WO2003033380A2

WO2003033380A2 - Collapsible container apparatus for use in the storage and transportation of fluid material

Info

Publication number: WO2003033380A2
Application number: PCT/GB2002/004721
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Jeffrey Farrell
Original assignee: Peter Jeffrey Farrell
Priority date: 2001-10-19
Filing date: 2002-10-18
Publication date: 2003-04-24
Also published as: AU2002341125A1; GB0125228D0; EP1436214A2; WO2003033380A3

Abstract

Collapsible container apparatus (2) for use in the storage and transportation of fluid material, which container apparatus (2) comprises: a rigid base (4), support members (6) which upstand from the rigid base (4), a rigid top portion (8) which is releaseably connected to the support members (6), a bag (10) which is made of a flexible material, and securing means (20) which connect the support members (6) to the rigid base (4) such that the support members (6) are able to fold down on to the rigid base (4) and thereby to enable the container apparatus (2) to be in an erect condition while containing the fluid material and in a collapsed condition when empty of the fluid material.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION OF FLUID MATERIAL

This invention relates to container apparatus and, more especially, this invention relates to collapsible container apparatus for use in the storage and transportation of fluid material such for example as liquids, powders and granular materials.

Container apparatus for use in the storage and transportation of fluid material is well known. Some types of known container apparatus are intended to be used once only and some types of known container apparatus are intended to be returned for re-use. Generally, if the container apparatus is non-returnable, then the entire cost of the container apparatus has to be included in the price of each delivery of the fluid material. It is therefore preferred that the container apparatus be used more than once so that the cost of the container may be spread over a number of deliveries. For a return journey in an empty condition, it is preferable that the returned container apparatus be collapsible in order to occupy considerably less space than when erect, thereby reducing the cost of the return freight.

Collapsible container apparatus is known which comprises a rigid base, support members which upstand from the rigid base, a rigid top portion which is releaseably connected to the support members, a bag which is made of a flexible material and which is secured to the rigid top portion, and hinge means which connect the support members to the rigid base such that the support members are able to fold down on to the rigid base and thereby to enable the container apparatus to be used in an erect condition for transportation of the fluid material to a destination and in a collapsed condition for returning the container apparatus after removal of the fluid material at the destination. The known collapsible container apparatus is such that it is assembled from the collapsed condition to the erect condition by lifting the rigid top portion vertically out of the rigid base, and then pivoting the support members from their folded position to their upstanding position, whereupon the rigid top portion fits to the up-standing support members.

The rigid top portion in the known collapsible container apparatus is made of box section metal. The rigid top portion is relatively heavy and it is often difficult for one person to lift the rigid top portion vertically out of the rigid base. This is especially so as the rigid top portion locates in the rigid base by means of elongate members that slide within corresponding sockets in the rigid base, which do not permit any pivoting action which would enable the top-frame to be lifted one side at a time. In addition, the forming of the rigid top portion using generally available box section material means that none of the planes forming the box section lie in the direction, or even the approximate direction, of stresses imposed by the weight of the fluid material. Still further, the use of the box section means that holes have to be drilled in order to provide the box section with drainage holes as the electro-plating process used during manufacture cannot accept closed hollow sections. A further problem is that the bag is riveted to the rigid top portion by a large number of rivets, typically 24 rivets. It is therefore difficult to release the outer bag from the rigid top portion, for example if it is desired to replace the outer bag due to wear.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided collapsible container apparatus for use in the storage and transportation of fluid material, which container apparatus comprises: a rigid base, support members which upstand from the rigid base, a rigid top portion which is releaseably connected to the support members, a bag which is made of a flexible material, and securing means which connect the support members to the rigid base such that the support members are able to fold down on to the rigid base and thereby to enable the container apparatus to be in an erect condition while containing the fluid material and in a collapsed condition when empty of the fluid material, characterised in that the rigid top portion includes a frame each side of which comprises an elongate plate member formed to provide a plurality of laterally extending facets that stiffen the frame in the planes that encounter most stress, and characterised in that the bag has an upper portion that is attached to the elongate plate member.

The rigid top portion used in the collapsible container of the present invention is considerably lighter than the known rigid top portion formed of the box section metal. This is because the first inclined facet lies in the same plane as the forces exerted on it by the sides of the bag in the most extreme conditions of movement during transport, and the second inclined facet lies the same plane as the forces exerted on it when the container is static. Forming the shape of the top frame makes it possible to eliminate surplus material that is inevitable in general purpose box section and that would not act to any mechanical advantage. Still further, the absence of box section material means that there are no closed hollow sections and therefore there is no need to drill in order to provide drainage holes. Still further, it is possible to release the bag from the rigid top portion much more easily and quickly than is the case with the above mentioned known rigid top portion with the rivets which secure the bag to the box section of the rigid top portion.

Preferably, the frame is one in which a flange extends outwardly from an end of one of the facets remote from another one of the facets. If desired however the flange may be provided at a different position.

Usually, the frame will be made of sheet material which is formed into shape by pressing. Forming methods other than pressing may however be employed, such for example as extruding, casting or moulding.

Advantageously, the frame includes a plurality of locating studs which extend outwardly and to which the bag is removably attached.

The locating studs may each have an aperture for receiving a fixing device. The fixing device is preferably a split pin but other types of removable fixing device may be employed.

Usually, the collapsible container apparatus ' will include a lid.

Preferably, the bag has an open top defined by edges that are stiffened by stiffening means, for example by means of a hem which contains a stiff member, the stiffening means being such as to act in conjunction with the lid and the frame to distribute the weight of the fluid material when the bag is full .

Preferably, the stiffening means is a flat bar with apertures for receiving the locating studs but other types of stiffening means may be employed. Thus, for example, the stiffening means may alternatively be a rod.

The collapsible container apparatus may be one which includes auxiliary discharge means having a leverage flap which is positioned between the bag and the rigid base, and which has first and second tongues which are connected to first and second fluid directing means which cause the bag to adopt a funnel configuration during operation of the auxiliary discharge means which inclines the leverage flap and hence also the bag which rests on it with the action of a lever pivoting about the fluid directing means.

The first and the second fluid directing means are preferably first and second inclined rods.

Also preferably, the first and the second fluid directing means are releaseably secured in position. The first and the second fluid directing means can then be released for facilitating cleaning of the entire collapsible container apparatus.

The first and the second fluid directing means are preferably releaseably secured in position by bolts. Other securing means for securing the first and the second fluid directing means may be employed.

The first and the second fluid directing means will usually be releaseably secured in position using appropriate securing means. The securing means may pass vertically downwardly into the rigid base. Alternatively, the securing means may extend horizontally into a front guard plate.

The collapsible container may be one in which the rigid base has a flat pan portion which is folded along two parallel sides to form upstanding side walls, and a pair of downwardly extending lips on the remaining two sides of the flat pan portion.

Preferably, each side wall has a curved portion at its upper end to protect the bag from being abraded by the top edge of the upstanding side walls. Also preferably, the curved portion leads into a strengthening flat portion which is at right angles to the side walls.

The collapsible container apparatus may be one in which the support members are hollow, and in which the rigid top portion has downwardly extending spigot members for locating one in each of open upper ends of the support members .

The collapsible container apparatus may be one in which the rigid base has four sides, in which there is one of the support members positioned substantially at each corner of the rigid base, and in which two of the support members that are adjacent each other receive and secure two of the spigot members with an automatic locking mechanism. The automatic locking mechanism may comprise a claw on the spigot member which locates under a bar member in the support member when the rigid top portion is pivoted to the horizontal position during the process of erecting the container. The claw may be a pair of plate members, the plate members having curved front faces which slide against one edge of the open end of the support member for facilitating location of the claw under the bar member which extends laterally near to the open end of the support member. The distance between the outer faces of the plate members is preferably such as to provide positive lateral location within the support member.

The collapsible container apparatus may be one in which the other two of the support members receive the other two of the spigot members such that these spigot members are secured in position by a bolt. The bolt may be a spring loaded bolt which is rotateable with a flicking action for locking purposes. Alternatively, if the previously mentioned bar is positioned such that the claw bears very tightly under the bar member in the open end of the support member, the need for the spring loaded bolts is removed.

The collapsible container apparatus may include a lid. The lid may be secured in position by lid locks, preferably in the form of right angle brackets which are hinged to the flange of the rigid top portion. Other types of lid locks may however be employed.

The collapsible container apparatus may be one in which the rigid top portion is formed as an inboard portion which is inboard of the support members. Alternatively, the collapsible container apparatus may be one in which the rigid top portion is formed to lie directly above the support members and not inboard of them.

The collapsible container apparatus of the present invention may be manufactured with or without horizontal constraint members for maintaining a cuboidal shape of the bag when full of fluid material.

The collapsible container apparatus will usually include a liner bag. The collapsible container apparatus may however be manufactured and sold without a liner bag.

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

Figure 1 shows known collapsible container apparatus in a partially collapsed condition and in the process of being erected;

Figure 2 shows the collapsible container apparatus of Figure 1 being emptied with auxiliary discharge means;

Figure 3 shows cross section through the inboard part of the rigid top portion forming part of a collapsible container apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 4 shows the rigid base of the collapsible container apparatus of the present invention and illustrates the use of fluid directing means for ensuring that the bag used in the collapsible container apparatus is able to be completely emptied of its fluid material; Figure 5 is a view on arrow A shown in Figure 4 with parts added, and illustrates the operation of the fluid directing means;

Figure 6 illustrates how collapsible container apparatus of the present invention can be erected by pivoting the rigid top portion one side at a time and how an automatic locking mechanism for two support members forming part of the collapsible container apparatus are engaged into the locked position;

Figure 7 is an enlargement of the automatic locking mechanism shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 shows how the two support members opposite the support member as shown in Figure 6 are secured to the rigid top portion; and

Figure 9 is an enlargement of the bolts that lock the rigid top portion to support members shown in Figure 8.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown known collapsible container apparatus 2 for use in the transportation of fluid material. The container apparatus 2 comprises a rigid base 4 and support members 6 which, in the erected condition, upstand from the rigid base 4. The container apparatus 2 also comprises a rigid top portion 8 which is releaseably connected to the support members 6, and a lid 7.

The container apparatus 2 has a bag 10 which is made of a flexible material and which is secured to the rigid top portion 8 as shown. More specifically, the bag 10 is secured by rivets 12 to an inner part 14 of the top portion 8. The inner part 14 is connected by arms 16 to legs 18 which drop into open ends of the support members 6.

The support members 6 are connected to the rigid base 4 by securing means in the form of hinge means 20. The hinge means 20 enable the support members 18 to come down on to the rigid base. This enables the container apparatus 2 to be used in an erect condition in which the rigid top portion is held firm in relation to the rigid base for transportation of the fluid material to a destination. It also enables the container apparatus 2 to be used in a collapsed condition for return of the container apparatus 2 after removal of the fluid material at the destination.

The container apparatus 2 includes a lid 7 which fits over the inner part 14 and closes the bag 10. The lid 7 is locked into position by right-angle brackets (not shown) .

The bag 10 has an aperture 28 for receiving a valve

(not shown) for allowing fluid material to be removed. The valve is positioned over a recessed portion 30 in the rigid base 4. The rigid base 4 is in the form of a pallet having apertures 32 for receiving the forks of a fork lift truck

(not shown) .

Figure 2 shows how the raising of the bag 10 occurs at a rear part 44 of the bag 10. The raising is effected by auxiliary discharge means 46. The auxiliary discharge means 46 comprises a platform 48 which is raised by a strap 50. The strap 50 is connected to a bar 52 within a sleeve part 54 of the platform 48. A ratchet mechanism 56 may be employed for raising the strap 50 and therefore the platform 48 in order to discharge the fluid material through the outlet valve 42.

During discharge, fluid material can get retained in the liner bag 22 when it is employed or alternatively just in the bag 10 when the liner bag 22 is not employed. The retained fluid material lies in the areas 58 on either side of the outlet valve 42.

Figure 3 shows in cross section part of a rigid top portion 70 used in collapsed container apparatus of the present invention. The collapsible container apparatus may be otherwise constructed as shown in Figure 1. Thus the top portion 70 supports the bag 10, with the bag 10 containing fluid material 72. " Any suitable and appropriate fluid material may be contained in the bag 10. The bag 10 will usually employ a liner bag 22 as mentioned above.

The top portion 70 comprises a frame 74 each side of which is made by bending sheet metal to form an alongate plate member such that it has first and second inclined facets which in cross section are represented by first and second arms 76 and 78 respectively. The first and the second inwardly extending arms 76, 78 define an angle 80 as shown, the size of which is determined by the height of the container apparatus and the extent to which the frame 74 is inboard of the edge of the pallet. The frame 74 also comprises a flange 82 which extends outwardly from the second arm 78 and which acts to stiffen the frame 74.

As can be seen from Figure 3, the second arm 78 is longer than the first arm 76. This is because the majority of the stress, for the majority of the time, lies in the direction of the second arm 78. However, when centrifugal force is exerted on the container apparatus, for example when there is a sudden change of direction during transportation, the bag 10 moves in the direction of the centrifugal force applied to it such that the bag 10 moves to a position respresented by dotted lines #x if the centrifugal force is to the left, and dotted line #y if the centrifugal force is to the right. When the bag is in configuration #x, the greatest strain on the frame 74 will be on the second arm 78 and when the bag is in configuration #y, the greatest strain on the frame 74 will be on the first arm 76. The direction of movement of the bag 10 in relation to the frame 74 brings about the opposite condition on the other side of the frame 74 (not shown) such that any sideways movement of the bag 10 that creates configuration #x on the left side of the frame 74 will necessarily create configuration #y on the other side of the frame 74.

During transportation, alternate sideways forces exerted on the frame 74 create alternate stresses on the first arm 76 and the second arm 78 and in most circumstances the force is shared between both arms 76 and 78. However, when the container apparatus is static and also when it is subjected to conditions of only moderate movement, substantially all the stress lies in the direction of the second arm 78. As stresses in the direction of the first arm 76 are both briefer and of a lesser degree, it is not necessary for the first arm 76 to be as long as the second arm 78.

As can also be seen from Figure 3, the flange 82 extends outwardly from an end of the second arm 78 remote from the first arm 76.

The sheet metal from which the frame 74 is made is formed by pressing into the required cross sectional shape.

The frame 74 includes a plurality of locating studs 84. The studs 84 extend outwardly from the first arm 76. The bag 10 is fitted to the studs 84.

Each locating stud 84 has an aperture 86 for receiving a fixing device in the form of a split pin 88.

The bag 10 has an open end 90. The open end 90 is defined by a sleeve 92 formed by a folded over portion of the bag 10. A flat bar 94 is located in the sleeve 92. The flat bar 94 has apertures for receiving the studs 84. The flat bar 94 is such as to distribute the weight of the bag 10 in conjunction with the lid 7 and the frame 74. The lid 7 is locked into position by right angle brackets 95 when the bag 10 is full and containing a substantial weight . Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, there is shown auxiliary discharge apparatus 96 comprising a leverage flap 98, a bar 100 in a sleeve 102 and part of a raising strap 104. The leverage flap 98 is provided with two tongues 106 which end in sleeve portions 108 secured around a pair of rods 110. The rods 110 have inwardly sloping portions 112. The rods 110 form fluid directing means as can best be appreciated from Figure 5. More specifically, the sloping portions 112 of the rods 110 cause the bag to adopt a funnel configuration as shown in Figure 5 during emptying with the auxiliary discharge means 96.

The first and second fluid directing means formed by the rods 110 and their sloping portions 112 are secured in position by bolts. As shown in Figure 5, the rods 110 have vertically extending portions 114 which extend into the rigid base 4. This is more clearly shown in Figures 4 and 5 where it can be seen that the first and second fluid directing means terminate in reduced diameter screw threaded portions 116 which effectively form bolts for nuts 118. When the nuts 118 are un-done, the leverage flap 98 can be removed for ease of cleaning of the container apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 4 also shows a perspective view of part of a preferred rigid base 4. The rigid base 4 is made from flat sheet metal which is folded along two parallel sides to form a flat pan portion 126 and upstanding walls 128. A pair of lips 130 are provided on the remaining two sides of the flat pan portion 126. The lips 130 each comprise a flat portion 132 which is an extension of the flat pan portion 126, and a flange 134 which extends downwardly from the flat portion 132. The flat portion 132 and the flange 134 provide positive location during manufacture for the flat frame members 136 forming part of a rigid base. The upstanding side walls 128 have curved portions 138 for providing rigidity to the upstanding side walls 128 and also so that the bag 10 will not rub on sharp edges of the upstanding side walls 128. The curved portions 138 each extend into a flat portion 139 which is at right angles to the upstanding side walls 128. The flat portions 139 help to stop the upstanding side walls from bending outwards if the container apparatus is dropped.

Figure 6 shows collapsible container apparatus 140 of the present invention having one side assembled. Figure 7 shows an enlarged portion of Figure 6. Figure 8 shows the collapsible container apparatus 140 with its other side also assembled and erected. Figure 9 shows an enlarged portion of Figure 8.

As can be appreciated from Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9, the support members 6 are hollow. The rigid top portion 8 has downwardly depending spigot members 34 for locating one in each of the open upper ends of two of the support members 6 at the rear of the container apparatus. The spigot members 34 are angled to form a recess 141 and a portion 143 which is parallel to the sides of the support members 6. During the process of erecting the first side of the container apparatus, the recess 141 engages a rear part of the hinge mechanism to which the support members 6 are attached, in order to prevent the rigid top portion 8 from slipping off the pallet. The rigid base 4 has four sides. There is one of the support members 6 at each corner of the rigid base 4.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, two of the support members 6 that are adjacent each other receive and secure two hook members 33 which are part of an automatic locking mechanism 142. The automatic locking mechanism 142 comprises a claw 144 on the spigot member 32 which locates under a rod member 146 fitted inside the said support members 6 when the rigid top portion is brought to the horizontal position during the process of erecting the container apparatus. The claw members 144 have curved front faces 150 and flat rear faces 151 for facilitating locating the rod member 146 in the support member 6.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate how the support members 6 receive the two spigot members 34 such that bolts 152, attached to the arms 16 of frame 74, align with holes 154 in support members 6 for locking purposes. The bolt 152 is a spring loaded bolt which is rotateable with a flicking action to engage the hole 154 in support member 6.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected.

Claims

1. Collapsible container apparatus for use in the storage and transportation of fluid material, which container apparatus comprises : a rigid base, support members which upstand from the rigid base, a rigid top portion which is releaseably connected to the support members, a bag which is made of a flexible material, and securing means which connect the support members to the rigid base such that the support members are able to fold down on to the rigid base and thereby to enable the container apparatus to be in an erect condition while containing the fluid material and in a collapsed condition when empty of the fluid material, characterised in that the rigid top portion includes a frame each side of which comprises an elongate plate member formed to provide a plurality of laterally extending facets that stiffen the frame in the planes that encounter most stress, and characterised in that the bag has an upper portion that is attached to the elongate plate member.

2. Collapsible container apparatus according to claim 1 in which the frame is one in which a flange extends outwardly from an end of one of the facets remote from another one of the facets.

3. Collapsible container apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the frame is made of sheet material which is formed into shape by pressing.

4. Collapsible container apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and in which the frame includes a plurality of locating studs which extend outwardly and to which the bag is removably attached.

5. Collapsible container apparatus according to claim 4 in which the locating studs each have an aperture for receiving a fixing device.

6. Collapsible container apparatus according to claim 5 in which the fixing device is a split pin.

7. Collapsible container apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including a lid.

8. Collapsible container apparatus according to claim 7 in which the bag has an open top defined by edges that are stiffened by stiffening means, the stiffening means being such as to act in conjunction with the lid and the frame to distribute the weight of the fluid material when the bag is full.

9. Collapsible container apparatus according to claims 4 and 8 in which the stiffening means is a flat bar with apertures for receiving the locating studs.

10. Collapsible container apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including auxiliary discharge means having a leverage flap which is positioned between the bag and the rigid base, and which has first and second tongues which are connected to first and second fluid directing means which cause the bag to adopt a funnel configuration during operation of the auxiliary discharge means which inclines the leverage flap and hence also the bag which rests on it with the action of a lever pivoting about the fluid directing means.

11. Collapsible container apparatus according to claim 10 in which the first and the second fluid directing means are first and second inclined rods.

12. Collapsible container apparatus according to claim 10 or claim 11 in which the first and second fluid directing means are releaseably secured in position.

13. Collapsible container apparatus according to claim 12 in which the first and second fluid directing means are releaseably secured in position by bolts.

14. Collapsible container apparatus according to claim 12 or claim 13 in which the first and the second fluid directing means pass vertically downwardly into the rigid base .

15. Collapsible container apparatus according to claim 12 or claim 13 in which the first and second fluid directing means extend horizontally into a front guard plate.

16. Collapsible container apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the rigid base has a flat pan portion which is folded along two parallel sides to form upstanding side walls, and a pair of downwardly extending lips on the remaining two sides of the flat pan portion.

17. Collapsible container apparatus according to claim 16 in which each side wall has a curved portion at its upper end to protect the bag from being abraded by the top edge of the upstanding side walls.

18. Collapsible container apparatus according to claim 17 in which the curved portion leads into a strengthening flat portion which is at right angles to the side walls.

19. Collapsible container apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the support members are hollow, and in which the rigid top portion has downwardly extending spigot members for locating one in each of open upper ends of the support members .

20. Collapsible container apparatus according to claim 19 in which the rigid base has four sides, in which there is one of the support members positioned substantially at each corner of the rigid base, and in which two of the support members that are adjacent each other receive and secure two of the spigot members with an automatic locking mechanism.

21. Collapsible container apparatus according to claim 20 in which the automatic locking mechanism comprises a claw on the spigot member which locates under a bar member in the support member when the rigid top portion is pivoted to the horizontal position during the process of erecting the container .

22. Collapsible container apparatus according to claim 21 in which the claw is a pair of plate members, the plate members having curved front faces which slide against one edge of the open end of the support member for facilitating location of the claw under the bar member which extends laterally near to the open end of the support member.

23. Apparatus according to any one of claims 20-22 in which the other two of the support members receive the other two of the spigot members such that these spigot members are located in position by a bolt.

24. Collapsible container apparatus according to claim 23 in which the bolt is a spring loaded bolt which is rotateable with a flicking action for locking purposes.

25. Collapsible container apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including a lid.

26. Collapsible container apparatus according to claim 25 in which the lid is secured in position by lid locks.

27. Collapsible container apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the rigid top portion is formed as an inboard portion which is inboard of the support members .

28. Collapsible container apparatus according to any one of claims 1-27 in which the rigid top portion is formed to lie directly above the support members and not inboard of them .

29. Collapsible container apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and with or without horizontal constraint members for maintaining a cuboidal shape of the bag when full of fluid material.

30. Collapsible container apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including a liner bag.