JP4924959B2 - Foldable container with elastically suspended floorboard - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a container used for transportation and display of products. More particularly, the present invention relates to a foldable container, which has a floor plate suspended elastically and is convenient for transportation and display of products.

  A growing trend in the retail industry is the transportation of products using containers. The container is also suitable for displaying and selling products at retail stores. As a result, the labor required for transferring the product from the transport container to the display unit and arranging the display of the product can be greatly reduced. The present invention particularly relates to, but is not limited to, a shipping container (or referred to as a “wood box”, “box” or “bin”). The container is usually made from a molded plastic material. Since this container is at least partially foldable, it is possible to reduce the volume of the container upon return (empty). One series of examples to which the present invention can be applied is a container called a “bulk box”. This has a lateral dimension of 60 × 80 cm, or 60 × 40 cm, and a height of 75 to 110 cm.

  When these containers are used to sell retail products, the “mountain of display” goes down as the upper product is removed. This makes it difficult for customers to reach for the product, and they have to lean over to pick up the rest of the product or reach down. There is also a psychological negative effect. In other words, the presence of a product in a low position causes the customer to regard the product as “unsold” or outdated. Accordingly, the willingness to purchase the product is reduced.

  For these and other reasons, it is advantageous to have a shipping and display container with a self-supporting floorboard. A floor board that rises automatically is a floor board that can be raised to a level where the height of the mountain of the product can be recognized when the product is removed. At the same time, it is advantageous that the self-raising floorboard does not interfere with facilitating a reduction in container volume when the collapsible container is returned in a conventional manner.

  The present invention relates to a shipping and display container having an elastically suspended floorboard.

  In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a container comprises: (a) a set of four wall portions each having one or more folding portions and each used as a folding wall portion that can be in an upright state and a folded state; b) a floor plate arranged in the set of walls or movable perpendicular to the set of walls, and (c) a suspension structure having at least four elastic suspension elements, the suspension elements When the first load is loaded on the floorboard, which is arranged to suspend the floorboard against the set of walls, the floorboard is located in a low place and a part of the load is removed Sometimes the suspension structure has a suspension structure that pushes the floorboard up to a high place.

  According to a further characteristic of the invention, each of the elastic suspension elements comprises an elastomer material.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, each of the elastic suspension elements includes a coil spring.

  According to a further characteristic of the invention, the set of walls is characterized by the arrangement of a stop mechanism, the stop mechanism being arranged to engage the floorboard, so that a fully raised position can be determined. .

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the stop mechanism is disposed under the folded portion.

  According to a further characteristic of the invention, each of the suspension elements is attached to one folding part of the wall.

  According to a further characteristic of the invention, the base is also firmly attached to the set of walls under the floorboard.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the base is configured to provide one or more grooves, which are used to insert a pallet jack for lifting the container.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the container also includes: (a) a set of four walls; and (b) a floorboard disposed within the set of walls and movable perpendicular to the set of walls. And (c) a suspension structure having four or more elastic suspension elements, wherein the suspension structure is arranged to suspend the floor board from the set of wall portions, and a first load is loaded on the floor board. The floorboard is located in a low place, and when a part of the load is removed, the suspension structure pushes the floorboard up to a high place, the suspension structure further comprising an adjustment mechanism, It is configured to adjust the effective length of the elastic suspension element.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust an effective length of the elastic suspension element, the elastic suspension element having an operable length and an inoperable length. The floorboard is elastically biased toward the raised position at the operable length, and even when no load is loaded at the inoperable length, the floorboard is Located in the low place.

  According to a further characteristic of the invention, the adjusting mechanism comprises a rotatable drum connected to the floorboard, and each of the elastic suspension elements is connected to the drum so that the rotation of the drum is elastic. Allows simultaneous adjustment of all effective lengths of the suspension elements.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the adjustment mechanism further comprises a handle, which is accessible from the upper surface of the floorboard and manually rotates the drum.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the adjustment mechanism further comprises a locking mechanism that locks the drum in one or more positions relative to the floorboard.

  According to a further characteristic of the invention, the adjusting mechanism further comprises a ratchet mechanism, which allows the drum to rotate, which shortens the effective length of the elastic suspension element, and also the ratchet. The mechanism prevents the drum from rotating and prevents the effective length of the elastic suspension element from being increased.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the adjustment mechanism further comprises a ratchet override mechanism, the ratchet disable mechanism being selectively operable to release the ratchet arrangement and rotate the drum, the rotation causing the elastic The effective length of the suspension element is increased.

  The present invention is described herein by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The present invention is a shipping and display container having an elastically suspended floorboard.

  The principles and operation of containers in accordance with the present invention can be further understood with reference to the drawings and accompanying descriptions.

  As a prelude, the present invention is a foldable container. When the container is open, the shelf or “floorboard” that supports the product is suspended from the container wall via elastic suspension elements. For this reason, it is possible to automatically adjust the height of the floorboard. Therefore, the height of the product is adjusted according to the weight of the product in the container. The invention described herein is illustrated by reference to two non-limiting examples. First, a basic embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 5B. Then, another embodiment including an adjustment mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A to 9C.

  Reference is now made to the drawings. 1A to 5B show a container, which is denoted by reference numeral (10). This container is assembled and operated in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and is used for the transport and display of products. Generally speaking, the container (10) has four walls (12), (14), (16) and (18), and a floorboard (20). The floorboard (20) is arranged in the set of walls and is movable perpendicular to the set of walls. The suspension structure comprises four or more elastic suspension elements (22). The suspension element (22) is arranged to suspend the floorboard (20) from the set of walls. That is, when a first load (not shown) is loaded on the floor board, the floor board is located in a low place (FIGS. 3A and 3B). And when part of the load is removed, the suspension structure pushes the floorboard up to a higher place (see FIGS. 2A to 2B and FIGS. 1A to 1B).

  At this stage, the present invention is already worthy of evaluation in that it provides a solution to the aforementioned inconveniences such as user inconvenience and psychological “unsold” effects. These inconveniences are solved by gradually raising the product in the lower position according to the remaining weight when the upper part of the loaded product is removed.

  Before describing the features of the present invention in more detail, for the sake of convenience, certain terminology used in the specification and claims of the present invention will be defined. First, when referring to an element that is “elastic” or an element that operates “elastically”, these terms are used herein in their broadest sense. That is, every move is used to refer to any element that provides a resilient restoring force without causing significant and permanent distortion. Thus, the “elastic suspension element” in the present invention is implemented by using an elastomer material, a coil spring or other stretchable element having suitable properties. Most preferably, the suspension element is mainly or exclusively formed from an elastomer material. The elastomer material is, for example, natural rubber or synthetic rubber. Elastic suspension elements are generally less susceptible to bending damage while the container is folded. In certain situations, problems may arise when using metal coil springs and the like.

  The term “container” is used herein as a generic term for containers, wooden boxes, boxes, bins, and the like. The containers are independent of the constituent materials that form them. Further, it does not depend on whether it is a non-hollow wall or a structure having an opening. Further, the term “container” has the following structure: That is, the suspended floorboard of the present invention is the only base in a structure formed by a set of four walls.

  Reference is made to the properties of the container (10) in more detail. Four suspension elements (22) are typically used. Additional suspension elements (eg 6 in total) can optionally be provided, but are preferably arranged in contrast. Furthermore, the number of suspension elements may vary. For example, each element can be doubled at each corner to accommodate different weight products. Alternatively or additionally, the suspension elements may be attached alternately. This allows the suspension element to be replaced with a suspension element having a different thickness, length or other mechanical properties. All of these suspension elements can be replaced depending on the intended use of the container. Furthermore, the use of a combination of suspension elements having different lengths or other different characteristics provides the desired force and mutation functions. For example, it is more linear than the function of force and displacement that would result when using a single elastic suspension element.

  The container (10) is preferably of a type in which a pair of opposing walls are folded inward. The suspension element (22) is preferably attached to a pair of walls (12), (16) and is formed to be folded first. In the preferred embodiment illustrated herein, the pair of sides (12), (16) extends along the shorter side of the container. This particular advantage can be seen in FIGS. 4B and 5B. That is, the height of the folded part of the wall is folded in a direction having a large dimension (length). Accordingly, the overlapping area of the folded walls can be reduced. Thereby, the contact surface of the side part (16) that is folded first is minimized by using the suspension element of the side part (12) that is folded second.

  Optionally, the set of walls features a structure having a stop mechanism (23) (only one shown). The stopper mechanism (23) is arranged so as to mesh with the floor plate, so that the fully elevated position (FIGS. 1A and 1B) can be determined. This makes it possible to mount a suspension element having a certain amount of pretension (pre-given tension) in the fully raised position. Therefore, the suspension element can reach the fully raised position even if the load is still on the floorboard (20). In certain preferred embodiments, the stop mechanism (23) is arranged to determine the fully raised position of the floorboard (20). This fully raised position does not come higher than the hinges on the side of the foldable container that will be folded first. Therefore, the floorboard does not reliably reach a position that disturbs the folding of the container wall.

  In certain preferred embodiments illustrated herein, the container (10) has a base (24). This base (24) is securely attached to a set of walls at the bottom of the floorboard (20). This ensures the structural integrity and rigidity of the container as a whole. Also, if the floorboard and suspension structure are removed, the container can be used in a conventional manner. In the preferred embodiment shown herein, the base (24) is arranged to provide one or more grooves (26), (28). The grooves (26) and (28) are used for inserting a pallet jack (not shown) for lifting the container.

  Reference is now made to FIGS. 6A-9C. It is 2nd embodiment of a container, Comprising: It represents with a code | symbol (30). This container (30) is assembled and operated in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The container (30) is substantially the same as the container (10). Equivalent elements are also represented by equivalent codes. A particularly preferred characteristic of this embodiment of the invention is that the container (30) has a suspension element length adjustment mechanism (32). This suspension element length adjustment mechanism (32) is used to adjust the effective length of the suspension element (22). Usually, the “effective length” of the suspension element refers to the length from the tip of the attachment portion of the container wall to the tip of the entrance to the floor board (20). Preferably, the suspension element length adjustment mechanism is manually operable (it can be done directly by hand or by a mechanical “button”). Also preferably, the lengths of all suspension elements are adjusted in the same way at the same time.

  The suspension element length adjustment mechanism provides one or both of two important functions. According to the first function, the lifting force can be adjusted. This lifting force makes the mechanism convenient for products of different weights. Therefore, when placing potatoes or watermelons, the suspension element is made shorter. This is to provide a higher lifting force to a product with a low density or a product packed in a box with a low density. As a result, it is possible to sell a variety of products using the same container while maintaining a preferred product pile height. This feature can also be used advantageously in non-foldable containers.

  The second function is to loosen the pull of the suspension element before folding the container for return or return. This ensures that there is no potential danger of opening the folded container, or inconvenient pressure, or such a tendency.

  Prior to loading the product, the effective length of the suspension element is adjusted. This determines the degree of pulling suitable for the fully loaded and / or fully raised state. A mechanical stop mechanism is also provided here to determine each fully raised position.

  The characteristics of this embodiment will be described in more detail. A non-limiting example of a preferred embodiment of the adjustment mechanism (32) is illustrated in FIGS. 7A-9C. In this case, the adjustment mechanism is based on a drum or wheel (34). The drum or wheel (34) is mainly disposed under or in the floor board (20). The suspension element (22) is firmly fixed to the floor board (20). The rotation of the wheel (34) simultaneously entrains the suspension element (22). This is done, for example, by rotating the handle (36) available from the upper side of the floorboard (20). The suspension element is in the state shown in FIGS. 8A to 8B. In this way, the effective length of the suspension element is shortened and / or the suspension element is pretensioned (pretensioned) against the stop element. In the example shown herein, the suspension element wraps around a reduced diameter reel surface. This reel surface is arranged between the upper and lower disks. The upper disk has been removed in FIGS. 8A and 8B for clarity of illustration. The handle is placed in the floorboard. Alternatively, the handle may be a removable “key”. This key can only be used by authorized personnel. Optionally, the locking mechanism may be automatically activated. This locking mechanism is automatically activated by folding the handle or removable key.

  Once the desired length and degree of pull are obtained, the wheels are locked and do not rotate. For example, the locking is achieved by inserting one or more retaining pins into a hole formed by the wheel and the floor board. Or, more preferably, locking is performed by a ratchet mechanism as shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C below.

  FIG. 9B will be described in detail. In this figure, the drum (34) is formed by an end. This end is formed as a sawtooth gear. A spring-biased ratchet arm (38) supports this gear. With this structure, the drum can rotate clockwise. Therefore, the effective length of the illustrated elastic suspension element (22) can be shortened. However, this structure prevents the drum from rotating in the reverse direction and prevents the elastic suspension element from being lengthened. Conveniently, this makes it possible to shorten the suspension element that raises the floorboard (20) or to pretension (pretension) the stop mechanism. It is also possible to maintain the tension at a desired level during product loading or unloading. When the contents of the container are removed, the position of the floorboard (20) is lowered. This is done by rotating the release lever (40) with an eccentric cam structure that compresses the ratchet arm (38). It is also done by removing the release lever from the teeth of the drum (34). This renders the ratchet arrangement ineffective, and the drum can be rotated to reduce the effective length of the elastic suspension element to an inoperable length. And the floorboard (20) will be in the state of FIG. 6A, can fold a container, and can prepare for return.

  It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous other suspension element length adjustment mechanisms can be implemented. As a further non-limiting example, similar results can be obtained by using a scissors mechanism under the floorboard. Furthermore, the suspension element length adjustment mechanism is also arranged as part of the container wall rather than being arranged in the floorboard.

  Both the above embodiments will be described. It is shown in this embodiment that the mounting of the foldable opening (42) is particularly preferred. This foldable opening (42) is at the top of one or more side walls of the container. Because the floorboard moves up, these inspection openings are placed at high positions on the wall. These openings make it easier for customers to reach the product in the container. In the preferred example illustrated herein, the foldable opening is about one third of the total depth the container can accommodate when the floorboard is in a lowered / loading condition.

  The range of motion of the floorboard (20) is preferably at least about 10%, more preferably at least about 20%. The most preferred range of motion is at least 25% of the total depth that the container can accommodate. The maximum height reached by the floorboard is such that it does not exceed about 70% of the total depth the container can accommodate.

  The container may be made of any material. Most preferably, the present invention is implemented using a molded plastic container. As described above, the container is operated by a pallet jack or a forklift as illustrated.

  The above description is intended to be used by way of example only, and other embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

It is a side view which shows 1st embodiment of a container. Assembling and operating in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the front wall has been removed to show the elastically suspended floorboard. In addition, this floor board shows the state which exists in the fully raised position which is not loaded. It is a perspective view which shows 1st embodiment of a container. Assembling and operating in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the front wall has been removed to show the elastically suspended floorboard. In addition, this floor board shows the state which exists in the fully raised position which is not loaded. It is a figure similar to FIG. 1A, Comprising: The state which exists in the intermediate position in which the floor board suspended elastically was partially loaded is shown. It is a figure similar to FIG. 1B, Comprising: The floor board suspended elastically is shown in the state which is partially loaded and in the middle position. It is a figure similar to FIG. 1A, Comprising: The floor board suspended elastically is shown in the state which is completely loaded and in the low position. It is a figure similar to FIG. 1B, Comprising: The floor board suspended elastically is shown in the state which is completely loaded and in the low position. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1A, showing the container partially folded. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1A, showing the container partially folded. The front wall has been removed to show the internal folded structure. 1B is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1A, showing a fully folded state. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1A, showing a fully folded state. FIG. The front wall has been removed to show the internal folded structure. It is a perspective view which shows 2nd embodiment of a container. Assembling and operating in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the front wall has been removed to show the lower floorboard. It is a perspective view which shows 2nd embodiment of a container. Assembling and operating in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the front wall has been removed to show the raised floorboard in an elastically suspended state. It is the perspective view of the floor board extracted from the container of FIG. 6A, and a suspension structure, Comprising: The state in the low position is shown. It is the perspective view of the floor board extracted from the container of FIG. 6A, and a suspension structure, Comprising: The state suspended elastically is shown. FIG. 7B is a view similar to FIG. 7A, cut away to show details of an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the effective length of the elastic suspension element. FIG. 7B is a view similar to FIG. 7B, cut away to show details of an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the effective length of the elastic suspension element. FIG. 7B is a view similar to FIG. 7B with the top surface of the floorboard removed. It is the elements on larger scale of the place where the code | symbol of A was attached | subjected in FIG. 9A. The ratchet structure in an operable state is shown. It is the elements on larger scale of the place where the code | symbol of A was attached | subjected in FIG. 9A. The ratchet structure in the state where operation was blocked is shown.

Claims (14)

  (A) a set of four wall portions each having one or more folded portions and used as folding wall portions that can be in an upright state and a folded state;
  (B) a floorboard arranged in the set of walls or movable perpendicular to the set of walls;
  (C) A suspension structure having at least four elastic suspension elements is provided, and the suspension elements are loaded with a first load on the floor plate arranged to suspend the floor plate from the set of wall portions. The container is characterized in that the floorboard is located in a low place, and the suspension structure includes a suspension structure that pushes the floorboard up to a high place when a part of the load is removed.   The container according to claim 1, wherein each of the elastic suspension elements comprises an elastomeric material.   The set of walls is characterized by the structure of a stop mechanism, wherein the stop mechanism is arranged to mesh with the floorboard, so that the fully raised position can be determined. The listed container.   The container according to claim 1, wherein each of the suspension elements is attached to one of the folded portions of the wall.   The container of claim 1, further comprising a base, wherein the base is fixedly attached to the set of walls below the floorboard.   6. A container according to claim 5, wherein the base is configured to provide one or more grooves, the grooves being used for insertion of a pallet jack for lifting the container.   The container of claim 1, wherein the suspension structure further comprises an adjustment mechanism, the adjustment mechanism configured to adjust an effective length of the elastic suspension element.   The adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the effective length of the elastic suspension element, the elastic suspension element being adjusted between an operable length and an inoperable length, the operable The floorboard is elastically biased toward the raised position at a long length, and the floorboard is located at the low place even when no load is loaded at the inoperable length. The container according to claim 7, wherein:   8. Container according to claim 7, characterized in that the adjusting mechanism is arranged to adjust the effective length of all the elastic suspension elements substantially equally simultaneously.   The adjustment mechanism comprises a rotatable drum connected to the floor plate, each of the elastic suspension elements connected to the drum, and the rotation of the drum is simultaneous with the effective length of all the elastic suspension elements. 8. Container according to claim 7, characterized in that it allows adjustment.   The adjusting mechanism further comprises a ratchet mechanism, which allows the drum to rotate, which reduces the effective length of the elastic suspension element and prevents the drum from rotating by this ratchet mechanism. The container according to claim 10, wherein the container prevents an increase in the effective length of the elastic suspension element.   The adjustment mechanism further comprises a ratchet invalid mechanism, the ratchet invalid mechanism being selectively operable to release the ratchet arrangement and rotate the drum, and the rotation provides an effective length of the elastic suspension element. The container according to claim 11, wherein the container becomes longer.   The suspension structure is formed such that the number of suspension elements arranged to suspend the floor with respect to the wall portion so as to correspond to products having different weights can be changed. The listed container.   The container according to claim 1, wherein the suspension structure includes a plurality of suspension elements having different thicknesses, and the plurality of suspension elements are alternately arranged to suspend a floor from the set of walls. .

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