U.S. patent application number 10/976380 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-28 for stackable container with removable holders.
This patent application is currently assigned to INNOLUX DISPLAY CORP.. Invention is credited to Chuang, Cheng Doul, Deng, Chien-Sung, Yang, Hung-Wen.
Application Number | 20050087470 10/976380 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34511759 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050087470 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chuang, Cheng Doul ; et
al. |
April 28, 2005 |
Stackable container with removable holders
Abstract
A stackable container (100) for storing panels includes a box
(61) including a plurality of sidewalls (62, 64) and a bottom (63),
the sidewalls and bottom cooperatively defining a receiving space
having an opening (66); and a holding means (70, 80, 90) removably
engaged in the box, for receiving and holding the panels in the
box; wherein an area of the opening is larger than an area of the
bottom. When the stackable container is not in use, the holding
means can be removed, so that the box is empty. A plurality of the
boxes can then easily be stacked. In addition, a plurality of the
holding means can be easily stored together. Consequently, the
stackable container saves a great deal of space during storage and
transportation thereof. Thus, the costs of storage and
transportation of the stackable container are reduced.
Inventors: |
Chuang, Cheng Doul;
(Miao-Li, TW) ; Deng, Chien-Sung; (Miao-Li,
TW) ; Yang, Hung-Wen; (Miao-Li, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WEI TE CHUNG
FOXCONN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
1650 MEMOREX DRIVE
SANTA CLARA
CA
95050
US
|
Assignee: |
INNOLUX DISPLAY CORP.
|
Family ID: |
34511759 |
Appl. No.: |
10/976380 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/503 ;
206/449; 206/499 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00555
20130101; B65D 43/0218 20130101; H01L 21/6735 20130101; B65D
2543/00194 20130101; B65D 2543/0049 20130101; B65D 2543/00296
20130101; B65D 25/107 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/503 ;
206/499; 206/449 |
International
Class: |
B65D 021/00; B65D
085/62 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 28, 2003 |
TW |
92129849 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A stackable container for storing panels, comprising: a box
including a plurality of sidewalls and a bottom, the sidewalls and
bottom cooperatively defining a receiving space having an opening;
and a holding means removably engaged in the box, for receiving and
holding the panels in the box; wherein an area of the opening is
larger than an area of the bottom.
2. The stackable container as recited in claim 1, wherein the
holding means comprises a pair of first slotted members removably
engaged between two opposite second sidewalls of the box.
3. The stackable container as recited in claim 2, wherein the
sidewalls include a pair of opposite first sidewalls and the pair
of opposite second sidewalls, the four sidewalls being sloped such
that the box is flared from bottom to top.
4. The stackable container as recited in claim 2, further
comprising a cover, the cover and the box cooperatively defining a
sealed space.
5. The stackable container as recited in claim 4, wherein the box
further includes a flange surrounding the opening, and the cover
defines a peripheral channel, the channel fasteningly receiving the
flange.
6. The stackable container as recited in claim 5, wherein a gasket
is disposed in the channel in order to increase hermetic sealing of
the cover.
7. The stackable container as recited in claim 2, wherein the
holding means further comprises a slotted bottom beam engaged on
the bottom of the box.
8. The stackable container as recited in claim 3, wherein each
second sidewall has two first fastening sockets, each first slotted
member has a first fastening protrusion at each of opposite ends
thereof, and the first fastening protrusions are removably engaged
in the first fastening sockets such that the first slotted members
are removably engaged in the box.
9. The stackable container as recited in claim 7, wherein a middle
part of the bottom of the box defines a second recess, each second
sidewall further has a third fastening socket corresponding to the
second recess, the slotted bottom beam has a third fastening
protrusion at each of opposite ends thereof, and the third
fastening protrusions are removably engaged in the third fastening
sockets such that the slotted bottom beam is removably engaged in
the second recess.
10. The stackable container as recited in claim 3, wherein the
holding means further comprises a pair of second slotted members
engaged on the bottom of the box adjacent the first sidewalls
respectively.
11. The stackable container as recited in claim 10, wherein the
bottom of the box defines a pair of first recesses adjacent the
first sidewalls respectively, each second sidewall has two second
fastening sockets at both comers thereof respectively, each second
slotted member has a second fastening protrusion at each of
opposite ends thereof, and the second slotted members are removably
engaged in the first recesses, with the second fastening
protrusions being removably engaged in the second fastening
sockets.
12. The stackable container as recited in claim 2, wherein the
first slotted members are made of expanded polypropylene.
13. The stackable container as recited in claim 7, wherein the
slotted bottom beam is made of expanded polypropylene.
14. The stackable container as recited in claim 10, wherein the
second slotted members are made of expanded polypropylene.
15. The stackable container as recited in claim 2, wherein the box
is made of a plastic that can prevent the buildup of static
electricity.
16. A stackable container assembly comprising: a plurality of
containers stacked upon one another, each of said containers
including a box defined by four side walls and a bottom wall which
commonly constitute a receiving space with a top opening; at least
an abutment device formed on an interior surface of at least one of
the bottom wall and the side walls for not only supporting another
container which is stacked thereon and is essentially located in
the receiving space, but also positioning corresponding holding
devices which are positioned on said interior surface for holding
panels in a parallel relation with one another when said another
container is removed from the receiving space through said top
opening.
17. The stackable container assembly as claimed in 16, wherein said
at least one of the bottom wall and the side wall is the bottom
wall.
18. A stackable container assembly comprising: a container defining
a box configuration with a bottom wall and four side walls which
commonly form a receiving space being upwardly open to an exterior;
and at least one raised device formed on an exterior surface of at
least one of said bottom wall and said side walls; wherein said at
least one raised device is configured to cooperate with at least
one of said bottom wall and said side walls to position a holding
device, which is removably disposed in the receiving space and
defines slots for holding panels.
19. The stackable container assembly as claimed in claim 18,
wherein said raised device further provides a spacing function to
supportably position another container under a condition that the
holding device is removed from the receiving space and said another
container is essentially stacked upon the container and disposed in
the receiving space instead for saving space in storing a plurality
of containers.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a type of container usually
used in large numbers, and more particularly to a stackable
container for holding and transporting objects such as LCD
panels.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] When LCD displays are mass produced, the process usually
includes a preliminary process for fabricating LCD panels, and then
an assembly process for attaching backlight modules, driving
circuits and frames to the LCD panels to thereby produce the LCD
displays. The preliminary process and the assembly process are
generally performed at different work areas of a factory. The
fabricated LCD panels are commonly placed in containers, which are
then transported to the assembly work area. The containers protect
the LCD panels from damage, and help reduce production costs.
[0005] Taiwan patent publication No. 456363 issued on Sep. 21, 2001
discloses a container for holding fragile LCD panels. Referring to
FIG. 5, the container includes a body 1, a cover 2, and removable
slotted plates 3, 4. The body 1 and the cover 2 are made of an
expanded plastic having a low coefficient of expansion. The slotted
plates 3, 4 are made of an expanded plastic having a high
coefficient of expansion.
[0006] The body 1 includes a pair of opposite sidewalls, and a
partition wall 11 midway between the sidewalls. At least two pairs
of mutually opposite arrays of insertion slots 12 are defined in
the sidewalls and the partition wall 11. First recesses 13 are
defined in a bottom of the body 1. Second recesses 21 are defined
in a top of the cover 2. The slotted plates 3, 4 respectively
define a plurality of slots 31, 41 in one side thereof. The slotted
beams 3 further include a backboard 32 that can be inserted into
corresponding inserted slots 12 of the body 1. The slotted bottom
beams 4 are mounted in the recesses 13, 21 of the body 1 and the
cover 2, with fastening protrusions 42 of the slotted bottom beams
4 engaging in fastening sockets 44 located at the first recesses 13
and the second recesses 21. LCD panels are then inserted into the
slots 31 of the slotted beams 3, and the cover 2 is mounted onto
the body 1. Thus top and bottom ends of the LCD panels are held in
the slots 41 of the slotted bottom beams 4 that are located in the
bottom of the body 1 and the top of the cover 2 respectively.
[0007] Because the slotted beams 3 and the slotted bottom beams 4
are made of an expanded plastic having a high coefficient of
expansion, they provide adequate shock-proofing so as to protect
the LCD panels from damage during loading, transportation and
unloading. In addition, the body 1 and the cover 2 are made of an
expanded plastic having a low coefficient of expansion, so that
they can withstand external impact and protect the LCD panels from
damage.
[0008] After the LCD panels are unloaded from the containers, the
empty containers must be taken back to the loading area where LCD
panels are fabricated. The empty containers occupy a large space,
which makes their transportation unduly efficient, and this in
effect increases costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is therefore an objective of the present invention to
provide a stackable container that can increase the efficiency of
its mass transportation and thereby reduce costs.
[0010] In order to achieve the above objective, a stackable
container for storing panels includes a box including a plurality
of sidewalls and a bottom, the sidewalls and bottom cooperatively
defining a receiving space having an opening; and a holding means
removably engaged in the box, for receiving and holding the panels
in the box; wherein an area of the opening is larger than an area
of the bottom.
[0011] When the stackable container is not in use, the holding
means can be removed, so that the box is empty. A plurality of the
boxes can then easily be stacked. In addition, a plurality of the
holding means can be easily stored together. Consequently, the
stackable container saves a great deal of space during storage and
transportation thereof. Thus, the costs of storage and
transportation of the stackable container are reduced.
[0012] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a stackable
container in accordance with the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a box of the stackable
container of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the stackable container
of FIG. 1 fully assembled;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of three boxes of three
stackable containers of FIG. 1 being stacked together; and
[0017] FIG. 5 is an exploded, isometric view of a conventional
container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a stackable container 100 in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
includes a box 60, a holding means 61, and a cover 50.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 2, the box 60 is made of a plastic that
can prevent the buildup of static electricity. The box 60 includes
a pair of opposite first sidewalls 62, a pair of opposite second
sidewalls 64, and a bottom 63 (see FIG. 3). The first sidewalls 62,
the second sidewalls 64 and the bottom 63 cooperatively define a
receiving space therebetween, the receiving space having an opening
66. A peripheral flange 65 extends horizontally outwardly from a
top end of the box 60 at the opening 66. The box 60 has a
trapezoidal profile when viewed from an end elevation opposite
either first sidewall 62. Similarly, the box 60 has a trapezoidal
profile when viewed from an end elevation opposite either second
sidewall 64. That is, the box 60 is slightly flared from bottom to
top, with an area of the opening 66 being slightly larger than an
area of the bottom 63.
[0020] The holding means 61 includes two first slotted beams 70,
two second slotted beams 80, and a slotted bottom beam 90. The
first slotted beam 70, the second slotted beams 80, and the slotted
bottom beam 90 are all made of an expanded plastic having a high
coefficient of expansion, such as expanded polypropylene (EPP).
Each first slotted beam 70 defines a plurality of parallel first
slots 72. A first fastening protrusion 71 is formed on each of
opposite ends of the first slotted beam 70. Each second slotted
beam 80 has an "L" shaped profile. The second slotted beam 80
defines a plurality of parallel "L" shaped second slots 82. A
second fastening protrusion is formed on each of opposite ends of
the second slotted beam 80. The slotted bottom beam 90 defines a
plurality of parallel third slots 92. A third fastening protrusion
91 is formed on each of opposite ends of the slotted bottom beam
90.
[0021] Referring also to FIG. 3, two parallel recesses 67 are
defined in an inside portion of the bottom 63 of the box 60,
adjacent the first sidewalls 62 respectively. A recess 68 is
defined in a middle of the inside portion of the bottom 63, between
the recesses 67. The bottom 63 thus defines two parallel raised
portions 69 respectively between the recesses 67, 68. Each second
sidewall 64 defines two first fastening sockets 641, two second
fastening sockets 643 (only one visible), and a third fastening
socket (not visible). The first fastening sockets 641 are located
at top inside comers of the second sidewall 64. The second
fastening sockets 643 are located at bottom inside comers of the
second sidewall 64. The third fastening socket is located in a
middle of a bottom portion of the second sidewall 64.
[0022] The cover 50 defines a channel 51 in a periphery of an
underside thereof. The channel 51 fasteningly receives the flange
65 of the box 60, so that the cover 50 is tightly attached onto the
box 60. Consequently, the cover 50 and the box 60 cooperatively
define a sealed space therein. Preferably, a gasket (not shown) is
disposed in the channel 51, to increase the hermetic sealing of the
cover 50.
[0023] In assembly of the stackable container 100, the second
slotted beams 80 are mounted into the recesses 67 of the box 60,
with the second fastening protrusions 81 removably engaging in the
second fastening sockets 643. The slotted bottom beam 90 is mounted
in the recess 68, with the third fastening protrusions 91 removably
engaging in the third fastening sockets. The first slotted beams 70
are mounted in an upper portion of the box 60, with the first
fastening protrusions 71 removably engaging in the first fastening
sockets 641. After such mounting, the first slots 72, the second
slots 82, and the third slots 92 are aligned with each other in
one-to-one correspondence, for cooperatively receiving and holding
LCD panels.
[0024] Referring also to FIG. 4, when the stackable container 100
is not in use, the cover 50, the first slotted beams 70, the second
slotted beams 80 and the slotted bottom beam 90 can be removed so
that the box 60 is empty. A plurality of the boxes 60 can then
easily be stacked. The raised portions 69 of each box 60 restrict
the depth to which the next box 60 can enter the receiving space,
which makes it easier to separate the boxes 60 later on when
needed.
[0025] In addition, the cover 50 is substantially a flat board, so
that a plurality of the covers 50 can easily be stacked.
Furthermore, a plurality of the slotted beams 70, 80 and the
slotted bottom beams 90 can be easily stored together.
Consequently, the stackable container 100 saves a great deal of
space during storage and transportation thereof. Thus, the costs of
storage and transportation of the stackable container 100 are
reduced.
[0026] It is to be understood that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been
set out in the foregoing description, together with details of the
structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is
illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in
matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the
principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the
broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are
expressed.
* * * * *