WO1992005078A1

WO1992005078A1 - A foldable container

Info

Publication number: WO1992005078A1
Application number: PCT/AU1991/000446
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dimitri Tosevski
Original assignee: Dimitri Tosevski
Priority date: 1990-09-25
Filing date: 1991-09-25
Publication date: 1992-04-02

Abstract

A collapsible container comprising a base panel which may be in a form of a pallet and a plurality of side panels which are either directly or indirectly hinged to the base panel so that the side panels can assume a folded position lying mutually parallel on the base panel within the confine of the periphery of the base panel, the side panels also being adapted to assume an erect position in which the side panels extend vertically of the base panel in abutting contact to terminate in a planar open top. The container including a latch member that extends from a first side panel to clip against the edge of the adjacent panel and means to place the latch member in tension on the adjacent panel. The containers are stackable both when erect or collapsed.

Description

Title

A Foldable Container Background of the Invention

This invention relates to a foldable container and especially palletised foldable containers.

Open rectangular containers of sturdy construction are frequently used either formed integrally with or mounted on pallets. These containers are used for the bulk transfer of a variety of materials both within factories and in the trucking industry. The containers are both strong and duraϋle but suffer from the problem that they take up considerable space when not in use. There is thus a need for a collapsible or foldable container that can be easily stored whan not in use whilst at the same time providing the required qualities in use. Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a collapsible container comprising a base panel and a plurality of side panels either directly or indirectly hinged to the base panel so that the side panels can assume a folded position lying mutually parallel on the base panel within the confines of the periphery of the base panel, the side panels also being adapted to assume an erect position in which the side panels extend vertically of the base panel in abutting contact to terminate in a planar open top and means to hold and secure adjacent edges of abutting side panels against one another when in the erect position.

Preferably, the means to hold and secure adjacent edges of abutting side panels comprises a latch member that extends from a first side panel to clip against the edge of the adjacent panel, and means to place the latch member in tension on the adjacent panel. The latch member preferably comprises a latch formed on one end of a slide, the slide being vertically displaceable about a ramp formed on the first side panel whereby vertical displacement of the slide causes horizontal displacement of the latch to vary the tension of engagement between the latch and the edge of the adjacent side panel. Preferably, upwardly standing lugs are provided on diametrically opposed edges of the base panel to hold the adjacent edges of respective side panels within the confines of the base when in the erect position.

The side panels are preferably hinged end to end by 270 degree hinges mounted on the exterior side of the panels. The hinges are preferably defined by a single continuous hinge secured to respective adjacent edges of the side panels.

In a preferred embodiment, the base panel is formed as the upper surface of a standard pallet. It is also preferred that the panels are constructed of suitably reinforced sheet metal although other materials such as wood or plastics are also envisaged. Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figures 1 to 6 are perspective views of a foldable container illustrating the six stages through which the container must pass to assume a folded configuration from an erected configuration,

Figure 7 is a enlarged partial perspective view.of one corner of the container when erect illustrating a latch assembly, and

Figures 8 to 11 are perspective views of another foldable container illustrating the stages through which the container must pass to assume a folded configuration. Description of the Preferred Embodiments As shown in Figures 1 to 7 a rectangular container

10 is constructed of sheet metal panels supported about a reinforcing metallic framework 12. Although in the preferred embodiment the container is constructed of metal, it is understood that this invention envisages containers made of other materials such as plastics and wood and combinations of wood, plastics or metal.

The container 10 comprises a rectangular base panel 15 that may be formed as the upper surface of a conventional pallet. The base panel may include four downwardly extending lugs 16 adjacent each corner. The container also include side panels 17, 18, 19 and 20 and a removable lid 13. The side panels are either directly or indirectly hinged to the base panel and are foldable to assume the erect position shown in Figure 1 and the folded position shown in Figure 6. The side panels are arranged in pairs hinged end to end. Thus, as shown in Figure 3, side panels 19 and 20 are hinged together about a continuous vertically extending hinge 21 and side panels 17 and 18 are hinged end to end about a vertical continuous hinge 22 (Figure 5). As shown in Figure 3, side panel 19 is hinged to the base panel 15 about a horizontal hinge 25 and the opposite side panel 17 is also hinged indirectly to the base 15 via hinge 60. Two latch assemblies 40 are positioned one in each unhinged corners 43 and 44 of the container. The latch assembly shown in detail in Figure 7 comprises a latch slide 45 one end of which has a mutually perpendicular foot portion 46 that terminates in an inturned lip 47. The inturned lip is arranged to dip against the metallic framework 12 of the adjacent edge of the side panel 20. The slide portion 45 is provided with a welded bracket 51 that is arranged to be a sliding fit over a ramp portion 52 that extends diagonally across a rectangular cut out 53 formed in the side surface of the adjacent side panel 17. The slide 45 is arranged to be displaceable vertically about the ramp 52 so that when pushed upwardly the inclination of the ramp forces the lip 47 away from the edge of the framework to allow release of the abutting edges of the side panels 17 and 20. When however the slide 45 is pushed downwardly to the position shown in Figure 2, the inclined ramp 52 forces the slide rearwardly to cause the lip 47 to firmly engage the edge of the framework to thus bring the adjacent edges of the side panels into firm abutting contact. Further downward pressure on the slide increases the force on the latch to place the abutting edges of the side panels in tension. The latch assembly 40 thus provides a simple integral mechanism for releasably securing the adjacent edges of side panels. The hinges 21 and 22 between adjacent side panels

19 and 20 and 17 and 18 are mounted externally of the side panels adjacent the edge of one panel so that each hinge allow the side panels to pivot through 270 degrees. Thus, the hinge 21 allows the side panels 19 and 20 to assume the mutually perpendicular profile when erect (Figure 1) to the profile as shown in Figure 3 where the side panel 20 has been folded back onto the adjacent side panel 19. The hinges 21 and 22 preferably comprise a single hinge that extends down the whole length of adjacent edges of the panels. It is however understood that a series of spaced hinges may replace a single continuous hinge. The hinges 25 and 60 that secure side panels 19 and 17 to the base panel 15 are also of continuous length but are arranged so that the respective panels only pivot through 90 degrees, that is from the vertical position (Figure 3) to the horizontal folded position shown in Figure 6. To fold the container from the erect position of Figure 1, the top 13 is removed and the latch assemblies 40 are released thereby freeing the abutting edges of side panels 17 and 20 and 18 and 19 (Figure 2). As shown in Figure 3, side panel 20 can then be lifted clear of a small upstanding lug 70 that is positioned adjacent the corner of the base panel 15. The side panel 20 is pivoted rearwardly to assume the position in Figure 3 where side panel 20 is folded back on to side panel 19. As shown in Figure 4, side panel 18 is pulled away from panel 19 and the first pair of side panels 19 and 20 are then lowered about hinge 25 to rest against the upper surface of the base panel 15 (Figure 5). The same operation is then repeated with side panels 17 and 18, panel 18 being folded back on to panel 17 about hinge 22. This partially folded position is shown in Figure 5. The second pair of side panels 17 and 18 are then folded down on top of the first pair to assume the folded configuration shown in Figure 6. The upstanding lugs, one 70 of which is shown in Figures 3 to 6, assist in locating the first pair of side panels 19 and 20 onto the base panel 15. The top 13 can then be stacked on top of the folded assembly.

An important feature of the construction described above is the fact that when folded as shown in Figure 6, the folded panels do not extend outside the periphery of the base panel 15. This is extremely important when storing the folded assembly as any obstruction to the edges of the assembly destroys the effectiveness of storage and stackability. It is also important that when in the erect position, the panels define an open rectangular mouth that is in a single plane in other words, each side panel extends to the same height from the base panel 15. To facilitate these two criteria, two of the side panels 17 and 18 are shorter than the other panels 19 and 20 and their hinge association with the base panel 15 is through the intermediary of elongate plates 61 and 62 that are attached to the base panel to extend upwardly from the base panel 15. Therefore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, it can be seen that an elongate plate 62 is positioned between the bottom edge of the side panel 18 and the upper surface of the base panel 15 and similarly, another plate 61 extends between the bottom edge of the side panel 17 and the upper surface of the base panel 15. The upper edge of plates 61 carries the elongate horizontal hinge 60 and thus the hinge is vertically spaced from the base panel 15 allowing the second pair of panels 17 and 18 to rest on top of the first pair of panels 19 and 20 in abutting contact but vertically above the first pair. The use of the intermediary plates 61 and 62 and panels of differing lengths satisfies the criteria described above.

In a second embodiment shown in Figures 8 to 11, a metallic rectangular container 100 is defined by corner post assemblies 101, 102, 103, 104 and side panels A, B, C, and D of metallic meshwork. The base panel E of this embodiment is in the form of a conventional pallet base. The containers 100 are of rectangular configuration having two shorter sides C and D that are half the length of the longer sides A and B. The container is shown in the erect configuration in Figure 8 and a pair of latch assemblies 40 of the same kind as those described with reference to the first embodiment act between the abutting edges of panels A and D, and A and C. The difference with the construction of this embodiment to the embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 7 is the fact that in this embodiment the shorter panels C and D are arranged to fold back onto one of the longer panels B about vertical hinges 110, 111 mounted on the corner posts 102 and 103. Thus, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the shorter side panels C and D are released by releasing the latch assemblies 40 and then the linger side panels A is folded down onto the base panel E via a horizontally extending hinge (not shown) and then both of the shorter side panels C and D are folded back onto the .rear of the other elongate side panel B. That elongate side panel can then be folded down onto the other elongate side panel to produce the folded configuration shown in Figure 11. As can be seen from Figure 11, because the shorter side panels C and D are half the length of the longer side panels A ai d B, they effectively abut one another in the folded position. A further feature of this embodiment is the stepped interfitting of the corner post assemblies. The main body 120 of each post assembly abuts a short faot member 121 that extends upwardly from the base panel. When in the folded position, as shown in Figure 11, ^' the foot me b! s 121 remain to improve ease of stackability and it should be noted that the extreme ends of the feet extend to a higher level than the stack of panels. To reduce the load on the hinge 110 as the panel D is pulled clear of the base panel E a small leg 135 may be turned down from the lower edge of the panel to rest on the ground to prop up the free edge of the panel.

Another feature of this embodiment concerns the fact that it is possible to design at least one of the longer side panels A to have a hinged flap 125 that can fold down about a central axis 126. Suitable catches 130 are provided in the corner posts to locate the flap panel. It is understood that the panel may be either hinged or can be a separate panel which can simply be removed by lifting the flap 130 clear of the catches 130.

In another embodiment, not shown, it is understood that the interior of the container may be lined with a liquid impervious sheet of rubber or plastics so that the container can be used to house liquids or powdered material. One side panel may include a sealable discharge aperture to effect release of the contents. In situations where the container is used to house very dense material it is understood that additional latch assemblies may be included to improve the attachment between adjacent side panels.

The containers described above is a self standing container that can be erected through integral latching mechanisms to provide a sturdy, robust and resilient structure which without the use of any ancillary tools can be simply dismantled and folded into the position shown in Figures 6 and 11 where storage can be simply effected without taking up valuable space.

The containers described above are adapted to be stackable both when erect and when in the folded or collapsed condition as shown in Figures 6 and 11.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A collapsible container comprising a base panel and a plurality of side panels either directly or indirectly hinged to the base panel so that the side panels can assume a folded position lying mutually parallel on the base panel within the confines of the periphery of the base panel, the side panels also being adapted to assume an erect position in which the side panels extend vertically of the base panel in abutting contact to terminate in a planar open top and means to hold and secure adjacent edges of abutting ' side panels against one another when in the erect position.

2. The collapsible container according to Claim 1 wherein the means to hold and secure adjacent edges of abutting side panels against one another when in the erect position comprise a latch assembly including a latch member that extends from a first side panel to ^lip against the edge f .the adjacent panel and means to place the latch member in tension on the adjacent panel.

3. The col_apsible container according to Claim 2 wherein the latch member comprises a latch formed on one end of a slide, the slide being vertically di placeable about a ramp formed on the first side panel whereby vertical displacement of the slide causes horizontal displacement of th_* latch to vary the tension of engagement between the latch and the edge of the adjacent side panel.

4. The collapsible container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein upwardly standing lugs are provided on diametrically opposed edges of the base panel to hold the adjacent edges of respective side panels within the confines of the base when in the erect position.

5. The collapsible container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein e base anel is of rectangular configuration and a first air of side panels arf hinged end to end, one side panel of said first pair being hinged to a first edge of the base panel, a second pair of side panels being hinged end to end and one side panel of said second pair being hinged to the opposite edge of the base panel, the side panels being foldable one on the other to lie on the base panel in parallel planar contact, the side panels being capable of erection to assume the vertical sides of the container extending to a common height, the lengths of the panels being adapted to ensure that when folded onto the base panel, the panels do not project outwardly of the periphery of the base panel.

6. ^' The collapsible container according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the base panel is of rectangular configuration and the side panels comprise a pair of elongate side panels and a pair of shorter side panels, the shorter side panels being half the length of the elongate side panels, the shorter side panels having one edge hinged to opposite ends of one of the elongate side panels whereby the shorter panels can be folded back onto the exterior of the elongate side panel and the elongate side panel is hinged to the base panel so that the elongate side panel can be hinged forwardly to lie in planar contact on the base panel, the other elongate base panel being hinged to also lie on the base panel whereby the hinged arrangement of the elongate side panels is such that they can rest in a mutually parallel array one on top of the other within the confines of the base panel.

7. The collapsible container according to Claim 6 wherein the second elongate side panel can be split into two sub panels about a line extending along the middle of the side panel.

8. The collapsible container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a removable lid is designed to fit onto the open top of the container when in the erect position.

9. The collapsible container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each hinge is a single continuous hinge secured to respective adjacent edges of the panels.

10. The collapsible container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the base panel is formed as the upper surface of a standard pallet.

11. The collapsible container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a flexible rubber or plastics sheet is secured to the interior surface of the container, an outlet being provided in one side panel whereby the container when in the erect form can be used to store liquids or particulate material.

12. The collapsible container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the underside corners of the container are arranged to interfit with the upper corners of the container to allow the containers to be stacked one upon another.

13. A collapsible container substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.