NZ329162A - Elongate containers for transporting elongated materials, such as extruded articles, are nestable and have lids - Google Patents

Description

329162 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 No: 329162 Date: 12 November 1997 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION "Transport Pack and Use Thereof' We, MAINFREIGHT LIMITED, a company duly incorporated under the laws of New Zealand of 12 Southdown Lane, Penrose, Auckland, New Zealand, do 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: INTELLEC! IAL PnOrtlYlY OhFit'i OF N.Z.

FEB 1999 329162 The present invention relates to improvements in and/or relating to transport containers, methods of transporting using such containers, related means and methods and particularly means and methods of transporting extrusions (such as those of aluminium).

Hitherto the transporting of extrusions (such as those of aluminium, plastics materials, or the like) has frequently involved the bundling of the materials together (optionally with such separating material as may be needed to protect powder coatings, anodised surfaces, etc.) and the protection of the bundle by an encasement of a paperboard (eg; corrugated) or a laminate of paper (usually with a corrugated ply) and the staged positioning of stabilising and protective frames along the length of the bundle externally of the wrapping of the pack which also enables forkiift access to the protected bundle.

The present invention is directed to alternative ends of transporting such materials and the related means and methods.

Accordingly in a first aspect the present invention consists in a transport container for elongate materials (eg; extrusions but necessarily so) (whether as a bundle or otherwise), said container comprising a first part [hereafter sometimes "the trough-like member" or similar] (whether moulded, fabricated and/or otherwise formed) which defines a trough down into which elongate members to be carried can be positioned, and a lid (whether moulded, fabricated and/or otherwise formed) to close the trough of said first component, wherein said first component is at least partially nestable within a like component of a different container, and wherein said first component includes at the base thereof sufficient leg or other forms to allow transversely of the longitudinal axis thereof the positioning of the tines of a forkiift, there between under the base of the trough defining part thereof to allow the whole container to be lifted or, alternatively, a nested stack of said containers to be lifted.

Preferably said container when closed (ie; with said second component fitted on said first component) is indexible in a stack with like closed containers.

Preferably said indexing is by means of the receiving of the leg or other forms previously mentioned within indexing depressions formed in the upper surface of said lid, or by means of the receiving of the leg or other forms previously mentioned within indexing depressions formed in the upper surface of said lid.

Preferably said indexing takes any of the forms hereinafter described.

Preferably said first component is moulded.

Preferably said moulding is of a plastics material such as polythene and preferably 329162 said moulding is performed using a rotary mould.

Preferably said trough like member has integrally formed ends thereto.

Preferably said trough of said first part has a flanged surround.

Preferably said lid is formed by integral moulding.

Preferably said lid includes downwardly directed flanges adapted to be positioned externally over the flanges of said first component so as to provide a means of location of the lid on said first component against at least relative lateral movement.

Preferably said lid has formed therein downwardly directed depressions at least some of which provide shoulders to butt when necessary against at least part of the trough like member so as to provide a it "asure of resistance to substantial deformation of the trough member inwardly.

Preferably said lid includes transverse means on its upper surface to locate strapping that straps the lid to the trough-like member.

Preferably said strapping is to encircle the container laterally preferably at longitudinal spaced pos^ons.

Preferably sa:d Container may include means whereby materials loaded into the container are tied to at least said first component.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a transport container for extrusions comprising a first moulded component which forms a trough into which the extrusions or a bundle of extrusions can be positioned with the longitudinal axes of the extrusions aligned with the longitudinal axis of the trough, and a lid for the first component, wherein the container when closed is indexible stack wise with like closed containers by virtue of the receipt of stabilising forms at the base of the first component into depressions in the top of said lid and wherein when not being used the lids can (if desired) be bundled as a stack and (if desired) said first components can be at least partially nested as a stack for storage or return.

Preferably said lid and said first component interacts in such a way that said lid provides at least lateral stability both inwardly and outwardly of the upper regions of the trough of said first component.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a stack of first components as previously defined and a plurality of lids therefor.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in, in use, a closed container in accordance with the present invention, said container having there within at least one 329162 extrusion and preferably a bundle of extrusions.

Optionally said extrusions are tied to the trough either using holes formed in the bottom or walls of the trough or using tie down features internally of the trough.

Preferably said lid is affixed to the first component by strapping, or alternatively for example, by use of adhesive tape, nut and bolt fixings, or any other appropriate fixing.

In preferred forms of the present invention preferably said second component (the lid) is not hinged to said first component.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of transporting a plurality of extrusions which involves the operative use of a container in accordance with the present invention, the extrusions being positioned within the trough of said first component (optionally tied thereto) prior to closure using said second component or lid, and the extrusions are transported whilst thus packed.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of carriage of extrusions which involves the method previously defined and in addition the return as an at least partially nested stack of said first components and the return of the second components (the lids) for subsequent reuse.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples.

Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 shows a perspective view from above of a first preferred component preferably formed from a plastics material such as polythene and which has been rotary moulded, Figure 2 is a similar view to that of Figure 1 but this time of the lid which is separately moulded (preferably also of the polythene) using a rotary moulded technique, the lidded form being locatable on the trough form of the first component and providing lateral bracing outwardly (and preferably also inwardly) of the flanged (preferably fully flanged) trough mouth or top, Figure 3 is a diagrammatic sectional view, for example, at line "EE" (see Figures 1 and 2) showing the inter-relationship, Figure 4 is a section at, for example, "FF" (see Figures 1 and 2) of one end of the 329162 container when closed showing with the cross hatching an optional insert member and also showing in the first of the legs the provision of a recess to enable the optional snapping in of a wheeled axle assembly for a wheelable version of the container, Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the first component, Figure 6 is a plan view of the first component of Figure 5, Figure 7 is a section at "BB" (see Figure 5), Figure 8 is an end view "AA" with respect to Figure 5 (not showing the fitment of any optional wheeled axle assembly), Figure 9 is a plan view of the preferred lid in accordance with the present invention, Figure 10 is a side elevational view of the lid of Figure 9, Figure 11 is an end view "CC" (see Figure 10) of the lid, Figure 12 is a sectional view at "DD" (see Figure 9), Figure 13 shows a plurality of containers in accordance with the present invention, some closed and indexed stacked, others simply open for filling or after emptying and others indexed but not closed, one of the closed containers being shown with the optional snap fit wheeled axle assembly fitted thereto allowing the manual uplifting of the container from the other end for wheeling as appropriate (preferably the location of the wheels at the end not preventing the remainder of the feet or the like forms from touching a level surface), Figure 14 is a similar view to that of Figure 13 but from a different direction, Figure 15 is a plan view of a preferred but different form of trough like first member in accordance with the present invention, Figure 16 is a side elevation of the trough like first member of Figure 15, Figure 16A is an end view of the trough like member of Figures 15 and 16 from the end to which a axled wheel set may be fitted, Figure 16B is a view of the other end to that of Figure 16A, showing recesses to accommodate packing slips and a recess at the non wheel end (should wheels and an axle be fitted at the other eim) for location of the end of a fork of a forkiift or hoist which might then wheel the container, Figure 16C is a section at "I-I" of Figure 17, Figure 17 is a plan view of the lid only showing preferably exposed wooden cleats to both strengthen the lid and to locate feet of a trough like first member to be stacked thereon, Figure 18 is a side elevation view of the lid of Figure 17, Figure 18A is a lid end view irrespective of the end, 329162 Figure 18B is a section of the lid of Figure 18 a immediate the ends thereof at regions other than those having recesses in the raised perimeter to accommodate or locate strapping, Figure 19 is a typical cross-section of the assembled components of Figures 15 through 18B showing the transverse spanning between the perimeters of the lid by a wooden cleat, Figure 20 is a length wise section presented in a similar manner to that of Figure 19 showing a recess to accommodate a wheel axle at the wheeled end by a snap fit over the axle, Figure 21 is a perspective view from above of the trough like first member of Figures 15 through 16C, and Figure 22 is a view from above of the lid member of Figures 17 through 18B.

In a preferred form of the present invention the first component 1 is formed of polythene but may have an optional end protector 2 located therein at each end.

Preferably the trough like form of the first component 1 is provided with an upstanding flange 3 which preferably fully surrounds the opening to the trough. This upstanding flange 3 preferably extends from a substantially horizontal transition region from the inwardly tapering walls 4.

Integrally formed down from the base of the trough, and preferably of solid plastics material, eg; polythene, are the leg features or the equivalent forms 5. One or both of the leg features 6 can, if desired, be provided with a recess 7 to allow the snap fitment of a wheeled axle assembly 8 (see Figure 13) thereto so that the other end of the first component or indeed the closed container can be manually uplifted (if the loading thereof is sufficiently light) to allow the wheeled movement thereof.

Preferably as can be seen from Figures 3 and 4 the side walls 4 and the end walls 9 are such that the first component 1 has a self nesting capability. The self nesting is preferably such that the bottom of the feet 5 or 6 of the like container are able to touch the inside of the base of the container to thus allow for significant space saving during a non filled or non closed usage thereof as may happen upon a return of such containers back to an extrusion manufacturing business.

The lid itself 10 (see Figure 2) is preferably likewise formed from polythene material. It is preferably provided with depressions 11 each of which is to accommodate in an indexing fashion a leg form 5 or 6 of a first component 1 so that when arranged as shown in Figures 13 and 14 like containers even when closed can be stack indexed.

Also integrally formed in the lid are depressed regions 12 which provided (see Figure 3) parts 13 which act as an inward movement limit for the side walls (4, 3) of a 3291 6 component 1 during any transverse deformation thereof Also shown to the side of each of the depressed regions 12 are strapping depressions i 5 to longitudinally to locate straps (eg; DANBAND™ strapping).

Also integrally formed in the second component or lid 10 are downwardly extending flanges 14 the function of which as seen in Figure 3 is to locate the lid on the first component 1 and also to prevent any outward movement of the walls 4/3 of the first component 1. Such flanges 14 may also serve a clip fit function.

As ct n be seen from the drawings there is provision whereby the lids are preferably of a small veitical profile thus meaning that self nesting of like lids is not necessary although it may be desirable in such forms to at least have some indexing or nesting. The flanges 14 may be arranged to provide snap lock fitment to like lids in a stack.

In use therefore optional (not shown) tie down openings or forms internally of the component 1 could be provided whereby a stack of, for example, aluminium extrusions can be tied to the base of the trough to minimise damage owing to movement during transport. If need be separating or partitioning forms of packers can be provided within the trough member 1 whether of disposable materials or not.

In use the lid would be closed down over the component 1 and would be held there, where necessary, by strapping, by adhesive taping, banding or indeed screw or other fixing (not shown) through the flanges.

The present invention in one preferred form includes a number of features of interest, The Lid: (a) Strapping Recess in Lid - recess in lid for locating strapping. (b) Packer Recess in Lid - recess in lid to act as packer for secure contents. The recess will press down on the product to secure the contents for transit. (c) Foot Location Recess in Lid - recess in lid for location of next case when stacked. Provides security during transit and in storage. (d) Clip on Shower Proof Lid - clip on lid protects contents from elements. Is able to be lifted off by one person. (e) Stackability of Lid - the combination of strapping clip on lid and a preferred 4 mm wall thickness means that the container can be stacked full at least 10 high.

The Trough-like First Component: (f) Nestablity - angle of walls allows the bins to nest to 70 mm for efficient return transportation. (g) Recess for Packing Slip - protective recess in end of bin for location of 329162 packing slip. (h) Slots for Strapping of Product - slots are to be cut in the bin so that straps can be used to hold down product inside to bottom of case for safe and secure transit. (i) Packer - each case to have a polystyrene packer at each end for location of product. (j) Moulded in Permanent Identification - each case to have a unique identifying number that is permanently moulded in at time of manufacture. (k) Feet 70 mm tall - feet are to be 70 mm tall for fork hoist compatibility. (1) Formation of Feet - unlike the rest of the case, the feet are to-be near solid plastic for durability.

The most preferred embodiment is that depicted in Figures 16 through 22. This includes (m) Wooden Cleats (16) to be fitted on to lid adjacent to where the feet sit when stacked in a full and lidded condition. These cleats (16) are preferably made of plywood and act both as a strengthening rib when appropriate affixed (adhesive and/or screwing) as well as a guide for the next stacked containers foot, (n) Channel for Axle. A recess (17) is provided to allow for placement over the axle of a wheel and axle set to thus allow the "handle" end to be uplifted either by hand or by forkiift so that the container whether lidded or otherwise (empty or full) can be wheeled.

In the embodiment of Figures 15 through 22 preferably the foot location recess in the lid (feature "c" of the first embodiment) is changed. In this second and most preferred embodiment preferably the feet position next to the (preferably plywood) cleats so that no movement is possible. 329162

Claims (27)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An elongate transport container for elongate materials (whether as a bundle or otherwise), said container comprising an elongate first part [hereafter sometimes "the trough-like member" or similar] which defines a trough down into which elongate members to be carried can be positioned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof, and - an elongate lid [a second part] to close the trough of said first component, wherein said first component is at least partially nestable within a like component of a different container, and wherein said first component includes at the base thereof a plurality of leg or other forms to facilitate the positioning of the tines of a forkiift transversely of the longitudinal axis under the base of the trough defining part thereof to allow the whole container to be lifted or, alternatively, a nested stack of said containers to be lifted.

2. A container of claim 1 wherein, when closed (ie; with said second component fitted on said first component), said closed container is indexible in a stack with like closed containers.

3. A container of claim 2 wherein said indexing is by means of the receiving of the leg or other forms previously mentioned within indexing depressions formed in the upper surface of said lid or adjacent fitted transverse members on the lid internally of a raised periphery.

4. A container of claim 2 or 3 wherein indexing takes any of the forms hereinbefore described with or without reference to any of the accompany drawings.

5. A container of any one of the preceding claims wherein said first component is moulded.

6. A container of claim 5 wherein said moulding is of a plastics material.

7. A container of claim 6 wherein said plastics material is polythene.

8. A container of claim 6 or 7 wherein said moulding is rotary moulding.

9. A container of any one of the preceding claims wherein said trough like msmber has integrally formed ends thereto.

10. A container of any one of the preceding claims wherein said trough of said first part has a flanged surround.

11. A container of any one of the preceding claims wherein said lid is formed by integral moulding.

12. A container of any one of the preceding claims wherein said lid includes downwardly directed flanges adapted to be positioned externally over the flanges of said -10- 329162 first component so as to provide a means of location of the lid on said first component against at least relative lateral movement.

13. A container of any one of the preceding claims wherein said lid has formed therein downwardly directed depressions at least some of which provide shoulders to butt when necessary against at least part of the trough like member so as to provide a measure of resistance to substantial deformation of the trough member inwardly.

14. A container of any one of the preceding claims wherein said lid includes transverse means on its upper surface to locate strapping that straps the lid to the trough-like member.

15. A container of claim 14 wherein said strapping is to encircle the container laterally preferably at longitudinal spaced positions.

16. A container of any one of the preceding claims wherein said container includes means whereby materials loaded into the container are tied to at least said first component.

17. An elongate transport container for extrusions comprising a first moulded component which forms a trough into which the extrusions or a bundle of extrusions can be positioned with the longitudinal axes of the extrusions aligned with the longitudinal axis of the trough, and a lid for the first component, wherein the container when closed is indexible stack wise with like closed containers by virtue of the receipt of stabilising forms at the base of the first component into depressions in the top of said lid and wherein when not being used, the lids can (if desired) be bundled as a stack and (if desired) said first components can be at least partially nested as a stack for storage or return.

18. A container of claim 17 wherein said lid and said first component interacts in such a way that said lid provides at least lateral stability both inwardly and outwardly of the upper regions of the trough of said first component.

19. A stack of first components as defined in any one of the preceding claims and a plurality of lids therefor.

20. In use, a closed container in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 18, said container having there within at least one extrusion.

21. A container in use as claimed in claim 20 wherein multiple extrusions are tied to the trough either using holes formed in the bottom or walls of the trough or using tie down features internally of the trough.

22. A container in use as claimed in claims 20 and 21 wherein said lid is affixed to the first component by strapping, or alternatively for example, by use of adhesive tape, nut -11- 329162 and bolt fixings, or any other appropriate fixing.

23. A method of transporting a plurality of extrusions which involves the operative use of a container in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 18, the extrusions being positioned within the trough of said first component (optionally tied thereto) prior to closurc using said second component or lid, and the extrusions are transported whilst thus packed.

24. A method of carriage of extrusions which involves the method as claimed in claim 23 and in addition the return as an at least partially nested stack of said first components and the return of the second components (the lids) for subsequent reuse.

25. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompany drawings.

26. A method of transporting elongate articles when performed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. /

27. A closed container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to -he accompanying drawings. END OF CLAIMS