GB2625247A

GB2625247A - A storage and transport device

Info

Publication number: GB2625247A
Application number: GB2217492.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Service William
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-11-23
Filing date: 2022-11-23
Publication date: 2024-06-19
Also published as: GB202217492D0

Abstract

A container comprises a plurality of walls 3 defining a bounded area, and a base (4,fig.2) wherein one of the walls comprises a moveable panel 1 to allow access to the bounded area and to any products stored within. The height of the panel may be shorter than the wall height such that a remaining section 10 of the wall is left when the panel is removed. The remaining section of wall may comprise a handle 5 which may extend forward of the wall section so that a user can reach through the handle even when the container is full of products. The panel may be slidable and include rails to engage runners 6 located on the walls of the container. The base and walls may be perforated, and the walls may comprise handles 2. The container may be used for storing and transporting a plurality of individual products such as bottles or cans.

Description

A STORAGE AND TRANSPORT DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a storage and transport device, in particular a device for storage and transport of a plurality of individual items, such as bottles or cans; more particularly but not exclusively for a hospitality situation such as a bar.

Background

Hospitality is an ever-popular area in all societies across the world Increasingly people in hospitality are looking to simplify their lives and businesses.

It can be problematic to access and replenish stock in such situations, and similar, where stock levels 15 must be maintained at high levels of pressure and turnover.

For example a worker or similar user will need to place multiple individual items onto stock shelving repeatedly and typically individually. This can take some time and effort, which might be better used for other activities.

Prior Art

EP 2 619 104 (ORGELDINGER et al) discloses a box comprising a base and at least two pairs of opposing lateral walls. A first of the lateral walls extends upwards from the base in a vertical direction at least partly only by a removal height that is shorter than the height of one or more of the remaining lateral walls in order to define a lateral opening with dimensions that allow access to and removal of products contained in the box through the lateral opening. The box further comprises an insert for arranging on the base, said insert being designed dependent on the products to be received by the box.

EP 1 913 318 (BENZ et al) discloses a refrigerated goods container with a base body and a side wall serving as a front wall, which is joined to the base body, characterised in that adjacent to a side edge of the front wall a tongue-and-groove connection between the base body and the front wall and forms a positive connection between the base body and the front wall in the depth direction of the base body.

GB 2 429 687 (DUBOIS) discloses a transport and storage container having a rectangular base from which the longitudinal side walls and at least one end wall extend upwards, these walls being inclined obliquely outwards from the base, characterised in that means for fixing a respective insert wall constructed to correspond to the container cross-section formed by the base and the longitudinal side walls are provided at the end -face ends of the base and the longitudinal side walls such that the insert walls optionally either project vertically upwards from the base and their upper edge lies in the plane extending through the upper edges of the longitudinal side walls, or are fixable in a vertically inclined position directed obliquely outwards from the base.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a storage and transport device comprising a plurality of elevated sides defining a bounded area, and a base, wherein one of the elevated sides comprises a displaceable section so as to allow lateral access to the bounded area.

In this way it may be envisaged that the device enables a user to fill the bounded area with cans or bottles for example, and insert the preloaded device into or onto a shelf, for example a refrigerator or chiller shelf in a commercial establishment, and then subsequently or previously displace the displaceable section to allow simple access to the cans or bottles.

In some embodiments of the device the device comprises handles in a plurality of sides, such that the device may be easily moved into and out of the shelf, or otherwise.

In some such embodiments of the device the handles comprise holes in the sides, minimising spatial 25 requirements and allowing easy access to move of the device in use, for example sliding off and onto shelves in confined spaces.

In some embodiments of the device the handles are arranged orthogonal to the lateral access.

In some embodiments of the device the displaceable section is adapted for sliding displacement, which may be envisaged to be sliding upwards for displacement from the rest of the device. In other embodiments the displacement may be envisaged to be sideways sliding, or hinged displacement, folding or concertina displacement.

In some embodiments of the device the displaceable section comprises a partial height of a side, for example leaving a remainder section below, to one side or otherwise remaining after the displaceable section has been displaced.

In some such embodiments of the device a remainder section of the side provides a handle, such that the device may be removed easily and conveniently in the same axis as the lateral access, which may be envisaged to comprise a convenient axis in use, or example sliding from the shelf.

In some such embodiments of the device said handle extends forward of the remainder section, such that in use the user is able to reach into space behind the handle without contacting cans or bottles.

In some embodiments of the device the base is perforated, such as to allow drainage and maintain minimal weight for the device.

In some embodiments of the device the sides are perforated for a light weight, and/or such that it may be possible to see the contents of the bounded area.

In some embodiments of the device the device is 220mm high, 270mm deep and/or 331mm wide.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, with displaceable section displaced; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1 with displaceable section in place; and Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 3.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of a storage and transport device 99 generally comprising a plurality of elevated sides 3 defining a bounded area, and a base 4, wherein one of the elevated sides comprises a displaceable section 1 so as to allow lateral access to the bounded area.

In particular reference to the pictured embodiment, the embodiment comprises a plastic rectangular 5 base 4, with a plurality of oblong slot holes, providing perforation of the base.

This perforation is provided by slots that extend in four lateral rows, and individually extend back to front of the base, for more effective dispersal of any spillages.

The device substantially comprises a single part, which may be injection moulded or cast or similar, with the displaceable section comprising a wholly separate or separable part.

The base has rounded corners to provide minimal snagging and damage opportunities.

The base includes a depending lip set back from the perimeter of the base, so as to provide a spacing of the base from any subordinate surface, thereby accommodating irregular or uneven surfaces. The lip also has arcuate corners, to limit snagging and damage.

The elevated sides also comprise perforations provided this time by three vertical columns, of laterally extending horizontally.

The columns are separated by vertical ridges extending outward, and indenting the perforations. The corners between the sides comprise three vertical ridges, separated by two vertical indentations, so as to provide strong robust corners to the embodiment.

The top and bottom of the sides is provided with a lateral ridge, the top edge having a further lower lateral ridge intersected by the vertical ridges.

The central columns on each side provide a blank panel for branding or information, which may in 30 some embodiments be envisaged to provide a blank writeable surface, so as to allow identification of the contents of the device in use.

The front and rear sides are longer than the right and left sides, and the right and left sides 3 comprise handles 2, for carrying the device.

The handles are provided by substantially oblong holes through the sides.

The front side of the embodiment comprises a small remainder section 10 at the bottom of the side, and a displaceable section 1 above this.

The remainder section comprises a central handle 5, formed by a hole through the remainder 5 section, and two vertical columns of lateral slots, to either side of the handle.

The perforated columns are indented behind the handle 5, such that in use when the base is full of products, a user is enabled to reach through the handle without the product preventing this, whereby the product may be envisaged to contact the rear surface of the indented columns instead and a 10 space is left behind the handle 5.

The corners of the front side extend inwards from the corners, and include vertical slide runners 6 facing one another across a gap for the displaceable section 1 above the remainder section 10. In this way the displaceable section may be slid into and out of the gap.

The displaceable section comprises a substantially rectangular panel, with a raised ridge close to the perimeter, and a second lower lateral ridge across the top edge.

Two vertical ridges divide three indented perforated columns, with laterally extending oblong slots.

A central column includes a blank panel for information or branding purposes, and above this is a debossed or embossed arrow pointing upwards towards the top edge, so as to ensure correct fitment into the front side.

The side edges of the displaceable section include rails to engage the slide runners, and extending stubs from the lateral ridges to hold the displaceable section securely in the runners.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection 30 as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A storage and transport device comprising a plurality of elevated sides defining a bounded area, and a base, wherein one of the elevated sides comprises a displaceable section so as to allow lateral access to the bounded area.
2. A storage and transport device according to claim 1 comprising handles in a plurality of sides.
3. A storage and transport device according to claim 2 wherein the handles comprise holes in the sides.
4. A storage and transport device according to claim 3 wherein the handles are arranged orthogonal to the lateral access.
5. A storage and transport device according to any preceding claim wherein the displaceable section is adapted for sliding displacement.
6. A storage and transport device according to claim 5 wherein the displaceable section slides upwards in use for displacement.
7. A storage and transport device according to any preceding claim wherein the displaceable section comprises a partial height of a side.
8. A storage and transport device according to claim 7 wherein a remainder section of side provides a handle.
9. A storage and transport device according to claim 8 wherein said handle extends forward of the remainder section.
10. A storage and transport device according to any preceding claim wherein the base is perforated.
11. A storage and transport device according to claim wherein the sides are perforated.
12. A storage and transport device according to any preceding claim that is 220mm high.
13. A storage and transport device according to any preceding claim that is 270mm deep.
14. A storage and transport device according to any preceding claim that is 331mm wide.