GB2283728A

GB2283728A - Container

Info

Publication number: GB2283728A
Application number: GB9413592A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel William Earnshaw; Christopher Crutchley; Johndarren Maplethorpe
Original assignee: LIN PAC CONTAINERS INT
Current assignee: LIN PAC CONTAINERS INT
Priority date: 1993-11-15
Filing date: 1994-07-06
Publication date: 1995-05-17
Anticipated expiration: 2014-07-06
Also published as: GB9413592D0; GB2283728B; GB9323551D0

Abstract

A container (4) comprises a base (5) and side walls (6, 7) which, in the fully-erected state of the container, upstand from the base (5), wherein an upper portion (8, 10) of at least one of the side walls (6, 7) in a semi-erected state of the container, extends at least partially over the base (5) in spaced relationship therewith, to define a cavity therebetween. The container (4) may be palletised (1) and, in its fully-erected state, may be provided with a bracing frame extending therearound, to prevent the side walls (6, 7) from bowing outwardly when the container (4) is filled. <IMAGE>

Description

STORAGE/TRPNSIT CONTAINER DESCRIPTION This invention relates to a container comprising a base and side walls upstanding therefrom, which can be used for storage and/or transit purposes. The invention is especially, but not exclusively, related to such a container which is palletised and in which accessories therefor, such as, corner pillars, an inner reinforcing sleeve, pallet bearers and/or the like, can be accommodated for temporary storage and/or transit thereof.

Some types of known containers are supplied to end-users as flat blanks, along with any accessories being provided separately, in which case, it is the end-user's responsibility to erect the containers from the blanks using the separately-provided accessories.

In one form of palletised container, the components thereof, such as, a full pallet or pallet bearers, a base box attachable to the pallet or bearers, any inner reinforcing sleeve for the box and/or a lid, are again delivered as separate items to end-users whose responsibility it is once again to erect and attach the base box to the pallet or pallet bearers, as well as having to erect and assemble any inner reinforcing sleeve, lids and/or other accessories.

It is to be appreciated that in these known forms of container, any associated accessories can be lost or damaged during storage and/or transit, thereby rendering them unusable in the erected state of the container.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container for storage and/or transit purposes which eliminates, or at least substantially reduces, the disadvantages associated with known forms of container as discussed above.

Accordingly, one aspect of the invention provides a container comprising a base and side walls which, in the fully-erected state of the container, upstand from the base, wherein an upper portion of at least one of the side walls, in a semi-erected state of the container, extends at least partially over the base in spaced relationship therewith, to define a cavity therebetween.

Preferably, the upper portions of at least one pair of opposed side walls are foldable between erected and semi-erected states of the container with respect to lower portions of those side walls about corresponding creases, such that, in the semi-erected state of the container, the upper side wall portions each at least partially overlie the base and are spaced therefrom in generally parallel relationship, to define the cavity therebetween. More preferably, the upper portions of both pairs of opposed side walls of such a container are foldable about corresponding creases connecting them to their respective lower portions, such that each upper side wall portion, in the semi-erected state of the container, overlies substantially the whole of the base in spaced relationship therewith, to define the cavity therebetween.Alternatively, the shape and dimensions of each upper side wall portion are preferably such that, when the -container is in its semi-erected state, they combine to extend over substantially the whole of the base.

The cavity defined between the base and the overlying upper side wall portion(s) in the semierected state of the container can be used for accommodating any accessories, such as, corner stacking pillars, an inner reinforcing sleeve and/or a lid, for temporary storage and/or transit thereof.

Any lid, as an alternative, may preferably be placed over the container in its semi-erected state, thereby retaining the upper side wall portion(s) thereof in position with respect to the base.

One or more of the upper side wall portions may be provided with an openable panel which is preferably hinged thereto by means of a crease thereof. In the fully-erected state of the container, the or each panel may be opened to provide access to the contents of the container and/or may be used for displaying such contents.

In a preferred embodiment of container, the base thereof is secured to pallet means, such as, a whole pallet or pallet bearers, with any accessories therefor accommodated in the cavity defined by the upper side wall portions and the base in the semierected state of the container.

This form of palletised container may be made of corrugated board, with the flutes of the side walls thereof preferably extending vertically, to enhance the stacking strength of both the semi- and fullyerected container. If any inner reinforcing sleeve of corrugated board is provided, then its flutes may also be vertical, thereby adding to the stacking strength of the fully-erected container. Alternatively, if the flutes of any such interior reinforcing sleeve are horizontal, then a so-called "crossflute" configuration is provided, which increases the burst resistance of the container.

Further, the container may also be provided with a frame for bracing its side walls, when in the fullyerected state thereof. This is particularly useful when the fully-erected container is used for storing bulk materials, such as palletised plastics material, to prevent the side walls from bowing outwardly.

Such a bracing frame may be arranged to extend around the periphery of the container in its semierected and fully-erected states. In the former case, the bracing frame may be arranged to rest upon any associated pallet or pallet bearers which extend beyond the periphery of the semi-erected container and to which they are secured. In such an arrangement, any lid for the container can be dimensioned to extend over both the semi-erected container and the bracing frame, for storage and/or transportation purposes.

When the container is in its fully-erected state, the bracing frame may be arranged to extend therearound at a suitable level, preferably at or adjacent the top region of the container. The frame can be attached or rested upon the top edge of the fully-erected container, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

Another aspect of the invention provides a bracing frame for a container in accordance with said one aspect of the invention, or indeed any other type of suitable container, wherein the frame is expandable in the direction of the height of the fully-erected container and preferably comprises two or more frame elements connected together by an extensible link.

In the non-extended condition of the link, the frame elements may rest upon each other in a nonexpanded condition thereof and may be arranged around the periphery of the container, preferably with the container in a semi-erected state. In such a nonexpanded condition of the frame elements, they can be arranged to rest upon a pallet or pallet bearers to which the container is secured and which extend beyond the periphery of the container, for example, in the manner described above with reference to the container in accordance with said one aspect of the invention.

When the associated container is in its fullyerected state, the upper or uppermost bracing frame element may be attached, preferably detachably, to the container at or adjacent the top region thereof.

Also, the lower frame element(s) may be suspended from the uppermost frame element, with the link therebetween in its extended condition, such that it or they are arranged is descending height around the periphery of the fully-erected container.

In a preferred embodiment, the upper or uppermost frame element rests upon the top edges of the side walls of the fully-erected container, preferably using support means which will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

Preferred embodiments of palletised container in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of container in a partially-erected state; Figure 2 is a plan view of one half of a blank from which a base box of the container of Figure 1 can be erected; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of container in a partially-erected state; Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of container in a partially-erected state; Figures 5A and 5B are respective elevational and plan views of a fourth embodiment of container in a semi-erected state, with an associated bracing frame not shown;; Figures 6A and 6B are respective elevational and plan view of the fourth embodiment of container in a semi-erected state shown in Figures 5A and SB, with an associated bracing frame shown; and Figures 7A and 7B are respective elevational and plan views of the fourth embodiment of container shown in Figures 5A and 5B and Figures 6A and 6B, but with the container in its fully-erected state and with the associated bracing frame shown.

Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, a first embodiment of palletised container in accordance with the invention comprises a pallet indicated generally at 1 having a plurality of bearers 2 supporting a generally flat base 3.

A rectangular box indicated generally at 4 is made of corrugated board with vertical flutes (not shown) and has its base 5 secured by any suitable means to the base 3 of the pallet 1.

Also, the box 4 has respective pairs of opposed side and end walls 6, 7 which upstand fully from the base 5 to render the box open-topped when the container is in its fully-erected state. Each of the opposed pair of side walls 6 has respective upper and lower portions 8, 9 and, similarly, each of the pair of ends walls 7 also has respective upper and lower portions 10, 11.

Respective horizontal creases 12, 13 connect together the upper and lower portions 8, 9 and 10, 11 of the side and end walls 6, 7.

The box 4 is formed from two half blanks of which one is shown at 20 in Figure 2. However, it may be formed from a unitary blank in known manner.

Assembly of the two half blanks 20 is carried out by stitching, glueing or taping them together, as shown at 12 in Figure 1 and then the box base 5, formed by the respective pairs of base flaps 21, 22 of the two half blanks 20, are secured to the base 3 of the pallet 1.

In the fully-erected state of the container, the side and end walls 6, 7 of the box 4 upstand fully from the box base 5, with the fully upstanding side walls being constituted by upper and lower side wall panel portions 28, 29 of the half blanks 20 and with the end walls 7 being constituted by respective upper and lower end wall panel portions 30, 31 of the two half blanks 20.

The upper and lower side wall panel portions 28, 29 of each side wall 6 are connected by a crease 33, whilst the upper and lower end wall panel portions 28, 29 of each end wall 7 are connected by another crease 34.

Also, adjacent pairs of upper side wall panel portions 28, 30 are connected by creases 35, as also shown in Figure 1.

Each upper end wall panel portion 30 has a pair of 450 diagonal creases 40.

These diagonal creases 40 allow the upper end wall portions 10 of the box 4 to be folded down about the creases 34 with respect to the lower end wall portions 11. As a consequence, the upper portions 8 of the side walls 6 of the box 4 are also folded down about creases 33 with respect to their lower portions 9. In this manner, the container is moved from its fully-erected state into its semi-erected state, with the upper side and end wall portions 8, 10 extending in combination over substantially the whole area of the box base 5, to define a cavity therebetween.

An accessory for the container, namely, the inner reinforcing sleeve 50 shown in Figure 1, can, in its folded-down, generally flat state, be accommodated within that so-defined cavity for storage and/or transit purposes.

In this particular embodiment of palletised container, an erected lid 60 is then placed upon the box 4, to retain the semi-erected container with the upper side and end wall portions 8, 10 of the box 4 in proper position with respect to the box base 5.

In use of the container for subsequent packing of articles therein, the lid 60 is removed and the folded down, inner reinforcing sleeve 50 is erected within the box itself.

Then, the upper side and end wall portions 8, 10 are folded upwardly about their respective creases 33, 34, such that the whole of the side and end walls 6, 7 now upstand from the box base 5.

The fully-erected container can then be packed with articles and the lid 60 replaced thereon, for subsequent storage and/or transit of such articles.

As indicated above, the flutes of the corrugated board from which the box 4 is made extend vertically in the fully upstanding side and end walls 6, 7, to provide stacking strength for the semi- and fullyerected container.

The flutes of the inner reinforcing sleeve 50 may also extend vertically, thereby increasing the stacking strength of the fully-erected container.

Alternatively, however, the flutes in the liner 50 may extending horizontally, such that, in combination with the vertically-extending flutes of the fully upstanding side and end walls 6, 7 of the box 4, form a "crossflute" configuration which increases the burst resistance of the fully-erected container.

The second embodiment of inventive container shown in Figure 3 is similar to the first embodiment of container described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2, in that it comprises a rectangular base indicated generally at 34, which is secured by its base 36 to a pallet 31 and is made of corrugated board with vertical flutes. The box 34 also has respective pairs of opposed side and end walls 36' and 37 which, in the fully-erected state of the container, upstand fully from the base 36 to render the box open-topped.

Each of the opposed pair of side walls 36' has respective upper and lower portions 38, 39 and, similarly, each of the pair of end walls 37 has respective upper and lower portions 40', 41.

Respective horizontal creases 42, 43 connect together the upper and lower portions 38, 39 and 40', 41 of the side and end walls 36', 37. In this second embodiment, the box is formed from a unitary blank.

One upper side wall portion 38 has a pair of inclined creases 44 which allow that portion 38 to be folded down with respect to is lower side wall portion 39. Similarly, the other opposed upper side wall portion 38 has a pair of inclined creases 45 which allow that portion to be folded down with respect to its lower side wall portion 39. In this manner, the upper portion 38, of the opposed side walls 36' can be folded down such that they lie in spaced and generally parallel relationship with respect to the base 36 of the box.

The upper end wall portions can also be folded down about their associated creases 43 with respect to their lower end wall portions 41, thereby placing the base 34 in its semi-erected state.

However, the other opposed side wall portion 38 has a panel 46 which is defined by a crease 47 and a pair of opposed cut lines 48. In use of the container with the box 34 in its fully-erected state, this panel 46 can be opened by pivoting it downwardly about the crease 47, to provide assess to the contents of the container or to display such contents.

A lid 60 is also provided for use with the container in its semi-erected and/or fully-erected state.

Also, the container may be supplied with an inner reinforcing sleeve, such as the sleeve 50 used in the first embodiment of container, in which case it may be stored in the cavity defined between the folded down upper portions 38, 40' of the side and end walls 36', 37 and the base 36 of the box 34 in its semi-erected state, with the lid 60 optionally applied thereto for storage and/or transportation purposes.

A third embodiment of inventive container, as sown in Figure 4, is very similar to the second embodiment of container described above with reference to Figure 3, except that it is provided with a plurality of cut outs 50 at each corner of the box 34.

These cut-outs 50 extend between respective adjacent pairs of side and end walls 36', 37, to define inwardly directed, small tubular channels for receiving elongate corner reinforcing members, such as wooden or plastics rods, when the box 34 is in its fully-erected state. Such an arrangement, provides added strength to the fully-erected container and increases its bulge and burst resistance.

A lid 60 may also be provided, as described above in relation to the first and second embodiments of container, whilst an inner reinforcing sleeve may also be used. The elongate corner reinforcing members and any reinforcing sleeve may be accommodated within the space or cavity defined between the folded-down upper portions 38, 40' of the side and end walls 36', 37 and base 36 of the semi-erected box 34, with the lid 60 applied thereto if necessary, for storage and transportation purposes.

A fourth embodiment of inventive container is shown in the remaining Figures 5A and 5B, 6A and 6B and 7A and 7B of the accompanying drawings.

In Figures 5A and 5B, a box 104, such as that described above in relation to the first, second and third embodiments of inventive container, is shown in its semi-erected state secured to a pallet 101 whose periphery 102 extends beyond that of the box.

Associated with the container, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B, is an expandable bracing frame 103 comprising an upper frame element 105 resting upon a lower frame element 106 which, in turn rests upon the extended periphery 102 of the pallet 101. The two frame elements 105, 106 are connected together by extensible links 107 which are in their non-extended condition such that the elements 105, 106 are in their non-expanded condition around the periphery of the semi-erected box 104.

The corners of the top edge of the upper frame element 105 are provided with tabs 108 which are rotatable about pins 109 or other suitable rotational areas. Each tab 108 lies in line with the associated side of the top edge of the upper frame element 105.

When the box 101 is erected from its semi-erected state to its fully-erected state, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the upper frame element 105 is raised to the level of the top of the fully-erected box 104 and the tabs 108 are rotated through 90" about the pins 109, so that they extend inwardly of the now open topped box and rest upon the top edges of the latter's side walls 110 and, also, upon the top edges of an inner reinforcing sleeve or liner 111. In this manner, the upper frame element 105 rests upon the top edges of the side walls 110 and inner sleeve or liner 111 of the fully-erected box 104, whilst the lower frame element 106 is suspended from the upper element 105 by and with the extensible links 107 in their extended condition.

With this arrangement, both the upper and lower frame elements 105, 106 assist in bracing the side walls 110 of the fully-erected box 104 against outward forces exerted thereon by the contents of the container, thus increasing the burst/bulge resistance thereof.

A lid (not shown) may also be provided for use with the container/box in its semi-erected and fullyerected states.

Although the embodiments of palletised container described above are provided with pallet means in the form of a whole pallet 1, other forms of pallet means may be provided for the container. For instance, polystyrene bearers attachable to the base 5 of the box 4 may be employed, in which case they too may be stored in the cavity provided by the container in its semi-erected state, for storage and/or transit purposes. However, the container may not be provided with such a palletised arrangement for it to fall within the basic concept of the invention.

It is to be appreciated that modifications may be made to the inventive container without departing from that basic inventive concept. For instance, the box of the various forms of inventive container may be made of a plastics or any other suitable material or any combination thereof, as can the other components of this container.

Claims

1. A container comprising a base and side walls which, in the fully-erected state of the container, upstand from the base, wherein an upper portion of at least one of the side walls, in a semi-erected state of the container, extends at least partially over the base in spaced relationship therewith, to define a cavity therebetween.

2. A container a claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper portions of at least one pair of opposed side walls are foldable between erected and semi-erected states of the container with respect to lower portions of those side walls about corresponding creases, such that, in the semi-erected state of the container, the upper side wall portions each at least partially overlie the base and are spaced therefrom in generally parallel relationship, to define the cavity there between.

3. A container as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper portions of both pairs of opposed side walls of the container are foldable about corresponding creases connecting them to their respective lower portions, such that each upper side wall portion, in the semi-erected state of the container, overlies substantially the whole of the base in spaced relationship therewith, to define the cavity there between.

4. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shape and dimensions of each upper side wall portion are such that, when the container is in its semierected state, they combine to extend over substantially the whole of the base.

5. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the upper side wall portions is provided with an openable panel which, in the fully erected state of the container, can be opened to provide access to the contents of the container and/or can be used for displaying such contents.

6. A container as claimed in claim 5, wherein the or each openable panel is hinged to its upper side wall portion by means of a crease.

7. A container as claimed in any preceding claim including a frame for bracing the side walls, to prevent their bowing outwardly when the container is in its fully-erected state.

8. A container as claimed in claim 7, wherein the bracing frame is arranged to extend around the periphery of the container in its semi-erected and fully-erected states.

9. A container as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the bracing frame is arranged to extend at a suitable level around the container in its fully-erected state.

10. A container as claimed in claim 9, wherein the bracing frame is arranged to extend around the container in its fully-erected state at or adjacent the top region thereof.

11. A container as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the bracing frame can be attached or rested upon the top edge of the container in its fullyerected state.

12. A container as claimed in any of claims 7 to 11, wherein the bracing frame is expandable in the direction of the height of the container in its fullyerected state.

13. A container as claimed in any of claims 7 to 12, wherein the bracing frame comprises two or more frame elements connected together by an extensible link.

14. A container as claimed in claim 13, wherein, in the non-extended condition of the link, the frame elements rest upon each other in a non-expanded condition thereof.

15. A container as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein in the non-extended condition of the link and with the frame elements resting upon each other in a nonexpanded condition thereof, the elements are arranged around the periphery of the container.

16. A container as claimed in claim 15, wherein, with the container in its semi-erected state, the frame elements are arranged around the periphery thereof.

17. A container as claimed in any of claims 13 to 16, wherein, when the container is in its fully-erected state, the upper or uppermost bracing frame element is attached to the container at or adjacent the top region thereof.

18. A container as claimed in claim 17, wherein the upper or uppermost bracing frame element is detachably attached to the container at or adjacent the top region thereof.

19. A container as claimed in any of claims 13 to 18, wherein'the lower frame element(s) is suspended from the upper or uppermost frame element, as the case may be, with the link therebetween in its extended condition, such that the frame elements are arranged in descending height around the periphery of the container in its fully-erected state.

20. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base of the container is secured to pallet means.

21. A container as claimed in claim 20, when dependent upon any of claims 7 to 19, wherein said pallet means extends beyond the periphery of the semierected container and the bracing frame is arranged to rest upon said pallet means.

22. A container as claimed in any of claims 13 to 21, wherein the upper or uppermost frame element rests upon the top edges of the side walls of the container in its fully-erected state.

23. A container as claimed in claim 22, wherein the upper or uppermost frame element is rested upon the top edges of the side walls of the container in its fully-erected state by support means associated with the upper or uppermost frame element.

24. A container as claimed in any preceding claim including an inner reinforcing sleeve.

25. A container as claimed in any preceding claim made of corrugated board, with the flutes thereof extending vertically in the side walls, to enhance the stacking strength of the container when in its semiand fully-erected erected states.

26. A container as claimed in claim 25 when dependent upon claim 24, wherein the inner reinforcing sleeve is of corrugated board, with the flutes thereof extending vertically.

27. A container as claimed in claim 25 when dependent upon claim 24, wherein the reinforcing sleeve is of corrugated board with the flutes thereof extending generally horizontally.

28. A container as claimed in any preceding claim including corner stacking pillars.

29. A container as claimed in any preceding claim including a lid which can be placed over the container in its semi-erected state, thereby retaining the upper side wall portion(s) thereof in position with respect to the base.

30. A bracing frame for a container comprising a base and side walls which, in a fully-erected state of the container, upstand from the base, which frame is expandable in the direction of the height of the fully-erected container.

31. A bracing frame as claimed in claim 30 comprising two or more frame elements connected together by an extensible link.

32. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

33. A bracing frame for a container, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.