GB2259485A

GB2259485A - A goods container

Info

Publication number: GB2259485A
Application number: GB9219011A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kaj Henrik Avall
Original assignee: Elopak Systems AG
Current assignee: Elopak Systems AG
Priority date: 1991-09-05
Filing date: 1992-09-07
Publication date: 1993-03-17
Anticipated expiration: 2012-09-07
Also published as: GB9219011D0; GB2259485B

Abstract

A roll container having at least two lateral walls (3), a rear wall and a base (1), includes a plurality of shelves (7) mounted on each lateral wall (3). Below the shelves (7) are respective width-reducers (9) which enable the container to maintain compact arrays of cartons (8) of differing standard sizes. The width-reducers (9) are displaceable between effective and ineffective conditions, perhaps by the shelves (7). The width-reducers (9) may be resiliently biassed by spring means towards their effective conditions or may themselves be resilient biassing means. Between the rear of the shelves (7) and the rear wall of the container are bridges in the form of thin steel strips. These strips either form rearward extensions of the shelves (7) themselves or are mounted retractably upon the rear wall. <IMAGE>

Description

A GOODS CONTAINER This invention relates to a goods container, for example a roll container having shelves.

Roll containers in which the effective internal width can be changed are known from DE-A-2204583 and FR-A-7915521, for example. In DE-A-2204583, the roll container has a wheeled base, a rear wall, and a hood covering the interior of the roll container. At the two vertical edges of the rear wall are corner columns which are each formed with a vertical row of forwardly facing apertures to receive pairs of brackets at selected levels. Each pair of brackets supports a horizontal shelf upon which goods are carried, but the two brackets and the shelf project forwardly to considerably short of the front wall'of the hood. Attached at its top to the front wall of the hood and extending virtually the full height of the interior is an inflatable bag which, after loading of the goods in the container, is inflated to press against the goods to maintain them compact and prevent them from falling from the fronts of the shelves. The bag requires a supply of compressed gas to inflate it. Moreover, the shortness of the shelves gives inefficient transport of goods, and clearing the shelves and their brackets from the interior of the roll container to allow tall goods to be transported is very time-consuming, as is their reinstatement. The roll container of FR-A- 2429141 has a foldable base, two wheeled lateral walls, an openable rear gate, and an at least partly openable front wall, but no shelves. At least one of its vertical walls has a vertical latticework which is supported at its upper edge by way of a pair of articulated straps on a pair of metal members depending from a top bar of the wall and is supported at its lower edge by way of another pair of articulated straps on a bottom bar of the wall, so that a parallelogram linkage is formed. The latticework can thereby be swung from a retracted position in or very close to the plane of the wall through a top overcentre position to a width-reducing position in which it presses against milk cartons stacked in the roll container. In its

retracted position the latticework is supported upon the metal members and the container is of an effective width closely to receive two litre cartons, whilst, in its widthreducing condition, the container can pressingly receive one-litre cartons. The container is not suitable for goods which should be transported upon shelves.

EP-A-0192889 discloses a roll container having a foldable base with rear wheels, two lateral walls with respective front wheels, a rear wall and a front gate. Pairs of latticework shelves are pivotally mounted on the lateral walls at respective levels, so that each shelf can be turned between a vertical, ineffective position at the lateral wall upon which it is mounted to a horizontal position projecting half-way across the interior of the container from that lateral wall. In their effective positions, the rear ends of the shelves of each pair rest upon a horizontal bar projecting forwards from the rear wall. EP-A-0476970 discloses a similar roll container, but with longitudinal wires of the latticework shelves being extended as loops at the rears of the shelves to lie snugly around rear vertical frame tubes of the lateral walls at locations inwardly of the tubes in the ineffective positions of the shelves and to rest upon horizontal bars at the rear wall. These wires are liable to be distorted out of their correct positions, especially if snagged, and once in incorrect positions are even more exposed to snagging.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a goods container, comprising first and second sides opposite each other, a base, a shelf mounted upon said first side so as to be displaceable between a substantially horizontal effective position projecting inwards from said first side and a substantially vertical ineffective position at said first side, and width-reducing means mounted upon one of said sides so as to be displaceable between a widthreducing condition in which said width-reducing means projects inwards from said one of said sides and thereby effectively reduces the width between said first and second sides at a level of said width-reducing means and another

condition in which said width-reducing means does not substantially project inwards from said one of said sides and thereby does not substantially reduce said width.

This aspect of the invention enables the effective internal width of the goods container to be changed in dependence upon the width of the load to be carried by the container, and depending upon whether the shelf is in its effective position or its ineffective position.

The invention would normally be applied in such manner that the width-reducing means occupies its effective condition when the shelf is in its effective position and occupies its ineffective condition when the shelf is in its ineffective position. However, there may be occasions when the manner of application is that the shelf is effective when the width-reducing means is ineffective and vice-versa.

The width-reducing means may be displaceable independently of the shelf, but is preferably linked to the shelf in such manner that manual or mechanical displacement of the shelf produces displacement of the width-reducing means.

The invention is particularly applicable to a goods container for carrying a multiplicity of individual packages and including a plurality of such shelves. With the shelves in their substantially horizontal effective positions, respective width-reducing means a short distance below the shelves and a width-reducing means above the topmost shelf help to retain respective rectangular arrays of standard packages on the base and on the shelves as compact arrays; whereas, when the shelves are displaced into their ineffective positions, the width-reducing means are automatically thereby displaced to their ineffective conditions, in which the effective internal width of the goods container is maximised to allow either such standard packages carried by trays or crates to be loaded as a pile upon the base, or to allow non-standard packages to be loaded as a pile upon the base.

The linkage between the or each shelf and the or each width-reducing means may take the form of gearing (for example plastics toothed wheels) or a lever mechanism.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a goods container, comprising first and second sides opposite each other, a base, and width-reducing means at one of said sides and displaceable between a width-reducing condition in which said width-reducing means projects inwards from said one of said sides and thereby effectively reduces the width between said first and second sides at a level of said width-reducing means and another condition in which said width-reducing means does not substantially project inwards from said one of said sides and thereby does not substantially reduce said width, said width-reducing means comprising biassing means acting in the sense from said other condition to said width-reducing condition.

The biassing means gives the advantage that the widthreducing means can automatically adjust itself to the width of a load in the container, so avoiding any need for external manual or mechanical intervention to make the width-reducing means effective. The biassing means further gives the advantages that it retains the load against jumping about in the container during transport and that it allows the width-reducing means resiliently to absorb horizontal forces or force components that might otherwise damage the load.

The biassing means can take the form of spring means either acting upon an element which contacts the load, or itself acting directly upon the load.

The width-reducing means may extend for the whole or for one or more parts of the height of the first and second sides. In this respect, it is particularly noteworthy that the goods container need not include shelves.

The goods container can be loaded in various manners and it is particularly advantageous if the width-reducing means can cope with all of these various manners of loading.

In one manner of loading, a load can be pushed solely horizontally onto a shelf in the container. The second way is that a load can be pushed horizontally into the container but, as it approaches the rear side, is dropped downwards,

either onto a shelf or onto another load. In a third way, the load is lowered from above onto a shelf or onto another load. The manner of loading influences the design of the width-reducing means if the width-reducing means is intended to be pressed aside by the moving load.

It is possible to arrange for a container-loading machine to be equipped with means that presses the widthreducing means aside throughout the loading period, but then releases the width-reducing means to allow the biassing means to move the width-reducing means into contact with the load. Alternatively, the width-reducing means can be moved away manually against the action of the biassing means into its ineffective condition where it is preferably releasably locked in position. As a further alternative, the load can itself displace the width-reducing means against the action of biassing means to make room for the load.

As already mentioned above, if the container is equipped with shelves, those shelves can displace the widthreducing means. Where the width-reducing means includes biassing means, a shelf, as it moves to its ineffective position, can move the width-reducing means into its ineffective condition against the action of the biassing means. The load-contacting portions of the width-reducing means can be comprised of various materials, for example steel, plastics or rubber.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a goods container, comprising a first side, a shelf pivotally mounted on said first side for turning about a substantially horizontal axis between a substantially vertical, ineffective position at said first side and a substantially horizontal effective position projecting inwards from said first side, a second side extending substantially perpendicularly relative to said first side and horizontally spaced from said substantially horizontal effective position such that there is a gap therebetween, and bridging means mounted for displacement between an extended condition in which said bridging means bridges said gap and a retracted condition, said bridging

means being so mounted as to be displaceable relative to said shelf.

The bridging means provides support for goods at the gap between the effective position of the shelf and the second side.

Advantageously, the bridging means is mounted on and extends substantially horizontally along the second side and, in the retracted condition, is at the second side.

Where a plurality of such shelves are provided, thus with a plurality of such gaps between the shelves and the second side, the respective bridging means are advantageously displaced between their extended conditions and their retracted conditions by a vertically movable gate of the second side.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a goods container, comprising a first side comprised of a frame including two uprights, a shelf pivotally mounted between said two uprights for turning about a substantially horizontal axis between a substantially vertical, ineffective position almost wholly outwards of a substantially vertical, inner boundary plane of said frame and a substantially horizontal effective position projecting inwards from said first side, and a second side extending substantially perpendicularly relative to said first side and including substantially horizontal support means, an extension of said shelf at that edge zone of said shelf nearest said second side being arranged to lie closely adjacent to the inside of that one of said two uprights nearer to said second side in said ineffective position of said shelf and to rest upon said support means in said effective position of said shelf, said extension being comprised of a thin, rigid strip.

This arrangement whereby the shelf in its ineffective position is almost wholly outwards of the inner boundary plane of the frame, except for a thin rigid strip lying closely adjacent to the inside of the one upright not only ensures that the shelf in its ineffective position does not significantly limit the load-receiving internal volume of

the goods container, but also reduces the risk of distortion of the extension.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which :- Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic side elevation of a roll container, Figure 2 shows a diagrammatic vertical section taken on the line II-II of Figure 1, Figure 3 shows a diagrammatic sectional fragmentary plan view of a rear side corner region of a shelf of the roll container and taken on the line III-III of Figure 4, Figure 4 shows a diagrammatic vertical sectional view taken on the line IV-IV of Figure 3, Figure 5 shows a front side elevation of a rear side gate of the roll container, Figure 6 shows a fragmentary lateral elevation of the gate, Figure 7 shows a lateral elevation of a spring detent device of the roll container, Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing a modification of the roll container, but with the shelf in an ineffective position, Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 4, but again showing the modification with the shelf in an ineffective condition, Figure 10 shows a diagrammatic lateral elevation of a first modified version of a width-reducer of the roll container, Figure 11 shows a vertical section taken on the line XI-XI of Figure 10, Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 11 of a second modified version of the width-reducer, Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 11 of a third modified version of the width-reducer, Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 11 of a fourth modified version of the width-reducer, Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 11 of a fifth

modified version of the width-reducer, and Figure 16 is a top plan view of a sixth modified version of the width-reducer.

Referring to the drawings, the roll container comprises a base 1 and four sides of which a rear side 2 and one (3) of two lateral sides are seen. The other lateral side and the front side are not seen. The base 1, of which a part la may be folded from its effective position shown in Figure 1 into an ineffective position (not shown) resting against the rear side 2, is fixed to a frame 2a of the rear side 2.

Hinged to the frame 2a and the base 1 by means of hinges 4 are the two lateral sides (3) which each consist of a frame (3a). Mounted upon the base 1 are rear rollers 5, whereas front castor rollers 6 are mounted upon the lateral frames (3a). The front side may take the form of an aside turnable gate mounted upon one of the lateral frames (3a).

The roll container may be designed so that the lateral sides (3) may be turned away from each other to a limited extent, and the base part la folded up to rest on the frame 2a, to allow the roll container to be nested horizontally with an identical roll container, in a conventional manner.

Regularly spaced above the base 1, which itself also serves as a shelf, are a plurality of pairs of shelves 7, each of which is turnable between a vertical, ineffective position (shown for the uppermost shelf 7 in Figures 1 and 2) and a horizontal, effective position (shown for the other shelves 7 in Figures 1 and 2). In their horizontal, effective positions, the two shelves of each pair lie at the same level and thus effectively form a shelf extending from one to the other of the lateral frames (3a). In its vertical position, each shelf 7 is wholly contained between the inner and outer vertical lateral boundary planes of its frame (3a). Thus, the shelf projects neither inwards nor outwards from the lateral frame (3a) in its vertical, ineffective position. This particularly ensures that, when the shelves are ineffective, the full width between the two lateral frames (3a) is available for receiving the load. This load would often consist of a pile of trays or crates carrying

respective rectangular arrays of cartons. However, when the shelves 7 are horizontal and are directly supporting cartons, such as 8, without the interposition of a tray or crate, the width required is slightly less. For this reason, there is turnably mounted horizontally between the two uprights of at least one of the lateral frames (3a) a width-reducing member 9 which is turnable from a vertical, ineffective position (shown for the uppermost member 9 in Figures 1 and 2) to a horizontal effective position (shown for the other members 9 in Figures 1 and 2). In its vertical position, each member 9, which is of tubular profile, is contained wholly between the inner and outer vertical lateral boundary planes of the frame (3a) whilst, in its horizontal position, the member 9 projects to a small, but significant, extent inwards from that inner boundary plane and thus reduces the width available for receiving each rectangular array of cartons 8, so that the rectangular array of cartons is kept more compactly during storage and transport than would be the case if the members 9 were omitted. For cartons upon the uppermost shelf 7, the width between the lateral frames (3a) is permanently reduced by means of a width-reducing bar 10 at the very top of at least one of the lateral frames (3a). Each member 9 is advantageously linked by a suitable mechanism (not shown) to the shelf 7 immediately thereabove, in order to ensure that they are both simultaneously effective and both simultaneously ineffective. When a rectangular array of cartons 8 is mechanically pushed onto the base 1 or one of the shelves 7, the width-reducing members 9 and 10 guide the cartons. Those members 9 and 10 closely support the cartons 8 during storage and transport. This is particularly advantageous during transport, because they discourage the cartons 8 from swinging laterally to-and-fro, when the cartons could be damaged. The members 9 could take the form of profiled wires instead of the linear tubes shown. Each lateral frame (3a) may be partly infilled with horizontal wires (not shown) to prevent the load (such as the cartons 8) from falling out of the lateral sides (3) of the roll

container.

With the shelves 7 as shown in Figures 1 to 4, there are gaps between the rear edges of the shelves (on the one hand) and the rear side 2, on the other hand. There is thus a risk that the rearmost cartons 8 on the shelves 7 may be insufficiently supported. Another problem arises in that it is advantageous for the shelves 7 in their horizontal effective positions to be supported at their rears by the rearside 2. To deal with this risk and this problem, it is possible to use the arrangement of either Figures 3 to 7 or Figures 8 and 9.

Referring to Figures 3 to 7, at the level of each of the pairs of shelves 7 a horizontal axle 11 extends from one to the other of the two vertical uprights of the frame 2a.

Turnably mounted upon this axle 11 is a profiled strip 12 bridging the gap between the rears of the two shelves 7, on the one hand, and the rear side 2, on the other hand. This strip 12 is turnable between a substantially horizontal position shown in Figures 3 and 4, in which it rests upon a horizontal pin 13 fixed to at least one of the lateral frames (3a) and receives a rear, wire-form edge of a shelf 7 in a upwardly facing channel 14 formed in the frontmost edge zone of the strip 12, and an ineffective position in which it extends substantially vertically at the rear side 2. The strip 12 is so biased as to tend to return to its effective position either under the action of a spring (not shown) or under its own weight. Vertically slidably guided in the frame 2a is a rectangular gate 15 consisting of two uprights 15a and a plurality of horizontal bars 15b. The vertical pitch of the bars 15b equals the vertical pitch of the base 1 and shelves 7. Attached to the frame 2a is a detent device 16 comprised of a pin 16a fixed centrally to a bow spring 16b the ends of which are fixed to the frame 2a. The pin 16a is releasably engageable in one of two locking pockets 17 and 17'in one of the uprights 15a. Figure 6 shows in full lines the locking pocket 17, from which it can be seen that there is a ramp 18 extending upwardly from the locking pocket 17, but a shoulder 19 below the pocket 17.

As indicated in dot-dash lines in Figure 6, a ramp 18' extends downwardly from the locking pocket 17'in place of the shoulder 19, with a ramp 18 again extending upwardly from the pocket. The arrangement is such that the pin 16a engages in the locking pocket 17 to retain the gate 15 at a shelf-loading height such that the lowermost three bars 15b are at the levels of the respective shelves 17, but the pin 16a abuts against the shoulder 19 to prevent the gate 15 from being slid further upwards. The gate 15 can be slid downwards from that position, sufficient downward force on the gate 15 causing the pin 16a to ride out of the pocket 17 onto the ramp 18, until the pin 16a engages in the pocket 17', in which condition the gate 15 is in the position shown in the drawings, in which the bars 15b are spaced above the levels of the base 15 and the shelves 7 sufficiently to prevent the cartons 8 from falling rearwardly from the base 1 and the shelves 7. In that position, sufficient downward force upon the gate 15 can cause the pin 16a to ride out of the pocket 17'onto its ramp 18 and thus cause respective cams (one such cam being shown in Figures 3 and 4 and referenced 20) welded to at least one of the uprights 15a to press downwards upon respective rearward projections (of which one is shown in Figures 3 and 4 and referenced 12a) of the strips 12 to turn the strips 12 from their effective positions to their ineffective positions. Once the gate 15 is in that lowermost position, it remains there under its own weight until deliberately lifted by a user. Thus, when the shelves are not to be used, the cams 20 retain the bridging strips 12 in their ineffective positions. When the shelves are to be used, the gate 15 is lifted to allow the strips 12 to swing into their effective positions and then the shelves 7 are turned inwards from their vertical ineffective positions into their horizontal effective positions in which they rest in the channels 14.

Referring to Figures 8 and 9, an alternative manner of bridging the gaps between the shelves 7, on the one hand, and the rear side 2, on the other hand, consists in providing each shelf 7 with a rearward extension in the form

of a thin, rigid steel plate 21 of which the forward end zone is welded to the shelf 7 and the rearward end zone is in the form of a channel 21a arranged to embrace and rest upon a horizontal bar 22 of the rear side 2. In the vertical ineffective position of the shelf 7, the plate 21 comes to lie closely adjacent to the lateral frame 3a, as can be seen clearly from Figure 8. It will also be noted that the plate 21 is considerably thinner than the shelf 7, so that the internal width reduction produced by the plates 21 at the respective opposite lateral sides (3) is insignificant.

Figures 10 to 16 show various alternative versions of the width-reducing members 9 shown in Figures 1 and 2. Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a width-reducing member 9 in the form of a profiled wire pivotally borne at its ends in the respective uprights of the frame 3a and urged to turn inwardly and upwardly in the sense of the arrow A by means of a torsion spring 30 into an effective, uppermost position 9'shown in dot-dash lines in Figure 11. In the position 9', the member 9 is inclined obliquely downwards from the side 3. It can be pushed aside downwards by a downwardly moving load. The member 9 includes a front cranked portion 9a which is obliquely inclined rearwardly from the side 3 and thus enables the member 9 to be pushed aside downwards by a rearwardly moving load. Figure 12 illustrates that the member 9 may be a solid profile, for example plastics, again biassed to turn inwardly and upwardly by means of a torsion spring (not shown). Alternatively, the member 9 may be of tubular form. The shape of the member 9, in particular of its front surface, and its orientation in its uppermost position 9'are such that it can be pushed aside by a downwardly and/or rearwardly moving load. Figure 13 illustrates that the width-reducing member 9 may be of channel form urged inwardly by a spring 31. Figure 14 shows that the member 9 may be a channel-form length of elastic plastics fixed in a holder 32 extending between the uprights of the frame 3a. Figure 15 shows that the member 9 may be a solid bar of elastic material, for example rubber

or plastics, mounted on a holder 32. The shape of the member 9 in each of Figures 13 to 15, in particular of its top surface 9b, which is obliquely inwardly inclined downwards from the side 3, and its front surface, is such that it can be pushed aside by a downwardly and/or rearwardly moving load. Figure 16 shows that the member 9 may be a profiled rigid plate articulated to the side 3 by way of spring-loaded hinge mechanisms 33 turnable about respective vertical pivots 34. The hinge mechanisms 33 can telescope against the action of their spring loading. The shape of the plate 9, in particular at its front surface 9c, which is inclined obliquely inwardly rearwards from the side 3, is such that the plate 9 can be pushed aside by a downwardly and/or rearwardly moving load.

It will be appreciated that the width-reducing arrangements of Figures 1 and 2 and 10 to 16 and the gapbridging arrangement of Figures 3 to 7 or Figures 8 and 9 are applicable independently of each other.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A goods container, comprising first and second sides opposite each other, a base, a shelf mounted upon said first side so as to be displaceable between a substantially horizontal effective position projecting inwards from said first side and a substantially vertical ineffective position at said first side, and width-reducing means mounted upon one of said sides so as to be displaceable between a widthreducing condition in which said width-reducing means projects inwards from said one of said sides and thereby effectively reduces the width between said first and second sides at a level of said width-reducing means and another condition in which said width-reducing means does not substantially project inwards from said one of said sides and thereby does not substantially reduce said width.
2. A goods container according to claim 1, wherein the width-reducing means occupies its width-reducing condition when the shelf is in its effective position and occupies said other condition when the shelf is in its ineffective position.
3. A goods container according to claim 1, wherein the width-reducing means occupies its width-reducing condition when the shelf is in its ineffective condition and occupies said other condition when the shelf is in its effective condition.
4. A goods container according to claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the width-reducing means is displaceable independently of the shelf.
5. A goods container according to claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the width-reducing means is linked to the shelf in such manner that displacement of the shelf produces displacement of the width-reducing means.
6. A goods container according to claim 5, wherein the linkage between the shelf and the width-reducing means takes the form of gearing.
7. A goods container according to claim 5, wherein the linkage between the shelf and the width-reducing means takes the form of a lever mechanism.

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8. A goods container according to any preceding claim, wherein, when the shelf is in its substantially horizontal effective position, said width-reducing means is a short distance below the shelf.
9. A goods container according to any preceding claim, wherein said width-reducing means comprises biassing means acting in the sense from said other condition to said widthreducing condition.
10. A goods container according to claim 9, wherein said width-reducing means is so shaped and arranged as to be capable of being pushed aside by a load horizontally bearing upon said width-reducing means in a direction along said width-reducing means.
11. A goods container according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said width-reducing means is so shaped and arranged as to be capable of being pushed aside by a load bearing vertically downwards upon said width-reducing means.
12. A goods container according to claim 9, 10, or 11, wherein said width-reducing means comprises an element urged inwardly by said biassing means.
13. A goods container according to claim 9, 10, or 11, wherein said biassing means directly contacts goods in said container.
14. A goods container according to any preceding claim and further comprising a third side extending substantially perpendicularly relative to said first side and horizontally spaced from said substantially horizontal effective position such that there is a gap therebetween, and bridging means mounted for displacement between an extended condition in which said bridging means bridges said gap and a retracted condition.
15. A goods container according to claim 14, wherein the bridging means is mounted on and extends substantially horizontally along the third side and, in the retracted condition, is at the third side.
16. A goods container according to claim 15, wherein said bridging means is mounted for turning about a substantially horizontal axis extending along said third side.

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17. A goods container according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein said bridging means comprises a thin rigid strip.
18. A goods container according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein a plurality of such shelves are provided, with a plurality of such gaps between the shelves and the third side, and a plurality of such bridging means for the respective gaps are provided and are displaced between their extended conditions and their retracted conditions by vertical displacement of a vertically movable gate of the third side.
19. A goods container according to claim 14, wherein said first side comprises a frame including two uprights, said shelf is pivotally mounted between said two uprights for turning about a substantially horizontal axis between said ineffective position which is almost wholly outwards of a substantially vertical, inner boundary plane of said frame and said effective position, said third side includes substantially horizontal support means, and said shelf has an extension at that edge zone of said shelf nearest said third side, said extension being comprised of a thin, rigid strip arranged to lie closely adjacent to the inside of that one of said two uprights nearer to said third side in said ineffective position of said shelf and to rest upon said support means in said effective position of said shelf.
20. A goods container, comprising first and second sides opposite each other, a base, and width-reducing means at one of said sides and displaceable between a width-reducing condition in which said width-reducing means projects inwards from said one of said sides and thereby effectively reduces the width between said first and second sides at a level of said width-reducing means and another condition in which said width-reducing means does not substantially project inwards from said one of said sides and thereby does not substantially reduce said width, said width-reducing means comprising biassing means acting in the sense from said other condition to said width-reducing condition.
21. A goods container according to claim 20, wherein the

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width-reducing means extends for one or more parts of the height of said one of the first and second sides.
22. A goods container according to claim 20, wherein the width-reducing means extends for substantially the whole height of said one of said first and second sides.
23. A goods container according to claim 20,21, or 22, wherein said width-reducing means comprises an element urged inwardly by said biassing means.
24. A goods container according to claim 20,21, or 22, wherein said biassing means directly contacts goods in said container.
25. A goods container according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein said width-reducing means is so shaped and arranged as to be capable of being pushed aside by a load horizontally bearing upon said width-reducing means in a direction along said width-reducing means.
26. A goods container according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein said width-reducing means is so shaped and arranged as to be capable of being pushed aside by a load bearing vertically downwards upon said width-reducing means.
27. A goods container, comprising a first side, a shelf pivotally mounted on said first side for turning about a substantially horizontal axis between a substantially vertical, ineffective position at said first side and a substantially horizontal effective position projecting inwards from said first side, a second side extending substantially perpendicularly relative to said first side and horizontally spaced from said substantially horizontal effective position such that there is a gap therebetween, and bridging means mounted for displacement between an extended condition in which said bridging means bridges said gap and a retracted condition, said bridging means being so mounted as to be displaceable relative to said shelf.
28. A goods container according to claim 27, wherein the bridging means is mounted on and extends substantially horizontally along the second side and, in the retracted condition, is at the second side.
29. A goods container according to claim 28, wherein said

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bridging means is mounted for turning about a substantially horizontal axis extending along said second side.
30. A goods container according to any one of claims 27 to 29, wherein said bridging means comprises a thin rigid strip.
31. A goods container according to any one of claims 27 to 30, wherein a plurality of such shelves are provided, with a plurality of such gaps between the shelves and the second side, and a plurality of such bridging means for the respective gaps are provided and are displaced between their extended conditions and their retracted conditions by vertical displacement of a vertically movable gate of the second side.
32. A goods container, comprising a first side comprised of a frame including two uprights, a shelf pivotally mounted between said two uprights for turning about a substantially horizontal axis between a substantially vertical, ineffective position almost wholly outwards of a substantially vertical, inner boundary plane of said frame and a substantially horizontal effective position projecting inwards from said first side, and a second side extending substantially perpendicularly relative to said first side and including substantially horizontal support means, an extension of said shelf at that edge zone of said shelf nearest said second side being arranged to lie closely adjacent to the inside of that one of said two uprights nearer to said second side in said ineffective position of said shelf and to rest upon said support means in said effective position of said shelf, said extension being comprised of a thin, rigid strip.
33. A goods container, substantially in accordance with any example hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.