AU2013205166A1 - Stackable transport container system - Google Patents

Abstract

A stackable container system which includes conjoined upper container and lower container. When goods are required to be stored within the containers, the upper container rests on top of the lower container held up by a piston and gas strut, allowing both containers to be filled with goods. When the container are in storage or empty, the upper container nests on the lower container so that the system takes up less storage space. co coo n I CYCo C N - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Description

I A STACKABLE CONTAINER SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a stackable container system consisting of upper and lower containers which can be conjoined. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] Containers for the purpose of storing and transporting goods are well known and are used for the movement of large quantities of cargo by sea, rail and road. Such containers are usually in the shape of a square or rectangular box and are often adapted to allow the stacking of several containers on top of one another. [0003] Substantial costs are associated with the transportation of empty containers when they are not being used to carry goods. In addition, many empty containers must be stored when not in use and take up vital space. A container which requires less space when stored would be economically advantageous as it would reduce storage costs and also allow the transport of a greater volume of empty containers at a lower cost. [0004] Various solutions to this problem are known, including containers which are collapsible or otherwise nestable. The disadvantages of these containers is that in the case of collapsible containers, the integrity may be compromised due to the need for the container to be collapsed, and in the case of nestable containers such a system is not suitable for containers of a large size such as those used for shipping. [0005] The object of this invention is to provide a container system, including a transport container system, having an upper and lower container capable of being stacked and thereby overcomes the aforementioned problems, or at least provides the public with a useful alternative. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] In a first aspect the invention a stackable container system comprising an upper container and a lower container wherein the upper container has at least two sides of a stepped up dimension to the lower container to enable the telescopic nesting of the upper container over the lower container; [0007] In preference, the system includes a means of facilitating vertical movement of the upper container relative to the lower container nested therein; [0008] In preference, the system includes a means of supporting the upper container at a desired height relative to said lower container; [0009] In preference, the supporting means is in the form of a gas strut; [0010] In preference, the upper container can be stacked on top of the lower container and held in place in an upper or "operable" position allowing each container to be filled with goods; [0011] In preference, the upper container can be lowered over the lower container and held in a lower or "transport" position thereby reducing the overall area of both containers for storage. [0012] In preference, each container includes an access door which can be opened only when the containers are in the upper position, that is, when the upper container is fully elevated; [0013] In preference, a top wall of the lower container forms a lowermost shelf in the upper container when the upper container is in the upper position; and [0014] A method of utilizing a stackable container system including the steps of: (a) a stackable transport system being in a lower position wherein an upper container nests over a lower container, the upper container being of a stepped up dimension to the lower container; (b) wherein the upper container is lifted vertically until it is at a desired height and held in place by a supporting means; (c) goods are placed inside the upper container or the lower container, or both, for transport to a desired location; and (d) when the goods are removed, the upper container is lowered onto the lower container back into the lower position. [0015] It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.

-Y BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows. [0017] Figure 1A is a front view of a stackable transport container system when stacked in an upper position according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; [0018] Figure 1B is a side view of the stackable transport container system of Figure 1A; [0019] Figure 2A is a front view of the stackable transport container system of Figure 1A when stacked in a lower position; [0020] Figure 2B is a side view of the stackable transport container system of Figures 2A; [0021] Figure 3A is a front view of a stackable transport container system according to a second embodiment of the invention, the container being stacked in a higher position; [0022] Figure 3B is a side view of the stackable transport container system of Figure 3A; [0023] Figure 4A is a front view of a lower container of the stackable transport container system of Figures 3A and 3B; [0024] Figure 4B is a side view of the lower container of Figure 4A; [0025] Figure 5A is a front view of an upper container of the stackable transport container system of Figures 3A and 3B; [0026] Figure 5B is a side view of the upper container of Figure 5A; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0027] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified _r and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration. [0028] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration. [0029] It is to be understood at the outset that the present invention is not intended to be limited to cargo containers or containers of any one size. It will become apparent that the present invention could be applied to containers used in a number of different applications, and hence to containers of a variety of different sizes. [0030] Turning now to the drawings there is illustrated in Figure 1A a stackable container system 20 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The system 20 consists of a lower container 22 and an upper container 24. In preference both the upper container 24 and the lower container 22 are made from steel, however any suitable material for use as a transport container or crate can be utilized. The upper container 24 is of a stepped up dimension relative to the lower container 22 allowing for the upper container 24 to fit over the lower container 22. [0031] The lower container 22 is preferably enclosed and comprises a six-sided rectangular container, although potentially containers of other shapes and dimension could be used. The lower container 22 also contains an access door 26 on the front side of the container, hinged to the vertical side of the container. The door can be opened outwardly through use of a handle 28 allowing access to the lower container. Owing to its size and shape, it is envisaged that this type of container could be used as a storage container for chemicals for example. [0032] The upper container 24 preferably comprises a rectangular container in which five of the sides are enclosed by container walls and the sixth and lower side of the container is open. The upper container 24 also contains a door 30 on the front side of the container hinged to the horizontal upper edge of the container. The door can be opened outwardly through use of a handle 32 allowing access to the upper container. Once in the outward position, struts (not shown) and a safety catch (not shown) hold the door up and in place.

[0033] The upper container 24, being of a stepped up dimension to the lower container 22, can be stacked onto the lower container 22 either in an upper or lower position. The result is thus two nesting containers. [0034] Figure 1A and 1B illustrate the upper container 24 stacked in an upper position in which the container is useful, for example, for storage. The upper and lower containers include a gas strut in a pressurized cylinder arrangement allowing the stacking of the containers at various heights, although other means of holding the upper container at a desired position relative to the lower container could equally well be employed. The upper container 24 is placed over the lower container 22, the empty bottom side and stepped up dimensions of the upper container 24 allowing for the upper container 24 to fit over the lower container 22. [0035] The lower container 22 has mounted to a side wall thereof at least one piston 34. In preference, the piston 34 is located centrally on the outer sides of the lower container, extending from the inside of the lower container in an upwards direction. The upper container 24 includes a corresponding cylinder 36 located centrally on the outer sides of the upper container, extending from the inside of the upper container in a downwards direction. The upper cylinder 36 is hollow and of a stepped up dimension to the lower cylinder 34. When the upper container 24 is lowered onto the lower container 22, the upper cylinder 36 encloses the lower piston 34 and the two components thereby form a gas strut arrangement. Gas struts are known in the art and hence their operation will not be described herein. It is to be understood that alternate methods of assembling the containers with the at least one cylinder and piston could also be employed. [0036] Once the containers are engaged, the upper container 24 is therefore able to be moved to varying heights through the telescopic engagement between the upper cylinder 36 and piston 34 as is known in the art. The inside of the upper container 24 may also contain wheels or rollers 38 allowing the upper container 24 to be lowered onto the lower container 22 smoothly. [0037] The roller 38 mechanism can also include a means of assisting rotational movement of the upper frame wherein the rollers 38 are mounted in position using known methods. [0038] When the upper container 24 is held in the upper position as illustrated in V Figure 1 B, both containers can be accessed by their respective doors 26 and 30. In this state both containers can therefore be filled with goods for the purposes of storage and transport. The top side of the lower container 22 acts as a shelf or floor for the upper container therefore separating each container into separate storage units which can be accessed individually. Figure 1 B is a side view of the system and shows more clearly the cylinder arrangement. As both cylinders are located at the side edges of the respective containers, they to not interfere with the cargo space created by the upper and lower containers. [0039] Further shelves can also be mounted inside the upper and lower containers when in the upper position. [0040] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to all sides of the upper container 24 being of a stepped up dimension relative to all sides of the lower container 22. It is possible for the upper container 24 to have at least only two or more sides of a stepped up dimension relative to the side of the lower container 22. However it is a preferred embodiment of the invention that all sides of the upper container 24 are of a stepped up dimension relative to all side of the lower container 22. [0041] Figures 2A and 2B illustrate the upper container 24 stacked in a lower position. This position is used for the storage and transport of empty containers and the lower position of the stacked containers takes up less space than the two containers would separately. As such, the system as a whole can be used for the transport of goods, with each container holding cargo, and also for the transport and storage of empty containers which can be packed into a smaller space than current systems. This reduces the costs associated with storing and shipping empty containers without compromising the capacity of the containers to hold goods or the integrity or size of the containers. [0042] In order to stack the upper container 24 in a lower position the upper cylinder 36 is lowered further onto the piston 34. The upper container 24 further encompasses the lower container 22. Once in the lower position, both containers are empty and the system is ready for transport and storage. [0043] A further advantage of the lower position is the increased security through the creation of effectively a double-walled container. As such, the goods inside the container have a greater protection against spoilage or tampering given that they are effectively enclosed within two containers rather than one. [0044] The system can be re-used through the return of the upper container 24 to the upper position of the removal of the upper container 24 from the lower container 22. [0045] It is a preferred embodiment of the invention that the cylinder arrangement includes a gas strut or hydraulic system allowing the upper container 24 to be automatically lifted from the lower container 22 when activated, however it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this. The upper container 24 also contains lugs 42 allowing the upper container 24 to be removed from the lower container 22 manually or with a crane. [0046] This embodiment of the invention is directed to containers of a relatively compact size. Preferably the system 20 is of a size that a user can reach the upper container 24 with ease. It is to be understood, however that the invention is not limited to a particular size or dimensions. [0047] Illustrated in Figures 3A and 3B is a further embodiment of the invention in which the upper and lower containers are of a larger size and therefore adapted for shipping containers of larger quantity. [0048] Because of the larger size of the containers, both of the upper and lower containers in this embodiment contain outwardly opening double-leaf doors which comprise the entire front sides of the upper container 24 and lower container 22. As with the first embodiment, the upper container is of a stepped up dimension relative to the lower container 22 and the upper container 24 is designed to be stacked on top of the lower container 22 in an upper or lower position. When in the upper position, the top of the lower container 22 acts as a shelf or floor for the upper container 24, and both containers can be accessed by the doors 26 and 30. [0049] In an alternate embodiment of the invention (not shown) the lower container doors 26 can be removed in order to stack the upper container 24 and for the system to be stored in its compact state. [0050] This second embodiment of the invention does not include the gas strut and cylinder mechanism due to the increased size and weight of the containers. Rather, in this embodiment the sides of the lower container are corrugated to form ridges 44 adapted to hold correspondingly shaped rail members 48 on the upper container 24.

The lower container also contains two parallel T-shaped guide members 50 which extend upwardly on each outer side of the lower container and are adapted to receive the rail members 48 and guide them into place with the ridges 44. As such the upper and lower containers are firmly connected and the lower container 23 can sufficiently hold the weight of the upper container 24. [0051] Figures 4A and 4B illustrate a front and side view of the lower container 22. The guide members 50 direct the placement of the rail members 48 into the inside track of the ridges 44 thereby removing any instability of the two containers so that the upper container 24 does not move or shift even when in the upper or lower positions. [0052] Figures 5A and 5B illustrate a front and side view of the upper container 24. The upper container 24 is held in the upper position through the alignment of the inside member 52 with the apertures 54 of the lower conatiner and securement of the upper container 24 to the lower container 22 through use of a bolt. [0053] The upper or lower container can also contain a roller 38 to assist in upward/downward movement and prevent rattle or vibration when the upper and lower container are being assembled or dissembled. [0054] The upper container 24 can also contain lifting lugs 42 to allow placement or removal of the upper container 24 such as through use of a crane, although there may be forklift pockets to assist in lifting the container. [0055] The reader will now appreciate the present invention which is an improvement of the prior art, in that is allows for a system with maximum space when filled with goods for transport, and minimum space when not in use or in storage. [0056] It is to be understood that whilst the preferred embodiment of the invention is that of a storage container system used for transport and shipping, the system is not limited to this purpose and can be adapted to all forms of container systems. Other uses of the invention include site storage or workstations. [0057] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field. [0058] In the summary of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims (9)

1. A stackable container system comprising an upper container and a lower container wherein the upper container has at least two sides of a stepped up dimension to the lower container to enable the telescopic nesting of the upper container over the lower container.

2. A stackable container system according to claim 1 wherein the system includes a means of facilitating vertical movement of the upper container relative to the lower container nested therein.

3. A stackable container system according to any of the above claims wherein the system includes a means of supporting the upper container at a desired height relative to said lower container.

4. A stackable container system according to any of the above claims wherein the supporting means is in the form of a gas strut.

5. A stackable container system according to any of the above claims wherein the upper container can be stacked on top of the lower container and held in place in an upper or "operable" position allowing each container to be filled with goods.

6. A stackable container system according to any of the above claims wherein the upper container can be lowered over the lower container and held in a lower or "transport" position thereby reducing the overall area of both containers for storage.

7. A stackable container system according to any of the above claims wherein each container includes an access door which can be opened only when the containers are in the upper position, that is, when the upper container is fully elevated.

8. A stackable container system according to any of the above claims wherein a top wall of the lower container forms a lowermost shelf in the upper container when the upper container is in the upper position.

9. A method of utilizing a stackable container system including the steps of: (a) a stackable transport system being in a lower position wherein an upper I I container nests over a lower container, the upper container being of a stepped up dimension to the lower container; (b) wherein the upper container is lifted vertically until it is at a desired height and held in place by a supporting means; (c) goods are placed inside the upper container or the lower container, or both, for transport to a desired location; and (d) when the goods are removed, the upper container is lowered onto the lower container back into the lower position.