U.S. patent application number 12/558783 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-18 for collapsible crate with multiple position support.
Invention is credited to Mauricio D. Cavalcante, Gerald R. Koefelda.
Application Number | 20100065558 12/558783 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41277667 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100065558 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cavalcante; Mauricio D. ; et
al. |
March 18, 2010 |
COLLAPSIBLE CRATE WITH MULTIPLE POSITION SUPPORT
Abstract
A container includes a plurality of walls pivotably connected to
a base. At least one support is selectively positionable at one of
a plurality of heights relative to the base.
Inventors: |
Cavalcante; Mauricio D.;
(Atlanta, GA) ; Koefelda; Gerald R.; (Sunningdale,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARLSON, GASKEY & OLDS, P.C.
400 WEST MAPLE ROAD, SUITE 350
BIRMINGHAM
MI
48009
US
|
Family ID: |
41277667 |
Appl. No.: |
12/558783 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61097192 |
Sep 15, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/4.28 ;
220/890 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 21/0226 20130101;
B65D 11/1833 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/4.28 ;
220/890 |
International
Class: |
B65D 6/18 20060101
B65D006/18 |
Claims
1. A container comprising: a base; a plurality of walls extending
upward from the base, the plurality of walls including a first wall
and a second wall movable from an upright position to a collapsed
position on the base; and a support mounted to the first wall and
movable relative to the first wall between a retracted position, a
high stacking position and a low stacking position.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein the support extends further
into a mouth of the container when the support is in the high
stacking position and the low stacking position than when the
support is in the retracted position.
3. The container of claim 1 wherein the support is pivotably and
slidably mounted to the first wall and movable relative to the
first wall between the high and low stacking positions and the
retracted position.
4. The container of claim 1 wherein the support is partially
supported on the second wall in the high stacking position and in
the low stacking position.
5. The container of claim 4 wherein the second wall includes a high
stacking notch partially supporting the support in the high
stacking position and a low stacking notch for partially supporting
the support in the low stacking position.
6. The container according to any of claims 1-5 wherein the second
wall includes an upper channel through which a portion of the
support passes when the first wall is moved from the upright
position to the collapsed position.
7. The container according to any of claims 1-6 wherein the second
wall includes a lower channel through which the support passes when
the first wall is moved from the low stacking position directly to
the collapsed position.
8. A container comprising: a base; a plurality of walls pivotably
connected to the base and pivotable between an upright position and
a collapsed position on the base, the plurality of walls including
a first wall and a second wall; and a support movable relative to
the first wall between a retracted position, a high stacking
position and a low stacking position, the support extending further
into a mouth of the container when the support is in the high
stacking position and the low stacking position than when the
support is in the retracted position.
9. The container of claim 8 wherein the second wall includes a high
stacking notch partially supporting the support in the high
stacking position and a low stacking notch for partially supporting
the support in the low stacking position.
10. The container according to claim 8 wherein the second wall
includes an upper channel through which a portion of the support
passes when the first wall is moved from the upright position to
the collapsed position.
11. The container according to claim 8 wherein the second wall
includes a lower channel through which the support passes when the
first wall is moved from the low stacking position directly to the
collapsed position.
12. A method for using a collapsible container having a base, a
first wall and a second wall, and a support mounted to the first
wall, the method including the steps of: a) moving the support from
a retracted position toward an interior of the container to a high
stacking position; b) moving the support from the high stacking
position to a low stacking position; and c) moving the support and
the first wall to a collapsed position on the base.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein said step c) includes the step
of moving the support directly from the low stacking position
toward the collapsed position on the base.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein said step c) includes the step
of moving the support directly from the high stacking position
toward the collapsed position on the base.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/097,192, filed Sep. 15, 2008.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to containers and
more particularly to a collapsible container with support members
for supporting another container thereon at multiple heights.
[0003] Many different types of collapsible containers for
transporting and storing goods are known. Generally, the
collapsible containers include end walls and side walls pivotably
connected to a base. The end walls and side walls latch to one
another to remain in an upright, use position and are collapsible
onto the base for efficient storage and shipping when empty. Some
collapsible containers include retractable supports so that another
(generally different type) container can be supported thereon. One
such container includes end walls each having a support that is
partially supported on the adjacent walls when in the support
position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides a collapsible container
having at least one support that can be selectively positioned at
more than one height relative to the base.
[0005] Generally, the collapsible container includes a plurality of
walls pivotably connected to a base. The walls latch to one another
to remain in an upright, use position and are collapsible onto the
base for efficient storage and shipping when empty. The collapsible
container includes retractable supports so that another container
can be supported thereon. The support can be selectively positioned
at more than one height relative to the base for more efficient
stacking of containers, depending upon the size of the goods stored
in the container. For smaller goods, the lower stacking height can
be used, thereby reducing the overall stacking height of the
containers. For larger goods, the high stacking height is used to
accommodate the larger goods.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to one
embodiment of the present invention with the supports in a
retracted position.
[0007] FIG. 2 shows the container of FIG. 1 with the supports in a
high stacking position.
[0008] FIG. 3 shows the container of FIG. 1 with the supports in a
low stacking position.
[0009] FIG. 4 shows the container of FIG. 1 in a collapsed
position.
[0010] FIG. 5 is an interior perspective view of one quarter of the
container of FIG. 1 with the support in the retracted position.
[0011] FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, with the end wall being moved
toward a collapsed position.
[0012] FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6 with the end wall in the
collapsed position.
[0013] FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7 with the side wall collapsed
onto the end wall.
[0014] FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 5, with the support in a
vertically extended position.
[0015] FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9 with the support being moved
toward the high stacking position.
[0016] FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 10 with the support in the high
stacking position.
[0017] FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 5, with the support in the
retracted position.
[0018] FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 12, with the support being moved
toward the low stacking position.
[0019] FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 13, with the support being in the
low stacking position.
[0020] FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 14, with the support and the end
wall being moved toward the collapsed position.
[0021] FIG. 16 shows the end wall in the collapsed position.
[0022] FIG. 17 shows the support in the high stacking position.
[0023] FIG. 18 shows the support and end wall being moved from the
high stacking position of FIG. 17 toward the collapsed
position.
[0024] FIG. 19 shows the end wall in the collapsed position.
[0025] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of half of the end wall.
[0026] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of half of the support.
[0027] FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the support mounted to
the end wall.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0028] A collapsible container 10 includes a base 12, collapsible
side walls 14 (or "long walls") and collapsible end walls 18 (or
"short walls"). The side walls 14 are pivotably connected to
upstanding side members 16, which are integrally molded with the
base 12 and extend upwardly along the side edges of the base 12.
Each end wall 18 includes a support member 20 pivotably and
slidably connected thereto by arms 24. Each of the support members
20 includes a support portion 21 extending between opposite ends
22, which protrude outwardly relative to the arms 24.
[0029] Each side wall 14 includes a set of channels 26, 28, 30
adjacent each end wall 18. An upper channel 26 and a first lower
channel 30 are open at an upper edge of the side wall 14. The upper
channel 26 and a second lower channel 28 meet at a recess 34 in the
side upstanding side members 16.
[0030] The end walls 18 each include a handle portion 36 defined by
a handle opening 38 therebelow.
[0031] In FIG. 1, the support members 20 are shown in the retracted
position. In FIG. 2, the support members 20 are shown in a high
stacking position, where they extend across a mouth of the
container 10 to facilitate stacking of another container (not
shown) on the support portions 21 of the support members 20.
[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates the support members 20 in a low stacking
position where the support portions 21 extend across the interior
of the container 10 such that a container can be supported on the
support portions 21 of the support members 20 at a lower height,
thus reducing stacking height when the containers 10 are not
full.
[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates the container 10 in a collapsed position,
where the end walls 18 are collapsed onto the base 12 and the side
walls 14 are collapsed on top of the end walls 18. In the collapsed
position, the empty container 10 can easily be shipped for reuse
while occupying the least volume.
[0034] The positions of the container 10 shown in FIGS. 1-4 and
described briefly above will be described in more detail with
reference to FIGS. 5-19, which are quarter section views of the
container 10 of FIGS. 1-4. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the container 10
is symmetric about the section lines.
[0035] FIG. 5, again illustrates the container 10 with the support
member 20 in the retracted position. The interior surface of the
side wall 14 includes the upper channel 26, which extends in an
arcuate path from an opening through the upper surface of the side
wall 14 down to an opening through the lower surface of the side
wall 14 where it is aligned with the recess 34 in the side
upstanding member 16. A high stacking notch 27 is formed adjacent
the upper channel 26. A first lower channel 30 extends from the
opening through the upper surface of the side wall 14 to a low
stacking notch 29 in a generally arcuate path. A second lower
channel 28 extends in an arcuate path from the low stacking notch
29 to meet and join with the upper channel 26 at the opening
through the lower surface of the side wall 14, again aligned with
the recess 34 in the side upstanding member 16.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the end wall 18 can be pivoted
from the upright position of FIG. 5 to the collapsed position of
FIG. 7 on the base 12. As the end wall 18 is pivoting downwardly,
the end 22 of the support member 20 is captured in the upper
channel 26 (FIG. 6) and is then received in the recess 34 in the
side upstanding member 16 (FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 8, the side
wall 14 is then pivoted onto the end wall 18.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 9, the arms 24 of the support member 20 are
also slidable relative to the end wall 18. As shown in FIG. 9, the
support member 20 can be pulled upward to the position shown, where
the support portion 21 is spaced directly above the end wall 18.
From that position, the support member 20 can be pivoted downward
as shown in FIG. 10. The support portion 20 is then further pivoted
to the high stacking position, shown in FIG. 11. In this position,
the ends 22 of the support member 20 are received in the high
nesting notches 27.
[0038] Again, starting from the retracted position shown in FIG.
12, the support member 20 can be pivoted downward into the first
lower channel 30, as shown in FIG. 13. The end of the support
member 20 is captured in the first lower channel 30 and is pivoted
downward into the low stacking notch 29 as shown in FIG. 14. From
the low stacking position, the end wall 18 can still be collapsed
directly, as shown in FIG. 15. The end 22 of the support member 20
is captured in the second lower channel 28 as the end wall 18 is
pivoted toward the base 12. The end 22 is received in the recess 34
of the side upstanding member 16 as the end wall 18 is received on
the base 12, as shown in FIG. 16.
[0039] Similarly, the end wall 18 can be collapsed when the support
member 20 is in the high stacking position, as shown in FIG. 17,
where the end 22 of the support member 20 is received in the high
stacking notch 27. As shown in FIG. 18, the end 22 of the support
member 20 moves downward within the upper channel 26 as the end
wall 18 is pivoted downward toward the base 12. Again, the end 22
of the support member 20 is received in the recess 34 of the side
upstanding member 16 as the end wall 18 is received on the base 12
as shown in FIG. 19.
[0040] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of half of the end wall 18
mounted in the base 12. The end wall 18 includes a vertical slot 40
adjacent a vertical flange 42 on each side of the end wall 18.
[0041] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of half of the support 20. As
shown, each arm 24 includes an inwardly protruding pin 44.
Referring to FIG. 22, the pin 44 of each arm 24 is received in the
adjacent vertical slot 40 in order to slidably and pivotably mount
the support 20 to the end wall 18. The vertical flange 42 abutting
each arm 24 keeps the support 20 from rotating outward of the end
wall 18. Other ways of slidably and pivotably mounting the support
20 to the end wall 18 or even the side walls 14 could also be
used.
[0042] In use, the container 10 can be loaded with goods when the
support members 20 are in the retracted position as shown in FIG.
1. If the goods occupy almost all of the interior of the container
10, the support members are moved to the high stacking position as
shown in FIG. 2, such that a dissimilar container (typically, a
nestable container, rather than a collapsible container) can be
stacked thereon. If the goods occupy only a small portion of the
interior of the container 10, the support members 20 are moved to
the low stacking position, as shown in FIG. 3, so that the
container stacked thereon will have a lower stacking height, thus
enabling more containers to occupy less height.
[0043] When the container is empty, it can be collapsed completely
as shown in FIG. 4 for return and reuse, while occupying a minimum
volume.
[0044] In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes and
jurisprudence, exemplary configurations described above are
considered to represent a preferred embodiment of the invention.
However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced
otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without
departing from its spirit or scope. For example, although two
stacking heights are disclosed, three or more stacking heights
could also be provided. Further, although the support member design
is shown extendable above the container, other designs with support
members that never extend above the container are also known and
could be adapted to the multi-position invention. Also, other
support member designs, such as how they attach to the end wall,
are known, and would be within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *