EP1855952A2 - Reusable container - Google Patents
Reusable containerInfo
- Publication number
- EP1855952A2 EP1855952A2 EP20060735697 EP06735697A EP1855952A2 EP 1855952 A2 EP1855952 A2 EP 1855952A2 EP 20060735697 EP20060735697 EP 20060735697 EP 06735697 A EP06735697 A EP 06735697A EP 1855952 A2 EP1855952 A2 EP 1855952A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- wall
- lid
- base
- reusable container
- walls
- 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- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
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- 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
- B65D9/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of wood or substitutes therefor
- B65D9/12—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of wood or substitutes therefor collapsible, e.g. with all parts detachable
-
- 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
- B65D19/14—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 wood
- B65D19/16—Collapsible pallets
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- 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
- B65D2519/00029—Wood
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- 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
- B65D2519/00064—Wood
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- 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
- B65D2519/00169—Wood
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- 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
- B65D2519/00189—Materials for the lid or cover
- B65D2519/00203—Wood
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- 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
- B65D2519/00273—Overall construction of the pallet made of more than one piece
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- 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
- B65D2519/00293—Overall construction of the load supporting surface made of more than one piece
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- 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
- B65D2519/00323—Overall construction of the base surface made of more than one piece
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- 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
- B65D2519/00328—Overall construction of the base surface shape of the contact surface of the base
- B65D2519/00333—Overall construction of the base surface shape of the contact surface of the base contact surface having a stringer-like shape
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- 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
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- 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
- B65D2519/00497—Overall construction of the side walls whereby at least one side wall is made of one piece
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- 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
- B65D2519/00562—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 chemical connection, e.g. glued, welded, sealed
-
- 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
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- 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
- B65D2519/00661—Structures intended to be disassembled side walls maintained connected to pallet by means of auxiliary locking elements, e.g. spring loaded locking pins
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- 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
- B65D2519/00706—Connections structures connecting the lid or cover to the side walls or corner posts
- B65D2519/00711—Connections structures connecting the lid or cover to the side walls or corner posts removable lid or covers
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- 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
- B65D2519/0098—Dismountable elements
- B65D2519/00985—Dismountable elements the pallet being not usable as a pallet after dismounting
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02W—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
- Y02W30/00—Technologies for solid waste management
- Y02W30/50—Reuse, recycling or recovery technologies
- Y02W30/80—Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging
Definitions
- This invention relates to improvements in packaging and shipping containers, and more particularly to improved returnable and reusable containers.
- Containers can be made of a wide variety of materials, depending upon the design requirements of the container. For example, containers made only of wood are relatively durable and are capable of carrying relatively heavy loads. However, the cost of the wood material and the labor for initial assembly may be quite high. Multiple re- uses of wood containers are possible, but such known containers are not easily collapsible for return transport. Thus, relatively large amounts of space are required for return transport of such containers. [0004] It is known to manufacture containers of corrugated material, e.g., corrugated cardboard or a combination of corrugated materials and wood. For example, U.S. Patent 5,174,448 discloses a wood pallet with recyclable cardboard side walls. Such containers are limited in strength and in carrying capacity.
- known containers will withstand only limited re-use. Also, while some known containers may be collapsed to allow for compact return transportation, much work is needed to reconstruct the container for re-use.
- a reusable container comprises a base comprising a pair of frame members, a pair of end pieces and a center section, wherein the base is provided with a plurality of tab slots, a lid provided with a plurality of tab slots, and at least one wall comprising a plurality of locking tabs formed as unitary extensions of the wall, wherein the plurality of locking tabs engage the plurality of tab slots, securing the to the base and to the lid.
- a backwards formed as unitary extensions of the wall
- the brace carrier having at least one rib formed as a unitary extension of the back brace carrier cooperates with a rib on the lid to removably captivate a back brace.
- the back brace provides support for the product.
- the walls may have a length and define a first plane, and have unitary exterior ribs running along the length.
- the walls also have unitary corner flanges formed at a right angle to the first plane.
- Fig 1 is a perspective view of a container suitable for re-use in accordance with a preferred embodiment containing windshields.
- Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the base, end pieces, central section and of the preferred embodiment of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 3 is an isolated perspective view of the back brace in accordance with a preferred embodiment.
- Fig. 4 is an isolated perspective view of a clip in accordance with a preferred embodiment.
- Fig. 5 is an isolated perspective view of an end wall in accordance with a preferred embodiment.
- Fig. 6 is an isolated perspective view of a side wall in accordance with a preferred embodiment.
- Figs. 7-8 are isolated perspective top and underside views, respectively, of a pair of lid walls in accordance with a preferred embodiment.
- Fig. 9 is a side view of the end wall to end piece connection, showing an optional end cap covering an opening to a pallet trough.
- Fig. 10 is a close up perspective view of the side wall to lid connection.
- Fig. 1 shows a perspective, assembled view of a _ reusable container or crate 10 suitable for carrying a product such as windshields 54.
- the container 10 has a base or pallet 20, side walls 90, 91, end walls, 80, 81 mounted generally perpendicular to the base, and a lid comprising Hd walls 100, 101 mounted generally perpendicular to the side walls and end walls.
- a back brace 70 supports the product and extends between the lid walls and the pallet 20 directly.
- the back brace 70 is mounted on a back brace carrier 60 sitting on the pallet center section 30.
- Banding 52 wraps around the product 54 and is threaded through openings 95 in the side walls 90, 91 , and down through the back brace carrier 60 and pallet 20. The banding 52 is used to hold the product in place during transport. Clips 50 secure the base to each of the side walls 90, 91 and end walls 80, 81 , and
- the base 20 is preferably provided with side channels 26, 27 for receiving a forklift.
- walls 80, 81 , 90, 91 , back brace 70, back brace carrier and lid walls 100, 101 all comprise a wood composite material formed by a molding process. This is highly advantageous as it allows for reinforcing ribs 96, columns 97, flanges 84, 85 and similar structural features to be incorporated as unitary (one-piece) extensions of the components, greatly enhancing the strength, column loading, and durability of the container 10.
- Wood composite material may be described as being made from wood materials, primarily in the form of particles, flakes and/or fibers, combined with a resin, typically a thermoset resin, and bonded at an elevated temperature and elevated pressure, typically in a heated pressing device. Wood composite products advantageously use waste products from other processes, thus creating an environmental benefit. Wood composite materials are also resistant to insect infestation. Recent concern with international shipment of goods in containers made of materials which may harbor insects makes use of materials such as wood composite material particularly desirable. The wood used in the some known current packaging must be heat treated and is not accepted by some countries. Wood composite materials may be as strong, or stronger than wood, are in most cases, cost competitive with wood and may also be more dimensionally stable and moisture resistant than wood. The wood composite crate shown should have four to five times the life of known conventional corrugated board crate designs used for returnable packaging.
- Fig. 2 shows the various components of the pallet/base 20, along with back
- brace carrier 60 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of Fig. 1.
- Two generally elongate frame members 23, 24 are shown, each defining a respective trough 21 , 22 and each having corresponding channels 26, 27 for receiving a forklift.
- Mounted at ends of the frame members are end pieces 40, 41.
- Each end piece has a trough 44 forming alignment flanges 43 which cooperate with alignment flanges 42 to position the end pieces over the frame members 23, 24.
- Clip slots 34 are provided to receive clips connecting the end walls 80, 81 to the pallet, and tab slots 32 are provided to receive unitary tabs 92 extending from the end walls.
- the end walls may be bonded to the frame members with an adhesive.
- Center section 30 has a central pocket 37 and downwardly extending flanges 39 which cooperate to align the center section over the frame members 23, 24 in much the same way as trough 44 and flanges 42 cooperate to align the end pieces 40, 41 over the frame members.
- Center section 30 is also provided with a plurality of openings and slots: tab slots 32 adapted to receive tabs 92 on side walls 90, 91 ; clip slots 34 adapted to receive clips 50 connecting side walls 90, 91 to base 20; and banding holes 35, 36 adapted to receive banding 52 to wrap around the product.
- the pallet 20 is formed from the frame members 23, 24, end pieces, 40, 41 , and center section 30. During assembly and disassembly, these components, having been glued together, would preferably stay
- Back brace carrier 60 Positioned on top of the center section is the back brace carrier 60.
- Back brace carrier 60 is preferably removable during disassembly.
- Carrier 60 has a pocket 65 which snugly nests in central pocket 37 of the center section 30, and has a series of ribs 64 which cooperate with ribs 109 of the lid, shown in Fig. 8 to support the back brace 70, shown in Fig. 3.
- Banding 52 is threaded through banding holes and notches 66, 67, which are aligned with banding holes 35, 36, respectively, in the center section 30.
- the product is typically positioned on runners 62, which may optionally be provided with foam padding or other cushioning material to help reduce the likelihood of damage to the product as it is shipped.
- the back brace 70 shown in Fig. 3, is designed to provide a wall to rest the product against.
- Back brace 70 preferably has a pair of reinforcing ribs 72 running along its length, and banding holes 36 to receive banding.
- a second pair of banding holes 36 can be provided. Even though banding would normally only be routed through one pair of holes, a symmetrical design allows for easier assembly.
- clips 50 are used to connect the pallet 20 to the side walls 90, 91 and end walls 80, 81 , and to connect the side walls and end walls to the lid walls 100, 101.
- the clips 50 are simple to install, greatly reduce assembly and disassembly times, and remove the need for exterior banding, nails, or other difficult to remove fasteners.
- the clips 50 are inserted into clip slots 34, one each on two different components to secure the components together.
- Fig. 4 shows a preferred fastener (clip 50) which secures the position of each of the walls 80, 81 , 90, 91 to the base 20 and secures the lid walls 100, 101 of the crate 10 to the walls 80, 81,
- Clips 50 are preferably made of a flexible metal material having certain spring-
- the clips 50 are formed as shown having an L-shaped clip-type fastener of a heavy gauge metal wire. Most preferably the angle a formed by the clip is slightly acute, e.g., about 87 degrees, so that some resilient force is brought to bear on the two components which are fastened together.
- Fig. 5 shows an end wall 81 and Fig. 6 shows a side wall 90.
- both walls are mounted in a plane 96 generally perpendicular to the base 20 and to the lid walls 100, 101.
- the end walls and side walls may be essentially identical. This helps simplify assembly and disassembly of the container 10 and reduces the possibility for improper assembly.
- the walls each have tabs 92 which are adapted to fit into tab slots 32 formed on the base (at end pieces 40, 41 and center section 30) and on the lid walls 100, 101 (shown in Figs 7-8).
- Unitary tabs 92 formed as a one-piece extension of the walls, hold the walls together with the lid and base, allowing for the clips 50 to be installed.
- the walls as shown also have unitary exterior ribs 96 running the length of the walls 81 , 90, and also have unitary exterior channels 97 which are shaped similar to the ribs except that the channels do not run the entire length of the wall. Ribs 96 and channels 97 are offset from the rest of the wall such that they are still perpendicular to the base, but are in a second plane 57 offset from a first plane 56 of the wall. These ribs 96 and channels 97 advantageously cooperate to increase the strength of the walls.
- the vertically ribbed configuration provides substantially greater
- the placement of, and the curved shape of, the reinforcing channels 97 are designed to optimize the strength of the base component to provide a desired load capacity for the base component. It has been found that the curved shapes of the reinforcing channels 97, rather than square or rectilinear shapes, provide greater strength per unit area.
- the walls are generally planar, with each wall 81, 90 having a corresponding width 181, 190, and a length 281, 290, respectively.
- the ribs, channels and flanges define an irregular, non-planar cross section. This is highly advantageous in that it increases the strength and durability of the components of the container.
- unitary corner flanges 84, 85 are provided generally at a right angle to the width of the corresponding wall at vertical ends 98, 99 of the walls. Such corner flanges help increase the stacking strength of the walls.
- Known reusable packaging requires separate reinforcing members to increase stacking strength.
- the walls 80, 81 , 90, 91 do not connect with each other to close off the sides of the crate 10. This advantageously allows the product to be visible, reducing the likelihood concealed product damage. This is considered especially desirable where the product is relatively fragile, as is the case with glass.
- Other wall geometries will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure. For example, instead of four walls, a single cylindrical or semi-cylindrical shaped wall can be used.
- Figs. 7 and 8 show the lid walls 100, 101.
- the lid walls are essentially identical, as with the side walls and end walls, again helping to make assembly and disassembly easier.
- Each wall 100, 101 is provided with a series of ribs 109 which cooperate with ribs 64 on the back brace carrier 60 to mount the back brace 70.
- Tab slots 32 on the receive tabs 92 from the walls 80, 81 , 90, 91 and clip slots 34 receive clips from the end walls.
- Banding holes 36 are again provided, including redundant banding holes on the lid wall not contacting the back brace.
- the reusable containers may be stacked together.
- the walls are sufficiently structurally robust to allow for stacking.
- Elongate channels 108 on the lids are provided to receive the bottom of frame members 23, 24 of a container immediately above.
- returnable and reusable containers or crates 10 disclosed herein "knock-down" into a relatively flat, compact shape, allowing for more crates to be placed on, for example, a truck or railroad car, for ease of return and storage.
- the crate 10 also significantly increases the amount of crates that can be returned in a truck
- FIG. 9 shows a side view showing the connection of the clip 50 between the end wall 80 and the end piece 40.
- An end piece cover 45 covers trough 21 on frame member 23.
- a small opening 53 allows the clip to extend to the clip slot on end piece 40 (not shown) and the other end of the clip engages the end wall 80 at clip slot 34.
- Trough 44 defines alignment flange 43, which cooperates with 42 to align the end piece 40 with respect to the frame member 23.
- Fig. 10 shows a similar connection between the lid wall 101 and end wall 80.
- Clip 50 is preferably positioned generally adjacent corner flange 84 and remote from vertical channel 97.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Rigid Containers With Two Or More Constituent Elements (AREA)
- Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
- Pallets (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US65594205P | 2005-02-24 | 2005-02-24 | |
US11/359,241 US20060186118A1 (en) | 2005-02-24 | 2006-02-22 | Reusable container |
PCT/US2006/006144 WO2006091609A2 (en) | 2005-02-24 | 2006-02-23 | Reusable container |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1855952A2 true EP1855952A2 (en) | 2007-11-21 |
Family
ID=36911579
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20060735697 Withdrawn EP1855952A2 (en) | 2005-02-24 | 2006-02-23 | Reusable container |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060186118A1 (es) |
EP (1) | EP1855952A2 (es) |
MX (1) | MX2007010348A (es) |
WO (1) | WO2006091609A2 (es) |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8028849B2 (en) * | 2007-05-14 | 2011-10-04 | Packaging Engineering Llc | Reusable container |
US9156605B2 (en) | 2010-09-30 | 2015-10-13 | Rosemill Packaging Resources, Llc | Container for shipping fragile products and method for making the same |
US8403142B2 (en) | 2010-09-30 | 2013-03-26 | Rosemill Packaging Resources, Llc | Container for shipping fragile products and method for making the same |
US9149099B2 (en) | 2011-04-07 | 2015-10-06 | DRC Recreational Supplies LLC | Portable storage enclosure with sliding doors |
CN105366162A (zh) * | 2014-08-11 | 2016-03-02 | 韩国物流箱共用株式会社 | 组装式单元箱用套筒及具备其的组装式单元箱 |
US11174095B1 (en) * | 2020-05-13 | 2021-11-16 | Advan Packaging Systems LLC | Crate apparatus for artificial stone slabs, or the like |
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US4073851A (en) * | 1970-07-15 | 1978-02-14 | Werzalit Pressholzwerk J.F. Werz K.G. | Method of making molded bodies from ligno-cellulose particles |
US3954376A (en) * | 1970-07-15 | 1976-05-04 | Werzalit-Pressholzwerk J.F, Werz Jr. Kg | Apparatus for making molded bodies from ligno-cellulose particles |
US3997643A (en) * | 1973-02-28 | 1976-12-14 | Furnier-Und Sperrholzwerk J. F. Werz Jr. Kg Werzalit - Pressholzwerk | Method of making shaped articles |
DE2440242A1 (de) * | 1974-08-22 | 1976-03-04 | Horst Dr Rosewicz | Rollenbahnfaehige, vierfach unterfahrbare palette mit konisch verlaufenden standfuessen groesstmoeglicher flaeche |
US4171741A (en) * | 1978-02-21 | 1979-10-23 | Universal Synergetics | Packaging carton construction |
US4453471A (en) * | 1981-06-04 | 1984-06-12 | Hb Clip-Lok Industries Ltd. | Panel retaining clamp for collapsible pallet containers |
US4408544A (en) * | 1981-08-12 | 1983-10-11 | Board Of Control Of Michigan Technological University | Molded wood particle pallet having increased bending strength |
US5142994A (en) * | 1986-06-30 | 1992-09-01 | Board Of Control Of Michigan Technological University | Pallet and apparatus for forming a pallet with deep drawn legs |
US4809851A (en) * | 1987-04-03 | 1989-03-07 | World Container Corporation | Collapsible container |
US5161709A (en) * | 1989-01-30 | 1992-11-10 | World Container Corporation | Hinged collapsible container |
US5002713A (en) * | 1989-12-22 | 1991-03-26 | Board Of Control Of Michigan Technological University | Method for compression molding articles from lignocellulosic materials |
US5105946A (en) * | 1990-08-08 | 1992-04-21 | Menasha Corporation | Front opening container |
US5096112A (en) * | 1990-10-31 | 1992-03-17 | North American Container Corporation | Interlocking pallet for paperboard container with attaching strips |
DE4113438C2 (de) * | 1991-04-25 | 1993-12-16 | Roland Streich | Zusammenlegbarer Frachtbehälter oder Container |
US5207343A (en) * | 1991-05-29 | 1993-05-04 | Cesar Bogadi | Present invention refers to a new system of modular knock-down packaging |
US5176090A (en) * | 1992-02-19 | 1993-01-05 | Lawrence Paper Company | Recyclable paper pallet |
US5174448A (en) * | 1992-04-23 | 1992-12-29 | Guardian Industries Corp. | Container for shipping and stacking sheets of glass |
DE9212194U1 (de) | 1992-09-10 | 1992-11-26 | A.B.U.S. Handelskontor GmbH, 3582 Felsberg | Handwaschbürste |
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US5413224A (en) * | 1993-07-23 | 1995-05-09 | Ply Mar Inc. | Stackable pallet packaging |
US5402735A (en) * | 1993-09-01 | 1995-04-04 | Ingersoll-Rand Company | Recyclable pallet assembly |
US5622306A (en) * | 1995-11-09 | 1997-04-22 | North American Container Corp. | Tubular corrugated paperboard shipping container with a pair of attaching strips |
US5743421A (en) * | 1995-11-22 | 1998-04-28 | Gonzalez; Carlos | Instant crate |
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DE20214367U1 (de) * | 2001-09-14 | 2002-11-21 | Holzindustrie Fuerst Zu Fuerst | Flachlegbarer Mehrweg-Transportbehälter |
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-
2006
- 2006-02-22 US US11/359,241 patent/US20060186118A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2006-02-23 EP EP20060735697 patent/EP1855952A2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2006-02-23 MX MX2007010348A patent/MX2007010348A/es not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2006-02-23 WO PCT/US2006/006144 patent/WO2006091609A2/en active Application Filing
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO2006091609A2 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2006091609A2 (en) | 2006-08-31 |
MX2007010348A (es) | 2007-12-11 |
US20060186118A1 (en) | 2006-08-24 |
WO2006091609A3 (en) | 2007-02-22 |
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