Receptacles – Sectional – Folding
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-09
2001-09-25
Pollard, Steven (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Sectional
Folding
C220S006000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293418
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to injection molded containers, and more particularly, to a collapsible container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many transport and storage containers are known. Certain collapsible containers are used to transport goods such as produce and other perishables. Collapsible containers are commonly rectangular in shape with four sidewalls hinged to the base. More recent collapsible containers are injection molded plastic having sidewalls that collapse outwardly for cleaning and inwardly for storage. The sidewalls are latched in an assembled position and unlatched in a collapsed position.
A collapsable container is taught in WO Patent Application 99/32362. This container includes a base, two sidewalls, and two end walls. A pair of opposing sidewall edges and a pair of opposing end wall flanges are integral with the base and depend therefrom. The end walls are pivotablv attached to each wall flange and include defined comers at each side that abut the corresponding sidewalls. A pair of opposing sidewalls are pivotably attached to the sidewall edges. Each sidewall has a latch member at each lateral edge and each end wall has a pair of flanges with a latch receiver for capturing the latch member in the assembled position
Each latch member comprises a rigid, substantially parallelopiped body and a raised tooth at its distal end. The latch receiver includes an aperture to receive the latch member and a resiliently deformable latch hinge with a lip complementary to the raised tooth. The latch hinge has a resting position that locks the tooth and a flexed position to allow the latch member to pass through the aperture.
During assembly of the container from the collapsed position, each latch member is inserted in the corresponding aperture. As the latch member passes through the aperture, the raised tooth flexes the latch hinge upwards from the rest position, temporarily flexing the latch hinge into the flexed position. In the assembled position, the raised tooth is locked on the outside of the latch hinge as it returns to rest position. The lip of the latch hinge abuts the tooth to retain the latch member in the aperture. Users of the container will appreciate that the assembly can be somewhat awkward as each opposing end wall must be outwardly collapsed at a given angle greater than forty-five degrees to the end wall flange when the each sidewall is moved upright into the assembled position. Furthermore, both corresponding sidewalls must be held upright to latch one end wall into place.
Returning the container to the collapsed position from the assembled position, each latch hinge is moved to the flexed position, raising the lip of the latch hinge so it no longer abuts the tooth. Each latch hinge is flexed by depressing the latch hinge, typically with the thumb and forefinger of one hand, while forceably separating the corresponding sidewall with the other hand. The latch member and tooth can then be released from the latch receiver. Because of the configuration of the container, this procedure must be repeated for each latch receiver in order to release each latch member and finally collapse the container.
A second five piece collapsible container is manufactured by the Rehrig Pacific Company, 4011 East 26
th
Street, Los Angeles Calif. 90025. The latch member and latch receiver are geometrically different from the container in WO 99/32362 but are functionally similar. As a result, it still requires the same awkward procedure to collapse the container.
An example of a five piece container that is less awkward to collapse is produced by Wavin Plastics Limited. This container has sidewall edges that are joined in the comers, but unlike the collapsible container taught in WO 99/32362, can only be collapsed inwardly. There is also a latch member with a striker and a latch release member. The latch release member extends from the latch member to an activation point on the sidewall of the container. A second latch member is attached to the same sidewall. A second latch release member extends from the second latch member to a second activation point. The first and second activation points are in close proximity to each other so that both release members can be activated with one hand thereby releasing both associated latch members. Thus the container can be easily collapsed by actuating each of two sets of latch release members. Users of the container can appreciate that this latching mechanism and the assembled container is less rigid than the aforementioned collapsible containers. Further, because the container can only collapse inwardly, it is more difficult to clean.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel collapsible container that obviates or mitigates at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art.
In one aspect of the invention there is provided a collapsible container comprising a base, a pair of first opposing sidewalls pivotably attached to the base, and a pair of second opposing sidewalls pivotably attached to the base. The sidewalls have an assembled position, an outwardly collapsed position, and an inwardly collapsed position. A latch bar is attached to each end of each of the first opposing sidewalls and a latch member is attached to each end of the second opposing sidewalls. The latch member is biased to releasably capture a respective latch bar when the sidewalls are in the assembled position. A latch actuator is attached to each latch member and extends along a respective second sidewall to a grip. Each second sidewall has a pair of grips proximal to each other such that each pair of grips can be actuated with one hand to urge the latch member to release the latch bar.
A collapsible container for storage and transport of produce or other goods is provided. In one embodiment, there is provided a five piece collapsible container with a base and four pivotable walls. Each of the four walls are outwardly collapsible to facilitate washing, and inwardly collapsible for compact storage. A latch is provided at each of the four points where two sidewalls abut each other providing a rigid assembled container. Attached to each latch is an actuating member with a grip. The grips are paired to allow the operator to disengage both latches on one side of the container with one hand. Similarly, when collapsing the container from assembled position, all four latches can be disengaged with each hand at respective pairs of grips. The latches are readily disengageable and provide a rigid assembled container.
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Klein James Howard
Lazarski David Anthony
Ogden Don M. U.
Raghunathan Narayan
Katten Muchin & Zavis
Norseman Plastics Limited
Pollard Steven
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