STORAGE SYSTEM WITH COLLAPSIBLE BIN
Improved collapsible bins are provided for storing goods, such as solids, semi-solids, or fluids. In various embodiments, the bins have a base about the same size as a pallet to facilitate handling and storage. Bins include a plurality of sidewalls (typically four), a cover, and a base. The base includes a floor-mounted sump for discharging the contents of the bin. The bin sidewalls and cover hingably connect to the base, and the sidewalls and cover can collapse and nest inside the base to reduce the storage space consumed by empty bins. Further provided are storage systems which include a collapsible bin and a bag liner disposed in the bin.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/356,413, filed on Jun. 18, 2010, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUNDStorage containers are widely used in the shipping industry to contain, store, and transport goods. Storage containers come in various sizes and must be both capacious and durable in order to be useful. Bulk storage containers in particular are bulky and heavy. Consequently, these containers take up significant storage space even when empty. In addition, storage containers often are not well suited for storing, transporting, or discharging fluids and semi-fluid contents.
The present invention addresses these and other needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention provides, in part, improved collapsible bins for storing goods, such as solids, semi-solids, or fluids. In various embodiments, the bins have a base about the same size as a pallet to facilitate handling and storage. Bins include a plurality of sidewalls (typically four), a cover, and a base. The base includes a floor-mounted sump for discharging the contents of the bin. The bin sidewalls and cover hingably connect to the base, and the sidewalls and cover can collapse and nest inside the base to reduce the storage space consumed by empty bins.
The invention also provides, in part, storage systems that include a collapsible bin and a bag liner (e.g., a bag-in-box) that is configured to discharge bin contents through a sump mounted in the floor of the bin.
In various embodiments, the invention provides a reusable, stackable and collapsible bin for holding contents. The bin can include a base having a top and a bottom and a floor which is attached to the base. The floor can be attached to the top of the base. The bin can include a plurality of (e.g., four) sidewalls having post extensions. A plurality of (e.g., four) posts are attached to the base, and the plurality of sidewalls can be hingably attached to the plurality of posts. A bin cover can be hingably attached to at least one of the plurality of sidewalls. In addition, the floor can include a sump projecting below the floor into the base, the sump defining a cavity and forming an opening for discharging contents of the bin.
In various embodiments, the invention provides a storage system which includes a reusable, stackable and collapsible bin as well as a bag liner disposed in the collapsible bin. The bag liner can be partially or entirely disposed in the interior of the collapsible bin. The bag liner can have sidewalls which are configured to cause the bag liner to assume the shape of the interior of the bin. In addition, the bag liner can include one or more ports, such as, for example, a port mounted on the bag liner and disposed in the opening formed by the sump and/or a port mounted on a top of the bag liner.
Embodiments of the collapsible bin and/or the storage system can include one or more of the following features.
The sump in the floor can be positioned near a periphery of the floor.
The floor of the bin can slope towards the sump to facilitate discharge of bin contents.
The bottom of the base can form a pallet assembly configured to be stackable on a second collapsible bin.
The plurality of sidewalls can be attached to the plurality of posts by hinge pins.
The plurality of sidewalls can be configured to move from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal, stowed position within the periphery of the base.
The plurality of sidewalls can nest within the base when in the stowed position.
The plurality of sidewalls can remain hingably attached to the plurality of posts when in the stowed position.
The collapsible bin in the stowed position can be configured to be stackable on the plurality of posts of a second collapsible bin, the second collapsible bin being in a stowed position.
The collapsible bin and the bag liner each can have four sidewalls.
The bag liner can have dimensions which are larger than the interior dimensions of the collapsible bin.
The bag liner can have a second port mounted on a top of bag liner for providing access to the interior of the bag liner.
The figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrative principles. The figures are to be considered illustrative embodiments in all respects and are not intended to limit the invention, the scope of which is defined only by the claims.
The invention provides, in part, bins for storage and transportation of goods.
Posts 48 can be attached to or integral with base 18. In some embodiments, posts 48 are substantially parallel and can be located at each corner of base 18. Posts 48 can be any suitable shape. Referring to
Referring to
In a preferred embodiment, each sidewall 14 is hingably attached to two posts 48 by, for example, hinge pins secured to the outside edges of the sidewalls that engage corresponding mounts (e.g., holes) on the posts. As will be appreciated, hinge pins instead can be secured to the posts 48 and the corresponding mount located on the sidewalls. The hinge pins permit the sidewalls to be moved from an upright, vertical position to a flat, stowed position while remaining attached to bin base 18. In addition, the hinges are positioned such that collapsed sidewalls and attached cover pieces stack on top of one another on base 18, as shown in
In some embodiments, during bin assembly, a first long sidewall 14a is moved into an upright position (see
Referring again to
In some embodiments, a first cover section 30a can be larger than a second section 30b. In addition, a first cover section 30a can overlap a second cover section 30b, thereby securing the second cover section in the closed position. First 30a and second 30b cover sections are configured to interlock with each other and/or one or more sidewalls to add rigidity and strength to the bin. Either or both cover sections can be secured to bin sidewalls 14 by, for example, spring loaded bolt latches 118, 120. In some embodiments, cover 30 includes at its periphery one or more studs that protrude from the interior facing surface of the cover and engage a sidewall 14 when cover 30 is in the closed position, thereby adding structural rigidity. In addition, the periphery of cover 30 can include an extrusion or an attached member that interlocks with a sidewall to add further rigidity to the closed bin.
In various embodiments, the base (including posts, floor, sump, and pallet assembly), sidewall, and cover of bin 10 are made of aluminum. However, as will be appreciated, any suitable metal or other materials can be used to manufacture the bin components.
In various embodiments, sidewalls 14, cover 30, and floor 38 are composed of a plurality of elongate extruded members for enhanced rigidity. However, sheet material also can be used for all or a portion of the sidewalls, cover, or floor. As noted above, one or more sidewalls 14 can incorporate a vertical post extension 60. The elongate members and post extensions can be secured together by any suitable means, such as, for example, by welding. The extruded members making up the floor can have a trapezoidal longitudinal cross-section (e.g., a first end of the members have a thicker cross section than a second end of the members) to facilitate manufacturing and installing a sloped floor. To add further strength, the extruded members can be joined together by tongue and groove connectors.
In various embodiments, storage systems are provided. These storage systems can include a collapsible bin which has a bag or liner inside the bin (e.g., a bag-in-box). The liner not only can contain the bin's contents (e.g., liquid or other products), but can protect the bin from its contents and also can protect the contents from contamination and from the ambient environment (e.g., moisture). Referring to
In some embodiments, the bag liner is configured to discharge the contents of the bag liner (e.g., liquid) through the opening formed by the sump. Referring to
The collapsible bins and bin storage systems described herein are capable of meeting applicable intermediate bulk container (IBC) certification standards for storing and transporting liquids. For example, applicable U.S. Department of Transportation and U.N. certifications require containers to pass various tests, which can include drop testing, vibration testing, stack testing, and internal pressure testing.
The use of headings and sections in the application is not meant to limit the invention; each section can apply to any aspect, embodiment, or feature of the invention.
Throughout the application, where compositions are described as having, including, or comprising specific components, or where processes are described as having, including or comprising specific process steps, it is contemplated that compositions of the present teachings also consist essentially of, or consist of, the recited components, and that the processes of the present teachings also consist essentially of, or consist of, the recited process steps.
In the application, where an element or component is said to be included in and/or selected from a list of recited elements or components, it should be understood that the element or component can be any one of the recited elements or components and can be selected from a group consisting of two or more of the recited elements or components. Further, it should be understood that elements and/or features of a composition, an apparatus, or a method described herein can be combined in a variety of ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present teachings, whether explicit or implicit herein.
The use of the terms “include,” “includes,” “including,” “have,” “has,” or “having” should be generally understood as open-ended and non-limiting unless specifically stated otherwise.
The use of the singular herein includes the plural (and vice versa) unless specifically stated otherwise. Moreover, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, where the use of the term “about” is before a quantitative value, the present teachings also include the specific quantitative value itself, unless specifically stated otherwise.
It should be understood that the order of steps or order for performing certain actions is immaterial so long as the present teachings remain operable. Moreover, two or more steps or actions may be conducted simultaneously.
Where a range or list of values is provided, each intervening value between the upper and lower limits of that range or list of values is individually contemplated and is encompassed within the invention as if each value were specifically enumerated herein. In addition, smaller ranges between and including the upper and lower limits of a given range are contemplated and encompassed within the invention. The listing of exemplary values or ranges is not a disclaimer of other values or ranges between and including the upper and lower limits of a given range.
The aspects, embodiments, features, and drawings of the invention are to be considered illustrative in all respects and are not intended to limit the invention, the scope of which is defined only by the claims. Other embodiments, modifications, and usages will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.
Claims
1. A reusable, stackable and collapsible bin for holding contents, the bin comprising:
- a base having a top and a bottom;
- a floor attached to the top of the base;
- a plurality of sidewalls having post extensions;
- a plurality of posts attached to the base, the plurality of sidewalls hingably attached to the plurality of posts;
- a cover hingably attached to at least one of the plurality of sidewalls; and
- a sump in the floor and projecting below the floor into the base, the sump defining a cavity and forming an opening for discharging contents of the bin.
2. The reusable, stackable and collapsible bin of claim 1, wherein the floor has a periphery and the sump is positioned near the periphery of the floor.
3. The reusable, stackable and collapsible bin of claim 1, wherein the floor slopes towards the sump.
4. The reusable, stackable and collapsible bin of claim 1, wherein the bottom of the base forms a pallet assembly configured to be stackable on a second collapsible bin.
5. The reusable, stackable and collapsible bin of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sidewalls are attached to the plurality of posts by hinge pins.
6. The reusable, stackable and collapsible bin of claim 1, wherein the base has a periphery and the plurality of sidewalls are configured to move from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal, stowed position within the periphery of the base.
7. The reusable, stackable and collapsible bin of claim 6, wherein the plurality of sidewalls nest within the base when in the stowed position.
8. The reusable, stackable and collapsible bin of claim 6, wherein the plurality of sidewalls remain hingably attached to the plurality of posts when in the stowed position.
9. The reusable, stackable and collapsible bin of claim 6, wherein the collapsible bin in the stowed position is configured to be stackable on the plurality of posts on a second collapsible bin, the second collapsible bin being in a stowed position.
10. A storage system comprising:
- a reusable, stackable and collapsible bin having an interior forming a shape, the collapsible bin comprising: a base having a top and a bottom; a floor attached to the top of the base; a plurality of sidewalls having post extensions; a plurality of posts attached to the base, the plurality of sidewalls hingably attached to the plurality of posts; a cover hingably attached to at least one of the plurality of sidewalls; and a sump in the floor and projecting below the floor into the base, the sump defining a cavity and forming an opening for discharging contents of the bin; and
- a bag liner disposed in the interior of the collapsible bin, the bag liner comprising: sidewalls configured to cause the bag liner to assume the shape of the interior of the bin; and a port mounted on the bag liner and disposed in the opening formed by the sump.
11. The storage system of claim 10, wherein the floor has a periphery and the sump is positioned near the periphery of the floor.
12. The storage system of claim 10, wherein the floor slopes towards the sump.
13. The storage system of claim 10, wherein the bottom of the base forms a pallet assembly configured to be stackable on a second collapsible bin.
14. The storage system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of sidewalls are attached to the plurality of posts by hinge pins.
15. The storage system of claim 10, wherein the base has a periphery and the plurality of sidewalls are configured to move from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal, stowed position within the periphery of the base.
16. The storage system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of sidewalls nest within the base when in the stowed position.
17. The storage system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of sidewalls remain hingably attached to the plurality of posts when in the stowed position.
18. The collapsible bin of claim 15, wherein the collapsible bin in the stowed position is configured to be stackable on the plurality of posts on a second collapsible bin, the second collapsible bin being in a stowed position.
19. The storage system of claim 10, wherein the bin and the bag liner each have four sidewalls.
20. The storage system of claim 10, wherein the bag liner has dimensions larger than the interior dimensions of the collapsible bin.
21. The storage system of claim 10, wherein the bag liner comprises a second port mounted on a top of bag liner, the second port providing access to an interior of the bag liner.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 17, 2011
Publication Date: Jan 19, 2012
Applicant: SHIELD PACK, LLC (West Monroe, LA)
Inventor: Hunter L. Darden (West Monroe, LA)
Application Number: 13/162,728
International Classification: B65D 21/00 (20060101);