EP1259430B1 - Container having reinforcing means - Google Patents

Container having reinforcing means Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1259430B1
EP1259430B1 EP01903033A EP01903033A EP1259430B1 EP 1259430 B1 EP1259430 B1 EP 1259430B1 EP 01903033 A EP01903033 A EP 01903033A EP 01903033 A EP01903033 A EP 01903033A EP 1259430 B1 EP1259430 B1 EP 1259430B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
strut
struts
sidewalls
floor pan
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP01903033A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1259430A2 (en
Inventor
Robert I. Nurse
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.)
Procter and Gamble Co
Original Assignee
Procter and Gamble Co
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 Procter and Gamble Co filed Critical Procter and Gamble Co
Publication of EP1259430A2 publication Critical patent/EP1259430A2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1259430B1 publication Critical patent/EP1259430B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime 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
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/04—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
    • 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
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/04—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
    • B65D77/0413—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another the inner and outer containers being rigid or semi-rigid and the outer container being of polygonal cross-section formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks, e.g. carton
    • B65D77/0433—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another the inner and outer containers being rigid or semi-rigid and the outer container being of polygonal cross-section formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks, e.g. carton the inner container being a tray or like shallow container, not formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks

Definitions

  • This invention is directed to containers for storage of objects, and more particularly, to containers which are reversibly reinforceable.
  • the invention comprises a container having a plurality of upstanding sidewalls interconnected by a floor pan. At least one of the sidewalls is reinforceable with an upstanding strut. The strut is removable from the sidewall, without separation from the container in one particular embodiment.
  • a pair of the sidewalls may be reinforced with removable struts, the struts being transformable from a first position providing reinforcement to the sidewalls to a second position where the struts do not provide reinforcement to the sidewalls.
  • the struts may be transformable between the first and second positions by articulation.
  • Fig. 1 depicts a preferred embodiment of a container 10 and associated reinforcement 40 according to the present invention.
  • the container 10 includes a container 10 body preferably unitarily formed from sheet material.
  • An optional cover 12 may be included and unitarily formed with the container 10.
  • the container 10 may also include a closure for sealing the cover 12 and container 10.
  • the cover 12 may be generally flat, as illustrated, or may have a convex inward or convex outward orientation, as desired. If the optional cover 12 and seal 14 are desired, a plug seal 14 may be utilized as is known in the art and illustrated by U.S. Patent Nos. 3,784,055, iss. Jan. 8, 1974 to Anderson, and 3,967,756, iss.
  • cover 12 is an auxiliary feature and does not form part of the claimed invention.
  • cover 12 it is preferred that the cover 12 be substantially flat so that the container 10 is stackable.
  • the container 10 according to the present invention may be relatively small, such that the container 10 may be stored in one's pocket or purse.
  • a container 10 may include the optional cover 12 and be useful for storing pills, capsules, etc.
  • the container 10 may be relatively large such that the container 10 is sized to fit a flat bed semi-truck.
  • Such a container 10 may be useful for carrying construction materials, etc.
  • One contemplated use for the container 10, particularly when the optional cover 12 and a further optional seal 14 are included, is to store perishable items such as food.
  • the container 10 comprises a floor pan 22 and sidewalls 20 projecting outwardly from the floor pan 22.
  • the sidewalls 20 project upwardly and terminate at a distal end 46 forming the mouth 26 or opening of the container 10.
  • the illustrated embodiment has four sidewalls 20. However, it is to be recognized the invention is not so limited.
  • the floor pan 22 defines and lies in the first plane.
  • the floor pan 22 is defined by the vertices of the four comers of the upstanding sidewalls 20.
  • the floor pan 22 may be domed convex inwardly to increase strength as is known in the art. Particularly, domed floor pans 22 provide increased strength for loading by the contents of the container 10 in a direction normal to the plane of the floor pan 22.
  • the floor pan 22 may be disposed convex outwardly, although this may decrease stability when the container 10 rests on a horizontal surface. It is to be recognized that the floor pan 22 may be domed and still define a plane.
  • the container 10 is provided with a reinforcement 40.
  • the reinforcement 40 may comprise struts 42 which support one or more respective sidewalls 20 and preferably a floor pan support 48.
  • the struts 42 may be utilized to support either self-supporting, reversibly articulable sidewalls 20, flaccid sidewalls 20, or combinations thereof.
  • the struts 42 may be articulable so that they may be applied to and removed from the sidewalls 20 as desired.
  • the struts 42 are articulable about a proximal end 44, the proximal end 44 being juxtaposed with the floor pan 22.
  • the distal end 46 of the strut 42 may engage the sidewall 20, a flange circumjacent the mouth 26 of the container 10, or any other point near the top or opening of the container 10 which is convenient and provides structural support to resist collapse of the container 10.
  • the container 10 may have a circumjacent flange.
  • the flange may be usable for providing a sealing means if the optional cover 12 is provided with the container 10.
  • the flange either with or without the optional cover 12, may be usable for gripping the container 10, opening and closing the optional cover 12, etc.
  • the strut 42 may be attachable to the container 10 at locations intermediate the proximal and distal ends 46 of the strut 42. However, attachment of the strut 42 at the distal end 46 is convenient and provides fixed points spaced apart so that the strut 42 does not comprise a cantilevered support geometry.
  • the struts 42 may be articulated to a position which does not provide reinforcement 40 to the sidewall 20, and even be releasably attached to the floor pan 22 or to the floor pan support 48.
  • the struts 42 are preferably removably attachable to the outer surface of the container 10, although arrangements having the struts 42 removably attachable to the inner surface of the container 10 are contemplated as described below. This arrangement allows for storage of the container 10 without interference from the struts 42 when not in use.
  • the strut 42 may be disposed in the form of a panel.
  • the strut 42 is considered to comprise a panel if the strut 42 has a width at least 75% of the width of the respective sidewall 20 which the strut 42 reinforces. If so, such a panel is optionally substantially coextensive of and attachable to the sidewall 20 of the container 10.
  • This arrangement provides a strut 42 which provides support throughout the entire width of the upstanding sidewall 20. It is to be recognized that, however, the stiffness of the strut 42 is a linear function of its width and a cubic function of its thickness for bending moments perpendicular to the strut 42. Accordingly, the strut 42 may be optionally reinforced as described hereinbelow.
  • the container 10 may have a rectangular footprint and/or rectangular sidewalls 20. If so, the height may be greater than the width of the sidewalls 20, or vice versa, as desired for the particular geometry under consideration.
  • the strut 42 may be perforate. A perforate strut 42 provides the benefit that, when used in conjunction with a transparent container 10, the user may more easily view contents of the container 10 disposed behind the strut 42.
  • the first and second materials may be of identical composition but dissimilar geometries, for example, the container 10 may be comprised of a polymeric material having a first gauge.
  • the struts 42 and/or floor pan support 48 may be comprised of a polymeric material having a second gauge. The second gauge may be greater than the first gauge. This arrangement allows the container 10 to be formed of a thinner gauge material for material savings. Concomitantly, the reinforcing struts 42 and/or floor pan support 48 may comprise a thicker gauge material for strength.
  • the strut 42 may further comprise notches 34, undulations, tabs, or handles for gripping and manipulation of the strut 42. This arrangement provides the benefit that the strut 42 may be more easily manipulated and, hence, more easily transformed between the first and second positions.
  • the strut 42 may be of variable cross section.
  • the strut 42 may have a cross section which provides a greater bending modulus at the proximal end 44 of the strut 42 than at the distal end 46.
  • the container 10 may comprise variable wall thicknesses to provide additional rigidity, as desired.
  • the reinforcement 40 may be joined to the inner surface of the container 10, to prevent the reinforcement 40 from inadvertently becoming entangled with nearby objects.
  • the reinforcement 40 is joined to the outer surface of the container 10, so that the contents of the container 10 may be easily removed and the container 10 easily cleaned.
  • the container 10 may optionally be reversibly collapsible and erectable, If so, the container 10 has a first volume associated with its collapsed condition.
  • the container 10 further has a second volume associated with its erected condition. The second volume is greater than the first.
  • the container 10 may be collapsed in stages as the contents are depleted. This provides the benefits of requiring less storage space and removing oxygen from the container 10 if perishable contents are stored therein.
  • the container 10 may be provided with two floor pan supports 48. If the floor pan supports 48 heterogeneously reinforce the floor pan 22, the heterogeneous reinforcement may be applied in mutually orthogonal directions, to provide more consistent support across the floor pan 22.
  • the invention is not limited to containers 10 having four sidewalls 20.
  • proximal end 44 of the strut 42 be juxtaposed with the floor pan 22.
  • the strut 42 may be articulated about the top or a position juxtaposed with the aperture 26 of the container 10.
  • the container 10 may have a plurality of struts 42. Some of the struts may be articulated about a proximal end 44 juxtaposed with the floor pan 22, while other struts 42 articulate about a proximal end 44 juxtaposed with the top of the container 10, and still other struts 42 articulate about an intermediate position. All such variations are contemplated and within the scope of the appended claims.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Rigid Containers With Two Or More Constituent Elements (AREA)
  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)
EP01903033A 2000-01-11 2001-01-11 Container having reinforcing means Expired - Lifetime EP1259430B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US17562600P 2000-01-11 2000-01-11
US175626P 2000-01-11
PCT/US2001/000902 WO2001051363A2 (en) 2000-01-11 2001-01-11 Container having reinforcing means

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1259430A2 EP1259430A2 (en) 2002-11-27
EP1259430B1 true EP1259430B1 (en) 2004-09-15

Family

ID=22640990

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01903033A Expired - Lifetime EP1259430B1 (en) 2000-01-11 2001-01-11 Container having reinforcing means

Country Status (12)

Country Link
US (1) US20020000445A1 (es)
EP (1) EP1259430B1 (es)
JP (1) JP2003519600A (es)
KR (1) KR100511584B1 (es)
CN (1) CN1394184A (es)
AU (1) AU2001230904A1 (es)
BR (1) BR0107587A (es)
CA (1) CA2395067C (es)
DE (1) DE60105558T2 (es)
ES (1) ES2225473T3 (es)
MX (1) MXPA02006476A (es)
WO (1) WO2001051363A2 (es)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110079599A1 (en) * 2009-10-06 2011-04-07 Jennifer Macewan Flexible organic waste receptacle
WO2014084721A1 (en) * 2012-11-27 2014-06-05 N.V. Nutricia Container construction for powdered material
JP6429637B2 (ja) * 2015-01-19 2018-11-28 東罐興業株式会社 容器
IT201900021093A1 (it) * 2019-11-13 2021-05-13 Noce S R L Contenitore per alimenti e metodo per la realizzazione di un contenitore per alimenti
CN111547377A (zh) * 2020-06-12 2020-08-18 安徽乐岁新材料有限公司 一种菜饭分离的便当盒

Family Cites Families (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3784055A (en) 1972-12-04 1974-01-08 Anderson Packaging Inc Reclosable package
US3967756A (en) 1975-06-09 1976-07-06 Johnson & Johnson Wet wipe dispenser
JPS5627073Y2 (es) * 1977-11-14 1981-06-27
US4606461A (en) * 1985-04-18 1986-08-19 Ace Paper Products Co. Collapsible container
GB8621010D0 (en) * 1986-08-30 1986-10-08 Waddingtons Cartons Ltd Composite packages
US4801017A (en) * 1986-10-17 1989-01-31 Aldo Artusi Container, particularly for receiving foods
ES2015372A6 (es) 1988-02-04 1990-08-16 Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen Instalacion de direccion de varios ejes.
SE469749B (sv) * 1988-02-15 1993-09-06 Alfastar Ab Tvaadelad foerpackning, samt foerfarande foer dess tillverkning
FR2667572B1 (fr) * 1990-10-03 1993-08-13 Impression Cartonnage Ste Pari Contenant comprenant une feuille thermoformee et une plaque de renforcement.
JPH0610135U (ja) * 1991-12-10 1994-02-08 天昇電気工業株式会社 収納ケース
WO1994002384A1 (en) 1992-07-20 1994-02-03 The Procter & Gamble Company Disposable, compactable, shape-restorable package for storing and dispensing dry or premoistened sheets
CA2103830C (en) * 1992-08-19 2005-05-17 Gerald M. Syrek Stackable container for premoistened wipes
US5622276A (en) * 1995-06-01 1997-04-22 Simmons; John M. Collapsible container/cooler apparatus
JP2935169B2 (ja) * 1995-08-25 1999-08-16 アイ・シー電子工業株式会社 コーヒードリッパー
US6015071A (en) * 1997-03-11 2000-01-18 Prince Corporation Vehicle storage divider
US5996882A (en) * 1997-05-09 1999-12-07 The Procter & Gamble Company Collapsible, foldable, stackable, and self-supporting container
US6050410A (en) * 1998-01-11 2000-04-18 Quirion; M. Yvan Foldable pallet-mounted container

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE60105558D1 (de) 2004-10-21
AU2001230904A1 (en) 2001-07-24
CA2395067C (en) 2009-04-14
CN1394184A (zh) 2003-01-29
BR0107587A (pt) 2002-09-24
KR100511584B1 (ko) 2005-09-02
WO2001051363A3 (en) 2001-12-20
US20020000445A1 (en) 2002-01-03
EP1259430A2 (en) 2002-11-27
DE60105558T2 (de) 2005-10-06
KR20020071934A (ko) 2002-09-13
JP2003519600A (ja) 2003-06-24
CA2395067A1 (en) 2001-07-19
MXPA02006476A (es) 2002-11-29
WO2001051363A2 (en) 2001-07-19
ES2225473T3 (es) 2005-03-16

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