GB2162154A - Stackable/nestable container - Google Patents

Abstract

A stack/nest container has a movable support 26 near the base 10. The support 26 is moved to project from the container by placing goods in the container so that the container can be stacked on another container by the support 26 engaging the top of the other container. When the container is empty the support 26 is retracted so that the container can be nested in another container. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Container This invention relates to a container and more particularly a container which can be stacked on another like container or optionally nested within another like container.

"Stack/nest" containers are well known. One of the most common kinds of stack nest container includes one or more wires pivotally mounted on the side walls so as to be movable to a position across the open top of the container so that a like container can be stacked thereon and a second position clear of the open top of the container so that another like container can be nested therein. Other containers are of asymmetric construction so that they can be stacked in a like container in one orientation or nested in a like container in a different orientation.

But all these known containers require some action on the part of the user to adapt them for the stacking or nesting mode. Thus if a full container is not properly arranged for stacking of another container thereon, when another loaded container is placed on the full container the contents of the full container will bear the weight of the container thereabove and can be damaged.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of this problem with a view to providing a container which will adopt the stacking or nesting mode in response to the presence or absence respectively of goods being loaded therein.

According to the invention there is provided a container having a base and walls, a movable support provided adjacent the base said support being movable between a retracted position in which condition the container can be nested within another like container and a stacking position wherein the support projects from the container so that the container can be stacked on another like container with the support engaging the top of said other container.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention a plurality of supports is provided. The supports are urged into the retracted position, for example under the influence of gravity and/or when the mechanical means such as a cam arrangement container is empty. The supports are arranged to be moved to the operative position when goods are placed in the container. Thus no special action is required by the user in order to put the container into the appropriate stack or nest mode. When empty it nests - when loaded it stacks.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an end elevation of a container; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the container of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an under plan view of a supoort; Figure 4 is an end elevation of a support; Figure 5 is an enlarged end elevation of a modified support assembly; Figure 6 is an end elevation of another modified support; Figure 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is a section on the line Vlil-Vlil of Figure 7; Figure 9 is the same section as Figure 8 but with the support in the stacking position.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings an open topped container comprises a base 10, end walls 12, 14 and side walls 16, 18. The container illustrated is of moulded plastics but the invention is not limited to plastic containers and includes containers of metal or other suitable material The lower part of the side and end walls of the container are stepped inwardly at 20 so that the lower part of the container is of smaller dimensions than the upper part whereby the container can be nested in another, like container. It is to be understood that a stepped formation as illustrated is not essential; the container can be tapered or otherwise shaped to permit nesting in another, like container.

A substantially rectangular shaped aperture 22 extends along the bottom of each sidewall 16 and 18, the ends of the aperture 22 being bounded by vertical ribs 24. An outrigger support 26 is pivotally mounted in each aperture 22 on a rod or moulded member 28 which extends along the top of the aperture parallel to the base and which lies substantially in the plane of the side wall. The rod or moulded member 28 extends through apertures in the vertical ribs 24. Alternatively the rod may be replaced by moulded plastics members.

Each outrigger support 26 comprises a channel member of substantially triangular cross-section.

The ends of the channel are closed by triangular shaped panels 30 and triangular shaped webs 32 are disposed at intervals along the channel. Apertures 34 are provided at the apex of the panels 30 through which rod 28 or moulded member is received. The apertures 34 are sufficiently large that the support will swing freely thereon. As can be seen in Figure 2 the apex of the triangular section support is removed except at the ends thereof so as to limit the contact between the support and the rod 28 or moulded member.

As can be seen in Figure 4 the cross section of the support is a right-angled triangle. The support is mounted in the container so that the side 36 which lies along the hypotenuse of the triangle is directed towards the exterior of the container and so that the open side 38 of the channel is directed towards the base of the container.

Side 36 is preferably thickened or otherwise weighted so that when freely suspended from rod 28 the support will hang, as illustrated in Figure 1, with side 36 lying in the general plane of the side wall 16 or 18. As can also be seen in Figure 1 when freely suspended the support projects into the container.

Now, when goods are placed in the container, engagement thereof on the supports causes the supports to pivot outwardly. The outward movement is preferably limited by stops 40 provided at the bottom of the webs 32 engaging on the lower rim of the aperture 22. With the supports projecting outwardly as aforesaid the container can be stacked on another like container, the bottoms of the panels 30 and webs 32 resting on the top of the side walls of the containertherebeneath. When the container is empty and lifted from the stack the supports will drop back to the retracted position permitting nesting of the container in another like container.

The embodiment just described relies on gravity to return the supports to the retracted position when the container is empty. It is possible, if desired, for means to be provided which applies force additional to gravity to return the supports to the retracted position. For example, as shown in Figure 5, a downwardly depending flange 50 is provided in the container to lie adjacent the upper, inner part of support 26. In addition the upper part of the support 26 is profiled at 52 in the manner of a cam. When the support is pivotted anti-clockwise by articles being placed in the container the cam surface 52 engages the depending flange 50 and deforms it inwardly to the position 50' shown in dotted lines. When the container is empty the deformed flange acting on surface 52 causes the support to rotate clockwise to the retracted position.

Similar provision can be obtained using the support as shown in Figure 6. In this case the upper part of the support is profiled at 54 so as to engage the container rib 56 (Figure 5) directly above the support when the support is pivoted anti-clockwise to the stacking position by articles being placed in the container. When the container is emptied the support is released and the action of rib 56 on the cam surface 54 returns the support to the retracted position.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 7 the support 26 is pivotally mounted on rod 28 and the rod is supported intermediate its ends by yokes 60 fixed to or integral with the container. Cut-outs 62 are provided in the support to receive the yokes. The support is biassed into its retracted position by means of a conical spring 64 disposed between the support and each yoke and adjacent the outer side thereof as can be seen in Figure 8. When the support is moved into the stacking position shown in Figure 9 the spring is compressed. The spring may be held in position by means of a recess 66 in the support which receives the base of the conical spring and a lug 68 projecting from the yoke into the apex of the spring.

Claims (9)

1. A container having a base and walls, a movable support provided adjacent the base, said sup port being movable between a retracted position in which condition the container can be nested within another like container and a stacking position where in the support projects from the container so that the container can be stacked on another like container with the support engaging the top of said other container.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1,wherein supports are provided on opposite sides of the container.

3. A container as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein means are provided for urging the support towards the retracted position.

4. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein in the retracted position the support extends into the container so that goods placed in the container will urge the support towards the stacking position.

5. A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the supports is of substantially triangular section.

6. A container as claimed in claim 5, wherein the support is pivotally mounted on the container adjacent one corner of the triangle.

7. A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a stop is provided to limit movement of the support towards the stacking position.

8. A container substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 4, or Figures 1 to 4 as modified by Figure 5, Figure 6 or Figures 7 to

9.