WO2013131149A1

WO2013131149A1 - A collapsible container and a panel or gate for a collapsible container

Info

Publication number: WO2013131149A1
Application number: PCT/AU2013/000240
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ian Sharkey; Matthew Reimers; David NEED
Original assignee: Rees Operations Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2012-03-09
Filing date: 2013-03-08
Publication date: 2013-09-12

Abstract

This invention relates to a gate or panel assembly for a collapsible container comprising a rectilinear infill panel having an inner face and an outer face, an outer perimeter frame secured to the outer face of the infill panel, and an attachment member attached to and extending along opposing vertical margins of the gate assembly, each attachment member comprising an intra-gate attachment flange secured to a margin of the perimeter frame, an infill panel retaining flange which extends in a plane parallel to an inner face of the perimeter frame so that the infill panel is retained between the retaining flange and an inner face of the outer perimeter frame, and an inter-gate attachment flange which extends parallel to one of the intra-gate attachment or infill panel retaining flanges so as to define a slot there between that is dimensioned to receive an inter-gate retaining flange of a further attachment member. A collapsible container employing such a gate or panel is also disclosed.

Description

A COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER AND A PANEL OR GATE FOR A COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates a collapsible container, and a panel or gate for a collapsible container. PRIORITY This patent application claims priority from:

- Australian Provisional Patent Application No 2012900961 , titled "COMBINED

MONKEY GRIP AND POLY RETENTION SYSTEM", and filed on 9 March 2012.

The entire content of this application is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND Collapsible containers having side and end panels and/or gates which are securable to the container base so as to be movable between upright erected positions and collapsed positions wherein they lie in flat atop of the base, are known in the materials handling industry.

Many different types of connections between the panels and the base have been utilised, including both pivotal attachments there between (so that the panels form gates), as well as detachable connections which allow the panels to be physically separated from the base if required.

When the panels/gates are erect, generally the opposite vertical perimeter frame members on one panel respectively abut against inner faces of an adjacent panel or gate, with adjacent panels or gates being interlocked by means of manually re leasable locking or latching mechanisms which are normally located at the top corners of the panels and which, when in their locking conditions, securely lock the adjacent panels together in their upright positions.

The materials handling industry is extremely competitive and one of the prime design factors for manufacturers of collapsible containers is the fabrication costs and the need to reduce the cost of manufacture wherever possible.

It is against this background that the present invention has been developed. It is an object of the invention to provide a useful alternative to known collapsible containers, and/or gates for these. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a collapsible container comprising a base, two pairs of opposite side and end panel assemblies each securable with respect to the base for movement between an erect in-use position and a collapsed position on top of the base, each panel assembly comprising a rectilinear infill panel having an inner face and an outer face, and an outer perimeter frame secured to the outer face of the infill panel, each pair of adjacent side and end panel assemblies having vertical margins comprising means for interconnecting this pair of panel assemblies along their adjacent vertical margins when erected, said means comprising a first attachment member attached to and extending along opposing vertical margins of a first of the panel assemblies, a second attachment member attached to and extending along opposing vertical margins of a second of the panel assemblies, the first attachment member comprising a laterally inwardly directed locking flange, the second attachment member comprising an outwardly opening locking flange receiving slot dimensioned to receive the laterally inwardly directed locking flange, and wherein at least one of the attachment members further comprising an infill panel retaining flange which extends in a plane parallel to an inner face of the perimeter frame so that the infill panel is retained between the retaining flanges and an inner face of the outer perimeter frame. In one form, each of the panel assemblies is pivotally mounted with respect to the base for folding movement between the erect in-use position and the collapsed position on top of the base, and so forms a gate.

In one aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a collapsible container comprising a base, two pairs of opposite side and end gates each pivotally mounted with respect to the base for folding movement between an erect in-use position and a collapsed position on top of the base, each gate comprising a rectilinear infill panel having an inner face and an outer face, and an outer perimeter frame secured to the outer face of the infill panel, each pair of adjacent side and end gates having vertical margins comprising means for interconnecting this pair of gates along their adjacent vertical margins when erected, said means comprising a first attachment member attached to and extending along opposing vertical margins of a first of the gates, a second attachment member attached to and extending along opposing vertical margins of a second of the gates, the first attachment member comprising a laterally inwardly directed locking flange, the second attachment member comprising an outwardly opening locking flange receiving slot dimensioned to receive the laterally inwardly directed locking flange, and wherein at least one of the attachment members further comprising an infill panel retaining flange which extends in a plane parallel to an inner face of the perimeter frame so that the infill panel is retained between the retaining flanges and an inner face of the outer perimeter frame.

In one form, each attachment member comprises an intra-gate attachment flange secured to a margin of its associated perimeter frame. According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a collapsible container comprising a base, two pairs of opposite side and end gates, each pivotally mounted with respect to the base for folding movement between an erect in-use position and a collapsed position on top of the base, each gate comprising a rectilinear infill panel having an inner face and an outer face, and an outer perimeter frame secured to the outer face of the infill panel, each pair of adjacent side and end gates having adjacent vertical margins when erected, said margins comprising means for

interconnecting this pair of gates, said means comprising a first attachment member attached to and extending along opposing vertical margins of a first of the gates, a second attachment member attached to and extending along opposing vertical margins of a second of the gates, each of the attachment members comprising an intra-gate attachment flange secured to a margin of its associated perimeter frame, an infill panel retaining flange which extends in a plane parallel to an inner face of the perimeter frame so that the infill panel is retained between the retaining flange and an inner face of the outer perimeter frame, and an inter-gate attachment flange which extends parallel to one of the intra-gate attachment or infill panel retaining flanges so as to define a slot there between that is dimensioned to receive an inter-gate retaining flange of a further attachment member. In one form, each attachment member is an elongate member of constant cross-sectional shape.

In one form, at least one of the attachment members is formed as a one-piece plastics moulding.

In one form, at least one of the attachment members is a fabricated member.

In one form, the first gate comprises an attachment member defining an outwardly opening slot, and the second gate comprises an attachment member defining an inwardly opening slot. According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a panel assembly for a collapsible container comprising a rectilinear infill panel having an inner face and an outer face, an outer perimeter frame secured to the outer face of the infill panel, and an attachment member attached to and extending along opposing vertical margins of the panel assembly, each attachment member comprising an intra-panel attachment flange secured to a margin of the perimeter frame, an infill panel retaining flange which extends in a plane parallel to an inner face of the perimeter frame so that the infill panel is retained between the retaining flange and an inner face of the outer perimeter frame, and an inter-panel attachment flange which extends parallel to one of the intra-panel attachment or infill panel retaining flanges so as to define a slot there between that is dimensioned to receive an inter- panel retaining flange of a further attachment member.

In one form, each attachment member is an elongate member of constant cross-sectional shape.

In one form, at least one of the attachment members is formed as a one-piece plastics moulding. In one form, the gate assembly further comprises locking means arranged to releasably lock adjacently erected gates together.

In one form, the locking means is a manually re leasable locking or latching mechanism.

In one form, the gate assembly further comprises means for attaching the gate or panel to a container base. In one form, the attachment means creates a permanent attachment.

In one form, the attachment means creates a pivotable attachment.

In one form, the attachment means creates a detachable attachment.

In one form, the gate is comprised of a plurality of hingedly connected sections.

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. While the invention is described in connection with such embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any embodiment. On the contrary, the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents. For the purpose of example, numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.

The present invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of this disclosure it will now be described with respect to one or more exemplary embodiments which shall be described herein with the assistance of drawings wherein:

Figure I is a perspective view of an erect container (without lid) made in accordance with this invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the erect container of Figure I, with a lid;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an outer side of a side gate (side gates are near identical) of the container of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an inner side of the side gate of Figure 3; Figure 5 is an outer side elevation of the side gate of Figure 3; Figure 6 is an inner side elevation of the side gate of Figure 3; Figure 7 is a bottom elevation of the side gate of Figure 3; Figure 8 is an end elevation of the side gate of Figure 3;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of an outer side of an end gate (the front gate) of the container of Figure 1 ;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of an inner side of the end gate of Figure 9; Figure 1 1 is an outer side elevation of the end gate of Figure 9; Figure 12 is an inner side elevation of the end gate of Figure 9; Figure 13 is a bottom elevation of the end gate of Figure 9; Figure 14 is an end elevation of the end gate of Figure 9;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of an outer side of an end gate (the rear gate) of the container of Figure i ;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of an inner side of the end gate of Figure 15;

Figure 17 is an outer side elevation of the end gate of Figure 15;

Figure 18 is an inner side elevation of the end gate of Figure 15;

Figure 19 is a bottom elevation of the end gate of Figure 15;

Figure 20 is an end elevation of the end gate of Figure 15;

Figure 21 is a fragmentary top elevation of a corner of the side gate of Figure 3 ;

Figure 22 is a fragmentary top elevation of a corner of the end gate of Figure 9; and Figures 23 and 24 are fragmentary top elevations of a pair of adjacent side and end gates of the collapsible container of Figure 1 , when in their interlocked erect in-use positions.

In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, where there is illustrated a collapsible container 1 comprising a rectangular pallet base 2, a pair of side gates 4 and a pair of opposing end gates 6, each pivotally mounted via pivotal attachments 5 adjacent its bottom corners to form a gate which can be swung inwardly from its erect in-use position to a collapsed position on top of the pallet base 2. It should be understood that while pivotally mounted swinging gates 4 and 6 are discussed here, aspects of the invention are equally applicable to a panel that is detachable from the base 2 so that the panel may be laid down, and a panel that is permanently fixed in an erected position.

Each of the gates 4 and 6 comprises an outer perimeter metal frame 10 of tubular or angle section frame members. Referring now to Figures 6 through 24, each pair of adjacent side and end gates 4 and 6 have vertical margins comprising means for interconnecting this pair of gates 4 and 6 along their adjacent vertical margins when erected.

Said means comprise a first attachment member 40 attached to and extending along opposing vertical margins of a first of the gates 4, and a second attachment member 60 attached to and extending along opposing vertical margins of a second of the gates 6.

Each of the attachment members 40 and 60 comprises an intra-gate attachment flange 42 in one case and 62 in the other secured to a margin of its associated perimeter frame 10, an infill panel retaining flange 44 and 64 which extends in a plane parallel to an inner face of the perimeter frame 10 so that an infill panel 20 is retained (without need for fasteners passing through it) between the retaining flange 44 and 64 and an inner face of the outer perimeter frame 10, and an inter-gate attachment flange 46 and 66 which extends parallel to either of the intra-gate attachment flange 42 and 62 or infill panel retaining flange 44 ad 64 so as to define a slot 48 and 68 there between that is dimensioned to receive an inter-gate retaining flange 46 or 66 of a further attachment member 40 or 60.

Referring now to Figures 21 , 23 and 24, the first (or side) gate 4 comprises an attachment member 40 which is assembled from two parts, a first part 40a being a plastic component comprising a first intra- gate attachment flange 42, and an infill panel retaining flange 44, and a second part 40b being a metallic component comprising a second intra-gate attachment flange 42, and an inter-gate attachment flange 46. The two parts 40a and 40b are secured together and to the gate 4 by a bolt through the intra- gate attachment flange 42 of both parts 40a and 40b of attachment member 40.

Attachment member 40 defines an inwardly opening slot 48 between its parallel but spaced apart inter- gate attachment and infill panel retaining flanges 46 and 44. The inter-gate attachment flange 46 of this gate is also referred to herein as a laterally inwardly directed locking flange 46.

Referring now to Figures 22, 23 and 24, the second (or end) gate 6 comprises an attachment member 60 formed as a one-piece plastics moulding which is fastened to the frame 10 of the gate 6 by a bolt through both (in this case) the intra-gate attachment flange 62 and inter-gate attachment flange 66 thereof. An outwardly opening slot 68 is defined between parallel but spaced apart inter-gate attachment and intra-gate attachment flanges 66 and 64.

Further to this, the outwardly opening slot 68 of the second gate 6 is also referred to herein as an outwardly opening locking flange receiving slot 68, this being dimensioned to receive the laterally inwardly directed locking flange 46 of the side gate 4. In use, each of the first or side gates 4, are erected by being swung upward from the base 2. Each of the second or end gates 6, are then erected by similarly being swung upward from the base 2. As the end gates 6 are swung up, each laterally inwardly directed locking flange 46 locates in a respective outwardly opening locking flange receiving slot 68 provided by one of the side gates 6.

Latch mechanisms 70 are mounted in each of the upper corner and central regions of the gates 6 to releasably latch the adjacent gate 6 pairing, and adjacent gate 6/lid 7pairing together. These latch mechanisms 70 are adapted to pull the vertical perimeter frame members of the respective side and end gates 4 and 6 (or end gate 6 and lid 7) together and secure them in an abutting status. A latch mechanism of this type compensates for clearances which may result from manufacturing or be required for operation. As is best illustrated in Figures 21 through 24, the infill panel retaining flanges 44 and 64 extend behind and lie in a plane parallel to an inner face of their respective perimeter frames 10 so that an infill panel (or liner) 20 of, in this embodiment, food grade plastic sheet is securely retained between the retaining flanges 44 and 64, and the inner face of the respective perimeter frame 10 without need for fasteners extending through the infill panel 20. It will be apparent however that infill panels of practically any material may be retained by the infill panel retaining flanges 44 and 64.

Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations such as "comprising" and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an

acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention. Therefore, the invention should be understood to include all such modifications in its scope.

Claims

A collapsible container comprising a base, two pairs of opposite side and end panel assemblies, each pivotal ly securable with respect to the base for folding movement between an erect in-use position and a collapsed position on top of the base, each panel assembly comprising a rectilinear infill panel having an inner face and an outer face, and an outer perimeter frame secured to the outer face of the infill panel, each pair of adjacent side and end panel assemblies having vertical margins comprising means for interconnecting this pair of panel assemblies along their adjacent vertical margins when erected, said means comprising a first attachment member attached to and extending along opposing vertical margins of a first of the panel assemblies, a second attachment member attached to and extending along opposing vertical margins of a second of the panel assemblies, the first attachment member comprising a laterally inwardly directed locking flange, the second attachment member comprising an outwardly opening locking flange receiving slot dimensioned to receive the laterally inwardly directed locking flange, and wherein at least one of the attachment members further comprising an infill panel retaining flange which extends in a plane parallel to an inner face of the perimeter frame so that the infill panel is retained between the retaining flanges and an inner face of the outer perimeter frame.

The collapsible container of claim 1 , wherein each of the panel assemblies is pivotally mounted with respect to the base for folding movement between the erect in-use position and the collapsed position on top of the base, and so each panel forms a gate for the collapsible container.

The collapsible container as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each attachment member is an elongate member of substantially constant cross-sectional shape.

The collapsible container as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the attachment members is formed as a one-piece plastics moulding.

The collapsible container as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the attachment members is a fabricated member.

The collapsible container as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first panel assembly comprises an attachment member defining an outwardly opening slot, and the second panel assembly comprises an attachment member defining an inwardly opening slot.

The collapsible container as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each attachment member comprises an intra-panel attachment flange secured to a margin of its associated perimeter frame.

8. A panel assembly for a collapsible container comprising a rectilinear infill panel having an inner face and an outer face, an outer perimeter frame secured to the outer face of the infill panel, and an attachment member attached to and extending along opposing vertical margins of the panel assembly, each attachment member comprising an intra-panel attachment flange secured to a margin of the perimeter frame, an infill panel retaining flange which extends in a plane parallel to an inner face of the perimeter frame so that the infill panel is retained between the retaining flange and an inner face of the outer perimeter frame, and an inter-panel attachment flange which extends parallel to one of the intra-panel attachment or infill panel retaining flanges so as to define a slot there between that is dimensioned to receive an inter-panel retaining flange of a further attachment member.

9. The panel assembly of claim 8, wherein each attachment member is an elongate member of

substantially constant cross-sectional shape.

10. The panel assembly as in either of claims 8 or 9, wherein at least one of the attachment members is formed as a one-piece plastics moulding. 1 1 . The panel assembly as in any one of the preceding claims assembly 8 through 10, wherein this comprises locking means arranged to releasably lock adjacently erected gates together.

12. The panel assembly of claim 1 1 , wherein the locking means is a manually releasable locking or latching mechanism.

13. The gate assembly as in any one of the preceding claims assembly 8 through 10, wherein this further comprises means for attaching the gate or panel to a container base.

14. The gate assembly of claim 13, wherein the attachment means creates a permanent attachment.

15. The gate assembly of either of claims 13 or 14, wherein the attachment means creates a pivotable attachment, so that the panel forms a gate.

16. The gate assembly of claim 13, wherein the attachment means creates a detachable attachment. 17. The gate assembly as in any one of claims 8 through 16, wherein the panel is comprised of a plurality of hingedly connected sections.