US20100065558A1 - Collapsible crate with multiple position support - Google Patents
Collapsible crate with multiple position support Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20100065558A1 US20100065558A1 US12/558,783 US55878309A US2010065558A1 US 20100065558 A1 US20100065558 A1 US 20100065558A1 US 55878309 A US55878309 A US 55878309A US 2010065558 A1 US2010065558 A1 US 2010065558A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- support
- wall
- container
- base
- stacking
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D7/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal
- B65D7/12—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal characterised by wall construction or by connections between walls
- B65D7/24—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal characterised by wall construction or by connections between walls collapsible, e.g. with all parts detachable
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D11/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material
- B65D11/18—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D11/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material
- B65D11/18—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected
- B65D11/1833—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected whereby all side walls are hingedly connected to the base panel
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
- B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
- B65D21/0209—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together one-upon-the-other in the upright or upside-down position
- B65D21/0226—Containers with movable parts adapted to be placed in alternative positions for stacking the containers at different levels, i.e. without nesting of the containers
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
- B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
- B65D21/06—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together with movable parts adapted to be placed in alternative positions for nesting the containers when empty and for stacking them when full
- B65D21/062—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together with movable parts adapted to be placed in alternative positions for nesting the containers when empty and for stacking them when full the movable parts being attached or integral and displaceable into a position overlying the top of the container, e.g. bails, corner plates
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to containers and more particularly to a collapsible container with support members for supporting another container thereon at multiple heights.
- collapsible containers for transporting and storing goods are known.
- the collapsible containers include end walls and side walls pivotably connected to a base.
- the end walls and side walls latch to one another to remain in an upright, use position and are collapsible onto the base for efficient storage and shipping when empty.
- Some collapsible containers include retractable supports so that another (generally different type) container can be supported thereon.
- One such container includes end walls each having a support that is partially supported on the adjacent walls when in the support position.
- the present invention provides a collapsible container having at least one support that can be selectively positioned at more than one height relative to the base.
- the collapsible container includes a plurality of walls pivotably connected to a base.
- the walls latch to one another to remain in an upright, use position and are collapsible onto the base for efficient storage and shipping when empty.
- the collapsible container includes retractable supports so that another container can be supported thereon.
- the support can be selectively positioned at more than one height relative to the base for more efficient stacking of containers, depending upon the size of the goods stored in the container. For smaller goods, the lower stacking height can be used, thereby reducing the overall stacking height of the containers. For larger goods, the high stacking height is used to accommodate the larger goods.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to one embodiment of the present invention with the supports in a retracted position.
- FIG. 2 shows the container of FIG. 1 with the supports in a high stacking position.
- FIG. 3 shows the container of FIG. 1 with the supports in a low stacking position.
- FIG. 4 shows the container of FIG. 1 in a collapsed position.
- FIG. 5 is an interior perspective view of one quarter of the container of FIG. 1 with the support in the retracted position.
- FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 , with the end wall being moved toward a collapsed position.
- FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6 with the end wall in the collapsed position.
- FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7 with the side wall collapsed onto the end wall.
- FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 5 , with the support in a vertically extended position.
- FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9 with the support being moved toward the high stacking position.
- FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 10 with the support in the high stacking position.
- FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 5 , with the support in the retracted position.
- FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 12 , with the support being moved toward the low stacking position.
- FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 13 , with the support being in the low stacking position.
- FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 14 , with the support and the end wall being moved toward the collapsed position.
- FIG. 16 shows the end wall in the collapsed position.
- FIG. 17 shows the support in the high stacking position.
- FIG. 18 shows the support and end wall being moved from the high stacking position of FIG. 17 toward the collapsed position.
- FIG. 19 shows the end wall in the collapsed position.
- FIG. 20 is a perspective view of half of the end wall.
- FIG. 21 is a perspective view of half of the support.
- FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the support mounted to the end wall.
- a collapsible container 10 includes a base 12 , collapsible side walls 14 (or “long walls”) and collapsible end walls 18 (or “short walls”).
- the side walls 14 are pivotably connected to upstanding side members 16 , which are integrally molded with the base 12 and extend upwardly along the side edges of the base 12 .
- Each end wall 18 includes a support member 20 pivotably and slidably connected thereto by arms 24 .
- Each of the support members 20 includes a support portion 21 extending between opposite ends 22 , which protrude outwardly relative to the arms 24 .
- Each side wall 14 includes a set of channels 26 , 28 , 30 adjacent each end wall 18 .
- An upper channel 26 and a first lower channel 30 are open at an upper edge of the side wall 14 .
- the upper channel 26 and a second lower channel 28 meet at a recess 34 in the side upstanding side members 16 .
- the end walls 18 each include a handle portion 36 defined by a handle opening 38 therebelow.
- the support members 20 are shown in the retracted position.
- the support members 20 are shown in a high stacking position, where they extend across a mouth of the container 10 to facilitate stacking of another container (not shown) on the support portions 21 of the support members 20 .
- FIG. 3 illustrates the support members 20 in a low stacking position where the support portions 21 extend across the interior of the container 10 such that a container can be supported on the support portions 21 of the support members 20 at a lower height, thus reducing stacking height when the containers 10 are not full.
- FIG. 4 illustrates the container 10 in a collapsed position, where the end walls 18 are collapsed onto the base 12 and the side walls 14 are collapsed on top of the end walls 18 .
- the empty container 10 can easily be shipped for reuse while occupying the least volume.
- FIGS. 5-19 are quarter section views of the container 10 of FIGS. 1-4 .
- the container 10 is symmetric about the section lines.
- FIG. 5 again illustrates the container 10 with the support member 20 in the retracted position.
- the interior surface of the side wall 14 includes the upper channel 26 , which extends in an arcuate path from an opening through the upper surface of the side wall 14 down to an opening through the lower surface of the side wall 14 where it is aligned with the recess 34 in the side upstanding member 16 .
- a high stacking notch 27 is formed adjacent the upper channel 26 .
- a first lower channel 30 extends from the opening through the upper surface of the side wall 14 to a low stacking notch 29 in a generally arcuate path.
- a second lower channel 28 extends in an arcuate path from the low stacking notch 29 to meet and join with the upper channel 26 at the opening through the lower surface of the side wall 14 , again aligned with the recess 34 in the side upstanding member 16 .
- the end wall 18 can be pivoted from the upright position of FIG. 5 to the collapsed position of FIG. 7 on the base 12 .
- the end 22 of the support member 20 is captured in the upper channel 26 ( FIG. 6 ) and is then received in the recess 34 in the side upstanding member 16 ( FIG. 7 ).
- the side wall 14 is then pivoted onto the end wall 18 .
- the arms 24 of the support member 20 are also slidable relative to the end wall 18 .
- the support member 20 can be pulled upward to the position shown, where the support portion 21 is spaced directly above the end wall 18 . From that position, the support member 20 can be pivoted downward as shown in FIG. 10 . The support portion 20 is then further pivoted to the high stacking position, shown in FIG. 11 . In this position, the ends 22 of the support member 20 are received in the high nesting notches 27 .
- the support member 20 can be pivoted downward into the first lower channel 30 , as shown in FIG. 13 .
- the end of the support member 20 is captured in the first lower channel 30 and is pivoted downward into the low stacking notch 29 as shown in FIG. 14 .
- the end wall 18 can still be collapsed directly, as shown in FIG. 15 .
- the end 22 of the support member 20 is captured in the second lower channel 28 as the end wall 18 is pivoted toward the base 12 .
- the end 22 is received in the recess 34 of the side upstanding member 16 as the end wall 18 is received on the base 12 , as shown in FIG. 16 .
- the end wall 18 can be collapsed when the support member 20 is in the high stacking position, as shown in FIG. 17 , where the end 22 of the support member 20 is received in the high stacking notch 27 .
- the end 22 of the support member 20 moves downward within the upper channel 26 as the end wall 18 is pivoted downward toward the base 12 .
- the end 22 of the support member 20 is received in the recess 34 of the side upstanding member 16 as the end wall 18 is received on the base 12 as shown in FIG. 19 .
- FIG. 20 is a perspective view of half of the end wall 18 mounted in the base 12 .
- the end wall 18 includes a vertical slot 40 adjacent a vertical flange 42 on each side of the end wall 18 .
- FIG. 21 is a perspective view of half of the support 20 .
- each arm 24 includes an inwardly protruding pin 44 .
- the pin 44 of each arm 24 is received in the adjacent vertical slot 40 in order to slidably and pivotably mount the support 20 to the end wall 18 .
- the vertical flange 42 abutting each arm 24 keeps the support 20 from rotating outward of the end wall 18 .
- Other ways of slidably and pivotably mounting the support 20 to the end wall 18 or even the side walls 14 could also be used.
- the container 10 can be loaded with goods when the support members 20 are in the retracted position as shown in FIG. 1 . If the goods occupy almost all of the interior of the container 10 , the support members are moved to the high stacking position as shown in FIG. 2 , such that a dissimilar container (typically, a nestable container, rather than a collapsible container) can be stacked thereon. If the goods occupy only a small portion of the interior of the container 10 , the support members 20 are moved to the low stacking position, as shown in FIG. 3 , so that the container stacked thereon will have a lower stacking height, thus enabling more containers to occupy less height.
- a dissimilar container typically, a nestable container, rather than a collapsible container
- the container When the container is empty, it can be collapsed completely as shown in FIG. 4 for return and reuse, while occupying a minimum volume.
- exemplary configurations described above are considered to represent a preferred embodiment of the invention.
- the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.
- two stacking heights are disclosed, three or more stacking heights could also be provided.
- the support member design is shown extendable above the container, other designs with support members that never extend above the container are also known and could be adapted to the multi-position invention. Also, other support member designs, such as how they attach to the end wall, are known, and would be within the scope of the invention.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Stackable Containers (AREA)
- Rigid Containers With Two Or More Constituent Elements (AREA)
Abstract
A container includes a plurality of walls pivotably connected to a base. At least one support is selectively positionable at one of a plurality of heights relative to the base.
Description
- This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/097,192, filed Sep. 15, 2008.
- The present invention relates generally to containers and more particularly to a collapsible container with support members for supporting another container thereon at multiple heights.
- Many different types of collapsible containers for transporting and storing goods are known. Generally, the collapsible containers include end walls and side walls pivotably connected to a base. The end walls and side walls latch to one another to remain in an upright, use position and are collapsible onto the base for efficient storage and shipping when empty. Some collapsible containers include retractable supports so that another (generally different type) container can be supported thereon. One such container includes end walls each having a support that is partially supported on the adjacent walls when in the support position.
- The present invention provides a collapsible container having at least one support that can be selectively positioned at more than one height relative to the base.
- Generally, the collapsible container includes a plurality of walls pivotably connected to a base. The walls latch to one another to remain in an upright, use position and are collapsible onto the base for efficient storage and shipping when empty. The collapsible container includes retractable supports so that another container can be supported thereon. The support can be selectively positioned at more than one height relative to the base for more efficient stacking of containers, depending upon the size of the goods stored in the container. For smaller goods, the lower stacking height can be used, thereby reducing the overall stacking height of the containers. For larger goods, the high stacking height is used to accommodate the larger goods.
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to one embodiment of the present invention with the supports in a retracted position. -
FIG. 2 shows the container ofFIG. 1 with the supports in a high stacking position. -
FIG. 3 shows the container ofFIG. 1 with the supports in a low stacking position. -
FIG. 4 shows the container ofFIG. 1 in a collapsed position. -
FIG. 5 is an interior perspective view of one quarter of the container ofFIG. 1 with the support in the retracted position. -
FIG. 6 is similar toFIG. 5 , with the end wall being moved toward a collapsed position. -
FIG. 7 is similar toFIG. 6 with the end wall in the collapsed position. -
FIG. 8 is similar toFIG. 7 with the side wall collapsed onto the end wall. -
FIG. 9 is similar toFIG. 5 , with the support in a vertically extended position. -
FIG. 10 is similar toFIG. 9 with the support being moved toward the high stacking position. -
FIG. 11 is similar toFIG. 10 with the support in the high stacking position. -
FIG. 12 is similar toFIG. 5 , with the support in the retracted position. -
FIG. 13 is similar toFIG. 12 , with the support being moved toward the low stacking position. -
FIG. 14 is similar toFIG. 13 , with the support being in the low stacking position. -
FIG. 15 is similar toFIG. 14 , with the support and the end wall being moved toward the collapsed position. -
FIG. 16 shows the end wall in the collapsed position. -
FIG. 17 shows the support in the high stacking position. -
FIG. 18 shows the support and end wall being moved from the high stacking position ofFIG. 17 toward the collapsed position. -
FIG. 19 shows the end wall in the collapsed position. -
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of half of the end wall. -
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of half of the support. -
FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the support mounted to the end wall. - A
collapsible container 10 includes abase 12, collapsible side walls 14 (or “long walls”) and collapsible end walls 18 (or “short walls”). Theside walls 14 are pivotably connected toupstanding side members 16, which are integrally molded with thebase 12 and extend upwardly along the side edges of thebase 12. Eachend wall 18 includes asupport member 20 pivotably and slidably connected thereto byarms 24. Each of thesupport members 20 includes asupport portion 21 extending betweenopposite ends 22, which protrude outwardly relative to thearms 24. - Each
side wall 14 includes a set ofchannels end wall 18. Anupper channel 26 and a firstlower channel 30 are open at an upper edge of theside wall 14. Theupper channel 26 and a secondlower channel 28 meet at arecess 34 in the sideupstanding side members 16. - The
end walls 18 each include ahandle portion 36 defined by a handle opening 38 therebelow. - In
FIG. 1 , thesupport members 20 are shown in the retracted position. InFIG. 2 , thesupport members 20 are shown in a high stacking position, where they extend across a mouth of thecontainer 10 to facilitate stacking of another container (not shown) on thesupport portions 21 of thesupport members 20. -
FIG. 3 illustrates thesupport members 20 in a low stacking position where thesupport portions 21 extend across the interior of thecontainer 10 such that a container can be supported on thesupport portions 21 of thesupport members 20 at a lower height, thus reducing stacking height when thecontainers 10 are not full. -
FIG. 4 illustrates thecontainer 10 in a collapsed position, where theend walls 18 are collapsed onto thebase 12 and theside walls 14 are collapsed on top of theend walls 18. In the collapsed position, theempty container 10 can easily be shipped for reuse while occupying the least volume. - The positions of the
container 10 shown inFIGS. 1-4 and described briefly above will be described in more detail with reference toFIGS. 5-19 , which are quarter section views of thecontainer 10 ofFIGS. 1-4 . As shown inFIGS. 1-4 , thecontainer 10 is symmetric about the section lines. -
FIG. 5 , again illustrates thecontainer 10 with thesupport member 20 in the retracted position. The interior surface of theside wall 14 includes theupper channel 26, which extends in an arcuate path from an opening through the upper surface of theside wall 14 down to an opening through the lower surface of theside wall 14 where it is aligned with therecess 34 in the sideupstanding member 16. Ahigh stacking notch 27 is formed adjacent theupper channel 26. A firstlower channel 30 extends from the opening through the upper surface of theside wall 14 to alow stacking notch 29 in a generally arcuate path. A secondlower channel 28 extends in an arcuate path from thelow stacking notch 29 to meet and join with theupper channel 26 at the opening through the lower surface of theside wall 14, again aligned with therecess 34 in the sideupstanding member 16. - As shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7 , theend wall 18 can be pivoted from the upright position ofFIG. 5 to the collapsed position ofFIG. 7 on thebase 12. As theend wall 18 is pivoting downwardly, theend 22 of thesupport member 20 is captured in the upper channel 26 (FIG. 6 ) and is then received in therecess 34 in the side upstanding member 16 (FIG. 7 ). As shown inFIG. 8 , theside wall 14 is then pivoted onto theend wall 18. - As shown in
FIG. 9 , thearms 24 of thesupport member 20 are also slidable relative to theend wall 18. As shown inFIG. 9 , thesupport member 20 can be pulled upward to the position shown, where thesupport portion 21 is spaced directly above theend wall 18. From that position, thesupport member 20 can be pivoted downward as shown inFIG. 10 . Thesupport portion 20 is then further pivoted to the high stacking position, shown inFIG. 11 . In this position, the ends 22 of thesupport member 20 are received in thehigh nesting notches 27. - Again, starting from the retracted position shown in
FIG. 12 , thesupport member 20 can be pivoted downward into the firstlower channel 30, as shown inFIG. 13 . The end of thesupport member 20 is captured in the firstlower channel 30 and is pivoted downward into the low stackingnotch 29 as shown inFIG. 14 . From the low stacking position, theend wall 18 can still be collapsed directly, as shown inFIG. 15 . Theend 22 of thesupport member 20 is captured in the secondlower channel 28 as theend wall 18 is pivoted toward thebase 12. Theend 22 is received in therecess 34 of the sideupstanding member 16 as theend wall 18 is received on thebase 12, as shown inFIG. 16 . - Similarly, the
end wall 18 can be collapsed when thesupport member 20 is in the high stacking position, as shown inFIG. 17 , where theend 22 of thesupport member 20 is received in the high stackingnotch 27. As shown inFIG. 18 , theend 22 of thesupport member 20 moves downward within theupper channel 26 as theend wall 18 is pivoted downward toward thebase 12. Again, theend 22 of thesupport member 20 is received in therecess 34 of the sideupstanding member 16 as theend wall 18 is received on the base 12 as shown inFIG. 19 . -
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of half of theend wall 18 mounted in thebase 12. Theend wall 18 includes avertical slot 40 adjacent avertical flange 42 on each side of theend wall 18. -
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of half of thesupport 20. As shown, eacharm 24 includes an inwardly protrudingpin 44. Referring toFIG. 22 , thepin 44 of eacharm 24 is received in the adjacentvertical slot 40 in order to slidably and pivotably mount thesupport 20 to theend wall 18. Thevertical flange 42 abutting eacharm 24 keeps thesupport 20 from rotating outward of theend wall 18. Other ways of slidably and pivotably mounting thesupport 20 to theend wall 18 or even theside walls 14 could also be used. - In use, the
container 10 can be loaded with goods when thesupport members 20 are in the retracted position as shown inFIG. 1 . If the goods occupy almost all of the interior of thecontainer 10, the support members are moved to the high stacking position as shown inFIG. 2 , such that a dissimilar container (typically, a nestable container, rather than a collapsible container) can be stacked thereon. If the goods occupy only a small portion of the interior of thecontainer 10, thesupport members 20 are moved to the low stacking position, as shown inFIG. 3 , so that the container stacked thereon will have a lower stacking height, thus enabling more containers to occupy less height. - When the container is empty, it can be collapsed completely as shown in
FIG. 4 for return and reuse, while occupying a minimum volume. - In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes and jurisprudence, exemplary configurations described above are considered to represent a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope. For example, although two stacking heights are disclosed, three or more stacking heights could also be provided. Further, although the support member design is shown extendable above the container, other designs with support members that never extend above the container are also known and could be adapted to the multi-position invention. Also, other support member designs, such as how they attach to the end wall, are known, and would be within the scope of the invention.
Claims (14)
1. A container comprising:
a base;
a plurality of walls extending upward from the base, the plurality of walls including a first wall and a second wall movable from an upright position to a collapsed position on the base; and
a support mounted to the first wall and movable relative to the first wall between a retracted position, a high stacking position and a low stacking position.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein the support extends further into a mouth of the container when the support is in the high stacking position and the low stacking position than when the support is in the retracted position.
3. The container of claim 1 wherein the support is pivotably and slidably mounted to the first wall and movable relative to the first wall between the high and low stacking positions and the retracted position.
4. The container of claim 1 wherein the support is partially supported on the second wall in the high stacking position and in the low stacking position.
5. The container of claim 4 wherein the second wall includes a high stacking notch partially supporting the support in the high stacking position and a low stacking notch for partially supporting the support in the low stacking position.
6. The container according to any of claims 1 -5 wherein the second wall includes an upper channel through which a portion of the support passes when the first wall is moved from the upright position to the collapsed position.
7. The container according to any of claims 1 -6 wherein the second wall includes a lower channel through which the support passes when the first wall is moved from the low stacking position directly to the collapsed position.
8. A container comprising:
a base;
a plurality of walls pivotably connected to the base and pivotable between an upright position and a collapsed position on the base, the plurality of walls including a first wall and a second wall; and
a support movable relative to the first wall between a retracted position, a high stacking position and a low stacking position, the support extending further into a mouth of the container when the support is in the high stacking position and the low stacking position than when the support is in the retracted position.
9. The container of claim 8 wherein the second wall includes a high stacking notch partially supporting the support in the high stacking position and a low stacking notch for partially supporting the support in the low stacking position.
10. The container according to claim 8 wherein the second wall includes an upper channel through which a portion of the support passes when the first wall is moved from the upright position to the collapsed position.
11. The container according to claim 8 wherein the second wall includes a lower channel through which the support passes when the first wall is moved from the low stacking position directly to the collapsed position.
12. A method for using a collapsible container having a base, a first wall and a second wall, and a support mounted to the first wall, the method including the steps of:
a) moving the support from a retracted position toward an interior of the container to a high stacking position;
b) moving the support from the high stacking position to a low stacking position; and
c) moving the support and the first wall to a collapsed position on the base.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein said step c) includes the step of moving the support directly from the low stacking position toward the collapsed position on the base.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein said step c) includes the step of moving the support directly from the high stacking position toward the collapsed position on the base.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US12/558,783 US20100065558A1 (en) | 2008-09-15 | 2009-09-14 | Collapsible crate with multiple position support |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US9719208P | 2008-09-15 | 2008-09-15 | |
US12/558,783 US20100065558A1 (en) | 2008-09-15 | 2009-09-14 | Collapsible crate with multiple position support |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20100065558A1 true US20100065558A1 (en) | 2010-03-18 |
Family
ID=41277667
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US12/558,783 Abandoned US20100065558A1 (en) | 2008-09-15 | 2009-09-14 | Collapsible crate with multiple position support |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20100065558A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2678679A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2463374B (en) |
MX (1) | MX2009009915A (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120285951A1 (en) * | 2011-05-11 | 2012-11-15 | Cavalcante Mauricio D | Collapsible crate |
US10065763B2 (en) | 2016-09-15 | 2018-09-04 | Arena Packaging, Llc | Wall latching system |
US10703531B2 (en) | 2016-03-11 | 2020-07-07 | Rehrig Pacific Company | Collapsible crate with wood appearance |
US11597557B2 (en) | 2018-10-04 | 2023-03-07 | Rehrig Pacific Company | Reconfigurable beverage crate |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
MX2011005654A (en) * | 2010-05-27 | 2011-11-28 | Rehring Pacific Company | Dual height collapsible container. |
CN107963297A (en) * | 2017-12-06 | 2018-04-27 | 成都润泰茂成科技有限公司 | Recyclable nonexpondable express delivery box |
EP4063286A1 (en) * | 2021-03-22 | 2022-09-28 | Tosca Israel Reusable Solutions Ltd. | Collapsible crate with swing bar assembly |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070095842A1 (en) * | 2005-11-01 | 2007-05-03 | Apps William P | Container |
US20080116201A1 (en) * | 2006-11-17 | 2008-05-22 | Kyle Baltz | Container |
-
2009
- 2009-09-14 US US12/558,783 patent/US20100065558A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2009-09-15 GB GB0916086.2A patent/GB2463374B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2009-09-15 MX MX2009009915A patent/MX2009009915A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2009-09-15 CA CA2678679A patent/CA2678679A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120285951A1 (en) * | 2011-05-11 | 2012-11-15 | Cavalcante Mauricio D | Collapsible crate |
US10703531B2 (en) | 2016-03-11 | 2020-07-07 | Rehrig Pacific Company | Collapsible crate with wood appearance |
US10065763B2 (en) | 2016-09-15 | 2018-09-04 | Arena Packaging, Llc | Wall latching system |
US11597557B2 (en) | 2018-10-04 | 2023-03-07 | Rehrig Pacific Company | Reconfigurable beverage crate |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
MX2009009915A (en) | 2010-05-03 |
GB2463374A (en) | 2010-03-17 |
CA2678679A1 (en) | 2010-03-15 |
GB0916086D0 (en) | 2009-10-28 |
GB2463374B (en) | 2012-03-14 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: REHRIG PACIFIC COMPANY,CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CAVALCANTE, MAURICIO D.;KOEFELDA, GERALD R.;SIGNING DATES FROM 20090915 TO 20090925;REEL/FRAME:023284/0565 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO PAY ISSUE FEE |