IL112600A - Collapsible container - Google Patents

Description

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER , 909-94CRA.TE J-13 9-Feb-95 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to containers in general and, in particular, to collapsible containers such as crates .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Crates, particularly those made of plastic, are well known and very widely used. Typically, crates are formed with a generally flat base and four side walls perpendicular to the base .

Plastic crates are often of sturdy construction and, as such, are intended for repeated reuse. As many of the uses of crates are inherently not 'clean,' however, such as when they are used for the storage and transportation of unwashed fresh produce, it is often necessary to clean the crates prior to reuse. Typically, the crates are cleaned by washing and in many cases, residues of vegetable matter and the like may become trapped in the corners of the crates. Accordingly, additional time and effort may be required in order to properly clean the crates. Alternatively, if it is not wished to invest the additional time and effort in properly cleaning the crates from such residues trapped in the corners, the crates may remain improperly cleaned, thereby constituting a health hazard.

, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an aim of the present invention to provide a novel container which overcomes disadvantages of prior art. More particularly, the container is collapsible, both inwardly and outwardly, thereby eliminating the possibility of residues becoming trapped during washing thereof. Furthermore, walls of the container are fully detachable, thereby enabling easy replacement of parts which may become damaged, thereby prolonging the life of the container.

There is thus provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a collapsible container including: a generally planar base member; a plurality of wall members; and hinge apparatus for connecting the plurality of wall members to the base member, including apparatus for permitting selectable rotation of the wall members relative to the base member within an angular range of 180°.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, all of the wall members are selectably detachable from the base member.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is also provided locking apparatus for selectably locking the wall members into a generally upright position relative to the base member so as to bring the container into the fully assembled orientation.

Further orientations of the container are a first collapsed orientation and a second collapsed orientation. In the first collapsed orientation, the wall members are folded inwardly about the hinge apparatus so as to lie generally parallel to and above the base member. In the , second collapsed orientation, the wall members are folded outwardly about the hinge apparatus so as to lie generally adjacent to and in coplanar arrangement with the base member.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base member has a plurality of edge portions, and each wall member has a lower edge portion for connection to one of the base member edge portions, and wherein the hinge apparatus includes: one or more pin members formed on each base member edge portion, and extending along a hinge axis substantially parallel to the base member edge portion; and one or more hinge members, formed on each wall member lower edge portion, for selectable engagement with and rotation about the pin member and thus also about the hinge axis, and wherein each hinge member includes first and second spaced apart pin member engagement portions aligned along an axis perpendicular to the edge portions, the first engagement portion being formed immediately adjacent to the wall lower edge portion and the second engagement portion being formed distally therefrom, and wherein the first and second engagement portions are selectably engageable with the pin member.

, Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention the locking apparatus includes: one or more first locking members formed on each base member edge portion; and one or more second locking members, formed on each wall member edge portion, for selectable locking engagement with the first locking member, and wherein, when the container is in the fully assembled position, the first and second locking members are in an interlocked, load-transferring position and, further, when the container is not in the fully assembled position, the first and second locking members are in a non-interlocked position.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, each wall member further has a pair of side edge portions perpendicular to the lower edge portion, each side edge portion having apparatus, formed therewith, for selectable locking engagement with a side edge portion of an adjacent wall member when the wall members are in generally upright positions relative to the base member.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base member has four edge portions along which extend first and second pairs of parallel hinge axes, and the plurality of wall members includes two pairs of oppositely disposed wall members mounted for selectable rotation about the parallel hinge axes.

, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: Figs. 1A, 1B and 1C are diagrammatic views of a collapsible container, constructed in accordance with the present invention, in inwardly collapsed, assembled, and outwardly collapsed orientations, respectively; Fig. 2A is a top view of the base member of the container of the present invention; Fig. 2B is a bottom view of the base member of Fig. 2A; Fig. 2C is a lateral-section view of the base member of Figs. 2A and 2B, taken along the line C-C in Fig. 2A; Fig. 2D is a longitudinal side view of the base member of Figs. 2A and 2B, taken in the direction of line D-D in Fig. 2A; Fig. 3A is an elevational view of an inward-facing side of a side wall member of the container of the present invention; Fig. 3B is an elevational view of an outward-facing side of the end wall member of Fig. 3A; Figs. 3C and 3D are sectional views of the wall member seen in Figs. 3A and 3B, taken along lines C-C and D-D in Fig. 3B, respectively illustrating locking and hinge members thereof; Fig. 4A is an elevational view of an inward-facing side of a end wall member of the container of the present invention; Fig. 4B is an elevational view of an outward-facing side of the end wall member of Fig, 4A; Figs. 4C and 4D are sectional views of the wall member seen in Figs. 4A and 4B, taken along lines C-C and , D-D in Fig. 4B, respectively illustrating locking and hinge members thereof; Fig. 5A is a schematic side view of the container of the present invention in a fully assembled position as seen in Fig. 1B, in the direction of arrow 5 therein; Fig. 5B is an enlarged detail of a portion "5B" of Fig. 5A; Fig. 6A is a schematic part-sectional side view illustration of the orientation of a locking member of the end wall relative to the base member when in an inwardly collapsed orientation; Fig. 6B is a schematic part-sectional side view illustration of the orientation of a hinge member of the end wall relative to the base member when in an inwardly collapsed orientation; Fig. 7A is a schematic part-sectional side view illustration of the orientation of a locking member of the end wall relative to the base member when in the fully assembled orientation; Fig. 7B is a schematic part-sectional side view illustration of the orientation of a hinge member of the end wall relative to the base member when in the fully assembled orientation; Fig. 8A is a schematic part-sectional side view illustration of the orientation of a locking member of the end wall relative to the base member when in an outwardly collapsed orientation; and Fig. 8B is a schematic part-sectional side view illustration of the orientation of a hinge member of the end wall relative to the base member when in an outwardly collapsed orientation.

, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to Figs. 1A-1C, there is provided a collapsible container 10 which has a generally planar base member 12, a plurality of wall members 14, and hinge apparatus for connecting each wall member 14 to the base member 12 along a hinge axis 16. As seen schematically in Figs. 1A-1C, and as described in detail hereinbelow, this permits selectable rotation of the wall members 14 relative to the base member 12 in a range of substantially 180°. Typically, container 10 is configured as a crate, although it may alternatively have any other preferred configuration.

The wall members 14 may be rotated about hinge axes 16 so as to bring container 10 into any of three selectable orientations. In a first extreme orientation, seen in Fig. 1A, the wall members 14 are folded inwardly about the hinge axes 16, as indicated by arrows 17, so as to lie generally parallel and above the base member 12. This inwardly collapsed orientation reduces the container bulk to a minimum and is useful for storage and transportation. In a second extreme orientation, seen in Fig. 1C, the wall members 14 are folded outwardly about the hinge axes 16, as indicated by arrows 19, so as to lie in a coplanar position with base member 16. In a third, intermediate orientation, seen in Fig. 1B, wall members 14 have an upright position relative to the base member 12. Locking apparatus, described below, is provided for selectably locking the wall members 14 in the illustrated 'fully assembled' position, thereby permitting normal use of the container for holding and transporting goods.

, It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the ability to open out the container completely flat, in the outwardly collapsed orientation seen in Fig. 1C, facilitates thorough washing thereof, substantially eliminating any corners in which undesirable debris can become trapped as described in the BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION in conjunction with conventional crates.

Referring now to Figs. 2A-4D, base member 12 (Figs. 2A-2D) has a plurality of edge portions 18, and each wall member 14 (Figs. 3A-4D) has a lower edge portion 20 for connection to one of the base member edge portions 18. Complimentary portions of both the hinge apparatus, which permits rotation of the wall members about hinge axes 16, relative to the base member 12, and of the locking apparatus, which permits selectable locking of the wall members in an upright position, are provided along base member edge portions 18 and along adjacent wall member lower edge portions 20.

In more detail, the hinge apparatus comprises preferably a plurality of pin members 22 (Figs. 2A-2D) and a corresponding plurality of hinge members 24 (Figs. 3A-4D) . Pin members 22 are provided along each base member edge portion 18 and extending along a hinge axis 16; each hinge axis 16 being substantially parallel to one of the base member edge portions 18. Hinge members 24 are provided along wall member lower edge portions 20, for selectable engagement with and rotation about the pin members 22, and thus also about the hinge axis 16.

As seen particularly in Figs. 3D, 4D, 5B, 6A and 6B, each hinge member 24 has first and second spaced apart pin member engagement portions, respectively referenced 26 and 28 configured for engagement with a pin member 22. Engagement portions 26 and 28 are typically aligned along , an axis 30 (Figs. 3D and 4D) perpendicular to the edge portions 18 and 22. The first engagement portion 26 is formed immediately adjacent to the wall member edge portion 22 and the second engagement portion 28 is formed distally therefrom.

As seen, the first and second engagement portions 26 and 28 have generally U-shaped configurations positioned such that the openings thereof are mutually opposite. Furthermore, portions 26 and 28 are formed such that each has an internal radius of curvature that is similar to or greater than the radius of curvature of the pin members 22, thereby to permit selectable engagement of the first and second engagement portions 26 and 28 with the pin member 22.

When a given wall member 14 is in either a generally upright position (Figs. 5A, 5B and 7B) or in an inwardly folded position (Fig. 6B) relative to the base member 12, the first engagement portion 26 of hinge member 24 engages an associated pin member 22. Accordingly, rotation of the wall members 14 between these positions occurs by rotation of first engagement portion 26 about hinge axis 16. In order to move the wall member 1 from an upright position to an outwardly folded position generally coplanar with the base member 12, the first engagement portion is disengaged from the pin member 22 by pulling the wall member 14 outwardly, thereby to cause engagement of the pin member 22 by the second engagement portion 28 of hinge member.

Rotation of the wall member 14 in an outward direction is then effected by rotation of second engagement portion 28 of hinge member 24 in engagement with and about pin member 22 and, accordingly, hinge axis 16. This brings the wall member into a flattened position. Engagement of the pin member 22 by the second , engagement portion 28 of an end wall member 14E is seen in detail in Fig. 8B.

Hinge member 24 further defines a lateral opening 32 (Figs. 3D and 4D) of a size permitting passage therethrough of pin member 22, thereby to permit selectable detachment of each wall member 14 from the base member 12.

The described capability of wall member detachment from the base member represents a further significant advantage of the container of the present invention over prior art containers. It will be appreciated that as any of the wall members or base member of container 10 may be replaced, damage to any of these components does not require discarding of the entire container. Rather, repair of the container can be effected merely by removal of the damaged component and replacement thereof.

The locking apparatus which, as described above, enables locking of the wall members 14 in an upright position, is formed of first and second locking members, respectively referenced 40 (Figs. 2A and 2B) and 42 (Figs. 3A-4D). As seen in Figs. 2A and 2B, typically a plurality of first locking members .40 are provided along each base member edge portion 18, and a corresponding plurality of second locking members 42 are provided along each wall member edge portion 22.

Each first locking member 40 includes a pair of opposing teeth 44 which protrude outwardly from base member edge portion 18, and each second locking member 42 includes a protrusion 46 which protrudes generally outwardly, and parallel to hinge members 24, from a lower edge portion 22 of a wall member 14. Each generally downward protrusion is typically formed with a pair of lateral pin portions 48, which provide locking of the wall members 14 with the base member 12 when the , container 10 is in the fully assembled position, and which further cooperate with a curved surface 49 when wall members 14 are pivoted between different orientations.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 6A and 8A, it is seen that when crate 10 is in an inwardly flattened position (Fig. 1A), pin portions 48 are totally disengaged from teeth 44. Referring now to Fig. 7A, when seeking to fully assemble the crate 10, wall members 14 are manipulated so as to insert lateral pin portions 48 beneath teeth 44, as shown, such that the wall members become locked with base member 12 in the upright position.

It will thus be appreciated that, when protrusions 46 and teeth 44 are interlocked, as shown in Fig. 7A, loading is transferred between base member 12 and wall members 14 mainly via the locking apparatus, and not by the hinge apparatus. Exclusion of the hinge apparatus from the main force transferring mechanism generally protects the hinge apparatus, which are not designed as load bearing members, from undue stress and consequent failure.

In order to evenly distribute stresses caused by loading of the container, such as when a heavily laden container is being carried, it is preferred that the respective pluralities of the pin members 22 and the first locking members 40 are interspersed along the edge portions 18 of the base member 12, and the respective pluralities of the hinge members 24 and the second locking members 40 are interspersed along the lower edge portions 22 of wall members 14.

Furthermore, and as seen particularly in Figs. 2E and 6A, the plurality of pin members 22 and first locking members 40 located along each base member edge 18 , is preferably provided at a height different to that of an adjacent plurality of pin members 22 and first locking members 40. As seen, inter alia, in Figs. 2C, 6B and 7B, the lateral pin members 22, clearly protrude above the folded down wall member 14, by a height which corresponds to the thickness of the folded down wall member. Accordingly, when the wall member (not shown) mounted on the lateral pin members 22 is folded down, it too can be folded flat, such that its exposed surface lies along the position indicated in Fig. 6A by the broken line 49.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1A-2B, base member 12 of the container 10 is typically rectangular, although it may alternatively be square, or any other preferred shape. Accordingly, while side wall members 14 may also be any preferred shape, they too, are preferably rectangular. It is thus seen that wall members 14, although similarly constructed, may be divided into two pairs, a first pair of elongate 'side' walls, as seen particularly in Figs. 3A-3D, and bearing the additional notation "14S" in parenthesis; and a second pair of less wide 'end' walls, as seen particularly in Figs. 4A-4D, and bearing the additional notation "1 E" in parenthesis. Accordingly, and as seen in Figs. 1A-1C, 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B, each wall member further has a pair of side edge portions 50 perpendicular to the lower edge portion 22, as well as an upper or free edge portion 52, which is preferably parallel to lower edge portion 22.

In order to impart structural stability to the container in its fully assembled position, wall members 14 when in the upright position, each side edge portion 50 has formed thereon apparatus for selectable locking engagement with a side edge portion 50 of an adjacent wall member 14 when the wall members 14 are in generally upright positions relative to the base member 12.

, Although this can be substantially any suitable locking apparatus, the locking apparatus in the present embodiment is formed of a pair of male snap elements 54 (Figs. 4A and 4B) formed on side edge portions 50 of end wall members Ί4Ε for mating engagement with female snap elements 56 (Figs. 3A and 3B) formed in side edge portions 50 of side wall members 14S; and of a pawl element 58 formed on side edge portions 50 of side wall members 14S for insertion into an opening 60 (Fig. 4B) formed on side edge portions 50 of end wall members 14E.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove, merely by way of example. Rather, the scope of the invention is limited solely by the claims, which follow. 112,600/3

Claims (15)

1. A collapsible container comprising: a generally planar base member; a plurality of wall members; and hinge means for connecting said plurality of wall members to said base member, including means for permitting selectable rotation of said wall members relative to said base member within a range of substantially 180° to fold either flat on top of or away from said base member while remaining attached to said base member.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein all of said wall members are selectably detachable from said base member.

3. A collapsible container according to either of claims 1 or 2, also including locking means for selectably locking said wall members into a generally upright position relative to said base member so as to bring said container into the fully assembled orientation, and wherein said container further has a first collapsed orientation, wherein said wall members are folded inwardly about said hinge means so as 112,600/2 a second collapsed orientation, wherein said wall members are folded outwardly about said hinge means so as to lie generally adjacent to and in coplanar arrangement with said base member.

4. A container according to claim 3, wherein said base member has a plurality of edge portions, and each said wall member has a lower edge portion for connection to one of said base member edge portions, and wherein said hinge means comprises: at least one pin member formed on each said base member edge portion, and extending along a hinge axis substantially parallel to said base member edge portion; and at least one hinge member, formed on each said wall member lower edge portion, for selectable engagement with and rotation about said pin member and thus also about said hinge axis, and wherein each said hinge member comprises first and second spaced apart pin member engagement portions aligned along an axis perpendicular to said edge portions, said first engagement portion being formed immediately adjacent to said wall lower edge portion and said second engagement portion being formed distally 112,600/2 therefrom, and wherein said first and second engagement portions are selectably engageable with said pin member.

5. A container according to claim 4, wherein said first and second engagement portions define a pair of generally U-shaped portions arranged such that the openings thereof are mutually opposite and having at least a portion whose internal radius of curvature is similar to the radius of curvature of said pin member, thereby to permit selectable engagement of said first and second engagement portions with said pin member wherein, when each said wall member is in a generally upright position relative to said base member and in an inwardly folded portion relative thereto, said first engagement portion engages an associated pin member, and wherein, in order to move said wall member from said upright position to an outwardly folded position, said first engagement portion is disengaged from said pin member and said second engagement portion of said hinge member is engaged with said pin member.

6. A container according to claim 4, wherein said hinge member further defines a lateral opening of a size permitting passage therethrough of said pin member, 112,600/2 thereby to permit selectable detachment of each said wall member from said base member.

7. A container according to any of claims 4-6, wherein each said edge portion of said base member has formed thereon a plurality of pin members, and each said lower edge portion of each said wall member has formed thereon a plurality of hinge members for engagement with said plurality of hinge members.

8. A container according to any of claims 4-7, wherein said locking means comprises: - at least one first locking member formed on each said base member edge portion; and at least one second locking member, formed on each said wall member edge portion, for selectable locking engagement with said first locking member, and wherein, when said container is in the fully assembled position, said at least first and second locking members are in an interlocked, load-transferring position and, further, when said container is not in the fully assembled position, said at least first and second locking members are in a non-interlocked position. 112,600/2

9. A container according to claim 8, wherein each said edge portion of said base member has formed thereon a plurality of said first locking members, and said lower edge portion of each said wall member has formed thereon a plurality of said second locking members for engagement with said plurality of first locking members.

10. A container according to any of claims 7-9, and wherein said respective pluralities of said pin members and said first locking members are interspersed along said edge portion of said base member, and said respective pluralities of said hinge members and said second locking members are interspersed along said lower edge portion of each said wall member.

11. A container according to any of claims 4-10, wherein each said wall member further has a pair of side edge portions perpendicular to said lower edge portion, each said side edge portion having means, formed therewith, for selectable locking engagement with a side edge portion of an adjacent wall member when said wall members are in generally upright positions relative to said base member . 112,600/2

12. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said base member has four edge portions along which extend first and second pairs of parallel hinge axes, and said plurality of wall members comprises two pairs of oppositely disposed wall members mounted for selectable rotation about said parallel hinge axes.

13. A container according to claim 12, wherein said first and second pairs are provided at different heights relative to said base member, thereby to facilitate inward folding of a first of said pair of wall members onto said base member and subsequent folding of said second pair of wall members onto said first pair of wall members .

14. A container according to claim 12, wherein said base member and said wall members are rectangular.

15. A container according to any of the preceding claims and comprising a crate. 909-94 J-13