Special receptacle or package – Structural features for vertical stacking – i.e. – similar... – Having specified means for nesting instead of stacking
Patent
1999-04-26
2000-05-09
Moy, Joseph M.
Special receptacle or package
Structural features for vertical stacking, i.e., similar...
Having specified means for nesting instead of stacking
220756, B65D 2106
Patent
active
060591145
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This application is a national stage application, according to Chapter II of the Patent Cooperation Treaty. This application claims the priority date of Jul. 3, 1996 for Great Britain Patent Application No. 9613949.8.
The present invention relates to stacking containers and particularly, but not exclusively, to containers which can selectively nest or stack.
Nesting and stacking containers are used for a variety of applications, including delivery of goods to retail premises. For this, they are often stacked, for instance on a pallet. If the containers are not securely stacked, damage to their contents can result, and handling the stack can be dangerous for workmen.
The present invention seeks to provide an improved stacking container.
The invention provides an open-topped container comprising at least one stacking member which has a first position extending across the container for supporting a second container to form a stack, the stacking member being so formed as to engage a container stacked thereon to prevent lateral movement of the upper container, and wherein the stacking member is formed to provide the said engagement over a range of positions along the stacking member, whereby upper containers of a plurality of different sizes may be held at any of a plurality of positions relative to the container.
The stacking member preferably comprises a plurality of formations for engaging a container above, and at least some of which may resist relative movement in a first sense, but allow relative movement in the opposite sense. Others may resist relative movement in the second sense, but allow relative movement in the first sense. The stacking member may comprise a plurality of recesses and/or projections for engaging a container above. The stacking member may comprise a plurality of ribs which define recesses therebetween, at least some of the ribs being regularly spaced and preferably having a saw-tooth profile.
The base of the container preferably has formations which enhance engagement with the stacking member of a like container below. The base formations may comprise a plurality of formations complementary to the formations on the stacking member and the formations may be regularly spaced to allow the stacking members to engage a base at a plurality of relative positions.
The stacking member is preferably a bar and may be movable to a second position at which the container mouth is sufficiently clear to allow a like container to be nested therein.
The invention also provides a system comprising a plurality of containers as aforesaid, the containers having a plurality of different sizes and each having engaging formations compatible with smaller-sized containers, wherein each container can be stacked with engagement at any of a plurality of positions on a large container below.
The containers of the system may have any feature or combination of features of the containers set out above.
One embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a container to which the present invention may be applied;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the near corner of the container of FIG. 1, showing features of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view from beneath of the corner of FIG. 2; and
FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are enlarged schematic sections along the stacking bar of the container showing a second container being stacked.
Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an open-topped container 10 which has stacking members or bars 12. Each bar 12 has a first position (as shown) extending across the container 10 for supporting a second container to form a stack of containers. The bars 12 are formed to engage a container stacked thereon, as will be described, to prevent lateral movement of the upper container (i.e. movement along the length of the bar 12). The bars 12 are formed to provide engagement over a range of positions along the bars, whereby upper containers of a plu
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McKechnie (UK) Limited
Moy Joseph M.
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