U.S. patent application number 12/980350 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-21 for folding container with elastically suspended floor.
This patent application is currently assigned to POLYMER LOGISTICS (ISRAEL) LTD.. Invention is credited to Nir HADAR.
Application Number | 20110174807 12/980350 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38564074 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110174807 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HADAR; Nir |
July 21, 2011 |
FOLDING CONTAINER WITH ELASTICALLY SUSPENDED FLOOR
Abstract
A container (10, 30) has a floor (20) for supporting produce
suspended via elastic suspension elements (22) from the walls (12,
14, 16, 18) of the container so as to automatically adjust the
height of the floor, and hence of the produce, as a function of the
weight of the produce within the container. Optionally, an
adjustment mechanism (32) is provided to allow adjustment of an
effective length of the elastic suspension elements (22).
Inventors: |
HADAR; Nir; (Hadera,
IL) |
Assignee: |
POLYMER LOGISTICS (ISRAEL)
LTD.
Ra'anana
IL
|
Family ID: |
38564074 |
Appl. No.: |
12/980350 |
Filed: |
December 29, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12294241 |
Sep 24, 2008 |
|
|
|
PCT/IL2007/000435 |
Apr 10, 2007 |
|
|
|
12980350 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/1.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2519/00069
20130101; B65D 2519/00034 20130101; B65D 2519/00174 20130101; B65D
2519/00522 20130101; B65D 2519/00805 20130101; B65D 2519/00323
20130101; B65D 19/18 20130101; B65D 2519/00611 20130101; B65D
2519/00333 20130101; B65D 2519/0081 20130101; B65D 2519/00497
20130101; B65D 2519/009 20130101; B65D 2519/00656 20130101; B65D
2519/00273 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/1.5 |
International
Class: |
B65D 88/52 20060101
B65D088/52; B65D 90/12 20060101 B65D090/12; B65D 90/02 20060101
B65D090/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 6, 2006 |
IL |
174853 |
Sep 28, 2006 |
IL |
178370 |
Claims
1. A container comprising: (a) a set of four walls, each of said
walls being implemented as a folding wall having at least one
folding portion deployable between an upright container-forming
position and a folded position; (b) a floor deployed within and
vertically displaceable relative to said set of walls; and (c) a
suspension arrangement including at least four elastic suspension
elements, said suspension arrangement being deployed to suspend
said floor relative to said set of walls such that, when said floor
is loaded with a first load, said floor assumes a lowered position
and, when a part of the load is removed, said suspension
arrangement raises said floor towards a raised position.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein each of said elastic
suspension elements includes a length of an elastomeric
material.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein said set of walls feature an
arrangement of stopper features deployed to engage said floor so as
to define a fully raised position.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein each of said suspension
elements is attached to said folding portion of one of said
walls.
5. The container of claim 1, further comprising a base fixedly
attached to said set of walls below said floor.
6. The container of claim 5, wherein said base is configured to
provide at least one channel for insertion of a pallet jack for
lifting the container.
7. The container of claim 1, wherein said suspension arrangement
further includes an adjustment mechanism configured for adjusting
an effective length of said elastic suspension elements.
8. The container of claim 7, wherein said adjustment mechanism is
configured to adjust an effective length of said elastic suspension
elements between an operative length wherein said floor is
elastically biased towards a raised position and an inoperative
length wherein said floor assumes said lowered position even in the
absence of an applied load.
9. The container of claim 7, wherein said adjustment mechanism is
configured to simultaneously adjust an effective length of all of
said elastic suspension elements substantially equally.
10. The container of claim 7, wherein said adjustment mechanism
includes a rotatable drum associated with said floor, each of said
elastic suspension elements being linked to said drum so that
rotation of said drum effects simultaneous adjustment of an
effective length of all of said elastic suspension elements.
11. The container of claim 10, wherein said adjustment mechanism
further includes a ratchet arrangement for allowing rotation of
said drum to shorten an effective length of said elastic suspension
elements and to inhibit rotation of said drum to lengthen an
effective length of said elastic suspension elements.
12. The container of claim 11, wherein said adjustment mechanism
further includes a ratchet override mechanism selectively operable
to release said ratchet arrangement to allow rotation of said drum
to lengthen an effective length of said elastic suspension
elements.
13. The container of claim 1, wherein said suspension arrangement
is configured such that a number of suspension elements deployed to
suspend said floor relative to said set of walls may be varied to
accommodate produce of different weights.
14. The container of claim 1, wherein said suspension arrangement
includes a plurality of suspension elements having different
thicknesses interchangeably deployable to suspend said floor
relative to said set of walls.
Description
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to containers used for
shipping and displaying produce and, in particular, it concerns a
folding container with an elastically suspended floor useful in
shipping and displaying produce.
[0002] A growing trend in retail industries is the shipping of
produce in containers which are also suitable for displaying and
selling the produce at a retail outlet. This greatly reduces the
labor involved in transferring produce from shipping containers to
display units and arranging product displays. The present invention
is particularly, although not exclusively, related to shipping
containers (alternatively referred to as "crates", "boxes" or
"bins"), typically made from molded plastic materials, which are at
least partially foldable so as to reduce the volume of the
containers for return (empty) transport. One typical set of
examples to which the present invention is applicable are
containers referred to as "bulk-boxes" of horizontal dimensions
60.times.80 cm or 60.times.40 cm, and of height 75-110 cm.
[0003] When containers such as these are used for dispensing retail
produce, the "top of the pile" moves downwards as the upper items
are removed. This may make it more awkward for a customer to access
the goods, requiring him or her to bend over and reach downwards to
take the remaining goods. Additionally, there is a negative
psychological effect according to which the produce left at the
lower height is perceived by customers as "left over" or old, and
hence is considered less desirable.
[0004] For these and other reasons, it would be advantageous to
provide a shipping and display container which would provide a
self-raising floor which would tend to raise the perceived height
of the pile of produce as produce is removed. At the same time, it
would be advantageous if the self-raising floor did not interfere
with folding of a folding container to facilitate reduced volume
return transportation in a conventional manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is a shipping and display container
with elastically suspended floor.
[0006] According to the teachings of the present invention there is
provided, a container comprising: (a) a set of four walls, each of
the walls being implemented as a folding wall having at least one
folding portion deployable between an upright container-forming
position and a folded position; (b) a floor deployed within and
vertically displaceable relative to the set of walls; and (c) a
suspension arrangement including at least four elastic suspension
elements, the suspension arrangement being deployed to suspend the
floor relative to the set of walls such that, when the floor is
loaded with a first load, the floor assumes a lowered position and,
when a part of the load is removed, the suspension arrangement
raises the floor towards a raised position.
[0007] According to a further feature of the present invention,
each of the elastic suspension elements includes a length of an
elastomeric material.
[0008] According to a further feature of the present invention,
each of the elastic suspension elements includes a helical
spring.
[0009] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
set of walls feature an arrangement of stopper features deployed to
engage the floor so as to define a fully raised position.
[0010] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
stopper features are deployed below the folding portions.
[0011] According to a further feature of the present invention,
each of the suspension elements is attached to the folding portion
of one of the walls.
[0012] According to a further feature of the present invention,
there is also provided a base fixedly attached to the set of walls
below the floor.
[0013] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
base is configured to provide at least one channel for insertion of
a pallet jack for lifting the container.
[0014] There is also provided, according to a further feature of
the present invention, a container comprising: (a) a set of four
walls; (b) a floor deployed within and vertically displaceable
relative to the set of walls; and (c) a suspension arrangement
including at least four elastic suspension elements, the suspension
arrangement being deployed to suspend the floor relative to the set
of walls such that, when the floor is loaded with a first load, the
floor assumes a lowered position and, when a part of the load is
removed, the suspension arrangement raises the floor towards a
raised position, the suspension arrangement further including an
adjustment mechanism configured for adjusting an effective length
of the elastic suspension elements.
[0015] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust an effective length of
the elastic suspension elements between an operative length wherein
the floor is elastically biased towards a raised position and an
inoperative length wherein the floor assumes the lowered position
even in the absence of an applied load.
[0016] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
adjustment mechanism is configured to simultaneously adjust an
effective length of all of the elastic suspension elements
substantially equally.
[0017] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
adjustment mechanism includes a rotatable drum associated with the
floor, each of the elastic suspension elements being linked to the
drum so that rotation of the drum effects simultaneous adjustment
of an effective length of all of the elastic suspension
elements.
[0018] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
adjustment mechanism further includes a handle accessible from an
upper surface of the floor for manually rotating the drum.
[0019] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
adjustment mechanism further includes a locking arrangement for
locking the drum in at least one position relative to the
floor.
[0020] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
adjustment mechanism further includes a ratchet arrangement for
allowing rotation of the drum to shorten an effective length of the
elastic suspension elements and to inhibit rotation of the drum to
lengthen an effective length of the elastic suspension
elements.
[0021] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
adjustment mechanism further includes a ratchet override mechanism
selectively operable to release the ratchet arrangement to allow
rotation of the drum to lengthen an effective length of the elastic
suspension elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The invention is herein described, by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0023] FIGS. 1A and 1B are a side view and an isometric view,
respectively, of a first embodiment of a container, constructed and
operative according to the teachings of the present invention, with
a front wall removed to show an elastically suspended floor in an
unloaded fully-raised position;
[0024] FIGS. 2A and 2B are views similar to FIGS. 1A and 1B,
respectively, showing the elastically suspended floor in a
partly-loaded intermediate position;
[0025] FIGS. 3A and 3B are views similar to FIGS. 1A and 1B,
respectively, showing the elastically suspended floor in a
fully-loaded lowered state;
[0026] FIGS. 4A and 4B are isometric views of the container of FIG.
1A in a partly folded state, FIG. 4B having a front wall removed to
reveal the internal folded configuration;
[0027] FIGS. 5A and 5B are isometric views of the container of FIG.
1A in a fully folded state, FIG. 5B having a front wall removed to
reveal the internal folded configuration;
[0028] FIGS. 6A and 6B are isometric views of a second embodiment
of a container, constructed and operative according to the
teachings of the present invention, with a front wall removed to
show a floor in a lowered state and in a raised
elastically-suspended state, respectively;
[0029] FIGS. 7A and 7B are isometric views of the floor and
suspension arrangement alone from the container of FIG. 6A shown in
the lowered state and the raised elastically-suspended state,
respectively;
[0030] FIGS. 8A and 8B are views similar to FIGS. 7A and 7B,
respectively, cut-away to show details of an adjustment mechanism
for adjusting an effective length of said elastic suspension
elements;
[0031] FIG. 9A is a view similar to FIG. 7B with an upper surface
of the floor removed; and
[0032] FIGS. 9B and 9C are enlarged views of the region of FIG. 9A
designated "A" showing a ratchet arrangement in an operative and an
overridden state, respectively.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] The present invention is a shipping and display container
with elastically suspended floor.
[0034] The principles and operation of containers according to the
present invention may be better understood with reference to the
drawings and the accompanying description.
[0035] By way of introduction, the present invention is a foldable
container in which a shelf or "floor" for supporting produce within
the container is suspended via elastic suspension elements from the
walls of the container, when in its open state, so as to
automatically adjust the height of the floor, and hence of the
produce, as a function of the weight of the produce within the
container. The invention will be presented herein with reference to
two non-limiting examples: first, a basic embodiment will be
described with reference to FIGS. 1A-5B; then, with reference to
FIGS. 6A-9C, an alternative embodiment including an adjustment
mechanism will be described.
[0036] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A-5B show a container,
generally designated 10, constructed and operative according to the
teachings of the present invention, for shipping and display of
produce. Generally speaking, container 10 includes a set of four
walls 12, 14, 16 and 18, and a floor 20, deployed within and
vertically displaceable relative to the set of walls. A suspension
arrangement, including at least four elastic suspension elements
22, is deployed to suspend floor 20 relative to the set of walls
such that, when the floor is loaded with a first load (not shown),
the floor assumes a lowered position (FIGS. 3A and 3B) and, when a
part of the load is removed, the suspension arrangement raises the
floor towards a raised position (FIGS. 2A-2B and FIGS. 1A-1B).
[0037] At this stage, it will already be appreciated that the
present invention provides a solution to the aforementioned
disadvantages of user inconvenience and the psychological "end of
the pile" effect by gradually raising the level of the lower
produce as a function of the remaining weight as the top layers are
removed.
[0038] Before addressing the features of the invention in more
detail, it will be helpful to define certain terminology as used
herein in the description and claims. Firstly, where reference is
made to elements being "elastic" or operating "elastically", it
should be noted that these terms are used herein in their broadest
sense to refer to any element which provides a resilient restoring
force without undergoing significant permanent deformation during
each cycle of motion. Thus, the "elastic suspension elements" of
the present invention may be implemented using a length of an
elastomeric material, a helical spring or any other stretchable
element with suitable properties. Most preferably, the suspension
elements are formed, primarily or exclusively, from an elastomer
material, such as natural or synthetic rubber. Elastomeric
suspension elements are not generally susceptible to damage through
bending during folding of the container, which may in certain
circumstances be problematic for helical metallic springs or the
like.
[0039] The term "container" is used herein as a generic term for
containers, crates, boxes, bins and the like, independent of the
construction materials from which they are formed and independent
of whether they have solid walls or open vented structures.
Furthermore, the term "container" is used to include a structure in
which the suspended floor of the present invention is the only base
of the structure formed by the set of four walls.
[0040] Turning now to the features of container 10 in more detail,
four suspension elements 22 are typically used, although additional
suspension elements (e.g., six total) may be optionally be
provided, preferably deployed symmetrically. Optionally, the number
of suspension elements may be varied, for example by doubling-up
each element in each corner, to accommodate produce of different
weights. Alternatively, or additionally, the suspension elements
may be interchangeably attached, allowing replacement of the
suspension elements with suspension elements having different
thicknesses, lengths or other mechanical properties, all according
to the intended use of the container. Furthermore, combinations of
suspension elements of different lengths or otherwise differing
properties may be used together to provide a desired force vs.
displacement function, for example, rendering the force vs.
displacement function more linear than would be achieved with a
single elastic suspension element.
[0041] Container 10 is preferably of a type where opposite pairs of
walls fold inwards. Suspension elements 22 are preferably attached
to the pair of walls 12 and 16 configured to fold first. In the
preferred implementation illustrated herein, this is the pair of
sides 12 and 16 extending along the shorter sides of the container.
This has a particular advantage, as seen in FIGS. 4B and 5B, that
the height of the folding portion of the walls folds into the
larger ("length") dimension, thereby reducing the amount of overlap
of the folded walls. This minimizes the interference of the
first-to-fold side 16 with suspension elements 22 of the
second-to-fold side 12.
[0042] The set of walls optionally feature an arrangement of
stopper features 23 (only one shown) deployed to engage the floor
so as to define a fully raised position (FIGS. 1A and 1B). This
allows implementation of the suspension elements with a degree of
pre-tensioning in the fully raised position so that they reach the
fully raised position while there is still some load applied to
floor 20. In certain particularly preferred implementations,
stopper features 23 are deployed to define a fully raised position
of floor 20 which is no higher than the level of hinges in the
first-to-fold sides of a foldable container, thereby ensuring that
the floor does not reach a position which would interfere with
folding of the container walls.
[0043] In the particularly preferred implementation shown here,
container 10 includes a base 24 fixedly attached to the set of
walls below floor 20. This helps to ensure structural integrity and
rigidity of the container as a whole, and renders the container
usable in a conventional manner if the floor and suspension
arrangement are removed. In the preferred implementation shown
here, base 24 is configured to provide at least one channel 26, 28
for insertion of a pallet jack (not shown) for lifting the
container.
[0044] Turning now to FIGS. 6A-9C, there is shown a second
preferred embodiment of a container, generally designated 30,
constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present
invention. Container 30 is generally similar to container 10
described above, and equivalent elements are designated similarly.
It is a particularly preferred feature of this embodiment of the
present invention that container 30 includes a suspension-element
length adjustment mechanism 32 for adjusting the effective length
of the suspension elements 22. Typically, the "effective length" of
the suspension elements is the length from a point of attachment to
the container walls to the point of entry to floor 20. Preferably,
the suspension-element length adjustment mechanism is manually
operable (directly by hand, or by use of a mechanical "key"), and
preferably simultaneously adjusts the length of all of the
suspension elements in a similar manner.
[0045] Provision of a suspension-element length adjustment
mechanism serves one or both of two important functions. One
function is to allow adjustment of the lifting force to make the
mechanism useful for produce of different weights. Thus, for
potatoes or watermelons, the suspension elements are shortened more
to provide a greater lifting force than for less dense, or less
densely packed, produce. As a result, the same container can be
used to maintain a comfortable top-of-the-stack level for
dispensing a wide range of produce. It will be noted that this
function may also be used to advantage in a container which is not
foldable.
[0046] The second function is release of tension in the suspension
elements prior to folding of the container for return shipping or
storage, thereby ensuring that there are no potentially dangerous
or inconvenient stresses or a tendency to open.
[0047] Prior to loading with produce, the effective length of the
suspension elements is adjusted (shortened) so as to define a level
of tension for the fully loaded state and/or the position of the
fully raised state. Here too, mechanical stopper features may be
provided to separately define a fully-raised position.
[0048] Turning now to the features of this embodiment in more
detail, a non-limiting example of a preferred implementation of
adjustment mechanism 32 is illustrated in FIGS. 7A-9C. In this
case, the adjustment mechanism is based on a drum or wheel 34,
deployed primarily below or within floor 20, to which suspension
elements 22 are anchored. Rotation of wheel 34, for example by
turning a handle 36 accessible from the upper side of floor 20,
causes winding in of suspension elements 22 simultaneously from the
state of FIG. 8A to that of FIG. 8B, thereby shortening their
effective length and/or pre-tensioning them against stopper
elements. In the example shown here, the suspension elements wind
onto a reduced diameter spool surface which is located between
upper and lower disks, the upper disk having been removed in FIGS.
8A and 8B for clarity of presentation. The handle may be recessed
into the floor, or may be a removable "key" used by authorized
personnel only. Optionally, a locking mechanism may be operated
automatically by folding down of the handle or removal of the
key.
[0049] Once a desired length or degree of tension is achieved, the
wheel is locked against rotation, for example, by insertion of one
or more locking pin through holes formed in the wheel and the
floor, or more preferably by a ratchet mechanism such as
illustrated in FIGS. 9B and 9C below.
[0050] Referring specifically to FIG. 9B, drum 34 is here formed
with an outer edge formed as a saw-toothed gear wheel against which
a spring-biased ratchet arm 38 bears. This configuration allows
rotation of the drum clockwise as shown to shorten an effective
length of elastic suspension elements 22, but inhibits rotation of
the drum in the reverse direction, preventing lengthening of the
elastic suspension elements. This conveniently allows shortening of
the suspension elements to raise floor 20 and/or pre-tension it
against stopper features, then maintaining the desired level of
tension during loading and unloading of produce. When the contents
of the container have been removed, lowering of floor 20 is
performed by turning a release lever 40 with an eccentric cam form
which bears on ratchet arm 38, disengaging it from the teeth of
drum 34 so as to override the ratchet arrangement and allow
rotation of the drum to lengthen an effective length of the elastic
suspension elements to an inoperative length, allowing floor 20 to
assume the position of FIG. 6A ready for folding of the container
and return transportation.
[0051] It will be clear to one ordinarily skilled in the art that
many other implementations of a suspension-element length
adjustment mechanisms are possible. By way of a further
non-limiting example, a similar result may be achieved by use of a
scissors mechanism under the floor. Furthermore, it should be noted
that the suspension-element length adjustment mechanism may
alternatively be deployed as part of the walls of the container
rather than in the floor.
[0052] Referring now to both of the above embodiments, the
particularly preferred implementations shown here have fold-down
openings 42 in an upper part of at least one of the side walls of
the container. Because of the rising motion of the floor, these
access openings can be positioned relatively high in the walls and
still afford sufficient access for a customer to the produce within
the container. In the preferred examples illustrated here, the
fold-down openings extend down to no more than about a third of the
total fillable depth of the container when the floor is in its
lowered/loaded state.
[0053] The range of motion of floor 20 is preferably at least about
10%, more preferably at least 20%, and most preferably at least 25%
of the total fillable depth of the container. The maximum height
reached by the floor is typically no more than about 70% of the
total finable depth of the container.
[0054] The container may be made from any material. Most
preferably, the invention is implemented using molded plastic
containers. As mentioned above, the container may be adapted, for
example as shown, to be handled by a pallet jack or fork lift.
[0055] It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are
intended only to serve as examples, and that many other embodiments
are possible within the scope of the present invention as defined
in the appended claims.
* * * * *