GB2291850A - Structure for application to stack of bottles - Google Patents

Abstract

A frame structure having a frame body for use on top of a stack of bottles, wherein layers of bottles are interposed with cushioning layers for storage and/or transport, includes at least one flange member 14 which extends at least partially around the lower peripheral edge of the frame body. The flange member 14 is movable between an extended in-use position in which the flange serves to retain the top layer of bottles in place, and a retracted storage position in which it is wholly accommodated within the frame body. This retractability enables the frames, when not in use, to be piled together with the cushioning layers in the correct order for re-use, without the flange cutting into and damaging the cushioning layers, since the loading in the pile causes the flange members to be retracted within the frame body. The flange members are spring biased to their extended position such as by coil springs 16 but are retained within recesses 12 of side walls 8, 10 by lips 13 within which they have been snap-fitted. The side walls 8, 10 have locator indents 18 for banding straps 20. <IMAGE>

Description

FRAME STRUCTURE This invention relates to apparatus forming part of an arrangement which facilitates stacking and transport of containers in bulk. More particularly, the invention relates to a frame structure for use in the stacking and transport of bottles, and the like.

However, the invention may have applications in other fields.

An application of the invention is the field of mass produced bottled products which must undergo various processing stages following manufacture, eg filling, labelling and packing. It is often necessary to transport stacks of bottles to various locations in a factory, or store the goods for short periods between these processing stages.

One common way of stacking bottles consists of placing an initial arrangement of bottles on a base, for example a loading pallet, and then stacking further layers of bottles on top, with cushioning layers of a firm but resilient material, such as lightly foamed plastics, between each layer of bottles. Once the stack has reached a certain height, generally about nine bottles high, it is necessary to stabilise the stack with a top frame which is placed over the top layer of bottles and the arrangement is secured using banding straps.

When the bottles in the stack are required for the next processing stage, eg labelling, the stack is transported to the required location by a forklift truck. First the banding strap and top frame are removed, followed by the top layer of bottles. The top cushioning layer is then removed, and placed on top of the frame. The next layer of bottles may then be unloaded and the process is repeated, forming a pile of cushioning layers interposed with top frames.

In this way the layers are stacked in the correct order, ready for transport, storage or re-use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a frame structure for use in stacking bottles or the like which attempts to alleviate problems discussed herein, and/or to provide improvements generally.

According to the present invention there is provided a frame structure for use in stacking bottles and like containers comprising : a frame body having an upper face, a lower face and side walls therebetween; the frame body carrying at least one flange member for projection from its lower face, the flange member extending at least partially around the peripheral edge of the lower face; wherein the flange member is movable between an extended in-use position in which it projects beyond the lower face of the frame body, and a retracted storage position in which it is substantially wholly accommodated within the frame body.

When using the prior art assembly it has been found that the bottles in the lower layers of the stack are held securely in place, because the cushion layers deform slightly under the weight of the higher layers, forming a seating for the bottles. However, in order to maintain the top layer securely it has been found advantageous to provide the top frame with a flange or rim round its lower outer edge. This acts to retain the top layer of bottles in place; thereby maintaining the stability of the arrangement, and allowing the whole stack to be handled and transported.

Although use of the flanged top frames provides the advantage of increased stability of the stacks of bottles, it has been found that when the frames are not in use, and are stored in a pile with cushioning layers as afore-described, the loading in the pile may cause the flange portion to cut into the resilient cushioning layers. This may cause permanent damage to the cushioning layers.

Therefore, by virtue of the feature that the flange member is movable between a retracted storage position and an extended in-use position, the invention provides a frame which enjoys the benefits of a flanged frame, and yet does not suffer from the storage difficulties.

In a preferred embodiment, the frame body is provided with a peripheral recess into which the flange member is retractable. The flange member and recess may cooperate in a snap-engaging fit. Spring means may be provided by which the flange member is resiliently, or spring, biased relative to the frame body into its extended in-use position. During stacking of the frame structure, when not in use, loading on the structure within a pile may cause the flange member to be displaced against the biasing, and adopt its retracted storage position. The spring means will usually comprise either a coil spring or a leaf spring. If required, the spring means may be integrally formed with either the flange members or the frame body.

In an embodiment, opposed side walls of the frame body are provided with mutually opposed locating indents, adapted to receive banding straps which may be used to bind the stacks.

In an embodiment, one or more the flange members extend around the entire periphery of the lower face, but in an alternative embodiment, the flange member extend only partially around the peripheral edge. It is preferred that the retractable flange members extend at least around the corners of a rectangular frame body, and partially along each of the lower external edges.

An embodiment of a frame structure according to the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a corner portion of the frame structure; Figure 2 shows a view similar to that of Figure 1, but with part of the frame cut away.

As seen in the drawings, a frame structure has a frame body 2 an upper face 4, a lower face 6, and pairs of opposed upstanding side walls 8,10. The frame body 2 has a generally rectangular configuration.

A downwardly directed opening or recess 12 is provided within the lower face 6 of the frame body 2, around its peripheral edge. The recess 12 is provided with a lip 13, such that a flange member 14 and the recess 12 can cooperate as a snap-engaging fit, to retain the flange member 14 in the recess 12.

Mounted within the recess 12 is a spring member 16, which reacts in the recess 12 between the frame body 2 and the flange member 14. The spring member 16 is arranged to bias the flange member 14 outwardly of the recess 12 until a shoulder of the flange member 14 abuts the lip 13, and the flange member 14 adopts a normally extended position.

Several flange members 14 suitably retained in the recess 12 are spaced about the periphery of the frame body 2; these members include L-shaped flange members which extend one each about each of the four corners of the frame body, as seen in Figure 1.

The side walls 8,10 are provided with locator indents 18 which are adapted to receive banding straps 20.

In use, bottles are arranged on a base, which may be formed from a frame structure, or a conventional pallet. Further layers of bottles are stacked one on top of another, with interposed cushioning layers, as described previously. The frame structure having frame body 2 forms the top layer of the stack, and binding straps 20 are fastened around the stack, to secure the arrangement. The straps 20 are located within indents 18, as seen in Figure 2.

When in this in-use position, the spring members 16 displace the flange members to project beyond the lower face of the frame body 2, adopting the position shown in the right-hand section of Figure 2. In this way, the flange members provide a peripheral rim forming side abutment walls to retain the bottles in an upright position.

When not in use, the frame structures are stacked, together with the cushioning layers, in a pile. The loading in this arrangement causes the flange members 14 to be displaced against the biasing of the spring members 16, as the latter are compressed, thereby causing the flange members 14 to be retracted into recess 12 so that they are wholly accomodated within the frame body 2. This arrangement can be seen in the left-hand section of Figure 2.

Because the flange portions 12 are retained completely within the body of the frame, the frames and cushion layers may readily be stacked, without the flange members 14 cutting into the cushioning sheet.

It is preferred that the frame structure is manufactured from plastics components however, it may be manufactured from any other suitable material.

Claims (13)

1 A frame strucutre for use in stacking bottles and like containers comprising : a frame body having an upper face, a lower face and side walls therebetween; the frame body carrying at least one flange member for projection from its lower face, the flange member extending at least partially around the peripheral edge of the lower face; wherein the flange member is movable between an extended in-use position in which it projects beyond the lower face of the frame body, and a retracted storage position in which it is substantially wholly accommodated within the frame body.

2 A frame structure according to claim 1 wherein the flange member is mounted within a recess provided adjacent to the peripheral edge of the frame body.

3 A frame structure according to claim 2 wherein biasing means is provided by which the flange member is spring, or resiliently, biased relative to the frame body to its extended in-use position.

4 A frame structure according to claim 3 wherein the biasing means comprises a coiled spring member.

5 A frame structure according to claim 3 wherein the biasing means comprises a leaf spring member.

6 A frame structure according to claim 3 wherein the biasing means is integrally formed with the flange member.

7 A frame structure according to claim 3 wherein the biasing means is integrally formed with the frame body.

8 A frame structure according to any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein the flange member and recess co-operate in a snap-engaging fit.

9 A frame structure according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the flange member extends around the entire periphery of the lower face.

10 A frame structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and comprising an array of said flange members disposed about the periphery of the lower face.

11 A frame body according to any one of the preceding claims wherein opposed side walls are provided with mutually opposed locating indents, adapted to receive banding straps.

12 A frame body substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings.

13 A stack assembly for storage and/or transport comprising layers of articles disposed between two frame structures at least one of which comprises a frame structure according to claim 1, cushioning layers interposed between said layers of articles, and straps securing the assembly.