WO2008047099A1 - Élément d'attache - Google Patents

Élément d'attache Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2008047099A1
WO2008047099A1 PCT/GB2007/003935 GB2007003935W WO2008047099A1 WO 2008047099 A1 WO2008047099 A1 WO 2008047099A1 GB 2007003935 W GB2007003935 W GB 2007003935W WO 2008047099 A1 WO2008047099 A1 WO 2008047099A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
clip element
body member
element according
container
containers
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2007/003935
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
John Dyer
Andrew Christopher Cope
Original Assignee
Linpac Allibert Ltd
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 Linpac Allibert Ltd filed Critical Linpac Allibert Ltd
Publication of WO2008047099A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008047099A1/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
    • B65D21/0201—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together side-by-side
    • 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
    • B65D67/00—Kinds or types of packaging elements not otherwise provided for
    • B65D67/02—Clips or clamps for holding articles together for convenience of storage or transport
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B45/00—Hooks; Eyes
    • F16B45/02—Hooks with pivoting or elastically bending closing member

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a clip element for use with stackable containers, and a stackable container system including at least one stackable container and a clip element that is engageable with the stackable container.
  • stackable containers are often used for transporting goods from suppliers and distributors to retail stores, and for displaying the goods in the stores.
  • the containers may be stackable in alternative configurations, for example nested or unnested.
  • the containers may be foldable for convenient storage and transportation when empty.
  • clips are sometimes required to connect adjacent stacks to one another, so as to prevent the stacks from tipping over.
  • the clips may be removed once the containers have been delivered to the store, to allow the containers to be moved independently. It is important that the clip should be able to accommodate a small difference in the height of the containers, as the stacks may not be entirely even.
  • That clip element for use with stackable containers is described in WO 97/46457A. That clip element has two parallel legs with engaging portions at their ends. The legs may be inserted into apertures of adjacent containers to clip them together. After use, the clip may be removed by twisting it and withdrawing the legs from the apertures.
  • the clip described above is widely used, it has a number of disadvantages. In practice, it may sometimes be difficult to disengage and remove the clip from the containers.
  • the design of the clip also requires apertures to be provided in the end walls of the containers, near their edges. The provision of such apertures may be incompatible with certain types of container including, for example, certain folding containers and containers with pivotable stacking bars.
  • the clip element is able to connect together adjacent stacks of containers, thereby preventing them from tipping over during transportation.
  • the clip element is easy to apply and remove by hand, avoiding the need for a dedicated tool or machine. Because it is not inserted from above into the end wall construction of the container, it does not obstruct operation of a pi votable stacking bar or a tray folding mechanism, if pro vided.
  • the clip element can be used for clipping together containers of different types, with different heights and separations.
  • At least one of the attaching devices comprises an inwards-facing hook.
  • the hook is extremely easy to apply and remove and it can be attached to numerous different kinds of engaging formation, including both dedicated formations and other formations, such as ventilation apertures, inspection windows, hand holds, drainage holes and so on.
  • at least one of the attaching devices includes a release tab for disengaging the hook from the engaging formation.
  • the length of the body member is adjustable. This allows the clip element to accommodate variations in the separation of the stacked containers.
  • the body member may be resiliently extensible.
  • the body member may include one or more elastically deformable corrugations, or it may include a stretchable elastic member.
  • the body member may include a length adjusting mechanism.
  • the length adjusting mechanism includes a ratchet element.
  • the clip element comprises a single component.
  • the clip element preferably comprises a plastics moulding. Such a component is very cheap and easy to manufacture.
  • the engaging formation comprises an aperture in a wall of the container.
  • a stackable container system including at least one stackable container and a clip element that is engageable with the stackable container, wherein the stackable container includes at least one engaging formation for engagement by the clip element and the clip element includes an elongate body member and a pair of end members provided at opposite ends of the body member, each end member including a attaching device that is constructed and arranged for releasable engagement with the engaging formation.
  • the stackable container is constructed and arranged such that when a pair of the containers placed side-by-side are- connected by a clip element, the body member extends substantially horizontally between the containers.
  • the engaging formation is preferably located on a wall of the container.
  • the engaging formation comprises an aperture in the wall.
  • the clip element is as set out in any one of the preceding statements of invention.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first clip element from the front
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the first clip element from the rear
  • Figure 3 is a plan view of the first clip element from above;
  • Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the first clip element
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view showing one end of the first clip element from the rear, at an enlarged scale
  • Figure 6 is a perspective view of a container
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second clip element
  • Figure 8 is front elevation showing the second clip element attached to a pair of containers
  • Figures 9A and 9B are partial front elevations, showing a part of the second clip element in locked and unlocked configurations respectively;
  • Figure 10 is a perspective view of a third clip element
  • Figures 1 IA and 1 IB are sectional views from above showing part of the third clip element in engagement with and during disengagement from a container;
  • Figure 12 is a perspective view of a fourth clip element
  • Figure 13 is an end view of the fourth clip element
  • Figure 14 is a front elevation showing part of the fourth clip element
  • Figure 15 is a perspective view of a fifth clip element
  • Figures 16 A and 16B are plan views from above showing the fifth clip element in unstretched and stretched conditions, while being removed from a pair of containers;
  • Figure 17 is a perspective view of a sixth clip element
  • Figure 18 is a plan view from above showing the sixth clip element in a first configuration
  • Figure 19 is apian view from above showing the sixth clip element in a second configuration.
  • the first clip element 102 shown in Figures 1 to 5 comprises an elongate body member 104 and a pair of identical end members 106 provided at opposite ends of the body member 104.
  • the clip element 102 is moulded as a single component from a suitable plastics material such as polypropylene, for example by injection moulding.
  • the plastics material used for the clip element 102 is preferably highly resilient.
  • the body member 104 comprises an elongate filament that includes a number of serpentine corrugations, forming a spring. By applying a tensile force to the end members 106 the body member 104 can be stretched considerably, increasing its length by up to 50%. When the end members 106 are released, the body member springs back to its original length.
  • the end members 106 are substantially identical to one another. Each includes a base plate 110 and two side plates 112 that extend forwards, substantially perpendicular to the base plate. An attaching device 114 comprising an inwards facing hook is provided on the rear surface of the base plate. The inner end of the base plate 110 is attached to an end of the body member 104, the outer end of the base plate 110 being connected to a release tab 116 in the form of a pull ring, which extends outwards from the base plate 110.
  • the clip element is intended for use with stackable containers having complementary engaging formations.
  • the container may for example be as shown in Figure 6, comprising an open topped box 118 with a rectangular base, two end walls 120, two side walls 122 and a set of strengthening formations 124 that extend around the upper edges of the walls.
  • Pivotable stacking bars 128 are attached to the side walls 124 near the ends of the container.
  • 128 may be positioned so. that they extend across the open mouth of the container (as shown) to support a similar, container in an unnested configuration, or they may be pivoted outwards so that they lie above the end walls 120, allowing another container to be nested within the first container.
  • Each end wall 120 includes a pair of horizontal slots 126 that are located towards the upper edge of the wall, near its ends.
  • Each of these slots 126 comprises an engaging formation that is complementary to the attaching devices (hooks) 114 of the clip element 102.
  • the clip element may therefore be attached to the container 118 by inserting one of the hooks 114 into one of the slots 126.
  • the container 1 18 also has numerous other apertures in the end and side walls 120,122 and the base including, for example, hand holds 130 in the end walls 120, ventilation slots 132 in the side walls 122 and drainage holes (not shown) in the base.
  • the container may also include inspection windows, label slots and other apertures. All of these apertures may also be used as engaging formations for the clip elements.
  • the container may be provided with other types of engaging formation, such as tabs or loops. In use, stacks of containers are clipped together by inserting the hook 114 at one end of the clip element 102 into a suitable engaging formation of one of the containers.
  • the clip element 102 is then stretched towards a second container that is stacked side-by-side with the first container and the other hook 114 is inserted into another suitable engaging formation.
  • the hooks 114 are drawn towards the adjacent edges of the engaging formations as the body element 104 contracts, thereby tying the containers together. This prevents excessive separation of the containers and helps to prevent the stacks of containers from tipping over.
  • the engaging formations to which the clip element 102 is attached may be of similar or different types and they may be located close together, far apart and at similar or different heights. Many different configurations are possible, owing to the stretchiness and flexibility of the clip element 102. This allows the user to select from many possible combinations in order to connect and stabilise stacks of containers of differing types and heights.
  • one of the release tabs 116 is grasped and pulled outwards and away from the respective container. This stretches the body member 104 and releases the hook 114 from engagement with the engaging formation of the container 118. The other end of the clip element can be released from the second container in similar fashion.
  • a second clip element according to the invention is shown in Figures 7, 8, 9 A and 9B.
  • the second clip element 202 comprises an elongate body member 204 and a pair of end members 206 that are provided at opposite ends of the body member 204.
  • the clip element 202 is moulded from a plastics material as a single component, for example by injection moulding.
  • the plastics material used for the component is preferably highly resilient.
  • the body member 204 comprises a substantially rigid rod that has a flexible neck portion 208 at each end.
  • the end members 206 are attached to the body member 204 via the flexible necks 208, allowing them to be rotated through 90° relative to the body member 204 from a locked position as shown in Figure 9 A where the end member lies on the axis of the body member 204, to an unlocked position as shown in Figure 9B in which the end member 206 is displaced to one side of the longitudinal axis.
  • the end members 206 are substantially identical to one another. Each includes a circular top plate 210 and an elliptical locking element or key 212 that is connected to the top plate 210 by a short cylindrical shaft 214.
  • the elliptical key 212 has a major axis that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body member 204 when the end member 206 is in the locked position as shown in Figure 9a, and which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body member 204 when the end member is in the unlocked position as shown in Figure 9B.
  • the end member 206 also includes a tab 216 that may be grasped to rotate the end member.
  • the end member 206 is rotated through 90° against the resilient bias of the flexible neck 208 to the unlocked position as shown in Figure 9b.
  • the major axis of the elliptical key 212 is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the horizontal slot 126 provided in one of the containers. This allows the elliptical key to be inserted into the slot 126.
  • the end member 206 then rotates back to the locked position under the influence of the resilient neck 208, as shown in Figure 9a. hi this position, the ends of the elliptical key 212 extend beyond the upper and lower edges of the slot 126, thus preventing withdrawal of the key from the slot.
  • the other end member is similarly engaged in the slot of an adjacent container and locked in position, as shown in Figure 8. This ties the two containers to one another, preventing excess separation. This in turns prevents the stacks of containers from tipping over during transportation.
  • the body member 304 comprises a flexible elongate strap that is permanently attached at one end to the first end member 306a.
  • the other end of the body member 304 extends through a retaining element 308 that is moulded as part of the second end member 306b.
  • the body member 304 On its outer surface, the body member 304 includes a ratchet element 310 that is engaged by a resilient pawl 312 that is moulded as part of the retaining element 308.
  • the pawl and ratchet mechanism is designed to permit the end of the body member 304 to be pulled through the retaining element 308 in a direction to reduce the separation of the two end members 306a,306b, but to prevent movement in the opposite direction.
  • Each end member 306 includes a attaching device 314 comprising an inwards facing hook and a release tab 316 that extends outwards from the hook.
  • the hooks 314 are engaged in the slots 126 of adjacent containers, as shown in Figure 1 IA.
  • the free end of the body member 304 is then pulled through the retaining element 308 of the second end member 306b, to draw the end members 306a,306b towards each other. This clamps the containers together, preventing relative separation. Reverse movement of the body member 304 through the retaining element 308 is prevented by the ratchet and pawl mechanism 310,312.
  • a fourth clip element 402 is shown in Figure 12-14. This similar is many respects to the third clip element and includes a body member 404, two end members 406a,406b a retaining member 408 provided on the second end member 406b for retaining one end of the body member 404, and a ratchet 410 and pawl 412 for controlling movement of the body member 404 through the retaining element 408.
  • the second end member 406b also includes a hook element 414 for engagement in a complementary engaging formation or slot of a container.
  • the fourth clip element 402 differs from the third clip element 302 is in the formation of the first end element 406, which resembles the end member of the second clip element shown in Figures 7, 8, 9A and 9B.
  • the first end member 406a therefore includes a circular top plate 418 and an elliptical locking element or key 420 that is connected to the top plate 418 by a cylindrical shaft 422.
  • a tab 423 is attached to the top plate 418 and the first end member 406a is attached to the body member 404 via a flexible neck 424 that allows the first end member 406 to be rotated through 90° from a locked position similar to that shown in Figure 9 A, to an unlocked position similar to that shown in Figure 9B.
  • the first elliptical key 420 of the end member 406a is inserted into the slot of a first container and the hook 414 of the second end member 406b is inserted into the slot of a second container.
  • the free end of the body member 404 is then pulled through the retaining element 408 to draw the containers together. It is retained in this position by the ratchet and pawl mechanism 410,412.
  • the release tab 416 is grasped and pulled outwards, disengaging the hook 414 from the slot of the second container.
  • the key 420 may then be rotated and removed from the slot of the first container.
  • a fifth clip element 502 according to the invention is shown in Figures 15, 16A and 16B.
  • This clip element comprises an elongate body member 504 and a pair of identical end members 506 provided at opposite ends of the body member 504.
  • the clip element 502 is moulded from a suitable plastics material as a single component, for example by injection moulding.
  • the plastics material used for the clip element 502 is preferably highly resilient.
  • the body member 504 comprises a thin elongate strap that includes a number of serpentine corrugations 508, which form a spring. By applying a tensile force to the end members 506 the body member 504 can be stretched to increase its length. When the end members 506 are released, the body member springs back to its original length.
  • the end members 506 are substantially identical to one another. Each includes a attaching device 514 comprising an inwards facing hook and an outwards-extending release tab 516.
  • the stacked containers are clipped together by inserting the hook 514 at one end of the clip element into the engaging formation 126 of one of the containers.
  • the clip element is then stretched towards a second container that is stacked side-by-side with the first container and the opposite hook 514 is inserted into the corresponding engaging formation.
  • the hooks 514 are drawn towards one another as the body element 504 contracts, thereby tying the containers to one another. This prevents separation of the containers and tipping over of the container stacks.
  • the stretchiness of the clip element allows it to tie together containers at different separations and heights.
  • one of the release tabs 516 is grasped and pulled outwards and away from the respective container. This stretches the body member 504 and releases the hook 514 from engagement with the engaging formation of the container. The other end of the clip element can then be released from the second container in similar fashion.
  • a sixth clip element 602 according to the invention is shown in Figures 17, 18 and 19.
  • This clip element comprises an elongate body member 604 and a pair of identical end members 606 provided at opposite ends of the body member 604.
  • the end members 606 are moulded from a suitable plastics material, for example by injection moulding.
  • the body member 604 is made from a strip of an elastic material, for example rubber. By applying a tensile force to the end members 606 the body member 604 can be stretched to increase its length. When the end members 606 are released, the body member 604 springs back to its original length.
  • the end members 606 are substantially identical to one another. Each includes a attaching device 614 comprising an inwards facing hook and an outwards-extending release tab 616.
  • the hook 614 has a push fit through an aperture in the end of the body member 604, thus securing the parts together.
  • the stacked containers 120 are clipped together by inserting the hook 614 at one end of the clip element into the engaging formation of one of the containers.
  • the clip element 602 is then stretched towards a second container that is stacked side-by-side with the first container and the other hook 614 is inserted into the corresponding engaging formation.
  • the hooks 614 are drawn towards one another by the elastic body element 604, thereby tying the containers to one another. This prevents separation of the containers and tipping over of the stacks.
  • one of the release tabs 616 is grasped and pulled outwards and away from the respective container as shown in Figure 19. This stretches the body member 604 and releases the hook 614 from engagement with the engaging formation 126 of the container. The other end of the clip element can then be released from the second container in similar fashion.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Clamps And Clips (AREA)
  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un élément d'attache (102) à utiliser avec des récipients empilables. L'élément d'attache (102) comprend un élément de corps allongé (104) et une paire d'éléments d'extrémité (106) disposés aux extrémités opposées de l'élément de corps. Chaque élément d'extrémité (106) comprend un dispositif de fixation (114) construit et disposé pour s'emboîter de façon libérable avec une formation d'emboîtement complémentaire d'un récipient empilable.
PCT/GB2007/003935 2006-10-20 2007-10-12 Élément d'attache WO2008047099A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0620864A GB2442965B (en) 2006-10-20 2006-10-20 Clip element
GB0620864.9 2006-10-20

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008047099A1 true WO2008047099A1 (fr) 2008-04-24

Family

ID=37508071

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2007/003935 WO2008047099A1 (fr) 2006-10-20 2007-10-12 Élément d'attache

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2442965B (fr)
WO (1) WO2008047099A1 (fr)

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3944074A (en) * 1974-08-29 1976-03-16 Riley Phillip J Can packaging
FR2732314A1 (fr) * 1995-03-28 1996-10-04 Giat Ind Sa Dispositif pour assemblage face contre face des conteneurs de transport
WO2002040357A2 (fr) * 2000-11-14 2002-05-23 Dow Global Technologies Inc. Ensemble a poignee pour recipients contenant un fluide volumineux
US20040123432A1 (en) * 2002-07-09 2004-07-01 Santisi Phillip M. Fastening device
WO2005024267A2 (fr) * 2003-09-04 2005-03-17 Master Lock Company Crochet pour sandow
DE202005000820U1 (de) * 2005-01-12 2005-05-12 Pustovar, Pavlo Elastischer Gepäckgurt für Einkaufskorb

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3672004A (en) * 1970-10-08 1972-06-27 Pyramid Inc Adjustable strap
SU1359213A1 (ru) * 1986-03-17 1987-12-15 Предприятие П/Я А-1736 Контейнер дл транспортировани разномерных по длине плоских изделий
US5317788A (en) * 1991-02-22 1994-06-07 Joubert S.A. Hook for an elastic cord and hook and cord set
US5402557A (en) * 1993-05-03 1995-04-04 Dalen; Thomas M. Dynamic self-adjusting tie-down device for transportable items
US5913479A (en) * 1996-09-18 1999-06-22 Westwood, Iii; Samuel M. Snap hook with pivotal gate
JP4025388B2 (ja) * 1997-07-14 2007-12-19 本田技研工業株式会社 梱包ユニット
GB2424241B (en) * 2005-03-16 2009-07-08 Stephen Christopher Scott A security device for use in preventing bag-related theft

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3944074A (en) * 1974-08-29 1976-03-16 Riley Phillip J Can packaging
FR2732314A1 (fr) * 1995-03-28 1996-10-04 Giat Ind Sa Dispositif pour assemblage face contre face des conteneurs de transport
WO2002040357A2 (fr) * 2000-11-14 2002-05-23 Dow Global Technologies Inc. Ensemble a poignee pour recipients contenant un fluide volumineux
US20040123432A1 (en) * 2002-07-09 2004-07-01 Santisi Phillip M. Fastening device
WO2005024267A2 (fr) * 2003-09-04 2005-03-17 Master Lock Company Crochet pour sandow
DE202005000820U1 (de) * 2005-01-12 2005-05-12 Pustovar, Pavlo Elastischer Gepäckgurt für Einkaufskorb

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0620864D0 (en) 2006-11-29
GB2442965B (en) 2011-08-24
GB2442965A (en) 2008-04-23

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