GB1578720A

GB1578720A - Fibre board container

Info

Publication number: GB1578720A
Application number: GB43655/75A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: SUTCLIFFE Ltd H; TRI WALL CONTAINERS Ltd
Current assignee: SUTCLIFFE Ltd H; TRI WALL CONTAINERS Ltd
Priority date: 1977-01-24
Filing date: 1977-01-24
Publication date: 1980-11-05

Description

(54) FIBRE BOARD CONTAINER (71) We, TRI-WALL CON TAINERS LIMITED, a British company of One Mount Street, London W1Y 5AA and HENRY SUTCLIFFE LIMITED, a British company of Hulme Street, Salford, Lancashire M5 4PX, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to a fibre board container having an integral pallet and to a blank for such a container.

Fibre board containers are normally made from a single fibre board blank which is slotted and creased to form a tubular body portion and four projecting flaps at each end of the body portion. In order to erect the container the four projecting flaps at one end of the body are folded inwardly and taped, stapled or adhered together to form the base of the container. The container is then filled with articles and the four flaps at the other end of the container are folded in to close the container.

This type of container has the disadvantage that it rests flat on the floor or deck and cannot be lifted and moved by a fork-lift truck or other similar mechanical handling means. It has therefore been necessary to stack containers on pallets which allowed the forks of a fork-lift to be inserted beneath the bottom container. Pallets are normally made of timber and are relatively cheap, but the use ob separate pallets necessitates the maintenance of a stock of pallets wherever containers are to be stacked.

In order to overcome this problem it has been known to atrach feet or a preformed pallet to the bottom of the container after the container has been erected. This involves an additional assembly operation on the container at its point of use and does not allow the container to be folded flat after use without first removing the pallet or feet.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or substantially reduce these problems by providing a container with an integral pallet which will permit the container to be folded flat after use for storage and subsequent re-use without involving removal of the pallet feet from the container.

According to the present invention we provide a fibre board container comprising an open ended container body, at least two closing flaps at one of the open ends of the body and at least one support member of substantially rigid material permanently attached to the outer surface of one of the closing flaps and adapted to form an integral rigid support pallet for the container when the flaps are in the closed position.

According to a further aspect of the invention we also provide a fibre board blank for making a container comprising a plurality of panels defined by fold lines, at least one of the panels comprising a bottom closing flap for the container and a support member of substantially rigid material attached to the bottom closing flap so that the support member forms an integral rigid support pallet for the container when the container is erected.

Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank for forming a container of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view from below of a container according to the present invention erected from the blank of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the container shown in Figure 2 in the process of assembly; Figure 4 is a perspective view from below showing the container of Figure 3 in a later stage of assembly; Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the support members of the container of Figures 2 to 4; Figure 6 is an end view of the container partially collapsed; Figure 7 is a perspective view showing two containers according to the present invention stacked in their flat condition;; Figure 8 is a side view ob a number of containers stacked in their flat condition, but with the bottom supports omitted for clarity and Figure 9 is an elevation, partly in section of a part of a container forming a modification of the container shown in Figures 2 to 6.

In the drawings, a container is indicated generally at 10 which can be formed from a fibre board such as the triple fluted corrugated material sold under the Registered Trade Mark TRI-WALL PAK or any other suitable material.

The container 10 may be formed from a single blank 11 of corrugated material which is slotted and creased as shown in Figure 1 to form a four-sided tubular container body 12. The container body 12 comprises four side walls 13, 14 15 and 16 and is inirially open-ended. Four flaps 17, 18, 19 and 20 project outwardly from the upper end of the body and four flaps 21, 22, 23 and 24 project from the bottom end of the body. The length of the container 10 is greater than its width and consequently one pair of flaps is longer than rhe other at each end of the container.

However, in the case of a container of equal length and width, all of the flaps will be od equal length.

Attached to the outer surface of the shorter lower flaps 23, 24 are support members 25, 26, 27 and 28, the support members 25 and 26 being attached to the flap 23 and the support members 27 and 28 being attached to the flap 24. Each support member comprises a wooden batten 29 which is spaced from and attached to the flap by three wooden blocks 30 which are spaced apart along the length ob the batten 29. The support members may be attached to the longer flaps 21 and 22 which will then form the outer flaps of the container bottom but this entails the use of more material and is therefore more costly.

The support members are spaced apart and aligned in parallel, the support members 26 and 28 being attached to the flaps adjacent the end edges od the flaps and the support members 25 and 27 being attached to the flaps adjacent the fold line between the flaps and the container body 12. The blocks 30 are attached to the flaps in any convenient manner, for instance by means of rivets, nails, fastening clips or adhesive.

The container 10 can be transported in a flat condition with the upper and lower flaps fully extended, the support members on one of the lower flaps projecting upwardly from one side of the flat container and the support members on the other of the lower flaps projecting outwardly in the opposite sense.

In order tol erect the container 10, the container body 12 is opened out into the rectangular form shown in Figure 3. The longer flaps 21 and 22 are then folded inwardly to form the bottom of the container and the shorter flaps 23 and 24 are folded in and attached to the flaps 21 and 22 to complete the assembly of the bottom of the container.

The container can now be placed on the floor or deck so as to rest on the support members 25 to 28 which form an integral pallet for the container and space the container bottom away from the floor. The location and design of the support members enables the fork of a fork lift truck to be inserted beneath the container from the side of the container, in parallel with the battens 29 or from one end of the container between the blocks 30 and at right angles to the battens 29.

When the container has been filled from the upper open end of the container body 12, the upper flops are folded inwardly and attached together to close the container. Finally, straps or bands 31 are attached around the container to complete the closure and secure the top and bottom flaps.

If the flaps 23 and 24 are of such a length that the end edges of the flaps abut when closed, the support members 26 and 28 can be attached to the flaps adjacent the end edges of the flaps so that the support members also abut one another, or they can be attached to the flaps a short distance away from the end edges of the flaps. If the support members 26 and 28 are located at the edges of the flaps and abut one another when the flaps are closed, a batten may be attached to one of the support members so as to overlap the other support member when the flaps are closed. The overlapping portion of the batten can then be nailed or stapled to the other support member to hold the flaps in the closed position.

The container of the present invention lends itself particularly to stacking when in the flat condition, as shown in Figures 7 and 8 which illustrate several of the containers 10, 10a etc., stacked one on top of the other.

The end of the bottom container 10 which is opposite to the support members od the net adjacent container 10a in the stack is supported by two similar stacking members 32 and 32a to ensure that the bottom container is horizontal.

Each stacking member 32 comprises a channel section portion 33 which engages an edge of the container 10, an extension 34 and feet 35. The stacking member 32 is attached to one side of the folded container 10 with the channel section portion 33 abutting the support member 25 and the extension 34 pro; jecting beyond the opposite end of the container. The stacking member 32a is attached in a similar manner to the opposite side of the container 10 so as to extend from end to end of the container. The container 10a is then placed on rop of the container 10, as shown in Figure 7, supported at one end by the extension 34 and at its other end by its integral support members 25 to 28. Thereafter further containers can be stacked on top of the container 10a as shown in Figure 8, with the support members of the containers positioned alternatively at opposite ends of the stack.In Figure 8 the bottom stacking members 32, 32a are omitted for clarity.

The support members which are attached to the bottom flaps of the container can take any desired form. For insrance, they may comprise a plurality of separate blocks attached to the bottom flaps or alternatively each support member may comprise one or more solid battens attached to each flap. The support members can also be formed from any suitable material, for instance, they may be formed from a plastics material and they may be made as injection mouldings.

The location of the support members may also be varied. Figure 9 illustrates a modification of the container 10 in which the length of two outer bottom flaps 40 and 41 of the container is such that the bottom flaps 40 and 41 abut when they are in the closed position. A single support member 42 is attached to the flap 40 and two similar support members 43 and 44 are attached to the flap 41. Each support member comprises a timber batten 45 mounted on the flaps 40 or 41 by three spaced timber blocks 46. The blocks are preferably attached to the flap by suitable cleats 47.

The support member 42 is attached to the flap 40 adjacent to and in parallel with the fold line between the flap and the container body. The support member 44 is similarly positioned on the flap 41 adjacent to and parallel with the fold line between the flap 41 and the container body. The support member 43 is attached to the end edge portion of the flap remote from the junction between the flap and the container body so as to project beyond the end ob the flap and overlap the flap 40 when the two flaps are closed.

When the flaps 40 and 41 are closed the support member 43 provides support along the join line between the two flaps and thus generally adds to the rigidity and support for the base of the container. The edge portion of the flap 40 may also be attached to the overlapping portion of the support member 43 so as to hold the flaps 40 and 41 in the closed position.

In order to add to the strength of the bottom of the container strips 48 may be attached to the flap 40 and timber strips 49 attached to the flap 41 extending at right angles to the direction of the battens 45 and located between each flap and the blocks 42.

The timber strips 48 and 49 may be attached to the flaps 40 and 41 with any suitable fixing means such as cleats or nails.

It is also envisaged that the two support members 43 and 44 may be attached to the timber strips 49 before they are attached to the container to form one half of a pallet assembly for the container. Similarly, the support member 45 may be attached to the timber strips 48 to form the other half of the pallet assembly. The two halves of the pallet assembly are then attached to the flaps 40 and 41 to complete the container.

It will be appreciated that the specific shape of the supporting members disclosed herein, each of which comprises a batten attached to the flap by a plurality of blocks, allows for entry of the fork of a fork lift beneath the container in any one of four directions. This is particularly advantageous if the container is of a relatively large size and can only be moved by a fork-lift truck when full.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A fibre board container comprising an open ended container body, at least two clos ing flaps at one end of the open ends of the body and at least one support member of substantially rigid material permanently attached to the outer surface of one of the closing flaps and forming an integral rigid support pallet for the container when the flaps are in the closed position.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one support member is permanently attached to each of two closing flaps.

3. A container as claimed in claim 2, wherein each support member is attached to one of the two closing flaps and overlaps the other closing flap when the flaps are in the closed position.

4. A container as claimed in either of claims 2 to 3 wherein each support member is elongate in form and is provided with linear passages at right angles to its longitudinal axis.

5. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each support member comprises a batten which is connected to and spaced from the flap to which it is attached by spacing members and which extends parallel to the hinge axis of the flap.

6. A container as claimed in any ob claims 1 to 3 wherein each support member comprises a batten which is connected to and spaced from the flap to which it is attached by spacing members and which extends at right angles to the hinge axis of the flap.

7. A container as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the spacing members are located and adapted to leave the linear passages at right angles to the battens between the battens and the flaps.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. in a similar manner to the opposite side of the container 10 so as to extend from end to end of the container. The container 10a is then placed on rop of the container 10, as shown in Figure 7, supported at one end by the extension 34 and at its other end by its integral support members 25 to 28. Thereafter further containers can be stacked on top of the container 10a as shown in Figure 8, with the support members of the containers positioned alternatively at opposite ends of the stack. In Figure 8 the bottom stacking members 32, 32a are omitted for clarity. The support members which are attached to the bottom flaps of the container can take any desired form. For insrance, they may comprise a plurality of separate blocks attached to the bottom flaps or alternatively each support member may comprise one or more solid battens attached to each flap. The support members can also be formed from any suitable material, for instance, they may be formed from a plastics material and they may be made as injection mouldings. The location of the support members may also be varied. Figure 9 illustrates a modification of the container 10 in which the length of two outer bottom flaps 40 and 41 of the container is such that the bottom flaps 40 and 41 abut when they are in the closed position. A single support member 42 is attached to the flap 40 and two similar support members 43 and 44 are attached to the flap 41. Each support member comprises a timber batten 45 mounted on the flaps 40 or 41 by three spaced timber blocks 46. The blocks are preferably attached to the flap by suitable cleats 47. The support member 42 is attached to the flap 40 adjacent to and in parallel with the fold line between the flap and the container body. The support member 44 is similarly positioned on the flap 41 adjacent to and parallel with the fold line between the flap 41 and the container body. The support member 43 is attached to the end edge portion of the flap remote from the junction between the flap and the container body so as to project beyond the end ob the flap and overlap the flap 40 when the two flaps are closed. When the flaps 40 and 41 are closed the support member 43 provides support along the join line between the two flaps and thus generally adds to the rigidity and support for the base of the container. The edge portion of the flap 40 may also be attached to the overlapping portion of the support member 43 so as to hold the flaps 40 and 41 in the closed position. In order to add to the strength of the bottom of the container strips 48 may be attached to the flap 40 and timber strips 49 attached to the flap 41 extending at right angles to the direction of the battens 45 and located between each flap and the blocks 42. The timber strips 48 and 49 may be attached to the flaps 40 and 41 with any suitable fixing means such as cleats or nails. It is also envisaged that the two support members 43 and 44 may be attached to the timber strips 49 before they are attached to the container to form one half of a pallet assembly for the container. Similarly, the support member 45 may be attached to the timber strips 48 to form the other half of the pallet assembly. The two halves of the pallet assembly are then attached to the flaps 40 and 41 to complete the container. It will be appreciated that the specific shape of the supporting members disclosed herein, each of which comprises a batten attached to the flap by a plurality of blocks, allows for entry of the fork of a fork lift beneath the container in any one of four directions. This is particularly advantageous if the container is of a relatively large size and can only be moved by a fork-lift truck when full. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A fibre board container comprising an open ended container body, at least two clos ing flaps at one end of the open ends of the body and at least one support member of substantially rigid material permanently attached to the outer surface of one of the closing flaps and forming an integral rigid support pallet for the container when the flaps are in the closed position.

8. A fibre board blank for making a con

tainer comprising a plurality of panels defined by fold lines, at least one od the panels comprising a bottom closing flap for the container and a support member of substantially rigid material attached to the bottom dosing flap so that the support member forms an integral rigid support pallet for the container when the container is erected.

9. A blank as claimed in claim 8 wherein two od the panels of the blank are adapted to form bottom closing flaps when the container is erected, a support member ob substantially rigid material being attached to each of the bottom closing flaps so as to form, in combination, an integral rigid supe port pallet for the container when the container is erected.

10. A blank as claimed in claim 9 wherein each support member is elongate in form and is provided with linear passage at right angles to it longitudinal axis.

11. A blank as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10 wherein each support member comprises one or more battens connected to and spaced from the closing flap panel to which it is attached by spacing member and which extends parallel to the fold line deferring the hinge axis of the closing flap.

12. A blank as claimed in any od claims 8 to 10 wherein each support member comprises one or more battens connected to and spaced from the dosing panel to which it is attached by spacing member and which extends at rights angles to the fold line deferring the hinge axis of the closing flap.

13. A blank as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the spacing members are located and adapted to leave the linear passages at rights angles to the battens between the battens and the flaps.

14. A blank as claimed in any of claims 9 to 13 wherein at least one of the support members extends beyond the periphery of the panel to which it is attached so as to overlap the other closing flap when the container is erected.

15. A fibre board container substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 2 to 6 or Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings.

16. A fibre board blank substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.