GB2090227A - Container - Google Patents

Abstract

In a stacking or nesting container a movable stop (24) is mounted near the top of each side wall near an open end of the container. Each stop can be moved inwardly to support the under side of another container or retracted clear to allow nesting. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Container This invention relates to containers and more particularly to containers of the kind which can be stacked one upon another or nested one within another.

Stack/nest containers are well known and many different kinds have been designed. One very common form of stack/nest container includes a rod (called a "wire") which is pivotally mounted adjacent one end of the container. In one position the rod extends across the top of the container to support another container stacked thereabove. The rod can be moved to another position in which the top of the container is free to accept the bottom of another container nested therein.

Containers of the stack/nest kind are used very extensively for the transport of goods particularly food, to retail outlets. They are subjected to extremely rough handling with the consequence that the rods are damaged or sometimes completely separated from the container. Without the rods, or with the rods damaged, the containers cannot be stacked. The present invention has been made with a view to providing a stack/nest container which does not include a rod.

According to the present invention there is provided an open topped container comprising a bottom, at least two side walls and an end wall, at least one movable support mounted in an aperture in one of said walls, each support comprising a body having a supporting surface, said body being pivotally mounted on said one wall for movement between a supporting position in which the support surface is disposed adjacent the top of the wall in which said body is mounted for supporting the underside of another like container and a retracted position in which the supporting surface is withdrawn clear of the interior of the container.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a support removed from the container; Fig. 3 is a section through the container wall showing the support positioned for stacking; and Fig. 4 is a section similar to Fig. 3 but with the support positioned for nesting.

Referring to the drawings a container comprises a bottom 10, side walls 12, 14 and one end wall 1 6. The container is preferably moulded from plastics material so that the bottom and walls are integral. Apertures 1 8 may be provided in the bottom and/or walls in order to reduce the weight of the container. Certain specific apertures are provided for the purposes of stacking and nesting two or more like containers, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

The middle part of each side wall, as indicated by reference numeral 20, is of reduced height with respect to the remainder of the side wall. The upper surface of the side walls that joins the reduced height portion 20 with the remainder of the wall that is of full height is inclined as at 22.

In the full height portion each side wall adjacent the open end of the container, an aperture 23 is provided in which a movable stop 24 is pivotally mounted. Each stop (Fig. 2) comprises a hollow generally wedge shaped body having triangular sides 26, a front 28, a top 30 but being open at the rear thereof. Rectangular wings 32 extend from each side of the wedge shaped body generally parallel to the rear thereof. A pivoting lug 34 projects from the bottom of the rear face. An upwardly projecting rib 36 extends along the top front edge of the wedge shaped body. The top 30 of the body is formed with a raised central portion 38 thereby defining a channel 40 between the rib 36 and raised portion 38 and a rebate 42 at the rear edge of the top 30.

Outwardly extending top and bottom walls 44 and 46 are provided at each side wall aperture 23.

In addition outwardly projecting side walls 48 are provided spaced from the sides of aperture 23 by a distance not less than the width of a wing 32 on the support. A slot 50 is formed in bottom wall 46 of sufficient dimensions to receive the pivoting lug 34 on the support 24.

As can be seen in Figs. 3 and 4 the support 24 is fitted in the aperture 23 with lug 34 located in slot 50 and the top wall 44 bearing against the top 30 of the support. The support is movable between a supporting position as shown in Fig. 3 where by pivoting the support clockwise (as viewed in the drawing) about lug 34, the top 30 projects into the interior of the container, and a retracted position as shown in Fig. 4 where by pivoting the support anti-clockwise (as viewed in the drawing) about lug 34 the front face 28 is substantially flush with the side wall 12 or 14 in which the support is mounted. In the supporting position (Fig. 3) the support is restrained against further clockwise movement by engagement of the wings 32 of the support against the outer face of said wall 12 or 14 as the case may be.In that position as can also be seen in Fig. 3 the end top wall 44 is received in the rebate 42 on the top 30 of the support body. When moved to its retracted position the end of top wall 44 rides over the raised portion 38 and eventually drops into channel 40, thus holding the support in the said retracted position. The arrangement described operates, therefore, in the manner of a two position switch.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 the two movable supports 24 when moved to their supporting position (Fig. 3) can support the underside of another like container 60 in stacked relationship. To that end the container is formed with a channel 62 extending along the underside of the side walls 12 and 14. As can be seen in Fig. 3 the rib 36 is receivable in the channel 62. It will be apparent that, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 further fixed support for a superimposed stacked container is provided by the two fixed supports 64 located on the inside of the end wall 1 6 adjacent the top thereof. Each support is positioned so that a lip 66 can be received in a slot 1 7 in the base of the container to be stacked thereon.

Although the embodiment in Fig. 1 has only two movable supports 24 it will be understood that any number of movable supports can be provided. For example sufficient movable supports can be provided as to dispense with the fixed supports 64.

The side walls 12, 14 are outwardly inclined or widened in a series of steps 66, 68 or a combination of both steps and outward inclination. Such provision enabies one container to receive the bottom part of another for so-called nesting. For nesting the movable supports 24 are moved to their retracted position and another container can then be located therein. Each container is provided on the exterior of the side walls 12, 14 and end wall 1 6 with a projecting rib 70 which corresponds substantially to the shape of the upper edge or rim of the said side and end walls.In the nested position the rib 70 of a container rests upon the top of the side and end walls of the containertherebeneath. In addition, in the nested position the fixed stops 64 are received through apertures 1 8b in the end wall 1 6 of the container thereabove.

Nesting of one container in another is best effected by placing the rib 70 on the side walls 12, 14 but adjacent the end wall 16 thereof, on the top of the side walls 12 and 14 of another container but adjacent the open end thereof. The upper container is then slid relative to the lower one until the rib 70 comes to rest in position on the top of the walls of the lower container. This sliding movement enables the fixed stops 64 to be readily and surely received through apertures 18b.

In the embodiment shown in the drawing there is provision for locating one container on another in a position intermediate the stacked position and the nested position. To achieve that, apertures 1 8c in the end wall 1 6 are positioned so that the upper edge 72 thereof (which may be strengthened for that purpose) can be engaged by fixed stops 64 of a lower container. The open end of the container is supported in the intermediate position by hooks 74 provided on the exterior of side walls 12 and 14 engaging in a channel 76 formed on the upper edge or rim of side walls 12 and 14.

It will be apparent that when a container is provided with external hooks, such as hooks 74, for intermediate positioning provision must be made such that the hooks do not prevent proper nesting. In the embodiment of Fig. 1 such provision comprises apertures 80 formed in the side walls 12 and 14. When containers are in the nested position the hooks 74 of the upper container are received in the apertures 80 of the lower container.

As can be seen in Fig. 1 the top of the part of side walls 12 and 14 of reduced height tapers outwardly as at 82. An aperture 84 is formed in the tapered part 82 to define a handle. The effect of this arrangement is to move the handle to the outer edge of the container and thereby limit the contact between the hands of a person lifting the container and the contents of the container.

The container specifically described may be used for distribution of food products particularly bread, and other bakery products. However, it is to be understood that the invention may be applied to containers for any purpose.

Claims (11)

1. An open topped container comprising a bottom, at least two side walls and an end wall, at least one movable support mounted in an aperture in one of said walls, each support comprising a body having a supporting surface, said body being pivotally mounted on said one wall for movement between a supporting position in which the support surface is disposed adjacent the top of the wall in which said body is mounted for supporting the underside of another like container and a retracted position in which the supporting surface is withdrawn clear of the interior of the container.

2. A container as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the or each support is pivotally mounted on a wall about an axis lying in the general plane of said wall.

3. A container as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the container has an open end.

4. A container as claimed in Claim 3, wherein a support is provided on each side wall adjacent the open end.

5. A container as claimed in any preceding claims wherein one or more fixed supports are also provided for supporting another like container in stacked relationship.

6. A container as claimed in Claim 5, wherein one or more fixed supports are provided on the inner surface of the container, apertures being provided in the walls of the container through which said fixed supports on another like container are receivable when two such containers are nested one within the other.

7. A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein an external rib is provided for engagement on the top of the wall or walls of another like container when nested within said other container.

8. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the side walls are of reduced height in the mid portion thereof.

9. A container as claimed in Claim 7 and Claim 8, wherein the external rib substantially corresponds at least to the top of the side walls.

10. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein hooks are provided on the exterior of the walls, said hooks being adapted for engagement with another like container to support said container within the said other container intermediate the stacked and the nested positions.

11. A container substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.