US2024035A

US2024035A - Shipping container

Info

Publication number: US2024035A
Application number: US729326A
Authority: US
Inventors: Foshee Mason
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1934-06-06
Filing date: 1934-06-06
Publication date: 1935-12-10
Anticipated expiration: 1952-12-10

Description

W, 19355. M. FOSHEE 2,@24,35

. SHIPPING CONTAINER Filed. June 6, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ja b Patented Dec. 10, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHIPPING CONTAINER Mason Foshee, Jacksonville, Fla.

Application June 6, 1934, Serial No. 729,326

Claims.

This invention relates to shipping containers and more particularlyto crates of polygonal and substantially circular cross section characterized by the section or sections which form the body 5 portion of the crate being flexibly and permanently secured together to form a collapsible enclosing structure requiring only the operation of opening out prior to assembly therewith of the bottom and top sections.

The present invention has for its main objects the provision of a knock-down or collapsible crate of improved design; the provision of a crate of the above character which, when assembled and packed, constitutes an attractive package; the provision of a knock-down or collapsible crate which approaches a cylinder in shape; the provision of collapsible crates of polygonal and/or substantially circular cross-section which, when collapsed, may be conveniently handled and/or 20 shipped and/or stored; the provision of collapsible crates of polygonal and/or substantially circular cross-section which requires the minimum amount of manipulation to assemble while at the same time requiring no expensive equipment in assembly; the provision of a collapsible crate of the above character which may be inexpensively fabricated by machine production practices; the provision of collapsible crates of polygonal and/or substantially circular cross-section which, when assembled, possess a high degree of strength, rigidity and durability.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out in connection with the accompanying sheet of drawings illustrating 35 an embodiment of my invention.

In the drawings- Fig. 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of one form of crate in accordance with the present invention;

F Figl. 2 is a top view of the crate illustrated in Fig. 3 is a bottom view thereof;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the crate body portion when collapsed;

Fig. 5 is a top view of a polygonal crate and cover therefor in accordance with the present invention; and. i

Fig. 6 is a top view of the crate illustrated in 5, with the cover removed.

Referring to Figs. 1-4 of the drawings, such a crate is so constructed as to simulate a cylinder, and in fact closely approaches a circle in crosssection. The body portion of the crate generally indicated at 10, as illustrated in collapsed condition in Fig. 4, is constituted by a plurality of sides or sections II and, in the present instance, each section is formed of a thin strip of veneer or the like. The sections ll extend in generally parallel relation, each section being permanently and flexibly joined to adjacent sections by upper, 5 lower, and, if desired, intermediate encirclin wires, bands, or equivalent binding elements I2, l 3, M which are hereinafter referred to as binding wires. The ends of each of the encircling binding wires are permanently connected to- 10 gether or, equivalently, secured to a common section. Preferably, the binding wires I2, I 3, I4 are stapled as by staples I5 to the sections, such staples also serving to secure cleats to be described to the strips forming the sections.

The several sections II are spaced from each other by providing slack in the binding wires [2, l3, [4 intermediate adjacent sections, the length of the wires between sections being at least sufiicient to permit adjacent sections to be folded, 20 one on the other, in parallel overlying relation. By reference to Fig. 4, it will be seen that such slack portions between sections provide hinges l6, which permit the enclosing structure formed by the connected sections H to be collapsed. It 25 will further appear that the collapsed structure as shown in Fig. 4 requires only the single manipulation of opening out into substantially circular form as the first step of assembly in setting up the crate.

Preferably, each of the sections H is provided with a bottom interior cleat I8, although cleats on alternate sections may sufiice, such cleats extending transversely across the several sections and being in length. the substantial width of the section. Such cleats I8 form an abutment for a circular bottom 20 which is forced downwardly into the opened-out body portion of the crate as described until the bottom section 2| engages the top surfaces of said cleats l8. The diameter of the bottom section 20 is such that, when the bottom section is forced downwardly to lie against the cleats, the bottom section acts to force said sections II of the body portion radially and thus to draw tautly the slack or hinge portions l6 of 45 the encircling binding wires l2, l3, M. The inner surfaces of the sections ll thus extend tangentially along the circumferential edge of the bottom section 20, and the proportioning of the parts is such that the bottom section is held in frictional engagement with the sections l l of the body portion. This arrangement enhances the rigidity of the bottom portion of the crate and at the same time causes the bottom portion thereof to simulate a cylinder although, by reason of 55 indicated in Fig. 1.

bottom cleats I8, the relation between sections II is angular rather than arcuate. However, the circular bottom tends to cause the side sections to assume an arcuate formation.

By reference to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the top portions of the sections I I are devoid of cleats or the like. Consequently, such sections may flex to a substantially arcuate shape and are so flexed upon the insertion of a circular top generally indicated at 22 and comprising a circular disc 23 and a peripheral flange or hoop 24. The overall depth of the circular disc 23 and the hoop 24 is such as to provide substantial bearing surface against the inner faces of the strips H of the body portion of the crate.

It will be evident from the foregoing descrip-' tion that, in assembly, the collapsed enclosing structure formed by the flexibly connected and relatively vertical strips I I is first opened out into substantially cylindrical formation, and this is effected by a simple manual manipulation. Thereupon bottom 20 is forced down into position to engage interior cleats I8 and such functions to set the bottom portion of the crate to a formation approaching the circular and to locate the sections with respect to each other. The resulting crate is now ready for packing and, upon completion of the packing, the cover 22 is forced into the open mouth of the crate body portion to a position where the top edge of the peripheral hoop 24 is at the level of the top edges of the sections I I. The proportioning of the cover 22 is such that the cover snugly fits the mouth opening and the act of insertion thereof tensions the hinge or slack portions I6 of the top encircling wire I2 and, to some extent, the intermediate encircling wire I3, whereby to locate the top portions of the sections with respect to each other. The flexibility of the thin strips I I causes the same to assume an arcuate shape and the top portion of the crate thus closely approaches circular formation.

Conventional means are provided for securing the top 22 to the crate body portion, one such means being illustrated and comprising spaced male loops 25 suitably secured to the cover adjacent its edge and held by hoop 24, and cooperating with female loops 26 suitably secured to the top edge portions of the crate body portion. Upon coaction of

loops

25, 26, a cover loop 25 is bent backwardly on itself to flex a loop 26, inwardly over thetop edge of the crate and, by further bending the end of the loop 25 downwardly, the cover 22 is securely yet detachably positioned, as

Where it is desired to dispense with the hoop 24, spaced blocks secured to the cover disc 23 adjacent its edges may be provided, one for each fastener 25, thus to aid in securing the fasteners to the cover.

Considering now the crate illustrated in Figs. and 6, this latter form of crate is truly polygonal and, in the construction illustrated, is hexagonal in cross-section. According to this modified construction, each of the six side sections forming a collapsible enclosing structure is constituted by a plurality of thin strips 30, the strips of a section being permanently associated by means of lower interior cleats 3! and similarly disposed upper cleats 32, said cleats extending transversely across a section and being in length substantially the width of the strips plus the gap therebetween. The upper ceats 32, although il lustrated as being interiorly disposed, may be "secured exteriorly, and are provided to overcome the tendency of the upper mouth portion of the crate to assume circular shape when packed.

The several sections form a flexible enclosing structure, each section being held to adjacent sections by encircling Wires or bands 33 or the 6 like, which, like each of the encircling wires I2,

I3 and I4 aforesaid, has its ends secured to each other or, equivalently, to a common side section. The encircling wires 33 extend tautly across each of the several sections and are preferably stapled thereto. Sufficient slack is provided in the wires 33 between the sections as to permit adjacent sections to fold one on the other and overlie the same in parallel relation.

Upon opening out the body portion of the crate structure, the bottom 35 is inserted through the relatively upper mouth thereof and forced downwardly until it engages the top edges of the bottom cleats 3I. In the instance shown, the bottom 35 is hexagonal in shape and, being proportioned to snugly fit the interior of the body portion, acts to tension the slack portions of wires 33 between sections and to form the body portion into hexagonal formation by locating with respect to each other the several side sections, while at the same time imparting rigidity to the bottom portion of the crate.

Upon suitably packing the resulting crate, the top 36 including edge cleats 37 providing a relatively deep contacting area, is forced into the open mouth thereof and is also suitably proportioned as to tension the slack portions of Wires 33 between sections and to locate the top portions of the several sections with respect to each other. The top section being hexagonal, the top zone of the crate is forced into the same crosssectional shape as the cover which, in the modification shown, is similar in shape to the bottom 35 thereof.

Suitable securing means for holding the cover 40 36 in position is provided, such as the male and female loops secured to the top and body portions of the crate, respectively, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2.

It will be evident that various modifications of tially the full width of the strips or sections, there may be substituted relatively short blocks against which the bottom engages, the length of each block being sufiicient to locate and support the bottom, but not such as to interfere substantially with the flexing of the strips to arcuate formation. Again the cleats I8 may be dispensed with if a slip type of circular cover is desired, with suitable provision being made for securement of the cover to the sections forming the body portion of the crate. In these latter constructions, the bottom portion of the crate would be more nearly circular than if provided with bottom cleats, It is further possible to utilize exterior cleats in place of the interior cleats I8, by uti lizing a slip-in type of bottom and providing suit- 55 able securing means therefor.

The advantages of the above-described crates Will be evident. The present invention provides a collapsible crate of substantially circular crosssection, if desired, or one that is truly polygonal in cross-section. Such forms of crate provide extremely ornamental packages for shipment and distribution of certain goods, and at the same time their construction is such as to be relatively inexpensive in manufacture and at the same time requiring the minimum amount of manipulation in assembly and further requiring no expensive equipment to assemble. The resulting structure is light in weight and fabricated from lightweight inexpensive material, yet it possesses a high degree of strength, rigidity, and durability. The arrangement is further such that the crate, when collapsed, utilizes a minimum amount of space and may be readily shipped. and/or stored fiat.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of this invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting certain features that from the standpoint of the prior art fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention, and therefore such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A multi-sided crate comprising a. plurality of vertical sections including transversely extending bottom cleats of a length substantially the width of the sections, top and bottom encircling binding wires for flexibly and permanently securing each of said sections to adjacent sections and in spaced relation thereto, said binding wires between sections being of sufficient length as to permit adjacent sections to fold over on one another and in parallel relation, whereby said sections form a collapsible enclosing structure, a bottom for insertion in said structure for engagement against said bottom cleats, said bottom being so dimensioned as to tension the portions of the binding means extending between sections and to locate the sections with respect to each other, and a cover for insertion in the top of the structure having a peripheral edge surface of substantial depth for engagement with the inner faces of said sections, the size and shape of said cover being such as to tension the upper binding means and to define the cross-sectional shape of the upper portion of said structure.

2. A substantially cylindrical crate comprisin a plurality of relatively vertical sections including transversely extending bottom cleats, top and bottom encircling binding wires for flexibly and permanently securing each of said sections to an adjacent section and in spaced relation thereto, said binding wires between sections being of sufficient length as to permit adjacent sections to fold over on one another in parallel relation, whereby said sections form a collapsiblc enclosing structure, a bottom for insertion in said structure to engage against the bottom cleats, said bottom being so dimensioned as to tension the portions of the binding means extending between sections, the top portions of said sections being devoid of cleats, and a circular top for insertion into the top portion of the structure, said top being so dimensioned as to tension the top binding means and to cause the sections to conform to the periphery of said cover.

3. A substantially cylindrical crate comprising a plurality of relatively vertical sections ineluding transversely extending bottom cleats, top and bottom encircling binding wires for flexibly and permanently securing each of said sections to adjacent sections and in spaced relation thereto, said binding wires between sections being of suihcient length as to permit adjacent sections to fold over on one another in parallel relation, whereby said sections form a collapsible enclosing structure, a. circular bottom for insertion into said structure and engaging against said bottom cleats, said bottom being so dimensioned as to tension the portions of the binding means extending between sections and to snugly engage the inner faces of the sections and tend to flex the same, the top portions of the sections being devoid of cleats, and a circular top for insertion into the top portion of the structure, said cover being so dimensioned as to tension the top binding means and to cause the sections to flex substantially to the curvature of said cover.

4. A substantially cylindrical crate comprising a plurality of relatively vertical sections including transversely extending bottom cleats, top and bottom encircling binding wires for flexibly and permanently securing each of said sections to adjacent sections and in spaced relation thereto, said binding wires between sections being of sufficient length as to permit adjacent sections to fold over on one another in parallel relation, whereby said sections form a collapsible enclosing structure, a circular bottom for insertion into said structure and engaging against said bottom cleats, said bottom being so dimensioned as to tension the portions of the binding means extending between sections and to snugly engage the inner faces of the sections and tend to flex the same, the top portions of the sections being devoid of cleats, and a cover for insertion into the top portion of the structure and having an edge surface of substantial depth, said cover being so dimensioned and its depth being such as to cause said sections to flex to the substantial curvature of said cover.

5. A container of polygonal shape comprising a plurality of relatively vertical sections including transversely extending bottom and top cleats, bottom and top encircling binding wires for flexbly and permanently securing each of said sections to adjacent sections and in spaced relation thereto, said binding wires between sections being of suflicient length as to permit adjacent sections to fold over on one another and in parallel relation, whereby said sections form a collapsible enclosing structure, a bottom of polygonal shape for insertion into said structure for engagement against said cleats, said bottom being so dimensioned as to tension the portions of the bottom binding means extending between said sections and to locate the lower portions of said sections with respect to each other, and a cover of polygonal shape for insertion into the top of said structure, said cover having an edge surface of substantial depth for engagement against the inner faces of the upper cleats, the cover being so dimensioned as to tension the upper binding means and to locate the top portions of the sections with respect to each other. MASON FOSHEE.