NZ264794A - Stackable wheeled container; bearing means on top and bottom of container keep wheels out of contact with lower container when stacked - Google Patents

Description

264794 Patents Form No. 5 Our Ref: PZ500864 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 Complete After Provisional No. 264794 Filed: 27 October 1994 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STACKABLE CONTAINER We, COLIN ROSS EYRE & PATRICIA CATHERINE EYRE, both citizens of New Zealand, of RD 1, Tuakau, Pukekawa, New Zealand, hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: PT0537186 BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements in and relating to a stackable container and more particularly, but not exclusively to wheeled containers.

To the present time, various types of stackable containers have been available but to varying degrees have suffered from the disadvantage that they do not provide for ease and security of stacking, particularly where forklift trucks are used to carry out the stacking and particularly where rolling containers are required to be stacked. The problems associated with stacking of rolling containers and for providing stability to a stack of rolling containers are particularly acute where the rolling containers are being transported by truck or other transportation means.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is thus an object of ,the present invention to provide an stackable container and particularly stackable rolling containers that will provide for secure stacking of the rolling containers and/or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention consists in a stackable container having a top and a base comprising: 264794 264794 a first bearing means provided on and projecting upwardly from the top of the container; a second bearing means projecting downwardly from said base of the container and positioned so as to correspond with said first bearing means when similar containers are stacked one upon the other; and moving means being provided on said base of the container such that the distal end of said moving means is further from said base than the bearing surface of said second bearing means and less than the cumulative height of < said first and second bearing means.

Accordingly, in a second aspect, the invention consists in a method of transporting a container hcving moving means provided on a base of said container on a transport vehicle having a surface to carry said container comprising:- providing a first bearing means on said surface, such that said first bearing means projects upwardly from said surface; / providing a second bearing means projecting downwardly from said base of said container and positioned to correspond with said first bearing means when said container is stacked on said first bearing means; and, providing said moving means on said container in said first and second bearing means such that the distal end of said rolling means is further from said base than thp bearing surface of said second bearing means and less than fsi NOV 199? . RECEIVED 264794 the cumulative height of said first and second bearing means.

Accordingly, in a third aspect, the invention consists in an assembly for a transportable container comprising:- a first bearing means for fitment to a surface of a transport vehicle to transport said container and wherein said first bearing means projects upwardly from said surface; a transportable container having a second bearing means projecting downwardly from a base of said container in position so as to correspond with said first bearing means when said container is stacked on said first bearing means; and, . moving means on said base of said container such that the distal end of said moving means is further from said base than the bearing surface of said second bearing means and less than the cumulative height of said first and second bearing means.

Further aspects of this invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent from the following description given by way of example of a possible embodiment thereof. 2fi4794 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings in whichs- Fiqurs Figure 2; Figure 3; Figure 4; Fiqwre 5; Figure 6: Fiqwre 7; Figure 8; Shows diagrammatically an exploded perspective view of a portion of one embodiment of the invention. Shows diagrammatically a cross-sectional view of a portion of one embodiment of the invention.

Shows diagrammatically a perspective view of a portion of one embodiment of the invention. Shows diagrammatically a perspective view of a portion of one embodiment of the invention. Shows a perspective view of a portion of one embodiment of the invention.

Shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of one embodiment of the invention.

Shows an exploded perspective diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of the invention.

Shows a cut-away view of a portion of one embodiment of the invention. 264794 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS It will be appreciated that the present invention is particularly for use with rolling containers. However, it will be appreciated that the present invention has applications wherever there is a requirement to provide a stackable container.

The rollers of one embodiment may therefore be replaced by other moving means such as a fork bar in another embodiment.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described.

This invention involves a stackable container.

♦ Referring first to Figure 1, it shows diagrammatically a perspective view of an upper corner (1) of a container and a lower corner (2) of a second container. Attached to the upper corner (1) of the lower container is an bearing means (3). The bearing means (3) is provided with a hole (4) for bolting means.

Preferably attached to the bottom cprner (2) of a second container there is provided an bearing means (5) said bearing means (5) being attached to an alignment means (£). The alignment means (6) is angled inwards to drive, during the process of stacking the containers, the surfaces of bearing means (3) and (5) into engagement. A hole (7) in the alignment means (6) interconnects with this hole (4) in the bearing means (3) such that when the containers are stacked a bolting NOV 1997 . R£C£iVED 264794 means may be passed through the holes (4) and (7) allowing the containers to be bolted together.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 the bearing means between the containers provide that the containers when stacked are held apart from each other and the alignment means provides a guiding means whereby abutment of the surfaces of the bearing means is achieved and lateral movement of the containers relative to each other is restricted.

A cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 is represented in Figure 2. In Figure 2 the bearing means (3) and (5) are shown in position in which the containers are stacked o..e on top of the other. The alignment means (6) is shown overlapping the bearing means (3), said bearing means (3) and alignment means (6) being interlocked by bolting means (8).

A perspective view of the corner of the base of a rolling container is represented diagrammatically in Figure 3. The bearing means (5) is shown attached to the corner of a container and the alignment means (6) is shown attached to the bearing means (5). The bearing means (5) in this embodiment provides in effect an extension of the frame of the container on two sides of the rolling means (9). When the bearing nu ans (5) is abutted during stacking with the corresponding bearing means on the top of a second container the effect of the 264794 bearing means on the two containers is to suspend the rolling means (9) located in the bottom corner of the base of the upper container above the top of the next lower container in the stack.

A further possible embodiment of the invention is shown diagrammatically in Figure 4 in perspective view. In this embodiment the alignment means (10) being angled to allow ease of placement, is attached to a comer (11) of a container lid. A hole (12) in the alignment means provides for a bolting means between the alignment means (10) and the bearing means on the top of the container on which the lid is placed.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4 a further alignment means (13) is attached to the container lid to prevent pilfering from the container.

A further possible embodiment of the invention is shown diagrammatically in Figure 5. In this embodiment the bearing means (14) and attached alignment means (15) are attached to a frame (16). By means of this embodiment rolling containers can be placed on the frame on the back of a truck such that the rolling means of the containers are suspended above the floor of the truck and the containers are restricted in lateral motion by means of the alignment means restricting lateral movement of the containers relative to the frame bolted to the floor of the truck. In use the frame may 264794 be bolted or locked to the floor of the truck or may be constructed as part of the floor of the truck.

The embodiment shown in Figure 5 is shown in cross-sectional view in Figure 6. The bearing means (14) and (17) are shown bearing on each other, the alignment means (15) and (16) provide both a guiding means to drive the bearing means to engage and also a means whereby lateral movement of the bearing means may be restricted.

The provision of at least two such bearing means and alignment means at opposite corners of a container provides for restriction of lateral movement of the container relative to the frame on the floor of the truck. For wheeled containers^ the rolling means are suspended above the floor of the truck end movement of the container on the floor of the truck is therefore prevented.

Figure 7 shows diagrammatically a perspective view of a rolling container (18) and a lid (19) for said rolling container (18). The lower corners (2) of the container (18) are shown to carry rolling means (9) on the base of the container (18). The alignment means (6) attached to the inner face of the bearing means (5) of the container (18) are shown to provide protection to the rolling means (9). The upper corners (1) cf the container (18) are shown witn bearing means 264794 (3) to provide for stacking of a second rolling container on top of rolling container (18).

In the embodiment shown in Figure 7 the container (18) is provided with a lid or mesh cap (19) which can be fitted to the top of the container (18) thereby providing an enclosing means for the lower container.

The lid or mesh cap (19) represented diagrammatically in Figure 7 is shown with flanges (20) which in use fit on the upper edge of container (18) said flanges (20) fitting between the bearing means (3).

The embodiment shown in Figure 8 shows diagrammatically a perspective cut-away view of the corners of two containers, one stacked on top of the other. The corner (2) of the upper container is shown to carry a rolling means (9) on the base of the container, said rolling means being suspended above the top of the lower container by means of the bearing means (5) of the upper container engaging with the bearing means (3) of the lower container. The alignment means (6) attached to the innerface of the bearing means (5) of the upper container is shown overlapping the bearing means (3) of the lower container.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 8 the lower container is provided with a lid or mesh cap (19) which when fitted beneath the rolling means (9) as shown in 264794 the Figure 8 embodiment, provides an enclosing means for the lower container.

It will be appreciated that in the preferred form of interlocking the containers are fitted together such that the bearing means bear on each other and the alignment means provide bo?.ft a guide for engagement of the containers and also a 'ievics to prevent lateral movement of one container t-le-ive to another or to the floor of a truck or transportation means. In use this system of interlocking allows containers to be stacked and destacked conveniently using a forklift truck. An initial requirement for exact interfacing of the bearing means when a container is being stacked using a forklift is reduced by providing the alignment means on an angle, since the angled alignment means allows for some variation in the positioning of the upper container relative to the lower container. As the containers are brought closer together the alignment means drive the bearing means on the containers into engagement.

It will be appreciated that to provide a mechanism whereby containers are prevented from lateral movement, it iB preferred that there be at least two sets of bearing means and alignment means at opposite corners of the bottom and top edges of the containers. By such provision, movement of the upper container in the horizontal plane relative to the lower container is restricted. Movement in a vertical plane of the upper 264794 container relative to the lower container may be prevented by bolting a bearing means on one container to an alignment on another container.

The provision of bearing means and alignment means at the corners of the containers further provides for the protection from damage caused by forklift trucks, of the rolling means on the bottom of containers. There is also provided a mechanism whereby in containers stacked one on top of the other the rolling means on the bottom surface the upper container do not make contact with the produce in the lower container.

In use the combined system of bearing means and alignment means allows for containers to be stacked and destacked using a forklift truck while at the same time the stack of containers is stabilised by disengagement of the rolling means from a solid surface.

It will be appreciated that the use of the angled alignment means attached to the bearing means provides a convenient system for improving the ease of stacking and destacking containers and for capping containers. The use of a cap on the containers provides against pilfering from the containers. The alignment means provides for bolting means between the alignment means and the bearing means. 264794 It will be appreciated that the use of bearing means and alignment means provides opportunity for stabilising stacks of containers where stacks are being transported on trucks or other transportation means.

Such stabilising effect is achieved by the provision of a frame on the floor or being part of the floor of a truck said frame having bearing means attached. An alignment means attached to the bearing means provides for restriction of lateral movement of a container stacked on the frame. If required the frames may be bolted to the floor of a truck or be part of the floor of a truck or other transportation means.

The provision of bearing means on the corners of the top and bottom edges of separate containers such that forklifts can be used for stacking and destacking containers provides a gap between containers suitable to allow the use of tie ropes to be passed over the tops of individual containers such that the containers may be tied down to the floor of a truck or transportation means.

It will be appreciated that while the combination of bearing means and alignment means are directed principally towards providing stacking of rolling containers it is not restricted to this in any way, for example, the combination of bearing means and alignment means couM be adapted wherever there is an efficient system required for stacking containers. 264794 It will be appreciated that, where rolling containers are used, the bearing means or bearing surface -on the base of the container should not extend below the base of the wheel or roller to ensure the rolling capacity is not hindered. However, the bearing means on the base of an upper container and top of a lower container should jointly be of sufficient height to suspend the wheel between the base and top of the containers. This may comprise only the bearing means on the top projecting from the container and bearing on the base of the upper container.

It will be appreciated that the present invention may be constructed partially or wholly of a variety of types of materials suitable for the construction of containers.

While in the foregoing description reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalence then such equivalence are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of an example and with reference to possible embodiment thereof it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without moving from the scope or spirit of the invention. 264794

Claims (14)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A stackable container having a top and a base comprising: a first bearing means provided on and projecting upwardly from the top of the container; a second bearing means projecting downwardly from said base of the container and positioned so as to correspond with said first bearing means when similar containers are stacked one upon the other; and moving meansbeing provided on said base of the container such that the distal end of said moving means is further from said base than the bearing surface of said second bearing means and less than the cumulative height of said first and second bearing means.

2. A stackable container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said moving means is a rolling means.

3. A stackable container as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said container provides alignment means to align said first and second bearing means when one container is stacked upon the other.

4. A stackable container as claimed in claim 3 wherein said alignment means comprises a flange extending from said first or second bearing means and abuts a side edge of a second or first bearing means respectively when two such containers are stacked i j *;N.Z "ATF.^T OfffCS;10 NOV 1997;. RrCttVtiD;I. mi ii i»in ■min' ii mm umihi'iiji—HM;264794;-16-;one upon the other to provide lateral support to the engagement between said containers.;

5. A stackable container as claimed in claim 4 wherein said flange;is angled partially away from the bearing means to which it is attached so as to engage a side edge of a bearing means of a further container as said container is engaged with said further container and thereby drives said bearing surfaces into engagement.;

6. A stackable container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said bearing means are provided about at least a portion of the periphery of said top and base of said container.;

7. A stackable container as claimed in claim 6 wherein said bearing means are discontinuous about said periphery of said top and base of;♦ ••;said container such that the prongs of a forklift may engage the base of a container intermediate of said discontinuous first and second bearing means.;

8. A stackable container as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein said first and second bearing means are provided at corners of the container.;

9. A stackable container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said moving means are provided adjacent said bearing means and protected thereby.;

10. A stackable container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said moving means comprise wheels.;N.Z. PATfEWT OffrOfc;.10 N8V199?;264794;- 17-;

11. A stackable container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein securing means are provided in said first and second bearing means to provide securement of interengaged first and second bearing means.;

12. A stackable container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.;

13. A method of transporting a container having moving means provided on a base of said container on a transport vehicle having a surface to carry said container comprising:-;providing a first bearing means on said surface, such that said first bearing means projects upwardly from said surface;;providing a second bearing means projecting downwardly from said base of said container and positioned to correspond with said first bearing means when said container is stacked on said first bearing means; and,;providing said moving means on said container and said first and second bearing means such that the distal end of said moving means is further from said base than the bearing surface of said second bearing means and less than the cumulative height of said first and second bearing means.;

14. A method of transporting a container as claimed in claim 13 wherein j . ';said first bearing means is provided as a separable article from said surface.;N.2. PAT.;- - -t--■•Cfcjitymn it 0 NOV 1997 . fiECEJVED ";264794;- 18 -;A method as transporting a container as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14 wherein said method includes providing alignment means on said container or said first bearing means to align said first and second bearing means when said container is placed on said first bearing means.;A method of transporting a container as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein said method includes providing said first bearing means in a discontinuous manner about the perimeter of said container to provide access for the forks of a forklift to lift said container.;A method of transporting a container as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16 wherein said method includes a step of engaging said container to said first bearing means.;A method of transporting a container as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 17 wherein said method includes a step of engaging said first bearing means to said surface.;A method of transporting a container as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 18 wherein said method includes providing indexing means On said first bearing means to secure similar first bearing means stacked upon each other against lateral movement. An assembly for a transportable container comprising a first bearing means for fitment to a surface of a transport vehicle to transport said container;264794;-19-;and wherein said first bearing means projects upwardly from said surface;;a transportable container having a second bearing means projecting downwardly from a base of said container in position so as to correspond with said first bearing means when said container is stacked on said first bearing means; and,;moving means on said base of said container such that the distal end of said moving means is further from said base than the bearing surface of said second bearing means and less than the cumulative height of said first and second bearing means.;21. An assembly for a transportable container as claimed in claim 20 wherein alignment means are provided to align said first and second bearing means when said container is stacked upon said first bearing means.;22. An assembly for a transportable container as claimed in claim 20 or claim 21 wherein said first and second bearing means are discontinuous about the perimeter of said container to provide access for the forks of a forklift to lift said container.;23. An assembly for a transportable container as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 22 wherein engagement means are provided to engage said container to said first bearing means.;24. An assembly for a transportable container as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 23 wherein an engagement means is provided to engage said first bearing means to said surface.;N «"*v. r 10 NOV 1997 RrCFVFO 264794 -20- An assembly for a transportable container as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 24 wherein indexing means are provided on said first bearing means such that a plurality of said first bearing means may be stacked one upon the other and said indexing may secure adjacent first bearing means against lateral movement. A method of transporting a container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. An assembly for a transportable container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. COLIN ROSS EYRE and PATRICIA CATHERINE EYRE MW:ASPEC18442 vJ?r