GB2347406A

GB2347406A - Connectable containers

Info

Publication number: GB2347406A
Application number: GB9905174A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Grover; John Kedward
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-03-05
Filing date: 1999-03-05
Publication date: 2000-09-06
Also published as: GB9905174D0

Abstract

A container comprises a first pair of protrusions 6 extending upwardly from a floor 2 and a second pair of protrusions 11 extending downwardly from an upper edge of a peripheral wall 3 and at least one protrusion of the first pair 6 and at least one protrusion of the second pair 11 are complementary so as to permit the connecting of substantially identical containers. Bores 7 through the protrusions 6, 11 may accommodate connecting pins.

Description

Connectable Containers, Assembly of Connectable Containers and Kit for Assembly of Connectable Containers The present invention relates to containers which may be connected, in a number of ways, to other such containers.

According to the present invention, there is provided a substantially open-topped container having a floor and an upstanding peripheral wall extending therefrom comprising opposed end walls and opposed side walls, said container further comprising a first pair of protrusions extending upwardly from said floor and a second pair of protrusions extending downwardly from an upper edge of said peripheral wall, at least one protrusion of said first pair and at least one protrusion of said second pair being complementary to one another so as to permit connecting of a first one of said containers with a substantially identical further one of said containers.

According to a preferred feature of the present invention, the protrusions are at locations where the opposed end walls and the opposed side walls of the peripheral wall meet.

There may be one such protrusion at each of these locations.

According to the present invention, the protrusions are such that a pair of downwardly extending protrusions of one container may be connectable with a pair of upwardly extending protrusions of a further container. In this case, a plurality of containers may be connected to each other in a stepped fashion.

Additionally and/or alternatively, according to the invention, the protrusions may be such that a single downwardly extending protrusion of one container may be connectable with a single upwardly extending protrusion of another container. In this case, a plurality of containers may be connected to each other in side-by-side fashion.

It is a preferred feature of the present invention that the container is symmetrical about a longitudinal and transverse axis.

The containers according to the present invention may be connected to each other and secured in place by adhesive means or other securing means. The adhesive means may be in the form of adhesive pads provided on at least one protrusion of at least one container to allow connection of the containers via their protrusions.

It is a preferred feature of the present invention that the protrusions comprise access means for a holding element to pass through a single protrusion and preferably to pass through at least two protrusions (i. e. a single downwardly extending protrusion of one container in connection with a single upwardly extending protrusion of another container) thereby connecting at least two containers.

According to the present invention, the access means preferably comprise a bore extending from the top of a protrusion to the bottom of a protrusion. Advantageously, the holding element is in the form of a pin or the like designed to pass through the bore of at least two protrusions (i. e. a single downwardly extending protrusion of one container in connection with a single upwardly extending protrusion of another container) thereby connecting at least two containers.

The holding element may be in the form of a simple pin of substantially uniform diameter designed to pass through the abovementioned access means. The length of the pin may be selected depending on whether the containers are to be arranged in stepped formation or in side-by-side relationship. A pin suitable for the containers to be arranged in side-by-side formation is typically shorter in length than pins for containers to be arranged in stepped fashion.

According to a preferred feature of the present invention, the pin or holding element for a container comprises: (a) a first portion insertable into respective access means of a first protrusion; and (b) a second portion connected to said first portion and of greater circumference relative to the circumference of the first portion thereby inhibiting said second portion from extending into the access means.

The distal end of the second portion of the pin (which is not in connection with the first portion of the pin) is preferably tapered to form a base to act as a support. The second portion of the pin preferably comprises a hollow underside such that at least a part of a first portion of a further pin may be insertable therein.

It is a preferred feature of the present invention that the pin or holding element is provided separate to the container.

Alternatively, some containers may be provided with at least one pin or holding element as an integral part of the container.

According to the present invention, there is provided an assembly of containers comprising at least two containers, each container being substantially open-topped and having a floor and an upstanding peripheral wall extending therefrom comprising opposed end walls and opposed side walls, each said container further comprising a first pair of protrusions extending upwardly from said floor and a second pair of protrusions extending downwardly from an upper edge of said peripheral wall, wherein at least one upwardly extending protrusion of one container is connectable with at least one downwardly extending protrusion of another container and wherein said protrusions comprise means to aid in the connection of one container to another.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is provided a kit for an assembly of containers, which kit comprises: (i) at least two containers, each container being substantially open-topped and having a floor and an upstanding peripheral wall extending therefrom comprising opposed end walls and opposed side walls, each said container further comprising a first pair of protrusions extending upwardly from said floor and a second pair of protrusions extending downwardly from an upper edge of said peripheral wall, wherein at least one upwardly extending protrusion of one container is connectable with at least one downwardly extending protrusion of another container and wherein said protrusions each comprise means to aid in the connection of one container to another; and (ii) at least one element complementary to said means to aid connection which element permits connection of said at least two containers to one another.

It is a preferred feature of the present invention that said means to aid connection or said access means comprises a hole bored through each protrusion.

It is a preferred feature of the present invention that the element complementary to said access means or means to aid connection comprises: (a) a first portion insertable into an access means provided on a protrusion; and (b) a second portion connected to said first portion and of greater circumference relative to the circumference of said first portion thereby inhibiting said second portion from extending into said access means.

Preferred features of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures which are by way of example only.

Figure 1 is a front view of a container according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top view of the container of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end view of the container of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a schematic representation showing connection of two containers according to the present invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a pin for use with containers according to the present invention.

Figure 6 is a schematic representation of two containers according to the invention ready for connection.

Figure 7 is a schematic representation of the stacking function of the pins for use according to the present invention.

Figure 8 is a schematic representation of an assembly of containers according to the invention arranged in a stepped fashion.

Figures 9 to 14 are representations of various assemblies of containers according to the present invention.

Like parts are denoted by like reference numerals in the following figures.

Referring to Figure 1, the container 1 comprises a floor 2 extending from which is a peripheral wall 3 comprising opposed side walls 4 and opposed end walls 5. Also shown is a first pair of protrusions 6 extending upwardly from the floor 2.

Each protrusion of the pair of protrusions 6 comprises a bore 7 extending from the top 8 of the protrusion to the bottom 9 of the protrusion.

Referring to Figure 2, the container has an open top 10 and a first pair of protrusions 6 provided where the side walls 4 and end walls 5 meet and a second pair of protrusions 11 provided where the side walls 4 and end walls 5 meet.

Referring to Figure 3, a protrusion 6a of a first pair of protrusions 6 extends upwardly from the floor 2 and a protrusion lla of a second pair of protrusions 11 extends downwardly from an upper edge of the peripheral wall 3. Furthermore, a bore 7 extends from the top 8 of the protrusion to the bottom 9 of the protrusion.

Referring to Figure 4, a first container la is shown with a protrusion lla which is one of a pair of protrusions 11 which extend downwardly from an upper edge of the peripheral wall 3. Container la also comprises a bore 7a extending from the top 8a of the protrusion to the bottom 9a of the protrusion. Also shown is a second container lb with a protrusion 6b which is one of a pair of protrusions 6 which extend upwardly from the floor 2 of the container. Container lb also comprises a bore 7b extending from the top 8b of the protrusion to the bottom 9b of the protrusion. The arrow shows how the joining of the two containers la and lb permits bores 7a and 7b to be substantially superimposed.

Referring to Figure 5, pin 12 comprises a first portion 13 and a second portion 14, the second portion 14 having a greater circumference relative to the first portion 13. The second portion 14 of the pin 12 comprises a hollow underside 15.

Furthermore, the distal end 16 of the second portion 14 comprises tapered ends 17 to form a base 18 to permit the pin to stand.

Referring to Figure 6, the two containers substantially as shown in Figure 4 are ready for connection. The pin 12, substantially as shown in Figure 5, is also shown. The arrow indicates positioning of the pin in the bores of the two containers to ensure their connection. The first portion 13 only of the pin 12 is typically insertable into the bores 7 of the two containers. The greater circumference of the second portion 14 of the pin 12 relative to the circumference of the first portion 13 of the pin 12 ensures that the whole of the pin 12 may not be inserted into the bores 7 of the two containers.

Referring to Figure 7, the stacking function of pins used with containers according to the present invention is illustrated. A first pin 12a is substantially as shown in Figure 5; a second pin 12b is also shown, substantially identical to pin 12a. However, when pin 12b is cut along line X-X, the remaining part of the first portion 13 may fit into the underside 15 of the second portion of pin 12a, leaving the second portion of pin 12b exposed. This stacking function of the pins allows the containers according to the present invention to be stacked in a stepped fashion.

Figure 8 is a schematic representation of an assembly of containers arranged in a stepped fashion. Several containers la, lb, lc and ld are connected to form an assembly of containers. Container la is connected to container lb and is held in place by a pin 12a. Container lb is also connected to container lc and is held in place by pin 12b. Part of pin 12c is inserted into the underside of the second portion of pin 12b and part of pin 12d is inserted into the underside of the second portion of pin 12c. This stacking formation of the pins allows the container assembly to stand. Container lc is also connected to container ld. Containers lc and ld are held in place by pin 12e. Pins 12f, 12g, 12h, 12i, 12j, 12k, 121,12m, 12n, 12o and 12p are all stacked as previously described to ensure that the assembly is supported.

Figure 9 is a schematic representation of an assembly of containers arranged in side-by-side fashion about the end walls. The containers each comprise an open top and are connected to each other via their respective protrusions. As can be seen, a downwardly extending protrusion of one container is arranged to rest upon an upwardly extending protrusion of an adjacent container.

Figure 10 is a representation of the containers of Figure 9, arranged in a side-by-side curved configuration. The flexibility of the hinge arrangement at the protrusions enables the curvature of the arrangement to be varied.

Figure 11 is a representation of the containers assembled in stepped fashion. A pair of downwardly extending protrusions of one container is provided as a base upon which a pair of upwardly extending protrusions of another container rest.

Figure 12 is a representation of a further arrangement for containers according to the invention.

Figure 13 is a representation of an assembly of containers, again in side-by-side relationship but about the side walls.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A substantially open-topped container having a floor and an upstanding peripheral wall extending'therefrom comprising opposed end walls and opposed side walls, said container further comprising a first pair of protrusions extending upwardly from said floor and a second pair of protrusions extending downwardly from an upper edge of said peripheral wall, at least one protrusion of said first pair and at least one protrusion of said second pair being complementary to one another so as to permit connecting of a first one of said containers with a substantially identical further one of said containers.
2. A container according to claim 1, wherein said protrusions are at locations where the opposed end walls and the opposed side walls of the peripheral wall meet.
3. A container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said protrusions are such that a pair of downwardly extending protrusions of said first one container is connectable with a pair of upwardly extending protrusions of said further one of said containers.
4. A container according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said protrusions are such that a single downwardly extending protrusion of said first one container is connectable with a single upwardly extending protrusion of said further one of said containers.
5. A container according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least some of said protrusions comprise access means for a holding element to pass through at least two protrusions.
6. A container according to claim 5, wherein each said access means comprises a bore extending from the top to the bottom of a respective protrusion.
7. A container according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said holding element comprises a pin shaped to pass through the access means of at least two said protrusions.
8. A container according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein said holding element comprises: (a) a first portion insertable into respective access means of a first protrusion; and (b) a second portion connected to said first portion and of greater circumference relative to the circumference of the first portion thereby inhibiting said second portion from extending into said access means.
9. A container according to claim 8, wherein a distal end of said second portion is outwardly tapered to form a support.
10. A container according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said second portion comprises a hollow underside such that at least a part of a first portion of a further one of said holding elements is insertable therein.
11. In combination, a container according to any of claims 5 to 10, with at least one said holding element.
12. An assembly of containers comprising at least two containers, each container being substantially open-topped and having a floor and an upstanding peripheral wall extending therefrom comprising opposed end walls and opposed side walls, each said container further comprising a first pair of protrusions extending upwardly from said floor and a second pair of protrusions extending downwardly from an upper edge of said peripheral wall, wherein at least one upwardly extending protrusion of a first one of said containers is connectable with at least one downwardly extending protrusion of a further one of said containers so as to aid in the connection of one container to another.
13. An assembly according to claim 12, wherein each said container is according to any of claims 2 to 10.
14. A kit for an assembly of containers, which kit comprises: (i) at least two containers, each container being substantially open-topped and having a floor and an upstanding peripheral wall extending therefrom comprising opposed end walls and opposed side walls, each said container further comprising a first pair of protrusions extending upwardly from said floor and a second pair of protrusions extending downwardly from an upper edge of said peripheral wall, wherein at least one upwardly extending protrusion of one container is connectable with at least one downwardly extending protrusion of another container and wherein said protrusions each comprise means to aid in the connection of one container to another; and (ii) at least one element complementary to said means to aid connection which element permits connection of said at least two containers to one another.
15. A kit according to claim 14, wherein each container is according to any of claims 2 to 10.
16. A container according to any of claims 1 to 10 substantially as herein described with reference to any of Figures 1 to 3.
17. A container comprising a holding element according to any of claims 7 to 10 substantially as herein described with reference to any of Figures 5 to 7.
18. An assembly of containers according to claims 12 or 13 substantially as herein described with reference to any of Figures 4,6 and 8 to 13.
19. A kit for an assembly of containers according to claims 14 or 15 substantially as herein described with reference to any of Figures 4 to 13.