COLLAPSIBLE CRATE WITH MULTIPLE POSITION SUPPORT

Abstract

A container includes a plurality of walls pivotably connected to a base. At least one support is selectively positionable at one of a plurality of heights relative to the base.

Description

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/097,192, filed Sep. 15, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to containers and more particularly to a collapsible container with support members for supporting another container thereon at multiple heights.

Many different types of collapsible containers for transporting and storing goods are known. Generally, the collapsible containers include end walls and side walls pivotably connected to a base. The end walls and side walls latch to one another to remain in an upright, use position and are collapsible onto the base for efficient storage and shipping when empty. Some collapsible containers include retractable supports so that another (generally different type) container can be supported thereon. One such container includes end walls each having a support that is partially supported on the adjacent walls when in the support position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a collapsible container having at least one support that can be selectively positioned at more than one height relative to the base.

Generally, the collapsible container includes a plurality of walls pivotably connected to a base. The walls latch to one another to remain in an upright, use position and are collapsible onto the base for efficient storage and shipping when empty. The collapsible container includes retractable supports so that another container can be supported thereon. The support can be selectively positioned at more than one height relative to the base for more efficient stacking of containers, depending upon the size of the goods stored in the container. For smaller goods, the lower stacking height can be used, thereby reducing the overall stacking height of the containers. For larger goods, the high stacking height is used to accommodate the larger goods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to one embodiment of the present invention with the supports in a retracted position.

FIG. 2 shows the container of FIG. 1 with the supports in a high stacking position.

FIG. 3 shows the container of FIG. 1 with the supports in a low stacking position.

FIG. 4 shows the container of FIG. 1 in a collapsed position.

FIG. 5 is an interior perspective view of one quarter of the container of FIG. 1 with the support in the retracted position.

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, with the end wall being moved toward a collapsed position.

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6 with the end wall in the collapsed position.

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7 with the side wall collapsed onto the end wall.

FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 5, with the support in a vertically extended position.

FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9 with the support being moved toward the high stacking position.

FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 10 with the support in the high stacking position.

FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 5, with the support in the retracted position.

FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 12, with the support being moved toward the low stacking position.

FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 13, with the support being in the low stacking position.

FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 14, with the support and the end wall being moved toward the collapsed position.

FIG. 16 shows the end wall in the collapsed position.

FIG. 17 shows the support in the high stacking position.

FIG. 18 shows the support and end wall being moved from the high stacking position of FIG. 17 toward the collapsed position.

FIG. 19 shows the end wall in the collapsed position.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of half of the end wall.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of half of the support.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the support mounted to the end wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A collapsible container 10 includes a base 12, collapsible side walls 14 (or “long walls”) and collapsible end walls 18 (or “short walls”). The side walls 14 are pivotably connected to upstanding side members 16, which are integrally molded with the base 12 and extend upwardly along the side edges of the base 12. Each end wall 18 includes a support member 20 pivotably and slidably connected thereto by arms 24. Each of the support members 20 includes a support portion 21 extending between opposite ends 22, which protrude outwardly relative to the arms 24.

Each side wall 14 includes a set of channels 26, 28, 30 adjacent each end wall 18. An upper channel 26 and a first lower channel 30 are open at an upper edge of the side wall 14. The upper channel 26 and a second lower channel 28 meet at a recess 34 in the side upstanding side members 16.

The end walls 18 each include a handle portion 36 defined by a handle opening 38 therebelow.

In FIG. 1, the support members 20 are shown in the retracted position. In FIG. 2, the support members 20 are shown in a high stacking position, where they extend across a mouth of the container 10 to facilitate stacking of another container (not shown) on the support portions 21 of the support members 20.

FIG. 3 illustrates the support members 20 in a low stacking position where the support portions 21 extend across the interior of the container 10 such that a container can be supported on the support portions 21 of the support members 20 at a lower height, thus reducing stacking height when the containers 10 are not full.

FIG. 4 illustrates the container 10 in a collapsed position, where the end walls 18 are collapsed onto the base 12 and the side walls 14 are collapsed on top of the end walls 18. In the collapsed position, the empty container 10 can easily be shipped for reuse while occupying the least volume.

The positions of the container 10 shown in FIGS. 1-4 and described briefly above will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5-19, which are quarter section views of the container 10 of FIGS. 1-4. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the container 10 is symmetric about the section lines.

FIG. 5, again illustrates the container 10 with the support member 20 in the retracted position. The interior surface of the side wall 14 includes the upper channel 26, which extends in an arcuate path from an opening through the upper surface of the side wall 14 down to an opening through the lower surface of the side wall 14 where it is aligned with the recess 34 in the side upstanding member 16. A high stacking notch 27 is formed adjacent the upper channel 26. A first lower channel 30 extends from the opening through the upper surface of the side wall 14 to a low stacking notch 29 in a generally arcuate path. A second lower channel 28 extends in an arcuate path from the low stacking notch 29 to meet and join with the upper channel 26 at the opening through the lower surface of the side wall 14, again aligned with the recess 34 in the side upstanding member 16.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the end wall 18 can be pivoted from the upright position of FIG. 5 to the collapsed position of FIG. 7 on the base 12. As the end wall 18 is pivoting downwardly, the end 22 of the support member 20 is captured in the upper channel 26 (FIG. 6) and is then received in the recess 34 in the side upstanding member 16 (FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 8, the side wall 14 is then pivoted onto the end wall 18.

As shown in FIG. 9, the arms 24 of the support member 20 are also slidable relative to the end wall 18. As shown in FIG. 9, the support member 20 can be pulled upward to the position shown, where the support portion 21 is spaced directly above the end wall 18. From that position, the support member 20 can be pivoted downward as shown in FIG. 10. The support portion 20 is then further pivoted to the high stacking position, shown in FIG. 11. In this position, the ends 22 of the support member 20 are received in the high nesting notches 27.

Again, starting from the retracted position shown in FIG. 12, the support member 20 can be pivoted downward into the first lower channel 30, as shown in FIG. 13. The end of the support member 20 is captured in the first lower channel 30 and is pivoted downward into the low stacking notch 29 as shown in FIG. 14. From the low stacking position, the end wall 18 can still be collapsed directly, as shown in FIG. 15. The end 22 of the support member 20 is captured in the second lower channel 28 as the end wall 18 is pivoted toward the base 12. The end 22 is received in the recess 34 of the side upstanding member 16 as the end wall 18 is received on the base 12, as shown in FIG. 16.

Similarly, the end wall 18 can be collapsed when the support member 20 is in the high stacking position, as shown in FIG. 17, where the end 22 of the support member 20 is received in the high stacking notch 27. As shown in FIG. 18, the end 22 of the support member 20 moves downward within the upper channel 26 as the end wall 18 is pivoted downward toward the base 12. Again, the end 22 of the support member 20 is received in the recess 34 of the side upstanding member 16 as the end wall 18 is received on the base 12 as shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of half of the end wall 18 mounted in the base 12. The end wall 18 includes a vertical slot 40 adjacent a vertical flange 42 on each side of the end wall 18.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of half of the support 20. As shown, each arm 24 includes an inwardly protruding pin 44. Referring to FIG. 22, the pin 44 of each arm 24 is received in the adjacent vertical slot 40 in order to slidably and pivotably mount the support 20 to the end wall 18. The vertical flange 42 abutting each arm 24 keeps the support 20 from rotating outward of the end wall 18. Other ways of slidably and pivotably mounting the support 20 to the end wall 18 or even the side walls 14 could also be used.

In use, the container 10 can be loaded with goods when the support members 20 are in the retracted position as shown in FIG. 1. If the goods occupy almost all of the interior of the container 10, the support members are moved to the high stacking position as shown in FIG. 2, such that a dissimilar container (typically, a nestable container, rather than a collapsible container) can be stacked thereon. If the goods occupy only a small portion of the interior of the container 10, the support members 20 are moved to the low stacking position, as shown in FIG. 3, so that the container stacked thereon will have a lower stacking height, thus enabling more containers to occupy less height.

When the container is empty, it can be collapsed completely as shown in FIG. 4 for return and reuse, while occupying a minimum volume.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes and jurisprudence, exemplary configurations described above are considered to represent a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope. For example, although two stacking heights are disclosed, three or more stacking heights could also be provided. Further, although the support member design is shown extendable above the container, other designs with support members that never extend above the container are also known and could be adapted to the multi-position invention. Also, other support member designs, such as how they attach to the end wall, are known, and would be within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A container comprising:

a base;

a plurality of walls extending upward from the base, the plurality of walls including a first wall and a second wall movable from an upright position to a collapsed position on the base; and

a support mounted to the first wall and movable relative to the first wall between a retracted position, a high stacking position and a low stacking position.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein the support extends further into a mouth of the container when the support is in the high stacking position and the low stacking position than when the support is in the retracted position.

3. The container of claim 1 wherein the support is pivotably and slidably mounted to the first wall and movable relative to the first wall between the high and low stacking positions and the retracted position.

4. The container of claim 1 wherein the support is partially supported on the second wall in the high stacking position and in the low stacking position.

5. The container of claim 4 wherein the second wall includes a high stacking notch partially supporting the support in the high stacking position and a low stacking notch for partially supporting the support in the low stacking position.

6. The container according to any of claims 1-5 wherein the second wall includes an upper channel through which a portion of the support passes when the first wall is moved from the upright position to the collapsed position.

7. The container according to any of claims 1-6 wherein the second wall includes a lower channel through which the support passes when the first wall is moved from the low stacking position directly to the collapsed position.

8. A container comprising:

a base;

a plurality of walls pivotably connected to the base and pivotable between an upright position and a collapsed position on the base, the plurality of walls including a first wall and a second wall; and

a support movable relative to the first wall between a retracted position, a high stacking position and a low stacking position, the support extending further into a mouth of the container when the support is in the high stacking position and the low stacking position than when the support is in the retracted position.

9. The container of claim 8 wherein the second wall includes a high stacking notch partially supporting the support in the high stacking position and a low stacking notch for partially supporting the support in the low stacking position.

10. The container according to claim 8 wherein the second wall includes an upper channel through which a portion of the support passes when the first wall is moved from the upright position to the collapsed position.

11. The container according to claim 8 wherein the second wall includes a lower channel through which the support passes when the first wall is moved from the low stacking position directly to the collapsed position.

12. A method for using a collapsible container having a base, a first wall and a second wall, and a support mounted to the first wall, the method including the steps of:

a) moving the support from a retracted position toward an interior of the container to a high stacking position;

b) moving the support from the high stacking position to a low stacking position; and

c) moving the support and the first wall to a collapsed position on the base.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said step c) includes the step of moving the support directly from the low stacking position toward the collapsed position on the base.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said step c) includes the step of moving the support directly from the high stacking position toward the collapsed position on the base.