily afforded by the positioning of the covers 14 and 15 or 114 and 115 in their open position. As illustrated in Figure 3 or 7, similar containers, 50, 60 70, 80 90 and 100 or 110 and 150 can be nested in each other and the lid covers 14 and 15 or 114 and 115 of the respective containers 10, 50-100 or 110 and 150 also nested over each other. In this position, longitudinal portions 20 and 120 of the hinge bars 18, 19 and 118, l19 are aligned in a spaced linear manner with respect to the side walls 13, 113 and parallel to each other.
Although thd hinge bars 18, 19 and 118, 119 are of one-piece construction, they are easily attached to the lids 14, 15 and 114, 115 as well as the flanges 31 and 131. This is effected by passing the pintel portions 39, 40 and 139, 140 (one at a time and with lateral movement) through the cut outs 27, 28 and 127 128 in the lids from inside the lids. The transverse portions 22, 23 and 122, 123 will then be rotated and the pintel portions 39, 40 and 139, 140 placed in the openings 46 and 146 of the flanges 31 and 131 with the longitudinal portions 20 and 120 placed in the slots 29, 30 and 129, 130.
The preferred materials for molding the containers 10 and 110 of this invention is high density polyethylene. High density polypropylene could also be used. In the foregoing description, the lids 14, 15 and 114, 115 were indicated as having overlapping portions for strength and stability purposes. This is not necessary as the hinge and stop structure of this invention can be utilized with various types of lid covers. The hinge and stop structure is suited for use with lids or covers which aremb- stantially large in comparison to the height of the container. However, they can also operate with lids and container heights of various proportions.
The hinge members or bars 18, 19 and 118, 119 have been illustrated as having longitudinal portions 20 and 120 extending completely across and parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the lids. This results in a rigid cover construction as well as the use of a minimum number of parts. Alternatively, the bars could be connected to the respective cover portions in the same manner that they are connected in the side walls 12 and 112, namely, by the previously indicated inturned, "L" shaped pintel portions 39, 40 and 139, 140. However, this is not preferred as it results in more parts and a less rigid cover structure portion. The hinge bars 18, 19 and 118, l19 have been illustrated as being attached a short distance from the corners of the end walls 12 and 112 and the side walls 13 and 113. While this arrangement results in a shorter transverse hinge bar, attachment could be made at other locations. However, longer transverse hinge portions would necessitate the use of containers with larger heights as the hinge bar pintels would have to be located at a more inward position in the covers when seen in a closed position.
It will also be appreciated that the location of the stop flanges 34 and 35 can vary and need not be immediately adjacent the corner of the container. Further, stop and guide surfaces 36, 37 and 136, 137 are solid ledge surfaces for contact with hinge bars 18 and 19. Other types of contact surfaces could be substituted whether of the ribbed or slot type. Although the stop and guide flanges 34, 35 and 134, 135 are preferably molded in the container, they could be separately secured.
It will thus be seen that through the present invention there is now provided a hinging and stop feature which will permit the nesting of lids with containers wherein the lids are substantially wide in comparison to the height of the containers. A compact unit is afforded by hinge bars which are constructed of a minimum length between the cover and the end walls of the containers. In addition, no secondary fasteners are required to attach the hinge bars to the container. Economical fabrication results from the flange stops and guides 34, 35 and 134, 135 which can be easily molded into the container at the time of fabrication.
While only certain preferred features of the invention have been shown by way of illustration, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An improved nesting and stacking container which allows for the nesting of an attached hinged lid comprising a container (10) having a bottom (11), opposing side (12) and end (13) walls each extending upwardly from said bottom, and a pair of lid members, characterized by hing arm members (18, 19) pivotally attaching said pair of lid members (14, 15) to said container (10) in a manner to provide a free pivotal movement with respect to both said container and said lid members; said hing arm members (18, 19) being constructed and arranged to allow a pivoting of said lid members (14, 15) from a generally horizontal closed position to a lateral hanging position; and stop means (34) operatively positioned with respect to said container (10) to limit lateral downward movement of said lid members (14, 15) and permit upwardly extending portions of said lid members (14, 15) to extend outwardly from said container (10).

2. The container of claim 1, characterized in that said stop means is defined by a stop surface (136) extending in a generally parallel manner with respect to the upper edge surface of said container for engagement by said hinge arm members (18, 19).

3. The container of claim 2, characterized in that said stop surface (36) is positioned adjacent the corner of said container.

4. The container of claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said hinge arm members are defined by rod-like members (18, 19) having portions extending across each lid member (14, 15).

5. The container of claim 3, characterized in that said container includes notches (44) in the upper surfaces of said side walls (12) to accommodate portions of said rod-like members.

6. The container of any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said lid members are provided with upstanding peripheral flange members for receiving and retaining a portion of the bottom of a like container.

7. The container of claim 1, characterized in that said stop means comprise catch means (141) operatively positioned with respect to said lid members (114, 115) and said end walls (113) to engage and prevent further outward movement of said lid members from said container.

8. The container of claim 7, characterized by guide means (134, 135) operatively associated with respect to said lid members (114, 115) for engagement with said hinge arm members (118, 119).

9. The container of claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said catch means is defined by at least one hook member (147) extending from said lid members and a wall surface (148) extending from said side walls.

10. The container of claim 7, 8 or 9, characterized in that said hinge arm members are defined by two rod-like members (118, 119) one said rod-like member extending across each said lid member (114, 115).