GB2578287A

GB2578287A - Collapsible container system

Info

Publication number: GB2578287A
Application number: GB1816286.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Moore Shaun; Samuel Fannin David
Original assignee: SORCIT Ltd
Current assignee: SORCIT Ltd
Priority date: 2018-10-05
Filing date: 2018-10-05
Publication date: 2020-05-06

Abstract

A collapsible container system 10 or liquids and/or dry goods comprises a container 12 having a base 14, a sidewall 16 which is movable between an extended position for use and a collapsed position for storage, a lid (18, fig. 1) and a connector 20 near the upper end of the sidewall. In a first independent claim, the container comprises a trolley 22 with a frame 24 having a handle 26, wheels 34a, 34b and a cooperating engagement means 36 for connection with the connector. The frame may also be collapsible: preferably it is telescopic and automatically locks in an extended position. A drain 46 may be provided in the container base, preferably with a plug 48. In a second independent claim, the container comprises a ball valve (60, fig. 7) for receiving and controlling a mains flow of water into the container and a pump for supplying water from the container.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a collapsible container system and particularly to a collapsible container system for liquids and/or dry goods.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Liquids and powder products are often carried in plastic containers, which can be heavy and take up significant storage space, when empty. An example of this is in the provision and disposal of water for caravans. Large 40 or 45 litre plastic water barrels are often used to fetch and store water for use on a caravan. Wheeled plastic containers, which sit to the side of or underneath the caravan are used to store and take away waste water.

These containers are typically rotationally moulded from plastics and are relatively large. When the caravan is being towed, these water containers are typically placed within the caravan and can cause damage if they become loose in transit. They may also make the interior of the caravan dirty, because they sit outside the caravan in use, and may get muddy.

The fresh water container, typically an Aquaroll (RTM) has rubber tyres around its periphery, allowing it to be rolled. In practise, it is tipped onto its side and towed by the use of a detachable metal handle, which has inwardly facing domed protrusions. The protrusions fit into recesses provided at opposing ends of the container. These protrusions and recesses serve as pivot points, allowing rotation of the water barrel relative to the handle. Not only do the tyres also get dirty, but it requires a good deal of strength to rotate a full 45 litre container from the horizontal to vertical, for use. The container has to be stood on end to prevent it rolling, although there is a side opening sealed with a cap and seal, which is useful for filling with a hose pipe.

The brown water container, typically a Wastemaster (RIM), is an elongate container with a substantially flat lower surface for resting on the ground. A handle is moulded into the plastics at one end and an axle with a pair of wheels is resiliently clipped in a recess at the other end of the container. Again, these containers are large, typically holding 38 litres, must be stored on board the caravan in transit, and can become dirty in use.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved container which reduces or substantially obviates the aforementioned problems.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a collapsible container system for liquids and/or dry goods comprising a container having a base, a sidewall which is movable between an extended position for use and a collapsed position for storage, a lid and a connection means provided on the sidewall proximate the upper end of the sidewall; and a trolley comprising a frame having a handle member at an upper end, at least one wheel disposed at a lower end and a cooperating engagement means for connection with the connections means on the sidewall of the collapsible water container.

Advantageously the trolley can be connected to the sidewall of the container, holding it in an extended position during transit and preventing accidental collapse of the sidewall and spillage from the container whilst it is being moved on the trolley.

The base of the container may be recessed on the underside, and a support member may extend from the lower end of the frame of the trolley, the support member being received in the recess for supporting the underside of the collapsible container in transit on the trolley.

Advantageously the recess is positioned between side members, which act as feet, when the container is resting on the ground. The support member can be placed into and removed from the recess with the container resting on the side members.

The frame of the trolley may be collapsible. Preferably, the frame is telescopic and automatically locks in an extended position.

The co-operating engagement means may be disposed on one of the telescopic members.

A foldable stand may be provided for location underneath the base of the container. 5 The stand may be wire framed or made from sheet material. It may be pivoted about a central cross-over position.

The support member of the trolley may still be placed into the recess between the side members, when the container is supported on the foldable stand.

A vertical elongate window of transparent material may be provided in the sidewall. This enables convenient viewing of the level of liquid in the container without having to remove the lid.

A drain opening may be disposed in the base of the container. The drain opening may be used to empty the container. Conveniently, the container may be placed over an open drain or gulley and the contents emptied directly through the drain opening.

A plug may be arranged to seal the drain opening. The plug may be a flap plug rotatably mounted to the base of the container.

A tether may be provided from the plug to a connection point at the top of the container for remote operation of the plug. When the tether is pulled, the plug opens, but when the tether is released, the plug may fall back into place and seal the drain opening.

The lid may incorporate one or more internal storage compartments.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is a provided collapsible container having a base, a sidewall which is movable between an extended position for use and a collapsed position for storage, a lid and a connection means provided on the sidewall proximate the upper end of the sidewall; a ball valve for receiving and controlling a mains flow of water into the container and a pump means, for supplying water from the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the collapsible container system, with a collapsible container supported on a trolley; Figure 2 shows the collapsible container system of Figure 1, with the container raised up from the trolley to show the support member of the trolley; Figure 3 shows an underside view of the collapsible container system of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows the collapsible container system of Figure 1, particularly showing the engagement of the container to the trolley; Figures 5A through to 5C, show the engagement of the container with the trolley, with the container moving from a collapsed state to a fully expanded and supported state; Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a container showing the fill and drain apertures; Figure 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a container with the option of a ball-cock fitting and support stand; and Figures 8A through to 8F show the trolley in an operative and collapsed position.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, a collapsible container system is indicated generally at 10. The collapsible container system 10 comprises a collapsible container 12 having a base 14, a sidewall 16 and a lid 18. The sidewall 16 is movable between an extended position for use and a collapsed position for storage. The container can be made from any suitable materials, but the side wall material is preferably Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). The base may be made, for example, from Polypropylene and EVA. A connection means 20 is provided on the sidewall 16 proximate to the upper end of the sidewall.

The collapsible container system 10 also includes a trolley 22. The trolley 22 has a frame 24 with a handle member 26 at an upper end. The frame 24 is constructed from first and second elongate parallel members 28a, 28b, which are each connected to a bracket 30a, 30b. An axle 32 passes through apertures in the brackets 30a, 30b, which supports a pair of wheels 34a, 34b. The wheels may be removable and may be attached by means of stub axles engaging resilient latches, for example. A support member 36 extends between the upper ends of members 28a, 28b and serves as cooperating engagement means for connection with the connections means 20 on the sidewall of the collapsible water container 12.

Apertures also extend through the support member 36, which serve as guides for further elongate parallel members 38a, 38b, which can telescope through the apertures. Upper elongate parallel members 40a, 40b lie inside and can telescope relative to the further elongate parallel members 38a, 38b, the free ends of which support the handle 26.

When the elongate members 38a, 38b and 40a, 40b are extended to their maximum extent, they are locked in position by a releasable latch. A handle 35, shown in Fig 4, releases the latch.

A support member 42 extends from the lower end of the frame 24 to one side of the axle and wheels 34a, 34b. The support member 42 is substantially U-shaped and lies in a plane for insertion under and supporting the container 12. The support member 42 is substantially at 90 degrees to the frame in use, but can be folded flat against the frame, as discussed further below with reference to Figures 8A to 8F.

Referring also to Figure 3, the underside of the base 14 of the container 12 is recessed leaving feet 44a, 44b on either side of the base. The underside of the base 14 in the space between the feet is planar, enabling full engagement by the upper surface of the support member 42 of the trolley with the container 12, for carrying it. When the container 12 is resting on the ground, it lies on the feet 44a, 44b.

The connection between the container 12 and trolley 22 will now be described in more detail with reference to Figures 4 and 5. The connection means 20 is formed substantially as a hook, which can lie over and lock onto the support member 36 of the trolley 22. A push button on the support member 36 enables the position of the support member to be moved and locked in different positions relative to the members 28a, 28b. The support member 36 can be positioned in one of 3 positions, for example, dependent on whether the container is resting on the ground or a stand, as described further below.

In Figure 5A the container is collapsed, ie in a reduced size condition for storage, and the base 14 is resting on the support member 42 of the trolley. In Figure 5B, the container is stretched out and the connection means 20 hooked over the support member 36. The support member 36 can then be moved to an upper position on the frame. In so doing, the sidewall of the container 12 is stretched out to its maximum extent, for carriage of, for example, water. The container is always in the fully stretched position when in use.

Once the container 12 is filled and transported on the trolley, the connection means 20 can be released from the support member 36, by lowering the support member 36 to a lower position. With the feet 44a, 44b of the container resting on the ground, the support member 42 can simply be withdrawn from under the container, without impediment, due to the spacing between the feet.

Referring also to Figure 6, a drain opening 46 is disposed in the base of the container.

The drain opening 46 can be used to empty the container and conveniently, the container can be placed over an open drain or gulley and the contents emptied directly through the drain opening. This is particularly useful in disposing of caravan waste water on a caravan site into an open gulley drain. The drain opening can also be utilised when the container 12 is on the trolley, because U-shape of the support member does not impede the opening.

A plug 48, shown to one side of the container, is arranged to seal the drain opening 46. The plug 48 can be a circular plug or part of a plug flap rotatably mounted to the base of the container. Bosses 50, are moulded into the base of the container for locating a plug flap. A tether 52 is attached to the top of the plug 48 or plug flap. The tether 52 is attached to the rear of a handle member 56, for example, by a hook means.

To drain the container, the handle member 56 can be pulled to release the base plug 48 for draining. The handle 56 can be located in a clip member 58 disposed on the lid 18, which enables the seal 48 to be held clear of the aperture 46, whilst the container drains. Without the tether, the sealing plug has a tendency to be drawn back into a sealing position in the aperture 46, particularly, where the seal is a pivoted flap type seal.

A further aperture 54 is provided in the upper sidewall of the container and is adapted to receive a ball valve connection, for supplying mains water to the container. An aperture is also provided through the lid 18 for receiving a pump or pump downtube, for withdrawing water from the container. It will be appreciated that a ball valve connection can also be provided on the lid, ie the ball valve sits under the lid to control the water level in the container, with a water connection point connected to the valve on the top side of the lid.

Referring now to Figure 7, the lid 18 can be provided with numerous apertures for receiving, for example, a ball cock device 60 attached to a mains water supply or a caravan water draw off pipe, or pump device. A dispensing tap 62 can be mounted in an aperture at a lower end of the container, proximate the base. Furthermore, a foldable cross-shaped stand 64 can be provided for raising up the container 12 from the ground or other supporting surface. The stand 64 can be wire framed or constructed from planar material, as shown. Locating apertures can be provided in the base of the container to locate protrusions on the stand, or the stand may have tabs, extending around the periphery of the base to keep the container on the stand.

Referring now to Fig 8A, the trolley 22 is shown in an operative condition with the support member 42 positioned adjacent to the ground, for sliding underneath the base of the container 12. The trolley has the general form of a sack truck in the operative condition, but with the support member 42 being formed from a strip of material and defining a U-shape, rather than a flat plate. The curve at the end of the U-shape corresponds to the circumferential curve of the container.

In Figure 8B, the elongate members 38a, 38b and 40a, 40b are telescoped inwardly, ie towards the support member, to a maximum extent. The support member 42 is also pivoted relative to the frame, so that they lie adjacent one another in substantially parallel disposition. In Figures 8C and 8E, the wheels 34a, 34b are also removed and the trolley is shown in its smallest collapsed state. Figures 8D and 8F show front and side views of the trolley 22 in the collapsed state with the wheels 34a, 34b on.

It will be appreciated that the collapsible nature of the container system 10 makes it highly suitable for water storage and carriage, where the size of the system needs to be minimised for transit, for example, when camping or caravanning, or even for use in the garden at home. The system is smaller and much lighter than rotationally moulded plastics products. In use, the container 12 is designed to hold 45 litres of liquid, but it will be appreciated that containers of different sizes can be made. The container can be used to supply water to a caravan, but a similar container can also be used to remove waste water from a caravan. A water-tight connector can be provided to fill the container from the bottom, if required, for use in positions where the water outlets of the caravan are lower than the top of the container, when resting on the ground.

The ability to utilise the collapsible container with a ball valve and mains supply with a water pump for caravanning, allows the container to be utilised also where a mains supply connection is available.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A collapsible container system for liquids and/or dry goods comprising a container having a base, a sidewall which is movable between an extended position for use and a collapsed position for storage, a lid and a connection means provided on the sidewall proximate the upper end of the sidewall; and a trolley comprising a frame having a handle member at an upper end, at least one wheel disposed at a lower end and a co-operating engagement means for connection with the connections means on the sidewall of the collapsible water container.
2. A collapsible container system as claimed in claim 1, in which the base of the container is recessed on the underside, and a support member extends from the lower end of the frame of the trolley, the support member being received in the recess for supporting the underside of the collapsible container in transit on the trolley.
3. A collapsible container system as claimed in claim I or claim 2, in which the frame of the trolley is collapsible.
A collapsible container system as claimed in claim 3, in which the frame is telescopic and automatically locks in an extended position.
5. A collapsible container system as claimed in claim 4, in which the co-operating engagement means is disposed on one of the telescopic members.
A collapsible container system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a foldable stand is provided for location underneath the base of the container.
7. A collapsible container system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a vertical elongate window of transparent material is provided in the sidewall.
A collapsible container system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a drain opening is disposed in the base of the container.
A collapsible container system as claimed in claim 8, in which a plug is arranged to seal the drain opening.
10. A collapsible container system as claimed in claim 9, in which the plug is a flap plug rotatably mounted to the base of the container.
A collapsible container system as claimed in claim 10, in which a tether is provided from the plug to a connection point at the top of the container for remote operation of the plug.
12. A collapsible container system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the lid has one or more internal storage compartments.
13. A collapsible container having a base, a sidewall which is movable between an extended position for use and a collapsed position for storage, a lid and a connection means provided on the sidewall proximate the upper end of the sidewall; a ball valve for receiving and controlling a mains flow of water into the container and a pump means, for supplying water from the container.