U.S. patent application number 12/984878 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-14 for folding seed box with fork lift base.
This patent application is currently assigned to WOODHAVEN CAPITOL CORP.. Invention is credited to JUAN NEUFELD, BERNIE THIESSEN.
Application Number | 20110168593 12/984878 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44256843 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110168593 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NEUFELD; JUAN ; et
al. |
July 14, 2011 |
FOLDING SEED BOX WITH FORK LIFT BASE
Abstract
A collapsible bulk container for dry, flowable particulate
material is provided with a frame to support a bottom wall having a
discharge opening and a gate moveable between opened and closed
positions relative to the discharge opening. Four side walls are
pivotally connected to the frame, with the pivot axes being at
different elevations, such that the side walls can be folded
between an upright use position and a substantially flat storage
position. A lid is pivotally connected to opposite side walls for
moving between an open position adjacent the connected side wall
and a closed position over the bottom wall. Multiple containers can
be stacked one upon another in both the use and storage positions.
The base or frame of the container can receive forks from a lift
truck on all four sides of the container.
Inventors: |
NEUFELD; JUAN; (WINKLER,
CA) ; THIESSEN; BERNIE; (WINKLER, CA) |
Assignee: |
WOODHAVEN CAPITOL CORP.
WINNIPEG
CA
|
Family ID: |
44256843 |
Appl. No.: |
12/984878 |
Filed: |
January 5, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12684670 |
Jan 8, 2010 |
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12984878 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/386 ;
220/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2519/00024
20130101; B65D 2519/00094 20130101; B65D 2519/00582 20130101; B65D
2519/00611 20130101; B65D 2519/00721 20130101; B65D 19/0012
20130101; B65D 2519/00373 20130101; B65D 2519/0096 20130101; B65D
2519/00059 20130101; B65D 2519/00164 20130101; B65D 2519/0097
20130101; B65D 2519/00288 20130101; B65D 2519/00273 20130101; B65D
2519/00805 20130101; B65D 2519/00646 20130101; B65D 2519/009
20130101; B65D 2519/00497 20130101; B65D 2519/00318 20130101; B65D
2519/00199 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/386 ;
220/6 |
International
Class: |
B65D 19/00 20060101
B65D019/00; B65D 6/00 20060101 B65D006/00 |
Claims
1. A particulate material container, comprising: a four-sided base;
a bottom wall mounted to the base and having an outlet; four side
walls hinged to the base for pivotal movement between a raised use
position and a lowered storage position; a lid hinged to one of the
side walls for pivotal movement between storage and use positions;
and the base having a pair of slots on each side so that lift forks
can be received on each side without interference from the bottom
wall.
2. The particulate material container of claim 1 wherein the side
walls fold down to stack flat one above another in the storage
position.
3. The particulate material container of claim 1 wherein each side
wall has a pivot axis, and the pivot axes are vertically offset
with respect to one another.
4. The particulate material container of claim 1 wherein the side
walls are locked together in the use position and unlocked from one
another in the storage position.
5. The particulate material container of claim 1 wherein adjacent
side walls form a corner for the container, with an edge of one of
the side walls overlapping an edge of the other adjacent side
wall.
6. The particulate material container of claim 5 further comprising
a lock member on the other side wall moveable between engaged and
disengaged positions relative to the overlapped edge of the one
side wall.
7. The particulate material container of claim 5 wherein the corner
has a tongue and groove assembly for the overlapped edges.
8. The particulate material container of claim 5 wherein the one
side wall has a C-shaped flange and the other side wall has a lip
receivable in the flange.
9. The particulate material container of claim 8 further comprising
a lock arm releasably engaging the flange to retain the adjacent
side walls in the use position.
10. The particulate material container of claim 1 wherein the base
includes four corner legs supporting the side walls and four
perimeter rails extending between the legs, with the pair of slots
being formed in each rail.
11. A particulate material container for particulate material,
comprising: a bottom wall; a top wall; four side walls extending
between the top and bottom walls and having upper and lower edges
and opposite lateral edges; the top wall being pivotally connected
adjacent the upper edge of one of the side walls for movement
between a use position over the bottom wall and a storage position
adjacent the one side wall; the side walls each being pivotal about
the lower edges for movement between a substantially vertical use
position and a substantially horizontal storage position; the side
walls forming four corners of the container, with each corner
having an overlapping edge and an overlapped edge of adjacent side
walls; and a lock member adjacent each overlapped edge, moveable
between locked and unlocked positions relative to the overlapping
edge.
12. The particulate material container of claim 11 wherein the side
walls fold down to stack flat one above another in the storage
position.
13. The particulate material container of claim 11 wherein each
side wall has a pivot axis, and the pivot axes are vertically
offset with respect to one another.
14. The particulate material container of claim 11 further
comprising a base to which the bottom wall and side walls are
mounted.
15. The particulate material container of claim 11 wherein the base
having a pair of slots on each side so that lift forks can be
received on each side without interference from the bottom
wall.
16. The foldable container of claim 11 wherein the bottom wall
includes a discharge opening.
17. The foldable container of claim 16 wherein the bottom wall is
sloped downwardly toward the discharge opening.
18. The particulate material container of claim 11 wherein the
corner has a tongue and groove assembly for the overlapped
edges.
19. The particulate material container of claim 11 wherein the one
side wall has a C-shaped flange and the other side wall has a lip
receivable in the flange.
20. The particulate material container of claim 19 wherein the lock
member is mounted on the other side wall, and engages the flange in
the locked position and disengages the flange in the unlocked
position.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No.
12/684,670 filed Jan. 8, 2010, herein incorporated by reference in
its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Collapsible and folding containers are known in the art for
storing bulk, dry, flowable particulate material, such as
agricultural seeds. For example, the Buckhorn SeedBox container has
telescoping side walls formed by a lower box portion and an upper
ring portion, wherein the upper ring portion is inverted for
nesting around the lower box walls. The Buckhorn container requires
two people for setup and breakdown. The nested, collapsed height of
the Buckhorn container is approximately 40% of the full height used
for storing seed. The Buckhorn container also has a lid which must
be completely removed before the container is collapsed and
re-mounted after the container is erected.
[0003] Other types of bulk containers are also known in the art
which have walls that can be disassembled for storage and erected
for use. However, these containers do not have bottom discharge
openings for dispensing material and do not have permanently
attached lids or covers.
[0004] Some prior art contains are adapted to receive the forks of
a forklift truck. Typically, the fork slots allow entry of the
forks from only one side, and sometimes from the opposite side, but
not from all four sides. The inability to pick up the container
from any side limits the versatility and use of the containers.
[0005] Therefore, a primary objective of the present invention is
the provision of an improved folding bulk container for particulate
material.
[0006] Another objective of the present invention is the provision
of an improved seed box having folding side walls.
[0007] Another objective of the present invention is the provision
of a bulk container which can be quickly and easily folded between
a compact storage condition and an upright use position.
[0008] Still another objective of the present invention is the
provision of a folding seed box having a hinged lid permanently
mounted to the box.
[0009] Another objective of the present invention is the provision
of a folding bulk container having a bottom opening for discharge
of particulate material from the container.
[0010] A further objective of the present invention is the
provision of collapsible bulk seed container having a sloped bottom
wall.
[0011] Yet another objective of the present invention is the
provision of a folding seed box which can be converted between use
and storage positions by one person.
[0012] Still another objective of the present invention is the
provision of a folding seed box having one or more lid panels.
[0013] A further objective of the present invention is the
provision of a folding seed box having a lid hinged to one of the
side walls.
[0014] Another objective of the present invention is the provision
of a folding seed box having a base adapted to receive the forks of
a lift truck from any of the four sides of the box.
[0015] A further objective of the present invention is the
provision of an improved bulk container wherein the base is free
from obstructions which preclude use of a forklift from any side of
the container.
[0016] Another objective of the present invention is the provision
of an improved bulk container which is economical to manufacture,
and durable and safe in use.
[0017] These and other objectives will become apparent from the
following description of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The improved foldable bulk container of the present
invention includes a frame which supports a bottom wall having a
discharge opening. A gate is provided in the bottom wall for
opening and closing the discharge outlet. Four side walls are
pivotally connected to the frame, for movement between an upright
use position and a folded storage position. Removable pins lock the
side walls together when the walls are folded upward to the use
position. Each side wall pivots at a different elevation above the
bottom wall such that the side walls fold down substantially flat,
one upon another, in the storage position. A lid is formed in two
sections which are pivotally connected to opposite side walls for
folding between an open position adjacent the side wall and a
closed position over the bottom wall. Multiple folding containers
can be stacked on top of each other in both the use and storage
positions.
[0019] In an alternative embodiment, the improved foldable bulk
container of the present invention has a single lid hinged to one
side wall for folding between open and closed positions. The walls
are held in the upright position by removable pins, or
alternatively, by spring biased lock arms. The pins can be quickly
removed, or alternatively the lock arms can be quickly disengaged,
to allow the walls to fold down.
[0020] Still another alternative embodiment of the container has a
base with fork lift slots on each side. The base, which is free
from obstructions, allows a lift truck to approach a container from
any side, with the forks being received in the respective slots,
without interference, for lifting the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the folding bulk container
of the present invention with the walls in the upright, use
position and the lid sections closed.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container and the first
fold down step with one lid panel opened.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container and the second
fold down step, with the second lid panel opened.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container and the third
fold down step, with one side wall folded inward.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the container and the
fourth fold down step, with the second side wall folded
inwardly.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the container and the fifth
fold down step, with the third side wall folded inwardly.
[0027] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the container and the sixth
fold down step, with the fourth side wall folded inwardly, such
that the container is in a storage condition.
[0028] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the container with the
side walls folded up in the use position.
[0029] FIG. 9 is an end elevation view of the container with the
side walls folded up in the used position.
[0030] FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the container with the gate
in the closed position.
[0031] FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the container with the
walls folded down in the storage position.
[0032] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view showing a corner joint of the
erected side walls with a locking pin in place.
[0033] FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12 showing the locking pin
retracted so that the walls can be folded down.
[0034] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the folding bulk container according to the present invention,
with a single panel lid and an improved forklift base.
[0035] FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the container shown in
FIG. 14.
[0036] FIG. 16 is an end elevation view of the container shown in
FIG. 14.
[0037] FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the container shown in FIG.
14.
[0038] FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the first fold down
step for the container of FIG. 14, with the lid folded open.
[0039] FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the second fold down
step of the container of FIG. 14, with one end wall folded
down.
[0040] FIG. 20 is a view showing the third fold down step, with the
opposite end wall folded down for the container of FIG. 14.
[0041] FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the fourth fold down
step, with one of the side walls of the container of FIG. 14 folded
down.
[0042] FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the fifth fold down
step, with the second side wall of the container of FIG. 14 folded
down.
[0043] FIG. 23 is an enlarged view of one corner of the container,
taken along line 23-23 of FIG. 18.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0044] The improved folding bulk container or seed box of the
present invention is generally designated in the drawings by the
reference numeral 10. The container includes a base or frame 12
with four corner legs 14. The frame 12 supports a bottom wall 16
which has a discharge outlet or opening 18 with a gate 20 moveable
between open and closed positions relative to the discharge opening
18. Preferably, the gate is manually moveable between the open and
closed positions, though a powered gate may also be provided. The
bottom wall 16 includes sloped segments, as seen in FIGS. 8-11, so
that particulate material in the container can flow to the
discharge opening 18.
[0045] Four side walls 22, 24, 26 and 28 are pivotally connected to
the frame adjacent their lower ends so as to be moveable between a
raised, upright use position and a collapsed storage position. The
pivot axes of the walls are at different elevations, so that the
walls can be sequentially folded downwardly from the use position
to the storage position and lay substantially flat, one upon
another, as seen in FIG. 7.
[0046] The container 10 also includes a lid or cover, which
preferably is formed in two halves by panels 30, 32. Each panel 30,
32 is pivotally connected to the opposing third and fourth side
walls 26, 28, respectively, so that the panels 30, 32 can be folded
between a use position over the bottom wall 16 to cover the
contents of the container, and a storage position adjacent the
respective side walls, 30, 32.
[0047] The process for folding the container 10 from the use
position shown in FIG. 1 to the storage position shown in FIG. 7
involves the following steps. First, the first lid panel 30 is
folded open from the horizontal use position above the bottom wall
16 to a vertical position adjacent the third side wall 26, as shown
in FIG. 2. Then, the second lid panel 32 is folded open from the
horizontal use position over the bottom wall 16 to a vertical
position adjacent the side wall 28, as shown in FIG. 3. Then, the
first side or end wall 22 is folded downwardly from a vertical use
position to a substantially horizontal storage position, as seen in
FIG. 4. Next, the second side or end wall 24 is folded down from a
vertical use position to a substantially horizontal storage
position on top of the first side wall 22, as shown in FIG. 5.
Then, the third side wall 26 is folded down from a vertical use
position to a substantially horizontal storage position on top of
the second side wall 24, as shown in FIG. 6. Last, the fourth side
wall 28 is folded down from a vertical use position to a
substantially horizontal storage position on top of the third side
wall 26, as shown in FIG. 7. The side walls 22, 24, 26, and 28 and
the lid panels 30, 32 stacks within the frame 12 in the storage
position, without detaching the walls from the frame or the lid
panels from the walls 26, 28. The steps are reversed to convert the
container from the storage position to the use position.
[0048] FIGS. 12 and 13 show one of the corners of the container 10
when the walls 22-28 are erected in the used position. All four
corners are identical. More particularly, each of the first and
second side or end walls 22, 24 has a tube or post 34 at the
opposite lateral edges. The third and fourth side walls 26, 28 each
have L-shaped channels or flanges 36 at the opposite side edges.
The corner posts 34 are received in the corner channels 36 when the
walls 22-28 are upright. Aligned holes 38 in the post 34 and
channel 36 allow a locking pin 40 to be inserted therethrough so as
to maintain the walls in their upright position. The pins 40 are
pulled from the holes 38 before the walls are folded down.
Preferably, the first and second side or end walls 22, 24 have a
horizontally disposed tubular sleeve 42 for guiding the pin 40, and
a pin retention tab 44 which prevents the pin 40 from being
completely removed from the sleeve 42 when withdrawn from the holes
38. Therefore, the pin 40 cannot be accidently disconnected from
the walls 22, 24, or otherwise lost.
[0049] Multiple containers 10 can be stacked one upon another in
both the use and storage positions. The corner posts 34 and
channels 36 provide structural support for stacked containers in
the use position. The upper corners 46 of the frame 12 supports
stacked containers in the storage position.
[0050] The height of the walls 22-28 is slightly less than the
width of the container 10. When the walls 22-28 are folded down
into the storage position, the height of the container 10 is less
than half of the height of the container when the walls are folded
up to the use position. Thus, the container 10 can be collapsed to
substantially shorter height for shipping and storage. The ability
to stack the containers minimizes space requirements during
transport and storage. The frame 12 allows the containers to be
moved, stacked and unstacked using a fork lift.
[0051] Preferably, the walls 22-28 and the lid panels 30-32 are
made of steel, or other lightweight, yet thin material which has
strength and durability. The container 10 can replace or eliminate
use of large bulk seed bags and the known problems associated with
handling of such bags.
[0052] The hinged design of the container, walls, and lid panels
permit one person to assemble and breakdown the container by simply
pivoting one panel or side wall of the container at a time. Also,
the permanent pivotal connection of the lid panels 30, 32 to the
side walls 26, 28 eliminates the danger of the lid blowing off of
the container in transit. The sloped bottom wall design eliminates
particulate material from becoming stuck in the corners of the
container 10 and creates a steady discharge flow of material while
unloading.
[0053] A farmer can take the loaded container 10 directly to the
field on a trailer, cart, or in a bed of a pickup truck for loading
into a seed tender dispenser or directly into a seed planter.
[0054] The invention has been shown and described above with the
preferred embodiments, and it is understood that many
modifications, substitutions, and additions may be made which are
within the intended spirit and scope of the invention. For example,
alternative corner structure and locking means may be utilized, as
opposed to the posts 34, channels 36 and pins 40, shown in the
drawings. Also, the dimensions of the container 10 may be varied,
as desired.
[0055] FIGS. 14-23 show an alternative embodiment of the folding
particulate material container 10A according to the present
invention. The container or seed box 10A of the alternative
embodiment is substantially similar to the container or box 10
shown in FIGS. 1-13 including the base 12A, the legs 14A, the
bottom wall 16A with a discharge opening 18A, and the four side
walls 22A, 24A, 26A, and 28A. The side walls 22A-28A are pivotally
connected to the frame adjacent their lower ends so as to be
moveable between a raised, upright use position and a folded or
collapsed storage position. The pivot axes of the walls 22A-28A are
at different elevations, so that the walls can be sequentially
folded downwardly from the use position shown in FIG. 14 to the
storage position shown in FIG. 22, with the walls 22A-28A lying
substantially flat, one upon the other.
[0056] One of the differences between the container or box 10A, as
compared to the box 10, is that the base 12A includes rails 50
extending between each of the legs 14A, with each rail 50 having a
pair of notches or slots 52 for receiving the forks of a forklift
truck (not shown). Thus, a forklift can be driven up to any side of
the container 10A, and the forks inserted through the slots 52 to
lift the container 10A. The container 10A is free of any
interfering structure which would prevent the forks from being
fully inserted from any side of the container.
[0057] The lid 30A of the container 10A is formed as a single
panel, in comparison to the dual panels 30, 32 of the container 10.
The lid or cover 30A is hinged to one of the side walls 22A-28A for
movement between a use position covering the contents of the
container, and a folded lowered position adjacent the attached side
wall.
[0058] Another difference between the containers 10 and 10A is the
structure of the corners of the containers. In the container 10A,
the opposite edges of each wall 22A, 24A include a vertically
extending lip 54 adapted to be received in a C-shaped flange 56 on
the opposite edges of each side wall 26A, 28A. The lip 54 and
flange 56 form a tongue and groove-type assembly. The lock pin 40
of the container 10 has been replaced with a sliding lock member or
arm 40A on the container 10A. The lock arm 40A is slidably mounted
in a bracket 58 on the side walls 22A, 24A and is movable between a
locked position engaging the flange 56 and an unlocked position
disengaged from the flange 56. The lock arm 48 is biased by a
spring 60 to the locked position.
[0059] The container 10A folds down in a manner substantially
identical to the folding action of the container 10, except that
there is a single lid 30A, as opposed to the dual lids 30, 32. The
fold down sequence is shown in FIGS. 18-22, and is reverse to fold
the container 10A up from the storage position to the use
position.
[0060] From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present
invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.
* * * * *