US20160145001A1 - Container system with interlock - Google Patents
Container system with interlock Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20160145001A1 US20160145001A1 US14/920,019 US201514920019A US2016145001A1 US 20160145001 A1 US20160145001 A1 US 20160145001A1 US 201514920019 A US201514920019 A US 201514920019A US 2016145001 A1 US2016145001 A1 US 2016145001A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- container
- containers
- container body
- male
- forklift
- 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
- 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
- B65D21/0201—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together side-by-side
- B65D21/0204—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together side-by-side and joined together by interconnecting formations forming part of the container, e.g. dove-tail, snap connections, hook elements
-
- 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
- B65D21/0217—Containers with a closure presenting stacking elements
- B65D21/0222—Containers with a closure presenting stacking elements the closure and the bottom presenting co-operating peripheral ribs and grooves
Abstract
A container system for use with a forklift includes a plurality of containers. Each container includes a container body having corner interlocking structure cooperatively arranged whereby adjacent containers are connectable to each other, a base secured relative to the container body, and dimensioned to support the container body and being adapted to couple with the blade of the forklift to permit placement and transport of the containers in an interlocked relation thereof and a cover mountable to the container body.
Description
- 1. Technical Field
- The present invention is generally directed to container systems, and, in particular, is directed to a container system with an interlocking mechanism to secure the containers relative to each other during transport and storage. The present invention further relates to a self-palletizing container system.
- 2. Description of Related Art
- Current package or container shipping systems require 1) containers or boxes for storing goods; 2) a palette upon which the containers are stacked; and 3) wrapping to maintain the containers together and on the palette during shipping. However, these known systems are deficient in a number of ways. For example, known container systems require separate paletting, incorporate excess wrapping material and are labor intensive with respect to storage and processing at job sites or warehouses.
- Accordingly, the present invention overcomes the deficiencies of known shipping systems by providing an interlocking-palletized-container system which eliminates much of the waste inherent in current systems.
- A container system for use with a forklift includes a plurality of containers. Each container includes a container body having corner interlocking structure cooperatively arranged whereby adjacent containers are connectable to each other, a base secured relative to the container body, and dimensioned to support the container body and being adapted to couple with the blade of the forklift to permit placement and transport of the containers in an interlocked relation thereof and a cover mountable to the container body. Each container may include a single pedestal, whereby the distance between the pedestals of adjacent coupled containers is at least equal to the width of the blade of the forklift. Each container body may include male and female connector members. The male and female connectors of adjacent containers cooperate to connect the adjacent containers. The male and female connectors each may extend for less than half the height of the container body. Each container may include two male connectors disposed in diametrical corners of the container body, and two female connectors disposed in diametrical corners of the container body.
- In embodiments, the cover may include a contoured surface and the base may include a corresponding contoured surface. The contoured surfaces interlock to couple vertically stacked containers.
- The interlocking structure is dimensioned and arranged to directly couple three or four containers.
- The container system is self-palletized in that its use is independent of any need for a separate or individual pallet.
- Embodiments of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated by reference to the drawings wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a single container of the container system in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the single container illustrating the base, the container body and the cover; -
FIGS. 3-4 are first and second side plans of the single container; -
FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the lines 5-5 ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIGS. 6A-6D are top plan, first side plan, second side plan and bottom plan views of the base of the single container; -
FIGS. 7A-7C are top plan, first side plan and second side plan views respectively of the container body of the single container; -
FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the container body of the single container illustrating the interlock mechanism; -
FIGS. 9A-9B are top plan and bottom plan views of the cover of the single container; -
FIG. 10 is a view illustrating assembly of two adjacent containers; -
FIG. 11 is a view of four containers in interlocked relation; -
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating two containers in stacked relation; and -
FIGS. 13-14 are first and second side elevation views illustrating two containers in interlocked relation with a fork lift “f” blade depicted within the gaps defined between the containers. - Referring now to
FIGS. 1-5 , the container system in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure is illustrated. The container system 1 includes a plurality of containers, which are adapted to interlock horizontally in side-by-side relation and also interlock vertically in stacked relation. The container system may be adapted for use with or without a forklift, and in one embodiment, is dimensioned such that the legs of the forklift can engage interconnected containers for transport and storage.FIGS. 1-5 illustrate asingle container 10 of the system 1. Eachcontainer 10 includes abase 12, acontainer body 14 mountable to thebase 12 and acover 16 which is mountable to thecontainer body 14. - With reference to
FIGS. 6A-6D , in conjunction withFIGS. 1-5 , thebase 12 is dimensioned to support thecontainer body 14 and is adapted to couple with the blade of the forklift to permit placement and transport of thecontainers 10 in an interlocked relation thereof. In one embodiment, thebase 12 includes lower andupper members pedestal 22. Thelower member 18 includes a general racetrack shapedrecess 24 defining a general oval outer contour orinner protrusion 25 on the underside of thelower member 18. (See alsoFIG. 5 ) Theupper member 20 includes a generallyelongated X-shaped protrusion 26 on its upper surface. A pair of spacedopenings 28 receives respective bolts orscrews 30 extending along the length of thepedestal 22 for coupling thebase 12 to the container body 14 (see alsoFIGS. 2 and 5 ). As best depicted inFIGS. 3 and 4 , thepedestal 22 definesgaps pedestal 22. The respective lengths “11”, “12” of each gap are substantially equal. When coupled with anadjacent container 10 the cumulative distance between thepedestals 22 of adjacent interlockedcontainers 10 is at least equal to the width of the blade of the forklift such that a gap is defined therebetween for reception of the blade. Thus, the forklift blade may engage the interlockedcontainers 10 from any side of thecontainer bodies 12. - With reference now to
FIGS. 7A-7C , in conjunction withFIGS. 1-5 , eachcontainer body 10 includes anouter wall 34 defining aninner volume 36 for storage of goods. Thecorners 38 of theouter wall 34 are planar wall segments. Eachcorner 38 interlocks with arespective corner 38 of anadjacent container 10. In one embodiment, eachcontainer body 14 includes at least one or twomale connectors 40 and at least one or two correspondingly dimensionedfemale connectors 42. Themale connectors 40 are received within thefemale connectors 42 of anadjacent container 10 to releasably couple thecontainers 10 to each other during transport or storage. In one embodiment, eachcontainer body 14 includes amale connector 40 on diametrically opposedcorners 38 and afemale connector 42 on the remaining diametricallyopposed corners 38. The male andfemale connectors container body 14. In some embodiments, the lengths of the male andfemale connectors container 14, or less than 33% or less than 25%. This facilitates maneuvering and interlocking of the male andfemale connectors - With particular reference to
FIG. 8 , further details of the interlock mechanism will be discussed. Themale connectors 40 are generally T-shaped having aleg segment 44 depending from thecorner 38 and across-bar segment 48 connected to theleg segment 44. Thecross bar 48 includes a planarouter surface 50 which leads to curved outer corner surfaces 52. At the junctures of theleg segment 44 and thecross bar 48 are internal inwardly curved orconcave surfaces 54 which are coterminous with the outer corner surfaces 52 and arranged about a radius of curvature “k”. Thefemale connectors 42 each include spacedlegs 56 defining an internal chamber orvolume 58 for receiving twomale connectors 40 ofadjacent containers 10. Thelegs 56 define inner generallyconcave surfaces 60 adjacent thecorner 38, arranged about a radius of curvature “m”, which extend to outer outwardly curved orconvex surfaces 62. As will be appreciated from the discussion hereinbelow, thecurved surfaces female connectors connectors - Referring again to
FIGS. 7C and 8 , in conjunction withFIG. 5 , thebottom wall 64 of thecontainer body 12 includes a generallyx-shaped protrusion 66 defining a generalx-shaped recess 67 on the underside of thebottom wall 64, which extends through thecorners 34. Theprotrusion 66 and accompanyingrecess 67 generally correspond in dimension to thex-shaped protrusion 26 of thebase 12. Theprotrusions container body 14. Thebottom wall 64 also includes two openings 68 (FIG. 7A andFIG. 8 ) which may be threaded to receive thescrews 30 extending through the base 12 to couple the components. In the alternative lock nuts (not shown) may be used in lieu of threaded openings. - With reference to
FIGS. 9A-9B , in conjunction withFIGS. 1-5 , thecover 16 includes an outer general racetrack shapedprotrusion 70 defining a general oval outer contour orinner recess 72. Theprotrusion 70 and therecess 72 of thecover 16 are corresponding in dimension to the respective racetrack shapedrecess 24 and theoval protrusion 26 of the base 12 to interlock and stabilize vertically stackedcontainers 10. In particular, theprotrusion 70 andrecess 24 of thecover 16 and the base 12 respectively are sufficient in depth to interlock the vertically stackedcontainers 10 in a manner which will eliminate lateral movement under normal storage and transport conditions. Thecover 16 fits over the edge of theouter wall 34 of thecontainer body 12 in snap relation, friction fit, etc. therewith. - Referring now to
FIG. 10 , a process for interlockingcontainers 10 of the system will now be discussed. Two assembledcontainers 10 are positioned in side-by-side relation. Onesegment 48 a of thecross bar 48 of amale connector 40 is positioned within theinner volume 58 of thefemale connector 42. The curvedouter surface 52 of thesegment 48 a engages the convex andconcave surfaces 62, 60 (see alsoFIG. 8 ) and may be rotated along thesurfaces male connectors 40 may also be resilient to partially flex during positioning of thesegments 48 a within afemale connector 42 of anadjacent container 10. In the alternative, amale connector 40 of onecontainer 10 may be interlocked with afemale connector 42 of anadjacent container 10 by vertical positioning, via from above or below, themale connector 40 within thefemale connector 42. 42. The respective lengths of the male andfemale connectors containers 10 in that theconnectors container body 14.FIG. 11 illustrates fourcontainers 10 interlocked with each other. As shown, the fourcontainers 10 are interlocked by positioning twobar segments 48 a of cross bars 48 ofmale connectors 40 of diametrically opposed first andsecond containers female connector 42 of athird container 10 c, and the remainingbar segments 48 a of the cross bars 48 of the diametricallyopposed containers female connector 42 of afourth container 10 d.Additional containers 10 may be coupled in the same manner. -
FIG. 12 illustratescontainers 10 in stacked relation. As shown, the general racetrack and oval protrusions and recesses of thebase 12 and cover 16 interlock to stabilize the vertically stackedcontainers 10 in the manner discussed hereinabove. -
FIGS. 13-14 illustrate two containers in interlocked relation with a fork lift “f” blade depicted within thegaps 20 of thepedestals 22. - Related subject matter is disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0015183 to Fredette appended hereto, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- Although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, the above description, disclosure, and figures should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. It is to be understood, therefore, that the disclosure is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.
Claims (7)
1. A container system for use with a forklift, which comprises:
a plurality of containers, each container including:
a container body having corner interlocking structure cooperatively arranged whereby adjacent containers are connectable to each other;
a base secured relative to the container body, the base dimensioned to support the container body and being adapted to couple with the blade of the forklift to permit placement and transport of the containers in an interlocked relation thereof; and
a cover mountable to the container body.
2. The container system according to claim 1 wherein each container includes a single pedestal, whereby the distance between the pedestals of adjacent coupled containers is at least equal to the width of the blade of the forklift.
3. The container system according to claim 2 wherein each container body includes male and female connector members, the male and female connectors of adjacent containers cooperating to connect the adjacent containers.
4. The container system according to claim 3 wherein the male and female connectors each extend for less than half the height of the container body.
5. The container system according to claim 4 wherein each container includes two male connectors disposed in diametrical corners of the container body, and two female connectors disposed in diametrical corners of the container body.
6. The container system according to claim 5 wherein the cover includes a contoured surface and wherein the base includes a corresponding contoured surface, the contoured surfaces interlocking to couple vertically stacked containers.
7. The container system according to claim 1 wherein the interlocking structure is dimensioned and arranged to directly couple three containers.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/920,019 US20160145001A1 (en) | 2014-10-22 | 2015-10-22 | Container system with interlock |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201462067097P | 2014-10-22 | 2014-10-22 | |
US14/920,019 US20160145001A1 (en) | 2014-10-22 | 2015-10-22 | Container system with interlock |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20160145001A1 true US20160145001A1 (en) | 2016-05-26 |
Family
ID=56009458
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/920,019 Abandoned US20160145001A1 (en) | 2014-10-22 | 2015-10-22 | Container system with interlock |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20160145001A1 (en) |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3084830A (en) * | 1960-11-07 | 1963-04-09 | Royal Jet A Division Of Royal | Containers and interlocked pack thereof |
US20130015183A1 (en) * | 2011-07-14 | 2013-01-17 | David Fredette | Container system with interlock and collapsible capabilities |
-
2015
- 2015-10-22 US US14/920,019 patent/US20160145001A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3084830A (en) * | 1960-11-07 | 1963-04-09 | Royal Jet A Division Of Royal | Containers and interlocked pack thereof |
US20130015183A1 (en) * | 2011-07-14 | 2013-01-17 | David Fredette | Container system with interlock and collapsible capabilities |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |