WO2013020166A1

WO2013020166A1 - Container improvements

Info

Publication number: WO2013020166A1
Application number: PCT/AU2012/000917
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ian Sharkey; Matthew Reimers; David NEED
Original assignee: Rees Operations Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-08-05
Filing date: 2012-08-02
Publication date: 2013-02-14

Abstract

This invention relates to relates to an improved container for materials handling purposes, and to improved gates for such containers. The gate comprises an outer perimeter frame made of a material of relatively high specific strength, and an infill panel made from a material of relatively low density secured to the outer perimeter frame by snap-fit means. The associated container comprises a base, and two pairs of opposite side and end gates of this type.

Description

CONTAINER IMPROVEMENTS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an improved container for materials handling purposes, and to improved gates for such containers.

PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority from:

Australian Provisional Patent Application No 201 1903162, titled "CONTAINER IMPROVEMENTS", and filed on 5 August 201 1.

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

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Collapsible materials handling containers having side and end panels or gates for folding movement between collapsed positions wherein they lie flat atop of the base, and upright erected positions, are known in the materials handling industry.

The main advantage of these collapsible containers is that an empty container can be folded down (collapsed) to reduce its volume for its return to its refill destination. However, collapsing the container does nothing to reduce its tare (i.e. empty or unladen weight).

It is against this background and the problems and difficulties associated therewith that the present invention has been developed.

Certain 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 the may be said to reside in a storage container comprising a base, two pairs of opposite side and end gates, each gate comprising an outer perimeter frame and an infill panel secured to the outer perimeter frame by snap-fit means. In a further aspect, the invention the may be said to reside in a gate or panel for a storage container, the gate comprising an outer perimeter frame, and an infill panel secured to the outer perimeter frame by snap-fit means. For the purpose of this specification, a snap-fit is a mechanical joint system where part-to-part attachment is accomplished with locating and locking features (constraint features) that are homogenous with one or the other of the components being joined or a separate fastener element. , Joining requires the (flexible) locking features to move aside for engagement with the mating part, followed by return of the locking feature toward its original position to accomplish the interference required to latch the components together. Locator features, the second type of constraint feature, are inflexible, providing strength and stability in the attachment. Enhancements complete the snap-fit system, adding robustness and user-friendliness to the attachment.

In one form, the snap-fit means comprises snap-fit fasteners.

In one form, in an alternative, the snap-fit means is incorporated into one or both of the outer perimeter frame and the infill panel.

In one form, in an alternative, the snap-fit means is integral with one or both of the outer perimeter frame and the infill panel.

In a further aspect, the invention the may be said to reside in a storage container comprising a base, two pairs of opposite side and end gates, each gate comprising an outer perimeter frame and an infill panel secured to the outer perimeter frame by securement means comprising locking features adapted to move aside for engagement with a mating part, followed by return of the locking feature toward its original position to accomplish the interference required to latch the components together.

In one form, the securement means are homogenous with one or the other of the outer perimeter frame or the infill panel.

In one form, the securement means are homogenous with a separate fastener element.

In one form, the infill panel is square or rectangular.

In one form, the securement means further comprises locator features. These locator features are inflexible, providing strength and stability in the attachment. In one form, for each gate the outer perimeter frame is made of a material of relatively high specific strength.

In one form, for each gate the outer perimeter frame is made of tubular steel.

In one form, for each gate the infill panel is made from a material of relatively low density.

In one form, the or each infill panel is made from a sheet comprised of a fluted corrugated sheet and one or more flat Hnerboards.

In one form, the or each infill panel is made from a twin wall plastic sheet product.

In one form, the or each infill panel is made from a corrugated plastic material. In one form, the or each infill panel is made from a high impact polypropylene.

In a further aspect, the invention the may be said to reside in a storage container comprising a base, two pairs of opposite side and end gates, each gate comprising an outer perimeter frame, and an infill panel of plastic material comprising a fluted corrugated sheet and one or more flat Hnerboards secured to the outer perimeter frame.

In a further aspect, the invention the may be said to reside in a gate or panel for a storage container, the gate comprising an outer perimeter frame, and an infill panel of plastic material comprising a fluted corrugated sheet and one or more flat Hnerboards secured to the outer perimeter frame.

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 an exemplary embodiment which shall be described herein with the assistance of drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible container;

Figure 2 is side view of the collapsible container illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end view of the collapsible container illustrated in Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a detail inner view of an upper corner of the collapsible container illustrated in Figure 1 ; and

Figure 5 is a detail view of a snap fit- faster used to secure an infill panel to an outer perimeter frame of a gate of the container illustrated in Figure 1.

In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to Figures 1 through 3, where there is illustrated a collapsible storage container 10 comprising a rectangular pallet with a support base 1 1 , which is provided at each of its four corners with stub corner posts 12 of angle section. The support base 1 1 comprises a floor of twin wall, corrugated plastic sheet (such as that sold under the proprietary name Corflute) supported by an upper deck (not visible) which in turn is supported by vertical uprights and the stub corner posts 12.

Front and rear gates 15 and 16 respectively, are removably mounted on the pallet base 1 1 by means of mountings (not shown) which enable each gate 15, 16, to be physically lifted upwardly b a small vertical distance and then laid inwardly on top of the base 1 1. The front and rear gates 15 and 16 are formed of two halves horizontally hinged together so as to permit these to lie approximately flat one on top of the other. Each of these gate halves comprises a peripheral tubular steel frame 50 having an inner face to which there is secured an infill panel 60 of twin wall, corrugated plastic sheet by means of a series of plastic snap-fit fasteners 70. The infill panels 60 of the front and rear gates 15, 16 incorporate slotted apertures 62 so that the extent of any contents can be readily discerned.

The peripheral tubular steel frame 50 of each of the gate halves comprises a medial vertical brace 52 of steel. This medial vertical brace 52 provides additional support and attachment points for the twin wall, corrugated plastic sheet infill panel 60. A pair of spaced apart upwardly extending handles 55 of plastic material (such as urethane) are secured to an upper inside edge of the lower half of the front and rear gates 15, 16, so that these become accessible once the top half has been folded down. The gates can then be lifted via these handles 55 and laid down.

There is a latching mechanism 80 in the top corner of each of the upper gate halves. This latching mechanism 80 secures the erected gate in position. With reference to Figure 4 it can be seen that this simple latching mechanism comprises a pin 82 formed into the shape of a crank, having a first end 82a which is slidably guided and biased toward an engagement position by a spring 84, and a second end 82c for pinning the gate relative to an abutting side panel. A centre portion 82b of the crank (ie. being normal to the end portions) shaped pin provides a handle for an operator, so that the operator can hold the pin in a disengaged position against the bias of the spring 84.

Each side panel 17, 18 is a one-piece panel pivotally connected between a pair of stub corner posts 12 by means of pivot pins or bolts 19, the horizontal pivot pin of one side panel being slightly below the pivot axis of the other side panel, whereby the panels 17, 18 can be folded inwardly onto the base 11 so as to lie flat on top of one another. In this embodiment each of the side panels 17, 18 comprise a peripheral tubular steel frame 90 to which there is secured an infill panel 100 of twin wall, corrugated plastic sheet by means of a series of the plastic snap-fit fasteners 70.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, each snap-fit fastener 70 is of the type known as a 'plastic push fastener' (or rivet), and comprises a locator feature in the form of an elongate connecting portion 72, which locates in and extends through holes in both the plastic infill panel 60 or 100 and the inner face 50a or 90a of peripheral tubular steel frame 50 or 90 with a snap-fit.

A tip 74 of the elongate connecting portion 72 is rounded to aid insertion into the hole in the inner face of peripheral tubular steel frame 50. The elongate connector portion 72 carries a series of outwardly projecting locking features in the form of square ribs 76, which must be deformed for insertion of the elongate connecting portion 72 into the peripheral tubular steel frame, and which will resist removal of the elongate connecting portion 72 therefrom.

Each snap-fit fastener 70 further comprises a head beneath which the infill panel is captured.

A top or lid panel can be provided and which, when in place, rests on the top edges of the side panes and the front and rear gates.

Each of the stub corner posts is provided with locating means at its upper end, the locating means comprising a metal base plate 21 bridging the flanges of the corner post 12 and secured thereto, eg by means of welding, and a support spigot 22 extending upwardly from the base plate 21, the spigot in this embodiment comprising a v-shaped member of metal plate having a pointed or spear shaped tip 23. The spigots 22 are configured so as to engage and locate corresponding bottom corner portions of the support base of an adjacent container when stacked there on top. In this way the containers 10 can be interstacked when in their collapsed condition.

To enable the containers to be stacked when in their erected condition, cutouts 25 are provided adjacent the lower corners of the panels, the cutouts 25 being shaped and dimensioned to allow the panels to 17, 18 to reach their fully erect positions without obstruction from the spigots 22.

An advantage of the collapsible container 10 according to the present invention is that it is stackable with the collapsible container disclosed in Australian Patent 648706, the full contents of which should be considered incorporated herein by way of reference. Significantly, by virtue of means including but not limited to:

1. the of the use of twin wall, corrugated plastic sheet to form the floor and infill panels 60 and

100;

2. lighter perimeter frames;

3. the use of snap fit fasteners to 70 secure the infill panels 60 and 100; and

4. the simplified latch 80,

the collapsible container 10 according to the present invention is approximately 30% lighter than the collapsible container disclosed in Australian Patent 648706.

A further advantage is that damaged infill panels 60 and 100 can be quickly and easily replaced. The snap fit fasteners 70 may be destroyed when they are removed, but they are a relatively inexpensive item when compared with the cost associated with the time taken to cut out damaged wire mesh and weld new wire mesh into a frame.

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

1. A storage container comprising a base, two pairs of opposite side and end gates, each gate comprising an outer perimeter frame and an infill panel secured to the outer perimeter frame by snap-fit means.

2. The storage container of claim 1 , wherein the snap-fit means comprises at least one snap-fit fastener.

3. The storage container as in either of the preceding claims, wherein for each gate the outer perimeter frame is made of a material of relatively high specific strength.

4. The storage container as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein for each gate the outer perimeter frame is made of tubular steel.

5. The storage container as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein for each gate the infill panel is made from a material of relatively low density.

6. The storage container as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein for each gate the infill panel comprises a fluted corrugated sheet and one or more flat linerboards.

7. The storage container of claim 6, wherein for each gate the infill panel comprises a fluted corrugated sheet sandwiched between a pair of flat linerboards.

8. The storage container as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein for each gate the infill panel is made from a plastic material.

9. The storage container as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein for each gate the infill panel is made from a high impact polypropylene.

10. The storage container as in any one of claims 2 through 9, wherein for each gate the infill panel is secured to the outer perimeter frame with a plurality of spaced apart snap-fit fasteners.

1 1. The storage container as in claim 10, wherein each snap-fit fastener comprises an elongate connecting portion which extends through a hole in the infill panel and securely engages in a suitably sized hole in an inner face of the peripheral frame with a snap-fit, and a head beneath which the infill panel is captured.

12. The storage container as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each gate is adapted for folding movement between a collapsed position in which it lies flat atop of the base, and an upright erected position.

13. A gate or panel for a storage container, the gate comprising an outer perimeter frame, and an infill panel secured to the outer perimeter frame by snap-fit means.

14. The gate or panel of claim 13, wherein the snap-fit means comprises at least one snap-fit fastener.

15. The gate or panel as in either of claims 13 or 14, wherein the outer perimeter frame is made of a material of relatively high specific strength.

16. The gate or panel as in any one of claims 13 through 15, wherein the outer perimeter frame is made of tubular steel.

17. The gate or panel as in any one of claims 13 through 16, wherein the infill panel is made from a material of relatively low density.

18. The gate or panel as in any one of claims 13 through 17, wherein the infill panel comprises a fluted corrugated sheet and one or more flat lineTboards.

19. The gate or panel of claim 18, wherein the infill panel comprises a fluted corrugated sheet sandwiched between a pair of flat linerboards.

20. The gate or panel as in any one of claims 13 through 19, wherein the infill panel is made from a plastic material.

21. The gate or panel as in any one of claims 13 through 20, wherein the infill panel is made from a high impact polypropylene.

22. The gate or panel as in any one of claims 14 through 21 , wherein the infill panel is secured to the outer perimeter frame with a plurality of spaced apart snap-fit fasteners.

23- The gate or panel as in claim 22, wherein each snap-fit fastener comprises an elongate

connecting portion which extends through a hole in the infill panel and securely engages in a suitably sized hole in an inner face of the peripheral frame with a snap-fit, and a head beneath which the infill panel is captured.