EP4469362A1 - Locking mechanism for foldable crates - Google Patents

Locking mechanism for foldable crates

Info

Publication number
EP4469362A1
EP4469362A1 EP22792755.5A EP22792755A EP4469362A1 EP 4469362 A1 EP4469362 A1 EP 4469362A1 EP 22792755 A EP22792755 A EP 22792755A EP 4469362 A1 EP4469362 A1 EP 4469362A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
push button
sides
crate
locking plate
locking mechanism
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP22792755.5A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Sean Carlyle SEAN CARLYLE ADAMS
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.)
Enco Plastics
Original Assignee
Enco Plastics
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 Enco Plastics filed Critical Enco Plastics
Publication of EP4469362A1 publication Critical patent/EP4469362A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D11/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material
    • B65D11/18—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected
    • B65D11/1833—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 whereby all side walls are hingedly connected to the base panel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D43/14—Non-removable lids or covers
    • B65D43/16—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a locking mechanism for foldable reusable plastic crates intended for storage and transport of products, wherein the locking mechanism prevents the crate from unintentionally unfolding under heavy loads or impact and does not deform even after prolonged use.
  • Plastic crates for storage and transportation are often used in everyday life. There are creates with fixed and folding construction. Fixed construction creates are difficult to arrange and take up too much space, which is why there has been a growing interest in foldable creates recently. Locking mechanisms have been developed to prevent the crates from opening unintentionally during use.
  • EP 328 6097 describes a locking mechanism for folding crates located at the intersection of the short and long sides, characterized in that, it has a protective wall, positioned at the ends of the long sides and covering the locking mechanism like a curtain, thus protecting it from opening under heavy loads.
  • a disadvantage of the described locking mechanism is that it allows the opening and folding of the crate in use to be carried out simply by bending the parts of the locking mechanism, whereby they come out of the locking position and may weaken or deform over time.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a locking mechanism for plastic foldable crates which is ergonomic, reliable and convenient to use, whereby the locking mechanism is easy, and fast to handle.
  • the locking mechanism is located at the intersection of the short and long sides of the foldable crate and it is cast together with the sides as an integral part.
  • the sides of the crate include a carrier board, pockets, a slot, located between the pockets, a locking plate, that slides into the slot, and a protective wall.
  • the locking plate is formed in one of the crate sides and includes 2 inverted "L" -shaped guiding elements, connected at their lower end with a toothed ridge.
  • a parallelepiped springy push button with a concave upper surface is formed centrally and horizontally to the ridge.
  • the operation of the springy push button is limited by an opposite groove, formed in the adjacent side of the foldable crate. In working position, the springy button is slided in an opening, cut in the protective wall in the opposite side of the foldable crate.
  • the proposed locking mechanism with a springy push button allows quick and easy folding of the crates and safe operation in working position.
  • Figure 3 shows a partial view from below of the inner surface of the other side of the foldable crate with the protective wall. Detailed description of the embodiments
  • the short side 2 of the foldable crate 1 has a carrier board 6, in which is formed a locking plate 7.
  • the locking plate 7 includes 2 inverted "L" -shaped guiding elements 8, connected at their lower end with a toothed ridge 9.
  • a parallelepiped springy push button 10 with a concave upper surface 11 is formed centrally and horizontally to the ridge 9. The working stroke of the springy push button 10 is limited by the opposite groove 12, formed in the adjacent side of the foldable crate.
  • the locking plate 7 ( Figure 3) is enclosed by a protective wall 13, formed in the long side 3, whereby in the protective wall 13 is cut an opening 14, receiving the springy push button 10 in working position.
  • a protective wall 13 formed in the long side 3, whereby in the protective wall 13 is cut an opening 14, receiving the springy push button 10 in working position.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (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)

Abstract

A locking mechanism for a foldable crate, located at the intersection of its short and long sides, formed as an integral part of the sides, comprising a carrier board, pockets, a slot, a locking plate and a protective wall, whereby the locking plate (7) is formed in one of the crate sides and includes 2 inverted "L" - shaped guiding elements (8), connected at their lower end with a toothed ridge (9), where a parallelepiped springy push button (10) with a concave upper surface (11) is formed centrally and horizontally to the ridge (9) and the push button (10) movement is limited by an opposite groove (12), formed in the adjacent side, whereas the locking plate (7) is covered by the protective wall (13) with an opening (14), where the springy push button (10) is slided in the locked position.

Description

LOCKING MECHANISM FOR FOLDABLE CRATES
Technical field
The invention relates to a locking mechanism for foldable reusable plastic crates intended for storage and transport of products, wherein the locking mechanism prevents the crate from unintentionally unfolding under heavy loads or impact and does not deform even after prolonged use.
Background
Plastic crates for storage and transportation are often used in everyday life. There are creates with fixed and folding construction. Fixed construction creates are difficult to arrange and take up too much space, which is why there has been a growing interest in foldable creates recently. Locking mechanisms have been developed to prevent the crates from opening unintentionally during use.
EP 328 6097 describes a locking mechanism for folding crates located at the intersection of the short and long sides, characterized in that, it has a protective wall, positioned at the ends of the long sides and covering the locking mechanism like a curtain, thus protecting it from opening under heavy loads.
A disadvantage of the described locking mechanism is that it allows the opening and folding of the crate in use to be carried out simply by bending the parts of the locking mechanism, whereby they come out of the locking position and may weaken or deform over time.
Summary of the invention
The object of the invention is to provide a locking mechanism for plastic foldable crates which is ergonomic, reliable and convenient to use, whereby the locking mechanism is easy, and fast to handle. According to the proposed solution, the locking mechanism is located at the intersection of the short and long sides of the foldable crate and it is cast together with the sides as an integral part. The sides of the crate include a carrier board, pockets, a slot, located between the pockets, a locking plate, that slides into the slot, and a protective wall. According to the present invention, the locking plate is formed in one of the crate sides and includes 2 inverted "L" -shaped guiding elements, connected at their lower end with a toothed ridge. A parallelepiped springy push button with a concave upper surface is formed centrally and horizontally to the ridge. The operation of the springy push button is limited by an opposite groove, formed in the adjacent side of the foldable crate. In working position, the springy button is slided in an opening, cut in the protective wall in the opposite side of the foldable crate.
The proposed locking mechanism with a springy push button allows quick and easy folding of the crates and safe operation in working position.
Another advantage of the locking mechanism is that the springy push button slides through the opening in the protective wall, thus providing access and visibility, while creating a closed area for the mechanism itself.
Brief description of the drawings
An exemplary embodiment of the locking mechanism for foldable plastic crates, object of the present invention, is shown in the attached drawings, which only explain the invention, but do not limit it, whereby:
Figure 1 shows a general view of the folding crate in working position;
Figure 2 shows a partial top and side view of the outer surface of the one side of the foldable crate with the locking plate;
Figure 3 shows a partial view from below of the inner surface of the other side of the foldable crate with the protective wall. Detailed description of the embodiments
According to Figure 1, the foldable crate 1 includes short sides 2, long sides 3 and a bottom
4. At the intersection of the short and long sides (2 and 3) is positioned a locking mechanism
5, cast as an integral part of the respective sides.
According to Figure 2, the short side 2 of the foldable crate 1 has a carrier board 6, in which is formed a locking plate 7. The locking plate 7 includes 2 inverted "L" -shaped guiding elements 8, connected at their lower end with a toothed ridge 9. A parallelepiped springy push button 10 with a concave upper surface 11 is formed centrally and horizontally to the ridge 9. The working stroke of the springy push button 10 is limited by the opposite groove 12, formed in the adjacent side of the foldable crate.
The locking plate 7 (Figure 3) is enclosed by a protective wall 13, formed in the long side 3, whereby in the protective wall 13 is cut an opening 14, receiving the springy push button 10 in working position. In the long side 3 are formed pockets 15 and a slot 16, located between the pockets 15.
Mode of operation
In the working position of the folding crate 1, the locking plate 7 slides into the slot 16, thus assuming locked position and the springy push button 9 slides into the opening 14 of the protective wall 13.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS A locking mechanism (5) for a foldable crate (1), located at the intersection of short sides (2) and long sides (3) of the foldable crate (1) and molded as an integral part of the sides (2) and (3), comprising a carrier board (6), pockets (15), a slot (16), located between the pockets (15), a locking plate (7) and a protective wall (13), characterized in that, the locking plate (7) is formed in one of the crate sides and includes 2 inverted "L" - shaped guiding elements (8), connected at their lower end with a toothed ridge (9), where a parallelepiped springy push button (10) with a concave upper surface (11) is formed centrally and horizontally to the ridge (9) and the working stroke of the springy push button (10) is limited by an opposite groove (12), formed in the adjacent side, whereas the locking plate (7) is covered by the protective wall (13) with an opening (14), where the springy push button (10) is slided in the locked position.
EP22792755.5A 2022-01-28 2022-10-04 Locking mechanism for foldable crates Pending EP4469362A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BG113475A BG67665B1 (en) 2022-01-28 2022-01-28 Locking mechanism for collapsible crates
PCT/BG2022/050006 WO2023141687A1 (en) 2022-01-28 2022-10-04 Locking mechanism for foldable crates

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4469362A1 true EP4469362A1 (en) 2024-12-04

Family

ID=83900224

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22792755.5A Pending EP4469362A1 (en) 2022-01-28 2022-10-04 Locking mechanism for foldable crates

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4469362A1 (en)
BG (1) BG67665B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2023141687A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3883984B2 (en) * 2003-05-12 2007-02-21 三甲株式会社 Folding container combination module
TR200502815A2 (en) * 2005-07-19 2007-10-22 Odesa Gel��T�R�Lm�� Pol�Mer Yatirimlari Ve Di� T�Caret A.�. Lock system for collapsible safes.
TR200905918T1 (en) * 2007-01-31 2009-12-21 Ay Kasa Poli̇mer Ambalaj Ve Taşima Si̇stemleri̇ Sanayi̇ Ti̇caret A.Ş. Centering and locking system used in collapsible safes.
CL2014000879A1 (en) * 2014-04-08 2014-10-10 Guillermo Moyano Porcile Structural joining system, preferably for walls of a container that is light and integrates the structures to be attached, granting high strength and rigidity reducing the weight of the joint, which comprises a fixed column to one of said structures or faces, where said column is configured as a hollow cylindrical body which in turn is integrated into at least one of said closing means.
EP3286097B2 (en) 2015-04-07 2024-10-02 Karakullukcu, Cem Durmus Folding case with protected locking mechanism

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BG113475A (en) 2023-08-15
BG67665B1 (en) 2024-10-31
WO2023141687A1 (en) 2023-08-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2065309B1 (en) Knockdown container
EP2030903B1 (en) Crate with collapsible wall
CA2758769C (en) Box with foldable side walls and locking mechanism with overload protection
CA2758767C (en) Box with collapsible side walls having a stable side wall structure
US20030015445A1 (en) Folding storage assembly
PL203944B1 (en) Shipping container
AU2010238515B2 (en) Box with foldable and self-locking lateral walls
KR20010033273A (en) Collapsible container
EP2620380A1 (en) Collapsible container with door
US8342345B2 (en) Accessory storage case
CZ290012B6 (en) Collapsible plastic container with releasably blocked sidewalls
EP2289811B1 (en) Collapsible crate
CN105905394A (en) Foldable box
KR20060083088A (en) Cargo loading pallet
EP4469362A1 (en) Locking mechanism for foldable crates
GB2360761A (en) Transportation container
US20150083620A1 (en) Hybrid Single and Double Wall Chainsaw Case
WO2023112826A1 (en) Folding container
MX2012011308A (en) Crate.
RU2302361C2 (en) Box for drills
US5156288A (en) Foldable crates
JP4555420B2 (en) Assembly container
JP4945335B2 (en) Plastic container lid
EP4072957B1 (en) Stackable and nestable container
WO2023112825A1 (en) Folding container

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: UNKNOWN

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20240701

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC ME MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20260122