US3194425A - Collapsible container - Google Patents

Description

July 13,'"1965 J. W. MUIRHEAD GOLLAPSIBLE @ONTAINER 2 sheets-sheet Filed May 7, 1962 hws/V702 JOHN W. MUIRHEAD Tram/En' l United States Patent 3,194,425 COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER John W. Muirhead, 2299 Middle Bench Road, RR. 1, Penticton, British Columbia, Canada Filed May 7, 1962, Ser. No. 192,735 3 Claims. (Cl. 217-47) This invention relates to collapsible containers which may be flattened out for shipment and storage, and which may be quickly and easily erected for use.

An object of the present invention is the provision of collapsible containers which may be made from scrap marterials, such as wood, veneer or plywood, or partly from materials such as cardboard, plastic and the like.

Another object is the provision of a collapsible container construction which makes it possible to make containers of various sizes from substantially the same basic elements.

A further object is the provision lof containers having great strength as compared to the strength of the materials used in their construction.

Yet another object is the provision of containers having any number of confining walls, thereby determining the cross sectional shape of the containers, With or without covers.

A still further object is the provision of collapsible containers of simple, attractive and light but strong construction.

A collapsible container according to the present invention includes a plurality of walls. These usually include a bottom wall, two side walls, and a top or cover which is considered a top wall, although in some cases the latter may be omitted. Eachwall comprises end battens preferably formed of wood, but which may be formed of plastic or the like, and a plurality of coextensive slats lying in a common plane. These slats are preferably formed of wood veneer, but they may be made of thin plywood or other suitable material, such as cardboard, plastic and the like. These slats are quite small so that they may be made from scrap veneer or plywood. The battens have grooves in surfaces thereof into which ends of at least some of the slatst and are secured. The slats are preferably secured in the hatten grooves by means of glue since such glue may be as strong as or stronger than the slats themselves, and glue does not split or otherwise weaken the slats. Each wall may be made any desired length with these comparatively small slats by using one or more intermediate battens between and parallel with the end battens. The intermediate battens may be made of the same material as the end battens. Each intermediate hatten has grooves in each of opposite surfaces thereof into which ends of the slats fit and are secured, preferably by means of glue. Thus, the length of a container wall may be increased by adding more intermediate battens and slats. The width of each wall is determined by the lengths of the battens, and these have to be cut at predetermined lengths to produce walls of desired widths. f

The battens of the container walls are aligned, and exible hinge means interconnect adjacent ends of the battens so that the Walls may be swung from a at collapsed condition to positions normal to each other to form a container having at least bottom and side walls. The hinge means are preferably pieces of Wire extending longitudinally from lone batten to the next adjacent batten. Each wire has its ends bent inwardly so that they are pressed into the battens, and it is preferable to apply suihcient pressure against the wire hinges to press said wires into the batten surfaces. Although it is preferable to use short pieces of wire for the hinges, it is to be understood that cloth tape, plastic or other binding material may be used,

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in which case, it will be preferable to secure the ends of the material to the battens by means of adhesive.

If the container is provided with a top wall, one end of each hatten of said top wall is connected by hinge means to the adjacent end of a side wall batten. Suitable means is provided for releasably connecting the other end of each hatten of the top Wall to the adjacent end of a batten of the other side wall of the container. The releasable fastening means may consist of a wire loop on the end of one hatten adapted to extend into a larger Wire loop on the adjacent end of another batten. A slight bending of the small loop outwardly relative to the container secures the two loops together.

End walls are removably mounted in the container at the end battens of the walls thereof. Each end wall may be made of such size that it bears against the inner surfaces -of the end battens when the container is erected. Suitable means is provided for releasably securing each end wall in position. In the preferred form of container, this securing means preferably is in the form of an elastic band having a clip at each end. Each clip is shaped so that it may be moved through a small hole formed in a slat of one of the walls of the container. The clip is moved from the inside of the container outwardly thereof, and after it is passed through the slat hole, the clip is swung into a position substantially at right angles to the elastic band, at which time, it bears against thefouter surface of the slat. As the clips of the elastic band are passed through opposed Walls of the container, the band draws said walls towards each other against the adjacent edges of the `container end wall. It is preferable to apply each fastener to the side walls of the container near the upper edges thereof.

An example of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of the walls of a container laid out flat for shipment or storage,

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross section taken on the line 2 2 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a perspective View of an end wall for the con-tainer, l

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view tof the outside of one end of the container in erected position,

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the inside of an end of the container with the top wall in the open position,

FIGURE 6 illustrates one form of fastening or securing means for the container,

FIGURE 7 is a perspective View with parts broken 'away of one end of the container illustrating an alternative form of fastening or securing means therefor, and

FIGURE 8 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line 8 8 of FIGURE 7. Y

Referring to the drawings, lil is a collapsible container made up of walls 12,713, 14 and 15; 12 and 14 being side walls, 13 a bottom wall, and 15 a top wall. As these walls are identical in con-struction, one only will be described in detail, and the same numerals are used on correspondlng parts in these walls.

Each wall comprises identical end battens 20 and 22, the length of which determines the width of the wall. These battens are rectangular in cross section and are thickenough to be substantially rigid in the wall. Batten Ztl has a central groove 24 in and extending longitudinally of its inner wall 25. Similarly, hatten 22 has a central groove 27 in and extending longitudinally of its inner surface 28. The wall also includes a plurality of small, thin slats 32 which are coextensive and lie in a common plane. These slats are preferably relatively small so that they can be made from scrap or waste material. The length of each wall of the container depends upon the number of slats 32 that are laid end to end between battens 20 and 22. In the illustrated container, each wall is made up of three sections 35, 36 and 37. The wall sec tions are separated from each other by intermediate battens, and in this example, there are two intermediate bat- Vvtens, 40 and 41. T hese4 battens are parallel to each other and to end battens 2i) and 22.k The intermediate battens for production reasons, are preferably the same size and shape in cross section as the end battens, but they may be larger or smaller, if desired.

Batten 40has central longitudinaly grooves 45 kand 46 n the opposite surfaces thereof, While batten 41 has similar grooves 4S and 49 in` its opposite surfaces.

The lengths .of the battens 2t), 22, 40 and 41 are such that each wall isV substantially two slats 32 wide. The ends `of'slats 32 of wall section 35 are positioned in the opposed grooves 24 and 45 of battens 20 and 40, and are secured in said grooves by means of a suitable adhesive. The ends of slats 32 of wall section 35 are secured in opposed grooves 46 and 48 of intermediate battens 4i) and 41. Similarly, the slats 32 of wall section 37 are secured in opposed grooves 27 and 49 of battens 22 and 41. As stated above, it is preferable to use asuitable glue for securing the slat ends in the batten grooves or slots. This secures each end of each slat throughout the entire width of Vsaid slat to the adjacent batten. Thus, the battens reinforce the slats and provide a strength in the container wall beyond the normal. strength of the individual slats. Furthermore, small pieces of wood, such Yas scrap or waste wood, are used without limiting the size of the container and without weakening said container.

Y It is preferable to mitre the ends of the battens, and so the ends of battens 20, '22, 4@ and 41 are formed with mitres 52, 54,56 and 58, respectively.

The adjacent ends of the end battens of container walls 12, 13, 14 and 15 are interconnected by suitable flexible hinge means. In this example, the adjacent ends of battens 20 are interconnected by short pieces of wire 61B, the ends 61 of which are bent inwardly and pressed into the adjacent batten surfaces. It is preferable that each wire 60 is pressed into the hatten surfaces so that there is little or no projection beyond or outwardly of saidA surfaces.

The adjacent ends of end battens 22, intermediatebattens Y 40 and intermediate battens 41 are interconnected by wires 64, and `66, respectively, in the same manner as battens 2t).l

The flexible wires or hinges 60, 64, 65 kand 66 form simple and effective hinge means for interconnecting the adjacent ends of the battens of the container walls. The hinges are inexpensive and simple to apply, and do not add any material weight or bulk to the container.

. Container `10 is erected by swinging walls 12 and 14 into positions substantially normal to wall 13. The adjacent mitredendsof the battens bear against eachother vto'make neat corners for the container and to brace one y another. For example, the battens `of bottom wall 13 bear against the adjacent ends of the battens of side walls 12 and 14, and resist movement of the latter battens inwardly of the container. K

A pair of end walls are provided for container 10. Each end wall is shaped to fit Ythe desired cross sectional shape of the container. The end wall may be formed of plywood, plastic, cardboard and the like, but it is preferably formed as clearly shown in FIGURE 3 in order to utilize scrap or waste material. yIn this example, each wall 70 is formed of a pair of small slats 72 and 73 secured by glue or other fastening means to another pair -of slats and 76 which extend across the irstslats. As the illustrated containerisA substantially square in cross section, end wall 70 is square. This wall isof such size that when itis placed in the Vconatiner near oneend thereof; it tits against the inner surfaces 28 of end battens 22.

Suitable means is provided for releasably retaining the end wall in this position. One form of `securing means l78 is illustrated in FIGURE 6. .This securing means consists of an endless elastic vband 80 having identical clips 82 and 83 at the ends thereof. Clip 82 consists of ar piece of wire bent into a loop S4 through whichvband 811 extends, and having oppositely extending lingers S5 and 86. Similarly, clip 83 is a piece of wireformed with a loop 3S through which band Si! extends, and having oppositely extending fingers 39 and 99; =Each of walls 12 and 13 is formed' with holes 92 and93- adjacent end battens 29 and 22 near the upper edge of saidfwall when it is in the erected position. j j

When end wall 79 .is moved into position within container 10, clip 82 is turned into alignmentwith band Sil and moved through holer 92 of side wall Y14. After the clipy is through the hole, it is turned into a position substantially at right angles to the elastic band Vso that fingers 85 and bearv against the outer surface of the kadjacent slat 32. Then clip 83 is turned into aA position'in line with band 86 and moved through hole 92 of'wall 12, after which the clip is swung into aY position susbtantially at right angles to the adjacent wall slat and band 80. The slat holes 92 `are so located Vthat band Si) extends across vthe inner surface of end Wall 70 Vto hold said wall against the adiacent end battens. Another end wall is positioned in lthe container at the opposite end thereof by means of another fastening means 78. Y

lThe top wall 15 may be omitted from the Vcontainer so that itis an open-topped containerl or crate. VIf said wall` 15 isprovided, as shown, Yrelatively large Wire loops 96, 97, 98 and 99 project outwardly from free ends of battens 2t), 22,V 4@- and y41 substantially in line with said battens, and in place of wire hinges-r 6l), 64, 65 anden;

Similarly, free ends of battens 20, 22, 40 and 41 of walls t outwardly to malte. a stronger, connection between the ref spective loops. Y

FIGURES 7 and 8 illustrate an alternative formA of securing means for releasable retaining each end wall 70 in position in they container. This securing means includes staples 112 and 113 driven into endy battens 20 and 22 of side walls 12 and V14 near the tops ofthe latter.` Staple 112 is preferably driven into the outer-surface of hatten 20 of wall 12 at 115 and bent around said batten, as clearly shown in .FIGURE 8, to provide a loop 1116 extending transversely of the container and spaced inwardly from the inner surface of said batten 20. Staple 113 is vmounted in the same manner on lend batteri 29 of wall 14, and has a yloop 11S projecting transversely ofthe container towards loop'116. A suit# able tie 121i formed of suitable' material, such as rubber, wire,y tape, plastic or Vthe like, extends Ybetween Yand is rsecured to staple yloops 116 and`118. `This draws walls -12 and 14 towards each other against the adjacent edges of end wall 79, and holds said end wall v against the inner surfaces of the end battens of Walls 12,

13 and 14.

When it is desired toship or store container 10, the walls `12, .13, 14, and 15 thereof are moved to the fiat'- tened out position shown in FIGURE 1, at which time the container takes up very little space. When it is desired to erect the container, it is only necessary` to swing walls 12 and 14 into'positions substantially at right angles to bottom wall 13, and to move end Walls 70 into position within the container against the adjacent surfaces of the endbattens 20 and 22. The end wallsare quickly, easily and removably secured in position by means of the securing means 78 inthe manner described above. If cover or top wall 15 is used, it is swung down into the closed positionand loops'191, 102, 103 land 104 bent outwardly relative to loops 96, 97,'` 98 and 99 removably to hold the top wall in said closed position.,V

The container may be quickly collapsed by reversing the above-described procedure.

Although all slats 32 are the same size, containers of different dimensions may be made from these slats. For any particular container, it is only necessary to determine the length of the battens for the walls thereof and to cut the battens accordingly. For a very short container, slats 32 may extend between the end battens. For longer containers, a desired number of intermediate battens are used. Each wall of the container may be only the width of one slat 32 wide, or it may substantially equal the width of two or more slats. Thus, the manufacture of these containers is a comparatively simple matter. The end walls for the container have to be made the right size and shape for a predetermined container.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A collapsible container including a plurality of identical walls; each wall comprising end battens having grooves in inner surfaces and extending longitudinally thereof, at least one intermediate batten between and parallel with the end battens and having grooves in opposite surfaces and extending longitudinally thereof, and a plurality of co-extensive slats of identical dimensions lying in a common plane and extending between the battens and secured in the grooves thereof; the battens of said walls being aligned, the number of intermediate battens and slats having been selected from stock to produce a container 0f desired length, flexible hinge means interconnecting adjacent ends of the end and intermediate battens whereby said walls may be swung from a at collapsed condition to positions angularly arranged relative to each other to form a container having bottom and side walls, end walls removably mounted in the container at the end battens of the walls thereof, and securing means removably retaining each of the end walls against the adjacent end batten, said securing means comprising an elastic band with clips on ends thereof, said clips being adapted to be moved through holes in slats of opposed container walls immediately inside an end wall.

2. A collapsible container as claimed in claim 1 in which each clip comprises a piece of wire bent into a loop through which the band extends, and ends of the wire constitute ngers projecting outwardly in opposite directions from said loop.

3. A collapsible container including a plurality of identical walls; each wall comprising end battens having grooves in inner surfaces and extending longitudinally thereof, at least one intermediate batten between and parallel with the end battens and having grooves in opposite surfaces and extending longitudinally thereof, and a plurality of co-extensive slats of identical dimensions lying in a common plane and extending between the battens and secured in the grooves thereof; the battens of said walls being aligned, the number of intermediate battens and slats having been selected from stock to produce a container of desired length, flexible hinges means interconnecting adjacent ends of the end and intermediate battens whereby said walls may be swung from a at collapsed condition to positions angularly arranged relative to each other to form a container having bottom and side walls, end walls removably mounted in the container at the end battens of the walls thereof, and securing means removably retaining each of the end walls against the adjacent end hatten, said securing means for each end wall comprising staples secured to the end battens of the walls at opposite edges of said end wall, and an elastic tie extending between and secured to said staples and extending over the inner surface of said end wall.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 778,143 12/04 Phillips 217-36 947,767 1/ 10 Walter 217-69 987,250 3/11 McGown 217-69 1,419,794 6./22 Wilson 217-12 1,675,314 6/28 Rosenield. 2,035,992 3/36 Sirnec 217-12 2,222,117 11/40 Newhouse 217-71 2,3 89,890 11/ 45 Borah 229-23 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,051,034 9/53 France. 1,215,019 11/59 France.

239,307 2/ 46 Switzerland.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

EARLE J. DRUMMOND, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF IDENTICAL WALLS; EACH WALL COMPRISING END BATTENS HAVING GROOVES IN INNER SURFACES AND EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF, AT LEAST ONE INTERMEDIATE BATTEN BETWEEN AND PARALLEL WITH THE END BATTENS AND HAVING GROOVES IN OPPOSITE SURFADES AND EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF, AND A PLURALITY OF CO-EXTENSIVE SLATS OF IDENTICAL DIMENSIONS LYING IN A COMMON PLANE AND EXTENDING BETWEEN THE BATTENS AND SECURED IN THE GROOVES THEREOF; THE BATTENS OF SAID WALLS BEING ALIGNED, THE NUMBER OF INTERMEDIATE BATTENS AND SLATS HAVING BEEN SELECTED FROM STOCK TO PRODUCE A CONTAINER OF DESIRED LENGTH, FLEXIBLE HINGE MEANS INTERCONNECTING ADJACENT ENDS OF THE END AND INTERMEDIATE BATTENS WHEREBY SAID WALLS MAY BE SWUNG FROM A FLAT COLLAPSED CONDITION TO POSITION ANGULARLY ARRANGED RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER TO FORM A CONTAINER HAVING BOTTOM AND SIDE WALLS, END WALLS REMOVABLY MOUNTED IN THE CONTAINER AT THE END BATTENS OF THE WALLS THEREOF, AND SECURING MEANS REMOVABLY RETAINING EACH OF THE END WALLS AGAINST THE ADJACENT END BATTEN SAID SECURING MEANS COMPRISING AN ELASTIC BAND WITH CLIPS ON ENDS THEREOF, SAID CLIPS BEING ADAPTED TO BE MOVED THROUGH HOLES IN SLATS OF OPPOSED CONTAINER WALLS IMMEDIATELY INSIDE AN END WALL.

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