US2401063A

US2401063A - Bottle crate

Info

Publication number: US2401063A
Application number: US535811A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lee A Fordon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1944-05-16
Filing date: 1944-05-16
Publication date: 1946-05-28
Anticipated expiration: 1963-05-28

Description

May 28, 1946.- L. A. FORDN BOTTLE CRATE Filed May- 16, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 f ff 75 1 May 28, 1946. L. A. FORDON BOTTLE CRATEy Filed May 15, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 so that the upper crates are der frames 3 and 4.

Patented May 28, `1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BOTTLE CRATE Lee A. Fordon, Detroit, Mich.

Application May 16, 1944, Serial-No. 535,811.

(Cl. E20-97) 11 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in bottle crates.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a bottle crate in which provision is made fora pluralityof crates to be nested compactly orarranged in stacked position.

Second, to provide `a stacking crate in which the crates when stacked are very securely retained not rlikely to slide ofi or become displaced.

Third, to provide a bottle crate having these advantages which is very strong and rigid and at the same time economical in structure. Objects pertaining to details and economies of the invention will denitelyappear from the description to follow. The invention is dened in the claims. v

A structure which embodies the features of the invention is clearly illustrated in the ac*- companying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation'of a bottle crate embodying my invention with the Stacking bars in inoperative position. i

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view illustrating portions of the stacked crates with the stacking bars in erected position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section with one crate shown in full lines, portions of a second crate being shown vby dotted lines to illustrate the nested relation.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view with astacking bar in erected position,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view partially in vertical section of a modified form or embodiment of my invention, portions of a nested crate being illustrated by dotted lines.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan View of the structure shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective View illustrating further details of the structure shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated comprises a top border frame'I, bottom border frame Zand intermediate vertically spaced bor- The intermediate border frame 3 is adjacent but vertically spaced relative to the bottom frame. The wire side slats 5 are arranged on the inner sides of the top frame I and the upper intermediate frame 4 and on the outer sides of the bottom frame 2 and the lower intermediate frame 3. These vseveral parts are Welded together. The welding is a commony expedient and is not here illustrated.. Crossedsets of

bottom members

6 and 1 are provided. welded toeach other at their crossing `points and to the Aupper side of the bottom frame 2. This arrangethat they are alined with the openings in the bottom so that when the crates are superimposed these upwardly projecting cell portions project through the openings as shown in Fig.` 3, thus permitting the compact nesting of the crates; In nested position the bottom frame 2 rests upon the partition. members.

To provide for stacking of the crates I provide stacking bars I2 havingfupwardly oiset hooks I3 Yat the ends thereof to which the arms I4 are `joined by means of the loops I5. The arms terminate in eyes I6 which pivotally engage opposed end members I'I of the top frame, the hooks engaging the opposed side members I B of the top border frame when the stacking bars are in erected position. It will be noted by reference to Fig. 2 that the upward offsetting of the hooks I3 relative to the cross reach of the stacking bar I2 provides a seat for the bottom frame 2 of a superimposed crate. The arms I4 of `the stacking bars are downwardly oifset at I9 to provide end stops or shoulders ISI and side stops or shoulders I92. This results in a very effective anchoring ofthe crates, one upon another.` When the stacking bars are in inoperative position they swing down at the ends of thecrates as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

It will be noted by reference to Fig. 1 that the pivot eyes I6 of the stacking bars are formed by turning upwardly the ends of the arms of the stacking bars and they are so related to the other parts of the stacking bars thatwhen the stacking bars are in inoperative position they swing inwardly to a position against or close to the ends of the crates and thereby permit close end to end stacking or positioning of the crates without likelihood of the stacking bars becoming engaged with adjacent crates. The downward offsetting of the arms of the stackingbars provide effective seats lfor superimposed crates and permit superimposing of one crate on another with a minimum of attention on the part of the operator-that is, the hooks I3 and the eye portions of the arms effectively guide a superimposed crate to stacking position even though carelessly placed. The angles formed by the downward offset I9, it will be noted, are rounded and this is a feature of substantial advantage.

In this preferred embodiment certain of the end slats terminate at the top intermediate border frame as shown in Fig. 3 to provide `a hand hold 2l. A channeled sheet metal grip 22 is secured to the under side of the top frame and to adjacent slats as shown in Fig. 3, thus providing a very effective grip for handling the crate, which it will be appreciated is quite heavy when loaded with a dozen quart bottles of milk.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 5 to 7 the lower and upper

intermediate border frames

23 and 24, corresponding to the lower and upper intermediate border frames- 3 and 4 of the embodiment described, are arranged l on the outside of the side slats 25, which are inwardly offset at 26 to receive the lower intermediate border frame 23, the portions 21 of the slats belowv the border frame 23 being substantially vertical while the portions above are outwardly inclined to permit nesting.

In this embodiment the bottom is formed as Y Vcrossed sets of cell side members 3l and 32 are formed to provide alternating upwardly and downwardly disposed loops, the bights 33 of which are disposed upon and preferably welded to the

alined members

28 and 29. The bights 34 gether at their crossing point. The ends 35 and 36v of these partition members are welded to the border frame 23. r

With this arrangement the crates may be nested as shown in Fig. 5 and the upwardly projecting crossed loops constituting portions of the cell walls are alined with the openings in the bottom to enter `the same when the crates are disposed in nested position, in this respect being the same as in the preferred embodiment.

' The structure shown in Figs. 5 to 7 is somewhat more rigid, or the same degree of rigidity may be obtained with lighter stock. This is somewhat offset, however, by the additional labor required in forming and assembling the parts.

I have illustrated and described my invention Vin highly practical embodiments thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe various embodiments and adaptations which are possible as it is believed this disclosure will enable the embodiment of the invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A bottle crate having tapered side walls permitting the nesting of superimposed crates comprising top and bottom frames, an intermediate border frame adjacent to but spacedfrom the bottom and vertical side slats arranged on the outer sides of the bottom frame and intermediate border frame and on the inner side of the top frame, sets of bottom members secured to the bottom frame, one of said sets of bottom members crossing another set to provide bottom supports for bottlesin cells in the crate, the bottom members of each set being spaced to provide openings between said bottom members, crossed sets of partition members each having a series of upwardly Aprojecting rloops disposed with the `aredisposed in crossed relation and welded tobights of the loops in crossed relation and secured together, said upwardly projecting crossed loops being alined with said openings in the bottom to enter the same when the crates are disposed in nested relation, and stacking bars having downwardly facing upwardly oiset hooks at the ends thereof and integral pivot arms extended from said hooks and pivotally mounted on opposed members of said top frame, said arms being downwardly offset intermediate the hooks and their pivots to receive the corners of a lsuperimposed crate arranged on said stacking bars between their said hooks, said hooks being engageable when the stacking bars are erected with opposed side members of the top frame, the upwardly offset hooks at the ends of said stacking bars being spaced to receive therebetween the bottom frame of a superimposed correspondingly shaped crate superimposed on said stacking bars, said stacking bars when the hooks thereof are engaged with the top frame being disposed above the level of the tops of said loops.

2. A bottle crate having tapered side walls permitting the nesting of superimposed crates comprising top and bottom frames, an intermediate border frame adjacent to but spaced from the bottom and side slats, sets of bottom members secured to the bottom frame, one of said sets of bottom members crossing another set to provide bottom supports for bottles in cells in the crate, the bottom members of eachset being spaced to provide openings between said bottom members, crossed sets of partition members, each having a series of upwardly projecting loops disposed with the bights of the loops in crossed relation 4and secured together, said upwardly projecting crossed loops being alinedI with said openings in the bottom to enter the same when the crates are disposed in nested relation, and stacking bars having downwardly facing upwardly oset hooks at the ends thereof and integral pivot arms extended from said hooks and pivotally mounted on opposed members of said top frame, said arms being downwardly offset intermediate the hooks and their pivots to receive the corners of a superimposed crate arranged on said stacking bars between their said hooks, said hooks being engageable when the stacking bars arel erected with opposed side members of the top frame, the upwardly offset hooks at the ends of said stacking bars being spaced to receive therebetween the vbottom frame of a superimposed correspondingly shaped crate superimposed on said stacking bars, said stacking bars when the hooks thereof are engaged with the top frame being disposedabove the level of the tops of said loops.

3. A bottle crate having tapered side walls permitting the nesting of superimposed crates comprising top and bottom frames, an intermediate border frame adjacent to but spaced from the Ybottom and vertical side slats arranged on the outer sides of the bottom frame and intermediate border frame and on the inner side of the top frame, sets of bottom members secured to the bottom frame, one of said 'sets of bottom members crossing another set to provide bottom supports for bottles in cells in the crate, the bottom members of each set being spaced to provide openings between said bottom members, crossed sets of partition members,y each having a series of upwardly projecting loops disposed with the bights of the loops in crossed relation and secured together, said upwardly projecting crossed loops being `alined with said openings in vthe bottom to enter the same when the crates are disposed in nested relation, and stacking Abars swir'igably mounted onsaid crate to be swung to an operative stacking position across the top of the crate or to an inoperative position outside said walls, said stacking bars when in operative stacking position being disposed above the level of the tops of said loops.

4. A bottle crate having tapered side walls permitting the nesting of superimposed crates comprising top and bottom frames, and side slats, sets of bottom members secured to the bottom frame, one of said sets of bottom members crossing another set to provide bottom supports for bottles in cells in the crate, the bottom members of each set being spaced to provide openings between said bottom members, and crossed sets of partition members each having a series of upwardly projecting loops disposed with the bights of the loops in crossed relation and secured together, said upwardly projeerting crossed loops being alined with said openings in the bottom to enter the same when the crates are disposed in nested relation.

5. A bottle crate having tapered side walls permitting'the nesting of superimposed crates comprising top and bottom frames, an intermediate border frame adjacent to but spaced from the bottom and side slats, sets of bottom members secured to the bottom frame, one of said sets of bottom members crossing another set to provide bottom supports for bottles in cells in the crate, the bottom members of each set being spaced to provide openings between said bottom members, and crossed sets of partition members, each having a series of upwardly projecting loops disposed with the bights of the loops in crossed relation and secured together, said upwardly projecting crossed loops being alined with said openings in the bottom to enter the same when the crates are disposed in nested relation.

6. A bottle crate having downwardly tapered side walls permitting the nesting of superimposed crates, said side walls comprising top and bottom frames and an intermediate border frame adjacent to but spaced from the bottom frame and vertical side slats, bottom members secured to the bottom border frame, said bottom members being spaced to provide openings therebetween and spaced to constitute bottom supports for bottles in cells in the crate, cells comprising upwardly projecting cell side portions disposed in vertical alinement with said openings to pro-v ject through the openings in the bottom of a superimposed nested crate, and bail-like stacking .bars having pivot arms pivotally engaging l opposed members of the top frame, said arms being joined to the stacking bars by downwardly facing hooks adapted when the stacking bars ing bars when the hooks thereof are engaged with the top frame being disposed above the level of said cell side portions.

'7. A bottle crate having downwardly tapered side walls permitting the nesting of superimposed crates, said side walls comprising top and bottom frames and an intermediate border frame adjacent to but spaced from the bottom frame and vertical side slats, bottom members secured tothe bottom border frame, said bottom members being spaced to provide openings therebetween and spaced to constitute bottom supports tions disposed in vertical alinement with said openings to project through the openings in the bottom of a superimposed nested crate, said bottom having portions thereof between said openings positioned beneath said cells to constitute supports for bottles in said cells, and bail-like stacking bars having pivot arms pivotally engaging opposed members of the top frame, said arms being joined to the stacking bars by downwardly facing hooks adapted when the stacking bars are erected to engage opposed members of the top frame, the reach of said bars between said hooks being downwardly offset relative to the hooks to provide a seat between said hooks for a superimposed crate, the stacking bar arms being downwardly offset between the hooks and their pivotal engagement to receive the corners of a superimposed crate between them, said stacking bars when the hooks thereof are engaged` with the top frame being disposed above the level of said cell side portions.

9. A bottle crate having downwardly tapered walls permitting the nesting of superimposed crates, a bottom provided with spaced openings, and cells comprising upwardly projecting cell side portions disposed in vertical alinement with said openings to project through the openings in the bottom of a superimposed nested crate, said bottom having portions thereof between said openings positioned beneath said cells to constitute supports for bottles in said cells.

10. A bottle crate having tapered side walls permitting the nesting of superimposed crates, said side walls comprising top and bottom frames and an intermediate border frame adjacent to but spaced from the bottom frame and vertical side slats, sets of bottom members secured to the bottom frame, one of said sets of bottom members crossing another set to provide bottom supports for bottles in cells in the crate, the bottom members of each set being spaced to provide openings `between said bottom members, crossed sets of cell partition cross members having horizontal reaches extending substantially across the crate and downwardly offset ends secured to the bottom frame, and crossed sets of cell side members arranged in vertical alinement with said cell partition members and each having a series of loops alined with said cell partition members and with the bights of their downward loops secured to the upper sides of the cell partition members and the bights of their upwardly projecting loops disposed in crossed relation and secured together, the end arms of said cell side members terminating in lateral extensions secured to said intermediate border frame, said crate bottom members being spaced to permit the upwardly projecting portions of said side members to project through the bottom of a superimposed nestedl crate,

11. A bottle crate having tapered walls permitting the 'nesting of superimposed crates, a bottom provided with spaced openings, crossed setsV of cell partition cross members, and crossed sets of cell side members arranged in vertical alinement with said cell partition members and each having a series of loops alined with said cell partition members and with the bights of their downward loops secured to the upper sides of the cell partition members and the bights of their upwardly projecting loops disposed in crossed relation and secured together, said crate bottom openings being positioned to yreceive the upwardly projecting portions of the cell side mem- 5 bers of a lower nested crate.

LEE A. FORDON.