GB2501472A

GB2501472A - Reinforced container

Info

Publication number: GB2501472A
Application number: GB201207025A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Binyamin Mazoz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-04-23
Filing date: 2012-04-23
Publication date: 2013-10-30
Also published as: GB201207025D0

Abstract

A reinforced container comprising: a container portion 10 having a floor and a plurality of container portion walls 16 having respective container portion sealing edges and respective container portion lips 18; a cover 12 having a top 28 and a plurality of cover walls 30 corresponding to container portion walls having respective cover sealing edges and respective cover lips 32, the cover for covering and sealing the container portion; a reinforcement mechanism; and a closure mechanism attached to the reinforcement mechanism for securely closing the cover onto the container portion, wherein the reinforcement mechanism comprises: container portion reinforcement bars 22 respectively attached to the container portion walls and respectively abutting the container portion lips; and cover reinforcement bars 32 respectively attached to the container portion walls and respectively abutting the container portion lips. The closure mechanism may include handle (40, fig 2), pairs of brackets (42, fig 2) and lock-down lever (38, fig 2). Wheels 60 may be provided and the container may also include an intermediate height extension (see fig 6) member, which is attachable to the walls of the container.

Description

REINFORCED CONTAINER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to containers or crates, in particular, reinforced containers/crates typicaily intended for shipping.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Reinforced crates or containers are commonly used to protect fragile and/or expensive items for storage and transportation. Due to the desire to protect the contents, many types and designs of such containers have been is disclosed having reinforcement component(s) such as support columns, beams, auxiliary fittings and the like. The economy of plastic as a light weight, easy to manufacture and low cost material has made the use of plastic containers popular, however plastic containers often require reinforcement to properly protect the contents and/or structural integrity of the container itself. Structural integrity and design is particularly important in applications where the atmosphere inside the container is other than mere air and/or is at a pressure other that atmospheric; or the item to be shipped is dangerous, fragile, expensive or requires a special container atmosphere.

[003] Exemplary containers that include reinforcement components or designs include: US 7,967,165 (Nishigaki, "Reinforced transportation container"), which includes a metal reinforcement fitting attached to the bottom of the container and having an upwardly curved strip; US 7,798,753 (Yurgevich, "Cargo container with peripheral wall structure reinforced by side post assemblies"), which discloses a container with a plurality of side post assemblies, each side post having a reinforcement plate; US 6,489,623 (Peters, et al., "Shipping container for radioactive materials and methods of manufacture"), disclosing a container having a reinforced plate and a closely spaced reinforcing ribs along the container, particularly adjacent the top; US 6,237,770 (Bowsman, "Container with reinforced tab") describing a container with a stiffening material placed in a recess of an inner locking tab to add strength thereto; and US 20101089,918 (Logan, "Container for transporting compressed gas cylinders"), which describes a container having an outer shell, two layers of protective material and a durable lining.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[004] The present invention relates to a reinforced container. The is container is particularly useful for storing items or equipment requiring a special atmosphere (i.e. non-ambient such as above or below atmospheric pressure and/or an atmosphere other than only air) as the container's reinforcement mechanism is designed not only to help protect the contents but more specifically to ensure the integrity of the container for sealing purposes, and thus help maintain the particular internal atmosphere, which is particularly applicable in cases where the internal atmosphere is a non-ambient atmosphere..

[005] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention there is provided a reinforced container comprising: a container portion having a floor and a plurality of container portion walls having respective container portion sealing edges and respective container portion lips; a cover having a top and a plurality of cover walls corresponding to container portion walls having respective cover sealing edges and respective cover lips, the cover for covering and sealing the container portion; a reinforcement mechanism; and a closure mechanism attached to the reinforcement mechanism for securely closing the cover onto the container portion, wherein the reinforcement mechanism comprises: container portion reinforcement bars respectively attached to the container portion walls and respectively abutting the container portion lips; and cover reinforcement bars respectively attached to the container portion walls and respectively abutting the container portion lips.

[006] In some embodiments, the container further comprises an intermediate height extension member including walls that are corresponding to, intermediate to and attachable to the walls of the container portion and the walls of the cover, for increasing the height of the container. As such, the container can be implemented in a modular style to be arrange-able to house items of various sizes.

[007] In some embodiments, the container portion and cover are made of a plastic material. The significance of this embodiment is that the closure and reinforcement mechanisms allow for use of plastic, rather than requiring a metallic or other heavy and/or expensive material, while still providing a sturdy reinforced container with a high quality seal so that a non-ambient atmosphere can be economically preserved within the container.

[008] It is a particular feature of the present invention to provide a reinforced container having a reinforcement mechanism in conjunction with a closure mechanism whereby the reinforced container is both strengthened in the outward direction (perpendicular to the container portion walls and the cover walls) to prevent bulging; and in the direction parallel to the container's walls to provide a secure and quality seal. The bulging prevention simultaneously also contributes to the quality sealing of the container, between the container's cover and container portion, as well as contributes to the robustness of the container.

The strong closure in the direction parallel to the container's walls also contributes to high quality sealing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[009] The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings in which: [010] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a reinforced container of the present invention; [011] Fig. 2 is a perspective view ol a corner area of the reinforced container of Fig. 1; [012] Figs. 3 and 4 are front and rear perspective views showing details of embodiments of container reinforcements and an exemplary closure mechanism in accordance with the present invention; [013] Fig. 5 is a sectional view illustrating an exemplary sealing surfaces of the present reinforced container; and [014] Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the reinforced container of the present invention.

[015] The following detailed description of embodiments of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings referred to above. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[016] Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features/components of an actual implementation are necessarily described.

[017] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a reinforced container of the present invention comprising a container portion 10; and a cover 12. Container portion 10 includes a floor 14; and a plurality of container portion walls 16, so typically four such walls and typically in a square or rectangular shape. Walls 16 have respective outwardly facing lips 18 at or near (adjacent) upper edges 20 of the walls. The container further includes a plurality of container portion reinforcement bars 22 disposed adjacent/abutting (directly below) lips 18 and a plurality of closure mechanisms 24. Walls 16 typically include sturdy end members 26 providing connection between the walls as overall strength to container portion 10.

[018] Cover 12 includes a top 28; a plurality of cover walls 30, corresponding to container portion walls 16; a plurality of cover lips 32 opposing container portion lips IS; and cover reinforcement bars 34 disposed on the outside of the cover walls. Cover lips 32 are disposed at or near (adjacent) lower io edges 36 of cover walls 30. Reinforcement bars 34 are disposed adjacent/abutting (directly above) container portion lips IS. Container portion reinforcement bars 22 and cover reinforcement bars 34 are disposed in a corresponding fashion (juxtaposed) whereby closure mechanism 24, described below in more detail, can be used to secure cover 12 to container portion 10 by pulling bars 22 and 34 toward each other.

[019] Reinforcement bars 22 and 32 are typically made of a particularly strong material such as metal, for example aluminum; or a strong composite material or the like. Container portion 10 and cover 12 can be made of any appropriate material, and due to the use of the herein disclosed reinforcement arrangement and design, typically the container portion and cover can be made of a plastic, rather than a metal or the like, thereby saving cost and weight, while still achieving strength and sealing to protect the contents and moreover allow the use of a special atmosphere within the container, such as a non-ambient pressure and/or gas.

[020] Fig. 2 shows a top corner area of the reinforced container of Fig. I wherein the details of the container and an exemplary design of closure mechanism 24 are seen in more detail. This design of closure mechanism 24 includes a lock-down lever 38, having a handle 40; and a pair of brackets, container portion reinforcement bar brackets 42 attached to reinforcement bars 22 and cover reinforcement bar brackets 44 attached to cover reinforcement bars 32. Lock-down lever 38 has an integral or associated bulbous-like member 46 typically at or near the lever's distal end, which corresponds to a bulbous-like member receiving portion 48 of cover reinforcement bar brackets 44. Closure mechanism 24 is illustrated in the closed position, where cover 12 is sealing closed on container portion 10. To open the container, one lifts up on handle 40, whereby the handle becomes positioned away from the container, thereby releasing the seal between cover 10 and container portion 12. In some embodiments, container portion lips 22 include container portion lip recesses 50 and cover lips 34 include cover lip recesses 52 to allow positioning/attachment of closure mechanisms 24 close to walls 16.

[021] Fig. 2 further illustrates various lifting handles 54, 56 and SB that io may be attached to the container in accordance with embodiments of the invention, typically attached to reinforcement bars 22 and/or 34 and/or walls 16.

These handles 54, 56, and 58 can be designed for hand lifting or lifting by a crane or the like. For example, handle 54 can be used to lift one end of the container for rolling, such as on wheels 60 (Fig. 1), present in some embodiments.

[022] Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate a preferable embodiment of container portion reinforcement bar 22 and cover reinforcement bar 34 as they are juxtaposed when attached to the container, together with an exemplary embodiment of closure mechanism 24.

[023] Such container portion reinforcement bars 22 include a container portion lip engagement strip 62, which abuts lip 18; a shoulder 64, which can fit into a corresponding slot (not visible) in container portion 10; a container portion engaging inner strip 66; an outer strip 68; and a lower strip 70-together forming a generally hollow rectangular profile; however in this exemplary design, outer strip 68 includes an angled strip 72 so that the generally rectangular profile is somewhat tapered and trapezoidal. Shoulder 64, in association/engagement with the aforementioned corresponding slot (not visible) provides at least one of the following advantages: ease of assembly, reduces the chance of twisting/warping of container portion 10 and provides back up to the anchoring effect of lip 18.

[024] In some embodiments! as shown, bars 22 further comprise at least one strengthening cross beam 74 (two illustrated) connecting between inner strip 66 and outer strip 68; and at least one strengthening rib 76 (four illustrated) running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bars. Bars 22 (and bars 34) are typically attached to the container by fasteners such as screws 78, which typically have sealing washers 80 associated therewith to prevent/reduce gas leakage or entry. Ribs 76 can be exploited to provide engagement volume for screws 78, as illustrated.

[025] Analogously, cover reinforcement bars 34 include a cover portion io lip engagement strip 62a, which abuts lip 32; a shoulder 64a, which can fit into a corresponding slot (not visible) in cover 12 (providing the same advantages as noted above); a cover engaging inner strip 66a; an outer strip 68a; and a lower strip 70a -together forming a generally hollow rectangular profile; however, in this exemplary design, outer strip 68a includes an angled strip 72a so that the generally rectangular profile is somewhat tapered and trapezoidal. Again, in some embodiments, as shown, cover reinforcement bars 34 further comprise at least one strengthening cross beam 74a (two illustrated) connecting between inner strip 66a and outer strip 68a; and at least one strengthening rib 76a (four illustrated) running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bars.

[026] Cover 12 corresponds in dimension and configuration to container portion 10; in particular, lower edges 36 of cover walls 30 correspond to upper edges 22 of walls 16. In this regard, the sealing surfaces between container portion 10 and its cover 12 will now be described with reference to Fig. 5.

[027] Fig. 5 shows the sealing area between container portion wall 16 of container portion 10 and cover wall 30 of cover 12, the area including a the container portion's sealing surface 82 and the cover's sealing surface 84.

Surfaces 82 and 84 typically have a gasket or seal 86 disposed between at least a portion of surfaces 82 and 84. In the illustrated embodiment, the surfaces 82 and 84 are formed in a male/female configuration for better seaiing. After cover 12 is placed on container portion 10, closure mechanism 24 is operated (bulbous-like member 46 is positioned in bulbous-like member receiving portion 48 and handle 40 is pressed downward) to provide a strong seal.

[028] The reinforced container thus described has advantages including at least one of the following: (a) the reinforcement allows the use of plastic or other non-metal material thereby saving costs and easing manufacturing; (b) allows the use of lighter weight material with the same or even greater strength and sealing quality; (c) transportation ease and savings due to the use of relatively light weight material. Moreover, the reinforced container is particularly suited for use in the storage and/or transportation of products requiring a non-ambient atmosphere. In this regard, in some embodiments the reinforced container includes one or more service ports 90 (Fig. 2) for inserting or removing io items such as moisture absorption material; and/or one or more atmosphere ports 92 (Fig. 2) for facilitating producing a non-ambient atmosphere (e.g. inserting a gas other than air and/or increasing or reducing the pressure within the container [029] Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of the present reinforced container wherein there is an intermediate or container height extension member 100. Container height extension member 100 is disposed intermediate container portion 10 and cover 12 thereby increasing the height (depth/volume) of the reinforced container, which can now be termed a "three-part" reinforced container. Thus, without changing the design or size of container portion 10 or cover 12, the reinforced container (i.e. container kit) has the flexibility to be configured to various sizes. According to some embodiments, the reinforced container, or container kit, comprises a plurality of "intermediate" extension members 100.

[030] Thus there has boon described a reinforced container having a reinforcement mechanism in conjunction with a closure mechanism whereby the reinforced container is both strengthened in the outward direction (perpendicular to container portion walls 16 and cover walls 30) to prevent bulging; and in the direction parallel to the container's walls to provide a secure and quality seal.

This prevention of bulging simultaneously also contributes to the quality sealing of the container, between the container's cover and container portion, by keeping sealing surfaces 82 and 84 aligned with each other; as well as contributes to the robustness of the container as a whole.

[031] It should be understood that the above description is merely exemplary and Ihat there are various embodiments of the present invention that may be devised, mutatis mutandis, and that the features described in the above-described embodiments, and those not described herein, may be used separately or in any suitable combination; and the invention can be devised in accordance with embodiments not necessarily described above.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A reinforced container comprising: a container portion having a floor and a plurality of container portion walls having respective container portion sealing edges and respective container portion lips; a cover having a top and a plurality of cover walls corresponding to container portion walls having respective cover sealing edges and respective cover lips, the cover for covering and sealing the container portion; a reinforcement mechanism; and a closure mechanism attached to the reinforcement mechanism for securely closing the cover onto the container portion, wherein the reinforcement mechanism comprises: container portion reinforcement bars respectively attached to the container portion walls and respectively abutting the container portion lips; and cover reinforcement bars respectively attached to the container portion walls and respectively abutting the container portion lips.
2. The container according to claim 1, further comprising an intermediate height extension member including walls that are corresponding to, intermediate to and attachable to the walls of the container portion and the walls of the cover, for increasing the height of the container.
3. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container portion and cover are made of a plastic material.