WO2001038181A1 - Caisse pliante - Google Patents

Caisse pliante Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001038181A1
WO2001038181A1 PCT/ZA2000/000232 ZA0000232W WO0138181A1 WO 2001038181 A1 WO2001038181 A1 WO 2001038181A1 ZA 0000232 W ZA0000232 W ZA 0000232W WO 0138181 A1 WO0138181 A1 WO 0138181A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
collapsible container
container
formations
locking
base
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/ZA2000/000232
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jan Hendrik Mulder
Johan Steyn
Ivan Le Roux
Original Assignee
Irenco (Proprietary) Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Irenco (Proprietary) Limited filed Critical Irenco (Proprietary) Limited
Priority to AU18232/01A priority Critical patent/AU1823201A/en
Publication of WO2001038181A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001038181A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
    • B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
    • B65D21/0209—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together one-upon-the-other in the upright or upside-down position
    • B65D21/0215—Containers with stacking feet or corner elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D11/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material
    • B65D11/18—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected
    • B65D11/1833—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected whereby all side walls are hingedly connected to the base panel

Definitions

  • THIS INVENTION relates to a collapsible container. It also relates to a blank for a collapsible container.
  • a collapsible container which is formed of a synthetic plastics material and which includes a base having a plurality of sides; a side wall connected to each side of the base and displaceable relative thereto between a collapsed condition and an erect condition in which the side walls extend upwardly from the base; and a plurality of releasable locking arrangements for locking adjacent side walls together in their erect condition.
  • the base may have four sides with adjacent sides being perpendicular to one another, the container including four side walls and at least four locking arrangements to lock adjacent side walls releasably in the erect condition.
  • the base is rectangular.
  • the collapsible container may include a pillar which protrudes upwardly from each corner beyond operatively upper edges of the side walls.
  • the pillars are typically configured so that stacking loads, when the container forms part of a stack of said containers, are transmitted through the pillars.
  • Each locking arrangement may include at least one pair of complementary locking formations which are snap-lockingly releasably engageable to secure adjacent side walls together in their erect condition.
  • This arrangement permits the container to be displaceable quickly and easily between its collapsed and erect conditions.
  • Adjacent side walls may be provided with complementary pillar forming formations which cooperate when the container is in its erect condition to form the pillars.
  • the pillar forming formations may include protrusions protruding beyond the operatively upper edges of the side walls adjacent the ends thereof.
  • the pillar forming formations may each include a first panel hingedly connected to an end of one of the side walls, part of the panel protruding beyond an operatively upper edge of said one side wall, the first panel extending, when the container is in its erect condition, perpendicular to the said one side wall adjacent to the adjacent side wall.
  • the pillar forming formations may each include a second panel hingedly connected to the first panel so that it extends, in the erect condition of the container, at an acute angle from a free edge of the first panel, i.e. that edge remote from the edge of the first panel which is connected to said one side wall, towards an inner surface of said one side wall and a strap element for securing the first and second panels releasably in position.
  • the base may include chamfered corners which restrict movement of a lower end of each second panel.
  • the strap element may be connected to said other side wall and include a plurality of hingedly interconnected segments.
  • One locking formation of a pair of locking formations may be provided on the strap element.
  • the other locking formation of the pair of locking formations is provided on the second panel.
  • Each locking arrangement may include a second pair of complementary locking formations, one of the locking formations of the second pair being provided on the first panel and the other locking formation of the second pair of locking formations being provided on the adjacent side wall.
  • the base may have a major portion lying in a first plane and a peripheral portion defining an attachment zone lying in a second plane spaced from the first plane, the side walls being attached to the base in the attachment zone in a hinged fashion.
  • the base may include reinforcing formations.
  • the reinforcing formations may be in the form of ribs or corrugations.
  • the base may include lateral, longitudinal and diagonal ribs.
  • the collapsible container may include, when in its erect condition, complementary upwardly and downwardly directed locating formations which serve to locate one collapsible container relative to an adjacent collapsible container when arranged in a stack of said collapsible containers.
  • the upwardly directed locating formations may be in the form of tongues, the downwardly directed locating formations being in the form of apertures or recesses opening downwardly out of the base.
  • the tongues may be provided on and protrude upwardly from the pillars.
  • the base and side walls are typically foraminous defining a plurality of apertures. This serves the dual function of reducing the volume of material used to make the container and hence the cost thereof and allowing air flow through the container rendering it suitable for use in packaging fresh produce such as fruit, vegetables and the like. At least some of the apertures may be triangular in shape.
  • the collapsible container may be formed from a blank in the form of a unitary moulding of synthetic plastics material.
  • the invention extends to a blank for a collapsible container of the type described above.
  • Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view from the bottom of a collapsible container, in accordance with the invention, in its erect or assembled condition;
  • Figure 2 shows a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 1 in its erect condition
  • Figure 3 shows a side view of the container of Figure 2;
  • Figure 4 shows an end view of the container of Figure 2
  • Figure 5 shows a plan view of half of a container blank from which the container is formed
  • Figure 6 shows a three-dimensional view from the bottom of another collapsible container, in accordance with the invention, in its erect or assembled condition
  • Figure 7 shows a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 6 in its erect condition
  • Figure 8 shows a side view of the container of Figure 6
  • Figure 9 shows an end view of the container of Figure 6
  • Figure 1 0 shows a plan view of half of a container blank from which the container of Figure 6 is formed.
  • reference numeral 1 0 generally indicates a collapsible container in accordance with the invention.
  • the container 1 0 is made of a synthetic plastics material, typically polypropylene or the like, and includes a rectangular base 1 2 having four sides, longitudinal side walls 1 4, lateral side walls 1 6, and four locking arrangements 1 8 for locking the container 1 0 releasably in its erect condition as described in more detail below.
  • the entire collapsible container 10 is made from a blank 1 1 ( Figure 5) which is formed as a unitary moulding of synthetic plastics material and, as described in more detail below, the longitudinal and lateral side walls 14, 1 6 are attached to the base 1 2 along zones of reduced rigidity 20 (see Figure 5) .
  • the base 1 2 is rectangular in outline and has a major portion 22 (see Figure 2) and a peripheral portion 24 which extends about the major portion 22.
  • the base 1 2 has its major portion 22 lying in a first plane 26 (see Figures 3 and 4) and the peripheral portion 24 includes an attachment zone 28 lying in a second plane 30 which is spaced from the first plane 26.
  • the attachment zone 28 is integrally formed as a unitary moulding with the zones of reduced rigidity 20 and attached to the major portion 22 of the base 1 2 by integrally moulded supports 32, only a few of which are referenced in Figures 2 and 5 of the drawings for the sake of clarity.
  • the major portion 22 of the base 1 2 is in the form of a lattice structure defining lattice members 34 (only a few of which are referenced in the drawings for the sake of clarity) . Between the lattice members 34 are apertures 36 (only a few of which are referenced in the drawings for the sake of clarity) which not only reduce the quantity of material required to manufacture the collapsible container 1 0, but also allow ventilation thereby rendering the container 1 0 suitable for use in packaging goods such as fruit, vegetables, or the like where it is desirable to have air flow through the container.
  • ribs 38, 40, 42 are provided in order to enhance the rigidity of the base 1 2.
  • the ribs 38, 40, 42 are in the form of groove-like formations including supports 44 substantially similar to the supports 32.
  • the ribs 38, 40, 42 are arranged so that when the container 10 is in its knocked-down or collapsed condition, the resultant container blanks may be stacked in a relatively compact fashion thereby facilitating transportation of a large number of the containers when not in use in a space and cost effective manner.
  • the longitudinal side walls 14 and the lateral side walls 1 6 also include lattice members 34 (see Figures 3 to 5) which define apertures 36 (only a few of which are referenced in the drawings) which reduce the quantity of plastics material required to manufacture the container 1 0 and, further, allow ventilation or circulation of air into the container 1 0.
  • the container 1 0 includes, when in its erect condition, four pillars 55 positioned at the corners of the container and protruding upwardly from the base 1 2 beyond operatively upper edges of the side walls 1 4, 1 6.
  • Each pillar 55 is generally triangular when viewed in plan.
  • the pillars 55 are formed from pillar forming formations.
  • the pillar forming formations include protrusions 56, 57 protruding beyond operatively upper edges 1 6.1 , 1 4.1 of the lateral side walls 1 6 and longitudinal side walls 14, respectively, adjacent the ends thereof.
  • Each pillar forming formation further includes a first panel
  • the first or narrow panel 46 is attached to an associated lateral side wall 1 6 along a zone of reduced rigidity 20.
  • the second or broad panel 48 is, in a similar fashion, attached to the narrow panel 46 along a further zone of reduced rigidity 20.
  • Lower ends 52, 54 of the second panel 48 and first panel 46 respectively are free thereby to allow displacement of the second and first panels 48, 46 into a triangular-like formation (see Figures 1 and 2) when the longitudinal and lateral side walls 14, 1 6 are in their upright condition.
  • the first panel 46 extends perpendicularly to the lateral side wall 1 6 and overlaps an inner surface of an end region of an associated longitudinal side wall 14 and the protrusion 56 protruding therefrom.
  • the second panel 48 extends at an angle relative to the first panel 46 and its longitudinal end 58 abuts the lateral side wall 1 6 thereby to define the triangular-like formation.
  • the base 1 2 includes a chamfered zone 60 which supports the lower end 52 of the second panel 48 which then extends gusset fashion across the chamfered zone 60.
  • the strap element 50 engages the second panel 48 in a snap fit fashion.
  • the strap element 50 is segmented and includes a first component 62 which is attached to the longitudinal side wall 1 4 and move particularly to the protrusion 56 along a zone of reduced rigidity 20, and to a second component 64 via a further zone of reduced rigidity 20.
  • the second component 64 includes an engagement formation 66 which, in use, engages a complemental engagement formation 68 provided in the second panel 48, in a snap fit fashion.
  • the engagement formation 66 is connected to the second component 64 by means of two supports 76 so that the engagement formation 66 is parallel with and spaced from the surface of the second component 64.
  • the complemental engagement formation 68 is in the form of an aperture in the second panel 48.
  • a pair of curved retaining members 78 protrude into the aperture and serve releasably and snap- lockingly to engage the engagement formation 66.
  • the collapsible container 1 0 includes, when in its erect condition, complementary upwardly and downwardly directed locating formations 80, 82.
  • the upwardly directed locating formations are in the form of tongues which protrude upwardly from the upper edge of each second panel 48.
  • the downwardly directed locating formations 82 are in the form of apertures which open downwardly out of the base 1 2.
  • the tongues 80 of a lower container are received in the apertures 82 of an upper container to locate the containers one on top of the other.
  • a recess 84 is provided in a lower edge of each second panel 48 to accommodate a tongue 80 protruding through the aperture 82.
  • the first and second panels 46, 48 at each corner of the container 1 0 are folded into the triangular-like formation.
  • the longitudinal and lateral side walls 1 4, 1 6 are then folded or displaced so that they extend upright relative to the base 1 2.
  • the strap element 50 is displaced or strapped around the first and second panels 46, 48 whereupon the engagement formation 66 is urged in a snap fit fashion into the complemental engagement formation 68.
  • the first panel 46 overlaps the end region of the longitudinal side wall 14 and the protrusion 56 and the first component 62 overlaps an end region of the lateral side wall 1 6 and the protrusion 57 (see Figure 2) .
  • the second component 64 overlaps the second panel 48.
  • the engagement formation 66 is merely released and the strap element 50, second panel 48, and first panel 46 are merely folded out so that, together with the longitudinal and lateral side walls 1 4, 1 6, they extend in a plane which is generally parallel to the first plane 26 in which the major portion 22 of the base 1 2 lies.
  • reference numeral 1 00 refers generally to another collapsible container in accordance with the invention and, unless otherwise indicated, the same reference numerals used above are used to designate similar parts.
  • the strap element 50 includes a first component 62, a second component 64 and a third component 1 02 which is connected to the second component 64 via yet a further zone of reduced rigidity 20.
  • the engagement formation 66 is provided on the third component 1 02 and the engagement formation 68 is provided on the protrusion 56.
  • the first component 62 extends adjacent to the second panel 48
  • the second component 64 extends adjacent to an outer surface of the protrusion 57
  • the third component 1 02 extends adjacent to the protrusion 56 on which the engagement formation 68 is provided.
  • a second pair of complementary locking formations 66, 68 associated with each corner of the collapsible container 100 there is provided a second pair of complementary locking formations 66, 68, the locking formation 66 being provided on the side wall 1 4 and the complementary locking formation 68 being provided on the first panel 46.
  • the fact that the strap element extends around the entire upper portion of the pillar 55 and that a second pair of locking formations is provided serves to improve the overall rigidity of the erect container and in particular the pillars thereby strengthening the container.
  • the invention provides an enhanced collapsible container 1 0, 1 00 which is typically suitable for packaging fruit, vegetables, or the like.
  • the container 1 0, 1 00 is collapsible, transportation thereof is facilitated when not in use.
  • the locking arrangement 1 8 provides a dual function in that it not only locks the longitudinal and vertical side walls 1 4, 1 6 in their upright condition, but also provides or defines a strengthening pillar thereby to enhance the ability of the containers 10 to be stacked.
  • the provision of the lattice members 34, which define the apertures 36 not only reduces the quantity of synthetic plastics material required to mould the container 1 0, 1 00, but also define a ventilation arrangement in which air may pass freely into the interior of the container 1 0, 1 00. Further, unlike conventional containers made of a cardboard-type material, the container 1 0, 1 00 may be exposed to fluids without affecting its ability to remain rigid . The Inventors further believe that the rigidity of the container 1 0, 100 is enhanced by providing the attachment zone 28 in a second plane 30 which is spaced from the first plane 26 in which the major portion 22 of the base 1 2 is provided.
  • the container 1 0, 1 00 is a unitary moulding of synthetic plastics material manufacturing thereof is facilitated . It is to be appreciated that the dimensions of the container 1 0, 1 00 may vary depending on the nature of the goods to be transported .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Rigid Containers With Two Or More Constituent Elements (AREA)
  • Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)
  • Stackable Containers (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne une caisse pliante (10, 100) en matière plastique synthétique. Cette caisse comporte un fond (14) définissant quatre côtés. La caisse comporte également des parois latérales (16) reliées aux différents côtés du fond et mobiles par rapport au fond entre une position repliée et une position redressée faisant que les parois latérales (16) remontent verticalement à partir du fond (14). La caisse comporte aussi une pluralité de dispositif de verrouillage déblocables (55) servant bloquer ensemble les parois latérales successives (16) pour les maintenir en position redressée faisant qu'elles définissent, avec le fond (14), un récipient ouvert. Le fond (14) est constitué d'une partie principale occupant un premier plan, et une partie périphérique définissant une zone de fixation occupant un second plan situé à intervalle du premier plan, les parois latérales étant rattachées au fond par la zone de fixation. Cette caisse (10, 100) est réalisée à partir d'une ébauche, en l'occurrence un moulage monobloc en matière plastique synthétique.
PCT/ZA2000/000232 1999-11-25 2000-11-23 Caisse pliante WO2001038181A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU18232/01A AU1823201A (en) 1999-11-25 2000-11-23 Collapsible container

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA99/7321 1999-11-25
ZA997321 1999-11-25

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001038181A1 true WO2001038181A1 (fr) 2001-05-31

Family

ID=25588010

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/ZA2000/000232 WO2001038181A1 (fr) 1999-11-25 2000-11-23 Caisse pliante

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU1823201A (fr)
WO (1) WO2001038181A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004094250A1 (fr) * 2003-04-22 2004-11-04 Alejandro Betancourt Ruelas Boite pliable
EP1837284A1 (fr) * 2006-03-20 2007-09-26 Fava Giorgio Axel S.r.l. Moyens de stockage
EP3971097A1 (fr) * 2020-05-28 2022-03-23 Smurfit Kappa Sverige AB Découpe pour un plateau pliable pour produits frais

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3268147A (en) * 1963-06-11 1966-08-23 Burger Karl-Hans Crates for the carriage and storage of various goods
US3874546A (en) * 1973-10-11 1975-04-01 Pinckney Molded Plastic Inc Convertible container-pallet
EP0073357A2 (fr) * 1981-08-19 1983-03-09 NESPAK S.p.A. Società Generale per L'Imballaggio Caisse, assemblable et empilable, en matière plastique et machine pour l'assemblage
WO1998025830A1 (fr) * 1996-12-10 1998-06-18 Videcart, S.A. Boite empilable pour le transport de produits perissables et autres produits similaires
EP0931727A2 (fr) * 1998-01-26 1999-07-28 PQR 59 Properties (PTY) lTD. Récipient empilable

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3268147A (en) * 1963-06-11 1966-08-23 Burger Karl-Hans Crates for the carriage and storage of various goods
US3874546A (en) * 1973-10-11 1975-04-01 Pinckney Molded Plastic Inc Convertible container-pallet
EP0073357A2 (fr) * 1981-08-19 1983-03-09 NESPAK S.p.A. Società Generale per L'Imballaggio Caisse, assemblable et empilable, en matière plastique et machine pour l'assemblage
WO1998025830A1 (fr) * 1996-12-10 1998-06-18 Videcart, S.A. Boite empilable pour le transport de produits perissables et autres produits similaires
EP0931727A2 (fr) * 1998-01-26 1999-07-28 PQR 59 Properties (PTY) lTD. Récipient empilable

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004094250A1 (fr) * 2003-04-22 2004-11-04 Alejandro Betancourt Ruelas Boite pliable
EP1837284A1 (fr) * 2006-03-20 2007-09-26 Fava Giorgio Axel S.r.l. Moyens de stockage
EP3971097A1 (fr) * 2020-05-28 2022-03-23 Smurfit Kappa Sverige AB Découpe pour un plateau pliable pour produits frais

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU1823201A (en) 2001-06-04

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