GB2123794A

GB2123794A - Box pallets

Info

Publication number: GB2123794A
Application number: GB08220318A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hugh Henry Sutcliffe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-07-13
Filing date: 1982-07-13
Publication date: 1984-02-08

Abstract

A base element for a box pallet having a container formed from folded sheet material comprises a support member defining a surface intended be placed against a bottom flap of the container, and a loop of fluted plastics or other sheet material 2 secured to the support material 2 secured to the support member and extending above and parallel to the said surface so as to define a slot 7 therewith. The element may be secured to the container flap by inserting the flap into the said slot 7. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Bases for containers The present invention relates to bases for containers.

A wide variety of goods are transported in containers formed from folded sheet material such as cardboard. Generally when in transit the containers are stacked on bases or pallets which define robust plafforms that can be easily lifted by, for example a fork lift truck without damage to the containers.

Depending on the size of container, its contents and the nature of the mechanical handling equipment to be used, it is often desirable to provide each individual container with its own base or pallet so that it can be handled individually. Such single container pallets or bases can be either separate structures on which the container is simply placed, or may be in one or more parts supported by the container itself. For example it is known to supply cardboard containers in knocked-down form with base elements attached to flaps of the container as described in U.S. Patent specification 3127084.

When the container is erected the elements form a base for it. Where the base is of the type which is attached to the container, the attachment has been achieved generally by nailing but also by adhesives. In practice nailing is almost always used as this is more reliable.

It has been found that the attachment of bases to containers by nailing or other known methods is either difficult, time consuming or unreliable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved connection between a container and its base.

According to the present invention, there is provided a base or base element for a container formed from folded sheet material, the base or base element comprising a support member defining a surface intended to be placed against a bottom flap of the container, and a loop of sheet material secured to the support member and extending above and parallel to the said surface so as to define a slot therewith, whereby the base or base element may be secured to the container flap by inserting the flap into the said slot.

The invention also provides a container to which a base or base element as described above has been attached by inserting a flap of the container into the said slot.

The invention also provides a method for securing a base or base element of the type described above to a container, wherein a flap of the container is inserted into the said slot.

The loop may be formed by a sheet material such as fluted plastics or cardboard and the support member may be in the form of a plywood sheet secured to a soft wood block or blocks.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 is a side view of a container to bottom flaps of which base elements as illustrated in Fig.

2 have been attached; and Fig. 4 is a view in the direction of arrow IV of the container of Fig. 3.

Referring to Fig. 1 the illustrated base element comprises a support member in the form of a single soft wood block 1 to which a sheet of fluted plastics material 2 is attached. The sheet may be of the type marketed under the trade name "Correx". The sheet 2 is cut out as a rectangular blank the width of which is equal to the width of the block 1 and the length of which is slightly greater than the sum of the length and twice the height of the block 1. The sheet 2 is then creased at lines 3, 4, 5 and 6 and arranged around the block 1 as shown, the ends of the sheet being secured either to the end faces or the underside of the block 1 by for example nails (not shown). The distance between the crease lines 3 arid 4 and between the crease lines 5 and 6 is greater than the height of the block 1 so that a slot 7 is defined between an upper surface of the block 1 and the sheet 2.

Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention in which the block 1 of Fig. 1 is replaced by a support member formed by two plywood sheets 8 and 9 nailed to three soft wood blocks 10, 11 and 12. In ail other respects the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 2 are the same.

In use two of the illustrated support elements are attached to bottom flaps of a container in parallel relationship so that the forks of a lift truck for example can be inserted beneath the container in a direction parallel to the length of the base elements. In the case of base elements of the type shown in Fig. 2, forks could also be inserted through the openings defined between the blocks 10, 1 and 12, thereby giving so-called four-way entry.

The attachment of support members as shown in Fig. 2 to a container is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. This attachment is achieved simply by inserting bottom flaps 13, 14 of a container 1 5 into the slots 7 of the base elements and then sliding the base elements along the flaps to the desired position. The flaps can then be swung into their normal horizontal position and the container can be filled as it rests on the support provided by the upper surfaces of the support members. The base elements are held in the correct position even when the container is lifted by virtue of the engagement of the base flaps in the slots 7.

It will be appreciated that containers generally comprise four base flaps. In Figs. 3 and 4 two of these four flaps have already been folded into position and the flaps 1 3 and 14 are then folded upwards against them.

CLAIMS:

1. A base or base element for a container

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Bases for containers The present invention relates to bases for containers. A wide variety of goods are transported in containers formed from folded sheet material such as cardboard. Generally when in transit the containers are stacked on bases or pallets which define robust plafforms that can be easily lifted by, for example a fork lift truck without damage to the containers. Depending on the size of container, its contents and the nature of the mechanical handling equipment to be used, it is often desirable to provide each individual container with its own base or pallet so that it can be handled individually. Such single container pallets or bases can be either separate structures on which the container is simply placed, or may be in one or more parts supported by the container itself. For example it is known to supply cardboard containers in knocked-down form with base elements attached to flaps of the container as described in U.S. Patent specification 3127084. When the container is erected the elements form a base for it. Where the base is of the type which is attached to the container, the attachment has been achieved generally by nailing but also by adhesives. In practice nailing is almost always used as this is more reliable. It has been found that the attachment of bases to containers by nailing or other known methods is either difficult, time consuming or unreliable. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved connection between a container and its base. According to the present invention, there is provided a base or base element for a container formed from folded sheet material, the base or base element comprising a support member defining a surface intended to be placed against a bottom flap of the container, and a loop of sheet material secured to the support member and extending above and parallel to the said surface so as to define a slot therewith, whereby the base or base element may be secured to the container flap by inserting the flap into the said slot. The invention also provides a container to which a base or base element as described above has been attached by inserting a flap of the container into the said slot. The invention also provides a method for securing a base or base element of the type described above to a container, wherein a flap of the container is inserted into the said slot. The loop may be formed by a sheet material such as fluted plastics or cardboard and the support member may be in the form of a plywood sheet secured to a soft wood block or blocks. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 is a side view of a container to bottom flaps of which base elements as illustrated in Fig. 2 have been attached; and Fig. 4 is a view in the direction of arrow IV of the container of Fig. 3. Referring to Fig. 1 the illustrated base element comprises a support member in the form of a single soft wood block 1 to which a sheet of fluted plastics material 2 is attached. The sheet may be of the type marketed under the trade name "Correx". The sheet 2 is cut out as a rectangular blank the width of which is equal to the width of the block 1 and the length of which is slightly greater than the sum of the length and twice the height of the block 1. The sheet 2 is then creased at lines 3, 4, 5 and 6 and arranged around the block 1 as shown, the ends of the sheet being secured either to the end faces or the underside of the block 1 by for example nails (not shown). The distance between the crease lines 3 arid 4 and between the crease lines 5 and 6 is greater than the height of the block 1 so that a slot 7 is defined between an upper surface of the block 1 and the sheet 2. Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention in which the block 1 of Fig. 1 is replaced by a support member formed by two plywood sheets 8 and 9 nailed to three soft wood blocks 10, 11 and 12. In ail other respects the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 2 are the same. In use two of the illustrated support elements are attached to bottom flaps of a container in parallel relationship so that the forks of a lift truck for example can be inserted beneath the container in a direction parallel to the length of the base elements. In the case of base elements of the type shown in Fig. 2, forks could also be inserted through the openings defined between the blocks 10, 1 and 12, thereby giving so-called four-way entry. The attachment of support members as shown in Fig. 2 to a container is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. This attachment is achieved simply by inserting bottom flaps 13, 14 of a container 1 5 into the slots 7 of the base elements and then sliding the base elements along the flaps to the desired position. The flaps can then be swung into their normal horizontal position and the container can be filled as it rests on the support provided by the upper surfaces of the support members. The base elements are held in the correct position even when the container is lifted by virtue of the engagement of the base flaps in the slots 7. It will be appreciated that containers generally comprise four base flaps. In Figs. 3 and 4 two of these four flaps have already been folded into position and the flaps 1 3 and 14 are then folded upwards against them. CLAIMS:

1. A base or base element for a container formed from folded sheet material, the base or base element comprising a support member defining a surface intended to be placed against a bottom flap of the container, and a loop of sheet material secured to the support member and extending above and parallel to the said surface so as to define a slot therewith, whereby the base or base element may be secured to the container flap by inserting the flap into the said slot.

2. A base or base element according to claim 1, wherein the loop is formed from a fluted material.

3. A base or base element according to claim 2, wherein the loop is formed from fluted plastics material.

4. A base or base element according to any preceding claim, wherein the support member is in the form of one or more plywood sheets secured to a plurality of wooden blocks.

5. A container to which a base or base element according to any preceding claim has been attached by inserting a flap of the container into the said slot.

6. A method for securing a base or base element according to any preceding claim to a container, wherein a flap of the container is inserted into the said slot.

7. A base or base element for a container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1 or Figs. 2, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.