WO2014060492A1

WO2014060492A1 - Convertible box and drawer unit

Info

Publication number: WO2014060492A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/071658
Authority: WO
Inventors: Moshe Cohen Wollin
Original assignee: Rotho Kunststoff Ag
Priority date: 2012-10-17
Filing date: 2013-10-16
Publication date: 2014-04-24

Abstract

The invention is directed to a box (1) for stowing goods or items. The box comprises a lower part (2) and a cover (3) to cover the lower part (2) and a pair of legs (4), which in a mounted position are attached to the cover (3). The legs (4) are pointing in a vertical direction and are designed to interact with a cover (3) of an upper and/or a lower box (1) to form a drawer unit (5).

Description

CONVERTIBLE BOX AND DRAWER UNIT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a storage box and a drawer unit according to the preamble of the patent claims. The invention relates to storage containers in vari- ous forms of boxes and drawers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

From the prior art drawer units made out of plastic material are known as low cost consumer products to store items and goods. They are available in many variations as rigid constructions with several drawers on top of each other. As they of- ten cannot be taken apart, they are usually difficult to ship. Manufacturers of such drawer units are companies like Araven, Muji, Wham, Curver, Keter, GSC, Sterilite, Sundis, etc.

Plastic drawer units are popular and affordable. In most cases several drawers are placed on top of each other inside a plastic frame made of assembled plastic parts. Vast majority of those drawer units are only sold assembled causing massive manual work, logistical and environmental problems due to inefficiency in shipment. US7537295B was filed on 27.04.2007 on behalf of Cracious Linving Corp. and describes a drawer unit which has a frame and two or more drawers. The frame may be made in a single piece, for example of injection molded plastic. The drawers may also be of a single piece, for example of injection molded plastic. The frame and a drawer may each have a part of a drawer slider mechanism integrated into them. The top and bottom of the frame may be sized and configured such that an upper frame bottom may nest into a lower frame top.

JP3096596U was filed on 20.03.2003 and is directed to a drawer unit rack assembly made out of plastic material . One aspect is the strength and rigidity of the drawers. Brackets are attached to an integrally molded top and a bottom plate. Struts which interconnect the brackets serve as guiding means for drawers.

US61 93340B was filed on 03.08. 1 999 on behalf of Geographies Inc. and describes a snap-together file storage system, which includes a plurality of storage units stacked on each other. Each storage unit includes a cabinet having a forward ly opening cavity, and a drawer slidably received with in the cavity. The cabinet and drawer are constructed of plastic panels that are locked together by way of tabs of a first panel inserted into slots of an adjacent panel . The panels may be disassembled by removing the tabs from the slots. One or more optional accessories may be mounted on the storage units by way of tongues inserted into tabs.

US601 5053A was filed on 25.08. 1 998 on behalf of Honeyware I nc. and describes an all-plastic storage rack with sliding drawers supported below shelves. A module has four pieces: a drawer, a shelf piece and two slide supports that support the drawer beneath the shelf piece.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a storage box (box) which is convertible to a drawer 5 and vice-versa .

In an embodiment several storage boxes are at least in a vertical direction modu- larly interconnectable to each other directly or indirectly to form a stable drawer unit. If appropriate, the boxes are modularly interconnectable to each other directly or indirectly in at least one further direction, e.g. lateral and/or rearward i o direction, to form a drawer unit having several columns. The boxes may comprise interconnecting means to mechanically interconnect the several boxes. The boxes may have different sizes. In a preferred embodiment the box comprises an embedded/integrated converting mechanism, easily transforming the box into a drawer. Several drawers are capable of merging/ jointing together to form end-

1 5 less possibilities and sizes of drawers system/ unit for various usages and different needs.

In one embodiment the box comprises a bottom part and a cover, which can be used to sealingly close the bottom part. The bottom part and the cover are preferably made out of plastic material, e.g . by injection molding . The cover comprises 20 or is interconnectable to a stand (one or more legs) , which can be expanded (swung out) from a first, hinged position (stowing position) into a second, expanded position. Alternatively or in addition, the stand can be made out of or comprise one or more separate parts, which can be connected to or removed from the cover to fulfill their function . In one embodiment the stand comprises several parts made out of bent metal wire. The parts are attached to the cover, e.g . in a hinged or slidable manner and can be moved between a folded-in (hinged position) and a folded-out (expanded position) position, where they act as a stand for a drawer. For stowing the legs can be incorporated in the lower part and/or the upper part. When attached to the lower part, the legs can be used to increase the stiffness and stability of the box. With other words, the legs build a metal frame which in one position is integrated in the cover and which can add strength to the box. Furthermore the legs can be used an axis for the cover movement, part of a locking mechanism and/or as handles for carrying the box. In the second position the frame interact with an- other cover creating a stable structure/frame for the drawer unit; in this position the box function as a drawer.

Alternatively or in addition, at least one further part may be foreseen which helps to increase the stability of the drawer unit. The further part can be attached to the cover, e.g . by a film hinge, or designed as separate part which is, e.g. snapped -on. The bottom part and/or cover of the box are preferably stackable when disassembled . Thereby, it is possible to reduce space when shipping the product. In an embodiment, the box comprises a lower part and an upper part (cover) suitable to cover the lower part. A stand which comprises at least two legs (e.g . a pair) or another statically stable and appropriate number of legs that can be attached to the cover pointing in a vertical direction up and/or downward . The legs are de- 5 signed to interact with at least one cover of an upper and/or a lower box to form a drawer unit. The legs can be attached to the cover in a moveable manner, e.g. a hinged manner and/or a slidable manner. Good results with respect to stability are achieved when the legs are hinged around an axis which stands perpendicular to the direction of sliding the lower part when acting as a drawer. Each leg may be i o attached to the cover by a hinge, e.g . a film hinge. The upper part and/or the lower part may comprise a stowing recess to stow the legs. The stowing recess may be arranged on the outside and/or the inside. The legs may be foreseen to mechanically interact with the cover and /or the lower part when in a stowed position and thereby increase the stability of structure.

1 5 The legs can be designed such that they can flip from a first into a second position automatically or semi-automatically. E.g. the legs can be spring-loaded and secured by a trigger mechanism. When a trigger mechanism is activated, one or several legs move from a first into a second position or vice-versa.

Good results are achieved when the legs are formed out a metal wire. In a pre- 20 ferred embodiment the legs are formed out of a metal wire having an in general rectangular shape surrounding a clear dimension, which is larger then one cross section of a corresponding lower part, such that the lower part can be moved across the clear dimension of the leg when acting as a drawer. If required, the legs in an extended position may be secured by a bracket. A clip may be foreseen to interconnect one or more legs and/or one or more covers to increase the stability. The cover may comprise on the top side first guiding means foreseen to interact 5 with second guiding means arranged at the lower side of a lower part. The guiding means for a lower part may be arranged at and/or be integrated in the pair of legs. The box is suitable to build up a drawer unit, wherein the boxes are mechanically interconnected to each other.

In an embodiment, at least one leg is attached to the cover by a detachable or i o non-detachable snap-on connection . The snap-on connection is normally designed to carry loads primarily in a vertical direction. If required, the snap-on connection can be achieved by the interaction of several parts/elements with each other. E.g . the snap-on connection can comprise a heel, which is introduced into an opening to establish the connection. Furthermore, the snap-on connection can 1 5 be achieved by a plug connection, e.g. in that at least one free end of a leg is snapped into an opening . Good results are achieved when the legs are introduced into the opening in a vertical direction.

A method for assembly of a drawer unit according to the invention in general comprises the following method steps:

20 a. Providing of a box comprising a lower part and an upper part (cover) suitable to cover the lower part; b. Providing a pair of legs; c. Attaching the pair of legs to the cover such that the legs point in a vertical direction up and /or downwardly; d. Providing a further box comprising a lower part and a cover suitable to cover the lower part; e. Interconnecting the pair of legs to the cover of the further box; f. Arranging the lower part on the cover of an underneath box; and repeating the above steps until the drawer unit is completed .

The support for the lower part is designed such that when converting the lower part into a drawer the lower part is brought into a position (e.g . lowered ) with respect to the cover such that it can be drawn out underneath a lower rim of the cover. The lower part is supported e.g. by an upper side of an upper part arranged underneath the lower part and/or a shoulder extending in an inward direction from at least two opposite legs forming a linear guiding means. If appropriate, the cover and/or the lower part can be designed such that part of them can be removed or folded away such that drawing out of the drawer is not hindered . In an embodiment, the lower part is guided by a guiding curve, which, depending on the position of the drawer (lower part), determines the vertical position of the drawer. Thereby, it is possible to precisely determine the vertical position of the lower part depending when drawing out the lower part from the drawer unit. The guiding curve can be used to prevent unwanted tilting of the drawer when pulling out the drawer form the drawer unit. The guide curve can be determined by at least one surface arranged at the lower part, the upper part or the corresponding legs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The herein described invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which should not be considered limiting to the invention described in the appended claims. The drawings are showing :

Fig. 1 a box in a partially open position;

Fig. 2 several boxes in a perspective manner and partially cut;

Fig. 3 a drawer unit assembled out of boxes according to the invention;

Fig. 4 a drawer unit comprising several boxes;

Fig. 5 the drawer unit according to Fig . 4 in a side view

Fig. 6 a second embodiment of a box;

Fig. 7 a detail of Figure 6; Fig. 8 a third embodiment of a box with folded out legs;

Fig. 9 the box according to Figure 8 with folded in legs; Fig. 1 0 a leg for a box according to Figure 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

5 Figure 1 shows a box 1 according to the present invention in a perspective view and in an open position. Figure 2 shows the box 1 in a perspective manner from below. Figure 3 shows several boxes 1 above each other in a perspective manner. The upper two boxes 1 are partially cut to offer better view at the inside of the boxes 1 . Figure 4 shows a drawer unit 5 assembled out of several boxes 1 in a i o perspective view. Figure 5 shows the drawer unit 5 in a side view. Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of a box 1 in a perspective view and in different positions. Figure 7 shows a detail of Figure 6 in length direction (x-direction) .

As it can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the box 1 comprises a lower part 2 and a cover (upper part) 3, which can be used to close the lower part 2 when the box 1 1 5 is used as a box to store goods or items. The lower part 2, as well as the cover 3 of the shown example are both made by injection molding of plastic material. Other methods of production or materials, such as wood or metal, are possible. The cover 3 comprises a pair of legs 4, which can be moved (hinged) between a folded-in position and a folded-out position. In the folded-in position the legs are stowed in the cover 3.

The legs 4 of the shown embodiment are made out of bent metal wire. The legs 4 are designed as rectangular clamp which is snapped into corresponding openings 6 arranged at a rim 7 of the cover 3. The openings 6 are acting as a bearing during rotation of the legs 4. The snap-in process of the leg 4 is schematically indicated by first lines 8 shown in Figure 2. In the shown embodiment the legs 4 are designed as a closed clamp. If appropriate, the clamp can be designed open or have a different design . Each leg 4 comprises a section 1 0, which protrudes laterally and is used to stabilize the corresponding leg 4 in the folded-out position when the leg 4 points vertically down (or up) . The cover 3 comprises a bracket 1 1 , which is suitable to receive and secure the leg 4 in the open (unfolded ) position. In a closed position the legs 4 rest on top of the cover 3 stowed in a recess 1 2. The unfolding of a leg from a closed position ( in the recess 1 2 ) into an open position is schematically indicated by a second line 1 3 as shown in Figure 1 . The legs 4 are arranged along the rear end of the cover 3 interacting in a closed position with a support 25 arranged at the lower part 2. The support 25 is designed such that the metal wire of a corresponding leg 4 in a closed position of the cover 3 rests in the support 25. The support 25 is designed such that the cover can be lifted on one side and the support 25 on the opposite side acts as a bearing for the cover 3. Thereby the cover 3 can be hinged around the support 25. In the shown embodiment, the legs 4 are rotated about the bearing 6 from a first, closed position into a second, open position by an angle of about 270°. In the open position, the legs 4 are secured from unwanted movement by the laterally protruding section 1 0, which engages with the bracket 1 1 . Alternatively or in addition, the legs 4 can be designed to be slidable with respect to the cove 3, e.g . when bringing the legs from a stowed position into a folded-out position, the legs are pulled out first and then hinged into their final position.

The process of stacking the boxes 1 is schematically indicated in Figure 3, where it is schematically shown how the drawer unit 5, as e.g. shown in Figure 4, is built up. The lower part 2 and the cover 3 of the upper two boxes 1 (sections A and B) are shown partially cut, such that the inside of the box 1 becomes visible.

The box 1 at the top (section A) is shown in a fully closed manner, whereby the cover 3 interacts with the upper end of the lower part 3. An inner part of the legs 1 0 forms a rest. Both legs 4 are folded-in and arranged in the recess 1 2 (closed position) . The laterally protruding section 1 0 of the legs 4 may be designed to act as handles for carrying the box 1 . If appropriate, the legs 4 can be designed to interact in their closed position with the lower part 2 thereby locking the cover 3 with respect to the lower part 2 avoiding unwanted opening of the box 1 .

The legs 4 of the box 1 shown in the middle (section B) are shown in a folded out position pointing vertically down . The legs 4, respectively the support for the lower part 2 is designed such that the lower part 2 when converting into a drawer is lowered by a specific distance with respect to the cover such that it can pass underneath the a lower rim of the cover when acting as a drawer. The legs 4 are secured by the lateral section 1 0, which is engaged with the bracket 1 1 . In the folded-out position, the legs 4 can be engaged with a notch 1 5 arranged at the 5 upper side of a cover 3, which is arranged below the box 1 . The engagement process is schematically indicated by third lines 1 6.

The legs 4 of the cover 3 of the lower box 1 (section C) are shown in an engaged position with a further cover 3 arranged below. Said cover 3 is acting as a stand . If required, this cover 3 can equipped with rolls or a pedestal (both not shown in i o detail) . The cover 3 arranged at the lowest position is not mandatory and can be avoided as the legs 4 are secured against unwanted movement by engaging in the bracket 1 1 .

As it becomes apparent from Figure 3 (section C) and the assembled drawer unit 5 shown Figures 4 and 5, the lower part 2 of the box 1 normally rests on top of a

1 5 cover 3 arranged underneath the box 1 . The cover 3 of the lower box 1 becomes a support for the lower part 2 of the upper box 1 resting on top of it. I n the shown embodiment, the cover 3 comprises on its top side first guiding means 1 7 which in stacked position interacts with second guiding means 1 8 arranged at the bottom side of the lower part 2. Thereby, it becomes possible to use the lower part 2

20 of the box 1 as a drawer as shown in section C and Figures 4 and 5. Alternatively or in addition, the guiding means for the lower part 2 can be attached to or integrated in the legs 4 and/or the corresponding upper part. E.g. it is possible to form the legs as integral parts of the cover interconnected to the cover by a film hinge. These legs may have elements which in a folded-out position of the legs point inwardly forming a support for a corresponding rim (both not shown in detail) of the lower part 2.

The legs 4 of the shown example are designed as closed lug made out of metal wire, thereby providing superior stability for the drawer unit 5. The dimensions of lug acting as a leg 4 is designed such that a clear dimension 24 surrounded by the metal wire of the lug is bigger then the cross-sectional area of the lower part 2 such that the lower part 2 can be moved through the clear dimension 24 of the leg 4.

Figure 4 shows a drawer unit 5 in a perspective manner and Figure 5 shows the drawer unit 5 in a side view. The drawer unit consists of several boxes 1 . As it can be seen, the boxes 1 can be of different size. The legs 4 of each box are arranged in the folded-out position, where they act as vertical pillar between two upper parts 3. Two lower parts 2, now acting as drawers, are shown in a drawn out position such that their inside becomes possible.

As explained above in the shown embodiment, the legs 4 are snapped to the cover 3. Alternatively or in addition, the legs 4 can be designed detachable as separate parts. Alternatively or in addition, the legs 4 can be designed to be ar- ranged and operate in an upward direction instead of in a downward direction as shown in the samples. Mixed arrangements are possible. Alternatively or in addition, the legs can be made out of plastic material. The legs 4 can form an integral part of the cover 3. In this case the legs can be interconnected to the cover by a 5 film hinge (not shown) made out of plastic material .

If required, additional elements can be foreseen to increase the stability of the drawer unit when assembled . E.g. it is possible to foresee a clip 1 4 which can be attached to one or more legs and/or one or more covers, thereby increasing the mechanical stability by preventing unwanted movement. The clip can e.g. be in- i o terconnected by a snap or a plug connection .

As it can be seen best in Figure 4, each cover 3 may comprise a plug element 1 9 and a socket element 20, which can be snapped into an opposite socket element 20 of a further cover 3 , thereby forming a stable mechanical connection 2 1 between two covers 3. The elements forming the mechanical connection 2 1 can be 1 5 designed in a different manner.

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of a box 1 in a perspective view an different positions a-c. The box 1 comprises a lower part 2 and a cover ( upper part) 3 , which can be used to close the lower part 2 when the box 1 is used as a box to store goods or items. The lower part 2, as well as the cover 3 of the shown exam- 20 pie are both made by injection molding of plastic material . The cover 3 comprises two legs 4 each of which can be moved (hinged ) between a folded-in position and a folded-out position around a hinge 6 which is arranged in a length direction (x- direction) . In the folded-in position the legs 4 are stowed on top of the cover 3 as it can be seen in Figure 6a. The legs 4 of the shown embodiment are made out of injection molded plastic material . The legs 4 are designed as rectangular panel, preventing dust from entering into the inside of the box 1 . The legs 4 are each interconnected by a film hinge 6 arranged at a rim 7 of the cover 3. Other designs are possible.

In Figure 6b the folding out of the legs 4 by rotating them around the hinges 6 is schematically shown and indicated by fourth lines 22. The legs are travelling by about 270° around the hinge 6 until they reach their final position as schematically indicated in Figure 6c wherein two boxes 1 form a drawer unit 5.

As it can be seen, the legs 4 are having an angular shape forming a shoulder 23. The shoulder 23 of the leg 4 is preferably designed to follow the contour of the cover 3 such that the legs 4 smoothly fit the contour of the cover 3 in a folded in position. In the folded out position as shown in Figure 6c the shoulder 23 forms a support for the lower part 2. Figure 7 shows this detail in a magnified manner in x-direction. The shoulder 23 is designed that the lower part 2 which now acts as a drawer is resting on the shoulder 23 and can be drawn out in x-direction as shown in Figure 6c. Figures 8-9 are showing in a schematic manner a third embodiment of a box 1 according to the invention in a closed position. With respect to the general functionality reference is made to Figures 1 -6 and the thereto related description.

The box 1 comprises a lower part 2 and a cover 3 to cover the lower part 2 and two legs 4 as shown separate in Figure 1 0. As shown in Figure 8 the legs 4 are in a mounted position attached to the cover 3 pointing in a vertical direction z. In this position they are designed to interact with a cover 3 of a lower box (not shown in detail) to form a drawer unit as e.g . shown in Figure 3. The legs 4 are attached to the cover 3 in a hinged manner. When using the box 1 separate the legs 4 may be locked in a stowing position as indicated in Figure 9. As it can be seen the legs 4 of the shown embodiment are stowed at the outside of the lower part 2. As visible in Figure 10 the legs 4 of this embodiment are made out a metal wire having open ends. The legs as shown are forming a stable and rigid connection. The legs 4 in an extended position may be secured by a bracket 1 1 which here is arranged on the inside.

REFERENCES

A Upper position of box 12 Stowing recess (for leg)

B Middle position of box 13 Second line

C Lower position of box 14 Clip

1 Box 20 15 Notch

2 Lower part 16 Third line

3 Cover / Upper part 17 First guiding means

4 Leg / Stand 18 Second guiding means

5 Drawer unit 19 Plug element

6 Opening (for leg) / Bearing / 25 20 Socket element

Film Hinge 21 Mechanical connection

7 Rim 22 Fourth line (rotation of legs

8 First line 23 Shoulder (leg)

9 Section (of leg) 24 Clear dimension

10 Section (protruding laterally) 30 25 Support

11 Bracket (for leg)

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Box (1 ) comprising a. a lower part (2) and b. a cover (3) to cover the lower part (2) and c. at least two legs (4) which in a mounted position are attached to the cover (3) pointing in a vertical direction (z), designed to interact with a cover (3) of an upper and/or a lower box (2) to form a drawer unit (5).

2. Box (1) according to claim 1, wherein the legs (4) are attached to the cover (3) in a moveable manner.

3. Box (1) according to claim 2, wherein the legs (4) are attached to the cover (3) in a hinged and/or slidable manner.

4. Box (1 ) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the legs (4) are attached to the cover (3) by a snap-on connection.

5. Box (1) according to claim 4, wherein each leg (4) is snapped into an opening suitable to receive the leg (4).

6. Box (1) according to claim 5, wherein the opening is arranged in general perpendicular to a drawing direction (x) of a drawer (2).

7. Box (1 ) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the legs (4) are attached to the cover (3) by a film hinge (6).

8. Box (1) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the cover (3) and/or the lower part (2) comprise at least one stowing recess (12) to stow the legs (4).

9. Box (1 ) according to claim 8, wherein the legs (4) are stowed at the inside and/or the outside of the lower part (2) and/or the cover (3).

10. Box (1 ) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the legs (4) are made out a metal wire.

11. Box ( 1 ) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the legs (4) in a closed position interact with the lower part (2) thereby forming a lock which prevents unwanted opening of the box (1 ).

12. Box ( 1 ) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the legs (4) have an in general rectangular shape encompassing a clear dimension (24) which is larger then the cross section of the lower part (2).

13. Box ( 1 ) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the legs (4) in an extended position are secured by a bracket (11).

14. Box (1 ) according to one of the previous claims, wherein a clip (14) is foreseen to interconnect one or more legs (4) and/or one or more covers (3) to increase the stability.

15. Box (1) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the cover (3) comprises on a top side first guiding means (17) foreseen to interact with second guiding means (18) arranged at a lower side of a lower part (2).

16. Box ( 1 ) according to one of the previous claims, wherein a guiding means (23) for a lower part (2) is arranged at and/or integrated in at least one leg (4).

17. Drawer unit (5) comprising several boxes ( 1 ) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the boxes (1 ) are mechanically interconnected to each other.

18. Method for assembly of a drawer unit (5) comprising the following method steps: a. Providing of a box (1 ) comprising a lower part (2) and a cover (3) suitable to cover the lower part (2); b. Providing at least two legs (4); c. Attaching the legs (4) to the cover (3) such that the legs (4) point in a vertical direction (z) up and/or downwardly; d. Providing a further box (1) comprising a lower part (2) and a cover (3) suitable to cover the lower part (2); e. Interconnecting the legs (4) to the cover (3) of the further box (1 ); f. Arranging the lower part (2) above the cover (3) of an underneath box (1 ); and g. Repeating the above steps until the drawer unit (5) is completed.