GB2155439A

GB2155439A - Improvements in or relating to collapsible containers

Info

Publication number: GB2155439A
Application number: GB08405906A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ivor John Pugh
Original assignee: SMITH BROS
Current assignee: SMITH BROS
Priority date: 1984-03-07
Filing date: 1984-03-07
Publication date: 1985-09-25
Also published as: GB2155439B; GB8405906D0

Abstract

A collapsible container consists of a pallet base 10 on which is secured a floor panel 14 and two cross members 16 defining parallel slots between the floor panel and the members. Two side walls consist of panels having elements secured along their lower edges that interlock within gaps formed between the floor panel and the pallet. Two end walls consist of panels, the lower edges of which engage in the aforesaid slots. Parallel members 51,52 are secured along opposite sides of the panels and locate against the outer faces of the side walls. The cover 60 consists of a panel along opposite sides of which are secured parallel members 61,62 that locate against the outer faces of the end walls. Parallel members 63,64 are also secured adjacent the other two sides and locate against the inner faces of the side walls. The interlocking relationship of the base, walls and cover provides a rigid structure and the relationship may be maintained by the use of encompassing straps. After use the container may be dismantled and returned as a flat compact structure. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to collapsible containers The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to collapsible containers such as packing cases.

The present invention is directed to providing an improved collapsible container that can be rapidly assembled and disassembled and which is substantially weatherproof Accordingly, therefore, the present invention provides a collapsible container that can be dismantled into a compact package comprising, a base, two lateral side walls, two lateral end walls and a cover, wherein; the base includes a support structure, a floor section attached to said support structure, said section and said structure defining a gap, or two or more gaps, therebetween extending along two opposite sides of the said section, an upwardly extending element attached to each end of said support structure parallel to each of the other two opposite sides of said floor section and spaced therefrom to define a slot between the opposite edges of the said floor section and said element; the lateral side walls each comprise a panel including a member secured to the lower edge thereof having a portion extending at right angles thereto dimensioned to be received in the gap defined by the floor section and support structure, the length of the panel being equal to the length of the adjacent side of the floor section; the lateral end walls each comprise a panel, one end of each said panel being dimensioned to be received within a slot defined by the floor section and support structure of the said base, each said panel including, along opposite sides adjacent said one end, two members secured to the panel having portions extending at right angles to the said panel, the lengthwise dimensions of each said end wall and the positions of the said members being such that, when the container is in the assembled condition, said members lie adjacent and in contact with the respective outer faces of said walls; the cover comprises a panel having on one face two first members secured to opposite edges thereof and including portions extending at right angles to the said face, and two second members secured adjacent the two opposite sides of the said face and having proportions extending at right angles thereto said members being positioned such that, when the container is in the assembled condition the portions of the first said members extending at right angles lie adjacent the outer faces of the end walls and the portions of the second said members extending at right angles lie adjacent the inner faces of the said side walls, whereby the said base, walls and cover interlock to form a substantially rigid structure.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a packing case according to the present invention in the fully assembled condition.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a partially assembled packing case of figure 1, Figure 3 is a side view of the packing case base in direction A of figure 1, Figure 4 is a perspective view of a side wall of the packing case of figure 1, Figure 5 is a perspective view of an end wall of the packing case of figure 1, Figure 6 is a perspective view of the cover of the packing case of figure 1.

Referring to the drawings. A wooden packing case consists of six component parts being a base, generally indicated at 1, on which is erected side walls 2 and 3 and end walls 4 and 5, the case is enclosed by a cover 6. The component parts interlock to form a substantially rigid structure and are maintained in the interlocked condition with the aid of strap-bands 7 and 8 which pass round the base, two sides and cover as shown in figure 1.

Base 10 (figures 2 and 3) consists of a pallet 11 formed from support members 12a - c on which are secured battens 13 a-d. Battens 13a and 13d being spaced from the ends of support members 12a and 12c. The pallet thus constructed has a twoway entry.

Cross members 15 and 16 are secured on battens 13 a-d directly above support members 12a and 12c and extend the full width of the pallet 11 to provide slots 19a, 19b between the cross members 16 and support member 12c (similar slots being provided between cross member 15 and support member 12a).

A plywood floor panel 14 is located on battens 13 and is dimensioned to provide slots 17 and 18 (figure 3) between the edges thereof and cross members 15 and 16. Slots 17 and 18 have a width dimension equivalent to the thickness of the lower end of panels 4 and 5. Floor panel 14 extends beyond battens 13a and 13c to provide gaps 19c between floor 14 and support member 12b (one gap only shown) having the same dimensions as slots 19a and 19b.

Side walls 2 and 3 have identical constructions and consist of plywood panels 20 (figure 4) to the lower edges of which are secured battens 21 having the same thickness as battens 13 a-d. Side walls 2 and 3 have the same length as floor panel 14 and the ends 22 and 23 of batten 21 extends outwardly thereof by an extent equal to the total of the thickness of corresponding members 15 and 16 and width dimensions of slots 17 and 18.

End walls 4 and 5 have identical constructions and consist of plywood panels 50 to the side edges of which are secured battens 41, 42 (wall 4) and 51, 52 (wall 5). The end portions of battens 41, 42 and 51, 52 extend beyond the edges of the panels by an amount equal to the thickness of floor panel 14.

Panels 50 each have a width dimension equal to width of floor panel 14 plus the thickness of side panels 20 and the thickness of battens 41 and 42, (or 51 and 52).

In assembling the base and walls of the packing case, side walls 2 and 3 are first placed in position by slotting battens 21 into gaps 19 so that panels 20 and 30 abut floor panel 14 (see figure 2 in which for ease of description wall 3 only is shown in position). End walls 4 and 5 are then placed in position by sliding battens 41 and 42 and 51 and 52 along the outer faces of panels 2 and 3, the lower ends of panels 4 and 5 being received in slots 17 and 18 respectively. It should be noted that in this mode of assembly the packing case may be at least partially loaded from one end, i.e.

before end wall 5, for example, is placed in position.

The assembly is then completed by location of cover 6 on top of the side and end walls. Cover 6 consists of a plywood panel 60 along two ends of which are secured battens 61 and 62. Additional battens 63 and 64 (shown in dotted outline) are located along the remaining two sides of panel 60 at a distance therefrom equal to the thickness of wall panels 20. When cover 6 is in position battens 61 and 62 lie adjacent the outer faces of walls 4 and 5 and battens 63 and 64 lie adjacent the inner faces of side walls 2 and 3 respectively; panel 60 resting on the top edges of the side walls.

The interlocking relationship of the panels with each other, the base and the cover provides a substantially rigid structure and as previously noted, the components may be maintained in their inter locking relationship by means of strap-bands 7 and 8.

Since cover 6 rests on the top edges of the wall panels ingress of rain water, for example, from the top is substantially prevented. In the event that water e.g. rain water, collects along the corner formed between wall 5 and across member 16, for example, it will run down the wall panel 50 and will not enter the packing case since the panel 50 extends below the upper surface of floor panel 14, as do panels 20 of side walls 2 and 3.

Since the assembly does not include any fixing means such as bolts, screws or nails, assembly can be completed in the order of a few minutes only, even for large sized containers.

For ease of construction the floor, side, end and cover panels are formed of the same thickness plywood.

The battens are secured to the support members and panels etc. by nailing, however, any other convenient method of securing may be used.

Although the invention has been illustrated by reference to a wooden packing case, the materials of construction are not limited to wood and any other suitable material or combination of materials may be used.

The container of this invention is equally readily disassembled after packing. The side, end and cover panels are laid on the base to form a com pact structure for return and reuse.

Claims

1. A collapsible container that can be dismantled into a compact package comprising, a base, two lateral side walls, two lateral end walls and a cover, wherein; the base includes a support structure, a floor section attached to said support structure, said section and said structure defining a gap, or two or more gaps, therebetween extending along two opposite sides of the said section, an upwardly extending element attached to each end of said support structure parallel to each of the other two opposite sides of said floor section and spaced therefrom to define a slot between the opposite edges of the said floor section and said element; the lateral side walls each comprise a panel including a member secured to the lower edge thereof having a portion extending at right angles thereto dimensioned to be received in the gap defined by the floor section and support structure, the length of the panel being equal to the length of the adjacent side of the floor section; the lateral end walls each comprise a panel, one end of each said panel being dimensioned to be received within a said slot defined by the floor section and support structure of the said base, each said panel including, along opposite sides adjacent said one end, two members secured to the panel and having portions extending at right angles to the said panel, the lengthwise dimension of each said end wall and the positions of the said members being such that, when the container is in the assembled condition, said members lie adjacent and in contact with the respective outer faces of said walls; the cover comprises a panel having on one face two first members secured to opposite edges thereof and including portions extending at right angles to the said face, and two second members secured adjacent the two opposite sides of the said face and having portions extending at right angles thereto said members being positioned such that, when the container is in the assembled condition the portions of the first said members extending at right angles lie adjacent the outer faces of the end walls and the portions of the second said members extending at right angles lie adjacent the inner faces of the said side walls, whereby the said base, walls and cover interlock to form a substantially rigid structure.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein each said element attached to the said support structure extends lengthwise beyond the floor section by substantially equal amounts at either end thereof, whereby the length of the said elements is substantially equal to the width of the said end walls.

3. A container according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the base, walls and cover of the container when in the assembled condition are maintained in an interlocking relationship by band means extending around the base, two side or end wall portions and the cover.

4. A container according to any one of the preceeding claims wherein the support structure comprises a two or four-way entry pallet.

5. A collapsible container substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.