Container

Details Container Container

1999-09-21

2001-06-26

Pollard, Steven (Department: 3727)

Receptacles

Horizontally attached receptacle sets

Detachable

C220S001500, C220S023600

Reexamination Certificate

active

06250490

ABSTRACT:

The present invention relates to containers and particularly, but not exclusively, to containers used in delivering goods to retail premises.
In some delivery arrangements, such as the delivery of newspapers to retail outlets, it is customary for the goods to be left outside the premises. In the case of newspapers, this is because they are delivered very early in the morning, before the premises are open or staffed. A security problem therefore exists. Newspapers left in this way may become damaged or soiled. Attempts have been made to reduce these problems by using protective shrink wrap covering, or cardboard cartons, and by placing straps or bands around a bundle of newspapers to discourage pilfering.
The invention provides a container system for delivery of goods to retail premises, comprising a plurality of containers and means associated with the containers for connecting together at least two containers while containing the said goods, to prevent unauthorised separation thereof and to form a group of containers which, when containing the said goods, is not readily manually lifted.
Preferably the containers are formed to protect their contents from external access while forming part of a group of containers, thereby protecting the contents against pilfering or tampering. The containers may comprise substantially continuous external surfaces and may be lidded.
At least one container may support a like container to create a group in the form of a stack.
Each container may comprise formations so located as to mate with respective corresponding formations of another like container with which the container forms a group. The formations may provide mechanical engagement. The formations may comprise hook means and a hookable portion. The hookable portion may be formed in the base region of the container, the hook means being formed to be at or near the top of the container when the container is in condition for stacking. The hook means may be formed on a lid member of the container.
The formations of each container may comprise apertures or recesses so located that respective apertures or recesses of two containers come into alignment when the containers are formed into a group, to allow security means to be introduced therethrough. The apertures and/or recesses are preferably formed in the base region of the container and at or near the top of the container. At least one of the apertures may be formed in a movable member having a first position in which the aperture will come into alignment as aforesaid when containers are formed into a group, and a second, stowed position in which the aperture is not available for alignment as aforesaid. The movable member may be hingedly or slidably attached to the container.
The container may comprise complementary formations which mate along one edge of grouped containers, the apertures being so located that when security means have been introduced as aforesaid, the mating formations are prevented from disengaging.
Preferably the container is generally rectangular, having side walls extending up from a base. The container may further comprise lid means, preferably attached to the container, such as by hinges. The lid means may comprise lid portions individually hinged to the containers and which may be brought together to close the mouth of the container. The lid means may provide a surface on which a second container may be stacked.
Preferably a group of containers as aforesaid is too heavy to be readily liftable. A group may weigh in excess of 25 kgs.
A method of delivering goods to retail premises, in which goods are transported in a plurality of containers and in which at least two containers are connected together at the retail premises to be prevented from unauthorised separation thereof and to form a group of containers which is not readily manually lifted.
The method preferably utilises a container system as set out in any of the preceding definitions.
A container for use in the method or system set out above.
A container adapted to be connected together with at least one other container to form a group of containers, the group of containers being not readily manually liftable when containing the said goods, and there being means associated with the container for securing the container against unauthorised separation from the group.
Preferably the container is formed to protect its contents from external access while forming part of a group of containers, thereby protecting the contents from pilfering or tampering. The containers may comprise substantially continuous external surfaces and may be lidded.
Preferably the container may support a like container to form a stack.
The container may comprise formations so located as to mate with respective corresponding formations of another like container with which the container forms a group. The formations may provide mechanical engagement. The container may comprise hook means and a hookable portion. The hookable portion may be formed in the base region of the container, the hook means being formed to be at or near the top of the container when the container is in condition for stacking. The hook means may be formed on a lid member of the container.
The formations of each container may comprise apertures or recesses so located that respective apertures or recesses of two containers come into alignment when the containers are formed into a group, to allow security means to be introduced therethrough. The apertures and/or recesses are preferably formed in the base region of the container and at or near the top of the container. At least one of the apertures may be formed in a movable member having a first position in which the aperture will come into alignment as aforesaid when containers are formed into a group, and a second, stowed position in which the aperture is not available for alignment as aforesaid. The movable member may be hingedly or slidably attached to the container.
The container may comprise complementary formations which mate along one edge of grouped containers, the apertures being so located that when security means have been introduced as aforesaid, the mating formations are prevented from disengaging.
Preferably the container is generally rectangular, having side walls extending up from a base. The container may further comprise lid means, preferably attached to the container, such as by hinges. The lid means may comprise lid portions individually hinged to the containers and which may be brought together to close the mouth of the container. The lid means may provide a surface on which a second container may be stacked.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3718218 (1973-02-01), Shields
patent: 3749273 (1973-07-01), Wreghitt et al.
patent: 4247004 (1981-01-01), Bird
patent: 4287997 (1981-09-01), Rolfe et al.
patent: 4405057 (1983-09-01), Stein
patent: 4760921 (1988-08-01), Licari
patent: 4819820 (1989-04-01), Weiner
patent: 882 301 (1980-07-01), None
patent: 0 330 473 A1 (1989-08-01), None
patent: 692638 (1953-06-01), None
patent: 894836 (1962-04-01), None
patent: 2056412 (1981-03-01), None

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