EP0947434A2 - Behälter und Behälterwände - Google Patents

Behälter und Behälterwände Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0947434A2
EP0947434A2 EP99302644A EP99302644A EP0947434A2 EP 0947434 A2 EP0947434 A2 EP 0947434A2 EP 99302644 A EP99302644 A EP 99302644A EP 99302644 A EP99302644 A EP 99302644A EP 0947434 A2 EP0947434 A2 EP 0947434A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
panel
sides
container
panels
mating
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99302644A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0947434A3 (de
Inventor
Noel Ivor Yule
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.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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 Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0947434A2 publication Critical patent/EP0947434A2/de
Publication of EP0947434A3 publication Critical patent/EP0947434A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • B65D11/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material
    • B65D11/18—Containers 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
    • B65D11/1866—Containers 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 with detachable components
    • B65D11/1873—Containers 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 with detachable components all walls are detached from each other to collapse the container

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a container and panels from which the container can be constructed.
  • the invention is particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, concerned with containers which are suitable as packaging for articles in transit.
  • Containers are widely used to accommodate and protect goods in transit by land, sea and air. Some such containers are intended to be single use containers, which are disposed of once the goods they contain are unpacked at their destination.
  • corrugated card is a popular material for containers of horticultural products but such containers are not usually reusable or returnable. These corrugated card containers also suffer from the disadvantage that they tend to be suitable only for relatively light-weight freight.
  • the present invention provides a container having a rectangular base and side walls upstanding from the sides of the base, the base and side walls being formed by a plurality of rectangular wall panels joined to one another at respective pairs of mating sides, each mating side having one or more integral connection formations thereon cooperating with one or more complimentary connection formations on the respective mating side of the adjacent wall panel to form a channel extending along the mating sides, an elongate locking member, for example a rod, wire or peg, being engaged in the channel to secure the mating sides together.
  • the mating pairs of panel sides are preferably profiled to provide complimentary series of connecting formations spaced along the sides, arranged to interlace with one another to form the channel.
  • each connecting formation is a generally L-shape finger projecting outwardly from the panel side.
  • a first limb of the finger preferably projects, generally in the plane of the panel, from an edge of the panel side where it meets one of the major faces of the panel, and a second limb extends perpendicularly from the outer end of the first limb to face the side of the panel from which the finger projects.
  • a series of such L-shape fingers can be spaced along the sides of each panel, fingers on the respective mating sides of adjacent panels being interlaced, these interlaced fingers and the sides of the panels defining the channel for the locking member.
  • Alternate fingers on each panel may project from respective inner and outer edges of the panel side, the second limbs projecting in opposite directions, to ensure that the channel is bounded on all sides at least intermittently along its length, irrespective of the angle formed between adjacent wall panels.
  • connecting formation for example a hinge type formation may be appropriate in some circumstances.
  • the wall panels are formed with like connecting formations along each side, so that each of the four sides of a panel can be joined to any one of the four sides of any other panel, whereby the panels can be connected in any of a number of configurations.
  • the main bodies of the panels may have any appropriate form.
  • they may have one or more, preferably a series of reinforcing ribs extending across one or both surfaces thereof. In this way the material required to form the panels can be minimised whilst maintaining adequate strength and rigidity.
  • each side wall may comprise a single wall panel, six panels being joined for example to form a closed, six-sided container.
  • the wall panels need only be connectable to extend perpendicularly to one another, the desired shape and size of container being constructed by selecting appropriately sized and shaped wall panels.
  • the base and/or one or more of the side walls of the container can each be formed from a plurality of wall panels, in which case the connection formations are arranged, as is preferred, to allow connection of the panels either perpendicularly to one another or in-line.
  • this allows a great variety of size and shape of container without the need to provide a correspondingly large number of wall panels of different size and shape.
  • the container may comprise a lid to close the opening defined by the side walls.
  • this lid may itself be formed of one or more wall panels having the same form as the other wall panels from which the container is constructed, and joined to the upper sides of the side walls in the same, interlocking manner.
  • Containers constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention have been found to be easy to assemble and may be assembled in as little time as it takes to assemble a corrugated cardboard container from its flat kit state. Dismantling can be an even quicker procedure and the wall panels may be stored in stacks, having relatively little bulk or weight. These stacks may be conveniently and economically returned to source for reuse.
  • a rectangular wall panel each of the four panel sides having one or more integral connection formations thereon, the connection formations of respective pairs of sides of the panel having complimentary mating profiles, whereby a plurality of such wall panels can be connected to one another along respective mating sides, via their respective connection formations, to form a container.
  • a plurality of these wall panels may be provided, along with a plurality of locking members for securing the connection formations of the panels to one another, as a kit from which a container can be constructed by joining panels along their sides to provide the desired size and shape of container.
  • the container 2 illustrated in Fig. 1 has a rectangular base 4 and side walls 6 formed from a plurality of wall panels 8,10,12,14.
  • the wall panels are joined at their sides by interlaced, L-shaped arms 16, locked in place by a rod 18 which extends through a channel formed by the arms 16.
  • the container may be closed by a lid (not shown), also formed from one or more wall panels of this form, secured to the top of the side walls by rods in the same manner as the side walls are secured to each other and the base.
  • Each wall panel is rectangular, in this example two of the panels 8,10 being square, and the others 12,14 having respective long and short sides with lengths which are equal to or multiples of the length of the sides of the square panels.
  • the L-shaped arms 16 are formed integrally with the wall panels, these arms 16 being spaced at regular intervals along all four sides of each panel, the size of the arms and their spacing being the same for all panels.
  • the arms 16 project alternately from inner and outer edges 20,22 of the panel's side walls 24 in the plane of the adjacent major face 26 of the panel.
  • the bases 28 of the L's are turned respectively outwardly and inwardly of the panel so that in both cases they are parallel to and face the panel side from which they project.
  • a channel 30 is defined by the arms 16 and the side of the panel, the channel being intermittently bounded on all sides by these elements.
  • Each pair of adjacent arms 16 are spaced apart along the side 24 of the panel by a distance slightly greater than the dimension d of each arm measured parallel to the panel side. This enables the arms 16 of adjacent panels to be interlaced, superimposing the channels 30 formed by the respective arms 16 and side walls 24.
  • a rod 8 inserted into this channel secures the arms 16 in this interlaced configuration.
  • the end of each rod 8 is bent over to secure it in place, but other means may be used for this purpose, e.g. the rods can be provided lateral bores at their ends through which a wire can be passed to secure the rods in a known wired manner.
  • the corners and edges of the container formed in this way can be sealed with suitable tape to improve waterproof and tamper proof qualities of the container.
  • connection between wall panels can also be used to connect the panels in-line with one another, rather than perpendicularly.
  • the two square panels 8,10 and the rectangular panel 12, which together form one end wall of the container, are connected to one another in this fashion.
  • Fig. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention in which alternative form of panel, used in conjunction with an alternative form of locking member that can also replace the rods seen in the previous figures.
  • the locking member which as seen in Fig. 4, takes the form of a locking peg 40 inserted into an end of the channel 30' formed by the L-shape arms 16' and, when pushed home, locked in place by a barb portion 42 of the peg 40 which engages one of the arms 16a.
  • the head of the peg nests in a recess 43 formed at the mouth of the channel.
  • a similar peg is also provided at the other end of the channel.
  • one of these surfaces is formed with a series of parallel reinforcing ribs 46 extending from one side wall 24a to the opposite one 24b. This can provide a strong, rigid, yet light weight panel.
  • the L-shape arms 16' of this second embodiment are each complimented by a raised step 44 on the side wall 24' from which it projects, these elements together forming a U-shape channel element projecting from the panel side 24' to define a smaller U-shape channel 30'.
  • connection member readilly allows for connection of adjacent panels in a number of different orientations, whilst still providing a channel 30' that is in-line along its entire length.
  • Fig. 5 shows two such panels connected in-line with the ribbed surfaces facing in the same direction (it is also possible for one panel to be reversed).
  • Fig. 6 shows two such panels connected perpendicularly to one another with their ribbed surfaces facing inwardly
  • Fig. 7 shows the reverse, with the plane surfaces of each panel facing inwardly
  • Figs. 8 and 9 show arrangements in which the ribbed surface of one panel faces inwardly and that of the other faces outwardly.
  • the panels of the second embodiment could of course be used in conjunction with the rod-like locking members of the first embodiment, although the peg illustrated in Fig. 4 is preferred.
  • the wall panels of either embodiment may be of any dimensions
  • preferred embodiments of the invention provides panels dimensioned to a standard grid, such as 220cm X 220cm; 220cm X 418cm; 418cm X 616cm; 418cm X 914 cm; and so on.
  • a standard grid such as 220cm X 220cm; 220cm X 418cm; 418cm X 616cm; 418cm X 914 cm; and so on.
  • a variety of different sized panels, all based on a common grid are provided in a kit from which containers can be formed.
  • a container may be constructed from 6 panels of similar dimensions, or of an aggregation of interconnected panels of differing sizes. It is also possible for the wall panels to vary in other ways. For example, for some applications it may be desirable to provide ventilation to the inside of the container, and one or more ventilation panels 50 (seen on an enlarged scale in Figure 5), having an array of through openings, may be provided for this purpose.
  • the square panel 10 in Fig. 1 is an example of this.
  • Suitable materials for the wall panels include metals, cellulose materials and plastics, or combinations of these materials, the preferred materials being plastics.
  • Use of recycled Polythene, for example, can result in a light and strong panel which is virtually crushproof and puncture proof and is readily reusable.
  • the example panels shown may be produced in a two-cavity mould.
  • a variety of profiles may be produced for the purpose by similar means.
  • a useful variation would result from use of a more complicated mould to obtain one half of door hinge type profile on each connecting side in place of the L-shape arms.
  • the containers can be light, strong, relatively inexpensive, and reusable.
  • the containers are also quickly assembled and dismantled and may be stored in kit form.
  • a variety of sizes of container e.g. to suit the dimensions of the goods to be freighted, can be constructed from like parts. For example, six wall panels of the same or different sizes may be interconnected to construct a closed container, or two or mqre panels, joined flat to make larger side panels may be used to make a larger container.
  • the container is suited to many uses including protection of goods in storage and cargo in transit; storage of documents; storage and removal of household effects; and shipping of goods from factory to retailer.
  • the container is particularly appropriate for applications where the return or reuse of the container is practical and/or desired. Many other applications may be envisaged.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Rigid Containers With Two Or More Constituent Elements (AREA)
  • Stackable Containers (AREA)
EP99302644A 1998-04-02 1999-04-01 Behälter und Behälterwände Withdrawn EP0947434A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZW498 1998-04-02
ZW498 1998-04-02

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0947434A2 true EP0947434A2 (de) 1999-10-06
EP0947434A3 EP0947434A3 (de) 2002-03-20

Family

ID=25590208

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99302644A Withdrawn EP0947434A3 (de) 1998-04-02 1999-04-01 Behälter und Behälterwände

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0947434A3 (de)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2000072326A1 (en) * 1999-05-25 2000-11-30 British Nuclear Fuels Plc A container for nuclear fuel elements
NL1018715C2 (nl) * 2001-06-21 2002-12-30 Trios B V Platensamenstel, een plaat, een koppelstructuur en slotmiddelen daarvoor.
EP1286895A1 (de) * 2000-01-31 2003-03-05 Dolav Dvir Lahav Plastic Products Zusammenklappbarer behälter
US6577699B1 (en) 1999-05-24 2003-06-10 British Nuclear Fuels, Plc Container for nuclear fuel elements
AU783052B2 (en) * 2002-03-25 2005-09-22 Dolav Dvir Lahav Plastic Products Square knock-down bin
GB2523111A (en) * 2014-02-12 2015-08-19 Paul Clark A box capable of being assembled and disassembled
WO2016020606A1 (fr) 2014-08-08 2016-02-11 Safe Cronite Panier pour le transport et/ou le stockage de pièces, du type assemblé, mettant en œuvre des pièces d'angle présentant chacune des portions de coopération successives
CN109720696A (zh) * 2018-12-26 2019-05-07 苏州得尔达国际物流有限公司 一种便于拆卸组装的物流运输容器及其组装方法

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2272907A1 (en) * 1974-05-31 1975-12-26 Allibert Exploitation Collapsible box with sides hinged to base - has sides movable vertically to unlock hooks holding sides together
US4173287A (en) * 1976-05-25 1979-11-06 Shozo Kumakawa Method of making boards and packing cases made therefrom
US5490604A (en) * 1991-07-11 1996-02-13 Shape Plastics Corp. Composter
GB2304689A (en) * 1995-09-04 1997-03-26 Janet Ann Phyllis Brighton Container system
US5632392A (en) * 1993-12-30 1997-05-27 Oh; Hae Soon Foldable container

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2272907A1 (en) * 1974-05-31 1975-12-26 Allibert Exploitation Collapsible box with sides hinged to base - has sides movable vertically to unlock hooks holding sides together
US4173287A (en) * 1976-05-25 1979-11-06 Shozo Kumakawa Method of making boards and packing cases made therefrom
US5490604A (en) * 1991-07-11 1996-02-13 Shape Plastics Corp. Composter
US5632392A (en) * 1993-12-30 1997-05-27 Oh; Hae Soon Foldable container
GB2304689A (en) * 1995-09-04 1997-03-26 Janet Ann Phyllis Brighton Container system

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6577699B1 (en) 1999-05-24 2003-06-10 British Nuclear Fuels, Plc Container for nuclear fuel elements
JP4768918B2 (ja) * 1999-05-25 2011-09-07 ブリティッシュ・ニュークリア・フューエルズ・パブリック・リミテッド・カンパニー 核燃料要素のための容器
WO2000072326A1 (en) * 1999-05-25 2000-11-30 British Nuclear Fuels Plc A container for nuclear fuel elements
JP2003500668A (ja) * 1999-05-25 2003-01-07 ブリティッシュ・ニュークリア・フューエルズ・パブリック・リミテッド・カンパニー 核燃料要素のための容器
EP1286895A4 (de) * 2000-01-31 2005-06-01 Dolav Dvir Lahav Plastic Produ Zusammenklappbarer behälter
EP1286895A1 (de) * 2000-01-31 2003-03-05 Dolav Dvir Lahav Plastic Products Zusammenklappbarer behälter
WO2003001001A1 (en) * 2001-06-21 2003-01-03 Trios B.V. Set of plates, a plate, a coupling structure and locking means therefor
NL1018715C2 (nl) * 2001-06-21 2002-12-30 Trios B V Platensamenstel, een plaat, een koppelstructuur en slotmiddelen daarvoor.
AU783052B2 (en) * 2002-03-25 2005-09-22 Dolav Dvir Lahav Plastic Products Square knock-down bin
GB2523111A (en) * 2014-02-12 2015-08-19 Paul Clark A box capable of being assembled and disassembled
GB2523111B (en) * 2014-02-12 2015-12-02 Paul Clark A box capable of being assembled and disassembled
WO2016020606A1 (fr) 2014-08-08 2016-02-11 Safe Cronite Panier pour le transport et/ou le stockage de pièces, du type assemblé, mettant en œuvre des pièces d'angle présentant chacune des portions de coopération successives
FR3024710A1 (fr) * 2014-08-08 2016-02-12 Safe Cronite Panier pour le transport et/ou le stockage de pieces, du type assemble, mettant en oeuvre des pieces d'angle presentant chacune des portions de cooperation successives
CN109720696A (zh) * 2018-12-26 2019-05-07 苏州得尔达国际物流有限公司 一种便于拆卸组装的物流运输容器及其组装方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0947434A3 (de) 2002-03-20

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