WO2000055055A1

WO2000055055A1 - Goods shipping container

Info

Publication number: WO2000055055A1
Application number: PCT/IL1999/000359
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shmuel Atad
Original assignee: I.M.A. - Itzur Mutzarei Ariza Ltd.
Priority date: 1999-03-18
Filing date: 1999-06-30
Publication date: 2000-09-21
Also published as: IL129064A0; AU4530599A

Abstract

A stackable shipping container (40) includes a pair of non-parallel, opposing, first walls (116'') connected to a pair of second walls (126'') disposed transversely between the first walls (116''). First and second, generally parallel closure portions (118'', 128'') are associated with and spaced apart by the pairs of first and second walls (116'', 126'') and have a generally transverse orientation thereto. The container (40) is formed for stacking on a horizontal support (150) with a plurality of similar containers (40), and when the container (40) is placed in a side-by-side arrangement with a similar container (40) such that the pairs of first and second walls (116'', 126'') have a generally upright orientation, and such that one of the first non-parallel walls (116'') of the container abuts an adjacent first wall (116'') of the similar container (40), the abutting fist walls (116'') define therebetween a generally triangular gap to facilitate a flow of air between the containers (40).

Description

GOODS SHIPPING CONTAINER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to containers for shipping bulk goods, particularly fresh produce, such as flowers

DEFINITION Where used in the present specification and claims, the term "Bliss Box" refers to the style of box appearing in basic group 6 of the International Fibreboard Case Code, FEFCO/ASSCO, according to which Bliss boxes are rigid type boxes consisting of two separate end pieces and a body and requiring stitching or a similar operation before they can be used In the US, Bliss boxes are normally assigned with a suffix code number starting with the digits "06," for example, 0601 , 0602, and 0603

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the area of bulk shipment of fresh produce, such as flowers, it nas long been a need to ship produce to a desired destination as economically as possible, while retaining freshness of the produce While the most rapid way of shipping flowers is by air freight, this is not always possible, due both to economic considerations and to availability of space in the airplanes Accordingly, where possible, there has been an increasing tendency to ship via land or sea, as well by

As known, a particular problem encountered when shipping is that measures have to be taken so as to ensure that the goods are preserved in state of freshness adequate for marketing

Traditionally, shipping is performed in elongated rectangular cartons which may or may not be stacked on pallets Although cartons of standard size may be suitable for retaining freshness of flowers when shipped via air freight, particularly due to the relatively short time of air travel and the relatively cool ambient temperatures in an aircraft cargo hold, these conditions do not necessarily apply to shipping via land or sea, and so special measures have to be taken to ensure suitable conditions for the duration of shipping

An essential part of freshness retention while shipping is providing adequate ventilation for cooling In order to do this, a practice has been adopted whereby spacers are provided between adjacent cartons so as to provide a flow through space along the length of the cartons A particular drawback to the provision of spacers, however, is that packers are liable to forget to insert the spacers, or to insert them incorrectly, thereby reducing the amount of ventilation through a stack of cartons, and thereby also the amount of cooling that can occur Accordingly, there exists great potential for damage to the flowers being shipped, so as to render them unfit for sale

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to provide an improved, stackable, shipping container which may be used for fresh produce, such as flowers, which improves ventilation through a stack of such containers, thereby extending the amount of time for which the produce can be shipped without causing damage thereto

There is thus provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a stackable shipping container, which includes a pair of facing, non-parallel, opposing, first walls, a pair of facing second walls disposed transversely between the first walls and connected thereto, so as to define therewith a quadrilateral, wherein the pairs of first and second walls have a generally upright orientation, and first and second, generally parallel closure portions, associated with and spaced apart by the pairs of first and second walls and having a generally transverse orientation thereto, wherein the container is formed for stacking on a horizontal support with a plurality of similar containers, and wherein, when the container is placed in a side-by-side arrangement with a similar container and such that the pairs of first and second walls thereof have a generally upright orientation, and such that one of the first, non-parallel, walls of the container abuts an adjacent first wall of the similar container along a predetermined elongate interface only, the abutting first walls define therebetween a generally triangular gap so as to facilitate a flow of air between the containers Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container is configured such that either of first and second generally parallel closure portions may be selected for use as either a floor or a roof of the container, when stacked Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each second wall is trapezoidal, such that the first walls lay in intersecting planes, and each second wall tapers from a first edge portion to a second edge portion, and such that the first closure portion has a width of a first magnitude, and the second closure portion has a width of a second magnitude, different to the first magnitude

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first and second closure portions include first and second pairs of flaps, each of which is attached to a predetermined first wall, so as to be selectably foldable with respect thereto, between open and closed orientations, wherein, when the flaps are in the open orientation, each flap is generally parallel to the others of the flaps and generally coplanar with the first walls, and wherein, when the flaps are in the closed orientation, each flap is generally coplanar with the others of the flaps and generally transverse to the first walls

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each second wall is connected to a predetermined first wall via a triangular folding zone to which the second wall and the predetermined first wall are attached along a pair of fold lines which, when the container is in use, diverge from a common apex formed at a predetermined corner of the closure portion whose width is of a greater magnitude than that of the other the closure portion Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container is collapsible into a generally flat configuration when not in use

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pair of fold lines includes first and second fold lines, and wherein the second wall and the predetermined first wall connected thereto fold about the first and second fold lines when the container is in a collapsed configuration, and the second wall and the predetermined first wall connected thereto fold about the second fold line only when the container is in an erect configuration

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each second wall and the first wall connected thereto is formed from a blank which has a first, generally rectangular portion from which a first of the first walls is formed, a second, generally trapezoidal portion from which a first of the second walls is formed, and the triangular folding zone which connects between the first and second portions Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container is formed from a pair of the blanks, each blank having a pair of free edges generally parallel to the folding zone, and wherein a predetermined one of the free edges has formed therewith an attachment tab by which the pair of blanks is attached to the other of the tabs

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container is formed from a pair of the blanks, each blank having a pair of folds generally parallel to the folding zone, and wherein a predetermined one of the folds has formed therewith a reinforcing panel having a configuration and size generally similar to that of the second, generally trapezoidal portion, and wherein each reinforcing panel is attached to the second, generally trapezoidal portion of the other of the pair of blanks, thereby to provide container walls of double thickness

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shipping container also includes a pair of reinforcing panels secured to the pair of second walls, and having a similar configuration thereto, thereby to reinforce the pair of second walls

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which

Fig 1A is a plan view of a pair of blanks from which a bulk shipping container may be formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention prior to attachment of the blanks,

Fig 1 B is a plan view similar to that of Fig 1A, but wherein the blanks have been attached along one edge,

Fig 1C is a plan view of a bulk shipping container constructed in accordance with the present invention, in a folded down position, prior to erection for use,

Fig 2A is an isometric view of the bulk shipping container of Fig 1 C after erection thereof, seen to have narrower and wider openable sides, wherein the wider side is seen to form a floor and the narrower side is seen to form a top portion through which goods may be loaded into the container,

Fig 2B is an isometric view of the bulk shipping container of Fig 2A, after closure of the top portion, Fig. 3 is an isometric view of the bulk shipping container of Fig. 1C, similar to the view of Fig. 2A, but wherein the narrower side is seen to form a floor and the wider side is seen to form a top portion through which goods may be loaded into the container; Fig. 4 is an end view of a stack of containers of the present invention, loaded for shipping, wherein the containers are alternated in their orientations so as to maximize ventilation passages therethrough;

Fig. 5 is an end view of a stack of containers of the present invention, loaded for shipping, wherein all the containers have a similar orientation; Fig. 6 is a plan view of a reinforcing panel which may optionally be used in the container of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a pair of blanks from which a bulk shipping container may be formed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, prior to attachment of the blanks; Fig. 8 is an isometric view of a bulk shipping container, similar to that seen in

Fig. 2B, but having ventilation openings formed in the end panels only;

Figs. 9A-9C are schematic illustrations of Bliss boxes formed in accordance with the present invention, and having an opening in the narrow side of the two parallel top and bottom panels; Figs. 10A-10C are schematic illustrations of Bliss boxes formed in accordance with the present invention, and having an opening in the wide side of the two parallel top and bottom panels; and

Fig. 11 is a schematic illustration of a Bliss box formed in accordance with yet a further embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to Figs. 1A and 1 B, there are seen a pair of identical blanks, referenced generally 10' and 10", formed preferably from any suitably stiff sheet product, including stiff paper, corrugated cardboard, plastic, gas-permeable corrugated paperboard, such as disclosed in US Patent No. 5,575,418 to Wu et al, the contents of which are incorporated by reference; or any other suitable sheet material. It will be appreciated that, while the left and right blanks are identified respectively by reference numerals 10' and 10", for the sake of a simplicity, in the description below of features common to both blanks, a single blank only is described herein, referenced 10, and reference numerals referring to portions of the blanks are also referred to by numerals not bearing prime or double prime notations, although they are shown as such in the drawings for the sake of clarity Similarly, where necessary for understanding of the invention, the blanks are referred to by their particular reference numerals, as are portions thereof

Blank 10 includes a generally rectangular wall 12, and a generally trapezoidal wall 14 Rectangular wall 12 is generally elongated, having a central, rectangular portion 16 and mutually parallel first and second closure flaps 18 and 20, separated from rectangular portion 16 via parallel fold lines 18a and 20a, which, in the present example, are seen to extend along the length of rectangular panel 12 Wall 12 also has a free edge 22, with which is formed an attachment tab 24, separated therefrom by a fold line 24a

Trapezoidal wall 14 has a central, trapezoidal portion 26 and first and second closure flaps 28 and 30, separated from trapezoidal portion 26 via parallel fold lines 28a and 30a, which, in the present example, are seen to extend along the length of wall 14 The outer edge 28b of flap 28 is shorter than the opposing edge 30b of panel 30, thereby to accommodate the inward slope arrangement of side walls 116' and 116", shown and described hereinbelow in conjunction with 2A-3 Wall 14 also has a free edge 32, to which, as seen in Fig 1 B, an attachment tab 24 is fastened Rectangular wall 12 and trapezoidal wall 14 are separated via a triangular folding zone 34, which is formed by first and second fold lines, respectively referenced 36 and 38 First fold line 36 is arranged at right angles to fold lines 18a and 20a, extending along an edge of the rectangle defined by wall 12, and second fold line 38 is formed within rectangular portion 16, extending angularly away from a vertex common with first fold line 36 Triangular folding zone 34 has a base 39 which is co-linear with first fold line 18a, but is preferably separated from first closure flap 18 by means of an incision along the fold line As seen in the drawings, plural ventilation holes, referenced 42, are provided in various locations and so as to have various, predetermined configurations Referring now briefly to Fig 1C, a shipping container, referenced generally

40, in its folded down quadrilateral form, is provided by fastening - as via any suitable means, including hot or cold gluing, or stapling - the respective attachment tabs 24' and 24" of walls 10' and 10" to respective free edges 32" and 32' of walls 10" and 10' (Figs 1A and 1 B) As seen in Fig 1C, when the container 40 is folded down, while walls 12 and 14 are generally parallel to each other, triangular folding zone 34 is coplanar with neither of these walls, but has a generally transverse orientation thereto, such that rectangular portion 16 is reduced in size and changes shape so as also to become trapezoidal As seen in Figs 2A - 3, the triangular folding zone returns to being substantially coplanar with the remainder of rectangular portion 16 when the container is erected

Referπng now to Figs 1C - 4, it is seen that container 40, as seen in its erected form (Figs 2A-4) is attained by positioning rectangular portions 16' and 16"

(Fig 1C) and trapezoidal portions 26' and 26" in a generally rectangular arrangement, and by folding down closure flaps 28', 28", 30' and 30" (Fig 1C), and thereafter, folding down and fastening closure flaps 18', 18", 20' and 20" (Fig 1C)

It is thus seen that, the above described portions of blanks 10' and 10" become functional portions of container 40, once erected More particularly, and referring now also to Figs 1A-3, it is seen that, rectangular portions 16 become first, typically elongated side wails 116' and 116" (Figs 2A-2B), first and second closure flaps 18 and 20 become closure flaps 118', 118", 120' and 120" (Fig 3), fold lines 18a and 20a become edges 118a', 118a", 120a' and 120a"

It is further seen that trapezoidal portions 26 become second, typically trapezoidal end walls 126' and 126", and fold lines 28a and 30a become edges 128a' 128a", 130a' and 130a"

As seen in the drawings, ventilation openings 42 are provided in all sides of the container 40 Referring now briefly to Fig 8, however, there is seen a container, referenced generally 40', which is substantially identical to container 40 shown and described herein, except that, in the present embodiment, container 40' has openings provided in end panels 126' (not shown) and 126" only

Referring now briefly to Fig 6, there is seen a trapezoidal reinforcing panel, referenced 226 which may be secured to the interior of end walls 126' and 126" attached by any suitable means, thereby to strengthen container 40 Reinforcing panel 226 is preferably attached during production of blanks 10 (Figs 1A and 1 B), or after erection of container 40 (Figs 2A - 3)

Referring now to Fig 7, there are seen a pair of identical blanks, referenced generally 310' and 310", formed preferably from any suitably stiff sheet product, including stiff paper, corrugated cardboard, plastic, or any other suitable sheet material It will be appreciated that, while the left and right blanks are identified respectively by reference numerals 310' and 310", for the sake of a simplicity, in the description below of features common to both blanks, a single blank only is described herein, referenced 310, and reference numerals referring to portions of the blanks are also referred to by numerals not bearing prime or double prime notations, although they are shown as such in the drawings for the sake of clarity Similarly, where necessary for understanding of the invention, the blanks are referred to by their particular reference numerals, as are portions thereof

Banks 310 are generally similar to blanks 10 shown and described above in conjunction with Figs 1A, 1B and 1C, and are thus not specifically described herein, except generally, and with regard to the differences between blanks 310 and blanks 10 Blank 310 includes a generally rectangular wall 312, and a generally trapezoidal wall 314, which are similar to walls 12 and 14 of blanks 10, except for the provision of a reinforcing end panel 315, and an additional triangular folding zone 334 by which the panel 315 is attached to rectangular wall 312, so as to provide end walls of double thickness, and thus of double strength Reinforcing panel 315 is provided in place of tab 24 (Figs 1A and 1 B), and is fastened by any suitable means, such as gluing, stapling or the like, to the trapezoidal portions 326 The form and function of additional triangular folding zone 334 are generally similar to those of triangular folding zone 34 (Figs 1A-1C), and are thus not described again herein As seen in Figs 2A and 2B, the structure resulting from erection of the quadrilateral seen in Fig 1C is a shipping container 40, which has a pair of inwardly inclined elongated side walls 116' and 116", and a pair of trapezoidal end walls 126' and 126" which are disposed transversely between the elongated side walls 116 and 116", and which are hingedly connected thereto The side walls and end walls have a generally upright orientation when the container is in use, as shown in the present drawings

Referring now particularly to Fig 2B, it is seen that container 40 has a length L, a height H, and first and second widths, W1 and W2 It is apparent that, due to the trapezoidal end walls 126' and 126", which cause side walls 116' and 1 16" to be inwardly inclining, such that they reside in imaginary, intersecting planes (not shown), width W2 is greater than width W1 , and, correspondingly, closure flaps 118' and 118' are of smaller width than closure flaps 120' and 120" (seen in Fig 3) It will be appreciated that, in the example of Figs 2A and 2B, the side illustrated as being upward facing, and thus being a roof vis-a-vis container 40, is narrower than the container floor, provided by closure flaps 120' and 120"

It will also be appreciated, however, referring now to Fig 3, that the container 40 may be vertically inverted, so that the roof thereof, and thus the side through which goods are loaded thereinto, is formed by closure flaps 120' and 120", and is wider than the container floor, provided by closure flaps 118' and 118"

Referring now to Figs 4 and 5, it will be appreciated that the provision of parallel "top" and "bottom" sides which are horizontal when container 40 is placed on a horizontal surface, enables vertical stacking of the containers on a pallet 150, or other desired surface Furthermore, the provision of inclined sides increases the amount of ventilation that is provided through a stack of containers 40, as described below

It is this feature that renders container 40 of the present invention particularly suitable for the bulk transportation of fresh produce, including, but not limited to, fresh flowers, especially when transportation is over a relatively long period of time during which the produce must retain its freshness

As seen in Figs 4 and 5, pallets 150 have loaded thereon a stack 152 of containers 40 As seen, the containers 40 are placed in a side by side arrangement so that the side walls abut However, due to the sloped nature of the side walls 116' and 116", only the edges 120a' and 120a" of the wider portion of container 40 actually touch, there remaining generally diamond-shaped (Fig 4) or triangular (Fig 5) ventilation spaces between adjacent containers, so as to permit exposure of the remainder of each side wall to the passage of, for example, cooling air, thereby to enable cooling of the produce in the containers in a manner not previously known

In use, the containers 40 may be stacked so as to be vertically oriented in the same direction, as seen in Fig 5

In accordance with a preferred stacking arrangement however, seen in Fig 4, the containers should be alternated so that, first layers, denoted A, are oriented with the narrow side facing up, as seen in Figs 2A and 2B, while the alternate second layers, denoted B, are oriented with the wider side facing up, as seen in Fig 3

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that, while the above-described containers and blanks therefor, possess novelty per se, the trapezoidal configuration may also be applied to containers constricted in a different manner, while retaining the capability of being stacked as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, so as to define triangular spaces between adjacent containers, thereby to permit cooling ventilation of such a stack, as described above.

Accordingly, referring now generally to Figs. 9A-11 , there are provided variously configured Bliss boxes, respectively referenced 209A, 209B, 209C, 210A, 210B, 210C and 211. each such container has a pair of generally opposing, sloped panels respectively referenced 216' and 216" (Figs. 9A-10C) or 226' and 226" (Fig. 11), so as to be stackable substantially as shown and described above in conjunction with Figs. 4 and 5. Referring now specifically to Figs. 9A-9C, it is seen that each of the containers 209A, 209B, and 209C (Figs. 9A-9C) is formed so as to have an opening in the narrow side, referenced generally 218. Container 209A (Fig. 9A) has a narrow panel 218 that opens along a side seam portion 218a; container 209B (Fig. 9B) has a pair of flaps 218' and 218" that open along a center seam portion 218b; and container 209C (Fig. 9C) has a pair of flaps 218'" and 218"" that open along an off-center seam portion 218c.

As seen, however in Figs. 10A-10C, in accordance with a n alternative embodiment of the invention, containers 210A, 210B, and 210C (Figs. 10A-10C) are formed so as to permit loading and unloading via the wider side, referenced generally 216. Accordingly, container 210A (Fig. 10A) has a narrow panel 216 that opens along a side seam portion 216a; container 210B (Fig. 10B) has a pair of flaps 216' and 216" that open along a center seam portion 216b; and container 210C (Fig. 10C) has a pair of flaps 216'" and 216"" that open along an off-center seam portion 216c. Referring now to Fig. 11 , it is seen that the illustrated container 211 , while being Bliss-type, is formed by providing a body having panels 226' and 226" as relatively short end pieces, while the separate pieces fastened thereto are long, trapezoidal side pieces, respectively referenced 316 and 316". Container 211 is provided with a pair of flaps 316' and 316" which together form a wider panel 316, that opens along a seam portion 316a, and which, while being illustrated as being generally central, may alternatively be set off to one side, in similar fashion to the seam portion 218c of container 209C, shown and described above in conjunction with Fig. 9C.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited by what has been shown and described hereinabove, merely by way of example. Rather, the present invention is limited solely by the claims, which follow.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 A stackable shipping container, which includes a pair of facing, non-parallel, opposing, first walls, a pair of facing second walls disposed transversely between said first walls and connected thereto, so as to define therewith a quadrilateral, wherein said pairs of first and second walls have a generally upright orientation, and first and second, generally parallel closure portions, associated with and spaced apart by said pairs of first and second walls and having a generally transverse orientation thereto, wherein said container is formed for stacking on a horizontal support with a plurality of similar containers, and wherein, when said container is placed in a side-by-side arrangement with a similar container and such that said pairs of first and second walls thereof have a generally upright orientation, and such that one of said first, non-parallel, walls of said container abuts an adjacent first wall of said similar container along a predetermined elongate interface only, said abutting first walls define therebetween a generally triangular gap so as to facilitate a flow of air between said containers

2 A container according to claim 1 , wherein said container is configured such that either of first and second generally parallel closure portions may be selected for use as either a floor or a roof of said container, when stacked

3 A container according to claim 1 , wherein each said second wall is trapezoidal, such that said first walls lay in intersecting planes, and each said second wall tapers from a first edge portion to a second edge portion, and such that said first closure portion has a width of a first magnitude, and said second closure portion has a width of a second magnitude, different to said first magnitude

4 A container according to claim 3, wherein said first and second closure portions include first and second pairs of flaps, each of which is attached to a predetermined first wall, so as to be selectably foldable with respect thereto, between open and closed orientations, wherein, when said flaps are in said open orientation, each said flap is generally parallel to the others of said flaps and generally coplanar with said first walls, and wherein, when said flaps are in said closed orientation, each said flap is generally coplanar with the others of said flaps and generally transverse to said first walls.

5. A container according to claim 4, wherein each said second wall is connected to a predetermined first wall via a triangular folding zone to which said second wall and said predetermined first wall are attached along a pair of fold lines which, when said container is in use, diverge from a common apex formed at a predetermined corner of said closure portion whose width is of a greater magnitude than that of the other said closure portion.

6. A container according to claim 5, wherein said container is collapsible into a generally flat configuration when not in use.

7. A container according to claim 6, wherein said pair of fold lines includes first and second fold lines, and wherein said second wall and said predetermined first wall connected thereto fold about said first and second fold lines when said container is in a collapsed configuration, and said second wall and said predetermined first wall connected thereto fold about said second fold line only when said container is in an erect configuration.

8. A container according to claim 7, wherein each said second wall and said first wall connected thereto is formed from a blank which has a first, generally rectangular portion from which a first of said first walls is formed, a second, generally trapezoidal portion from which a first of said second walls is formed, and said triangular folding zone which connects between said first and second portions.

9. A container according to claim 8, wherein said container is formed from a pair of said blanks, each said blank having a pair of free edges generally parallel to said folding zone, and wherein a predetermined one of said free edges has formed therewith an attachment tab by which said pair of blanks is attached to the other of said tabs.

10. A container according to claim 8, wherein said container is formed from a pair of said blanks, each said blank having a pair of folds generally parallel to said folding zone, and wherein a predetermined one of said folds has formed therewith a reinforcing panel having a configuration and size generally similar to that of said second, generally trapezoidal portion, and wherein each said reinforcing panel is attached to said second, generally trapezoidal portion of the other of said pair of blanks, thereby to provide container walls of double thickness.

11. A shipping container according to claim 1 , and also including a pair of reinforcing panels secured to said pair of second walls, and having a similar configuration thereto, thereby to reinforce said pair of second walls.