EP2917125B1 - Caisse à claire-voie à emboîtement et système de conteneur d'expédition - Google Patents

Caisse à claire-voie à emboîtement et système de conteneur d'expédition Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2917125B1
EP2917125B1 EP12888209.9A EP12888209A EP2917125B1 EP 2917125 B1 EP2917125 B1 EP 2917125B1 EP 12888209 A EP12888209 A EP 12888209A EP 2917125 B1 EP2917125 B1 EP 2917125B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
shipping
side panels
shipping container
units
interlocking
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.)
Active
Application number
EP12888209.9A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP2917125A1 (fr
EP2917125A4 (fr
Inventor
Nate SOUKUP
Joel T. Anderson
Jason STEVENSON
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Tru Vue Inc
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Tru Vue Inc
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Publication date
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Publication of EP2917125A1 publication Critical patent/EP2917125A1/fr
Publication of EP2917125A4 publication Critical patent/EP2917125A4/fr
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Publication of EP2917125B1 publication Critical patent/EP2917125B1/fr
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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
    • B65D7/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal
    • B65D7/12—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal characterised by wall construction or by connections between walls
    • B65D7/24—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal characterised by wall construction or by connections between walls 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • B65D25/02—Internal fittings
    • 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
    • B65D25/02—Internal fittings
    • B65D25/04—Partitions
    • 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
    • B65D25/02—Internal fittings
    • B65D25/10—Devices to locate articles in containers
    • 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

Definitions

  • Glass panels are utilized in a wide range of industries, including window, door, and insulated glass unit manufacturing for commercial and residential construction. Additional applications include architectural glass, building renovations, and specialty interior applications, including custom framing and displays. Across these applications, glass pane shipping, handling, and transportation considerations raise a number of design challenges, particularly when shipping unframed (sheet) glass units in different sizes and quantities.
  • sheet glass units are initially manufactured in standard sizes, and delivered in fixed quantities. This allows for the use of modular shipping containers, with predefined external dimensions and uniform internal packing geometry, in order to reduce breakage and also production and handling costs.
  • Glass units are often stacked vertically during shipping and transfer operations, in fixed-quantity sets corresponding to the predefined capacity of the standardized shipping container. This produces a fully-packed interior container geometry.
  • the vertically aligned glass sheets are supported against the side or end walls during transportation, limiting relative movement and reducing losses. Spacers may also be utilized, and the stacks of glass may be wrapped to reduce relative displacement, for example with a shrink-wrap or heat sensitive plastic sheet material.
  • US 5,076,454 has been characterized by the EPO as the closest prior art and discusses a shipping container system comprising a bottom panel with interlocking features disposed about a perimeter thereof, a plurality of side panels with interlocking features disposed about perimeters thereof, the side panels interlocking with the bottom panel to assemble a self-supporting shipping container, a plurality of recesses formed in an opposing pair of the side panels, the recesses arranged at different heights between the bottom panel and a top edge of the side panels, a cross member positioned at a selected one of the different heights by insertion into an opposing pair of the recesses, the cross member configured to restrain one or more shipping units inside the shipping container against vertical motion with respect to the bottom panel and a top panel with interlocking features disposed about a perimeter thereof, the top panel interlocking with the side panels to cover the shipping container, wherein the top panel is spaced above the one or more shipping units at a clearance maintained by the cross member.
  • the system may include bottom, side, and top panels with interlocking features disposed about their perimeters.
  • the side panels interlock with the bottom panel, in order to assemble a self-supporting shipping container.
  • a number of horizontally oriented slots are formed in opposing side panels, arranged at different heights.
  • One or more cross members may be positioned at selected heights by insertion into the opposing slots, in order to restrain the shipping units inside the container against vertical motion.
  • the top or cover panel interlocks with the side panels to cover the shipping container, and is spaced above the shipping units at a clearance maintained by the cross member.
  • Cross braces can also be provided, spanning opposing side panels at the top edge, in order to provide additional cover support.
  • the cross braces can be spaced above the plurality of shipping units, providing further load isolation and improved load transfer to the side panels.
  • the interlocking features are selected from complementary tongue-in-groove features, tabs, and castellations.
  • the interlocking features can be configured for hand assembly of the bottom, side and top panels into the self-supporting shipping container, without separate mechanical fasteners or complex tools, and for easy disassembly.
  • Vertically oriented channels can be formed in opposing side panels, extending along and adjoining the horizontally oriented slots.
  • the channels may have a horizontal width configured for positioning the cross members at selected heights by insertion along the channels and into the opposing pair of slots.
  • the slots can be configured to retain the adjustable cross members in a compressive loading relationship with respect to the shipping units, for example stacked glass plates extending across the horizontal surface area of the bottom panel.
  • a shipping apparatus in other configurations, includes interlocking bottom and side panels assembled into a self-supporting container, without mechanical fasteners. Shipping units can be disposed within the container, stacked substantially parallel to the bottom panel.
  • Horizontally oriented slots are formed at different heights in the side panels, with a cross member inserted into a pair of the slots at a height selected to restrain the shipping units against vertical motion.
  • a top panel interlocks with the plurality of side panels to cover the shipping container, spaced above the shipping units at a clearance maintained by the cross member.
  • a cross brace is positioned between a pair of the side panels, located at the top edge of the container to support the top panel against external loading.
  • the shipping units can include stacked glass plates extending across the horizontal surface area of container.
  • the slot height can be selected to position the cross member in a compressive loading arrangement with respect to the shipping units, and a spacer can be positioned to convey the compressive loading from the cross member to the stacked glass plates.
  • the interlocking features may include one or more pry openings for disassembly of the shipping container without removal of any mechanical fasteners.
  • Shipping bands can be disposed about the shipping container, in order to load to hold the panels in position during transport.
  • interlocking side and bottom panels are assembled to form a self-supporting shipping container.
  • the container is loaded with a plurality of shipping units, extending across the bottom panel in a parallel orientation.
  • a cross piece is inserted into a pair of opposing horizontal slots formed in the side panels, at a height selected to position the cross piece to restrain the shipping units against vertical motion.
  • the shipping container is closed with an interlocking top panel, spaced above the shipping units.
  • a cross brace isolates the shipping units from compressive loading on the top panel, by transferring the compressive loading to the side panels.
  • the brace can be inserted along vertical channels extending from top edges of opposing side panels to the pair of opposing slots.
  • the top, side and bottom panels can be disassembled without removal of any mechanical fasteners.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interlocking, self-supporting shipping crate or container system 10.
  • shipping container system 10 includes interlocking top or cover panel 12 (shown removed), interlocking side panels 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D, and interlocking bottom panel 16.
  • Interlocking panels 12, 14A-14D and 16 can be assembled and disassembled by hand, or using simple tools, in order to form shipping container 10 as a self-supporting structure.
  • Shipping container system 10 also allows for easy assembly, disassembly and flat storage, without inserting or removing any mechanical fasteners.
  • container system 10 provides for improved loading and unloading techniques to accommodate a range of partial and full shipping configurations, as described below, for glass sheets and other fragile or load-sensitive shipping units.
  • cover panel 12, side panels 14A-14D, and bottom panel 16 may be formed of a variety of materials, including wood, plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), and wood fiber composites.
  • panels 12, 14A-14D and 16 can be formed of plastic or metal materials, or from a composite material such as a fiber-resin matrix.
  • shipping container 10 has interior length L, interior width W and interior height H.
  • length L and width W are typically horizontal dimensions, with width W less than or equal to length L (W ⁇ L), and vertical height H less than or equal to horizontal width W (H ⁇ W).
  • dimensions L, W and H may vary, providing container system 10 with a range of different square and rectangular aspect ratio configurations.
  • Horizontal and vertical dimensions L, W, and H can also be interchanged without loss of generality, for example by rotating container system 10.
  • top panel 12, side and end panels 14A-14D, and bottom panel 16 are provided with complementary, interlocking features 18A and 18B, for example interlocking tabs, tongue-in-groove features, or castellations.
  • Interlocking features 18A and 18B are configured with relatively close tolerance and fit, allowing container system 10 to be assembled and disassembled by hand, without the need for complex tools or other mechanical fasteners.
  • Interlocking top panel 12, side panels 14A-14D and bottom panel 16 are also configured for hand assembly of shipping container 10 as a self-supporting structure, with or without cover panel 12.
  • interlocking features 18A and 18B, top, side and bottom panels 12, 14A-14D and 16 provide for repeated cycles of assembly, loading, unloading, disassembly and flat storage of container system 10, without the need for inserting and removing screws, nuts, bolts, clips, or other mechanical fasteners. This allows for repeated shipping operations in relatively simple environments, including warehouses, frame shops and loading docks, without the need for complex tools and infrastructure.
  • Container system 10 also provides a self-supporting structure during loading and unloading, based on the design of interlocking features 18A and 18B on top, side, and bottom panels 12, 14A-14D, and 16, without the need for separate mechanical fasteners.
  • Shipping container system 10 can also be provided with one or more adjustable cross members 20, which span opposing side or end panels 14A-14D to accommodate different loading configurations with reduced shifting and breakage potential.
  • Cross members or dividers 20 are inserted into open shipping container 10 along vertical channels 22, sliding into selected pairs of opposing horizontal slots 23. Slots or openings 23 are formed at different heights h along one or both sides of channels 22, in order to position cross members 20 to restrain the internal load against vertical motion, with respect to bottom panel 16.
  • vertical channels (or vias) 22 may extend down from the top edge of opposing side panels 14A and 14C, as shown in FIG. 1 , with adjustable cross members 20 spanning shipping container 10 along width W.
  • channels 22 and slots 23 can be formed in opposing end panels 14B and 14D, with adjustable cross members 20 spanning shipping container 10 along length L.
  • Height adjustment is performed after loading, with shipping container 10 in assembled form. This is accomplished, for example, by forming channels 22 with substantially the same or greater span width (S') than that of cross members 20 (with width S); that is, channel width S' can be greater than or equal to cross member width S (S' ⁇ S).
  • This configuration allows for relatively close tolerance during insertion of cross members 20 in horizontal slots 23.
  • span width S' of one or more channels 22 can be about equal to or even somewhat less than that of cross members 20 (that is, S' ⁇ S).
  • greater tolerance may be provided in the openings to slots 23, to allow for insertion of cross members 20 by rotation from a relatively vertical orientation in channel 22, to a relatively horizontal orientation in opposing slots 23.
  • Cross braces 24 may also be provided, spanning width W or length L of shipping container 10 between opposing side panels 14A and 14C, or 14B and 14D. In contrast to adjustable height cross members 20, however, cross braces 24 are located in notches 26 formed along the top edges of two or more side panels 14A-14D, in order to support cover panel 12 when assembled onto the top of shipping container 10. Cross braces (or cover braces) 24 also provide load transfer and load isolation functions, as described in more detail below.
  • Cross brace notches 26 can also be provided at the bottom edges of side or end panels 14A-14D, as shown in FIG. 1 , making container system 10 more symmetric.
  • Adjustable cross member channels 22 and slots 23 can also be symmetrically formed, allowing container 10 to be inverted or flipped to interchange top and bottom panels 12 and 16, along with opposing pairs of side or end panels 14A-14D, without loss of generality.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of shipping container system 10, in a loaded configuration with top panel 12 removed.
  • a partial or full load of glass sheet stacks or other shipping units 28 are provided within container system 10, with clearance D between the top of the load and the bottom of cover panel 12 (when assembled). Clearance D is the difference between the actual load height and the internal height of shipping container 10, as determined by the number of shipping units 28 and any additional spacers 29.
  • individual cartons or shipping units 28 typically include one or more glass sheets, extending across the horizontal surface area inside shipping container 10, substantially parallel to bottom panel 16.
  • glass shipping units 28 may each include from one to twelve or more individual glass sheets in an adjacent stacked configuration, with an external cover of paper or cardboard.
  • shipping units 28 may include a range of different materials, including, but not limited to, window units, architectural glass, and flat panel displays. More broadly, shipping units 28 also encompass other substantially flat or planar items provided in modular form, for which partial loading, breakage, and related shipping considerations are market factors.
  • the slots 23 may be positioned in any desired configuration, for example, vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. It is to be appreciated that terms used herein such as vertical, horizontal, diagonal, parallel, etc., are not meant to be mathematically precise, and each is modified by the term "generally” or “approximately.” The given situation and context will determine the precise orientation, as taught by considerations herein.
  • adjacent shipping units 28 are sometimes separated by spacers 29 (shown in cutaway), for example cardboard, felt, or suitable polymer materials selected for load transfer and shock absorbing properties.
  • spacers 29 shown in cutaway
  • Internal or external corner protectors and other vibration and impact features can also be included, either as separate elements, or incorporated into the cover configuration of individual shipping units 28.
  • load and shipment thus encompass any number of shipping units 28 disposed within container system 10, with or without spacers 29 and other packing materials.
  • shipping unit incorporates stacks of glass plates and any other products or materials included in shipping units (or load elements) 28, with or without spacers 29 and other protective elements.
  • one, two or more adjustable cross members 20 can be inserted along channels 22 into slots 23.
  • the bottom surfaces of cross members 20 are positioned adjacent the top surfaces of the load; that is, adjacent the top shipping unit 28 or spacer 29 in container system 10.
  • cross members 20 can be positioned to bias the load of shipping units 28 against the bottom of container system 10, with compressive loading selected to reduce motion during shipping.
  • a small spacing tolerance may be provided, in order to restrict vertical motion of shipping units 28 within container system 10, with substantially no compressive loading from cross members 20.
  • Additional shims or other spacing members 29 can also be placed on top of shipping units 28, in order to provide the desired spacing tolerance or selected compressive bias.
  • cross braces 24 are positioned across opposing pairs of notches 26, located along the top edge of two or more side or end panels 14A-14D, in order to support top panel 12 when assembled onto shipping container 10.
  • braces 24 may be placed in top notches 26 when the crate is filled, in order to transfer external loading from top panel 12 to two or more side or end panels 14A-14D, at least partially isolating shipping units 28 from the external loading on top panel 12.
  • braces 24 can be placed in a compressive loading relationship with respect to the top surface of shipping units 28 (and any spacers 29), when cover panel 12 is installed.
  • the configuration of shipping container system 10 thus provides a range of clearance and biasing options, as applicable to different partial and full loading configurations, based on the number and loading height of shipping units 28.
  • These various load-isolating features can also be selected based on handling and transport considerations, in order to reduce the incidence of shipping-related damage to units 28.
  • This allows shipping container system 10 to be configured for protecting either partial or full shipments of glass cartons and other shipping units 28, including protection from non-uniform external loading conditions experienced during handling and transport. These conditions include dropping, rough handling, and jostling, where cover panel 12 may experience transitory load equivalents exceeding one metric ton at accelerations of up to two or three g (that is, up to 20,000-30,000 N), or more.
  • Container system 10 can accommodate even relatively low quantity requests and orders (e.g., three or fewer cartons or other shipping units 28), reducing or eliminating the need for heavy duty custom crating, which is expensive and cannot easily be reproduced in simple shop and warehouse environments, where infrastructure, tools, time and personnel resources are limited.
  • shipping container 10 can also accommodate additional (e.g., small, light) accessories and other items, saving space and reducing logistical considerations for truck, trailer, rail, container shipping, and in warehouse applications.
  • this flexible loading design allows between one and fifteen or more individual glass cartons, windows, insulated glass units, or other glass-based shipping elements 28 to be accommodated inside container system 10, with minimal vertical motion and lateral (horizontal) shifting during shipping and handling, reducing the chance of product damage during delivery.
  • Shipping container system 10 can also be manufactured from standard wood products and other environmentally green, renewable resources, utilizing existing high speed routers and other standard shop equipment on relatively simple and inexpensive stock materials. This provides ease of manufacture and assembly, combined with flexibility for shipping different quantities of product, including less than truck load (LTL) applications.
  • Container system 10 can also be assembled and disassembled by hand, or using simple tools, with no separate mechanical fasteners, and panels 12, 14A-14D and 16 can be stored flat, reducing container volume and storage requirements when not in use.
  • panels 12, 14A-14D and 16 can be assembled using suitable hardware, either in addition to or instead of the use of tongue-in-groove features, tabs, and castellations.
  • FIG. 3 is a top or plan view of shipping container system 10, in an empty configuration, with top cover removed. As shown in FIG. 3 , interlocking bottom panel 16 and side panels 14A-14D form shipping container 10 as a self-supporting structure for loading and unloading operations.
  • adjustable cross members 20 are positioned to retain the internal load against vertical motion, for example by providing a compressive bias against bottom panel 16, or by maintaining a close spacing tolerance with respect to the top of the load.
  • Cross braces 24 can be positioned to support the top cover during shipping, transferring external loads to side panels 14A-14D and providing clearance to isolate the shipment from external forces, as described above.
  • FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of shipping container system 10, taken along line A-A of FIG. 3 .
  • Shipping container 10 has internal width L, as measured between the inside surfaces of end panels 14B and 14D, and internal height H, as measured between the inside surfaces of top and bottom panels 12 and 16.
  • internal load height h is generally less than full internal height H, providing cover panel clearance D.
  • Slots 23 have thickness or height (vertical dimension) t, sized to accommodate adjustable cross members 20, providing vertical load restraint as described above.
  • Cross braces 24 can be positioned in notches 26 adjacent cover panel 12, isolating the internal shipping units from external loading by transferring forces on cover panel 12 to selected side or end panels 14A-14D.
  • Bottom skids or support blocks 30 may be provided on the outer surface of bottom panel 16.
  • Blocks 30 transfer bottom-surface loads to selected side panels 14A-14D, and provide clearance for drainage and pallet jack or forklift operations. While fasteners such as screws may be used to attach blocks 30 to bottom panel 16, blocks 30 and bottom panel 16 are assembled and disassembled as a unit. This preserves the ability of panels 12, 14A-14B and 16 to be assembled and disassembled in a self-supporting configuration by hand, without the need for additional mechanical fasteners or complex tools.
  • the heights of consecutive slots 23 are separated by approximately the thickness of the glass cartons or other shipping units, including any spacers, in order to provide cross members 20 at selected shipping or loading heights h that correspond to an integral number of one, two, three or more individual shipping units inside container system 10. Slots 23 can also be provided at different loading heights h, with a corresponding range of different cover clearances D.
  • clearance D may be selected to align load height h substantially against the bottom surface of cross braces (or cover braces) 24, as shown in FIG. 4A .
  • clearance D can be increased, in order to maintain a gap between load height h and the bottom of cross braces 24.
  • FIG. 4B is an alternate cross-sectional view of shipping container system 10, taken along line B-B of FIG. 3 .
  • Cross brace 24 is positioned to support cover panel 12 on the top of shipping container 10.
  • adjustable cross member 20 is positioned at a relatively smaller loading height h, as compared to FIG. 4A .
  • This loading configuration increases clearance D between load height h (at the top of the shipping units) and the bottom of cover panel 12, providing additional clearance D' between shipping height h and the bottom surfaces of cross braces 24. Additional clearance D' increases load isolation by allowing for deflection of cross braces 24, with little or substantially no load transfer from cover panel 12 to the internal shipping units.
  • FIG. 4C is an expanded view of interlocking tongue-in-groove, tab or castellation features 18A and 18B, taken at detail C as shown in FIG. 4B .
  • Interlocking features 18A and 18B are provided about the periphery or perimeter of top cover panel 12 and side or end panel 14B, respectively, and along other adjacent combinations of interlocking top, side, and bottom panels 12, 14A-14D, and 16.
  • the interlocking features are formed by a series of alternating tongue or tab elements 18A and complementary interlocking slots or grooves 18B, for example by cutting, routing, or castellating the peripheral edges of interlocking container panels 12, 14A-14D, and 16.
  • Interlocking features 18A and 18B are formed in a close fitting relationship, in order to provide shipping container 10 in a self-standing or self-supporting configuration during packing and unpacking, allowing for hand assembly and disassembly without the need for mechanical fasteners.
  • Simple tools may also be utilized, for example a hammer or mallet to ensure a close fitting relationship between tongue or tab 18A and complimentary interlocking groove or slot 18B.
  • a screwdriver or pry tool can also be inserted into pry opening 32 (or pry gap G), in order to separate tab 18A from slot 18B.
  • Additional coupling features can also be provided, for example stress relief features 34 and various curvatures or bevels R, for improved fit and durability over repeated cycles of assembly and disassembly.
  • the crate or container system 10 of the present invention can be assembled using suitable hardware.
  • the hardware which may take the form of screws, bolts and nuts, nails, glue, or other fasteners, may be used either in addition to or instead of the use of tongue-in-groove features, tabs, and castellations.
  • the crate or container system 10 of the present invention may be generally permanently constructed. In other embodiments, it may be disassembled.
  • FIG. 5 is a side view of shipping container system 10, in a partial loading configuration with adjustable cross member 20 (dashed lines) positioned at shipping height h.
  • shipping straps or bands 36 are also provided, for example after loading container system 10 and replacing cover panel 12.
  • Shipping bands or straps 36 provide compressive loading to hold side panels 14A-14D in place with respect to top and bottom panels 12 and 16, during shipping, handling and transportation.
  • Shipping bands, cords or straps 36 can be formed of a plastic polymer strap, tape, or metal banding material. Shipping bands 36 are provided around the length or width of container system 10, or around both the length and the width, as shown in FIG. 5 . Where container system 10 includes bottom blocks 30, banding or lifting apertures 38 can also be provided, in order to accommodate shipping bands 36 in a close fitting relationship against bottom panel 16.
  • Shipping bands 36 provide compressive loading, in order to hold panels 12, 14A-14D, and 16 together against vibration, jostling, rough handling, and other (e.g., transitory) loading during shipping and transport operations.
  • bands 36 can be removed by peeling apart by hand, or by using simple tools, such as a knife, shear, or pliers.
  • container system 10 is provided in a self-supporting configuration for unloading, disassembly and flat storage, as described above.
  • no shipping bands 36 are used.
  • other fastening mechanisms can be used, either in lieu of or in addition to shipping bands 36.
  • panels can be held in place with suitable hardware or fasteners such as screws, bolts and nuts, nails, or other fasteners, with glue or other more permanent fastening materials being used in locations as appropriate.
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram of method 60 for utilizing a shipping container, for example shipping container system 10 as shown in FIGS. 1-3, 4A-4C, and 5 .
  • Method 60 includes assembly (step 61), loading (step 62), shipping height adjustment (step 63), and closing the container (step 64).
  • cross bracing is provided (step 65) to support the cover panel, and shipping bands may be installed (step 66) before shipping (step 67). On arrival at the shipping destination, any shipping bands are removed, and the container is opened for unloaded (step 72).
  • the shipped container can be disassembled (step 73) and stored flat (step 74), returned in disassembled or assembled form (step 75), or reassembled (step 61) for additional use.
  • the shipped container can be reloaded (step 62) without disassembly, for shipping finished materials or products back to the originating location, or to another vendor, customer, or supplier.
  • the interlocking crate design and shipping techniques described here address several issues within the glass services and general shipping markets.
  • the interlocking crate design of shipping container 10 takes up little space when disassembled and not in use, as compared to fixed-configuration packing crate designs.
  • the interlocking crate design is also easy to assemble and disassemble, with little or no fasteners needed, and sturdy in assembled form, allowing finished product deliveries to arrive in good condition at the end user location.
  • the interlocking crate design can also be used multiple times, and built with readily available, green, renewable materials selected for durability and cost effectiveness.
  • Container system 10 can also be shipped as standard freight by a range of different carriers, providing additional delivery options and greater flexibility to get products direct to customers in the desired quantities, at cost effective rates, and under time-sensitive scheduling constraints.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Pallets (AREA)

Claims (15)

  1. Système de conteneur d'expédition (10) comprenant :
    un panneau de plancher (16) avec des moyens d'interverrouillage (18) disposés autour d'un périmètre de celui-ci ;
    une pluralité de panneaux latéraux (14) avec des moyens d'interverrouillage (18) disposés autour de périmètres de ceux-ci, les panneaux latéraux (14) étant interverrouillés avec le panneau de plancher (16) pour assembler un conteneur d'expédition autoporteur ;
    une pluralité de fentes orientées horizontalement (23) formées dans une paire opposée des panneaux latéraux (14), les fentes (23) étant agencées à différentes hauteurs entre le panneau de plancher (16) et un bord supérieur des panneaux latéraux (14) ;
    des canaux orientés verticalement (22) formés dans la paire opposée de panneaux latéraux (14), les canaux orientés verticalement (22) s'étendant le long de et étant adjacents aux fentes orientées horizontalement (23) ;
    un élément transversal (20) positionné à une hauteur sélectionnée parmi les différentes hauteurs par insertion jusque dans une paire opposée des fentes (23), l'élément transversal (20) étant configuré pour restreindre une ou plusieurs unités d'expédition (28) à l'intérieur du conteneur d'expédition à l'encontre d'un mouvement vertical par rapport au panneau de plancher (16) ; et
    un panneau de sommet (12) avec des moyens d'interverrouillage (18) disposés autour d'un périmètre de celui-ci, le panneau de sommet (12) étant Interverrouillé avec les panneaux latéraux (14) pour couvrir le conteneur d'expédition, dans lequel le panneau de sommet (12) est espacé au-dessus
    desdites une ou plusieurs unités d'expédition (28) par un jeu maintenu par l'élément transversal (20).
  2. Système (10) selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre une entretoise transversale (24) s'étendant entre une paire opposée des panneaux latéraux (14) au niveau du bord supérieur de ceux-ci, l'entretoise transversale (24) étant configurée pour supporter le panneau de sommet (12) à l'encontre d'une charge externe.
  3. Système (10) selon la revendication 2, dans lequel l'entretoise transversale (24) est espacée au-dessus de la pluralité d'unités d'expédition (28) à l'intérieur du conteneur d'expédition, de sorte que l'entretoise transversale (24) isole sensiblement les unités d'expédition (28) vis-à-vis de la charge externe en transférant la charge externe à deux ou plusieurs des panneaux latéraux (14).
  4. Système (10) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les moyens d'interverrouillage (18) sont sélectionnés parmi un groupe constitué de moyens complémentaires à languette-et-rainure, de pattes, et de créneaux.
  5. Système (10) selon la revendication 4, dans lequel les moyens d'interverrouillage (18) sont configurés pour l'assemblage du panneau de plancher (16), des panneaux latéraux (14), et du panneau de sommet (12) pour donner le conteneur d'expédition autoporteur sans éléments de fixation mécaniques séparés.
  6. Système (10) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les canaux orientés verticalement (22) ont une largeur horizontale configurée pour positionner l'élément transversal (20) à la hauteur sélectionnée à l'intérieur du conteneur d'expédition assemblé par insertion le long du canal (22) et jusque dans la paire opposée de fentes (23).
  7. Système selon la revendication 6, dans lequel la paire opposée de fentes (23) sont configurées pour retenir l'élément transversal ajustable (20) dans une relation sous charge de compression par rapport auxdites une ou plusieurs unités d'expédition (28).
  8. Procédé comprenant les étapes consistant à :
    assembler une pluralité de panneaux latéraux en interverrouillage (14) et un panneau de plancher en interverrouillage (16) pour former un conteneur d'expédition autoporteur ;
    charger le conteneur d'expédition autoporteur avec une pluralité d'unités d'expédition (28), les unités d'expédition (28) s'étendant à travers le panneau de plancher (16) dans une orientation sensiblement parallèle ;
    insérer une pièce transversale (20) dans une paire de fentes horizontales opposées (23) formées dans les panneaux latéraux (14), les fentes (23) étant formées à une hauteur sélectionnée pour positionner la pièce transversale (20) afin de restreindre les unités d'expédition (28) à l'encontre d'un mouvement vertical dans un agencement de chargement sous compression par rapport aux unités d'expédition (28) ;
    insérer une entretoise transversale (24) entre une paire opposée des panneaux latéraux (14), l'entretoise transversale (24) étant positionnée le long d'un bord supérieur de ceux-ci ; et
    fermer le conteneur d'expédition avec un panneau de sommet en interverrouillage (12), dans lequel le panneau de sommet (12) est espacé au-dessus des unités d'expédition (28) avec un jeu maintenu par la pièce transversale (20), de telle sorte que l'entretoise transversale (24) isole les unités d'expédition (28) vis-à-vis d'une charge de compression sur le panneau de sommet (12) en transférant la charge de compression aux panneaux latéraux (14).
  9. Procédé selon la revendication 8, dans lequel l'insertion de la pièce transversale (20) comprend l'insertion de la pièce transversale (20) le long de canaux verticaux (22) s'étendant depuis des bords supérieurs des panneaux latéraux opposés (14) jusque dans la paire de fentes opposées (23).
  10. Procédé selon la revendication 9, comprenant l'étape consistant à désassembler le panneau de sommet (12), les panneaux latéraux (14) et le panneau de plancher (16) sans enlever un quelconque élément de fixation mécanique.
  11. Utilisation du système de conteneur d'expédition (10) selon les revendications 1 à 5, 6 ou 7 pour charger à l'intérieur une pluralité d'unités d'expédition (28).
  12. Utilisation du système de conteneur d'expédition (10) selon la revendication 11 pour transporter la pluralité d'unités d'expédition (28).
  13. Utilisation du système de conteneur d'expédition (10) selon la revendication 11, dans lequel les unités d'expédition (28) comprennent un ou plusieurs panneaux en verre.
  14. Utilisation du système de conteneur d'expédition (10) selon la revendication 12, dans lequel les unités d'expédition (28) sont restreintes à l'encontre d'un mouvement vertical pendant le transport.
  15. Utilisation du système de conteneur d'expédition (10) selon la revendication 12, dans lequel les unités d'expédition (28) sont chargées sous compression.
EP12888209.9A 2012-11-09 2012-11-09 Caisse à claire-voie à emboîtement et système de conteneur d'expédition Active EP2917125B1 (fr)

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PCT/US2012/064327 WO2014074106A1 (fr) 2012-11-09 2012-11-09 Caisse à claire-voie à emboîtement et système de conteneur d'expédition

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD904030S1 (en) 2017-04-03 2020-12-08 Walmart Apollo, Llc Product storage bin
WO2018013663A1 (fr) 2016-07-12 2018-01-18 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Récipient de distribution réutilisable

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US1146149A (en) * 1914-08-07 1915-07-13 American Rolling Mill Co Metallic crate.
US3603455A (en) * 1969-08-28 1971-09-07 Combustion Eng Package for large glass panels
US4688979A (en) * 1985-07-01 1987-08-25 Kupersmit Julius B Strap support system for collapsible shipping containers
US5076454A (en) * 1989-02-07 1991-12-31 North American Van Lines, Inc. Knock-down shipping and storage container
US5423114A (en) * 1993-05-21 1995-06-13 Johnson; John L. Tool for manually dismantling pallets
US5595127A (en) * 1994-12-06 1997-01-21 Hon Industries Inc. Shelving system
US6749108B2 (en) * 2002-02-15 2004-06-15 International Paper Company Box container with protective beam support
US7761963B2 (en) * 2004-06-04 2010-07-27 Arne Koch Box
US20060157372A1 (en) * 2005-01-14 2006-07-20 Versacrate Corporation Shipping device
CL2010000779A1 (es) * 2010-07-22 2011-02-18 Compania Patentes Del Pacifico Spa Envase contenedor autoensamblable, que comprende los siguientes elementos estructurales principales, un fondo, dos laterales longitudinales o mayores y dos laterales transversales o menores, ranuras y arpones flexibles resistentes a la traccion; y metodo de fabricacion de elementos estructurales de un envase contenedor autoensamblable.

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WO2014074106A1 (fr) 2014-05-15
EP2917125A4 (fr) 2016-05-25

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