U.S. patent application number 10/970746 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-26 for combination shipping container and display rack.
Invention is credited to Assmann, Martin C..
Application Number | 20050110373 10/970746 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34383929 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050110373 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Assmann, Martin C. |
May 26, 2005 |
Combination shipping container and display rack
Abstract
A combination shipping container and display rack has a body
with a top, a bottom, and two sides forming one or more
sub-container cavities, each cavity is accessible from the front
and/or the rear of the rack. The rack also has one or more
sub-containers within the cavities, one or more closure panels to
shield the sub-containers during transport, wheels for rolling the
rack across a surface, and a pair of forklift tine receptacles for
lifting the rack. The rack and/or the sub-containers may have
electronically and/or optically readable identification tags. The
rack may use a battery and/or an external power source to power
light elements and/or a refrigeration unit. The rack may include
supports with attachment points for hooks, brackets and/or shelves
to support the sub-containers. The closure panels and/or the
sub-container may be constructed of wire mesh, transparent
material, or stainless steel.
Inventors: |
Assmann, Martin C.; (Bremen,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LATHROP & GAGE LC
4845 PEARL EAST CIRCLE
SUITE 300
BOULDER
CO
80301
US
|
Family ID: |
34383929 |
Appl. No.: |
10/970746 |
Filed: |
October 21, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/249.8 ;
312/116; 312/236; 312/249.11; 62/371 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 25/101 20130101;
A47F 1/126 20130101; A47F 5/137 20130101; A47F 3/004 20130101; B65D
7/20 20130101; A47F 3/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/249.8 ;
312/116; 312/236; 312/249.11; 062/371 |
International
Class: |
A47F 001/04; A47F
007/00; A47F 003/04; F25D 011/00; A47B 077/08; A47B 049/00; A47B
046/00; A47B 097/00; F25D 003/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 22, 2003 |
CA |
2,443,755 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A combination shipping container and display rack, comprising; a
body having a top, a bottom, and two sides forming one or more
sub-container cavities, each cavity accessible from at least one of
a front and a rear of the rack; one or more sub-containers for
placement within the sub-container cavities; a closure panel for
overlying at least one of the front and the rear of the rack, to
shield the sub-containers during transport; wheels being mounted to
the bottom for rolling the rack across a surface; and a pair of
forklift tine receptacles mounted to the bottom, for lifting the
rack by a forklift.
2. The rack of claim 1, further comprising at least one
identification tag.
3. The rack of claim 2, the identification tag being attached to
one or more of the body and one or more sub-containers.
4. The rack of claim 3, the indentification tag being one or both
of electronically and optically readable.
5. The rack of claim 1, each sub-container having a front panel
divided into an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper
portion being one of movable or removable to provide access to
goods within the sub-container during retail display
6. The rack of claim 1, further comprising at least one locking
device for affixing at least one of the sub-containers to the
body.
7. The rack of claim 6, at least one of the locking devices
comprising one or more of: (a) a hook and a corresponding eyelet;
(b) a hasp; (c) a latch; (d) a snap; (e) a bolt; (f) an
electromechanical device; (g) a magnet; and (h) an
electromagnet.
8. The rack of claim 1, the closure panel being moveable between a
shipping position and a display position, in the shipping position
the closure panel overlying at least part of one of the
sub-container cavities, in the display position the closure panel
permitting access to at least one of the sub-container
cavities.
9. The rack of claim 8, the closure panel being foldable.
10. The rack of claim 1, one or more of the sub-containers having a
mesh.
11. The rack of claim 1, further comprising at least one
containment lip wherein a sub-container is removed from the rack by
being lifted over the containment lip.
12. The rack of claim 1, one or more sub-containers being
accessible from two sides of the rack.
13. The rack of claim 1, at least one of the sub-containers being
accessible from only one side of the rack.
14. The rack of claim 13, at least one other of the sub-containers
being accessible from one other side of the rack.
15. A combination shipping container and display rack, comprising:
a body having a top, two sides, a bottom and a plurality of
dividers, the body forming a plurality of sub-container cavities; a
plurality of sub-containers for placement within the sub-container
cavities such that the sub-containers are accessible from one of
the front and rear of the rack, each of the sub-containers having a
front panel divided into an upper portion and a lower portion, the
upper portion being one of movable or removable in order to provide
access to goods within the sub-container during retail display;
electronically readable identification tags mounted to at least one
of (a) the body and (b) one or more of the sub-containers; at least
one locking device to affix one or more of the sub-containers to
the body; one or more closure panels being positionable in a
shipping position and, alternatively, a display position, in the
shipping position the closure panels overlying at least part of one
of the sub-containers, thereby protecing the one sub-container
during shipment, in the display position the closure panels
permitting access to the one sub-container; wheels mounted to the
bottom such that the body is rollable across a surface; and a pair
of forklift tine receptacles mounted to the bottom, for lifting by
a forklift.
16. The rack of claim 15, wherein each sub-container comprises wire
mesh.
17. A combination shipping container and display rack, comprising:
a body having a top, a bottom, and two sides, the body forming one
or more sub-container cavities, each of the sub-container cavities
being accessible from at least one of a front and a rear of the
rack; one or more closure panels that cover at least one of the
sub-container cavities when positioned in a shipping position and
that exposes the at least one sub-container cavity when positioned
in a display position; one or more sub-containers, each of the
sub-containers being configured to fit within one of the
sub-container cavities such that goods therein are accessible when
the closure panels are in the display position; wheels mounted with
the bottom, and forklift tine receptacles mounted with the
bottom.
18. The rack of claim 17, wherein the goods are visible within at
least one of the sub-containers when the closure panels are in a
display position.
19. The rack of claim 17 wherein the goods are visible within at
least one of the sub-containers when the closure panels are in a
shipping position.
20. The rack of claim 17, at least one of the sub-containers
comprising stainless steel.
21. The rack of claim 17, at least one of the sub-containers
comprising a divider and a tensioner that bias goods towards a
front of the one sub-container.
22. The rack of claim 17, further comprising one or more
electronically readable identification tags attached with one of
(a) the body and (b) one or more sub-containers.
23. The rack of claim 17, further comprising one or more optically
readable identification tags attached with one of (a) the body and
(b) one or more sub-containers.
24. The rack of claim 17, further comprising one or more light
elements.
25. The rack of claim 24 the light elements comprising one or more
of (a) an LED display, (b) an incandescent light, (c) a fluorescent
light, (d) an LED, (e) a strobe light, and (f) a backlit sign.
26. The rack of claim 24, further comprising a power cord and a
power supply, to power the light elements.
27. The rack of claim 24, further comprising a battery, to power
the light elements.
28. The rack of claim 24, further comprising a power cord, a power
supply and a battery operable such that: (a) when the power cord is
unconnected to external power, the light elements draw power from
the battery, and (b) when the power cord connects to external
power, the light elements draw power from the external power
through the power cord and the battery recharges.
29. The rack of claim 17, further comprising a refrigeration unit
for cooling at least one of the sub-container cavities.
30. The rack of claim 29, further comprising insulation to reduce
heat transfer into and out of the one sub-container cavity.
31. The rack of claim 17, wherein at least one sub-container is
accessible from the front and at least one sub-container is
accessible from the rear.
32. The rack of claim 17, further comprising supports forming
attachment points, for supporting the sub-containers at one or more
selectable locations within the rack.
33. The rack of claim 32, further comprising one or more of hooks,
brackets, and shelves that engage with the supports to suport the
sub-container.
34. The rack of claim 17, one or more of the closure panels and
sub-containers comprising at least one of transparent material,
mesh, and stainless steel.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to commonly-owned Canadian
Patent Application Number 2,443,755, filed 22 Oct. 2003 and
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Retail distribution channels generally begin at a
manufacturer and end at a retailer; there may also be third parties
between the manufacturer and the retailer.
[0003] Handling goods as they pass through a distribution channel
can result in labor expenses and risks of breakage or spoilage. The
retailer ultimately recoups these expenses and risks, resulting in
an increased price that a consumer pays for the goods.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A combination shipping container and display rack has a body
with a top, a bottom, and two sides forming one or more
sub-container cavities, each cavity is accessible from the front
and/or the rear of the rack. The rack also has one or more
sub-containers within the cavities, and may also have one or more
closure panels to shield the sub-containers during transport. The
rack may include one or more dividers used in forming the cavities.
The rack may, optionally, have wheels for rolling the rack across a
surface, and/or a pair of forklift tine receptacles for lifting the
rack. The rack and/or the sub-containers may have electronically
and/or optically readable identification tags. The rack may use a
battery and/or an external power source to power light elements
and/or a refrigeration unit. The rack may include supports with
attachment points for hooks, brackets and/or shelves to support the
sub-containers. The closure panels and/or all or part of the
sub-containers may be constructed of wire mesh, transparent
material, or stainless steel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 shows one combination shipping container and display
rack
[0006] FIG. 2 shows the combination shipping container and display
rack of FIG. 1 with four sub-containers, each employing a mesh.
[0007] FIG. 3 shows exemplary detail of the combination shipping
container and display rack of FIG. 1, including identification tags
attached thereto.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the combination shipping
container and display rack of FIG. 1 showing closure panels opened
in a display position.
[0009] FIG. 5A shows an optional containment lip for use at an edge
of a cavity for a sub-container.
[0010] FIG. 5B shows the optional containment lip of FIG. 5A.
[0011] FIG. 6 shows optional locking devices in the form of hooks
for one sub-container.
[0012] FIG. 7 shows one sub-container with an optional locking
device.
[0013] FIG. 8 shows one sub-container with an optional front
panel.
[0014] FIG. 9 shows a schematic top view of a sub-container with a
divider and with a tensioner that bias goods towards a front of the
sub-container.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one combination shipping
container and display rack.
[0016] FIG. 11 shows one combination shipping container and display
rack with light elements.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a cut-away top view of one combination shipping
container and display rack with a refrigeration unit.
[0018] FIG. 13 is a cut-away top view of one combination shipping
container and display rack with a refrigeration unit.
[0019] FIG. 14 shows one combination shipping container and display
rack with supports and attachment points for sub-containers.
[0020] FIG. 15 shows a bracket that engages certain attachment
points of FIG. 14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 shows one combination shipping container and display
rack 10(1). Display rack 10(1) is shown with a body 12 having a top
14, a bottom 16, two sides 18, a back 19(1) and a plurality of
dividers 15. Body 12 has one or more cavities 20 which serve as
receptacles for sub-containers, as described below. Referring to
FIG. 4, cavities 20 may be accessible from at least a front side 1,
and, when back 19(1) is not present, from a rear side 2. Each
cavity 20 may be bounded by top 14, bottom 16, sides 18 and/or one
or more dividers 15, as shown. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, wheels
22 and/or forklift tine receptacles 24 may mount to bottom 16 of
body 12. Wheels 22 may include a locking mechanism 23 to prevent
theft and/or unintentional movement of display rack 10(1).
[0022] Rack 10(1) is for example used to ship goods (e.g., goods 5,
FIG. 8) from a distributor or manufacturer to a retail location,
which then displays the goods using rack 10(1).
[0023] FIG. 2 shows rack 10(1) with four sub-containers 26,
identified in FIG. 2 as sub-containers 26(1), 26(2), 26(3) and
26(4), each shown with a mesh 28. Mesh 28 is for example wire mesh.
Sub-containers 26 may be made of any suitable material (e.g.,
plastic, glass, metal or combinations thereof). For visibility of
goods in retail applications, see-through materials such as glass,
transparent plastic, or wire mesh may be used; for refrigerated
and/or frozen goods, materials such as stainless steel or glass may
be used. See also FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. Visible surfaces of rack
10(1)--such as sides 18, top 14, dividers 15, and/or closure panels
32 (see FIG. 4)--may include writing or graphics for
advertising.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows exemplary detail of rack 10(1). In accord with
one embodiment, two identification tags 30 illustratively attach to
body 12 and to a sub-container 26. Tags 30 may attach to body 12
and/or sub-containers 26 by utilizing, for example, adhesives,
pockets and/or other mechanical apparatus. Each tag 30 may provide
information such as, for example, a serial number of rack 10(1),
number and/or type(s) of sub-containers 26 loaded therein, a type
and/or quantity of goods loaded within sub-containers 26,
manufacturing and/or shipping dates, manufacturing traceability
information. Identification tags 30 may be electronically readable
(e.g., an RFID tag) and/or may be optically readable (e.g., a
barcode).
[0025] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional top view (as indicated by line
A-A in FIG. 2) of rack 10(1). In one embodiment, rack 10(1)
includes two closure panels 32(1) and 32(2), shown opened in a
display position in FIG. 4. Closure panels 32(1) and 32(2) may, for
example, fold in the direction of arrows 33(1) and 33(2),
respectively, against body 12 in a shipping position, where they
may be fixed to body 12 by a locking device (e.g., snaps, bolts,
latches, locks, electromechanical devices, magnets, electromagnets,
or combinations thereof). When opened, as shown in FIG. 4, closure
panels 32 permit viewing of goods within rack 10(1).
[0026] In other embodiments, closure panels 32 may attach to body
12 in the shipping position, and may detach when goods within rack
10(1) are on display. Alternatively, closure panels 32 may
permanently attach to rack 10(1) and cover sub-container cavities
20 in a shipping position and may fold or roll up within body 12 in
a display position. Storing closure panels 32 within body 12 may be
useful at shipment or retail locales where space is limited.
Closure panels 32 may provide security at a retail location, for
example, when rack 10(1) is utilized as an unattended kiosk.
[0027] Closure panels 32 may be constructed of various materials
depending on the type of goods and a retail location of rack 10(1).
For example, when rack 10(1) is utilized as a kiosk, closure panels
32 made of transparent materials (e.g., glass, transparent plastic,
wire mesh) allow viewing of goods inside rack 10(1) even when
closed. In other applications, closure panels 32 may be made of
inexpensive yet sturdy material (e.g., metal) to provide protection
during shipping.
[0028] FIGS. 5A and 5B are side and front views, respectively,
showing an optional lower containment lip 34 on a divider 15 that
bounds a cavity 20. A sub-container 26 (not shown in FIGS. 5A and
5B) is lifted over lip 34 to enter or leave cavity 20, so that lip
34 secures sub-container 26 in cavity 20.
[0029] Other locking devices may be included with rack 10(1). For
example, FIG. 6 shows an optional locking device 36 in the form of
a hook for one sub-container 26(5). FIG. 7 shows one sub-container
26(6) with an optional locking device 38 in the form of an eyelet
on sub-container 26(6), that engages a corresponding locking device
36 mounted on body 12. Other forms of locking devices may also be
used; for example, hasps and latches that engage between a
sub-container and body 12.
[0030] FIG. 8 shows one sub-container 26(7) with an optional front
panel 40 that has an upper portion 42 and a lower portion 44. Upper
portion 42, shown in an opened position for access to goods 5,
opens and closes in the direction of arrow 43. Accordingly, in one
embodiment, a sub-container may form a tray for goods placed
thereon; the tray may be kept in place by sides 18, dividers 15
and/or closure panels 32 of rack 10(1).
[0031] FIG. 9 shows a schematic top view of one sub-container 26(8)
with a divider 43 and with a tensioner 46 that bias goods 5 towards
a front 3 of sub-container 26(8). Divider 43 and tensioner 46 are
also shown in dashed lines to illustrate a compressed position of
divider 43 and tensioner 46 when goods 5 fill sub-container 26(8).
As goods 5 are removed, tensioner 46 pushes divider 43 in the
direction of arrow 45, as shown, to keep goods 5 near front 3 of
sub-container 26(8), for convenient access. Tensioner 46 may be a
spring, as shown in FIG. 9. It may alternatively utilize gas
pressure or an elastic force to bias divider 44 towards goods
5.
[0032] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one combination shipping
container and display rack 10(2). Rack 10(2) is illustratively
shown with a top 14, dividers 15(2), bottom 16(2), sides 18(2),
wheels 22(2), forklift tine receptacles 24(2), and closure panels
32(3) and 32(4). Closure panels 32(3) and 32(4) are shown open in a
display position in FIG. 10. Top 14(2), dividers 15(2), bottom
16(2) and sides 18(2) form cavities 20(2), as shown. Each cavity
20(2) may hold a sub-container 26 with goods 5. For example,
sub-containers 26(9), 26(10) and 26(11) are shown open to expose
goods 5 for display. One sub-container 26(9) is shown partially out
of one cavity 20(3) to illustrate that sub-containers can be
removed from rack 10(2).
[0033] FIG. 11 shows one combination shipping container and display
rack 10(3) with light elements 50. Light elements 50 may for
example include light-emitting diode ("LED") displays 50(1), 50(2)
and light emitters 50(3). Light elements 50 may mount on any
convenient surface of rack 10(3). In FIG. 11, light emitters 50(3)
mount with sides 18(3) and top 14(3), while LED display 50(1)
mounts with top 14(3) and LED display 50(2) mounts with one divider
15(3). Altogether, light elements 50 may draw attention to rack
10(3) and/or goods therein, and may display information such as
descriptions of the goods, prices, advertising slogans, and the
like. Light elements 50 may also light rack 10(3), goods within
rack 10(3) and/or an area surrounding rack 10(3), for example, when
rack 10(3) is used as a kiosk in an otherwise unlit area. Light
emitters 50(3) may be, for example, incandescent or fluorescent
lights, LEDs, strobe lights, or backlit signs, and may optionally
be configured to vary over time by flashing, sparkling, running,
and so forth. Electrical connections 54 for light emitters 50(3)
and/or LED displays 50(1), 50(2) may be integrated into a body
12(3) and/or dividers 15(3) of rack 10(3), as shown. Power for
light emitters 50(3) and/or LED displays 50(1), 50(2) may be
provided through a power cord 56(1) to a power supply 57(1), or,
optionally, from a battery 58(1). Power supply 57(1) and battery
58(1) may thus be configured so that light emitters 50(3) and/or
LED displays 50(1), 50(2) utilize power from battery 58(1) when
external power is not available. When external power is available,
the external power through cord 56(1) may be utilized (a) for light
emitters 50(3) and/or LED displays 50(1), 50(2), and/or (b) for
recharging battery 58(1).
[0034] FIG. 12 is a cut-away top view of one combination shipping
container and display rack 10(4) with a refrigeration unit 60(1).
Refrigeration unit 60(1) cools the interior of rack 10(4), making
rack 10(4) suitable, for example, for refrigerated and/or frozen
goods. Power for refrigeration unit 60(1) may be provided
externally through a power cord 56(2) or a battery 58(2), and may
be connected through a power supply 57(2) in a manner similar to
power for light elements 50 discussed above. In rack 10(4), sides
18(4), a back 19(2) and a closure panel 32(5) (and a top and a
bottom, not shown) may include insulation 64 to reduce heat
transfer into and out of rack 10(4).
[0035] FIG. 13 is a cut-away top view of a combination shipping
container and display rack 10(5) with a refrigeration unit 60(2)
that cools a region 62 of rack 10(5). Heat transfer into and out of
region 62 is reduced by insulation 64 within sides 18(5), dividers
15(5) and closure panel 32(6) surrounding region 62, as shown. Rack
10(5) is accessible from front side 1 and from rear side 2; in this
embodiment, sub-containers 26(13) within refrigerated region 62 are
accessible from rear side 2. Power for refrigeration unit 60(2) may
be provided externally through a power cord 56(3) or a battery
58(3), and may be connected through a power supply 57(3) in a
manner such as discussed for light elements 50 above.
[0036] FIG. 14 shows one combination shipping container and display
rack 10(6) with supports 70 that form attachment points 72 for
modifiable configurations of sub-containers 26, shown
illustratively as sub-container 26(14). Supports 70 may be
integrated with a back 19(3) of rack 10(6), but supports 70 may be
on sides 18(6) or otherwise disposed within a rack 10(6). Brackets
74 may engage attachment points 72 to suspend sub-containers 26(14)
within rack 10(6). Sub-container 26(14) thereby rests on brackets
74, as shown.
[0037] FIG. 15 shows a bracket 74 that engages certain of
attachment points 72. Attachment points 72 may be apertures formed
in support 70; a mounting tab 76 may engage one such aperture to
support bracket 74. A retaining tab 82 may prevent a sub-container
26 placed on one or more brackets 74 from dislodging during
stocking or transport.
[0038] Sub-containers 26(14) may be configured within a rack 10(6)
by mechanisms other than supports 70, attachment points 72 and
brackets 74. For example, hooks or moveable shelves may engage
attachment points 72. Tabs (e.g., like mounting tab 76) or hooks
may integrate with a sub-container 26(14) to engage attachment
points 72 directly. Supports 70 may attach to sides 18(6), top
14(6) and/or bottom 16(6) of rack 10(6), or may be integrated
therewith. Brackets 74 may include rails that engage with
sub-containers 26(14) so that sub-containers 26(14) slide partially
or completely out of body 12(6). Attachment points 72 may be
protrusions instead of apertures; shelves or sub-containers 26(12)
may rest directly on such protrusions. Sub-containers 26(14) may
stack on bottom 16(6) of rack 10(6); sub-containers 26(14) may
include mechanical features such that a top surface of one
sub-container 26(14) engages a bottom surface of another
sub-container 26(14) placed thereon.
[0039] Accordingly, as described above, a rack 10 may begin as a
shipping container for goods 5. Referring to FIG. 8, a shipper may
load goods into sub-containers 26 via upper portion 42 of each
sub-container 26, and then, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, may install
sub-containers 26 into appropriate sub-container cavities 20 of
body 12. Alternatively, referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, a shipper may
install sub-containers 26 within body 12 using brackets, hooks,
shelves and the like. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the shipper may
attach identification tags 30 to body 12 and/or sub-containers 26,
and may place sub-containers 26 and closure panels 32A and 32B in
transport position, securing the sub-containers for transport.
Identification tags 30 may be read during stocking, shipment or
display at a retail location to determine the identity and/or
contents of rack 10, sub-containers 26 and/or goods 5 therein.
Referring to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6 and 7, the shipper may place each
sub-container 26 behind a corresponding lower containment lip 34,
and engage locking devices 36 with locking devices 38 to enhance
the stability of goods within body 12. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2,
rack 10 may be loaded into vehicles by a forklift utilizing tine
receptacles 24, or by rolling on wheels 22. Upon arrival at a
distribution or retail location, rack 10 may be unloaded by a
forklift utilizing tine receptacles 24, or by rolling on wheels 22.
Referring to FIG. 4, closure panels 32 may be removed or placed in
display position. Referring to FIG. 7, locking devices 36 may be
disengaged from locking devices 38, so that rack 10 may be used to
display goods. Referring to FIG. 8, a retailer may open upper
portion 42 of each sub-container 26 to make goods within the
sub-container accessible for public inspection and consumption.
Referring to FIG. 9, a divider 44 and a tensioner 46 may push goods
5 towards a front edge of a sub-container 26 as goods are removed,
so that the remaining goods are easily accessible. Referring to
FIG. 11, light features and/or LED displays may be utilized (a) to
improve visibility of goods within rack 10, and/or (b) for
advertising. Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, part or all of a rack 10
may be refrigerated. Referring to FIG. 13, sub-containers 26 may be
accessible from one or both sides of rack 10. Referring to FIGS. 14
and 15, attachment points 72 and/or brackets 74 may enable
modifiable configurations of containers 26 within rack 10.
[0040] The changes described above, and others, may be made in the
combination shipping container and display rack described herein
without departing from the scope hereof. It should thus be noted
that the matter contained in the above description or shown in the
accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not
in a limiting sense. The following claims are intended to cover all
generic and specific features described herein, as well as all
statements of the scope of the present method and system, which, as
a matter of language, might be said to fall there between.
* * * * *