GB2375525A

GB2375525A - A modular box with releasable fastenings

Info

Publication number: GB2375525A
Application number: GB0111895A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael John Brown
Original assignee: Cotswold Design & Consultancy
Current assignee: Cotswold Design & Consultancy
Priority date: 2001-05-16
Filing date: 2001-05-16
Publication date: 2002-11-20
Also published as: WO2002092443A3; GB0111895D0; WO2002092443A2

Abstract

A collapsible box with variable capacity comprising a base panel 2, one or more pairs of side panels 3,4 and one or more pairs of end panels 5, 6. Each of the panels 3,4,5,6 is fastened to its neighbouring panels by co-operating connector means 7,8 comprising a fastener means 7a and a retaining means 8a. The fastener means 7a is inserted into an elongate hole 12 in the batten 10. The fastener means 7a and the hole 12 are dimensioned such that the fastener means can be fully retracted into the hole 12.

Description

MODULAR BOX The invention relates to boxes that are constructed from a plurality of panels and particularly, though not exclusively, to boxes in which the panels are fastened together by releasable connector means.

Boxes or crates may be made from a plurality of panels fastened together by various means such as screws, nails or adhesives. The panels can be made of a variety of materials but are commonly formed from softwood battens with a plywood insert.

An ever-increasing problem in all industries is the production of waste.

Companies may be penalised for producing too much packaging waste and the cost of waste disposal can be significant. There is therefore a need for packaging that is reusable and recyclable to a greater extent than with presently available packaging options.

An object of the invention is to provide a box which is modular in that the panels from which the box is comprised can be repaired or replaced if damaged. A further object of the invention is to provide a box that can be assembled from a plurality of panels in different sizes or shapes to suit different requirements.

In a first embodiment the invention provides a box comprising a plurality of panels and co-operating connector means for fastening adjacent panels together, wherein the connector means comprises: fastener means mounted in a first panel, the fastener means comprising a stud comprising a head portion and a shaft portion and further comprising engagement means on the shaft portion, a sleeve for

accommodating the shaft portion of the stud, the sleeve comprising a bore that accommodates the shaft portion of the stud and an end face positioned adjacent the shaft portion between the head portion and the engagement means, the head portion and shaft portion of the stud being movable along the bore of the sleeve, and spring means, the spring means being arranged in the bore between the end face of the sleeve and the head portion of the stud and acting to bias the stud back into the sleeve; and retaining means mounted in a second panel comprising retention means for co-operation with the engagement means on the shaft portion of the fastener means.

Preferably the panels are made of wood but they may alternatively be made of any suitable material into which the fastener means and retaining means may be fitted. Advantageously the panels are standard box panels comprising softwood battens with a plywood insert. Preferably the parts of the panels are fastened together by screws, to ensure improved repairability of the panels, but alternatively they may be fastened together by nails or other suitable means.

Preferably the sleeve, stud and retaining means are formed by injection moulding of plastics material. Advantageously a polycarbonate material may be used, though any suitable materials may be used.

The sleeve is preferably adapted to be inserted in an elongate hole in the first panel. Preferably the sleeve portion slides into the hole in the first panel. Advantageously there is no need to fix it within the hole.

Advantageously the elongate hole has a smaller diameter through-hole through which the engagement means can pass but which retains the sleeve.

Advantageously the elongate hole is dimensioned such that the fastener

means is within the panel when it is fully retracted. Preferably the sleeve comprises a cylinder. Preferably the sleeve comprises a cylinder cut lengthways to form two similar parts. This enables the sleeve to be moulded more easily. The two parts are preferably formed with complementary fixing means to hold them in position relative to each other when the fastener is assembled. Preferably the sleeve comprises two identical parts fitting together.

Preferably the sleeve is moulded in two parts and is assembled with the stud and the spring means and welded or stuck together to form the fastener means. Preferably the two parts are glued or welded together when the fastener is assembled. In this way, the connector can be provided to a user as a two-part connector comprising the fastener assembly and the retaining means.

Preferably if the sleeve is formed by injection moulding, the moulding has reduced diameter portions to reduce the amount of plastics material used.

Preferably the stud is formed, advantageously by injection moulding, as one piece. This is cheaper to manufacture and simplifies the assembly of the fastener means.

Preferably the stud head does not extend beyond the end of the sleeve when the stud is fully retracted in the fastener means. Advantageously the engagement means are moved to a position adjacent the outer face of the end face of the sleeve when the stud is fully retracted.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spring means comprises at least two springs, such as coil springs, arranged in the bore adjacent the

shaft portion between the end face of the sleeve and the head portion of the stud, the spring means acting to bias the stud back into the sleeve.

Preferably there are two springs positioned on opposite sides of the shaft.

Preferably the spring means are arranged in grooves in the bore of the sleeve. Preferably the groove is slightly tapered towards the top to retain the spring within the groove.

This arrangement has the further advantage that the springs can be very small diameter. Additionally, there is no need for the spring to be fitted over the shaft, thus making the fastener simpler to manufacture and assemble.

Preferably the retaining means comprises a fixing bush or collar inserted in a hole in the second panel. Preferably the bush or collar is ridged or oversized with respect to the hole to form a"knock-in"fit. Alternatively it can be mounted by a screw fitting or other suitable means. Alternatively the retaining means may be integral with the second panel, for example the retaining means may be a collar integrally moulded within a bore integrally moulded in a panel of plastics material.

Preferably the retaining means comprises retention blocks for engagement with the engagement means on the shaft of the fastener means. Advantageously the retaining means further comprises at least one bar or stop to prevent over-rotation and, therefore, accidental disengagement of the engagement means from the retention blocks.

Preferably the fastener means is engaged with the retaining means by a quarter turn of the stud.

Advantageously the panels are made in standard sizes and different size boxes can be made by using different numbers and arrangements of the panels. Preferably one of the panels of the box comprises a base panel and at least three, but preferably four or multiples of four, of the panels comprise side panels.

In one embodiment, the panel comprises battens of, for example, softwood, and a sheet of, for example, plywood. The elongate hole extends into the battens from the edge of the panel or into the face of the panel.

For a box having panels formed from battens with a plywood insert, the part of the connector means on the base panel preferably comprises the retaining means, such as a collar, inserted in the upward face of the panel, and the part of the connector means on the lower edge of the side panels comprises the fastener member with the elongate hole extending in an upwardly vertical direction from the lower edge of the side panels through the batten, for access from the other edge of the batten.

Advantageously one of the panels of the box comprises a top panel or lid. Preferably the lid comprises one or more sidepieces that extend in a downwardly vertical direction, with respect to the normal orientation of the box, and the connector means are inserted in the sidepiece. Advantageously the connector means in the sidepieces comprise the fastener means and the retaining means are inserted in the top edge of the adjacent side panels.

Advantageously the side pieces of the lid extend sufficiently to enable the lid to cover the panels of the box when the box is dismantled and the lid and

base panel can be fastened together with the side panels retained between them.

If any one panel is not intended for attachment to another panel the connector means may be removed or not included, as desired. However, the arrangement of the fastener means such that it can be retracted fully within the panel when not in use means that the connectors that are not in use can be arranged so as not to interfere with other panels or be at risk from damage.

Advantageously the side panels comprise either a"female"panel or a "male"panel. Thus, each side edge of each of the side panels will have the same connector means such that a"female"panel will have retaining means at each side edge for fastening to the fastener means of two adjacent"male" panels.

In a second embodiment, the invention provides a box further comprising a plurality of connecting posts, and wherein the co-operating connector means fasten adjacent panels together or fasten a panel to a connecting post.

Preferably the fastener means is mounted in the first panel and the retaining means is mounted in the connecting post.

For assembly of two panels at right angles together, the panels are each fastened to a connecting post in the form of a comer post having two faces at right angles to each other and having retaining means such as collars or fixing bushes mounted on each of the said faces into which is moved the engagement means of the fastener means mounted on each of the two panels.

For assembly of two panels at 1800 to each other, for example in an extended box, the panels are each fastened to a connecting post in the form of an intermediate post having two faces opposed to each other and having collars mounted on each of the said faces. The engagement means of the fastener means mounted on each of the two panels are moved to engage with the collars on each of the faces.

Advantageously different length connecting posts are provided for boxes of more than one panel in height. Advantageously the connecting posts extend the full height of the number of panels used and the panels are fastened to the connecting posts at their sides and to a vertically adjacent panel at one or both of the upper and lower edges. Alternatively a panel may be fastened to a vertically adjacent panel by means of a connecting post. In a further alternative arrangement, a plurality of connecting posts of the height of a single panel may be used to assemble a box of more than one panel in height, the vertically adjacent connecting posts being fastened together by suitable means.

A box in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention comprising the connecting posts has the advantage that the user can select whether to have interior or exterior access to the connector means depending on the particular requirements of the intended use of the box.

The user may select the orientation of the panels as required, including having different orientations of panels in one box. An advantage of this is that the preferred entry direction for a person opening the box can be preselected.

The box of the invention in either embodiment can be simply assembled and dismantled by engagement and release of the c-operating connector means. The arrangement of the invention enables any panel or combination of panels to be removed selectively without the need for full disassembly of the box.

The invention further provides a tote bin in accordance with the first or second embodiments of the invention. Preferably the tote bin further comprises connector means for fastening a first tote bin to a second tote bin, the connector means comprising fastener means mounted in a first tote bin, the fastener means comprising a stud comprising a head portion and a shaft portion and further comprising engagement means on the shaft portion, a sleeve for accommodating the shaft portion of the stud, the sleeve comprising a bore that accommodates the shaft portion of the stud and an end face positioned adjacent the shaft portion between the head portion and the engagement means, the head portion and shaft portion of the stud being movable along the bore of the sleeve, and spring means, the spring means being arranged in the bore between the end face of the sleeve and the head portion of the stud and acting to bias the stud back into the sleeve, and retaining means mounted in a second tote bin comprising retention means for co-operation with the engagement means on the shaft portion of the fastener means.

Preferably the connector means comprises retaining means that may be inserted in the upper edge of a second tote bin when the tote bin is to be stacked on a first tote bin and fastener means inserted in elongate holes at the lower edges of the side panels of the first tote bin. Thus, when the tote bins are to be stacked, the second tote bin is arranged on top of the first tote bin, the engagement means on stud of the fastener means are moved into the

retaining means and the connector is operated to hold the two bins in stable relationship with one another.

The tote bin preferably further comprises carrying means such as handles or hand slots. Advantageously one end of the tote bin comprises a cut away section. Alternatively the tote bin is assembled with one end omitted.

Thus, when stacked, a plurality of tote bins can be used to form a simple shelving system. The tote bin can comprise a base with co-operating connector means for attachment to the side panels or may comprise a simple drop-in base.

Advantageously a plurality of tote bins or boxes according to the invention may be stacked on a pallet using further co-operating connector means.

Advantageously the pallet is provided with a plurality of retaining means such as collars inserted therein for co-operation with fastener means at the lower edges of the box or tote bin. Alternatively the connector means may comprise fastener means inserted at the edges of the pallet to co-operate with retaining means such as collars at the lower edges of the box or tote bin.

Advantageously a box according to the invention may also be provided with forklift runners attached to the base of the box by co-operating connector means.

In a further arrangement, a box according to the invention may further comprise one or more internal fittings attached to the box by co-operating connector means. Such internal fittings may be in the form of a plurality of bars to form a fitment to hold a piece of equipment securely within the box for transportation.

The box of the invention can be simply assembled and dismantled by engagement and release of the co-operating connector means.

In further embodiments of the invention, one or more gaskets may be included between the panels. The gasket may be fitted around the connector means or may be formed with holes corresponding to the positions of the connector means. Gaskets may be used to improve the gas or fluid sealing of the boxes of the invention.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a box in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows an enlarged exploded view of the connector shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 3a shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of two adjacent panels of a box as shown in Figure 1, before fastening together; Figure 3b shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of two adjacent panels of a box as shown in Figure 1, when fastened together; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a box in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 4a shows two panels and a connecting post as described with reference to Figure 4; and Figure 5 shows a perspective view of tote bins in accordance with the invention.

A first embodiment of the box of the invention is shown in Figure 1. A box 1 comprises a base panel 2, one or more pairs of side panels 3,4 and one or more pairs of end panels 5,6. In the example illustrated, each side 3,4 and end 5,6 has three panels but it will be appreciated that the sides and ends may comprise a single panel or as many panels as required. Each of the panels 3,4, 5,6 is fastened to its neighbouring panels by co-operating connector means 7,8 comprising a fastener means 7a and a retaining means 8a. The connector means can be seen in more detail in Figures 2,3a and 3b.

The base panel 2 is fitted with only retaining means 8a and the lower edge 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a of each side panel 3,4 and end panel 5,6 has a fastener means 7a.

For full interchangeability, each side and end panel 3,4, 5,6 has retaining means 8a fitted to its upper edge 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b as well. The panels 2,3, 4,5, 6 are standard wood panels made from softwood battens 10 and a plywood insert 11. The fastener means 7a is inserted into an elongate hole 12 in the batten 10. The fastener means 7a and the hole 12 are dimensioned such that the fastener means 7a can be fully retracted into the hole 12.

The elements of the connector means are shown in detail in Figures 2,3a and 3b.

In operation, to connect two panels 3,6 together, the collar 8a is inserted into a hole 13 in the panel 6 and the fastener means 7a is inserted into the elongate hole 12 in the panel 3. The fastener means 7a comprises a stud 14, a sleeve 15 having two complementary parts 15a, 15b, and two springs 16a, 16b. The stud 14 and the springs 16a, 16b are assembled within the sleeve parts 15a, 15b which are then glued or welded together to form the fastener means 7a.

The hole 12 is longer than the fastener means 7a such that the fastener means 7a can be fully retracted within the panel 3 when not in use.

The stud 14 comprises a head portion 17 and a shaft portion 18.

Engagement lugs 19a, 19b are formed on the end of the shaft portion 18.

Keyhole means 20 are formed in the head portion 17 for engagement by a co-operating key (not shown) to rotate the stud 14. The keyhole means 20 may comprise a simple slot or crossed slots for engagement by a standard screwdriver or it may comprise an individual keyhole arrangement that can only be engaged by a specific key means. This arrangement provides added security as the connector 7,8 can then only be engaged and disengaged by the correct key.

The two parts of the sleeve 15 are advantageously identical, with consequent reduction in moulding requirements. The sleeve 15 has a bore 21 and an end face 22. It may be further advantageous to have recessed portions 23 in the outer surface of the sleeve 15, to reduce the plastics material required for each moulding.

The bore 21 has a wide part 24 to accommodate the head 17 of the stud 14 and a narrow part 25 to accommodate the shaft 18. The stud 14 is retained within the assembled sleeve 15 with the stud 14 being movable along the bore 21 between a fully retracted position, as shown in Figure 3a, in which the engagement lugs 19a, b are retracted towards the end face 22, and an extended position, as shown in Figure 3b, in which the head 17 is moved towards an inner face 26 of the narrow part of the bore 25 and the engagement lugs 19a, b are moved away from the end face 22.

The springs 16a, b are positioned in grooves 27a, b in the bore 21. The grooves 27a, b are advantageously reverse tapered to retain the springs 16a, b within them when the fastener 7 is assembled. The head 17 of the stud 14 rests against the ends of the springs 16a, b and the springs 16a, b are compressed as the stud 14 is moved along the bore 21 of the sleeve 15.

When pressure on the stud 14 is released, the springs 16a, b bias the stud 14 back to the retracted position.

The two parts of the sleeve 15a, b further comprise fixing studs 28a, b and holes 29a, b to ensure that the two parts of the sleeve 15a, b are correctly positioned when the fastener 7 is assembled.

The retention means 8 comprises a collar 8a with a bore 31. The external face of the collar 8a may be formed with press-fitting ridges or a screw thread 32.

The bore 31 of the collar 8a is formed with two retaining blocks 33a, b for engagement with the lugs 19a, b. Two stops 34a, b are further included to limit the rotation of the lugs 19a, b and prevent accidental disengagement of the connector 7,8.

In the box 1 of the invention, the fastener 7 is inserted in an elongate hole 12 through a first panel 3. The bore of the elongate hole 12 is wide enough to accommodate the sleeve 15 as a slide fit and has a narrower portion 37 through which the engagement lugs 19a, b of the stud 14 can pass but which retains the sleeve 15 within the elongate hole 12. The sleeve 15 does not need to be screwed or glued in the elongate hole 12 but just slides into it.

The narrower portion 37 has a sufficient depth such that the whole of the

stud 14 can be retracted within the panel 3 when the connector 7,8 is not engaged.

The retaining means 8a is inserted in a hole 13 in the second panel 6. The retaining means 8a is held within the hole 13 by a screw thread, by press fitting, by gluing or by other suitable means to hold it securely in position.

When the connector 7,8 is to be engaged, as shown in Figure 3b, the two panels 3,6 are brought together. A screw-driver or other key means (not shown) is engaged with the keyhole means 20 and the stud 14 is pushed along the sleeve 15 until the engagement lugs 19a, b enter the retaining means 8a. Slight rotation of the stud 14 may be required to enable the lugs 19a, b to pass the blocks 33a, b. Once the lugs 19a, b have passed the blocks 33a, b, the stud 14 is rotated to engage the lugs 19a, b behind the blocks 33a, b. The stops 34a, b ensure that the stud 14 is not over rotated to disengage the lugs 19a, b again. The springs 16a, b bias the stud 14 back into the sleeve 15 and thus hold the lugs 19a, b against the blocks 33a, b.

The connector 7,8 is thus held firmly in an engaged position until released by a user. To release the connector 7,8, the key means is engaged with the keyhole means 20 and the stud 14 is rotated away from the stops 34a, b to release the lugs 19a, b from the blocks 33a, b to allow the stud 14 to be withdrawn from the retaining means 8a. The springs 16a, b act to retract the stud 14 back into the sleeve 15 to the retracted position.

The connector 7,8 has the advantage that the stud 14 and the sleeve 15 are not attached to the first panel 3, only inserted in a hole 12 in it. They are connected to the retaining means 8a fixed in the second panel 6.

When the two panels 3,6 are disconnected, none of the parts of the connector extend beyond the surface of the panels 3 or 6, which allows any risk of damage to the connector when the connector is disengaged to be minimise.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, each panel 3,4, 5,6 has fastener means fittings 7a on the lower edge 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a and retaining means 8a on the upper edge 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b for fitting to the lower edge 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a of a vertically adjacent panel. Each side edge 3c, 4c of each side panel 3,4 is fitted with fastener means fittings 7a and each side edge 5c, 6c of each end panel is fitted with retaining means 8a. The fastenings are arranged for either interior or exterior access to the fastener means fittings 7a, depending on the requirements of the user for increased accessibility or increased security.

For fastening two adjacent panels together at right angles as shown, the retaining means 8a are inserted into a face 5d, 6d adjacent the edge 5c, 6c of the end panel 5,6. In this arrangement, the fastener means 7a are arranged in the battens 10 with access to the head 17 of the stud 14 through the edge of the batten 10. In an alternative arrangement of panels, to form a larger box for example, the panels may be fastened together at 1800 in a straight line and in this arrangement the retaining means 8a are inserted into the side edge 5c, 6c of the end panel 5,6, such that the extended side of such a box comprises alternating side and"end"panels 3,4, 5,6. Access to the head of the stud 14 is through the edge of the batten 10.

As shown in Figure 1, box 1 also comprises a lid 35 comprising a panel similar to the side and end panels 3,4, 5,6 but having depending sidepieces 36 to accommodate fastener means fittings 7a. The fastener means fittings

7a in the side pieces 36 engage with retaining means 8a in the top edges 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b of the top panels.

In a preferred arrangement, the side pieces 36 extend far enough so that when the box 1 is dismantled all the side and end panels 3,4, 5,6 may be arranged on the base 2 and the lid 35 can be placed over the top and fastened to retaining means 8a on the base 2 for secure storage and transportation of the dismantled box 1.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 4. In this embodiment, box 400 has a base 2, side panels 3,4 and end panels 5,6.

Each side and end panel 3,4, 5,6 is fastened to the base 2 as shown in and described with respect to Figure 1 but the side and end panels 3,4, 5,6 are fastened to each other by means of connecting posts 37.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 and 4a, the retaining means 8a of the connector means are inserted in the connecting posts 37 and the fastener means fittings 7a are inserted adjacent the side edges 3c, 4c, 5c, 6c of the side and end panels 3,4, 5,6. For right angle connection of the panels, as shown, the retaining means 8a are inserted into adjacent faces of the connecting post 37. For connection of the panels in a straight line, the retaining means 8a are inserted into opposing faces of the connecting post 37, as shown in Figure 4a.

The fastenings can be arranged by the user for either interior or exterior access to the fastener means fittings 7a, depending on requirements for increased accessibility or increased security.

Figure 4 also shows forklift runners 38 attached to the base of the box 1.

Figure 5 shows a pair of tote bins 500,501 in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention. Tote bins 500,501 can also be made in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention (not shown). The tote bin 500,501 is constructed similarly to the box 1 shown in and described with respect to Figure 1. The tote bin 500, 501 further comprises connector means for fastening a first tote bin 500 to a second tote bin 501, the connector means comprising fastener means fittings 7a and retaining means 8a as previously described to attach the top of the first tote bin 500 to the bottom of the second tote bin 501.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 5, retaining means 8a are inserted in the upper edges 502 of the side panels 3,4, 5,6 of the first tote bin 500 when the tote bin 500 is to be stacked with a second tote bin 501 and fastener means fittings 7a are inserted at the lower edges 503 of the side panels 3,4, 5,6 of the second tote bin 501. Thus, when the tote bins 500,501 are to be stacked, the second tote bin 501 is arranged on top of the first tote bin 502, the retaining means 8a are inserted into the bores 208 in the lower edges 503 of the side panels 3,4, 5,6 of the second tote bin 501 and the fastener means fittings 7a are moved along the elongate holes 12 to engage with the retaining means 8a and thus draw the two bins 500,501 together and hold them in stable relationship with one another. The end panels 5,6 of the tote bins 500, 501 include cut-outs 504 to form handles.

The boxes of the invention are easy to assemble and dismantle and enable any damaged or missing parts to be repaired or replaced individually, leading to increased reusability and recyclability of packaging. The boxes are extremely versatile and can be used in a variety of configurations depending on the requirements of the user.

Claims

1. A box comprising a plurality of panels and co-operating connector means for fastening adjacent panels together, wherein the connector means comprises : fastener means mounted in a first panel, the fastener means comprising a stud comprising a head portion and a shaft portion and further comprising engagement means on the shaft portion, a sleeve for accommodating the shaft portion of the stud, the sleeve comprising a bore that accommodates the shaft portion of the stud and an end face positioned adjacent the shaft portion between the head portion and the engagement means, the head portion and shaft portion of the stud being movable along the bore of the sleeve, and spring means, the spring means being arranged in the bore between the end face of the sleeve and the head portion of the stud and acting to bias the stud back into the sleeve; and retaining means mounted in a second panel comprising retention means for co-operation with the engagement means on the shaft portion of the fastener means.

2. A box according to claim 1 wherein the sleeve, stud and retaining means are formed by injection moulding of plastics material.

3. A box according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the sleeve is adapted to be inserted in an elongate hole in the first panel.

4. A box according to claim 3 wherein the elongate hole has a smaller diameter through-hole through which the engagement means can pass but which retains the sleeve.

5. A box according to claim 4 wherein the elongate hole is dimensioned such that the fastener means is within the panel when it is fully retracted.

6. A box according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sleeve comprises a cylinder.

7. A box according to claim 6 wherein the sleeve comprises a cylinder cut lengthways to form two similar parts.

8. A box according to claim 7 wherein the two parts are formed with complementary fixing means to hold them in position relative to each other when the fastener is assembled.

9. A box according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sleeve is moulded in two parts and is assembled with the stud and the spring means and welded or stuck together to form the fastener means.

10. A box according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the stud head does not extend beyond the end of the sleeve when the stud is fully retracted in the fastener means.

11. A box according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the engagement means are moved to a position adjacent the outer face of the end face of the sleeve when the stud is fully retracted.

12. A box according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the spring means comprises at least two springs, such as coil springs, arranged in the bore adjacent the shaft portion between the end face of the sleeve and

the head portion of the stud, the spring means acting to bias the stud back into the sleeve.

13. A box according to claim 12 wherein there are two springs positioned on opposite sides of the shaft.

14. A box according to claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the spring means are arranged in grooves in the bore of the sleeve.

15. A box according to claim 14 wherein the groove is slightly tapered towards the top to retain the spring within the groove.

16. A box according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the retaining means comprises a fixing bush or collar inserted in a hole in the second panel.

17. A box according to claim 16 wherein the bush or collar is ridged or oversized with respect to the hole to form a"knock-in"fit.

18. A box according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the retaining means comprises retention blocks for engagement with the engagement means on the shaft of the fastener means.

19. A box according to claim 18 wherein the retaining means further comprises at least one bar or stop to prevent over-rotation and, therefore, accidental disengagement of the engagement means from the retention blocks.

20. A box according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the fastener means is engaged with the retaining means by a quarter turn of the stud.

21. A box according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the panels are made in standard sizes and different size boxes can be made by using different numbers and arrangements of the panels.

22. A box according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the panels comprises battens of, for example, softwood, and a sheet of, for example, plywood.

23. A box according to claim 22 wherein the elongate hole extends into the battens from the edge of the panel or into the face of the panel.

24. A box according to any one of the preceding claims wherein one of the panels of the box comprises a top panel or lid.

25. A box according to claim 24 wherein the lid comprises one or more sidepieces that extend in a downwardly vertical direction, with respect to the normal orientation of the box, and the connector means are inserted in the sidepiece.

26. A box according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the box further comprises a plurality of connecting posts, and wherein the cooperating connector means fasten adjacent panels together or fasten a panel to a connecting post.

27. A box according to claim 26 wherein the fastener means is mounted in the first panel and the retaining means is mounted in the connecting post.

28. A box according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the box comprises a tote bin.

29. A box according to claim 28 wherein the tote bin further comprises connector means for fastening a first tote bin to a second tote bin, the connector means comprising the fastener means mounted in a first tote bin and the retaining means mounted in a second tote bin.

30. A box according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the box further comprises forklift runners attached to the base of the box by cooperating connector means.

31. A box according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the box further comprises one or more internal fittings attached to the box by cooperating connector means.

32. A box according to any one of the preceding claims wherein one or more gaskets are included between the panels.

33. A box as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1,2, 3a and 3b of the accompanying drawings.

34. A box as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 4 and 4a of the accompanying drawings.

35. A tote bin as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.