IES990854A2 - A bin - Google Patents

Abstract

A bin (1) for carrying stuffed printed circuit boards comprises a base (5) with upstanding side walls (6) and end walls (7). A lid (8) closes the bin (1) and defines with the bin (1) a hollow interior region (15). A pair of spaced apart parallel support panels (20) are located within the hollow interior region (15), and each support panel (20) is provided with a plurality of parallel spaced apart vertically extending grooves (30) for receiving respective opposite ends of the printed circuit boards for supporting the printed circuit boards in the bin (1). The support panels (20) are provided with first and second pins (26,29), respectively, for engaging corresponding receiving recesses (25,28) in the end walls (7) for releasably securing and supporting the support panels (20). The support panels (20) are selectively pivotally engageable by the first pins (26) in the first receiving recesses (25) between a vertically extending supporting position for supporting the printed circuit boards and an inoperative position extending substantially parallel to the base (5) for facilitating nesting of a plurality of bins (1) one into the other. <Figures 1 & 14 >

Description

"A bin" The present invention relates to a bin, and in particular, to a bin for carrying panel type objects, for example, printed circuit boards which have been stuffed or otherwise.

Printed circuit boards, particularly when stuffed require careful handling. It is important that during handling printed circuit boards should be retained spaced apart from each other so that one board does not knock against another board, which could cause serious damage to either of the boards. Additionally, it is desirable that the boards should be packed in a bin and in such a way that they are subjected to the minimum of movement within the bin.

Bins for carrying printedcircuit boards are known, however, such bins, in general, are relatively unversatile. There is therefore a need for a bin for carrying printed circuit boards, and other paneb type objects.

The present invention is directed towards providing such bin.

According to the invention there is provided a bin for carrying a plurality of panel type objects, the bin defining a hollow interior region and being adapted for alternate stacking and nesting with other similar bins, and at least one support means for locating in the hollow interior region for supporting the panel type objects in a desired orientation spaced apart from each other within the hollow interior region, the at least one support means being moveable within the hollow interior region between a support position and an inoperative position for facilitating alternate stacking and nesting of the bin.

In one embodiment of the invention two support means are provided, each of which are moveable between, the support position and the inoperative position.

Preferably, each support means is pivotally mounted, and is pivotal between the support position and the inoperative position.

In one embodiment of the invention a receiving means is provided in the bin for receiving each support means in any one of a plurality of locations for accommodating panels of different sizes, each support means being engageable with the receiving means in each of the plurality of locations for movement between the support position and the inoperative position.

In a further embodiment of the invention each receiving means comprises a pair of first receiving recesses and a pair of second receiving recesses, the first receiving recesses being located adjacent a base of the bin and being located spaced apart from each other at respective opposite ends of the base of the bin for engaging corresponding first pins extending from the corresponding support means. Preferably, the respective second receiving recesses are located spaced apart from each other adjacent the top of the container at respective opposite ends thereof for engaging corresponding second pins extending from the top of the respective support means.

Ideally, the first pins pivotally engage the first receiving recesses for facilitating pivoting of the respective support means between the support position extending substantially upwardly from the base of the bin, and the inoperative position, lying substantially parallel to the base and adjacent thereto.

Ideally, each support means comprises a plurality of spaced apart engaging means for engaging and locating the panel type objects within the hollow interior region. Preferably, each support means is provided with spaced apart engaging means on respective opposite major faces of the support means, the number of engaging means on one face being different to the number on the other face so that by reversing the support means different numbers of panel type objects may be located within the hollow interior region.

In one embodiment of the invention each engaging means is provided by an elongated engagement groove extending along the corresponding major face of the support means.

Preferably, the engagement grooves on each face of each support means extend parallel to each other.

In a further embodiment of the invention a lid is provided for closing the bin, and preferably, the lid is adapted to be nestable into another similar lid, and advantageously for receiving another similar lid nested therein.

Ideally, the lid and the base of the bin are provided with engageable complimentary formations so that the formation on the base of one bin engages the complimentary formation on the lid of a bin immediately below it for Jacilitating stacking of the bins with their lids thereon, one on top of the other.

Ideally, the bin is adapted for carrying panel type objects, of the type such as printed circuit boards, whether stuffed or unstuffed.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a transverse cross-sectional end elevational view of two bins according to the invention stacked one on top of the other, Fig. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional side elevational view of the two bins of Fig. 1, also stacked one on top of the other, Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the bins of Fig. 1 with a portion of the bin removed.

Fig. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional end elevational view of the two bins of Fig. 1 illustrated nested one within the other, with portions of the bins removed, Fig. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional side elevational view of the bins of Fig. 1 nested one within the other, Pig. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional end elevational view of portions of the bins of Fig. 1 illustrated nested one within the other.

Fig. 7 is a transverse cross-sectional side elevational view with the portions of the bins nested one within the other.

Fig. 8 is a transverse cross-sectional end elevational view of a portion of one of the bins of Fig. 1, Fig. 9 is a transverse cross-sectional side elevational view of the portion of the bin of Fig. 8, Fig. 10 is a plan view of the portion of the bin of Fig. 8, Fig. 11 is a transverse cross-sectional end elevational view of another portion of the bin of Fig. 1, Fig. 12 is a transverse cross-sectional side elevational view of the portion of the bin of Fig. 11, Fig. 13 is a plan view of the portion of the bin of Fig. 11, Fig. 14 is a side elevational view of another portion of one of the bins of Fig. 1, and Fig. 15 is an end elevational view of the portion of Fig. 14.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a bin according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for carrying printed circuit boards (not shown), which in this embodiment of the invention would normally be stuffed. The bin 1 of injection moulded plastics comprises a base 5, and side walls 6 and end walls 7 diverge upwardly outwardly from the base 5 for facilitating nesting of one bin 1 within another when the bins are empty, A lid 8 of injection moulded plastics closes the bin 1 and comprises a top wall 9 and downwardly extending side walls 10 and end walls 11 which diverge downwardly from the top wall 9 for facilitating nesting of one lid 8 within another lid 8 when the lids are not in use. The side and ends walls 10 and 11 of the lid 8 terminate in a rim 12 which is adapted for releasably and securely engaging a corresponding rim 14 which extends around the side and end walls 6 and 7 of the bin 1. The bin 1 and lid 8 when secured together define a hollow interior region 15 within which the printed circuit boards are carried, as will now be described.

A pair of support means for locating and supporting the printed circuit boards parallel to and spaced apart from each other within the hollow interior region comprises a pair of support panels 20 which are received and retained in the bin 1 by respective pairs of receiving means, namely, respective pairs of first and second receivers 22 and 23, respectively. The first receivers 22 are located on the end walls 7 of the bin 1 adjacent the base 5, and the second receivers 23 are also located on the end walls 7 but adjacent the top thereof. Each first receiver 22 comprises a plurality of first receiving recesses 25, in this embodiment of the invention six first receiving recesses 25 for receiving a corresponding first pin 26 extending from the lower end of the corresponding support panel 20. Each second receiver 23 comprises six second receiving recesses 28 for receiving a corresponding second pin 29 of the support panel 20. Thus, the support panels 20 can be engaged in any one of the first and second recesses 25 and 28 of each corresponding pair of first and second receivers 22 and 23 for accommodating printed circuit boards of different length.

The support panels 20 are pivotal in the first receivers 22 between a support position illustrated in Fig. 1 with the support panels 20 supporting the printed circuit boards, and an inoperative position illustrated in Fig. 4 with the support panels 20 lying parallel to and adjacent the base 5 of the bin 1 for facilitating alternate stacking and nesting of the bins one into the other when not in use.

A plurality of engaging means comprising a plurality of parallel engagement grooves 30 are formed on the respective opposite major faces 31 of the support panel 20. In this embodiment of the invention eleven engagement grooves 30 are provided on one of the faces 31, while twenty-four engagement grooves are provided on the other face 31. In this way, by reversing the support panels 20 in the bin 1, the bin 1 may be adapted for carrying eleven or twenty-four printed circuit boards. Should the printed circuit boards not be heavily stuffed, then in general, it will be possible to store the printed circuit boards closer to each other, and accordingly, the support panels 20 may be arranged so that twenty-four printed circuit boards are carried in the bin 1. Should the printed circuit boards be heavily stuffed, then, it is envisaged that a greater spacing between adjacent boards will be required, and accordingly, the support panels 10 would be arranged for carrying eleven printed circuit boards. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that any number of engagement grooves may be provided on the respective opposite major faces of the support panel, and the number of grooves will largely be dependent on the spacing which will typically be required between the respective printed circuit boards. It of course will also be appreciated that while a large number of engagement grooves may be provided on one of the major faces of the support panel when storing printed circuit boards in the bin, the printed circuit boards may be engaged in every second or every third engagement groove.

The end walls 7 are recessed outwardly at 35 for accommodating outwardly projecting ends 36 of the support panels 20 when the support panels 20 are pivoted downwardly into the inoperative position.

Additionally, it is desirable that the printed circuit boards should be supported off the base 5 of the bin Ϊ, and accordingly, lips 37 extend outwardly from the major faces 31 at the lower end thereof of the support panels 20 for engaging and supporting the printed circuit boards.

A pair of inter-engageable complimentary formations are formed on the base 5 and lid 8 of each bin 1 for facilitating stacking of the bins 1 one on top of the other. The formation on the base 5 is formed by a ridge 38 which extends around and downwardly from the underside of the base 5 adjacent the periphery thereof. The complimentary formation bn the lid 8 is provided by an engagement recess 39 which extends into the top wall 9 around the top wall 9 adjacent the periphery thereof.

In use, when the bins 1 are not required, and it is desired to nest the bins one within the other, the lids 8 are removed from the bins 1 and nested one into the other. The support panels 20 are pivoted downwardly into the inoperative position illustrated in Fig. 4 and then one bin 1 can be nested into the next bin 1 and so on. When it is desired to carry printed circuit boards in bins 1, the support panels 20 are first of all oriented with the appropriate faces 31 facing each other, depending on the number of printed circuit boards to be carried in the bin 1, and the first and second pins 26 and 29 of the support panels 20 are then engaged in the corresponding first and second recesses 25 and 28, respectively, of the first and second receivers 22 and 23, respectively, so that the spacing between the support panels 20 corresponds to the length of the printed circuit boards. The printed circuit boards are then engaged and slid downwardly in the engagement grooves 30 to rest on the lower lips 37 of the support panels 20. When the bin 1 has been fully-charged with the printed circuit boards the lid 8 is then secured to the bin 1 by engaging the rim 12 of the lid 8 securely with the rim 14 of the bin 1. Fully charged bins 1 are then stacked one on top of the other with the engagement ridge 38 on the base 5 of one bin 1 engaging the corresponding engagement recess 39 on the lid 8 of the bin 1 immediately beneath.

To pivot the support panels between the support and the inoperative positions, the panels 20 are lifted slightly upwardly so that the second pins 29 disengage the second receiving recesses 28, thereby permitting pivoting of the support panels in the directions of the arrow A, see Fig. 1, so that the panels lie substantially parallel to and adjacent the base 5 in the inoperative position.

While the bin and the lid have been described as being of injection moulded plastics material both may be of any other suitable material and may be formed by any other suitable forming process, for example, both or one of them may be of thermo formed plastics material.

Although not illustrated, a pouch may be provided on one of the end or side walls for receiving documentation relating to and identifying the printed circuit boards which have been stored in the bin.

While the support panels have been described as being inengageable in receiving means in a plurality of different locations, it is envisaged that in many cases, the bins may be provided with each support panel pivotally mounted in one single location in the bins. Indeed, it will be appreciated that the support panels may be moveable between the support position and the inoperative position by means other than being pivotally mounted.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described which may be varied in construction and detail.