WO2011071786A2

WO2011071786A2 - Storage crate

Info

Publication number: WO2011071786A2
Application number: PCT/US2010/059014
Authority: WO
Inventors: Isaak Kantor
Original assignee: Plasgad Plastic Products Acs Ltd.; Klein, David
Priority date: 2009-12-07
Filing date: 2010-12-06
Publication date: 2011-06-16
Also published as: IL220158A0; WO2011071786A3; GB2488084A; GB201210329D0; GB2488084B

Abstract

A storage crate (10) including a base (12), and walls (14) connected to the base (12), wherein at least one of the walls (14) is hingedly connected to the base (12) by a hinge (16), characterised in that the hinge (16) includes a first member (18) formed with an oval opening (20) and a second member (22) that is received in the oval opening (20), wherein the first member (18) is pivotable about the second member (22) and wherein the first and second members (18, 22) are movable linearly with respect to one another along a longitudinal axis (28) of the oval opening (20).

Description

STORAGE CRATE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to storage containers or crates (the terms being used interchangeably throughout), and particularly to a storage crate with folding walls and handles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers and crates are commonly used to transport and store a variety of items. Many crates are formed using injection molded plastic and are frequently adapted to receive perishable food items, such as produce. When assembled, such containers preferably are rectangular in shape and have a flat base surrounded by four upstanding side panels which are joined to the flat base.

Containers using collapsible walls adjoining a base for transporting and storing various items/goods are well known. The containers are filled with the goods, transported to a location where the goods are unloaded and the walls of the empty containers are then folded into a position in which the container height is considerably lower taking up less space when transported back to be filled again.

In such containers that may be collapsible, side wall edges are normally joined in the corners. However, for an assembled container during use, this corner system results in a less rigid container due to the corners being subjected to torsion and other bending forces during use. Accordingly, the corners and hinges are commonly a focal point of stress in containers of this type. Due to problems with strength, along with assembly time and inability to clean around hinges, certain food industries in particular, find folding crates unacceptable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide an improved storage crate with folding walls and handles, as is described more in detail hereinbelow.

In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, there is provided an improved collapsible container which has hinges located to minimize the stress concentration present in current containers. This system of the improved collapsible container has a stable and rigid structure when in use. The walls are pivotally attached at their lower ends by means of at least one hinge to the base of the container so that they can be folded from a more up-right position for storage, washing or filling, to a lying down, essentially horizontal position, for transport or storage. There is thus provided in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention a storage crate including a base, and walls connected to the base, wherein at least one (or each) of the walls is hingedly connected to the base by a hinge, characterised in that the hinge includes a first member formed with an oval opening and a second member that is received in the oval opening, wherein the first member is pivotable about the second member and wherein the first and second members are movable linearly with respect to one another along a longitudinal axis of the oval opening.

In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention the second member includes a round pin that protrudes into the oval opening, and the oval opening has a side opening through which the second member is sized to pass. For example, the first member may extend from the at least one wall and the second member may extend from the base.

In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention at least one handle is hingedly attached to at least one of the walls. For example, the handle pivots with respect to the wall between a first position in which the handle is generally parallel with a mouth of the storage crate and a second position in which the handle is not parallel with the mouth.

In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention in the first position the handle does not protrude above the mouth, and in the second position the mouth is obstructed by a portion of the at least one handle that lies over the mouth. For example, in the second position the handle is not perpendicular to the mouth. In another example, the handle includes a first portion and a second portion that extends at a nonzero angle from the first portion, wherein in the second position the second portion lies over the mouth.

In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention an arrestor prevents the handle from moving past the second position. For example, the arrestor may include a tongue that extends from the wall and which abuts against a portion of the handle at the second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a simplified illustration of a storage crate, constructed and operative in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention; Figs. 2 and 3 are simplified illustrations of the storage crate of Fig. 1 folded inwards for shipping and storing (Fig. 2) or folded out for cleaning (Fig. 3);

Fig. 4 is a simplified illustration of a hinge of a prior art folding crate;

Figs. 5A-5E are simplified illustrations of a hinge, constructed and operative in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, in different pivoted positions;

Figs. 6A-6C are simplified illustrations of a handle hingedly attached to a wall of the storage crate, in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, wherein the handle pivots with respect to the wall between a first position (Fig. 6C) in which the handle is generally parallel with a mouth of the storage crate and a second position (Figs. 6A and 6B) in which the handle is not parallel with the mouth;

Figs. 6D-6E are simplified illustrations of a handle that includes a first portion and a second portion that extends at a non-zero angle from the first portion in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention; and

Figs. 7A-7G are simplified illustrations of the handle pivoting between stowed and upper positions, in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to Fig. 1, which illustrates a storage crate 10, constructed and operative in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

Storage crate 10 includes a base 12, and walls 14 connected to base 12. At least one of the walls 14 is hingedly connected to base 12 by a hinge 16. In most applications, all of the walls are hingedly connected to base 12 by hinges 16, but the invention is not limited to such applications and is applicable for situations where it is sufficient to have just one wall hingedly attached to the base with the other walls non-hingedly attached thereto.

The folding crate 10 is shown in Fig. 1 in an upright position. The crate 10 may be folded inwards for shipping and storing (Fig. 2) or folded out for cleaning (Fig. 3).

In the prior art, folding crates have hinges as shown in Fig. 4, wherein a round member 3 is received in a round hole 4 of a pivoting member 5. As mentioned above, prior art crates are problematic as in order to move the walls, either in or out, a connecting body/ base 6 is built with a round corner 7. This makes the crate weaker since the wall rests on a round surface. Crates with internal folding capacity have one round corner and crates with the ability to fold in two directions (in and out) have two round corners 7 (as seen in Fig. 4), making them twice as weak

Reference is now made to Figs. 5A-5E, which illustrate hinge 16 constructed and operative in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Hinge 16 includes a first member 18 formed with an oval opening 20 and a second member 22 that is received in oval opening 20. For example, first member 18 may extend from wall 14 and second member 22 may extend from base 12. Optionally the hinge may be built in an opposite manner, wherein first member 18 extends from base 12 and second member 22 extends from wall 14.

In contrast with the prior art, base 12 includes a flat support surface 24 and wall 14 includes a flat abutting surface 26 which is supported by flat support surface 24 when wall 14 is generally perpendicular to base 12. The walls are thus attached to the crate base in a more secure way, reducing the risk of having the walls accidentally coming loose from the crate, and thus heavier loads can be stored. Technologically the same load rate can be achieved with a crate with less hinges, thus the investment in the tooling may be lower. Wall 14 sits on base 12 on a much wider area, thereby achieving strength and stability superior to prior art folding crates.

First member 18 is pivotable about second member 22, as seen in Figs. 5A-5E. First and second members 18 and 22 are movable linearly with respect to one another along a longitudinal axis 28 (designated in Fig. 5B) of oval opening 20.

In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, second member 22 includes a round pin that protrudes into oval opening 20. Oval opening 20 has a side opening 30 through which second member 22 is sized to pass.

Reference is now made to Figs. 6A-6C. In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, at least one handle 32 (the description follows for two such handles) is hingedly attached to at least one of the walls 14. For example, the handle 32 pivots with respect to wall 14 between a first position (Fig. 6C) in which the handle 32 is generally parallel with a mouth 34 of the storage crate 10 and a second position (Figs. 6A and 6B) in which the handle 32 is not parallel with the mouth 34.

As seen in Fig. 6C, in the first position, handle 32 does not protrude above mouth 34 (rather is flush or below the mouth). As seen in Figs. 6A and 6B, in the second position, mouth 34 is obstructed by a portion of handle 32 that lies over mouth 34. For example, in the second position handle 32 is not perpendicular to mouth 34. In another example, shown in Figs. 6D-6E, a handle 42 includes a first portion 44 and a second portion 46 that extends at a non-zero angle (e.g., acute or obtuse angle) from the first portion 44, wherein in the second position the second portion 46 lies over the mouth 34. Handle 42 pivots about a pivot 43. On account of the non-zero angular extension, the center of gravity 45 of handle 42 lies inwards of pivot 43, that is, towards the mouth 34. Since the center of gravity 45 of handle 42 lies inwards of pivot 43, handle 42 will always tend to full to the first position wherein the handle 42 does not protrude above mouth 34 (rather is flush or below the mouth 34). Another way of preventing the handle from reaching the fully perpendicular position is described below with reference to Figs. 7A-7G, wherein am arrestor abuts against a portion of the handle and prevents the handle from reaching the fully perpendicular position. The same or similar arrestor can also be employed with handle 42.

A problem in the prior art is that when the produce is filled up and the crate stowed, the handles (also called bail arms) may not close down. If they are not closed, the problem only becomes apparent at the next stop, such as the warehouse or retail outlet. At this point, when differing crates need to interface with each other, the handles need to be placed down and this is then a timely process and also one that effects productivity. On the other hand, it is desired to have the handles in an upper position when no crate is stacked on top of another crate, to allow easy access to the produce in the crate. In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the handles can be locked in the upper position, yet the handles are always lowered automatically once a crate is placed on top, as is now explained with reference to Figs. 7A-7G.

The handle 32 (or 42) may include a "click" design, wherein the handle 32 includes one or more arms 50 that each have arcuate ends 52 that pivot about a rod member 54 (Figs. 7F and 7G). A central lug 56 extends from a distal end of arcuate end 52 and a tab 58 is positioned proximal to arcuate end 52. In the stowed position (i.e., the first position, which is shown in Figs. 7C and 7D), the handle lies generally flat and central lug 56 is on the outer side of gap 60 (outer meaning out of the inside of the crate). When the handle is raised to the upper position (i.e., the second position shown in Figs. 7E and 7F), central lug 56 is arranged to click past a gap 60 between two flap members 62 adjacent rod member 54. In this position, central lug 56 is on the inner side of gap 60 (inner meaning towards the inside of the crate). In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention an arrestor 64 prevents the handle from moving past the second position. For example, the arrestor 64 may include a tongue (Figs. 7E and 7F) that extends from the wall 14 and which abuts against a portion (e.g., tab 58) of the handle at the second position. The handles are locked in the upper position. Once a crate is placed on top of another crate, the weight of the upper crate pushes central lug 56 past through gap 60 so that the handle pivots down to the stowed (first) position.

The scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the features described hereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof which would occur to a person of skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A storage crate (10) comprising:

a base (12); and

walls (14) connected to said base (12), wherein at least one of said walls (14) is hingedly connected to said base (12) by a hinge (16);

characterised in that said hinge (16) comprises a first member (18) formed with an oval opening (20) and a second member (22) that is received in said oval opening (20), wherein said first member (18) is pivotable about said second member (22) and wherein said first and second members (18, 22) are movable linearly with respect to one another along a longitudinal axis (28) of said oval opening (20).

2. The storage crate (10) according to claim 1, wherein each of said walls (14) is hingedly connected to said base (12) by said hinge (16).

3. The storage crate (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said base (12) comprises a flat support surface (24) and said at least one wall (14) comprises a flat abutting surface (26) which is supported by said flat support surface (24) when said wall (14) is generally perpendicular to said base (12).

4. The storage crate (10) according to any of claims 1-3, wherein said second member (22) comprises a rod that protrudes into said oval opening (20).

5. The storage crate (10) according to any of claims 1-4, wherein said oval opening (20) has a side opening (30) through which said second member (22) is sized to pass.

6. The storage crate (10) according to any of claims 1-5, wherein said first member (18) extends from said at least one wall (14) and said second member (22) extends from said base (12).

7. The storage crate (10) according to any of claims 1-6, further comprising at least one handle (32, 42) hingedly attached to at least one of said walls (14).

8. The storage crate (10) according to claim 7, wherein said at least one handle (32, 42) pivots with respect to said at least one wall (14) between a first position in which said at least one handle (32, 42) is generally parallel with a mouth (34) of said storage crate (10) and a second position in which said at least one handle (32, 42) is not parallel with said mouth (34).

9. The storage crate (10) according to claim 8, wherein in the first position said at least one handle (32, 42) does not protrude above said mouth (34).

10. The storage crate (10) according to claim 8, wherein in the second position said mouth (34) is obstructed by a portion of said at least one handle (32, 42) that lies over said mouth (34).

11. The storage crate (10) according to claim 8, wherein in the second position said at least one handle (32, 42) is not perpendicular to said mouth (34).

12. The storage crate (10) according to claim 8, wherein said at least one handle (42) pivots about a pivot (43) and comprises a first portion (44) and a second portion (46) that extends at a non-zero angle from said first portion (44), wherein in the second position said second portion (46) lies over said mouth (34), and wherein a center of gravity (45) of said handle (42) lies inwards of said pivot (43).

13. The storage crate (10) according to claim 8, wherein said handle (32, 42) comprises an arm (50) that has an arcuate end (52) that pivots about a rod member (54), and wherein a central lug (56) extends from a distal end of said arcuate end (52) and is arranged to click past a gap (60) between two flap members (62) adjacent said rod member (54).

14. The storage crate (10) according to claim 8, further comprising an arrestor (64) that prevents said at least one handle (32, 42) from moving past the second position.

15. The storage crate (10) according to claim 14, wherein said arrestor (64) comprises a tongue that extends from said at least one wall (14) and which abuts against a portion