Receptacles – Sectional – Folding
Patent
1996-11-19
1998-02-24
Pollard, Steven M.
Receptacles
Sectional
Folding
220 7, B65D 2100
Patent
active
057204055
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to collapsible containers.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Collapsible containers of many forms are known. One form has a base with demountable side panels. Another form has a base with coupled side panels which can be folded down to overlying relationship one with the other and all in overlying relationship with the base. To this time the folding down and erection of the panels relative to the base in containers of the latter type has been handicapped by the construction of the connections between the panels and the base. This invention proposes a novel form of connection which, in association with the means used for engaging the panels when upright with the base, provides a simple and effective alternative to the known arrangements used in containers having a base with permanently coupled fold down side panels.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
Broadly stated the invention provides a collapsible container including a four sided base, two pairs of container side panels with the panels respectively permanently connected by link means to the base adjacent the four sides thereof, the height of the panels of one pair between a bottom edge and a top edge of each panel being shorter than the height of the panels of the other panel pair, the width of the panels of said shorter pair between side edges joining the top and bottom edges thereof being greater than the width of the panels of the longer pair, channels at the four sides of the base and flanges on the bottom edges of the panels, said link means permitting said panels when upright with respect to said base to move divergently in directions normal to the planes of said panels to achieve engagement of said panel flanges in said base channels and also permitting said panels after disengagement of said panel flanges from said base channels to move pivotally to allow said panels to be stacked in overlying relationship with each other and said base, releasable coupling means to couple together adjacent sides edges of the panels of said panel pairs when upright with respect to said base and connected by said flanges to said base channels and releasable securing means to prevent release of said coupling means.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a base for a first form of the invention,
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one pair of panels for use with the base of FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a container utilising the base of FIG. 1 and two pairs of panels as shown in FIG. 2,
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the link components for the link connection between the base and a panel, with the panel upright in an operative relationship with panel mounting means of the base,
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 where the panel is disengaged from its mounting means but still erect,
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 where the panel is disengaged from its mounting means but folded down as part of the container collapsing process,
FIG. 7 diagrammatically shows a first stage in the collapse of the container,
FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the second stage in the collapse of the container,
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the third stage in the collapse of the container,
FIG. 10 shows the container collapsed,
FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view of alternative link components for linking a panel to the base of a container,
FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 with the link components assembled,
FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the link connection of FIG. 12 between the base and a panel with the panel in an upright operative relationship with means to couple the panel to the base,
FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 15 where the panel is disengaged from its coupling means but still erect, and
FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14 where the panel is disengaged from its coupling means but folded down to an overlying relationship with the base.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2456419 (1948-12-01), Jackson et al.
patent: 2756894 (1956-07-01), Phillips
patent: 2914210 (1959-11-01), Paston
patent: 3383003 (1968-05-01), Schurch
patent: 4186841 (1980-02-01), Buckley et al.
patent: 4662532 (1987-05-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 4735330 (1988-04-01), Hoss
Pollard Steven M.
Schindler Edwin D.
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