WO2015199691A1 - Procédé et appareil pour contenant pliable - Google Patents

Procédé et appareil pour contenant pliable Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015199691A1
WO2015199691A1 PCT/US2014/044261 US2014044261W WO2015199691A1 WO 2015199691 A1 WO2015199691 A1 WO 2015199691A1 US 2014044261 W US2014044261 W US 2014044261W WO 2015199691 A1 WO2015199691 A1 WO 2015199691A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
side panel
panel
rotation
axis
container
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2014/044261
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
William Herbert HESKAMP
Original Assignee
Heskamp United Collapsable Containers, Llc
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 Heskamp United Collapsable Containers, Llc filed Critical Heskamp United Collapsable Containers, Llc
Priority to US15/513,682 priority Critical patent/US20170247184A1/en
Priority to PCT/US2014/044261 priority patent/WO2015199691A1/fr
Publication of WO2015199691A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015199691A1/fr

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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
    • B65D88/00—Large containers
    • B65D88/52—Large containers collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected
    • B65D88/522—Large containers collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected all side walls hingedly connected to each other or to another component of the container
    • 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
    • B65D88/00—Large containers
    • B65D88/02—Large containers rigid
    • B65D88/12—Large containers rigid specially adapted for transport
    • B65D88/121—ISO containers
    • 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
    • B65D90/00—Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
    • B65D90/0026—Corner fittings characterised by shape, configuration or number of openings
    • 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
    • B65D90/00—Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
    • B65D90/008—Doors for containers, e.g. ISO-containers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to shipping containers and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for collapsing shipping containers.
  • intermodal is used herein to refer to, for example, a container that can be moved from one mode of transport to another (e.g., from ship, to rail, to truck) without unloading and reloading the contents of the container.
  • Lengths of such shipping containers having a unique ISO 6346 reporting mark, can vary from 8 to 56 feet (2.438 to 17.069 m) and heights from 8 feet (2.438 m) to 9 feet 6 inches (2.896 m), or be in the form of a lighter IATA-defined contamer for air freight.
  • the shipping containers are typically filled or packed with materials and products from an originating location and then shipped within the intermodal freight transport system anywhere throughout the world to a desired destination or location.
  • a shipping container may originate in China, be transported by ship to an entry port in the United States, and then transported by rail or truck to the desired destination or location in any city in the United States.
  • the materials and products are removed from the shipping container.
  • the shipping container is then often transported and/or returned empty from the desired destination or location city back to the entry port.
  • these empty shipping containers are typically then stored at the entry port location.
  • the entry port continues to likewise store any and all other incoming empty shipping containers being returned to the entry port.
  • the cost to store all of these empty shipping containers and dedicate areas or land to store these empty shipping containers is extremely expensive especially considering such empty shipping containers may reach well into the hundreds or more.
  • the empty shipping containers received in this entry port are then stored until such time as there is enough empty shipping containers to completely fill a ship, or a ship is available, to return these empty shipping containers from the entry port in the United States back to the originating location of China.
  • these shipping containers being returned to China are empty and no materials and products are being transported in this shipment, the expensive cost for the use of the ship and this shipment is a expense that is borne by the applicable shipping companies.
  • Applicant recognizes that, although this process will likely continue to require these empty shipping containers to be transported in such shipments back to the originating location, the total number of empty shipping containers that can be shipped back per shipment is currently limited by the totality of the full sizes of each of the shipping containers and the type of ship used.
  • the present invention is a hollow container or box formed from a top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, opposed end panels, and a base panel placing the container or box in a fully assembled position.
  • the second side panel is releaseably coupled to the base panel and each of the other panels are hingedly coupled to one another.
  • the container or box is transitioned from a fully assembled position into a flat, parallel orientation, fully collapsed position.
  • Figure 1 is a top perspective view of Applicant' s inventive collapsible container.
  • Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the container and, in particular, illustrating the pair of doors in a first locked position when the container is in the fully assembled position.
  • Figure 2A is a top perspective view of one of a plurality of first latches locking one of the pair of doors to a first side panel of the container.
  • Figure 2B is a side perspective view of the latch and, in particular, illustrating the latch in the locked position.
  • Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2, of the hinge means connecting the pair of doors to a second side panel when the container is in the fully assembled position.
  • Figure 4 is a top perspective view of the container in the first phase of collapsing the container and, in particular, illustrating the pair of doors being rotated through ninety degrees (90°) and then through one hundred and eighty degrees (180°) from the first locked position when the container is in the fully assembled position and in the process toward a second locked position as the container is being collapsed toward a fully collapsed position.
  • Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4, of the hinge means connecting the pair of doors to the first side panel of the container when the pair of doors is rotated ninety degrees (90°) from the first locked position when the container is in the first phase of collapsing the container.
  • Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 6-6 of Figure 4, of the hinge means connecting the pair of doors to the second side panel of the container when the pair of doors is rotated one hundred and eighty degrees (180°) from the first locked position when the container is in the first phase of collapsing the container.
  • Figure 7 is a top perspective view of the collapsible container and, in particular, illustrating the pair of doors in the second locked position when the container is in the first phase of collapsing the container.
  • Figure 7 A is a top perspective view of one of a plurality of second latches locking one of the pair of doors to the second side panel of the container.
  • Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 8-8 of Figure 7, of the hinge means connecting the pair of doors to the second side panel of the container when the pair of doors is rotated through two hundred and seventy degrees (270°) and situated in the second locked position when the container is in the first phase of collapsing the container.
  • Figure 9 is top perspective view of the of the hinge means connecting the pair of doors to the second side panel of the container when the pair of doors is rotated through two hundred and seventy degrees (270°) and in the second locked position when the container is in the first phase of collapsing the container.
  • Figure 10 is a top perspective view of the securing means for securing the second side panel to the base panel of the container.
  • Figure 10A is a bottom perspective view of the tubular extension and, in particular, illustrating the inward taper of each of the sides.
  • Figure 11 is a top perspective view of the container in the second phase of collapsing the container.
  • Figure 12 is an end perspective view of the container as the container continues to be collapsed during the second phase of collapsing the container.
  • Figure 13 is an end perspective view of the container in the third and final phase of collapsing the container.
  • Figure 14 is an end perspective view of the container as the container continues to be collapsed during the third and final phase of collapsing the container.
  • Figure 15 is a side perspective view of the container in the third and final phase of collapsing the container.
  • the container 20 is an intermodal shipping container or box and, in particular, a container used for the storage and movement of materials and products within a global containerized intermodal freight transport system.
  • intermodal is used herein to refer to a container that can be moved from one mode of transport to another (e.g., from ship, to rail, to truck) without unloading and reloading the contents of the container.
  • Lengths of containers having a unique ISO 6346 reporting mark, can vary from 8 to 56 feet (2.438 to 17.069 m) and heights from 8 feet (2.438 m) to 9 feet 6 inches (2.896 m).
  • the container 20 may be a lighter IATA-defined container for air freight and/or any other type, size, or shape of container known to one skilled in the art provided that the container is assembled, collapsed, and used in the manner described herein.
  • the container 20 comprises a top panel 22, a base panel 24 (see also Figure 4), a first side panel 26 (see also Figure 4), a second side panel 28, and end panels 30 and 32.
  • At the corners of the container 20 are castings 34 each having a plurality of openings 36 for twistlock fasteners to lock the container 20 into place on a ship, railway train, or truck; and/or for lifting of the container 20 by container cranes and sidelifters when collapsing the container from a fully assembled position to a fully collapsed position as described in more detail herein.
  • the container 20 is preferably manufactured of a reuseable steel and the first side panel 26, the second side panel 28, and the end panels 30 and 32 are preferably each substantially constructed of a corrugated weathering steel 38.
  • FIG. 1 A representation illustrating the corrugated weathering steel 38 is illustrated in Figure 1.
  • the container 20 and the top panel 22, the base panel 24, the first side panel 26, the second side panel 28, and the end panels 30 and 32 may each be manufactured of any material known to one skilled in the art provided that the material used for each is of sufficient strength and durability to accomplish Applicant' s invention described herein.
  • the top panel 22 is hingedly connected to the first side panel 26 by a first hinge means 40.
  • the first hinge means 40 comprises a double hinge 44 as described in further detail herein.
  • the total number of double hinges 44 used to connect the top panel 22 to the first side panel 26 may be more or less depending upon the type, size, or shape of container 20 used.
  • the top panel 22 is also hingedly connected to the second side panel 28 by a second hinge means 42.
  • the second hinge means 42 is a single hinge 46.
  • the single hinge 46 is preferably a butt hinge or any other type of single hinge that may be used in the manner as described herein. In the non-limiting example as illustrated, there are five (5) single hinges 46, equally spaced apart, that are used to hingedly connect the top panel 22 to the second side panel 28. Alternatively, the total number of single hinges 46 used to connect the top panel 22 to the second side panel 28 may be more or less depending upon the type, size, or shape of container 20 used.
  • the first side panel 26 is hingedly connected to the base panel 24 by a third hinge means 120 (as illustrated in Figure 4).
  • the third hinge means 120 comprises a double hinge 122 as described in further detail herein.
  • the total number of double hinges 122 used to connect the first side panel 26 to the base panel 24 may be more or less depending upon the type, size, or shape of container 20 used.
  • the third hinge means 120 may be a single hinge provided that it accomplishes the use as described herein.
  • Doors 48 (see also Figure 4) and 50 preferably form each of the end panels 30 and 32, respectively, and extend substantially the length 52 (see also Figure 4) between the top panel 22 and the base panel 24.
  • each of the doors 48 and 50 are secured to the first side panel 26 by a first latching means 54.
  • the first latching means 54 is more clearly illustrated in Figures 2 A and 2B .
  • the first latching means 54 comprises a bracket 56, a latch chamber 58, a latch lever 60, a latch bolt 62, and a receiving cylinder 64.
  • a weld 66 secures the bracket 56 to the first side panel 26.
  • the means for securing the bracket 56 to the first side panel 26 may include but is not limited to being integrally molded or manufactured into the first side panel 26 or any other means known to one skilled in the art.
  • the latch chamber 58 is fixedly secured to the bracket 56 and is an elongated cylindrical member having an internal hollow passageway 72 and a slot 68 extending along the exterior of the latch chamber 58.
  • the slot 68 as illustrated in Figure 2B, also provides recesses 78 and 80.
  • the latch lever 60 is an elongated, cylindrical member of sufficiently smaller size to be contained within the hollow passageway 72 of the latch chamber 58 and provides a latch head 70 that extends from the latch lever 60 outwardly and through the slot 68 of the latch chamber 58.
  • the latch lever 60 is manually articulated between a locked position 76 and an unlocked position 74 relative to the latch chamber 58, as illustrated in Figure 2B.
  • the latch lever 60 is articulated through the hollow passageway 72 of the latch chamber 58.
  • the latch head 70 is likewise traversing along the slot 68.
  • the latch lever 60 is rotated axially within the hollow passageway 72 such that the latch head 70 is appropriately positioned and received into the recess 80.
  • the latch bolt 62 which is an extension of the latch lever 60, is extended outwardly from the latch chamber 58 and received into the receiver cylinder 64 which is fixedly secured to the exterior side of the door 50.
  • the first latching means 54 locks or secures the doors 48 and 50 to the first side panel 26 and is referred to herein as the locked position 76.
  • the latch lever 60 is lifted to release the latch head 70 from the recess 80, rotated axially, and in the opposite direction, within the hollow passageway 72 and then articulated through the hollow passageway 72 of the latch chamber 58 in a direction away from the recess 80.
  • the latch head 70 is likewise traversing along the slot 68.
  • the latch lever 60 is again rotated axially within the hollow passageway 72 such that the latch head 70 is appropriately positioned and received into the recess 78.
  • the latch bolt 62 which is an extension of the latch lever 60, is retracted back into the latch chamber 58 and thereby removed from the receiver cylinder 64.
  • the first latching means 54 unlocks the doors 48 and 50 from the first side panel 26 and is referred to herein as the unlocked position 74.
  • first latching means 54 there are three (3) first latching means 54, equally spaced apart, that are used to secure (i.e, lock and unlock) each of the doors 48 and 50 to and from the first side panel 26.
  • the total number of first latching means 54 used to secure either of the doors 48 and 50 to and from the first side panel 26 may be more or less depending upon the type, size, or shape of container 20 used.
  • Each of the doors 48 and 50 are hingedly connected to the second side panel 28 by a fourth hinge means 82.
  • the fourth hinge means 82 comprises a double hinge 84 as described in further detail herein.
  • the double hinge 84 is preferably the exact same as the double hinge 44 and the double hinge 122.
  • the total number of double hinges 84 used to connect the doors 48 and 50 to the second side panel 28 may be more or less depending upon the type, size, or shape of container 20 used.
  • the fourth hinge means 82 comprising the double hinge 84 is more clearly illustrated in Figure 3.
  • the double hinge 84 comprises a first pin 124, a first mounting bracket 126, a second pin 128, a second mounting bracket 130, and an interconnecting bracket 132.
  • the first pin 124 and the second pin 126 comprise a pin 134 rotatably secured within a barrel 136 to form a knuckle.
  • the first pin 124 and the second pin 126 may be any other type of rotatable pin provided that it is used in the manner described herein.
  • first mounting bracket 126 and the second mounting bracket 130 are each fixedly secured to the door 48 and the second side panel 28, respectively, by welding.
  • the means for fixedly securing the first mounting bracket 126 and the second mounting bracket 130 to the door 48 and the second side panel 28, respectively may include but is not limited to being integrally molded or manufactured into the door 48 and the second side panel 28, respectively, or any other means known to one skilled in the art.
  • a mortise 138 is provided in each of the door 48 and the second side panel 28 to receive and fixedly secure the double hinge 84.
  • the double hinge 84 is recessed within the container 20 and, more particularly, the first pin 124 and the second pin 128 remain inside the mortise 138 and preferably flush and aligned with the exterior of the door 48 and second side panel 28 without extending outwardly or beyond of the exterior of the door 30 or second side panel 28.
  • the second side panel 28 is secured to the base panel 24 by a securing means 86.
  • a securing means 86 there are five (5) securing means 86, equally spaced apart, that are used to secure or releaseably attach the second side panel 28 to the base panel 24.
  • the total number of securing means 86 used to connect the second side panel 28 to the base panel 24 may be more or less depending upon the type, size, or shape of container 20 used.
  • the securing means 86 comprises an external tubular extension 88 fixedly secured to the second side panel 28, a tubular support post 90 contained within the base panel 24, and a securing pin 92.
  • the tubular extension 88 is preferably rectangular in shape having sides 94 forming substantially the same square cross-section as the tubular support post 90.
  • Each of the sides 94 are designed to taper inwardly from a proximal end 96 to a distal end 98 and is provided with holes 100 situated through two of the opposed sides 94.
  • the tubular support post 90 is likewise preferably rectangular in shape having interior perpendicular sides 102 and providing a hollow center 104.
  • the tubular support post 90 is situated within or inside a C-shaped channel 106 in the base panel 24.
  • Holes 112 are also situated in the tubular support post 90 between two of the opposed interior perpendicular sides 102. In the preferred embodiment, the holes 112 are situated on the interior perpendicular sides 102 corresponding with the opposed sides 94 containing the holes 100 in the tubular extension 88.
  • the square cross-section of the tubular extension 88 (as measured from the exterior) preferably has a height and width which is slightly less than the height and width of the tubular support post 90 (as measured from the interior) or, in other words, is slightly less than the height and width of the hollow center 104 formed within the tubular support post 90 between the interior perpendicular sides 102.
  • the tubular extension 88 may releaseable traverse or freely move lengthwise into, within, and through the hollow center 104 of the tubular support post 90.
  • the square cross-sectional shape of interior perpendicular sides 102 of the tubular support post 90 will forceably prevent the square cross-sectional shape of perpendicular sides 94 of the tubular extension 88 from laterally rotating or spinning within the tubular support post 90.
  • the tubular support post 90 be of any or different shape known to one skilled in the art, the tubular extension 88 should likewise be of substantially the same shape.
  • tubular extension 88 is provided with sides 94 that are inwardly tapered, as described above, this permits easier alignment with and insertion of the tubular extension 88 into the tubular support post 90.
  • the tubular extension 88 releaseably traverses or freely moves into, within, and through the hollow center 104 of the tubular support post 90 until the framing bar 108 of the second side panel 28 engages the framing bar 110 of the base panel 24 and the C-shaped channel 106.
  • the tubular extension 88 is substantially situated inside or within the tubular support post 90 and the second side panel 28 is flush or, in direct engagement, with the base panel 24.
  • the holes 100 in the opposed sides 94 of the tubular extension 88 becomes aligned with the holes 112 in the opposed sides 102 of the tubular support post 90.
  • the securing pin 92 is inserted through the hole 112 (in one of the opposed sides 102 of the tubular support post 90), through the hole 100 (in the adj acent opposed side 94 of the tubular extension 88), completely through the tubular extension 88 and hollow center 104 of the tubular support post 90, and into the corresponding holes 100 and 112 in both the tubular extension 88 and tubular support post 90 (in each of the other of the opposed sides 94 and 102, respectively).
  • the securing means 86 locks or secures the second side panel 28 to the base panel 24.
  • a guide post 114 is provided to (i) assist in the alignment of the securing pin 92 with the holes 100 of the tubular extension 88 and holes 112 of the tubular support post 90; (ii) provide a stop means to prevent the securing pin 92 from entering any further into the tubular extension 88 and tubular support post 90; and (iii) provide, in combination with a secondary post 116, a means for retaining the securing pin 92 within the C-shaped channel 106 when the second side panel 28 is unlocked from the base panel 24.
  • the guide post 114 and secondary post 116 provide a gap 118 to retain the securing pin 92 to the container 20 such that the securing pin 92 is always available for use.
  • any other means for retaining the securing pin 92 within the C-shaped channel 106 when the second side panel 28 is unlocked from the base panel 24 may be used as is known by one skilled in the art.
  • the container 20 can be transitioned (also referred to herein as "collapsed") between a fully assembled position, as illustrated in Figures 1 -3 , through the process illustrated in Figures 4- 13 , to a fully collapsed position, as illustrated in Figures 14 and 15.
  • the process to transition or collapse the container 20 from the fully assembled position to the fully collapsed position is described herein in various phases: collectively, a first phase, a second phase, and a third phase.
  • the process to transition or collapse the container 20 from the fully assembled position to the fully collapsed position although using the same steps as set forth herein, can be referred to and identified as a single phase.
  • the process to transition or collapse the container 20 from the fully assembled position to the fully collapsed position begins with the first phase.
  • the doors 48 and 50 that are initially locked or secured to the first side panel 26 in the fully assembled position, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, are unlocked from the first side panel 26.
  • the first latching means 54 is moved from the locked position 76 to the unlocked position 74, as illustrated in Figures 2 A and 2B.
  • the doors 48 and 50 are each then rotated about the fourth hinge means 82 and, in particular, the double hinge 84.
  • the first mounting bracket 126 remains fixedly secured to the doors 48 and 50 and is rotated through ninety degrees (90°)
  • the doors 48 and 50 are each rotated about the first pin 124 ninety degrees (90°) (i.e., counterclockwise rotation for the door 48 and clockwise rotation for the door 50)
  • the interconnecting bracket 132 remains fixedly secured to and rotating relative to both the firstpin 124 and the second pin 128 within the mortise 138
  • the second mounting bracket 130 remains fixedly secured in its initial position relative to the second side panel 28.
  • the doors 48 and 50 are each then continued to be rotated about the fourth hinge means 82 and, in particular, the double hinge 84.
  • the doors 48 and 50 are rotated through one-hundred and eighty degrees (180°)
  • the first mounting bracket 126 remains fixedly secured to the doors 48 and 50 and is rotated through one hundred and eighty degrees (180°)
  • the doors 48 and 50 are each rotated about the first pin 124 one hundred and eighty degrees (180°) (i.e., further counterclockwise rotation for the door 48 and clockwise rotation for the door 50)
  • the interconnecting bracket 132 remains fixedly secured to and rotating relative to both the first pin 124 and the second pin 128 within the mortise 138
  • the second mounting bracket 130 remains fixedly secured in its initial position relative to the second side panel 28.
  • the doors 48 and 50 are each then continued to be rotated about the fourth hinge means 82 and, in particular, the double hinge 84.
  • the doors 48 and 50 are rotated through two hundred and seventy degrees (270°)
  • the first mounting bracket 126 remains fixedly secured to the doors 48 and 50 and is rotated through two hundred and seventy degrees (270°)
  • the doors 48 and 50 are each rotated about the first pin 124 one hundred and two hundred and seventy degrees (270°) (i.e., further counterclockwise rotation for the door 48 and clockwise rotation for the door 50)
  • the interconnecting bracket 132 remains fixedly secured to and rotating relative to both the first pin 124 and the second pin 128 and becomes adj acent to and parallel to the first mounting bracket 126 within the mortise 138
  • the second mounting bracket 130 remains fixedly secured in its initial position relative to the second side panel 28, and the doors 48 and 50 are aligned parallel with the second side panel 28.
  • each of the doors 48 and 50 are then secured to the second side panel 28 by a second latching means 140.
  • the second latching means 140 is more clearly illustrated in Figure 7 A.
  • the second latching means 140 as illustrated in Figure 7 A, comprises a second bracket 142, a second latch chamber 144, a second slot 152, a second latch lever 146, a second latch head 150, a second latch bolt 148, and a second receiving cylinder 154.
  • the second latching means 140 is secured to the second side panel 28 and the components of the second latching means 140 are used in the same manner as the first latching means 54.
  • the second latching means 140 locks or secures the doors 48 and 50 to the second side panel 28 and is referred to herein as the second locked position 156.
  • the second latching means 140 for locking or securing the doors 48 and 50 may be any means known to one skilled in the art.
  • second latching means 140 that is used to secure (i.e, lock and unlock) each of the doors 48 and 50 to and from the second side panel 28.
  • the total number of second latching means 140 used to secure either of the doors 48 and 50 to and from the second side panel 28 may be more or less depending upon the type, size, or shape of container 20 used.
  • the securing means 86 is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position, as illustrated and described in Figure 10, to releaseably detach the second side panel 28 from the base panel 24.
  • a cable 58 from the lifting device is secured or attached to the castings 34 located at the corners of the container 20 for lifting upwardly, in the direction of Arrow A, the top panel 22 and the second side panel 48 of the container 20.
  • the second side panel 48 remains in substantially the same vertical orientation as in the fully assembled position.
  • the top panel 22, however, is being rotated about the second hinge means 42 and, in particular, the single hinge 46, in the direction of Arrow B, toward the second side panel 28.
  • the lifting device continues to lift the container 20 until the top panel 22 is rotated about the second hinge 46 through ninety degrees (90°) in relation to the second side panel 28, as illustrated in Figure 12.
  • the other side of the top panel 22 is likewise rotated about the first hinge means 40 and, in particular, the double hinge 44, also in the direction of Arrow B .
  • the other side of the top panel 22 is also rotated about the double hinge 44 in relation to the first side panel 26, as illustrated in Figure 12.
  • the top panel 22 engages the second side panel 28 and becomes aligned in parallel with and in the same vertical orientation with the second side panel 28.
  • the first side panel 26 is likewise rotated about the first hinge means 40 and, in particular, the double hinge 44, in the direction of Arrow B, in relation to the top panel 22, as illustrated in Figure 12.
  • the cable 58 from the lifting device, secured or attached to the castings 34 located at the corners of the container 20, is now lowered downwardly, in the direction of Arrow C.
  • the second side panel 28, the top panel 22, and the first side panel 26 are each continued to be rotated, in the direction or Arrow D, about the double hinge 44, as illustrated in Figure 13.
  • the other side of the first side panel 26 is likewise rotated about the third hinge means 120 and, in particular, the double hinge 122, also in the direction of Arrow D, in relation to the base panel 24, as illustrated in Figure 13.
  • the second side panel 28, the top panel 22, and the first side panel 26 are each continued to be rotated, in the direction or Arrow D, about the double hinge 44, as illustrated in Figure 14.
  • the second side panel 28, the top panel 22, the first side panel 26, and the base panel 24 all rotatably engaged to one another, and become aligned in parallel with and in the same horizontal orientation with respect to the base panel 24.
  • the container 20 is now illustrated in the fully collapsed position in Figures 14 and 15.
  • the doors 48 and 50 are each rotated about the fourth hinge means 82 and, in particular, the double hinge 84, through substantially two hundred and seventy degrees (270°);
  • the top panel 22 is rotated about the second hinge means 42 and, in particular, the single hinge 46, through substantially ninety degrees (90°) in relation to the second side panel 28;
  • the top panel 22 is further rotated about the first hinge means 40 and, in particular, the double hinge 44, through substantially one hundred and eighty degrees (180°) in relation to the base panel 24;
  • the first side panel 26 is rotated about the first hinge means 40 and, in particular, the double hinge 44, through substantially ninety degrees (90°) in relation to the top panel 22;
  • the second side panel 28 is rotated about the first hinge means 40 and, in particular, the double hinge 44, through substantially ninety degrees (90°) in relation to the base panel 24;
  • each of the doors 48 and 50, the second side panel 28, the top panel 22, the first side panel 26, and the base panel 24 of the container 20 are also substantially stacked on top of one another in a vertical orientation.
  • first hinge means 40, the second hinge means 42, the third hinge means 120, the fourth hinge means 82, and securing means 86 are all contained or recessed within the container 20, none of these hinge means or the securing means 86 extend outwardly from the container 20 when the container 20 is in the fully assembled position nor when the container 20 is stacked in the vertical orientation in the fully collapsed position.
  • the resulting benefit is that when this container 20 is transported within the global containerized intermodal freight transport system, possibly stacked on top of or adj acent to other containers 20 during transport, or being moved between other modes of transportation (e.g., from ship, to rail, to truck), in either the fully assembled position or the fully collapsed position, these recessed hinge means and the securing means 86 are not vulnerable to being sheared off, broken, and/or damaged due to engagement or stacking with the other containers 20.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Rigid Containers With Two Or More Constituent Elements (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un contenant creux ou une boîte creuse composée d'un panneau supérieur, un premier panneau latéral, un second panneau latéral, des panneaux d'extrémité opposés, et un panneau de base permettant de mettre le contenant ou la boîte dans une position totalement assemblée. Le second panneau latéral est accouplé de manière détachable au panneau de base et chacun des autres panneaux est accouplé de manière articulée aux autres. Lors de la rotation de chacun des panneaux d'extrémité opposés, du panneau supérieur, du premier panneau latéral, et du second panneau latéral l'un par rapport à l'autre et de différents axes de rotation en combinaison avec la séparation de manière amovible du second panneau latéral par rapport au panneau de base, le contenant ou la boîte est soumis à une transition d'une position totalement assemblée à une position entièrement pliée dans une orientation parallèle plate.
PCT/US2014/044261 2014-06-26 2014-06-26 Procédé et appareil pour contenant pliable WO2015199691A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

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US15/513,682 US20170247184A1 (en) 2014-06-26 2014-06-26 Method and apparatus for collapsible container
PCT/US2014/044261 WO2015199691A1 (fr) 2014-06-26 2014-06-26 Procédé et appareil pour contenant pliable

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2014/044261 WO2015199691A1 (fr) 2014-06-26 2014-06-26 Procédé et appareil pour contenant pliable

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WO2015199691A1 true WO2015199691A1 (fr) 2015-12-30

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WO (1) WO2015199691A1 (fr)

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RU2745038C1 (ru) * 2017-03-21 2021-03-18 Спектейнер Пти ЛТД Складной интермодальный контейнер и комплект складных интермодальных контейнеров
AU2019202968B2 (en) * 2017-02-10 2021-04-08 Spectainer Pty Limited A collapsible intermodal container

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US10415263B2 (en) * 2017-04-26 2019-09-17 New House International Corp Packaged container housing structure and construction method
US10648169B2 (en) 2017-04-26 2020-05-12 New House International Corp. Packaged container housing structure and construction method
SK8396Y1 (sk) * 2017-06-27 2019-03-01 Zepelin S R O Kontajnerový rozkladací prístrešok
US11869389B2 (en) * 2018-12-14 2024-01-09 Tradeshow Fairy Llc Tradeshow display crate

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US6299009B1 (en) * 1999-06-18 2001-10-09 Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd. Collapsible freight container for air transport
US7984819B1 (en) * 2006-06-28 2011-07-26 Michael B Davis Collapsible shipping container
US8196766B2 (en) * 2007-02-28 2012-06-12 Texas Oil Capital Holding Corporation Folding container

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GB2094272A (en) * 1981-01-09 1982-09-15 Bigliardi Juan Bautista A collapsible container
US5289933A (en) * 1991-04-25 1994-03-01 Roland Streich Collapsible cargo container
US6299009B1 (en) * 1999-06-18 2001-10-09 Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd. Collapsible freight container for air transport
US7984819B1 (en) * 2006-06-28 2011-07-26 Michael B Davis Collapsible shipping container
US8196766B2 (en) * 2007-02-28 2012-06-12 Texas Oil Capital Holding Corporation Folding container

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2019202968B2 (en) * 2017-02-10 2021-04-08 Spectainer Pty Limited A collapsible intermodal container
RU2745038C1 (ru) * 2017-03-21 2021-03-18 Спектейнер Пти ЛТД Складной интермодальный контейнер и комплект складных интермодальных контейнеров

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