EP0211116A2 - Récipient de stockage pliable - Google Patents

Récipient de stockage pliable Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0211116A2
EP0211116A2 EP85305500A EP85305500A EP0211116A2 EP 0211116 A2 EP0211116 A2 EP 0211116A2 EP 85305500 A EP85305500 A EP 85305500A EP 85305500 A EP85305500 A EP 85305500A EP 0211116 A2 EP0211116 A2 EP 0211116A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
walls
side walls
wall
base
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP85305500A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0211116B1 (fr
EP0211116A3 (en
Inventor
Andrew Gyenge
Michael D. Johnson
John A. Malmanger
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.)
XYTEC PLASTICS Inc
Original Assignee
XYTEC PLASTICS 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 XYTEC PLASTICS Inc filed Critical XYTEC PLASTICS Inc
Publication of EP0211116A2 publication Critical patent/EP0211116A2/fr
Publication of EP0211116A3 publication Critical patent/EP0211116A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0211116B1 publication Critical patent/EP0211116B1/fr
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
    • B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D25/005—Side walls formed with an aperture or a movable portion arranged to allow removal or insertion of contents
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
    • B65D19/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D19/02—Rigid pallets with side walls, e.g. box pallets
    • B65D19/06—Rigid pallets with side walls, e.g. box pallets with bodies formed by uniting or interconnecting two or more components
    • B65D19/18—Rigid pallets with side walls, e.g. box pallets with bodies formed by uniting or interconnecting two or more components made wholly or mainly of plastics material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00009—Materials
    • B65D2519/00014—Materials for the load supporting surface
    • B65D2519/00034—Plastic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00009—Materials
    • B65D2519/00049—Materials for the base surface
    • B65D2519/00069—Plastic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00009—Materials
    • B65D2519/00154—Materials for the side walls
    • B65D2519/00174—Plastic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00263—Overall construction of the pallet
    • B65D2519/00268—Overall construction of the pallet made of one piece
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00283—Overall construction of the load supporting surface
    • B65D2519/00288—Overall construction of the load supporting surface made of one piece
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00313—Overall construction of the base surface
    • B65D2519/00318—Overall construction of the base surface made of one piece
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00398—Overall construction reinforcements
    • B65D2519/00402—Integral, e.g. ribs
    • B65D2519/00422—Integral, e.g. ribs on the walls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00492—Overall construction of the side walls
    • B65D2519/00502—Overall construction of the side walls whereby at least one side wall is made of two or more pieces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00547—Connections
    • B65D2519/00552—Structures connecting the constitutive elements of the pallet to each other, i.e. load supporting surface, base surface and/or separate spacer
    • B65D2519/00557—Structures connecting the constitutive elements of the pallet to each other, i.e. load supporting surface, base surface and/or separate spacer without separate auxiliary elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00547—Connections
    • B65D2519/00577—Connections structures connecting side walls, including corner posts, to each other
    • B65D2519/00582—Connections structures connecting side walls, including corner posts, to each other structures intended to be disassembled, i.e. collapsible or dismountable
    • B65D2519/00587—Connections structures connecting side walls, including corner posts, to each other structures intended to be disassembled, i.e. collapsible or dismountable side walls directly connected to each other
    • B65D2519/00592—Connections structures connecting side walls, including corner posts, to each other structures intended to be disassembled, i.e. collapsible or dismountable side walls directly connected to each other by means of hinges
    • B65D2519/00597—Connections structures connecting side walls, including corner posts, to each other structures intended to be disassembled, i.e. collapsible or dismountable side walls directly connected to each other by means of hinges integrally formed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00547—Connections
    • B65D2519/00636—Connections structures connecting side walls to the pallet
    • B65D2519/00641—Structures intended to be disassembled
    • B65D2519/00646—Structures intended to be disassembled by means of hinges
    • B65D2519/00651—Structures intended to be disassembled by means of hinges integrally formed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00736—Details
    • B65D2519/00805—Means for facilitating the removal of the load
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00736—Details
    • B65D2519/00865—Collapsible, i.e. at least two constitutive elements remaining hingedly connected
    • B65D2519/00875—Collapsible, i.e. at least two constitutive elements remaining hingedly connected collapsible side walls
    • B65D2519/009—Collapsible, i.e. at least two constitutive elements remaining hingedly connected collapsible side walls whereby all side walls are hingedly connected to the base panel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00736—Details
    • B65D2519/00935—Details with special means for nesting or stacking
    • B65D2519/00955—Details with special means for nesting or stacking stackable
    • B65D2519/00965—Details with special means for nesting or stacking stackable when loaded
    • B65D2519/00975—Details with special means for nesting or stacking stackable when loaded through the side walls

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to collapsible containers having pallet-type bases with upright container walls pivoted to the base and adapted to be moved to a folded position on the pallet for return transport in the empty condition.
  • This type of container is designed for fork lift handling and is adaptable for a wide variety of general utility purposes ranging from the transport or storage of packaged goods to bulk commodities such as produce and the like.
  • Collapsible containers having foldable side walls for return shipping are well known in Phe prior art and are subject to a wide range of uses. Such containers range in size from rather large capacity cargo container units for rail and shipboard handling to rather small lightweight containers designed for such commodities as bakery goods and farm produce. Examples of the latter type of collapsible containers made from moulded flexible plastic with integral hinge structures and snap fitting joints are contained in the Saunders et al U.S. Patents Nos. 3870185 and 3874546 and the Waller U.S. Patent No. 4320845. These containers may be characterised as being rather lightweight small capacity structures and are designed for carrying lightweight fragile or fragible articles such as loaves of bread or egg cartons.
  • the Kardell U.S. Patent No. 4057165 is one such device wherein flexible plastic hinge members permit the side walls to be folded onto the pallet base.
  • the Vande Drink U.K. Patent No. 4235345 and the Te-Chi Hsu U.S. Patent No. 4300695 are further examples of injection moulded collapsible containers usable for general utility purposes.
  • the Te-Chi Hsu Patent is exemplary of injection moulded plastic structures utilising metal hinge pins to accomplish the hinging function between plastic panels. The metal hinge pins are designed to withstand lateral loads and are intended to provide the necessary strength to the structure.
  • the present invention provides a heavy duty, high strength, collapsible pallet type container which may be formed entirely by injection moulded plastic techniques and which is designed for nesting when stacked either in the erected or collapsed mode.
  • the side and end walls of the container are pivotally connected to the pallet base by means of integrally moulded snap-fitting hinges.
  • the special structural configuration of the mating side and end walls and the pallet base insure that no lateral loads are placed on the moulded hinge structures, hence extremely high-level loading interior of the container is possible.
  • the novel configuration of side wall and end wall interlocking results in enhancing the engagement between the end and side walls with increased loading within the container.
  • Two folding pat- rns for collapsing the side and end walls onto the pallet base are disclosed, and in all instances nesting type stacking is possible without endangering the hinged joints between the side and end walls and the bottom wall by the added weight of stacking.
  • the container is also designed so as to receive a lid structure of appropriate configuration with none of the lateral forces of the loaded side and end walls being transferred to the lid.
  • the pallet base 13 includes the bottom wall 16 moulded with appropriate strengthening )webs 16a integral therewith.
  • the bottom wall 16 is formed in an upwardly convexed curve as seen most clearly in Figures 4 and 5 and extends into the base side and end walls 17 and 18 respectively to which the side wall and end walls 11 and 12 respectively are pivotally attached.
  • the base side walls 17 extend to a higher elevation than the base end walls 18 to permit folding as will presently be described in detail.
  • the pallet base 13 is formed with a support wall around the bottom periphery thereof and includes the spaced apart openings 19, two per side, which adapt the pallet for lifting by the tines of a fork lift. With this arrangement, the pallet may be picked up from any side by a fork lift for transport.
  • Each of the base side wall members 17 is provide with a groove 21 extending the length of the inner edge of the wall which provides a shoulder 22.
  • the shoulder acts as a load bearing surface in cooperation with a lip formed on the associated side wall as will presently be described.
  • each base end wall 18 includes a groove 23 which provides a shoulder 24 for cooperation with a lip on the associated end wall for the same purpose.
  • the side walls 11 are pivoted to the base side walls 17 along the common pivotal axis of the multiple sets of hinge structures 26 and 27.
  • the details of these hinge str -lures will be described in detail later with relation to Figure 8 and 9 of the drawings. It will be understood that multiple sets of these hinge structures 26 and 27 are used along the lower edges of both the side walls 11 and the end walls 12. These sets of hinge structures are identical in detail and the number and placement of the hinges will depend on the design of the particular container.
  • Each side wall 11 is provided with indentically formed vertically extended flange members 28 formed on the edge of its inner surface. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, each flange 28 on the opposite ends of each of the side walls has a groove 29 of some depth with connecting webs 31 vertically spaced along its length.
  • each side wall 11 comprises a lip member 33 running the length of the wall.
  • the lip 33 is designed to cooperate and interfit with the groove 21 and shoulder 22 of the adjacent base side wall to provide a bearing surface for absorbing the forces acting against the inner surface of the walls when the container is loaded. As seen most clearly in Figure 3, the lip 33 engages the groove 22 in the base side wall and the bottom surface of the side wall 11 rests vertically on the top edge of the wall 17 when the side wall is erected.
  • the end walls 12 may be identical in detail and are connected to the base end walls 18 by means of hinge members which are identical to those used for the side walls 11. Also a lip 38 is formed on the bottom edge of each wall 12 and cooperates with the groove 23 and shoulder 24 in the manner described with relation to the lip edge 33 of the side walls 11.
  • the vertical side edge of each end wall includes a vertically extending flange 34 which is designed to engage the groove 29 in the adjacent side wall 5 flange when both end and side walls are erected.
  • the flange 34 is provided with a plurality of spaced notches 36 which are vertically spaced so as to receive the webs 31 in the side wall flanges 28.
  • the flange 34 is provided with a plurality of spaced webs, such a the web 37, which engage the notches 32 in the side wall flange 28.
  • This structural arrangement prevents the end walls from pivoting or being forced passed the vertical when they are raised against the flanges 28 of the erected side walls. Any force applied to the inside wall surfaces will, of course, enhance the engagement between the wall edges.
  • the engagement between the respective notches and webs on the flanges of the end and side walls serves to lock the two walls together against any relative vertical shifting. This shifting or skewing of the side and end walls normally tends to occur during lifting of the loaded container with a fork lift and may result in severe hinge damage.
  • the hinge member 26 as well as the hinge 27 are moulded integrally with the side and end wall panels obviating the need for any special hardware or removable parts.
  • the hinge structure 26 shown in detail in Figure 8 includes a rectangular hinge body 39 extending from the bottom edge of the associated side wall with the inner face thereof being flush with the inside surface of the associated wall.
  • each of the side walls of the hinge body is provided with an elongated slot 40 which engages a boss or cylindrical protrusion 41 formed on the side walls of a U-shaped opening 42 in the associated base side or end wall.
  • slots 40 are open ended on the inward side thereof to permit insertion into the U-shaped opening into engagement with the bosses 41 in a lateral direction.
  • the hinge body 39 preferably closely conforms to the configuration of the opening 42 so as to substantially close the opening when the side wall is in place.
  • the body 39 also includes a downwardly extending protrusion 43 which engages a shoulder 44 in the bottom of the U-shaped opening 42.
  • the hinge member 26 thus provides a pivot or hinge point about the axis of the bosses 41 when the side wall is folded inwardly.
  • the protrusion 43 and the shoulder 44 prevent the side wall from being pivoted outwardly beyond the vertical and also provide protection for the hinge in the event of any lateral impact on the outside wall of the container.
  • FIG 9 illustrates the second type of hinge 27 utilized in conjunction with the hinge member 26.
  • the hinge member 27 is substantially more complex in its structure and is characterised as a "snap hinge", having the added function of retaining the end and side walls against removal from the pallet base.
  • the hinge structure 27 is also moulded integrally with the side or end wall structure with its inside surface flush with the inside face of the wall.
  • the hinge has a two part body comprising the body members 46 and 47.
  • the body member 46 is similar to one side of the body 39 of the hinge member 26 in that it contains an cpen ended slot 48 which is designed to receive one of the hinge bosses 49 located in the U-shaped opening 51 in the adjacent base wall.
  • the pivotal axis provided by the bosses 49 coincides with the axis of the bosses 41 of the adjacent hinge structure 26.
  • the hinge body 46 functions in the manner described for the hinge body 39 to provide a hinge point and also includes a protrusion (not shown) for engagement with a shoulder 52 in the opening 51 of the adjacent base wall. This engagement prevents the side wall or end wall from being pivoted beyond the vertical position and also provides impact protection for the associated hinge boss 49.
  • the other body portion 47 has a relatively thin walled shank 53 terminating in a cylindrical hub 54 which is provided with a bore 56 for receiving one of the bosses 49.
  • the body portion 47 also includes a protrusion 57 for cooperating with the shoulder 52 to limit the pivotal movement of the container wall to the vertical position. Since the shank 53 of the hinge body is somewhat flexible, it may be deformed to such an extent as to allow the boss 49 to engage the bore 56 of the hinge member and to snap the remaining part of the hinge into engagement with the oppositely facing boss 49. With the snap hinge 27 in engagement with the bosses 49, the associated container wall is held in removable attachment with the pallet base.
  • each hinge set 26 - 27 may be provided with an adjacent wall protector structure 58 shown in detail in Figures 3 and 7.
  • the purpose of the wall protector 58 is, of course, to prevent any such lateral shock loads from damaging the hinge members 26 and 27.
  • the base side or end wall has a recess formed therein which provides an upwardly and outwardly directed stop or abutment 59 which engages an integrally formed stop 61 on the associated side or end wall.
  • the stop portion 61 is formed with a groove or slot 62 which receives and acts against the terminal end of the abutment 59 on the base wall.
  • the protrusions 43 and 57 on the hinge members 26 and 27 respectively and the abutment 59 and stop member 61 prevent any lateral shock loads, directed against the outside surfaces of the walls, from being applied to the hinge structures.
  • the protective lips 33 and 38 on the side and end walls 11 and 12 respectively cooperate with the associated shoulders on the base side and end walls to absorb lateral loading on the inside surface of the walls to protect the hinges.
  • the engagement between the interlocking flanges on the mating edges of the ends and side walls serve to absorb the remaining lateral loads applied to the inner faces of the walls as the container is filled thus preventing any loading whatsoever on the hinge members.
  • each end wall may be provided with slide latch structures 63 mounted on each side edge adjacent the upper ends thereof for engagement with the flanges 28 of the side walls 11.
  • the slide latches may be received in suitable openings 64 in the flanges 28 to holdthe end walls from collapsing inwardly until the container is filled.
  • Figures 10 and 10A illustrate the details of a slide latch structure which may be used for this purpose. As seen in Figures 10 and 10A, the slider 66 is held in position against the end wall by means of the guides 67 which engage the tabs 68 on the slider and allow the slider to be moved into engagement with the slot 64 in the side wall flange 28.
  • the slider 66 is held against removal in the unlatched position by means of the latch fingers 69 which engage appropriate depressions in the end wall surface.
  • the latch is held in the engaged position by means of the latch finger 71 which engages a suitable slot 71a in the end wall.
  • the latch fingers 69 include a flat surface 72 which limits the movement of the slider toward the unlatched position.
  • the latch finger 71 may be provided with an inclined cam surface (not shown) which will serve to hold the slider in the engaged position but permits withdrawal of the slider by virtue of the cam surface in a well known manner.
  • one or both of the end walls 12 may be provided with a suitable door 14 which is connected to the end wall by means of snap hinge connectors 74 which may be identical to the snap hinge 27 shown in Figure 9. It will be understood, of course, that the bottom edge of the hinged door will also be provided with a lip (not shown) for engagement with an appropriate shoulder on the wall 12 to absorb any lateral loads on the door so as to protect the hinge members in a manner previously described. Also the door 14 may be latched to the end wall structure by means of slide latches 76 mounted on the end walls. These latches may be substantially identical in the structure and operation to the slide latch shown in Figures 10 and 10A.
  • top structure may be provided for the container with the proper configuration for engaging the top edges of the erected ends and side walls. Since the lateral lods on the ends and side walls are absorbed by their novel interconnections, there will be no loads applied to the cover structure.
  • Figures 2, 4 and 5 illustrate the manner in which the side and end walls are folded in order to obtain the stackable collapsed container.
  • the slide latches 63 are first moved to the retracted position releasing the ends walls 12 from the side walls 11.
  • the end walls are then folded inwardly to rest on the base structure or bottom wall 16 of the pallet as illustrated in Figure 4. Since the end walls 12 have a height which is greater than half the distance across the bottom wall 16, the walls will overlap as shown in Figure 4.
  • the order in which the end walls are folded is, ) of course, irrelevant because they are both pivoted at the same height.
  • the next step is to fold each of the side walls 11 inwardly with the inwardly facing surfaces of the flanges 28 on each end of each side wall coming to rest on the upper edges of the base end walls 18. With this configuration, no 5 weight or stress is applied to the overlapped previously folded end walls 12. Also, since the base side walls 17 are higher in elevation, the vertical height of the side walls 11 may be designed to be one half of the length of the bottom gall 16 and pallet base as shown in Figure 5. There is therefore no overlapping of the side walls which forr. a stable platform on which to stack another collapsed or fully erected container.
  • the base end and side walls 17 and 18 are provided with a plurality of notches or openings 77 and 78 respectfully which are aligned with the reinforcing webs of the outside surfaces of the side walls 11 to permit nesting.
  • the peripheral edges of the end and side base walls are inset as at 79 and 81 so as to permit the pallet base to be bested onto the foldded side walls of another container.
  • the recessing 79 and 81 also permits a folded or erected container to be nested on top of another erected container.
  • Figures 11 and 12 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention wherein the side and end walls are hinged to the respective base walls at four different elevations providing for a container of smaller dimensions while preserving the ability to stack the collapsed container with other collapsed or erected containers.
  • the hinge structures and hinge protective features of Figures 1 to 10 embodiment will be utilised in the construction of the container of Figures 11 and 12, the only difference being the manner in which the side and end walls are folded inwardly to collapse the container.
  • the pallet base 113 is provided with a first base end wall 114 and a second base end wall 116.
  • the end wall 117 is pivoted to the base wall 116 at the pivot point 118 and the end wall 119 is pivoted to the base end wall 114 at the pivot axis 1 21.
  • the pivot point 116 is located the approximate thickness of the end walls and webbing above the pivot point 121.
  • the end wall 119 may be moved to the position shown in Figure 11 lying substantially flat on top of the bottom wall of the pallet.
  • the end wall 117 is then pivoted inwardly so as to rest on top of the end wall 119.
  • the base side walls 122 and 123 provide pivotal attachments for the side walls 124 and 126 respectively.
  • the pivotal attachment 127 for the side wall 126 is located the thickness of a side wall and webbing above the pivot point 128 for the side wall 124, permitting the wall 126 to lie flat on top of the side wall 124 and to be supported thereby.
  • one flange 129 of the side wall 124 engages the top surface of the base end wall 116 for support along its length and the flanges131 and 132 of the side wall 126 rest on the outside surface of the side wall 124.
  • the base side walls 122 and 123 have corner posts 13 and 134 respectively so as to support the stacked containers without applying any pressure to the folded side walls 124 and 126.
  • the peripheral edge of the pallet base is recessed as at 136 so as to nest between the corner posts 133 and 134.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Rigid Containers With Two Or More Constituent Elements (AREA)
  • Pallets (AREA)
EP19850305500 1985-06-21 1985-08-01 Récipient de stockage pliable Expired EP0211116B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US74781085A 1985-06-21 1985-06-21
US747810 1985-06-21

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0211116A2 true EP0211116A2 (fr) 1987-02-25
EP0211116A3 EP0211116A3 (en) 1987-09-30
EP0211116B1 EP0211116B1 (fr) 1990-01-03

Family

ID=25006742

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19850305500 Expired EP0211116B1 (fr) 1985-06-21 1985-08-01 Récipient de stockage pliable

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0211116B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPS624048A (fr)
CA (1) CA1246470A (fr)
DE (1) DE3575112D1 (fr)

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0281422A2 (fr) * 1987-03-06 1988-09-07 Ropak Corporation Récipient pliable
WO1989001900A1 (fr) * 1987-08-24 1989-03-09 Braitrim (U.K.) Limited Caisse de transit
DE3834280A1 (de) * 1988-10-08 1990-04-12 Sotralentz Sa Transport- und/oder lagerbehaelter fuer fluessigkeiten sowie fuer feinteiliges schuettgut
US4917255A (en) * 1989-02-24 1990-04-17 J.I.T. Corporation Collapsible container
US5056666A (en) * 1989-04-07 1991-10-15 Janssens Industries Limited Pallets
DE9408039U1 (de) * 1994-05-14 1994-07-14 Rehau Ag + Co, 95111 Rehau Faltbarer Verpackungsbehälter
DE4337649A1 (de) * 1993-11-04 1995-05-11 Eberhard Wistuba Lager- und Transportbehälter
EP0655392A2 (fr) * 1993-11-29 1995-05-31 Otto Industries, Inc. Conteneur repliable
DE19614530A1 (de) * 1996-04-12 1997-10-16 Beiner Kunststoffvearbeitung U Zusammenklappbarer Transportbehälter
BE1010646A3 (nl) * 1996-09-24 1998-11-03 Overpelt Plascobel Nv Plooikist.
GB2330131A (en) * 1997-10-07 1999-04-14 Mckechnie Collapsible container
FR2779413A1 (fr) * 1998-06-05 1999-12-10 Lin Pac Mouldings Conteneur a paroi(s) rabattable(s)
WO2000063084A1 (fr) * 1999-04-20 2000-10-26 Bekuplast Kunststoffverarbeitungs-Gmbh Recipient de transport et de stockage avec parois laterales rabattables vers l'interieur
EP1253087A1 (fr) * 1999-11-30 2002-10-30 Kyoraku Co., Ltd. Contenant
WO2004085779A2 (fr) * 2003-03-21 2004-10-07 Rehrig Pacific Company Conteneur pliable
JP2007308192A (ja) * 2006-05-22 2007-11-29 Dainippon Ink & Chem Inc 合成樹脂製パレット
US9422082B2 (en) 2005-06-03 2016-08-23 Roger Nolan Container assembly and latch apparatus, and related methods
US10703531B2 (en) 2016-03-11 2020-07-07 Rehrig Pacific Company Collapsible crate with wood appearance
US20210261326A1 (en) * 2020-02-25 2021-08-26 Pvpallet Llc Transport container
US11597557B2 (en) 2018-10-04 2023-03-07 Rehrig Pacific Company Reconfigurable beverage crate

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0516105Y2 (fr) * 1989-12-13 1993-04-27
JPH0540127U (ja) * 1991-10-25 1993-05-28 積水化成品工業株式会社 組立箱
DE112005003517B4 (de) 2005-03-28 2016-03-10 Taisei Chemical Industries Ltd. Verfahren zur Herstellung eines amphoteren Elektrolytharzes bzw. Polyampholyts durch kontinuierliche Massepolymerisation und Vorrichtung zur Herstellung
JP4318101B2 (ja) * 2005-10-03 2009-08-19 北海道セイカン工業株式会社 折畳み型コンテナ
JP6061327B2 (ja) * 2012-08-24 2017-01-18 三甲株式会社 箱体
JP2014043251A (ja) * 2012-08-24 2014-03-13 Sanko Co Ltd 箱体

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US2553607A (en) * 1945-02-27 1951-05-22 Universal Steel Equipment Corp Collapsible delivery box
US3985258A (en) * 1975-10-01 1976-10-12 Quigley Patrick C Knock-down plastic container for produce and the like
US4062467A (en) * 1974-07-27 1977-12-13 Friedrich Wolfgang E Collapsible transport container
EP0067323A2 (fr) * 1981-06-12 1982-12-22 Uwe W. Friedrich Caisse de transport pliante
GB2149757A (en) * 1983-11-17 1985-06-19 Buckhorn Material Handling Molded container with integral hinge

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JPS4813065U (fr) * 1971-06-24 1973-02-14
US3874546A (en) * 1973-10-11 1975-04-01 Pinckney Molded Plastic Inc Convertible container-pallet
US4057165A (en) * 1977-04-21 1977-11-08 Kardell Kurt J Reusable folding container
JPS5755492A (en) * 1980-09-19 1982-04-02 Kinki Sharyo Kk Fee box
JPS633932U (fr) * 1986-06-25 1988-01-12
JPS6456980A (en) * 1987-08-26 1989-03-03 Daikin Ind Ltd Scroll compressor

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2553607A (en) * 1945-02-27 1951-05-22 Universal Steel Equipment Corp Collapsible delivery box
US4062467A (en) * 1974-07-27 1977-12-13 Friedrich Wolfgang E Collapsible transport container
US3985258A (en) * 1975-10-01 1976-10-12 Quigley Patrick C Knock-down plastic container for produce and the like
EP0067323A2 (fr) * 1981-06-12 1982-12-22 Uwe W. Friedrich Caisse de transport pliante
GB2149757A (en) * 1983-11-17 1985-06-19 Buckhorn Material Handling Molded container with integral hinge

Cited By (29)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0281422A2 (fr) * 1987-03-06 1988-09-07 Ropak Corporation Récipient pliable
EP0281422A3 (en) * 1987-03-06 1989-02-08 J.I.T. Corporation (Corporation Of The State Of Michigan) Collapsible container
WO1989001900A1 (fr) * 1987-08-24 1989-03-09 Braitrim (U.K.) Limited Caisse de transit
DE3834280A1 (de) * 1988-10-08 1990-04-12 Sotralentz Sa Transport- und/oder lagerbehaelter fuer fluessigkeiten sowie fuer feinteiliges schuettgut
US4917255A (en) * 1989-02-24 1990-04-17 J.I.T. Corporation Collapsible container
EP0385914A3 (en) * 1989-02-24 1990-12-27 Ropak Corporation Collapsible container
US5056666A (en) * 1989-04-07 1991-10-15 Janssens Industries Limited Pallets
DE4337649A1 (de) * 1993-11-04 1995-05-11 Eberhard Wistuba Lager- und Transportbehälter
EP0655392A2 (fr) * 1993-11-29 1995-05-31 Otto Industries, Inc. Conteneur repliable
EP0655392A3 (fr) * 1993-11-29 1995-08-02 Otto Ind Inc Conteneur repliable.
EP0690003A1 (fr) * 1993-11-29 1996-01-03 Otto Industries, Inc. Conteneur repliable
DE9408039U1 (de) * 1994-05-14 1994-07-14 Rehau Ag + Co, 95111 Rehau Faltbarer Verpackungsbehälter
DE19614530A1 (de) * 1996-04-12 1997-10-16 Beiner Kunststoffvearbeitung U Zusammenklappbarer Transportbehälter
BE1010646A3 (nl) * 1996-09-24 1998-11-03 Overpelt Plascobel Nv Plooikist.
GB2330131A (en) * 1997-10-07 1999-04-14 Mckechnie Collapsible container
GB2330131B (en) * 1997-10-07 2001-11-21 Mckechnie Container
FR2779413A1 (fr) * 1998-06-05 1999-12-10 Lin Pac Mouldings Conteneur a paroi(s) rabattable(s)
WO2000063084A1 (fr) * 1999-04-20 2000-10-26 Bekuplast Kunststoffverarbeitungs-Gmbh Recipient de transport et de stockage avec parois laterales rabattables vers l'interieur
EP1253087A4 (fr) * 1999-11-30 2004-12-08 Kyoraku Co Ltd Contenant
EP1253087A1 (fr) * 1999-11-30 2002-10-30 Kyoraku Co., Ltd. Contenant
WO2004085779A2 (fr) * 2003-03-21 2004-10-07 Rehrig Pacific Company Conteneur pliable
WO2004085779A3 (fr) * 2003-03-21 2004-11-11 Rehrig Pacific Co Conteneur pliable
US7100786B2 (en) 2003-03-21 2006-09-05 Rehrig Pacific Company Collapsible container
US9422082B2 (en) 2005-06-03 2016-08-23 Roger Nolan Container assembly and latch apparatus, and related methods
JP2007308192A (ja) * 2006-05-22 2007-11-29 Dainippon Ink & Chem Inc 合成樹脂製パレット
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
US20210261326A1 (en) * 2020-02-25 2021-08-26 Pvpallet Llc Transport container
US11891236B2 (en) * 2020-02-25 2024-02-06 Pvpallet, Inc. Transport container

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS624048A (ja) 1987-01-10
DE3575112D1 (de) 1990-02-08
EP0211116B1 (fr) 1990-01-03
EP0211116A3 (en) 1987-09-30
CA1246470A (fr) 1988-12-13

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