NZ539773A - Transport pod as one piece moulding, and cover - Google Patents

Abstract

The pod has - a body 1, as a one piece moulding having an access opening, two side walls, a rear wall, a roof - and a closure, typically a hinged door 2 over the opening. The pod is transportable by way of the base allowing for stable uplifting by a forklift and/or a lifting lug on the roof and/or the top of each side wall.

Description

53 9 7 7 3 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 Divided out of Application No: 519950/520044 Date: 3 July 2002/8 July 2002 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION "TRANSPORT PODS" I, ANDREW BERNARD CRANSWICK, a New Zealand citizen of 2433 Main Road, Te Karaka, Gisborne, 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: The present invention relates to a transportation container (hereinafter referred to as a "transport pod").

There are many instances where there is a need to provide a closed environment for goods of various kinds which henceforth will be transported in a normal transportation system. One such instance is in relation to seedlings such as those that might be used to establish a conifer forest.

The present invention therefore is directed to closeable containers of a variety of different kinds that may have application in the transportation industry.

In a first aspect the present invention consists in a container or transport pod comprising or including a one piece moulding having an access opening, the moulding defining a base, two side walls, a rear wall and a roof, and opposite the rear wall opening, (as a second part), a door supported directly or indirectly from the moulding as a closure of the opening yet being capable of articulating to at least almost 270° from its closed condition, and wherein the pod in its closed condition is adapted for machine carriage with the base of the moulding directly below the roof as a consequence of (i) the base being adapted for stable uplifting by a forklift, and/or (ii) (a) the roof having at least one lifting lug, and/or (b) the top of each side wall having a lifting lug.

Preferably said one piece moulding and said door also include a hinge pin or pins and/or a latching mechanism.

Preferably said first part (at least) is moulded in a suitable plastics material (eg; polyethylene), or in a material of which polymerisable materials (eg; a plastics) is a component (eg; fibreglass).

Preferably said second part is moulded.

Preferably the first component includes a base adapted (eg; by runners) for uplifting by a forklift.

Preferably the base and roof include indexing features to facilitate the index stacking of one closeable container upon another.

Preferably as part of the indexing feature(s) or otherwise there is provided at least one (preferably a pair of) lifting lug(s) upstanding from the roof or adjacent the roof.

Preferably the first component is rotationally moulded reliant upon exterior tooling therefor and interior tooling therefor (ie; a plug mould).

Preferably the inter-relationship between the closure member and the first component is substantially as hereinafter described with or without reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. For example, uses a pin or pins to define hinge axis between moulded formations of each part.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 1 6 MAR 2006 RECEIVED Preferably one or both sides and/or the back of the first component include(s) features internally to allow the positioning and/or support and/or securement of shelving or load bearing surfaces.

Preferably the closure member includes ribs, peripheral reinforcement, or the like whereby it in part supports at the opening it closes support of the shape of the first part from within.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a closeable container which has a base adapted for uplifting by the forks of a forklift and yet which is capable of having such an adapted base stack indexed on a like closeable container reliant on upstands indexable into the base of a corresponding closeable container.

Preferably said upstands are adapted to assist lifting, eg; are preferably one or more (preferably a pair) of lifting lug(s).

Preferably the adaption for the base for stack indexing purposes is a recess in from a side for each upstanding projection, set recess inwardly being transverse to the direction for which the base is adapted to receive the forks of a forklift.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in any moulded component substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in the use of an assembly of two moulded components hingedly interrelated as a transportation container, one such moulded component defining a side opening which is closeable by the other moulded component.

Preferably the components when enclosing a space for transporting goods is stablely supportable on a support surface or on a like container.

Preferably the container thus formed is readily forkliftable.

Preferably at least one of the components has been rotationally moulded and preferably has been moulded essentially with (i) an exterior mould part or assembly and (ii) an internal mould part, the component for easy mould removal purposes preferably having the interior thereof tapered to some extent from the view point of the removal direction of the internal mould part.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of transporting plants, seedlings or other such material ("material") which involves locating the material to be transported in a container formed, as a first part, to define a base, two sidewalls, a rear wall and a roof, and , as a second part, a closure member engageable directly or indirectly with the first part so as to define a closeable container, and thereafter transporting the container and the material with the first part closed by the second part.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a container of either embodiment hereindescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings irrespective of whether or not there is the provision of kiss-offs, openings, hinging, shelf support and latching as depicted.

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is an isometric view from the front left with the door closed, Figure 2 is an isometric view from the front right with the door open, Figure 3 is a perspective view from the front with the door open, Figure 4 is a perspective view from the front left, Figure 5 is a side elevation showing the interior shown in broken outline and with the door hinges to the left hand side, Figure 6 is a front elevation with the door closed showing again by broken outlines features would not otherwise be viewable from that direction, Figures 7A, 7B & 7C are sections of the door to container body transitions at or adjacent the hinging line thereof, Figure 7A being in the direction "AA" with respect to Figure 6, Figure 7B with respect to the direction "BB" in Figure 6 and Figure 7C being in the direction "CC" with respect to Figure 6, Figure 8 is a section with respect to Figure 6 at "DD", Figure 9 is a view "EE" with respect to Figure 6 of one of the pair of lifting lugs, Figure 10 is a section of the lifting lug of Figure 9 but when rotated by 90°, Figure 11 is a cross section at "FF" with respect to Figure 13 but shown same inside elevation, Figure 12 is a cross section in elevation at "GG" with respect to Figure 13, Figure 13 is a plan view with the front of the container when closed at the lower part of the drawing, Figure 14 is a plan section at "HH" with respect to Figure 12, Figure 15 is a front elevation of the closeable container, Figure 16 is a front elevation with the door open showing the features allowing the positioning, support or securement of shelving surfaces, Figure 17 is a front elevation with the door closed showing features of the internal face of the door that would not otherwise be viewable from that direction incorporated to reduce flexion and/or deformation of the door and/or the pod opening, Figure 18 shows a second embodiment of the present invention in isometric view from the front left with the door hinging the right closed, Figure 19 is an isometric view of the embodiment of Figure 18 shown from the right and with the door swung open, Figure 20 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figures 18 and 19 from the front left with the door closed, Figure 21 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figures 18 to 20 from above, Figure 22 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figures 18 to 21 with the door swung open, the view being from the front, Figure 23 is a sectional view of a kiss off as shown in the embodiments of Figures 18 to 22 in the roof section, Figure 24 is a typical section of a kiss off of the kind shown in the door in the embodiment of Figures 18 to 22, Figure 25 is a typical section of the kiss off shown in the rear wall of the embodiment of any one of Figures 18 to 22, Figure 26 shows a sectional plan view showing the detail at the handle end of the door relative to a sidewall of the first part (e.g.; the body or pad) Figure 27 shows corresponding detail at the other end of the door to that shown in Figure 26, there being shown an apertured hinge forming extension of the sidewall of the pod or container body, and Figure 28 is a similar detail to that of Figure 27 but showing a hinging extension of the door so as to be related by a mild steel pin or other means to the hinging component shown in Figure 27.

In one preferred form of the present invention both the container body 1 and the closure member 2 are roll formed in a suitable plastics material such as polyethylene.

Preferably the closure 1 is provided with a generally tapered internal appearance as best can be seen in Figure 3 such that an interior plug tool can be withdrawn in the arrowed direction during moulding of component 1.

It can be seen that providing as made for the pin bolt or the like assembly between complementary elements of members 1 and 2 so as to define a hinge line for opening of the door (see Figure 1 on the line I-I). Preferably such provision allows the closure to be fully opened and to lie flat against the side as shown almost in Figure 2.

The base of the rotationally moulded first part is preferably adapted for receiving forks of a forklift in a direction between the runners 3. Upstanding from the roof of the container is a pair of lifting lugs 4 capable of receiving a bar therethrough or being separately hooked for the purpose of uplifting a container. Such upwardly directed lugs 4 however preferably also have a stack indexing function since they are adapted to be received in recesses 5 which are provided inset on each of the outer runners 3 for that purpose.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate how any appropriate latching mechanism can be employed for the distal regions of the door such that it can be held closed and secured closed to the extent required relative to the component 1.

It is believed containers in accordance with the present invention having for example, a substantially rectangular plan dimension externally of about 1200 x 1265 mm can be provided with an overall hide of about 14 mm thereby to serve a useful function in allowing the transportation of produce product or the like. A suitable content for such transport pods are nursery items such as for example, seedlings.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate how pods in accordance with the present invention can be stacked.

Moreover in relation to the pod as disclosed herein persons skilled in the art upon review of the drawings and the description herein will note some of the following additional advantages over those already discussed.

The door is recessed into the front face of the pod, to provide rigidity to the front of the structure and to ensure weather resistance and keep the entire structure within required dimension parameters, the door latches are recessed into the door, again to keep within maximum dimensions and to prevent damage during handling.

The hinge assembly is moulded as part of the 2 main structures ie; door and pod, for strength and durability and allows the door to open 270 degrees thus preventing damage to the hinge when fully open.

The door and front face of the pod has been designed with sufficient clearance to allow retro fitting of a foam weather seal where extreme weather proofness is required.

The centre bearer on the base of the pod is of such a length that if necessary the pods can be stacked both ways.

For seedling tree applications ventilation holes will be appropriately placed throughout the pod.

Although not shown in drawings the pods are to be or can be fitted with plastic shelves as required for their various applications, and such shelving may be positioned and/or support and/or secured by features moulded in the sides and/or back of the pod.

Projections may be incorporated where necessary within the pod and/or door to increase resistance to deformation or distortion and additionally conveniently form ventilation holes when drilled through as desired.

The embodiment of Figures 18 to 28 is a preferred form of the present invention. It features indentations (preferably from the outside as shown) resulting from the moulding process providing kiss-offs 6 in the roof of the pod or body 7 which are readily converted by puncturing to the form of ventilation holes. Likewise kiss offs 8 in the door 9 and kiss offs 10 in the sidewall of the body 7.

As can be seen there are provided horizontally apertured lifting lugs 11 from the body 7 that is moulded as a single part as well as runners 12 which provide a forklift adaption for the base. Preferably the outer runners 12 each has an indentation 13 for the purpose of stack indexing, each to locate a lug 11 of a pair of such lugs 11 of a like container.

Shown in the perspective front view are shelf support members 14 on to which trays or the like members as shelves can be located.

To facilitate plug removal again, as with the first embodiment, there is a general taper of the inside of the body 7.

As can be seen features 15 from a sidewall of the pod or body 7 allows projecting regions 16 of the door 9 to be located by a hinging pin 17 that drops down through the aligned apertures of the features/regions 15 and 16.

Claims (25)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A transportation pod, the pod comprising or including a one piece moulding having an access opening, the moulding defining a base, two side walls, a rear wall, a roof, and opposite the rear wall the opening, as a second part, a door supported directly or indirectly from the moulding as a closure of the opening yet being capable of articulating to at least almost 270° from its closed condition, and wherein the pod in its closed condition is adapted for machine carriage with the base of the moulding directly below the roof as a consequence of (i) the base being adapted for stable uplifting by a forklift, and/or (ii) (a) the roof having at least one lifting lug, and/or (b) the top of each side wall having a lifting lug.

2. A container of claim 1 wherein said one piece moulding (at least) is moulded in a plastics material.

3. A container of claim 2 wherein said one piece moulding is polyethylene.

4. A container of any one of the preceding claims wherein said second part is moulded.

5. A container of claim 4 wherein the base adaption is by its having runners.

6. A container of any one of the preceding claims wherein the base and roof include an indexing feature or indexing features to facilitate the index stacking of one such closeable container upon another.

7. A container of any one of the preceding claims wherein there is at least one lifting lug on the one piece moulding.

8. A container of claim 7 wherein there is a pair of lifting lugs.

9. A container of claim 7 or 8 wherein said lifting lug or lugs are formed integral with said indexing feature or features.

10. A container of any one of the preceding claims wherein the first component is rotationally moulded reliant upon exterior tooling therefor and interior tooling therefor (ie; a plug mould). INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 1 6 MAR 2006 RECEIVED

11. A container of any one of the preceding claims wherein the inter-relationship between the closure member and the first component is substantially as herein described with or without reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

12. A container of any one of the preceding claims wherein a pin or pins define a hinge axis between moulded formations of each part.

13. A closeable container comprising or consisting of at least a one piece moulding, the moulding defining a base, two side walls, a rear wall and a roof, which has a base adapted for uplifting by the forks of a forklift and yet which is capable of having such an adapted base stack indexed on a like closeable container reliant on upstands indexable into the base of a corresponding closeable container, and a closure to close the front opening of the moulding.

14. A container of claim 13 wherein said upstands are adapted to assist lifting.

15. A container of claim 14 wherein said upstands are one or more lifting lug(s).

16. A container of claim 13, 14 or 15 wherein the adaption for the base for stack indexing purposes is a recess in from a side for each upstanding projection, set recess inwardly being transverse to the direction for which the base is adapted to receive the forks of a forklift.

17. Any moulded component substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

18. The use of an assembly of two moulded components hingedly interrelated as a transportation container, a first moulded component defining a side opening which is closeable by the second moulded component, and wherein said first moulded component has a surface adapted for uplifting by the forks of a forklift and wherein said adapted surface is also capable of being stack indexed on to a like transportation container.

19. The use of claim 18 wherein the components when enclosing a space for transporting goods is stable supportable on a support surface or on a like container.

20. The use of claim 18 or 19 wherein the container is readily forkliftable.

21. The use of any one of claims 18 to 20 wherein at least one of the components has been rotationally moulded and preferably has been moulded essentially with (i) an exterior mould part or assembly and (ii) an internal mould part, the component for easy mould removal INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 1 6 MAR 2006 D£ft Emen purposes preferably having the interior thereof tapered to some extent from the view point of the removal direction of the internal mould part.

22. A transportable container substantially as herein described having any of the features substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

23. A method of transporting materials which involves 1. locating the materials to be transported in a container of any one of claims 1 to 22, 2. thereafter transporting the container or pod wherein said container or pod is in a closed condition.

24. A method of claim 23 wherein said materials are plants or seedlings.

25. A container of either embodiment hereindescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings irrespective of whether or not there is the provision of kiss-offs, shelf support or latching as depicted. INTELLECTUAI. PRGrc*. OFFICE OF N.7 1 6 MAR 2006 RECEIVED :