MULTI-CLEAT INDUSTRIAL BIN
The multiple cleat bin of the present invention includes a base, a front wall, two opposing sidewalls, and a substantially vertical rear wall having an upper rim. The rear wall includes a cleat near the upper rim of the rear wall and a second cleat formed at the base of the rear wall. A third cleat formed in the rear wall may also be included. A fourth cleat formed in the rear wall may also be included. Preferably, a forewall and kick out wall are included to form a stacking space such that a second may be placed within bin for increased packing density for shipping or storage. The additional cleats provide additional strength for bins manufactured of more economical or recycled polymers that tend to be softer or less rigid. The use of multiple cleats allows for improved strength and flexibility in use. The bin may also include multi-element structural trusses at the front wall, right sidewall, rear wall and left sidewall are integrally formed such that they form a single structural element that encircles the upper edge of bin.
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The present invention relates to storage and transport systems and more particularly to bin system for use in storing parts for use in assembly. The multiple cleat bin of the present invention includes a base, a front wall, two opposing sidewalls, and a substantially vertical rear wall having an upper rim. The rear wall includes a cleat near the upper rim of the rear wall and a second cleat formed at the base of the rear wall. A third cleat formed in the rear wall may also be included. A fourth cleat formed in the rear wall may also be included. Preferably, a forewall and kick out wall are included to form a stacking space such that a second may be placed within bin for increased packing density for shipping or storage. The additional cleats provide additional strength for bins using less costly materials that may not have the strength and rigidity of currently used materials.
BACKGROUNDBin systems are often used in industrial sites to aid in storing and sorting a number of small parts. Typically, the bins are open topped and hung horizontally from a single cleat formed on the back wall of the bin when the bin is molded or manufactured.
SUMMARYIn accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a bin for industrial applications having a plurality of cleats on the back wall is provided. The bin may also include multi-element structural trusses at the front wall, right sidewall, rear wall and left sidewall are integrally formed such that they form a single structural element that encircles the upper edge of bin. The bin may be thermoformed, injection molded, blow molded, or rotocasted and may be formed of any suitable polymer such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, SMMA and HIPS or other injection grade polymers.
A more complete appreciation of the invention and the many embodiments thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The present invention will now be described with occasional reference to the specific embodiments of the invention. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions, and so forth as used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, the numerical properties set forth in the specification and claims are approximations that may vary depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained in embodiments of the present invention. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical values, however, inherently contain certain errors necessarily resulting from error found in their respective measurements.
The perspective view of a four cleat bin 10 of the present invention is shown in
The side view of a four cleat bin 10 of the present invention is shown in
The rear wall 16 of a four cleat bin 10 of the present is shown in
The bottom view of a multicleat bin of the present invention is shown in
Rear wall 16 includes top rail 16a that includes top cleat 30, central cleats 32, 34 are integrally formed with the rear wall, and base cleat 36 is formed at the lower edge of rear wall 16 and notched out of sidewalls 14, 18. Reinforcing beams 30a, 30b, formed during the molding process extend from sidewall 16 to the top cleat 30. Beams 30a, 30b in combination with sidewall 16 and top cleat 30 form a multi-element structural truss.
Left sidewall 18 includes upper rim 18a, kick out wall 18b, forewall 18c, base rail 18d, and footer 18e. Upper rim 18a includes a depression 18f and inner flat 18g. Reinforcing beams 18i, which are formed in the molding process span the inner flat 18g and extend from sidewall 18 to rim 18a. Reinforcing beams 18h, also formed in the molding process span the upper rim 18a. The beams 18i, 18g in combination with sidewall 18, upper rim 18a and inner flat 18g form a multi-element structural truss.
Rearward extensions 22 link the front wall 12 to sidewalls 14, 18. The rearward extension 22 is formed with a diagonal beam 12c as well as perpendicular beam 22a. On right sidewall 14 the forewall 14c is linked to the rearward extension 22 by and top rail 14a by beams 12a, 12c to form a multi-element structural truss. On left sidewall 18 the forewall 18c is linked to the rearward extension 22 by and top rail 18a by beams 12a, 12c to form a multi-element structural truss.
Base 20 may include longitudinal reinforcements 20a, latitudinal reinforcements 20b and/or curved reinforcements 20. Reinforcements 20a, 20b, 20c serve to reinforce the base of the bin in high load situations.
The multi-element structural trusses at the front wall 12, rearward extensions 22, right sidewall 14, rear wall 16 and left sidewall 18 are integrally formed such that they form a single structural element that encircles the upper edge of bin 10 provide improved strength and rigidity in high load applications.
A detailed side view of a cleat suitable for use with bin of the present invention is shown in
The front view of bin 10 of the present invention is shown in
The top view of bin 10 of the present invention is shown in
The perspective view of a three cleat bin 110 of the present invention is shown in
The side view of a three cleat bin 110 of the present invention is shown in
The rear wall 116 of bin 110 of the present is shown in
The perspective view of a two cleat bin 210 of the present invention is shown in
The side view of a two cleat bin 210 of the present invention is shown in
The rear wall 216 of a two cleat bin 210 of the present is shown in
The bin of the present invention may be formed by any suitable method including thermoforming, injection molding, blow molding, and rotocasting. The bin and dividers may be formed of any suitable material, such as: polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, SMMA (styrene methyl methacrylate, acrylic blend), or HIPS high impact polystyrene or other such materials commonly used in the manufacturing of polymeric parts and/or parts made by common forming techniques.
The present invention should not be considered limited to the specific examples described herein, but rather should be understood to cover all aspects of the invention. Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures and devices to which the present invention may be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, which is not to be considered limited to what is described in the specification.
Claims
1. A bin having multiple cleats, comprising:
- a base, a front wall, two opposing sidewalls, and a rear wall having an upper rim, a midsection and a base;
- a first cleat proximate the upper rim of the rear wall; and
- a second cleat formed in the rear wall proximate to the base.
2. The bin of claim 1, further comprising:
- a third cleat formed in the midsection of the rear wall beneath the first cleat.
3. The bin of claim 1, further comprising:
- a third cleat formed in the midsection of the rear wall beneath the first cleat; and
- a fourth cleat formed in the midsection of the rear wall beneath the third cleat
4. The bin of claim 1, wherein:
- the bin hangs substantially horizontally from a vertical louvered rack.
5. The bin of claim 1, further comprising:
- a handhold attached to the front wall.
6. The bin of claim 1, further comprising:
- at least one footer on each sidewall.
7. The bin of claim 1, further comprising:
- multi-element structural trusses at the front wall, right sidewall, rear wall and left sidewall are integrally formed such that they form a single structural element that encircles the upper edge of bin.
8. A bin having multiple cleats, comprising:
- a base, a front wall, two opposing sidewalls, and a substantially vertical rear wall having an upper rim, a midsection and a base;
- each sidewall including an upper rim, a kick out wall, and a forewall;
- a first cleat proximate the upper rim of the rear wall;
- a second cleat formed in the rear wall proximate to the base; and
- a third cleat formed in the midsection of the rear wall beneath the first cleat.
9. The bin of claim 8, further comprising:
- a depression formed in the upper rim of the sidewalls
- and inner flat formed in the upper rim of the sidewalls.
10. The bin of claim 8, further comprising:
- a fourth cleat formed in the midsection of the rear wall beneath the third cleat.
11. The bin of claim 8, wherein the front wall is at an obtuse angle to the base,
12. The bin of claim 8, wherein the opposing sidewalls are formed at an obtuse angle to the base.
13. The bin of claim 8, wherein the rear wall is substantially vertical with respect to the base.
14. The bin of claim 8, wherein the kick out wall is angled forward by between 5° and 30°.
15. The bin of claim 8, wherein the sidewall formed at an obtuse angle with respect to the base.
16. The bin of claim 8, wherein the forewall and kick out wall form a stacking space such that a second may be placed within bin for increased packing density for shipping or storage.
17. The bin of claim 8, further comprising:
- multi-element structural trusses at the front wall, right sidewall, rear wall and left sidewall are integrally formed such that they form a single structural element that encircles the upper edge of bin.
18. A bin having multiple cleats, comprising:
- a base, a front wall, two opposing sidewalls, and a substantially vertical rear wall having an upper rim, a midsection and a base;
- each sidewall including an upper rim, a kick out wall, and a forewall;
- a first cleat proximate the upper rim of the rear wall;
- a second cleat formed in the rear wall proximate to the base;
- a third cleat formed in the midsection of the rear wall beneath the first cleat; and
- a fourth cleat formed in the midsection of the rear wall beneath the third cleat.
19. The bin of claim 18, further comprising:
- a depression formed in the upper rim of the sidewalls
- and inner flat formed in the upper rim of the sidewalls.
20. The bin of claim 18, wherein the front wall and opposing sidewalls are formed at an obtuse angle to the base,
21. The bin of claim 18, wherein the kick out wall is angled forward.
22. The bin of claim 18, wherein the forewall and kick out wall form a stacking space such that a second may be placed within bin for increased packing density for shipping or storage.
23. The bin of claim 18, further comprising:
- multi-element structural trusses at the front wall, right sidewall, rear wall and left sidewall are integrally formed such that they form a single structural element that encircles the upper edge of bin.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 18, 2014
Publication Date: Feb 23, 2017
Applicant: AKRO-MILS (Wadsworth, OH)
Inventors: Christopher Clark (Parma, OH), Gerald A. Sciarini (Seville, OH), Travis D. Shamp (Akron, OH)
Application Number: 14/308,544