GB2188609A

GB2188609A - A collapsible container

Info

Publication number: GB2188609A
Application number: GB08705969A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raymond Gilbert Hurst
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-03-19
Filing date: 1987-03-13
Publication date: 1987-10-07
Also published as: GB8705969D0; GB8606718D0

Abstract

A collapsible container (2) comprising a base (4), four feet (18) attached to the base, four side walls (20, 22, 24, 26) which are permanently secured to the base and which can be moved between upstanding and folded positions, and hinge arrangements (30) for allowing side walls to fold flat, at least one of the side walls (24) being foldable into first and second portions (36, 38) about hinge (40) for enabling access to the container whilst in a stack of containers. The base and side walls are formed from angle iron, and two opposite side walls are movable inwards whilst being folded flat to allow space for the frames of the other two side walls when folded. Either the upper portion or the whole of the two portion side wall may provide access to the container by initial upward movement to release catches before being folded outwardly. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A collapsible container This invention relates to a collapsible container.

In my United Kingdom patent specification No.

1547179, 1 have described and claimed a collapsible container such for example as a collapsible stillage for receiving industrial products. When the collapsible containers ofthe patent specification are in use in their non-collapsed condition, they are often stacked one on top of each other. Difficulty may then arise in removing products from within a container if thatcontaineris inthe middleof a stackofthecon- tainers.

It is an aim ofthe present invention to obviate our reduce the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, this invention provides a collapsible container comprising: (i) a base having four sides which are each formed of an elongate member, each elongate member being L-shaped in cross section so that when the collapsible container is in use each side of the base has an upstanding portion and a horizontal portion; (ii) fourfeet attached to the base; (iii) four side walls which are permanently secured to the base, which can be moved between upstanding and folded positions, and which have sides formed of elongate members which are L-shaped in cross section and which lie adjacent sides of the base when the side walls are in theirfolded position; and (iv) hinge arrangements which are associated with a first opposed pair of the side walls and which each comprise a slot and a movable pivot member, the hinge arrangements being such that when the first opposed pair ofthe side walls are being folded flat each movable pivot member moves along its slot and allows the first opposed pairofthesidewallsto move inwardly away from the upstanding portion of each ofthetwo corresponding sides of the base to leave gaps into which the lowermost parts of the elongate members of a second opposed pair of the side walls can fold, whereby the side walls fold sub stantiallyflat on top of each other so that the collapsed container can be used as aflat pallet or stored in its collapsed condition; and the container being such that at least one ofthe side walls isfoldable into first and second portions and enables access to the collapsible container whilstthe collapsible container is in a stack ofthe collapsible containers.

The collapsible container of the invention thus acts asadual purpose unitwhich can be collapsedwhen it is not in service to occupy far less space than a conventional fixed side container. The collapsible container may be such that it can be safely stacked in the assembled condition without subjecting the hinge arrangements to any stress. When stacked in the folded position, the sides, which in known fixed containers are normally susceptible to damage through mishandling, are protected.Transportation costs can be considerably reduced since fixed side containers require the same trailer space when empty as when full, whereas the collapsed containers ofthe present invention in their collapsed condition may require less than 20% of the space required bytheir fixed side container equivalents. Because at least one ofthe side walls is foldable into thefirstand second positions, the container offers the facility of a half or a full fold down gate allowing easyaccessto individual products within the containers whilst the containers are stacked. The containers can be made in a range of materials including steel, aluminium, other metals and plastics materials. The materials can be stainless steel polished, galvanised or painted.

The second opposed pair ofthe side walls may be such that each side wall in the pair is foldable into the first and the second portions. Thus, the containers in the stacked condition can be approached from either side in order to obtain products from within the containers.

Each foldable sidewall may have a pin and slot arrangementforenablingthesidewalltofold.

The first portion of each foldable side wall may have the slot, and the second portion of each foldable side wall may have the pin.

The first portion of each foldable side wal I may have first fixing means for securing the first portion in an upstanding position to an adjacent side wall, and the second portion of each foldable side wall may have second fixing means for securing the second portion in an upstanding position to the adjacent side wall.

Thefirstfixing means may be a stud which fixes into a keyhole shaped slot in the adjacent sidewall, and the second fixing means may be a hookwhich hooks into a slot in the top of the adjacent side wall.

Such first and second fixing means give strong positive fixing.

Preferably, the first pair of opposed side walls get trapped at their lowermost edges when the first pair of opposed side walls are in their upstanding position.

The lowermost edges of the first pair of opposed side walls may get trapped between the upstanding portion of an adjacent one of the elongate members ofthe base and a hinge memberwhich containsthe slot of a hinge arrangement and which isperman- ently secured to the base.

Thefoursidewalls may have curved lower portions which facilitate the movement between the upstanding and the folded positions.

The hinge arrangements may each comprise the slot and the movable pin,the slots being in the base and the pin being on the side walls.

Theslotsforthe hinge arrangements forthefirst opposed pair of the sidewalls may be crescent shaped slots, and the slots forthe hinge arrangements forthe second opposed pair of the side walls may be right angled slots. Generally, as the size of the collapsible containers increases, the slots em ployedwill extend more and more towards a straight line extending on a 45" axis. The extension towards the straight line may start with an approximate 2" angle (50 mm) and may be a straight line at approximately a 4" angle (100 mm).

The hinge arrangements may each be a toggle hinge. The use of internal toggle hinging allows goods to be stacked in the corners ofthe base ofthe collapsible container without damage. Also, the use ofthe internal toggle hinging may facilitate easy removal of panels that become damaged during use of the collapsible container.

Where the hinge arrangements aretoggle hinges, added pin support on end walls may give greater strength to the walls when they are in the upright position.

The collapsible container may include securing means for securing the second opposed pair of side walls in position.

The securing means may be a retaining clip. The retaining clip is preferably a bent sheet steel retaining clip.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa perspective view of a collapsible container in a partially unfolded condition.

Figure 2 is a section on the line A-A shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows in more detail three parts ofthe container shown in Figure 1; Figure4showsin more detail another part ofthe container shown in Figure 1; Figure 5is a view on arrowAshown in Figure 4; Figure 6shows in detail another part of the containershown in Figure 1; Figure 7 is a view on arrow 8 shown in Figure 6; Figure 8is a side view of a side wall of the con tainer,whichsidewall isfoldableintofirstand second portions; Figure 9shows in more detail the hinge arrange mentemployadin Figure 8to allowthe first and second portions ofthe sidewall to fold;; Figure 10isaviewon arrowAshown in Figure9; Figure 11 shows in more detail the top part ofthe side walls shown in Figure 8; Figure 13its a perspective view showing the arran gement at the bottom ofthe side walls shown in Figure 8; Figure 14is a view on arrow A shown in Figure 13; Figure 15shows in more detail a retaining clip shown in Figure 13; Figures 16and 17are plan and end views of an alternative baseforthe collapsible container; Figure 18is an enlarged detail view on arrowA shown in Figure 16; Figure 19 is an enlarged detail view on arrow B shown in Figure 16; Figure2oshows an enlarged part of the corner hinging arrangement shown in Figure 17;; Figure 21 shows a part of the alternative collaps ible container; Figure 22 illustrates further parts of the alternative collapsible container; Figures23and 24 show enlarged detail parts ofthe alternative collapsible container and in particular show a toggle hinge arrangement; Figures25and 26showvarious parts of an altern ative collapsible container; and Figures 27and 28show enlarged detailed views of parts of the end sides of the alternative collapsible container.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 15, there is shown a collapsible container 2 which comprises a base 4.

The base 4 has foursides 6,8,10,12 which are each formed of an elongate member as shown. Each elongate member is L-shaped in cross section and is usually known as an angle iron member. When the container 2 is in use, each side 6,8,10,12 of the base has an upstanding portion l4andahorizontalpor- tion 16.

The container 2 has fourfeet 18 attached to the base 4. The feet 18 are shaped as shown and they assist in enabling the containers 2 to be stacked one on top of each other when the containers 2 are in their folded and also in their unfolded condition.

Thecontainer2furtherincludesfoursidewalls 20,22,24,26. The side walls 20,22,24,26 are perman ently secured to the base 4, and they can be moved between upstanding and folded positions. Each of the side walls 20,22,24,26 has sides formed of elongate members 28 which are L-shaped in cross section and which lie adjacent appropriate sides 6,8,10,12 of the base 4when the side walls 20,22,24,26 are in their folded position.

The container 2 further comprises hinge arrangements 30 which are associated with a first pair of the side walls 20,22, and which each comprise a slot 32 and a movable pin member 34. The hinge arrangements are such that when the first opposed pair of the side waIls 20,22 are being folded flat, each movable pivot member 34 moves along its slot 32 and allows the first opposed pair of the side walls 20,22 to move inwardly away from the upstanding portion 14 of each ofthetwo corresponding sides 6,8, re spectively ofthe base4to leave gaps into which the lowermost parts of the elongate members 28 of a second pair of the side walls 24,26 can fold, whereby the side waIls 20,22,24,26 fold substantially flat on top of each other so that the collapsed container 2 can be used as a flat pallet or stored in its collapsed condition.

The container is such that the side wall 24 isfoldable into first and second portions 36,38 respectively (see Figure 8). Because the sidewall 24 can be folded about a hinge arrangement40, it will be apparent that the second portion 38 can be folded on its own to form a half gate, or alternatively, the entire side wall 24 can be folded about its bottom hinge arrangement 30. Access is thus easily obtain- able to the inside of the container when the container is in a stackofthe containers. As will be explained in more detail hereinbelow, the side wall 24 (and any other side wall that is foldable into the first and second portions 36,38) is advantageously slightly shorter in heightthan the non-foldable side walls,for examplethe side walls 20 and 22, so thatthe side wall 24 can be lifted slightly before it is folded in orderto release fixing means as will be described in more detail hereinbelow with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

The foldable side wall 24 has the above mentioned hinge arrangement 40 for enabling itto fold into its first and second portions. The hinge arrangement 40 is basically a pin andslotarrangementand itwill be seen from Figure 8thatthefirst portion 36 has a siot 42, whilst the second portion 38 has a pin 44. As can be seen most clearly from Figures 9 and 10, the pin 44 is welded to the bottom of a cranked portion 46 of the second portion 38. The pin 44 only goes through the thickness of the material of the first portion 36 and it does not extend beyond the other side ofthe slot 42 so that it does not cause interference with the folding and unfolding action of the various side walls 20,22,24,26.

As shown in Figure 8,thefirst portion 36 of the side wall 24 hasfirstfixing means in the form of a stud 48 for securing the first portion 36 to an adjacent side wall. The second portion 38 of the side wall 24 has second fixing means in the form of a hook 50 for securing the second portion 38 in an upstanding position to the adjacent side wall. As shown in Figures 3 to 7, the hook 50 fits in a slot 52 in the top ofthe adjacent sidewall whilstthe stud 48 fits in a keyhole shaped slot 54 in the adjacent sidewall. The stud 48 is such that its head 56 passes through the larger part ofthe slot 54 and then the shank 58 ofthe stud 48 can lower down into the narrower part 60 ofthe slot 54.If the sidewall 24 is raised slightly as mentioned above, the hook 50 lifts above its slot 52 and the stud 48 lifts such that its head 56 is adjacentthewider part 62 ofthe slot 54 so that the sidewall 24 can then be pivoted downwardly away from the upstanding angle iron member 64 that will form partoftheadja- cent side wall.

As shown in Figures 1 and 8, thevarioussidewalls 20,22,24,26 are filled in by wire mesh as illustrated.

Referring nowto Figures 13,14 and 15, it will be seen that the container 2 is such that the first opposed pair of side walls 20,22 gettrapped at their lowermost edges 66 between the upstanding portion 14 of an adjacent one of the elongate members 28 of the base 4 and a hinge member 68 which contains the slot 32 ofthe hinge arrangement 30 and which is permanently secured to the base 4. The hinge member 68 is welded at weld 70 to the base 4, and thusforms partofthe base 4. Figures 13 and l4ilIust- rate also howthe lowermost edges 72,74 of the side walls are curved to facilitate their pivoting action between their folded and unfolded positions.

The hinge member 68 is provided with a right an gled slot 76 which is for one of the second opposed pair of side walls 24,26. The crescent shaped slot 32 is for one of the first opposed pair of side walls 20,22.

A pivot bolt 78 is shown in Figure 14 positioned in the slot 76. The bolt has a self locking nut 80 screwed onto one end. The pivot bolt 80 thus pivotallysec ures together a lower right angled bracket 82 which is welded to the bottom 84 of the side wall 24 by welds 86 to the upstanding arm 88 ofthe hinge member 68.

When the second portion 38 of the side wall 24 is folded down, it will be held in position by the retain ing clip 90. The retaining clip 90 is shown in Figure 15 upside down to further illustrate the clip 90.

The container 2 can be easily and cheaply prod uced and it is very effective on space saving. Further more, products inside the containers 2 can easily be reached, even when the containers 2 are stacked one on top of each other, since the first and second port ions 36,38 can be folded down as desired.

Referring now to Figures 16to 28, there are illustrated various parts of an alternative collapsible container. Simiiar parts as in the collapsible container2 shown in Figures 1 to 15 have been given the same reference numerals and their precise construction and operation will not again be given.

In Figures 16to 28, a toggle hinge arrangement is illustrated. This toggle hinge arrangement replaces the internal hinging shown in Figures 1 to 15.The toggle hinge arrangement is especially convenient for avoiding damage to goods which are stacked in corners of the base 4. Furthermore, in the event of a side ofthe collapsible container 2 becomming dam aged,thetogglehingesalloweasyremovalofthe damaged side or sides. Furthermore, added pin support on end sides give good side support when the sides are in an upright position.

Referring to Figures 16 to 20, the base 4 can have a sheet 100 of metal extending between side frame portions 102 ofthe base 4. Figure 18 illustrates how one leg 18 is provided with a slotted hole 104. The slotted hole may be regarded as being in an upright angle added bolt pin. This may give more supportto the leg oftheframe.

Figure 19 shows a slotted hole 106 which extends vertically in orderto allow vertical movement to enable the pin in the end wall to locate in the slotted hole 104 shown in Figure 18.

Figure 20 shows a T-shaped hole 108 which is for accepting a T-shaped toggle pin to replace the hinge as shown in Figures 1 to 15 on the sidewalls.

Figures 21 and 22 showthe base 4 and an endwall 110. Figure 22 showsthe inside of an end wall 112 and also shows two end walls 11 4,11 6 in a folded position.

Figure 23 shows a pin 118 having a shank 120 and a head 122. The pin 1 forms part of a toggle hinge arrangement.

Figure 24 shows aT-shaped member 124 fitting through a T-shaped slot 126 in a base frame part 128.

Figures 25 and 26 show views similarto those in Figures 21 and 22. Similar parts have been given the same reference numerals.

Figures 27 and 28 show pins 130 and a key hole slot 132.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments ofthe invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given byway of example only and that modifications may be effected.

Thus, for example, the overall shape of the collaps ible container 2 illustrated in the drawings can be varied, as can the shape of the feet 18. Also, the shape of the illustrated slots 30,36 can be varied, these slots getting generally straighterfor increasing sizes ofthe container 2. The shank 56 of the stud 48 fits in a hole 92 as shown in Figures 3 and 6 but it could be otherwise fixed in position if desired. Also, the collapsible containers 2 can be made with exten sion armsto increase their height, ortailore made models can be produced to fit existing racking systems. The side 22 is slightly smallerthan the side 20, to create a gapfortheside20tofold into, butthis arrangement may be reversed if desired.

Claims

1. A collapsible container comprising (i) a base having four sides which are each formed of an elongate member, each elongate member being L-shaped in cross section so that when the collapsible container is in use each side of the base has an upstanding portion and a horizontal portion; (ii) fourfeet attached to the base; (iii) four side walls which are permanently secured to the base, which can be moved between upstanding and folded positions, and which have sides formed of elongate members which are L-shaped in cross section and which iie adjacent sides of the base when the side walls are in their folded position; and (iv) hinge arrangementswhich are associatedwith a first opposed pair of the side walls and which each comprise a slot and a movable pivot member,the hinge arrangements being such that when the first opposed pair of the side walls are being folded flat each movable pivot member moves along its slot and allows the first opposed pair ofthe side walls to move inwardly away from the upstanding portion of each of the two corresponding sides ofthe base to leave gaps into which the lowermost parts of the elongate members of a second opposed pair of the side walls can fold, whereby the side walls fold substantiallyflat on top of each other so thatthe collapsed container can be used as a flat pallet or stored in its collapsed condition; and the container being such that at least one ofthe side walls is foldable into first and second portions and enables access to the collapsible container whilst the collapsible container is in a stack ofthe collapsible containers.

2. A collapsible container according to claim 1 in which the second opposed pair ofthe side walls is such that each side wall in the pair is foldable into the firstand the second portions.

3. A collapsible container according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which each foldable sidewall has a pin and slot arrangement for enabling the side wall to fold.

4. A collapsible container according to claim 3 in which the first portion of each foldable sidewall has the slot, and the second portion of each foldable side wall has the pin.

5. A collapsible container according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first portion of each foldable sidewall has first fixing means for securing the first portion in an upstanding position to an adjacent sidewall, and the second portion of each foldable sidewall has second fixing means for securing the second portion in an upstanding position to the adjacent side wall.

6. A collapsible container according to claim 5 in which thefirstfixing means is a stud which fixes to a keyhole shaped slot in the adjacent side wall, and the second fixing means is a hook which hooks into a slot in the top of the adjacent sidewall.

7. A collapsible container according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first pair of opposed side walls gettrapped at their lowermost edges when the first pair of opposed side walls are in their upstanding position.

8. A collapsible container according to claim 7 in which the lowermost edges of the first pair of opposed side walls get trapped between the upstanding portion of an adjacent one of the elongate mem bers of the base and a hinge member which contains the slot of a hinge arrangement and which is permanently secured to the base.

9. Acollapsible container according to any one of the preceding claims in which thefoursidewalls have curved lower portions which facilitate the movement between the upstanding and the folded positions.

10. A collapsible container according to any one of the preceding claims in which the hinge arrangements each comprise the slot and the movable pin, the slots being in the base and the pin being on the side walls.

11. A collapsible container according to claim 10 in which the slots forthe hinge arrangements forthe first pair of the opposed side walls are crescent shaped slots, and the slots for the hinge arrange mentsforthe second opposed pair of the side walls are right angled slots.

12. A collapsible container according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in which the hinge arrangements are each atoggle hinge.

13. A collapsible container according to any one ofthe preceding claims and including securing means for securing the second opposed pair of side walls in position.

14. Acollapsible container according to claim 13 in which the securing means is a retaining clip.

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