U.S. patent application number 12/505596 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-05 for storage box.
Invention is credited to Guenther Blesch, Siegfried HUMM.
Application Number | 20100193393 12/505596 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40719680 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100193393 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HUMM; Siegfried ; et
al. |
August 5, 2010 |
STORAGE BOX
Abstract
A storage box for storage, housing, and retrieval of articles
comprises a box, designed as a plastic injection-molded part,
having a large opening in a side wall. The opening in the side wall
is closed off by a flap that is supported adjacent the floor of the
box so as to be pivotal about an axis extending parallel to the
floor. The flap is able to completely close the opening, and can be
locked in this position. After being unlocked, the flap may be
pivoted out to a position in which it deviates only slightly from a
horizontal position. The flap as well is designed as an
injection-molded part. The box is designed in such a way that not
only may it be stacked, but mating interengagement without
additional devices is also provided as a result of the
stacking.
Inventors: |
HUMM; Siegfried;
(Schoental-Westernhausen, DE) ; Blesch; Guenther;
(Assamstradt, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KF ROSS PC
5683 RIVERDALE AVENUE, SUITE 203 BOX 900
BRONX
NY
10471-0900
US
|
Family ID: |
40719680 |
Appl. No.: |
12/505596 |
Filed: |
July 20, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/503 ;
220/315; 220/810 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 25/005 20130101;
B65D 21/0213 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/503 ;
220/810; 220/315 |
International
Class: |
B65D 21/00 20060101
B65D021/00; B65D 43/16 20060101 B65D043/16; B65D 45/00 20060101
B65D045/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 21, 2008 |
DE |
102008034540.7-27 |
Claims
1. A storage box comprising a body having a floor and at least four
side walls of which one is formed with an opening forming at least
part of the respective side wall and a flap in the opening,
outwardly pivoted about an axis adjacent the floor of the body and
extending parallel thereto, and having two end panels that rest
against edges of the opening in the side wall in an open position
of the flap.
2. The storage box according to claim 1 wherein the body has an
open top side.
3. The storage box according to claim 1 wherein the body has a
closed floor.
4. The storage box according claim 3 wherein the body has an at
least approximately quadrilateral shape.
5. The storage box according to claim 4 wherein the body has a
bottom side that is complementary to its top side.
6. (canceled)
7. The storage box according to claim 5 wherein the floor has an
outer edge that fits into the open top side of the body.
8. The storage box according to claim 7 wherein the opening at the
top side of the body has at least two sides an inwardly directed
shoulder and the floor of one box can sit on the shoulders of
another such box aligned underneath it.
9. The storage box according to claim 8 wherein the floor is
surrounded on all sides by projections at the bottom side of the
body.
10. The storage box according to claim 9 wherein the projections
are formed by the floor of the body.
11. The storage box according to claim 1 wherein an opening motion
of the flap is limited in particular by a stop.
12. The storage box according to claim 1 wherein the flap may be
removed in a fully opened condition.
13-15. (canceled)
16. The storage box according to claim 1 wherein the flap is at
least partially transparent.
17. The storage box according to claim 1, further comprising a lock
for the flap that may be unlocked with one hand.
18. (canceled)
19. The storage box according to claim 1 wherein the flap is formed
with a compartment for holding a sample article.
20. The storage box according to claim 1 wherein the flap is
supported at the bottom side of the end panels by a pivot pin.
21. The storage box according to claim 1 wherein the lower edge of
the flap is provided with a cylindrical rib that is accommodated in
a cylindrical groove in the body that encloses the cylindrical
rib.
22. A storage box comprising: a rectangular floor; four side walls
extending upward from and unitary with the floor, one of the side
walls being formed between an upper edge unitary with the other
side walls and a lower edge at the floor with a large throughgoing
opening; a generally planar flap complementary to and fittable in
the opening; bearing means at a lower edge of the flap for pivoting
of the flap between a vertical closed position fitting in and
closing the opening and a generally horizontal open position
projecting forwardly and giving access to an interior of the box
from the front through the opening; and a pair of end panels
unitary with the flap, projecting rearward generally
perpendicularly therefrom into the opening, and resting against
vertical side edges of the opening in the open position, the end
panels preventing contents of the box from falling out of the
opening past side edges of the flap in the open position.
23. The storage box defined in claim 22, further comprising stop
means engaged between the flap and the other side walls of the box
for preventing the flap from moving through enough of an angle when
shifting from the closed position to the open position to assume a
completely horizontal position.
24. The storage box defined in claim 22 wherein the end panels are
formed as circle segments.
25. The storage box defined in claim 22 wherein the flap and
opening are complementarily rectangular and the one side wall forms
a reinforcement bar extending unitarily between two of the others
side walls above the opening.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a storage box for storage and
retrieval of articles to be kept in large quantities.
[0002] As shelf systems, stackable storage boxes exist that have
two parallel end side walls, a floor, and a back side wall, are
open at the top, and have a partial front side wall. Access is
possible through open part of the front wall. Such boxes may be
stacked.
[0003] Also known are cartons made of cardboard where the front
wall is designed as a flap and can be folded forwardly out. This
front wall may be folded shut so that the contents of the cartons
are protected to a certain extent from getting dirty.
[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a storage box that
when stacked allows viewing into the container as well as is
removal from the container. A further aim is that the storage box
saves space.
[0005] This object is attained by the invention by means of a
storage box having the features of claim 1. Refinements of the
invention are the subject matter of the subclaims.
[0006] The storage box may be used not only to store the articles
contained therein, but, on account of the flap that may be pivoted
out, also to display them. The flap may also be used to refill the
storage box. Refilling as well as removal are made possible by the
end panels that prevent articles from falling out at the sides.
Since the articles can also be placed in the storage box when the
flap is open, it is possible to place a number of storage boxes one
on top of the other in shelves in a practically seamless manner,
since access from the top side of the storage box is not necessary
for initial or subsequent filling.
[0007] In one refinement of the invention the storage box has an
open top side.
[0008] Depending on the type of articles to be kept in the storage
box, the floor of the storage box may be designed as a grid, a
grate, or the like. However, to allow universal use of the storage
box for all types of goods, small as well as large articles, in one
refinement of the invention the storage box has a closed floor.
[0009] The storage box may have any given shape. However, in
particular to allow universal use and to enable the storage box to
be placed closely next to adjacent storage boxes in vertical as is
well as horizontal alignment, in one refinement the invention
provides that the body has an at least approximately quadrilateral
shape. The length, width, and height of the quadrilateral may be
arbitrarily selected.
[0010] In a further refinement of the invention the bottom side of
the body has a design that is complementary to the top side of the
body. Quadrilateral boxes may thus be stacked in this manner.
However, as a result of stacking, when this complementary design is
provided a mutual alignment of the storage boxes is also achieved
in such a way that the superposed boxes are secured from sliding
off.
[0011] It may be provided in particular that the storage box has a
floor on the bottom side of the body that in particular is provided
to achieve relative alignment of two superposed storage boxes when
stacked. The outer edge of the floor may be designed in such a way
that it fits into the opening at the top side of the body. Although
the floor does not have to have the exact same shape as the open
top side, it should be designed so that it not only fits inside but
also prevents lateral displacement. For example, it is sufficient
for the floor to rest with its corners on the inner wall of the
storage box that is open at the top.
[0012] According to the invention it may be provided that the
opening at the top side of the body has at least two sides inwardly
directed shoulders. These shoulders may be used to bear the weight
of a storage box thereabove.
[0013] In one refinement of the invention the floor is surrounded
on all sides by projections at the bottom side of the body.
[0014] These projections may in particular be formed from the
slightly outwardly protruding floor of the body. Thus, when two
storage boxes are placed one on top of the other the weight of the
box on top may be transmitted from these projections to the upper
edge of the box therebelow, and may be transmitted from the lower
edge of the floor to the referenced shoulders.
[0015] In one refinement of the invention the opening motion of the
flap is limited by a stop, for example. The limitation, for
example, may be such that the flap can be folded forwardly out from
a closed position in which it is vertical by an angle less than
90.degree.. Thus, a surface always remains that is inwardly
directed in the box. Articles inside the flap therefore cannot roll
out of the flap at the front.
[0016] In a further refinement of the invention it may be provided
that the flap can be removed from its bearing and thus from the
box. It is practical for this to be possible only in a specific
position, preferably only in the fully open position. This could
also be a position directly before the fully open position. The
bearing may be provided such that the flap may be easily opened and
closed, but in order to remove the flap a certain resistance must
be overcome.
[0017] The storage box advantageously has a locking device that
locks the flap in the closed position. The locking device is
preferably located at a single location of the flap or the body so
that it can be released by hand.
[0018] According to the invention the flap closes or opens a large
opening, the flap preferably extending over the entire width of the
corresponding front wall or side wall in a direction parallel to
the pivot axis of the flap. On the other hand, the opening of the
flap in the vertical direction may be limited by a brace-like
connection between the side walls. The stability of the box may be
improved in this manner.
[0019] At its front side the flap may have a space on which a
label, illustration, or lettering may be affixed to indicate to the
user the contents of the box when the flap is closed.
[0020] The flap may also have a transparent to translucent design,
at least in places, to allow direct viewing of the contents of the
storage box. By providing such a transparent to translucent region
in the lower section of the flap, it may be determined at a glance
whether the contents are running low.
[0021] According to the invention the flap has a compartment,
preferably a compartment provided with a wall that is visible from
the outside, in which a sample article is placed to indicate the
contents of the storage box.
[0022] The flap is provided with lateral pivot pins that engage
with corresponding bearing receptacles in the body. The flap may
have a cylindrical rib on its bottom side that engages with a
corresponding cylindrical channel in the floor of the box, so that
a slit provided at this location is kept narrow during the entire
opening and closing motion of the flap, thus preventing objects
from collecting in this slit or gap.
[0023] Further features, particulars, and advantages of the is
invention are seen in the claims and the abstract, the wording of
both making reference to the contents of the description, the
following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and
the drawings. Therein:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage box according to
the invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is an end view from the right of the storage box in
FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a front view of the storage box in the closed
position;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a side view of the flap of the box;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a large-scale view of the bearing for the
flap;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a detail view of the lock for the flap;
[0030] FIG. 7 is section along line VII-VII of FIG. 3; and
[0031] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the flap.
[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage box according to
the invention. The storage box has side walls extending parallel to
one another in pairs. The left side wall in FIG. 1 is formed by a
flap 2 that is designed to pivot about its lower edge 3. In the
region of its bottom side the storage box has a floor 4. The top
side of the storage box is open, thus forming an opening 26.
[0033] An upper edge 5 of the storage box is formed by a wide
flange 6 that projects outwardly around the opening 26. Below this
flange 6 and at a certain distance therefrom a second flange 7 is
provided that extends parallel to the upper flange 6 and has
approximately the same outward extension. A recess formed between
the two flanges 6 and 7 may be grasped by the hands in order to
carry the storage box. The narrower end side walls 1, of which one
is shown in FIG. 1, have vertical ribs 8 near their front and back
edges. The side wall 1 is flat in the space defined by the ribs 8
and the flange 7.
[0034] Above the floor 4 a further flange 9 extends around the
storage box, and is interrupted only at the front shown at the left
in FIG. 1. The bottom side of the flange 9 forms a projection with
respect to the floor 4.
[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the side provided with the
flap 2 is referred to as the front side of the storage box.
Depending on the viewing perspective, this side may also be
referred to as a side wall.
[0036] Inside the open top of the storage box, a shoulder 10 is
visible that runs along the long side walls approximately at the
same height as the second flange 7. An identical shoulder 10, not
visible in FIG. 1, is also present on the back face of the front
wall.
[0037] In the region of its lower edge the flap 2 is provided on
the left and right sides with pivot pins 11 that engage in
respective bearings 12 in the side walls 1. The upper edge of the
flap 2 engages below the flange 7. A locking device 13 that may be
actuated with one hand is provided in the center of its upper
edge.
[0038] The floor 4 of the storage box is dimensioned in such a way
that a storage box of identical design may be pushed with its floor
4 into the open top side of another such storage box, until the
bottom side of the lower flange 9 rests on the upper flange 6, and
the lower edge of the floor 4 rests on the inner shoulder 10.
[0039] FIG. 2 is a side view of such a storage box. The pivot pin
11 has two diametrally opposite flats, while the outer surface of
the rest of the pivot pin 11 is a cylinder. The diameter of this
cylinder corresponds to the inner diameter of the bearing 12. The
bearing 12 is provided forward of the rib 8 that delimits the
actual side wall 1 at the front, i.e. at the left in FIG. 2. The
flap 2 has two end panels 14 in front of the rib 8. In other words,
the flap 2 is approximately in front of the side walls. However,
the storage box is closed on the front, back, and ends.
[0040] A slot 15 that runs along a circular arc is cut out of the
side wall 1; the end panel 14 of the flap 2 is visible through this
slot. A stop 16 that is visible through the slot 15 is integrally
molded onto this end panel 14, and in the closed position
illustrated rests against a rear end of the slot 15. When the flap
2 is opened, i.e. pivoted in the counterclockwise direction from
its closed position shown in FIG. 2, the stop 16 moves to the
opposite front end of the slot 15 where it limits the folding-out
motion of the flap 2. The stop 16 is a wedge so that when the flap
is inserted and closed for the first time, the stop slides past the
edge of the opening, or in the application illustrated, the edge of
the side wall 1, and then snaps into the slot 15.
[0041] FIG. 3 is the front view of the storage box, and here the
flap 2 is at the center of the figure. In the upper region the flap
is double-walled. At this location the flap also has a flat outer
side that may be used to affix a label or other indicia. The space
between the two walls of the flap may be used to grip and carry the
storage box. FIG. 3 also shows that the flap 2 extends from one end
wall 1 to the other end wall 1 so that the entire width of the
storage box is available when the flap is open. In the vertical
direction the flap 2 reaches to the lower edge of the flange 7. In
this manner the two flanges 6 and 7 together with transverse bars
18 and the wall between the flanges 6 and 7 form a connection
between the two narrower side walls 1. Thus, the flap does not form
the entire front wall of the storage box, but, rather, closes off
an opening provided in the front wall. This ensures the rigidity of
the storage box.
[0042] FIG. 4 shows the flap from the same viewing direction as
FIG. 2. The previously mentioned end panel 14, which is visible
through the slot 15 in the side wall, has the shape of a sector of
a circle that extends over an angle of slightly less than
90.degree.. An outer face of the end panel is formed with ribs 19
that are concentric with the pivot pin 11, and radial ribs 20
extend between them resulting in reinforcement of the end panel 14.
The stop 16 at the lower edge of the end panel 14 comes to rest in
the slot 15 when the flap 2 is inserted into the box.
[0043] A clip 21 is used for latching is integrally molded onto the
top side of the flap 2, as described below.
[0044] FIG. 5 shows in large scale the manner in which the pivot
pin 11 engages with the bearing 12. The pivot pin has the shape of
a circular cylinder that is flattened at two opposite locations. In
the position illustrated, the cylindrical surfaces of the pivot pin
11 rest against the inner side of the bow of the bearing 12. When
the flap together with the pivot pin 11 is pivoted by approximately
90.degree., the two flats are approximately horizontal, thus
allowing the flap together with the pivot pin 11 to be pulled from
the bearing 12.
[0045] In the lower region the flap 2 has a circular cylindrical
rib 24 that engages with a correspondingly shaped groove in the
floor of the storage box. Formation of a gap during opening of the
flap is thus avoided.
[0046] FIG. 6 shows the clip 21 at the top side of the flap 2, in
enlarged scale. This is also illustrated in the sectional view in
FIG. 7. The clip 21 has an opening through which a flange 22
passes. This flange 22 is a part of the body of the storage box. At
its end facing the front, i.e. pointing to the left in FIG. 7, the
flange 22 has two stops 23 that pass through an opening in the clip
21 and then rest with their stop faces against the outer side of
the clip 21 when the flap 2 is closed. The flap is locked in this
manner. Since both stops 23 are provided on a common flange 22 that
is relatively short, a user is able to push down the flange 22 in
the region in front of the clip 21 with one hand, thus opening the
flap 2.
[0047] FIG. 8 shows this flap 2 in perspective. It also shows how
the reinforcing ribs 19 and 20 are integrally molded on only at the
exterior of the end panels 14, whereas the interior 25 of the
flange 14, visible in the right side in FIG. 8, is smooth. The side
25 of the end panel 14 is the side that the articles contained in
the storage box come into contact with.
[0048] The flap 2 may form part or all of a side wall, as provided
in the illustrated embodiment. The flap may also form only a
portion of the side wall, or may be set in an opening in the side
wall.
[0049] In one refinement the box body has multiple flaps. For
example, two opposite side walls may be designed as flaps, in this
case as well it being practical not to allow the flaps to extend to
the open top edge of the box, but instead, at that location to
allow bracing to remain between the other side walls.
* * * * *