Special receptacle or package – With pallet feature – Knockdown or collapsible type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-12
2001-10-09
Foster, Jim (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
With pallet feature
Knockdown or collapsible type
C206S459500, C229S122000, C229S199000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298994
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to the field of shipping containers, and more particularly shipping containers for shipping, storing and dispensing large volumes of relatively small items, such as plastic container closures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Shipping containers are well known. Most commonly, such containers are rather large, heavy and sturdy to carry their contents safely. Shipping containers are required to be heavy-duty packaging systems to safely transport a large quantity of contents or items from various modes of transportation such as cargo ships, plains, trains, and large trucks. During transport, these containers are often moved about on pallets, designed to be engaged by fork lift machinery.
One conventional shipping container is a “System Octabin Container,” designed by Crown Obrist AG of Reinach, Switzerland. As the name implies, the Octabin container has an octagonal cross-sectional shape, has a capacity of 1.5 cubic meters and is used to transport closures (or caps) for plastic containers, among other items. The Octabin container has an opening on the bottom of one side to dispense closures from the side as well as from the top of the container, where it is usually loaded. The Octabin container, however, has several drawbacks.
First, the Octabin container is not collapsible. Because these containers are so large, it is desirable to have a container that collapses so that it can be stored or shipped easily when empty, requiring relatively little space. Second, the Octabin container is not stackable. Again, for storing and transport purposes, it is highly desirable to have shipping containers that stack or mate with one another, requiring less space and making the containers more stable when shipped or stored. The third drawback is a result of the first two drawbacks. Because the Octabin container is neither collapsible nor stackable, these deficiencies render it non-returnable. A shipping container that can be returned to the manufacturer simply reduces waste by making the container “recyclable,” thereby reducing the cost to the manufacturer, a savings which can be passed on to the customer.
Another conventional shipping container for transporting small items such as closures is a “Crown-Sandston” shipping container, manufactured by Crown Cork & Seal of Philadelphia, Pa. This shipping container has a rectangular cross-section and while it is collapsible and stackable, it does not allow for unloading from the side. It necessitates loading and unloading from the top of the container only.
Thus, it is desirable to provide a shipping container that is collapsible, stackable, returnable, and allows for unloading of its contents by way of a side as well as the top. In providing such container, it also is desirable to make such a container more efficient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A new and improved shipping container for storing, transporting, and dispensing contents is provided. The container comprises two pallets, a base pallet serving as a base of the container and a cover pallet serving as a cover of the container, and a plurality of sidewalls that are situated between the base pallet and the cover pallet.
One sidewall has a side opening for dispensing at least a portion of the contents from the side opening. In addition, the sidewalls can be removed from the pallets and folded substantially flat, rendering the container collapsible. As is conventional, when the cover pallet of the container is removed from the erect container, a top opening of the container is revealed for the loading or unloading of contents.
Preferably, the sidewalls of the container comprise a rear sidewall, a front sidewall, two side sidewalls, each extending between the front sidewall and the rear sidewall, and two inserts, each extending the height of the container and extending between a location on the front sidewall and a location on a closer side sidewall, yielding an interior volume having a hexagonal cross-sectional shape. For each insert, the location on the closer side sidewall is at a location closer to the front sidewall than the rear sidewall, and the locations on the front sidewall are the same distance from their respective closer sidewalls. Preferably, a spout for dispensing contents through the side opening, which preferably is a side opening in the front sidewall, is formed by the two inserts and the front sidewall.
In preferred embodiments, at least one sidewall further comprises at least one cut-out visibly indicating the type and current volume of contents in the container. Preferably, there are plurality of cut-outs in the sidewall, wherein the cut-outs are situated at different heights on the sidewall of the container. In certain preferred embodiments, the cut-outs are situated on the front sidewall and the rear sidewall.
When the container is in its collapsed state, the front sidewall is in a horizontal position and situated below the inserts, which are situated below the side sidewalls, which are situated below the rear sidewall. As is conventional, when the pallet is in its collapsed state, the base pallet and the cover pallet fit together relatively flat.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3129868 (1964-04-01), Jenk
patent: 3650459 (1972-03-01), Tucker
patent: 3770186 (1973-11-01), Kupersmit
patent: 4238040 (1980-12-01), Fitzpatrick
patent: 4413737 (1983-11-01), Wind
patent: 4850506 (1989-07-01), Heap, Jr. et al.
patent: 4930661 (1990-06-01), Voorhies
patent: 5020674 (1991-06-01), Thorud et al.
patent: 5651463 (1997-07-01), Major et al.
patent: 5829595 (1998-11-01), Brown et al.
patent: 6000549 (1999-12-01), Perkins
patent: 6032815 (2000-03-01), Elstone
System Octabin Containers Technical Information Sheet (and 7 sheets of drawings) designed by Crown Obrist AG of Reinach, Switzerland (date unknown).
Drawing sheet for Crown-Sandston shipping container manufactured by Crown Cork & Seal of Philadelphia, PA (date unknown).
“Molding the future of returnable plastic pallets” brochure from Menasha Corporation of Watertown, Wisconsin featuring plastic Convoy® Opte-Pak™ Pallets date of brochure unknown (Convoy® Opte-Pak™ Pallets from 1987).
Debrunner Kurt
Nash Patrick J.
Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
Foster Jim
Woodcock Washburn Kurtz Mackiewicz & Norris LLP
LandOfFree
Hexagonal shipping container system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Hexagonal shipping container system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hexagonal shipping container system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2569705