U.S. patent application number 10/782493 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-28 for rectangular bin with octagonal inner walls.
Invention is credited to Baker, Harold L., Champion, Robert D..
Application Number | 20040211825 10/782493 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33302956 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040211825 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Champion, Robert D. ; et
al. |
October 28, 2004 |
Rectangular bin with octagonal inner walls
Abstract
An improved corrugated paper bin blank, collapsed bin, and bin
for holding bulk goods are disclosed. According to an embodiment,
the bin blank comprises three longitudinal sections, one for a
bottom section, another for rectangular outer walls, and a third
for octagonal inner walls. Various cut and/or scored portions of
the longitudinal sections fold and overlap each other to create the
final bin, and can be secured with matching tabs and slots.
Inventors: |
Champion, Robert D.; (Pauma
Valley, CA) ; Baker, Harold L.; (Long View,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON, PC
12390 EL CAMINO REAL
SAN DIEGO
CA
92130-2081
US
|
Family ID: |
33302956 |
Appl. No.: |
10/782493 |
Filed: |
February 18, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60450042 |
Feb 26, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
229/178 ;
229/157; 229/185; 229/185.1; 229/918 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/3621
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/178 ;
229/185.1; 229/157; 229/185; 229/918 |
International
Class: |
B65D 005/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A single bin blank for forming a corrugated paper bin,
comprising: a first longitudinal row having four cut sections
configured to form bottom flaps of a bin; a second longitudinal row
having four scored sections configured to form rectangular outer
walls of the bin of a first height; and a third longitudinal row
having at least four cut sections configured to form octagonal
inner walls of the bin, also of the first height, when the at least
four sections are folded over, secured, and approximately parallel
to the second longitudinal row.
2. The bin blank of claim 1, wherein two cut sections of the third
longitudinal row each comprise five scored portions.
3. The bin blank of claim 2, wherein two of the five scored
portions are configured to rest between the second longitudinal row
and two other cut sections of the third longitudinal row.
4. The bin blank of claim 3, wherein third longitudinal row
includes tabs configured to hold the inner walls in place.
5. The bin blank of claim 4, wherein a separation between the first
longitudinal row and the second longitudinal row includes slots
configured to receive the tabs.
6. The bin blank of claim 5, wherein a separation between the
second longitudinal row and the third longitudinal row includes
slots configured to receive the tabs.
7. The bin blank of claim 4, wherein a separation between the
second longitudinal row and the third longitudinal row includes
slots configured to receive the tabs.
8. The bin blank of claim 1, wherein each of the four cut sections
of the first longitudinal row is configured to interlock with
another of the four cut sections in the first longitudinal row.
9. A bin blank for forming a corrugated paper bin, comprising: a
first longitudinal row having four cut sections configured to form
bottom flaps of a bin, wherein each of the four cut sections of the
first longitudinal row is configured to interlock with another of
the four cut sections in the first longitudinal row; a second
longitudinal row having four scored sections configured to form
rectangular outer walls of the bin of a first height; and a third
longitudinal row having at least four cut sections configured to
form octagonal inner walls of the bin, also of the first height,
when the at least four sections are folded over and thereby
approximately parallel to the second longitudinal row, wherein two
cut sections of the third longitudinal row each comprise five
scored portions and at least two of the five scored sections on
each of the two cut sections are configured to rest between the
second longitudinal row and two other cut sections of the third
longitudinal row, and wherein the third longitudinal row includes
tabs configured to hold the inner walls relative to the outer
walls.
10. The bin blank of claim 9, wherein a separation between the
first longitudinal row and the second longitudinal row includes
slots configured to receive the tabs.
11. The bin blank of claim 10, wherein a separation between the
second longitudinal row and the third longitudinal row includes
slots configured to receive the tabs.
12. The bin blank of claim 9, wherein a separation between the
second longitudinal row and the third longitudinal row includes
slots configured to receive the tabs.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The invention claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 to
provisional application serial No. 60/450,042, filed Feb. 26, 2003,
the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to containers.
[0003] More particularly, the present invention relates to storage
and transport bins.
BACKGROUND
[0004] In the art of storage and shipping bins, especially those
used in retail markets, safety and durability are very important.
Conventional bins used for transport and storage are formed of
corrugated paper formed in an octagonal shape and carried on a
rectangular pallet. These bins typically have an open top and are
used to hold a variety of bulk items, such as watermelons and
pumpkins in grocery stores, stuffed animals, balls, etc. in toy
stores, and the like. While simple, inexpensive and effective at
holding items, the octagonal shape solves some problems, but
creates more. Specifically, the shape provides greater structural
rigidity than rectangular bins. However, the shape also leaves the
corners of the rectangular pallets, upon which they sit, uncovered.
These exposed corners can and have resulted in injuries and
lawsuits. It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the
foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.
[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved bin.
[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide a bin having
structural rigidity and having outer walls matching a supporting
pallet.
[0007] And another object of the invention is to provide a
rectangular bin having an octagonal inner wall.
[0008] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a unitary sheet folded into a double walled bin.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The foregoing and further and more specific objects and
advantages of the instant invention will become readily apparent to
those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of
a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the
drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a bin according to
the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a top plan of an unfolded bin sheet;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a glued and collapsed
bin;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a side view of the collapsed bin of FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating folding the bin
sheet into a bin; and
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the final folds
forming the bin.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] Turning now to the drawings in which like reference
characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several
views, attention is first directed to FIG. 1 which illustrates a
bin generally designated 10 supported upon and substantially
covering a pallet 12. As can be seen, the footprint of bin 10
substantially matches the surface of pallet 12. Bin 10 includes
outer walls 13 and bottom 14 defining a substantially rectangular
volume and inner walls 15 define an octagonal volume within outer
walls 13. It will be understood that while a rectangular bin is
illustrated, outer walls 13 can also define other shapes such as a
square.
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 2, a bin blank 16 is shown to
illustrate the various scores and cuts used to create bin 10 from a
single integral sheet of material. Blank 16 is preferably formed of
multiple walled corrugated paper well known in the art. Single,
double, triple or more layers of corrugated paper can be employed
as desired. Blank 16 is then processed to create the scores,
perforated scores and cuts as shown, in any manner or method, but
preferably by die cutting. Through cuts are designated A, standard
scores are designated B, perforated scores are designated C. Blank
16 is divided into longitudinal rows 17, 18 and 19. Row 17 is
separated from row 18 by scores B. Row 18 is separated from row 19
by a combination of scores B and cuts A.
[0018] With additional reference to FIG. 2, bottom flaps 21, 22, 23
and 24 are formed in row 17 of blank separated by through cuts A.
Flaps 21 and 23 each include a pair of slots 26 formed in the score
separation from row 18 and are shaped to include tabs 27. Flaps 22
and 24 include a pair of slots 28 formed in the score separation
from row 18 and include slots 29 formed therein for receiving tabs
27. Flaps 22 and 24 each additionally include a pair of slots 30
formed diagonally therein, for purposes which will be described
presently and slots 31. Tabs 27 are received within slots 29 to
form flaps 21, 22, 23, and 24 into bottom 14. It should be
understood that other types of bottom configurations can be
employed.
[0019] Still referring to FIG. 2, row 18 is separated into panels
35, 36, 37 and 38 by standard scores B, and a glue tab 40 extending
from panel 38 for attachment to panel 35 to create a collapsed bin
10 as illustrated in FIG. 3. Row 19 is separated into two 3-wall
panels 43, and 44, and two end walls 45 and 46 by through cuts A.
3-wall panels 43, and 44, and end walls 45 and 46 each include a
pair of tabs 47 along their cut edge which correspond to and are
received within slots 26 and 28. End walls 45 and 46 include
additional slots 50 formed in the separation from row 18. 3-wall
panels 43 and 44 each include a central portion 52 and opposing end
portions 54 and 55 separated from central portion 52 by perforated
scores C. Each end portion is further divided by a perforated score
C to form an angle wall 58 and an end flap 59. Angle walls 58
include a tab 61 extending from the cut edge and end flaps 59
include a tab 62 extending from the cut edge.
[0020] Due to processing constraints, 3-wall portion 44 is
completed in the gluing process which creates collapsed bin 10.
Thus, end portion 55 of 3-wall portion 44 is created by providing
end flap 59 thereof with a glue tab 65. Glue tab 65 is adhered to
angle wall 58 to create the correct 3-wall panel. While this is the
preferred process, one skilled in the art will understand that
3-walled panel 44 can be formed without end portion 55. It will
also be seen that additional scores 70 are formed in 3-wall panels
43 and 44. This is to facilitate proper folding into collapsed bin
10 for use on existing machinery.
[0021] Turning now to FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, bin 10 is created from
collapsed bin 10 by first folding bottom flaps 21, 22, 23 and 24 to
form bottom 14 and outer walls 13. Referring to FIG. 5, 3-wall
panels 43 and 44 are then folded over in the direction of the
arrowed lines to create six of the sides of octagonal inner walls
15. Tabs 47 of 3-wall panels 43 and 44 are received within slots 28
formed in bottom 14 to position and retain 3-wall panels 43 and 44
in position. Tabs 61 are received in slots 30 of bottom 14, and
tabs 62 are received in slots 31 of bottom 14. With reference to
FIG. 6, end walls 45 and 46 are folded over in the directed of the
arrowed lines with tabs 47 being received within slots 26 formed in
bottom 14 to position and retain end walls 45 and 46. Additionally,
end walls 45 and 46 overlie end flap 59, further securing them.
Tabs 70 of end flaps 59 are received within slots 50 to further
retain end flaps 59. The interconnections provide a secure and
rigid bin.
[0022] Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein
chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those
skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and
variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are
intended to be included within the scope thereof.
* * * * *