ES2211655T3 - CONTAINERS - Google Patents

Abstract

A collapsible container (10) comprising a rectangular base (12) and four walls (14, 16) that rise from the base (12) and capable of collapsing down to stand on the base when the container is folded, further comprising the stacking member container (20) which, when the container is erect, can be moved between a stacking position in which the stacking members (20) are positioned to support the base of another container stacked thereon, and a filling position in which the stacking members are substantially removed from the mouth of the container, the container further comprising releasable locking arrangements (34, 64) and characterized in that the locking arrangements are operable to hold together the walls of the container while the stacking members (20) remain free to move between the filling and stacking positions, and because the blocking arrangements (34, 64) they can be released by manipulating the stacking members (20).

Description

Containers.

The present invention relates to containers and, in particular, to collapsible containers (see, for example the WO 98/56668 A).

Folding containers are known for use in Many applications, including retail shipping. Fig. 1 is a Very schematic and simplified perspective view of a container retail sale 2, which has a base 4 from which four walls are lifted 6. In the erect condition (Fig. 1) the walls 6 extend upward from base 4 to define the Open container from the top. When not used (such as during return after shipment) 6 walls can be plague bending over the base in the direction of the arrows 8 (Fig. 2). In the illustrated example, the base 4 is rectangular, but it is easily evident that the same principles can be used to design a square container and for this reason, the term "rectangular" is used here to cover containers with a square or rectangular base.

This invention provides a collapsible container. according to claim 1.

Stacking members can move preferably between stacking and filling positions by middle of a first type of movement, in which the intervention manual makes stacking members undertake the second type of movement that results in blocking provisions free The second type of movement preferably begins through manual intervention. Preferably the intervention manual is required while the stacking member moves from the filling position to the stacking position or before that the stacking members leave the filling position. The second type of movement preferably starts by decompressing the stacking member in relation to the walls of the container.

The container may comprise formations of mutual coupling of the members and stacking walls, serving the mutual coupling formations to guide the stacking formations at the first type of movement except as result of manual intervention. Guide surfaces can be fixed relative to the walls, and can operate to deflect a motion stacking member up to a first type of movement. There may be second guide surfaces carried by stacking members to travel across surfaces fixed guide to make stacking members continue to perform the first type of movement. The member of stacking can carry a plateau that fits with the surface fixed guide to be guided along the first type of movement, and that is inserted into a slot that defines the second type of movement, under manual intervention, as has been previously mentioned.

The stacking member may be elastically mounted to allow the stacking member be deflected against elasticity during the first type of movement, causing deflection that the guide surface is avoid, to allow the stacking member to perform the Second type of movement. The elastic assembly may comprise a elastic member that supports the weight of the stacking member and is mounted on a first wall to engage, so releasable, to a second wall when deflected. The montage elastic can incorporate the locking arrangement, so the deflection of the stacking member makes the provision of Lock is released. The elastic member may comprise a finger of spring having a hook member that engages with the second wall when it relaxes, and it discharges when pressed by the stacking member while the second one is running movement type.

Alternatively, the blocking arrangement may be an elastic jump fixing arrangement and the member of stacking can comprise cam means that can operate to force the locking arrangement to release the cam action during the second type of movement.

Preferably, the stacking members are stacking bars Stacking members are preferably mounted on opposite walls, relatively short, of the container.

An embodiment of the present invention is will describe below in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the remaining drawings, in which:

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a container according to the present invention, arranged for the stacking;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a corner of the container of Fig. 3, from above and in scale increased;

Fig. 5 is a partial schematic view of a end of the container of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the container of Fig. 3, with the stacking members in the filling condition;

Fig. 7 corresponds to Fig. 5 showing the stacking bar in the filling condition;

Fig. 7A is a section along the wall side of the container in the condition illustrated in Fig. 7;

Fig. 8 corresponds to Fig. 7, showing the stacking bar in intermediate position between positions filling and stacking;

Figs. 9 and 9A correspond to Figs. 7 and 7A, which show the stacking bar after the manual intervention to release the blocking arrangement;

Figs. 10 and 10A correspond to Figs. 7 and 7A, showing the blocking arrangement after the release;

Fig. 11 corresponds to Fig. 4, showing the lockout arrangements released, and the walls partially folded;

Fig. 12 corresponds to Fig. 7 showing an alternative embodiment; Y

Fig. 12A is a section along the wall side of the container of Fig. 12, with the end wall removed for more clarity.

Returning to Fig. 3, a container is shown 10 which has a base 12 that is rectangular. Four walls 14, 16 they rise from base 12, namely end walls 14, relatively short, and side walls 16, relatively long. The walls 14, 16 are joined by hinge arrangements 18 along the bottom edge, to the base, to allow the container folds down the walls on the base 12, generally in the manner described above in relation to Figs. 1 and 2.

The container 10 further comprises members of stacking in the form of stacking bars 20 that can be move between stacking and filling positions when the container is erect, as will be described.

Fig. 3 shows the stacking bars 20 in the stacking position. Each one is placed through the mouth top of the container 10 to provide support to the base of another container stacked on the container 10. In particular, the stacking bars 20 will support the base of another container similar or from a container that fits (not shown) that has the same overall dimensions in plan as container 10 (typically 400mm by 600mm) but designed to fit with it same, and therefore, having a base that is smaller than total dimensions in plan, and narrow side walls. When they are in the stacking position of Fig. 3, the bars of stacking 20 are close enough to allow the base of a vessel that fits in, establish a bridge between the bars 20, thus supporting the upper container.

The mounting of the bars 20 on the container 10 can be explained in more detail, referring first to Figs. 4 and 5. These show a corner of container 10. There are equivalent structures planned in each of the four corners, but only one corner will be described in detail.

A short extension leg 22 is carried on the end of the bar 20, which generally extends perpendicular to the length of the bar 20 and carrying a protuberance 24 (Fig. 5) that travels in a groove 26, generally vertical in the wall lateral 16. When the bulge approaches the top of slot 26, base 20 can be swung to position shown in Figs. 4 and 5, with the end of the bar 20 supported in a seat generally indicated with 28, arranged on the wall side 16. This provides support to support the weight of a second container that sits on the bar 20.

The bar 20 can also be manipulated up to a second filling condition illustrated in Fig. 5, in which the bar 20 has been moved near the mouth of the container 10. This improves access to the container, for example during filling, and This mode is called the "fill" position, but it will be understood that the bars could move to this position for others reasons.

The filling condition of Fig. 6 is achieved from the stacking condition of Figs. 3 and 4 raising the bar 20 and balancing it until leg 22 is brought to a position approximately vertical and below bar 20, and allowing after the boss 24 moves under the groove 26 until the position of Fig. 6 is reached.

It is important to highlight from Fig. 6 that in the filling condition, the boss 24 is not at the end anymore bottom of slot 26. The meaning of this feature is will explain below.

The protuberance 24 is positioned to move in slot 26, as described, and is retained therein by means of a tab 34 (Fig. 7A) that captures leg 22 between the tab 34 and wall 36 in which slot 26 is formed. The tab 34 and wall 36 together form a small projection from the plane of the end wall 14, as can be seen in Fig. 4.

The guide groove 38 is formed near the upper part of tab 34, which opens away from the wall lateral 16 and abandoning a relatively small appendix 40 of the flange material above the guide groove 48. The nose 40 it has a flat upper surface 42 and an inclined surface forward 44 forming an introduction surface, by reasons to be described. The guide groove 38 is slightly inclined to be lower at its inner end 46 than at its mouth 48.

The guide groove 38 and nose 40 are ready to work together with a plateau 50 carried by leg 22 in a position indicated in Fig. 7, and clearly visible in Fig. 4. The plateau 50 is shaped so that when the bar 20 is in the filling position (Fig. 7) the plateau 50 opposes nose 40, which has a lower surface inclined 52, rounded at 54 to meet the surface upper 56 of the plateau 50. The height of the rounded edge 54 is slightly greater than the height of the front edge of the nose when bar 20 is at rest in the stacking position (as illustrated in Fig. 7), so that when the bar 20 is pressed horizontally, plateau 50 will be pushed against the nose 40, coupling the bottom surface 52 with the surface of introduction 44 and causing plateau 50 to slide down the introduction surface and up, across the surface upper 42, thus leaving bar 20 to move it out of the stacking position illustrated in Figs. 3 to 5. Acting from this way, the bar 20 will cross an intermediate position illustrated in Fig. 8, in which the protuberance 24 has been raised to slot 26 and plateau 50 has run along the upper surface 42. The bar 20 can then be collected and move to seat 28.

It will be easily understood from the above, that when the bar 20 is in the stacking position and is pushed outward, towards the extreme wall 14, the operation may occur inverse, in which the plateau 50 runs on the upper surface 42 until it falls down behind her, to the position illustrated in Figs. 7 and 7A.

In normal use of the container, although the container remain in the erect condition, the bars 20 will be moved between stacking and filling conditions, as require, in the manner described above. During this use, the walls 14, 16 continue to be locked together so that you can Describe now in more detail, as follows. Again, just describe the structures of a corner; structures equivalents are arranged in each of the four corners of the container.

The flange 34 and the wall 36 that extend from the plane of the end wall 14 they are accommodated in a recess 58 towards the top of the side wall 16, when the container 10 is erect. The lower edge 60 of the recess 58 carries a spring finger 62 extending below the lower edge of the flange 34 and carries a hook portion 64 that serves to engage behind the flange 34, preventing the side wall 16 from collapsing down on the base 12. The hook part 64 also provides a support in which the lower end of the leg 22 will sit when the bar 20 is in the filling condition, of so that it shares the weight of the bar 20 with the corresponding ones structures at the other end. The elastic resistance of the finger of spring 62 is sufficient to hold plateau 50, relative to the nose 40, in the position described above. However, the manual intervention by force applied down to the bar 20, will be transmitted along leg 22 to make spring finger 62 flex down, as illustrated in the Figs. 9 and 9A. This allows plateau 50 to move down, in relation to nose 40. Eventually a position is reached wherein the rounded edge 54 of the plateau 50 is separated from the leading edge of nose 40, so that plateau 50 can move in slot 38 (Figs. 10 and 11). The result of this downward movement is that the hook part 64 is pushed and removal of the bottom edge of the tab 34, unlocking, of this mode, the side wall 16 of the end wall 14, and allowing the side wall is folded over the base 12. When the wall side bends, finger 62 moves away from tab 34, as can be seen in Fig. 10 and 11.

A blocking arrangement of the type described previously it is arranged in each of the four corners of the container 10, with each bar 20 used to disconnect a locking arrangement at each end, in the manner described. From this way, by pressing down on both bars 20, the four locks can be released, allowing the walls lateral 16 fold down on base 12; and then the end walls 14 fold down on the walls lateral, to complete the folding of the container 10.

To unfold the container, the sequence in reverse, the extreme walls being first 14 raised, and then the side walls 16 being raised until the spring fingers 62 mate with the edges bottom of the flanges 34. The hook portions 64 will deflect to run under tabs 34 and then dock jump elastic behind them to block the side walls 16 in your site When spring finger 62 jumps elastically beyond of the flange 34, will be attached to the lower end of the leg 22, slightly raising the bar 20, to recover the position of filling of Fig. 7.

In the provisions described above, the stacking bar movement 20 acts directly, by middle of extension legs 22, to press and release the finger of spring 52. Figs. 12 and 12A illustrate an embodiment alternative in which indirect action is achieved, as set out below. Many features illustrated in the Figs. 12 and 12A correspond closely to the characteristics of other Figures and, in this way, they are assigned the same numbers reference.

In this example, the stacking bars 20 of again they are mounted by means of extension legs 22 that extend downward from a flange 34 and a groove 36, in the that a guide groove 38 adapts to a protrusion 24. The tab 34 and wall 36 are again accommodated in a recess 58 in the side wall 16, and the bottom edge 50 of the recess 58 again it carries a spring finger 62, which is capable of extending under the lower edge of tab 34 to catch under it and, in this way, the walls 14, 16, block them together, preventing the container from folding

In this example, the weight of the member of stacking 20 is supported by an elastic flange 65 in which the lower end of the extension leg 22 is supported.

The hook portion 64A, shown in fig. 12A, it is much more rounded than the hook part 64 of the figures previous. Consequently, if the hook part 64 cannot be released from tab 34 without being forced down, you can pull the rounded hook portion 64A away from the tab 34 by applying adequate force in one direction generally horizontal, (tending to fold down the wall 16). This force is provided in use, by means of an arrangement of cam, as follows.

The comparison of Fig. 12 and Fig. 7, by example shows that in Fig. 12 leg 22 is wearing a heel 66 which generally extends horizontally away from the end wall 14. Heel 66 has an inclined lower face 68. Heel 66 protrudes outward from between tab 34 and the wall 36 and in a groove 69 formed on the edge of the wall 16. The Slot 69 has an inclined bottom 70.

In use, when the container to be folded, the stacking bar 20 is pushed down to release the walls, generally in the manner described above, and against The elasticity of the flange 65. The downward force applied to the stacking bar 20 presses bar 20 and legs 22 on against the elasticity of the flange 65, allowing the earth 50 move away under nose 40, as described previously. Heel 66 will reach a position in which the face bottom 68 rests on the bottom 70. The inclined nature of both surfaces causes the cam action that cam that transforms the downward force applied on the stacking bar 20 in a generally horizontal force that pushes the wall 16 so that fold down. As the force increases down applied on the stacking bar 20, increases the force horizontal until, eventually, finger 62 jumps elastically from under tab 34, releasing wall 16 so that it fold. When this is done, heel 66 leaves slot 69 a through the outlet opening 72.

When wall 16 is subsequently raised from again, the rounded hook part 64A can jump elastically under tab 34 to lock the walls together of new. Heel 66 re-enters slot 69 and then helps secure the joint to hold the side and walls extreme together.

There are planned containers that can be operated to provide a stack with a similar container or nestable containers, which use movable bars substantially away from the mouth when not required stacking, and that can be folded, when it is not required to contain goods, but that is safe against folding except when They produce an intentional manual intervention.

Many variations can be made and modifications to the container described above, without leaving the field of the invention. In particular, many can be modified different sizes, shapes, relative sizes and other details of design. It is envisioned that the container can be manufactured as a set of plastic components, such as molding injection, for subsequent assembly.

The previous references to the addresses are only for reasons of clarity. However, it is expected that in use normal, the container will have the orientation shown and described.

Claims (16)

1. A collapsible container (10) comprising a rectangular base (12) and four walls (14, 16) that rise from the base (12) and capable of collapsing down to stand on the base when the container is folded, the container also comprising stacking members (20) which, when the container is erect, can be moved between a stacking position in which the stacking members (20) are placed to support the base of another container stacked thereon, and a filling position in which the stacking members are substantially removed from the mouth of the container, the container further comprising releasable locking arrangements (34, 64) and characterized in that the locking arrangements are operable to retain the walls together of the container while the stacking members (20) are free to move between the filling and stacking positions, and because the blocking arrangements (34, 64) can be released by manipulating the stacking members (20). 2. A container according to claim 1, in which the stacking members (20) can be moved between stacking and filling positions by means of a first type of movement, in which manual intervention makes Stacking members (20) perform the second type of movement, which results in the blocking provisions (34, 64) being free. 3. A container according to claim 2, in which the second type of movement begins by manual intervention 4. A container according to claim 2 or 3, in which manual intervention is required while the stacking member (20) is moving from the position of filled to the stacking position, or before the Stacking members (20) leave the filling position. 5. A container according to the claims 2 to 4, wherein the second type of movement is starts by decompressing the stacking member (20) in relation to the walls (14, 16) of the container. 6. A container according to the claims 2 to 5, comprising coupling formations mutual (24, 26) of the stacking members (20) and the walls (14, 16), serving the mutual coupling formations to guide the stacking members (20) at the first type of movement except as a result of manual intervention. 7. A container according to claim 6, in which the guide formations are fixed in relation to the walls, and are operable to deflect a stacking member of movement (20) to the first type of movement. 8. A container according to claim 7, which includes second guide formations carried by members stacking (20) to slide through the formations of guide to make stacking members (20) continue performing the first type of movement. 9. A container according to claim 7 or 8, in which the stacking member (20) carries a plateau (50) that couples the first fixed guide formations (40) to be guided along the first type of movement, and that enter the slot (26) defining the second type of movement under manual intervention, as mentioned previously. 10. A container according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the stacking member (20) is elastically mounted to allow the member of stacking (20) be deflected against elasticity during the first type of movement, making the deflection that the formation Fixed guide fails to allow the stacking member (20) execute the second type of movement. 11. A container according to the claim 10, wherein the elastic assembly comprises a elastic member (62) that supports the weight of the stacking member (20) and is mounted so that it can deflect on a first wall to engage, so that it can be released, to a second wall. 12. A container according to the claims 10 or 11, wherein the elastic assembly incorporates the lock coupling, so the deflection of the member of stacking (20) makes the locking arrangement released. 13. A container according to the claims 11 or 12, wherein the elastic member comprises a spring finger (62) having a hook member (64) that is mates with the second wall when it's relaxed, and it's undocked when pressed by the stacking member (20) while execute the second type of movement. 14. A container according to any of claims 2 to 9, wherein the blocking arrangement (34, 64) is a coupling fixed by elastic jump and the member of stacking (20) comprises cam means (68, 70) operable for force the blocking provision to be released by action of cam during the second type of movement. 15. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the stacking members (20) are stacking bars. 16. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the stacking members (20) are mounted on opposite walls, relatively short, of the container.