US3164184A - Collapsible container - Google Patents

Description

1965 R. E. FOGARTY ETAL 3,164,184

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER Filed April 19, 1963 FIG.

S m7 s T R mmk N m w m ME MD m M 8 United States Patent This invention relates to the art of containers for the transport of bulk materials, and more particularly to a collapsible container.

Many types of collapsible containers have been presented in the prior art. One type, the simplest, is merely a flexible ba in some geometric form which is adapted to be expanded for fillin with dry or liquid bulk material.

' However, serious disadvantages include the requirement that the bag be filled with compressed air to maintain it erect for filling; and, once filled, the bag must always have some sort of support to prevent it from folding over in a semi-collapsed attitude. Another type is similar to a bellows wherein pro-established folds permit the container to be folded or collapsed into a preset compact form. This type, however, must include bulky and complex auxiliary support bracing and the like since the bellows or accordion folds constantly tend to cause the container to be self-folding. Moreover, constant folding of the container for return to a filling point for reuse increases the likelihood that the container will develop a leak, since the fabric body will not withstand repeated folding at the same points. Other types include double wall containers wherein fluid pressure between the walls maintains the containers in an erect attitude; however they require valve means and the like, as well as a source of fluid pressure. Still other types cannot be folded simply and in such manner that the flexible wall portion of the container is protected during transit back to a filling point for reuse.

It is therefore a main object of this invention to provide a collapsible container which is adapted to be erected or collapsed simply; and which is adapted to be self Supporting when erected.

It is another object of this invention to provide support means for the erected container which is inherently simple and economical, provides means for handling of the container and its contents, yet does not contribute appreciably to the weight of the container.

It is another object of this invention to provide the support means for the container such that when the container is collapsed, the support means also provides protecticn for the vulnerable flexible portions of the container; yet does not contribute to the bulk and weight of the container for shipment back to a filling point for reuse.

It is another important object of this invention to provide a structure for a collapsible container which does not require a significant amount of handling and the like for erection or folding.

Other advantage will become apparent from the following detailed specification, when read with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In carrying out the objects of the invention there is provided a collapsible container comprising a rigid base pan, a flexible tubular wall attached to the pan, a top cover attached to the wall and movable therewith toward and from the pan, and bracing means betweenthepan and the top cover for maintaining the container in an erect attitude, and for retaining the container when'folded.

In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an erect container. PEG. 2 is an enlarged top view of the container when folded.

Zilhdddd Patented Jan. 5., 1965 FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the folded container.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary exploded view of a feature of one embodiment of the bracing means for the container.

Before proceeding with the description of the structure of a preferred embodiment of this invention, it should be pointed out that both flexible and rigid members are employed in the combination. The flem'ble member to be described may be formed for many natural or synthetic fabric impregnated with such substances as to render the container compatible with the intended use. That is to say, the sealant which is either fabric reinforced or impregnatesthe fabric should be noncontaminant to and inert from any material intended to be carried in the container. Any rigid structural members of the container may be formed of metal, preferably from a lightweight high strength alloy, or from any of the plastics or other suitable resins possessing the necessary properties of strength and the like. The foregoing definitions shall apply to all subsequent reference to flexible or rigid members.

The embodiment illustrated in the drawings comprises a rigid base pan 5 such as may be formed from a channel member formed in a circle and enlcosed by a bottom sheet. Structural reinforcement is provided through the use of suitable channels or rails 7 which are disposed transversely of the pan 5. A pair of I beams 6 or the like are also provided as means for resting the container on the ground and also for providing transverse support when the filled container is hoisted by means to be described.

A flexible tubular wall is fastened to the periphery of the base pan 5 and is designated as at 2. It is understood that the Wall 2 should be fluid tight where it joins the pan 5, and such seal may be obtained by bonding or cementing or the like, depending on the nature of the particular materials employed.

A top cover is attached or secured to the top end of the flexible Wall 2, and is a rigid member comprising preferably a peripheral rim 4 which may be formed, for ex ample, from a length of angle bent in a circle; and a cover disc 3 secured to the rim 4.

Inlet means in the form of a collar or ring 9 may be disposed conveniently centrally through the top cover. Any suitable filler neck plug it) of conventional type may be employed for a closure for the inlet ring 9. Similarly, outlet means in the form of a conventional large pipe fitting 8 may be disposed through the bottom or base pan 5 of the container. Anysuitable plug may be employed as a closure for the outlet 8.

The top cover and the flexible wall 2 are movable toward and away from the base pan 5 due to the flexibility of the wall 2,. That is to say, the wall 2 is foldable to a position such that it may be contained in or completely enclosed by the pan 5 when in the folded position, as will appear. Suffice it to point out at this point that a twisting motion is imparted to the wall 2 and the top cover together to cause the wall to be folded into the pan 5.

Means is provided for preventing a twisting motion to be imparted to the top cover and the Wall 2, for maintaining the container erect, and for permitting the container to be hoisted conventionally when filled. 'A rigid yoke member 11 is attached to the top cover so as to be disposed diametrically thereacross, wherein the inlet ring 9 forms the central part thereof. T e opposing ends of the yoke 11 extend radially beyond the edge of the rim 4 of the top cover, and are slotted or the like as at 13. Thus, the ends of yoke 11 are adapted to be engaged by braces or the like externally of the wall 2 of the container. Ext'ernalbracing is detachably disthe opposing ends of the yoke 11. In order that the braces 12 may be securely attached to the pan 5, support blocks 14 are attached to the ends of the beams 6 such that a block t t is diametrically opposed to another block 14. Held by the blocks 14 and extending upwardly therefrom are stub braces 2t), each having bifurcated ends 22 which are formed with a transverse hole adapted to receive a suitable pivot pin 21.

The bottom end of each of the pair of braces 12 is formed with tongue 19 having a transverse hole; and this tongue 19 is placed in the bifurcated end 22 of stub brace 20 and hingedly or pivotally held thereat by the pivot pin 21.

. The top end of each brace 12 is adapted to engage the outer end of the yoke 11 at 13, and extends upwardly for that purpose. The top end tifeach brace 12 may therefore be provided with a disc-like shoulder 13 and an axial threaded stud 17. A corresponding threaded lifting eye 15 having a large shoulder 16 is adapted to threadedly engage stud 17 when the brace 12 is engaged with the yoke 11, such that the end of the yoke is disposed between the shoulders 16 and 18 and the stud 1'7 is in the slot 13. Any convenient rod or the like (not shown) may be inserted in the eye 15 and employed as a wrench to tighten the eye on the stud 17.- The main portion of the rigid brace 12 comprises an elongated rod-like member of suitable length. It will also be seen that the top end of each brace 12 is releasably or otherwise detachably connected to the top cover by means of the yoke 11.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the container in folded or collapsed position. It will be seen that the braces 12 are folded across the top cover where they may be retained by suitable spring clips. Bolts or clamps (not shown) may be employed for fastening the yoke 11 directly to the edge of the base pan to maintain the container in the folded position. FIG. 3 illustrates the flexible wall 2 as being folded inwardly within the pan 5, with the top cover flush with the pan 5; whereby the wall 2 is enclosed by the pan 5.

In describing the operation of the container from folded to erect position and transversely, it is pointed out that the inlet filler plug should be temporarily removed to facilitate the relief of air pressure and free movement of air into and out of the container. To erect the container the braces 12 are unfolded from across the top cover and laid away from the container. The top cover and wall 2 are then raised to erect position by lifting the yoke 11. The braces are then simply raised so that the ends of the yoke move (counter-clockwise in this embodiment) into engagement between the shoulders 16 and 18, with studs 17 in the slots 13. The eyes are then tightened down on the studs 17 to securely clamp the yoke in position. The container is now maintained erect. movement (of the wall 2) such that the container cannot be collapsed or otherwise distended out of shape. After the container is filled with bulk material to be transported, the lifting eyes 15 may be used for lifting the container onto a truck or the like. It will be seen that lifting stress is applied through the eyes 15 down through the rigid braces 12 and transversely of the bottom of the container by means of blocks 14, beams 6 and rigid base pan 5. At no time does lifting stress or shear stress occur in the flexible wall 2.

After the bulk material has been delivered to its destination and removed from the container through the outlet 8, the container is to be folded for transporting, with others, back to a filling point for reuse. To fold the container, the lifting eyes' 15 are first loosened by unscrewing slightly on the studs 17. .The braces 12 are then released and disengaged from the yoke. 11 and are laid outwardly from thecontainer, as '-on the ground.

'. The yoke 11, top cover and the wall 2 are now free Moreover, it-is retained against twisting and lowered partially to the base pan. In this manner the flexible wall 2 is caused to gather toward the axis of the container intermediate its ends, and the flexible wall further folds over itself radially taking on the appearance not unlike that of the segmented diaphragm in a camera. When partially folded in the clockwise direction, the direction of twist is then reversed to the counterclockwise direction and the flexible wall and top cover are then lowered the rest of the way into the base pan 5. The wall is now neatly and completely enclosed by the base pan 5 for protection during transit. The braces 12 are folded across the top cover and all is secured for transit.

One of the more obvious advantages of the collapsible container is that it can hold several times the volume of bulk commodity as the conventional rigid drums while occupying only a fraction of the space that rigid drums require. Moreover, the folded container occupies a fraction of the space as the erect container, hence does not require valuable load space when being returned. The collapsible container can be formed of a variety of materials, making it compatible for transporting commodities of different natures. Although the container is light in weight, it is unique in that the base pan, wall and top cover contain the bulk material, while the independent and external braces remove all handling stresses from the container itself. Thus, a full container can also store a commodity at a depot area for periods of time with no deleterious effects on the flexible wall.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the embodiment disclosed, but is to be construed within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A collapsible container comprising a rigid base pan, a flexible tubular wall attached to said pan and foldable to a position enclosed by said pan, a top cover attached to the top end of said wall and movable therewith to ward and away from said pan, inlet and outlet means for said contaner, and bracing means detachably disposed between said pan and said top cover outwardly of said wall for maintaining said container erect.

2. A collapsible container comprising a rigid base pan, a flexible tubular wall attached to said pan and foldable to a position enclosed by said pan, a top cover attached to the top end of said wall and movable therewith toward and away from said pan, inlet and outlet means for said container, and means for maintaining said container erect comprising, a yoke attached to said top cover and extending radially outwardly therefrom, and bracing means detachably disposed between said pan and said yoke comprising a rod hinged near said pan and releasably connected to the end of said yoke.

3. A collapsible container comprising a rigid base pan, a flexible tubular wall attached to said pan and foldable to a position enclosed by said pan, a top cover attached to the top end of said wall and movable therewith toward and away from said pan, inlet and outlet means for said container; and means for maintaining said container erect comprising a yoke attached to said top cover and extending outwardly therefrom, and at least a pair of rod like braces releasably disposed between said pan and said yoke.

4. A collapsible container comprising a rigid base pan, a flexible tubular wall attached to said pan and foldable to a position enclosed by said pan, a top cover attached to the top end of said wall and movable therewith toward and away from said pan, inlet and outlet means for said container, a yoke disposed diametrically on said top cover having opposing ends extending beyond the edge of said top cover, each opposing end being adapted to be engaged by an external brace, and a pair of external braces attached at their bottom ends to said pan, the top end of each one of said pair of braces being adapted to engage one of said opposing yoke ends when said container is erect, said top ends of said braces being releasable from said yoke ends, and means permitting said braces to be folded across said top cover when the container is collapsed.

5. A collapsible container comp-rising a rigid base pan, a flexible tubular wall attached to said pan and foldable to a position adjacent said pan, a top cover attached to the top end of said wall and movable therewith toward and away from said pan, inlet and outlet means for said container, said Wall being adapted to move toward said pan in a twisting motion about the axis of said container for collapsing same, means attached to said top cover adapted to be engaged by external braces, and at least a pair of external rod like braces attached to said pan, said braces extending upwardly and releasably engaging said means for preventing said wall from being twisted; whereby said container is maintained erect.

6. A collapsible container comprising a rigid base pan, a flexible tubular wall attached to said pan, a top cover attached to the top end of said wall and movable therewith in a twisting motion toward and away from said References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,105,617 Felldin Oct. 1, 1963 FOREIGN 'PATENTS 1,036,933 France Sept. 14, 1953 1,185,581 France Aug. 3, 1959 GEORGE O. RALSTON, Primary Examiner. FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER COMPRISING A RIGID BASE PAN, A FLEXIBLE TUBULAR WALL ATTACHED TO SAID PAN AND FOLDABLE TO A POSITION ENCLOSED BY SAID PAN, A TOP COVER ATTACHED TO THE TOP END OF SAID WALL AND MOVABLE THEREWITH TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID PAN, INLET AND OUTLET MEANS FOR SAID CONTAINER, AND BRACING MEANS DETACHABLY DISPOSED

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