IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CONTAINERS

Abstract

A container (10) comprises a base (12) and upstanding side walls (14) extending from the base (12) to define a load receiving space (16). The base (12) comprises a first base member (18) and a second base member (20). A spacing arrangement (22) is provided between the first and second base members (18, 20). The container (10) may include corner arrangements (28) between adjacent side walls (14). Each corner arrangement (28) extends outwardly from the adjacent side walls (14) to provide a protruding region adjacent each side wall (14), and to define a concave region (32) communicating with the load receiving space (16). 20. A divider for a container is also provided, the divider comprising a main member (112) and a detent (120))) on the main member, the detent being receivable by a support to secure the divider to the support.

Claims

1. A base for a container, the base comprising a first base member, a second base member, and a spacing arrangement between the first and second base members; wherein the spacing arrangement comprises a plurality of first and second ribs between the first and second base members, the first and second ribs extending diagonally relative to the edges of the base.

2. A base according to claim 1, wherein the first base member is an upper base member, and the second base member is a lower base member, and side walls can extend from the upper base member.

3. (canceled)

4. A base according to claim 1, wherein the ribs comprise a plurality of first ribs and a plurality of second ribs, the first ribs extending transverse to the second ribs.

5. A base according to claim 4, wherein the second base member has opposite first corner regions, the first ribs extending inwardly from said opposite first corner regions of the second base member.

6. A base according to claim 5, wherein the spacing arrangement comprises two sets of the first ribs, each set of first ribs extending from a respective one of the first corner regions to a central region of the base.

7. A base according to claim 5, wherein the second base member has opposite second corner regions, the second ribs extending inwardly from said opposite second corner regions of the lower base member.

8. A base according to claim 7, wherein the spacing arrangement comprises two sets of the second ribs, each set of second ribs extending from a respective one of the second corner regions.

9. A base according to claim 8, wherein a transverse third rib extends across the first ribs, the third rib extending from one of the second ribs in each of the two sets of second ribs, and each of the first ribs of the two sets of first ribs extend to the third rib.

10. A base according to claim 1, wherein the second base member has upper and lower surfaces and a central region, the central region providing a raised region in the upper surface of the second base member, and the central region providing a recessed region in the lower surface of the second base member.

11. (canceled)

12. A container comprising a base, upstanding side walls to define a load receiving space, and corner arrangements between adjacent side walls, wherein each corner arrangement extends outwardly from the adjacent side walls to provide a protruding region adjacent each side wall, and to define a concave region communicating with the load receiving space.

13. A container according to claim 12, wherein each corner arrangement comprises an upper protruding portion, a lower protruding portion, a central portion provided between the upper and lower protruding portions, the upper and lower protruding portions and the central portion defining the concave region.

14. A container according to claim 13, wherein the upper and lower protruding portions extend outwardly from the side walls further than the central portion.

15. A container according to claim 13, wherein each corner arrangement comprises two opposite substantially flat outer panel regions and a substantially flat inner panel region extending between the outer panel regions, and each corner arrangement furthers comprise side panel regions extending between the outer panel regions and the respective side wall, the outer panel regions being arranged between the side panel regions and the inner panel regions.

16. A container according to claim 15, wherein the upper and lower protruding portions of each corner arrangement have opposite relatively wide outer panel regions, and relatively narrow inner panel regions, and wherein the central portion of each corner arrangement has relatively narrow outer panel regions, and a relatively wide inner panel region.

17. A container according to claim 15 or 16, wherein each lower protruding portion has a lower face extending upwardly from the base.

18. A container according to claim 12, wherein each side wall is offset inwardly relative to the edge of the base, the corner arrangements extending from the side walls to the edge of the base, and a ledge region of the upper base member is provided adjacent each side wall.

19. (canceled)

20. A divider for a container, the divider comprising a main member and a detent on the main member, the detent being receivable by a support to secure the divider to the support.

21. A divider according to claim 20, wherein the detent comprises a resilient portion on the main member, and the detent further includes a protrusion on the resilient portion, the protrusion being receivable by the support to secure the divider to the support.

22. A divider according to claim 21, wherein the resilient portion extends from the main member to the protrusion, and the detent comprises a release portion extending from the resilient member.

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

26. (canceled)

27. A divider according to claim 20, further including a fastening formation to allow the divider to be fastened to a support, wherein the fastening formation comprises a T-shaped member having a T-shaped end profile, the T-shaped member comprising a wide portion and a narrow portion, the narrow portion connecting the wide portion to the edge face, and the narrow portion extending from a central region of the wide portion.

28. (canceled)

29. (canceled)

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. (canceled)

Description

[0064] At least one embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0065] FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of a container;

[0066] FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below of the container;

[0067] FIG. 3 is a perspective view from one side and end of the container;

[0068] FIG. 4 is a close up view of upper and central regions of the container, showing two corner arrangements;

[0069] FIG. 5 is a view of central and lower regions of the container, showing two corner arrangements;

[0070] FIG. 6 is a view of a lower region of the container, showing two corner arrangements;

[0071] FIG. 7 is a sectional view from above of the base of the container;

[0072] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a divider;

[0073] FIG. 9 is a close up of a region of the divider, in which a detent of the divider secures the divider to a container;

[0074] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of another divider;

[0075] FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of yet another divider, showing a securing formation for securing the divider to a further divider;

[0076] FIG. 12 is a close up view of the region marked XII in FIG. 11;

[0077] FIG. 13 is a view of a region of the divider shown in FIG. 10;

[0078] FIG. 14 is a close up view of the region marked XIV in FIG. 13;

[0079] FIG. 15 shows the divider depicted in FIG. 11 secured to the divider shown in FIG. 10; and

[0080] FIG. 16 shows a top perspective view of a container in which a plurality of the dividers are arranged.

[0081] The drawings show a container 10 comprising a rectangular base 12 and four upstanding side walls 14 extending upwardly from the base 12. The side walls 14 and the base 12 define a load receiving space 16 in which one or more articles can be held. Each side wall 14 has a smooth inner surface 15.

[0082] The base 12 comprises a substantially flat upper base member 18 and a substantially flat lower base member 20. The base 12 is formed as a one piece unit. The upper surface 21 of the upper base member 18 is smooth.

[0083] The side walls 14 are attached to the upper base member 18, and extend upwardly therefrom.

[0084] The provision of upper and lower base members 18, 20 in the embodiment described herein reduces the possibility that the base 12 may be damaged when the container 10 is being transported on a conveyor.

[0085] A spacing arrangement 22 is provided to space the upper and lower base members 18, 20 from each other. The spacing arrangement 22 is shown particularly in FIG. 7, and comprises a plurality of parallel first ribs 24 extending perpendicular to a plurality of parallel second ribs 26. The first ribs 24 extend parallel to each other. The second ribs 26 extend parallel to each other.

[0086] The first and second ribs 24, 26 extend diagonally relative to the side walls 14 and the edges of the upper and lower base members 18, 20. The first and second ribs 24, 26 extend between the upper and lower base members 18, 20.

[0087] The plurality of the first ribs 24 comprises two sets 24A, 24B of the first ribs 24. Each set 24A, 24B of the first ribs 24 extends inwardly from a respective one of the two opposite corner regions 25A of the lower base member 20.

[0088] The sets 24A, 24B of the first ribs 24 extend to a third rib 26C. The third rib 26C is an extension of a central second rib 26 in each of the sets 26A, 26B. The third rib 26C extends perpendicular to the first ribs 24. Each of the sets 24A, 24B of the first ribs 24 comprises two opposite outer first ribs 24C.

[0089] The plurality of the second ribs 26 comprises two sets 26A, 26B of the second ribs 26. Each set of the second ribs 26 extends inwardly from a respective one of the other two opposite corner regions 25B of the lower base member 20.

[0090] The second ribs 26 extend to the outer first ribs 24C. The first and second ribs 24, 26 have the effect, in the embodiment described herein, of reducing noise as the container 10 is transported by a roller conveyor.

[0091] The lower base member 20 defines a plurality of through holes 27. The through holes 27 are arranged in a substantially rectangular central region 50 of the lower base member 20.

[0092] The central region 50 provides a raised region 51 in the upper surface 53 of the lower base member 20, and a recessed region 52 in the lower surface 54 of the lower base member 20. The central region 50 adds strength to the lower base member 20.

[0093] During manufacture, the first and second ribs 24, 26 are formed by the injection of moulding material into spaces between moulding members of the moulding tool. The apertures 27 are formed by the insertion of support members into the moulding space to support the aforementioned moulding members.

[0094] The container 10 comprises corner arrangements 28 to connect adjacent side walls 14 to each other. Each corner arrangement 28 is in the form of a protruding region extending outwardly from the adjacent side walls 14. Each corner arrangement 28 defines an internal concave region 32. The concave region 32 communicates with the load receiving space 16.

[0095] In the embodiment described herein, the concave region 32 of each corner arrangement 28 provides the advantage that it improves impact performance and allows a reduction in weight compared to prior containers of similar impact performance.

[0096] Each corner arrangement 28 further comprises a central portion 30, and upper and lower protruding portions 34, 36. The central portion 30 is provided between the upper and lower protruding portions 34, 36.

[0097] As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 3, the upper and lower protruding portions 34, 36 extend outwardly from the side walls 14 further than the central portion 30.

[0098] Each upper and lower protruding portions 34, 36 of each corner arrangement 28 has a relatively narrow inner panel region 28A, and relatively wide outer panel regions 28B on opposite sides of the inner panel regions 28A.

[0099] The central portion 30 has a relatively wide inner panel region 28C, and relatively narrow outer panel regions 28D on opposite sides of the inner panel region 28C.

[0100] Each corner arrangement 28 has opposite side panels 28E extending along the central portion 30, and along the upper and lower protruding portions 34, 36. The outer panel regions 28D of the central portion 30 extend between the side panel regions 28E and the inner panel region 28C of the central portion 30. The outer panel regions 28B of the upper and lower protruding portions 34, 36 extend between the side panel regions 28E and the inner panel region 28A of each of the upper and lower protruding portions 34, 36.

[0101] As can be seen from the drawings, the upper and lower protruding portions 34, 36 protrude beyond the central portion 30. The central portion 30 has an angular substantially C-shaped end profile. The upper and lower portions 34, 36 have end profiles that are substantially V-shaped.

[0102] Each lower protruding portion 36 has a lower face 38 extending from the upper base member 18. The lower face 38 is inclined at an angle of substantially 45? upwardly relative to the upper base member 18, and defines an aperture 40 through which water may drain. The apertures 40 have the effect that they increase the flexibility of the corner arrangements 28.

[0103] Each side wall 14 is offset inwardly relative to the edge of the base 12, whereas the corner arrangements 28 extend from the side walls 14 to the edge of the base 12. Thus, a ledge region 29 of the upper base member 18 is provided adjacent each side wall 14.

[0104] The provision of the corner arrangements 28 as described above provide the advantage in the embodiment described herein that the corner arrangements 28 act as shock absorbers in the event of an impact on the container 10, for example by the container 10 being dropped or an article, such as another container 10, being dropped thereon. It is believed that the corner arrangements 28 add resiliency to the container, thereby reducing the risk of damage.

[0105] Referring to FIG. 1, the side walls 14 have cooperating formations 42 at their upper edges 44 to cooperate with corresponding formations on a lid. The cooperating formations 42 comprise openings 46 defined in the top edge 44 of each side wall 14. A respective slot 48 extends downwardly from each opening 46 across the inner face 15 of the respective side wall 14.

[0106] There is thus described a container, in which, in the embodiment described herein, the provision of diagonally extending ribs between upper and lower base members 18, 20 provide the advantage that there is a reduction in the noise created when the containers are moved by conveyors, particularly roller conveyors.

[0107] There can also be a reduction in the damage to automation equipment as a result of the lack of exposed edges on the base. The reduction in such damage will have the effect that the time during which the equipment is inoperative will also be reduced thereby minimising any loss of profit.

[0108] FIGS. 8 to 16 show three different dividers 102 for a container 110. The three different dividers are: a first central divider, shown in FIG. 8, and generally designated 102A in that Figure; a second central divider, shown in FIGS. 10 and 13 to 15, and generally designated 102B in those Figures; and a branch divider, shown in FIGS. 11, 12, 15 and 16, and generally designated 102C in those Figures.

[0109] The container 110 may be the container 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 above. Alternatively, the container 110 may be any other suitable rectangular container. The container 110 has a base and a plurality of side walls 111 extending upwardly from the base to define a load receiving space.

[0110] Each of the dividers 102 comprises a substantially flat main member 112. A rim 114 extends around the main member 112, the rim 114 comprising a plurality of edge faces 116. Each edge face 116 is provided by a flange 118 (see FIGS. 10 to 13) extending laterally outwardly and inwardly from the main member 112.

[0111] The rim 114 comprises two opposite vertical edge faces 116A. Each of the vertical edge faces 116A is provided with a respective detent 120 at an upper region 122 of the respective vertical edge face 116A.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 9, the upper region 122 of each vertical edge face 116A defines a recessed region 124. A shoulder 126 is provided at each of the recessed regions 124. The detent 120 extends from the shoulder 126.

[0113] Each detent 120 comprises a resilient portion 128 extending upwardly from the shoulder 126 in alignment with the flange 118 forming the vertical edge face 116A. The resilient portion 128 is in the form of a leaf spring.

[0114] A protrusion 130 extends outwardly from the resilient portion 128. The protrusion 130 is received in a receiving formation in the form of a hole 132 in one of the side walls 111 of the container 110 to secure the divider 102 to the wall 111 of the container 110.

[0115] Alternatively to the hole 132, the receiving formation could be any other suitable receiving formation, such as a concavity in the side wall 111.

[0116] The detent 120 is movable between a locking position and a release position. In the locking position, the protrusion 130 is received in the hole 132.

[0117] In the release position, the protrusion 130 is released from the hole 132 to allow the divider 102 to be removed from the container 110. In the release position, the detent 120 is received in the recessed region 124.

[0118] Each detent 120 includes a release portion 134 extending from the resilient portion 128. The release portion 134 is substantially L-shaped, comprising a tab 136 and a connecting portion 138 connecting the tab 136 to the resilient portion 128. One end of the tab 136 has a free end.

[0119] The release portion 134 is provided to allow a user to move the detent 120 to the release position. The release portion 134 can be moved into the recessed region 124 by the user pressing the tab 136, thereby moving the protrusion 130 out of the hole 132 to allow the divider 102 to be removed.

[0120] In use, as the divider 102 is slid into position in the load receiving space of the container 110, the side wall 111 engages the protrusion 130 and pushes the detent 120 into the recessed region 124.

[0121] When the divider 102 is fully received in the container 110, the protrusion 130 is aligned with the hole 132 in the side wall 111, and the resilience of the resilient portion 128 urges the protrusion 130 into the hole 132, thereby securing the divider 102 in position.

[0122] Each of the dividers 102 shown in FIGS. 8 and 10 possesses two of the detents 120; a respective one of the detents 120 is provided on each of the opposite vertical edge faces 116A.

[0123] The protrusions 130 of both of the detents 120 are urged into respective holes 132 in the opposite side walls 111 of the container 110. This secures the divider 102 in the container 110 at both of the opposite vertical edge faces 116A.

[0124] The first and second central dividers 102A and 102B are intended to be arranged in the container 110 in a position in which the first and second central dividers 102A and 102B extends between opposite walls 111.

[0125] In the case of the first central divider 102A shown in FIG. 8, the first central divider 102A is secured to, and extends between, the longer side walls 111.

[0126] In the case of the second central divider 102B shown in FIG. 10, the second central divider 102B is secured to, and extends between, the shorter side walls 111.

[0127] The branch divider 102C shown in FIG. 11 is intended to be positioned between one of the side walls 111 and the central divider 102B. Only one of the edge faces 116 of the branch divider 102C shown in FIG. 11 has a detent 120.

[0128] The branch divider 102C is secured to the side wall 111 by the single detent 120 in a manner that would be understood by the skilled person on reading the description above.

[0129] Referring to FIG. 12, the opposite vertical edge face 116A is provided with a fastening formation in the form of a T-shaped member 140.

[0130] The T-shaped member 140 holds the branch divider 102C on the first or second central divider 102A or 102B. The T-shaped member 140 of the branch divider 102C has a T-shaped end profile.

[0131] The T-shaped member 140 comprises a wide portion 150 and a narrow portion 152. The narrow portion 152 extends from a central region of the wide portion 150 to connect the wide portion 150 to the vertical edge face 116A.

[0132] Referring to FIG. 14, the central divider 102B includes a plurality of cooperating formations 142 to receive the T-shaped members 140 of a plurality of branch dividers 102C. This allows the user to include any suitable number of branch dividers 102C in the container 110.

[0133] Each cooperating formation 142 is a cavity 144 defined in the central divider 102. A retaining formation 146 defining a slot 148 extends across the cavity 144.

[0134] In use, the T-shaped member 140 is received in the cavity 144, and the narrow portion 152 of the T-shaped member 140 extends through the slot 148.

[0135] In order to install the branch divider 10C2, the branch divider 102C is aligned with the hole 132 in the side wall 111 of the container 110, and the T-shaped member 140 aligned with the cavity 144.

[0136] The user then slides the branch divider 102C between the side wall 111 of the container 110 and the central divider 102. As the detent 120 moves into its locking position, the wide portion 150 of the T-shaped member 140 is received in the cavity 144.

[0137] Each of the central and the branch dividers 102A, 102B, 102C is provided with feet 154 projecting from the lower edge face 116. The feet 154 are received in holes (not shown) defined in the base of the container 110.

[0138] In the embodiment described herein, the dividers 102 provide the advantage of allowing the container 10 to be easily reconfigured in use.

[0139] Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.