US3759412A

US3759412A - Containers and their construction

Info

Publication number: US3759412A
Application number: US00089200A
Authority: US
Inventors: P Bush
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-11-13
Filing date: 1970-11-13
Publication date: 1973-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 1990-09-18
Also published as: CA968765A

Abstract

Plastic containers, such as clothes hampers, constructed of plastic sidewalls and top and bottom walls, the walls being separately molded for permanent resilient interlocking assembly by the consumer to form a rigid, stable structure, thus being shippable in knock-down form for saving of shipping space.

Description

Unite States Patent 1191 Bush 1 Sept. 18, 1973 [54] CONTAINERS AND THEIR CONSTRUCTION 2,838,197 6/1958 Wolff 220/4 R 1 L 1 1 2,212,122 12/122: $12.2??? 222/21:

a ey, FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [22] 1970 845,392 8/1939 France 217/16 [21] Appl. No.: 89,200

Primary Examiner-George E. Lowrance 52 us. (:1. 220/7, 217/16, 220/4 F Attorney-Stevens, Davis, Miller & Mosher [51] Int. Cl 865d 7/28, B65d 11/18 [58] Field of Search 220/4 R, 6, 7, DIG. 25, [57] ABSTRACT 220/4 F; 217/16 48 Plastic containers, such as clothes hampers, con- 5 6] References Cited structed of lasuc sidewalls and top and bottom walls,

the walls being separately molded for permanent res1l- UNITED STATES PATENTS ient interlocking assembly by the consumer to form a 3,047,183 7/1962 Papa 220/4 R rigid, stable structure, thus being shippable in knock- Nlcholas .1 down form for saving of pace 1,169,328 1/1916 Holtgrewe... 217/16 2,177,933 10/1939 Boeye 217/48 X 6 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEI] SEP] 8 I973 SHEEI 1 BF 7 I N VE N TOR P404 63 Bus PATENTED 3E? 1 81975 SHEET 3 U? 7 INVENTOR R404 J! 5051/ mmwaflw ATTORNEYS PATENTEU B 5 SHEET B [If 7 PATENTED SEN 81973 SHiET 5 0F 7 Bananas nmmnnnm q Bananas UDDUUUU 3 333.33

EEEEECE UUDUUDU \K UDDUBDU UUUUUUU SUBBED-U CONTAINERS AND THEIR CONSTRUCTION The invention hereinafter described, and as it is broadly conceived in its scope of usefulness, relates to containers. The invention is illustrated specifically by an embodiment thereof in common household use, namely, a clothes hamper. Such hampers and the like comprise four upstanding sidewalls, a bottom and a top, which is normally hinged to the back sidewall. The invention is concerned with the provision of such hampers, and/or containers from preformed, e.g., molded plastic wall pieces, the pieces being provided with interengaging portions adapting them for assembly without the need of nails, screws, adhesives or similar means commonly employed.

Briefly stated, the sidewalls are adapted to interlock with the bottom and top pieces by way of complementary resilient surfaces which surfaces may be functionally described as providing male-female association. In the molding of the pieces, their interengaging portions are carefully dimensioned and shaped such that when pressed or snapped into the intended engaged position, the interfitting is most precise and the holding action from the engaged parts'is exceedingly high. In this way, the parts, or pieces, provide containers that are strongly held together and extremely rigid.

For practical purposes the containers of the invention are permanently associated, although it is contemplated that the parts or pieces may be molded so as to be disengageable; moreover, the pieces of the storage portion of the container, i.e., the box" itself may be designed for substantially permanent engagement whereas the top therefor may be relatively easily removable. In this way, the top may be easily removed for access to the storage area and then replaced so as to again close and seal the container.

As a result of this invention, a great many advantages accrue. A major advantage arises in that great savings in shipping space and costs are permitted. Normally, storage cabinets, chests and the like are shipped already assembled since when preassembled they are more readily saleable to the consumer who does not care to undertake the assembly task. Moreover, production costs can be substantially lower since preassembly labor costs can be eliminated. Since the invention permits the provision of most any of the general types of containers, it is readily possible to produce a given standard type of container, or crate such as used in live chicken shipping, from standard interchangeable pieces, which maybe disassembled and returned in minimum shipping space for reuse. Since the pieces are molded from plastic materials, they are easily cleanable, they are durable in all weather, they are strong, and painting is not necessary. Compared to wood, they are extremely light in weight, yet strong and durable. They are highly resistant to marring and breakage damage in shipping and use. Moreover, the containers of this invention may be made substantially airtight, and entirely water tight, except perhaps under water pressure. They may be ofsuch gauge and type that most any substance may be transported or stored, substantially regardless of weight and chemical nature.

Productiontechnique may easily be such as to provide containers of wide selectivity in depth by providing the sidewalls of two or more interlocking vertical tiers. The variety of types of containers is substantially unlimited while providing substantially the same advantages in all cases, or even additionaladvantages in certain types of applications. For example, drawers for cabinet structures are not dimensionally affected due to humidity changes, and therefore they do not bind even though the fitting may be exceedingly close. Di-

mensional stability is exceedingly important in cabinetry. Many suitable plastics are exceedingly cheap and basic costs of the units produced is quite low, especially considering that milling, to a particular size and configuration, is eliminated.

Obviously, the finished products need not be rectangular; thus, in crossection they be as a hexagon or octagon etc., circular or eliptical, et. as a matter of design. The interior may readily be divided in compartments, and if desired such may be of variable dimensions.

Basically, the invention is one involving savings in shipping costs of a wide variety of commercial and household containers due to knock down shipping, thus requiring minimum shipping; volume, while also permitting the end user easy and quick assembly to form strong and rigid containers, which also may be substantially permanent assemblies, or they may be readily disassembleable as a matter of choice. As will be appreciated, both of these basic considerations are important and both have long been in need of a solu-. tion that is satisfactory in that both demands are satistied in a manner that does not impose a disadvantage to the other.

The invention, illustrated with respect to a household storage hamper or chest, is further more particularly described in the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled hamper;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of three sidewalls of the unit of FIG. 1, showing the sidewalls in collapsed position;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the side walls separated from each other; i l

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the bottom wall-pedestal of the hamper;

FIG. 6 is section view on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a top wall-locking member;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view on the line 9-9 of FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is a sectional view on the line 10--10 of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a vertical end sectional view, fragmentary in the height and width of the walls, thru the hamper shown in FIG. I, the parts as show being enlarged for clarity.

Referring to FIG. 1, numeral 20 denotes the assembled hamper showing, in phantomlines, the lid or top in open position. Numeral 22 denotes the base or pedestal piece (note FIG. 7,

therebelow Numerals

24 and 26 denote side and front walls, respectively. Numeral 28 and 30 seen in FIG. 12 denote the left end or side wall andthe back wall, respectively, and numeral 32 denotes the top closure piece.

As will be seen from FIG 12, the front wall 26 engages the bottom pedestal 22 as shown at numeral 34, and wall 26 similarly engages top-locking piece 36 (See also FIGS. 8 and 9) as shown at numeral 38.

Sidewalls

24 and 28 entirely similarly engage the bottom pedestal FIG. 11 is a sectional view on the line ll1l of a I side wall as shown in FIG. 4;

and the top locking piece in similar laterally extending channels.

Backwall 30 as shown in the drawings is a perforated ventilating panel, for example, of fibreboard. The perforations are denoted by numeral 40. As will be observed from FIG. 12, the lower edge of the back panel fits into groove 42 in the base pedestal and into groove 44 of the top wall locking member 36. As may be seen in FIG. 2,

side walls

24 and 28 are provided with grooves 46 and 48 which receive the vertical edges of the back panel. It will be observed that

grooves

42, 44, 46 and 48 aresimple channels and, in the embodiment of the invention as shown herein, the relationship of the back panel to the grooves is merely that of interfitting engagement, i.e., not the interlocking engagement that is illustrated at

numerals

34 and 38, the latter to be described in detail hereinbelow. However, it is pointed out that the back panel may be entirely similar to the other sides as to material etc., and the engagement shown at

numerals

34 and 38 may be employed therefor if desired.

Before proceeding to describe the manner of interengaging the several pieces to provide locking together so as to provide a substantially unitary assembly, it is desired to remark for purposes of easier understanding that the top locking piece as illustrated is a generally rectangular member which is last snapped into engagement with the sidewalls, and, as may be readily seen in FIG. 12, the top closure 32 is hingedthereto as shown at numeral 50. Numeral 52 denotes a slot in which one wing of the hinge is fixed into position as by cementing in position. FIG. 8 shows the top-locking'member 36in top plan view with the top removed; and the positioning of the slots 52 is there shown together with other detail and in relation to FIG. 9, which is a sectional view. FIG. is also a related sectional view.

Again referring to FIG. 12, channels 54 in the base 22 are provided as strengthening aids. In such context and function, channels 54 may be more aptly described as ribs, though not continuous, extending lengthwise and breadthwise of the bottom surface, forming somewhat of a waffle-iron pattern as illustrated in FIG. 7.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the relationship of the sidewalls to the front wall is shown. In FIG. 4, the three pieces are shown detached from each other and FIG. 3 shows them attached in hinged relationship. (Please also see FIG. 2 which provides a horizontal sectional view revealing the association in additional preciseness.) Edges v56, 58, 60 and 62 form the vertical corners of the hamper when the panels are assembled.

The three wall peices are provided with slots 64, entirely similar to slot 44, in which the hinges are fixed, thus permitting folding of the three pieces to a flat assembly requiring little space in shipping, as well as easy association with the base when the user removes the parts from the shipping box (a total of only 4, i.e., base pedestal, the hinged sidewall assembly, the back panel and the top locking piece with top hinged thereto) for assembly to form the hamper. As will be seen more clearly hereinafter, the time required for the assembly task is not more than a minute or so and the operation is the ultimate in simplicity. There is no such occurrence as a missing screw or fitting, or the application'of adhesives.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 and now turning to the description of the complementary interengaging and interlocking features of the invention, it will be noted that a channel or groove 66 is molded into the base pedestal 22, the channel extending continuously the length and breadth of the pedestal along three edges, i.e., front and right-left edges. (Back panel receiving groove is seen in FIG. 6 at numeral 44.) The preassembled outer walls as seen in FIG. 3 are received within channel 6. Molding to provide a close or quite precise fit is desirable, and preferably, the sidewall engaging surfaces should provide at least a slight pressure exertion throughout the engagement.

The locking engagement of the base pedestal and the outer wall assembly is provided by complementary surfaces carried by the walls of the channel 66 and the vertical edge surfaces of the outer wall assembly. It is desired to point out before proceeding with such description that the particular locking means hereinafter described is not in any sense to be understood as placing undue limitations upon the basic inventive concept. It will be clearly apparent that numerous different types of interlocking surfaces may be employed to effect the objects of the invention. However, the form or type of engagement herein described provides excellent holding action and, insofar as the described hamper is concerned, it may be stated to be preferred, though it is not necessarily better than many other forms of a similar nature, especially when the variety of containers, etc., to which the invention extends is considered, and also whether the unit constructed is to be of a disassembleable type. 7 Referring first to the enlarged FIG. 12, attention is directed to the surface denoted by numeral 68 on the outer vertical sidewall of channel 66. Attention is also directed to an entirely similar surface carried by top locking member 36 which is denoted by numeral 70. The function of these two surfaces is the same, and therefore an understanding of one locking surface provides understanding of all. Surface 68 abuts against triangular surface 72. As will be seen, each abutting surface overlaps along a horizontal line or plane as indicated at numeral 74.

Referring to surface 68, which is somewhat in the nature of a detent, and hereinafter so described, attention is now drawn to FIGS. 5 and 6. As will be observed detents 68 are triangular protrusions positioned at a plurality of spaced points in channel 66. Complementary slots, or sockets, for each detent are provided in the lower generally vertical edge surfaces of the hinged wall assembly. In this regard reference is made to FIG. 4. The said slots are there denoted by numeral 72. As will be observed, eight slots are provided along the lower wall surfaces for cooperation with eight complementary detents in the base pedestal. A similar number of slots are provided along the top edge of the outer wall assembly for interlock with a similar number of similar slots in top locking unit 36.

The locking engagement is accomplished by gently forcing the lower wall surfaces fully into the base pedestal channel beyond the point of the detents, wh'ereupon the detents spring back into engagement with their complementary sockets. In assembly, the outer walls and the base pedestal are rigidly engaged.

The back panel 30 is next inserted in the channels heretofore described, the top locking member with closure top attached is next similarly pressed downward into similar locking engagement, whereupon assembly is complete. r

it will be apparent that the four pieces in preassembled form may be shipped in approximately one-third the space required for similar units which at present are shipped fully assembled. This is an advantage greatly soughtby manufacturers. Coupling this fact with the elimination of complexity of the problem of assembly upon arrival at the place of use, the achievements of the invention are clearly evidenced.

Referring to space saving, the ultimate in savings occurs when the unit in assembled form is a cube and/or in the case where the bottom and top portions are of about the same dimensions as the end walls. It is surprising how many useable units closely approximate these dimensions. Consequently, use of the present invention does indeed result in a great reduction in shipping volume. Nesting type of containers, for example, waste baskets, flower pots, etc., where the bottom dimension relative to the top permits substantially complete nesting, afford a great saving in volume. The present invention accomplishes the same for units which cannot be nested. Moreover, this invention may be employed to provide conical walled containers and frustopyamidal container by simple molding modifications. Thus side panels need not be restricted to only the vertical.

As has been pointed out hereinabove, the embodiment of the invention herein specifically described and illustrated is by no means to be understood as placing undue limitations on the broader inventive concept. in this connection it is desired to remark particularly with respect to contemplated modifications.

if it is desired to eliminate the slip-in back panel and to construct a container which is more uniform on all sides, such may be accomplished in several different ways. For example, the four sidewalls may be composed of two pair panels each composed of an end wall and the other of each pair constituting the two opposing walls, that is to say a. side and back panel as one piece, and a side and front panel as the other. In such case the hinging would appear at diagonal corners in the assembly. in shipping, the two pair-panel would fold to occupy the same space as the hamper components illustrated herein. In all other respects the unit would be similar. Of course the base pedestal and top locking member would contain locking receiving channels continuously around their perimeters.

Similarly the four (or more) walls may be entirely separate and unhinged. Depending upon the height of the units formed in these ways, it may be desirable to provide vertical groove detenttype interlocking to add to stability, especially if the gauge material is not particularly selected and/or otherwise stabilized. Obviously each sidewall may be molded with pinsockets which, when in position, interrelate to be vertically pinned together as the opposing wings of a hinge itself. Further, in some instances it may be desired that all side panels be hinged together, much as a folding screen. As will be observed, in square units, folding is thus possible to the least volume, and only a small loss in space saving need occur if in a rectangular unit.

As is well known, plastics may be produced which can be molded to provide rigidity in one direction while being capable of great flexibility in others; more dimensional stability can be supplied by embedded reinforcing members, such as rods, and which would provide added rigidity in one or more directions. This being entirely feasible, the invention contemplates molding the four sidewalls as one continuous unit which is of such flexibility that its opposite ends may be brought together to provide the vertical rectangular volume (or circular volume where the base and top closure means are circularly grooved). In such case, vertical stabilizers, if needed, are easily molded into the wall piece. The ends so brought together may be provided with vertical interlocking channels as herein described. For example, a rigid hassock unit may be easily formed in this manner; and as will be readily appreciated, such unit may constitute merely the interior frame about, and to, which may be applied or attached via snap-in grooves, specially adapted upholstery pieces. As will be understood also, the outer walls may provide ventilation openings as in crates, etc.

It may be pointed out that the dletents and opposing pockets are not restricted as to dimension or number, for example, along the running length of the grooves. Thus, they may be lengthened in size or increased in number to increase the holding action. For that matter, the cooperating locking members may continue throughout the entirety of the engaging surfaces. The detent-socket overlap in the horizontal plane may be increased, as should be obvious.

Thus, various specific designs may be employed to complement the needs of the container or type of unit which is desired to be produced. With respect to the configuration of the detent and. mating pocket, it should be pointed out that the overlap in the horizontal plane, as at numeral 74, adds greatly to the stability of the unit, especially when the groove itself and the sidewall surface engaged therewith ;are square to each other. The tendency to relative rotation of the engaging pieces is minimized. However, as pointed out above, the type of interlock may be varied. For example, the receiving channel need not be square, rather it may be a rounded semi-closed trough, i.e., providing a relatively narrow continuous slot thru which a complementary continuous rounded bead, molded into the panel edges, is forced to form a continuous lock. As will be obvious, in all cases the locking engagement is accomplished by forcing the receiving complement (or by squeezing the engaging piece) to greater opening dimension, it returning to its repose state when the engaging surface, i.e., the pockets or sockets 72, are in opposed relation. The plastic therefore must possess the necessary resiliency as well as rigidity to complete the lock.

In the embodiment illustrated and many other similar units, it is contemplated, perhaps preferably, but not necessarily, that the interlock will be such as to be only quite difficultly releasable. This is: believed to be preferred since in the first place there is little reason in the majority of household type units to need a separable unit, and in the second place, assembly strength is re duced, though this is easily sufficiently controllable. An exception to household units would, for example, be a trash container such as used in kitchens, since separability would permit more thorough cleaning. Separability after assembly may be quite easily controlled by altering the horizontal overlap to an angular overlap, i.e., inclined to the horizontal. In this way, general rigidity of the plastic is not required to be modified. Of course, the extent of overlap is another variable in this connection.

The containers herein described may be made from any one of numerous plastics, and all components need not necessarily be of the same plastic. Moreover, the components may be formed of such as stainless steel as may be desired in producing sanitary, hospital-type units. As to plastics, polystyrene materials are excellent, and suitable polymers thereof are obtainable from numerous sources.

As should be understood, the container sidewalls may be provided with hinged doors for access to the interior from the front side as in any cabinet; moreover, the sidewalls may be provided with means to support interlocking shelving, for example as employed in kitchen floor and wall cabinetry.

As heretofore pointed out, the invention has innumerable possibilities.

What is claimed is:

1. A knockdown type of clothes hamper or the like formed from molded relatively rigid, but somewhat resilient plastic, said hamper being comprised of a front wall and having hingedly associated therewith two sidewalls, each of said walls having the top and bottom edge portions preformed to provide an intumed flat flange surface constituting upper and lower rim portions and, immediately adjacent said rims one or more channel-like depressions in the vertically extending surface of said walls, constituting the female member of interlocking means, said channels extending horizontally along the width of said walls;

an upstanding base member constituting a one piece pedestal and bottom wall, said base member having a generally U or square-shape groove extending about its perimeter generally complementing said rims, and having one or more inwardly extending bulging portion on the outer vertical wall thereof generally co-extensive with said channels adjacent said rims and constituting the male member of interlocking means, said bulging portion being shaped, positioned and adapted to interlock with said channels in snap-in fashion when said rims on said walls are positioned in adjoining relationship and pressed thereinto;

a top locking member of generally rectangular configuration and having grooves and bulging portion entirely similar to those in said base extending coextensively with the upper rims of said walls, whereby when said locking member is pressed downwardly on said upper rims, said locking member and rims interlock to complete a unitary rigid structure; said hamper being provided with a back panel held in position in grooves in said sidewalls and base, and said locking member having a top closure hinged thereto.

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the male-female locking parts provide an overlapping area lying along a horizontal plane, i.e., a plane normal to the direction of insertion of the complementary part, whereby the locking engagements are rendered substantially disengageable.

3. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the overlapping areas lie along a plane extending at an angle less than normal to the direction of insertion whereby said parts are rendered more easily separable.

4. The structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the interlocking portions are reversed respectively in said sidewalls, said base member and top-locking member.

5. The assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the male-female locking parts provide an overlapping area lying along a horizontal plane, i.e., a plane normal to the direction of insertion of the complementary part, whereby the locking engagements are rendered substantially disengageable.

6. The assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein the overlapping areas lie along a plane extending at an angle less than normal to the direction of insertion whereby said parts are rendered more easily separable.

Claims

1. A knockdown type of clothes hamper or the like formed from molded relatively rigid, but somewhat resilient plastic, said hamper being comprised of a front wall and having hingedly associated therewith two sidewalls, each of said walls having the top and bottom edge portions preformed to provide an inturned flat flange surface constituting upper and lower rim portions and, immediately adjacent said rims one or more channel-like depressions in the vertically extending surface of said walls, constituting the female member of interlocking means, said channels extending horizontally along the width of said walls; an upstanding base member constituting a one piece pedestal and bottom wall, said base member having a generally U or squareshape groove extending about its perimeter generally complementing said rims, and having one or more inwardly extending bulging portion on the outer vertical wall thereof generally co-extensive with said channels adjacent said rims and constituting the male member of interlocking means, said bulging portion being shaped, positioned and adapted to interlock with said channels in snap-in fashion when said rims on said walls are positioned in adjoining relationship and pressed thereinto; a top locking member of generally rectangular configuration and having grooves and bulging portion entirely similar to those in said base extending co-extensively with the upper rims of said walls, whereby when said locking member is pressed downwardly on said upper rims, said locking member and rims interlock to complete a unitary rigid structure; said hamper being provided with a back panel held in position in grooves in said sidewalls and base, and said locking member having a top closure hinged thereto.