CN1198719A - Stacking and nesting containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A container (10) is formed to allow a second like container to nest therein when the two containers are in a first relative orientation, and to stack thereon when the two containers are in a second relative orientation. Stacking means shown generally at (12) have a stowed position (to the left in the drawing) in which stacking or nesting as aforesaid are possible, and a stacking position (to the right of the drawing) in which the stacking means (12) interfere with nesting to cause the containers to stack when in the second relative orientation.

Description

Stacking and nesting containers

The present invention relates to containers which are designed so that identical such containers can be stacked or nested on top of each other.

As described in British Patent GB 1 27 03 40, a conventional style container can be stacked or nested, which is referred to herein as a stacking/nesting container. This pattern is designed so that when a container is in a first relative orientation, the container nests into a container below it, but when the relative orientation is changed - usually 180° about a vertical axis - the upper container Stack onto the underlying container. In some designs, the containers are stacked when all aligned identically, and nested when alternately aligned. In other designs, the containers are nested when aligned equally and stacked when aligned alternately.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a container shaped so as to allow a second like container to nest therein when the two containers are in a first relative orientation and to nest therein when the two containers are in a second relative orientation. This second identical container is stacked on it, wherein the stacking device is equipped with a filling position and a stacking position, in which the above-mentioned stacking or nesting can be performed, and in the stacking position , when in the first relative orientation, the stacking device hinders nesting and stacks the containers.

The stack height prescribed by the stacking device is preferably different from the stack height used when the stacking device is filled, and is preferably between the nesting height and the stack height when the stacking device is filled.

The stacking means may include formations which engage the containers to produce a stacked configuration when they are in the second relative orientation.

Preferably the first and second relative orientations are separated by 180° about a vertical axis.

They are preferably located at or in the bottom of the container when the stacking devices are in their filling position. The stacking units are preferably mounted by hinged or pivotal means so that they can be turned from the filling position to the stacking position. They can be mounted to the bottom of the container, or when the container has a bottom and upstanding walls, they can be mounted to the bottom of one wall.

Preferably there are recesses at the bottom to accommodate the stacking device in the filling position. These recesses should be deep enough to accommodate the stacking means when in the filling position without the stacking means protruding above the upper surface of the bottom. There may be stop means to hold the stacking device in one or both of the stacking position and the filling position.

When the stacking device is in the stacking position, it can support the bottom of a similar container from below.

The container may include additional stacking formations which, when in the second relative orientation, engage a second like container to enable the container to be stacked.

Preferably handle means are provided to facilitate movement of the stacking means between their filling and stacking positions.

The present invention also provides a container which is shaped so as to allow a like container to be nested therein, and which also includes stacking means having a filling position and a stacking position, in the filling position as described above Capable of nesting where the stacking device prevents nesting of one container into another container in the stacking position, thereby stacking identical containers, wherein when the stacking device is in the filling position it is located at the bottom of the container or at the bottom of the container inside the bottom.

The stacking devices are preferably located in the bottom of the container when in their filling position. The stacking means are preferably mounted, such as by hinge or pivot means, so as to be rotated from their filling position to their stacking position. They may be mounted to the bottom of the container, or where the container has a bottom and upstanding walls, they may be mounted to the bottom of the walls.

Preferably there are recesses in the bottom of the container to accommodate the stacking means when in the filling position. These recesses should be deep enough to accommodate the stacking means when in the filling position without the stacking means protruding above the upper surface of the bottom of the container. There may be stop means to keep the stacking device in one or both of the stacking position and the filling position.

When the stacking device is in the stacking position, it can support the bottom of a similar container from below.

Handle means are preferably provided to facilitate movement of the stacking means between their filling and stacking positions.

Preferably, the containers are shaped so that a second like container can be nested within the container when the two containers are in a first relative orientation, and the second like container can be nested therein when the two containers are in a second relative orientation. Two identical containers are stacked onto this container. Preferably the stacking means prevents nesting when the containers are in the first relative orientation.

The stacking height defined by the stacking device is preferably different from the stacking height used when in the second relative orientation, and is preferably between the stacking height and the stacking height in the second relative orientation .

The stacking means may include formations corresponding to the formations which engage to produce the stack when the containers are in the second relative orientation.

Preferably the first and second relative orientations are separated by 180° about a vertical axis.

The containers may include further stacking formations which engage a second like container when in the second relative orientation to allow the containers to be stacked.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a partial schematic perspective view of a container according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of one end wall viewed from the inside of the container and separated at the center plane to illustrate the configuration of the stacking devices in their stacked position (right side) and nested position (left side); and

Figure 3 is a view corresponding to Figure 2 and showing another end wall.

Referring to the drawings, the configuration of the container 10 will be more fully described below to allow a second like container to nest therein when the two containers are in a first relative orientation. When the two containers are in the second relative orientation, a second like container can be stacked thereon. The stacking device is generally represented by reference numeral 12, and it has a filling position (as shown in Figure 1) and a stacking position, and in the filling position, stacking or nesting as described above can be performed, as illustrated with reference to Figures 2 and 3 A stacking position in which the stacking device interferes with nesting to stack containers when the stacking device is in a first relative orientation.

In more detail, the container 10 is a stacking/nesting container that nests when the containers are equally aligned and stacks when the containers are alternately rotated 180° about a vertical axis. The container 10 has a bottom 14, two side walls 16 and two end walls 18. In this embodiment, wall 16 is longer and wall 18 is shorter, but this relationship could be reversed or all walls could be of equal length. These walls can be perforated in many ways for various reasons. A rim 20 extends around the entire perimeter at the top of the wall 16 . The walls 16 , 18 slope inwardly, and the planar area of the bottom 14 is smaller than the planar area of the inner edge of the rim 20 . Various notch formations 22 are provided around the opening of the container, just inside the rim 20 . At one end of the wall 18A there are two notches 22 spaced from the end of the wall 18A. In the other end wall 18B, there are two notches 22 at the corners of the container at both ends of the wall 18B. Three notches 22 are provided along each side wall 16, but they are asymmetrical about the center, with one notch merging with a notch in end wall 18B and the other two notches being spaced along wall 16 but connecting the end walls. There is no notch 22 at the corner of 18A.

It is evident from Fig. 1 that the distribution of the notches 22 has an asymmetry when viewed from above.

Ten feet 24 are arranged around the lower edges of the outer surfaces of the walls 16,18. Each foot 24 corresponds to a notch 22 (so that two merged feet correspond to merged notches at the junction of side wall 16 and end wall 18B). Each foot 24 is structurally connected to the corresponding notch 22 by a diagonal strut 26 which enables the weight supported by one notch 22 to be transferred to the corresponding foot 24 .

The distribution of feet 24 is the same as that of notches 22, except that the distribution has been rotated 180° about a vertical axis. That is, there is a foot 24 directly below each notch 22 if the imaginary edge 20 is rotated 180° about a vertical axis relative to the base 14 . Thus, if a first container is rotated 180° about a vertical axis relative to a second container, the two containers can be stacked by lowering the feet 24 on the upper container to engage the notches 22 on the lower container. A complete and firm stack can be formed by alternating the orientation of the containers, so do each stack in this way. The weight of the stack is then transferred to the underside of the stack via a set of saw-toothed struts 26 .

How the feet 24 and notches 22 engage, and therefore some of the details of their design, are within the skill of the skilled reader and do not themselves form part of the invention. Their design can vary according to expected loads, materials of manufacture, technology, etc.

The asymmetry just described also enables the same containers to be nested. When the containers have the same orientation as one another, both the feet 24 and struts 26 of the upper container can be lowered into the lower container as they will clear the notch 22 . As the containers are further lowered, a fully nested state is reached, wherein the edges 20 of the upper and lower containers are directly against each other (and may rest on each other), and the struts 26 of the two containers are close to each other (and at an angle) , and one of the feet 24 is tightly positioned on top of the other (and may rest on each other). Eventually, the bottoms 14 of the two containers will be brought closer together. This is the normal compact used when transporting empty containers.

The nesting and stacking arrangements described above provide compact nesting for storage and return shipping, or stacking when the containers are full. The stacking device 12 enables the containers to be stacked at an intermediate height when they are only partially full, as will now be explained.

Each stacking device 12 has two end formations 30 connected by a rod 32 serving as a handle for easier handling. This end formation 30 is located in the corner region of the container 10 . The stacking device 12 is hingedly or pivotally mounted to the bottom of the container or the bottom edge of the end wall 18 so that they can turn from the filling position shown on the left in FIGS. 2 and 3 to the right in FIGS. 2 and 3. stacking position. (It should be understood that the left and right sides of each of Figures 2 and 3 are a kind of mirror image when in the filling or stacking position, so that the figures can be easily separated by dividing the figures in the middle of the vertical plane along the end wall 18. Both the filling position and the stacking position are conveniently shown on the same figure).

The base 14 has a channel recess 34 which is complementary in shape to the stacker 12 so that the stacker is located in the channel 34 when in the filling position. If desired, channel 34 may be sufficiently deep for the upper surface of stacking device 12 to be at or below the level of the upper surface of base 14 when filling. A simple snap can be provided to hold the stacker 12 in the filling position as desired.

Each end formation 30 has a generally arcuate configuration consisting of two upstanding legs 36 and a cross bar 38 in this embodiment. A rod 32 extends between the two formations 30 in order to raise the two formations 30 together, for example by raising the rod 32 . The entire stacking device 12 can be a single part manufactured, for example, by injection moulding. The stacking device 12 shown in FIG. 2 differs from the stacking device 12 shown in FIG. 3 only with regard to the position of the projection 40 . In FIG. 2 , proximate end wall 18A, projection 40 extends beyond the top of crossbar 38 (when raised) at the top of outermost upright 36 . In the stacker 12 shown in FIG. 3 , near the end wall 18B, the projection 40 extends beyond the top of the crossbar 38 (when raised) at the top of the innermost upright 30 . Many other designs of configuration 30 could be used including rounded arches or unperforated panels and the like.

It can also be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3 that the projection 40 is spaced from the centerline as far as the foot 24 on the end wall 18 from the centerline. Thus, if a second container is lowered into a lower container, when the two containers have the same orientation but the stacker 12 of the lower container is in the raised stacking position, the upper container will not be able to move as described above. Move down to a fully nested position. Also, since the foot 24 will come into contact with the lug 40 and stop further downward movement, the stacking device will prevent it from telescoping. The weight of the upper container will then be taken up by the stacking device 12 and the upper container will be supported in an intermediate stacking position. This intermediate stacking position is a state lying between the fully nested position described above and the stacking position obtained when the containers are rotated through 180° relative to each other.

Conversely, if the stacking device is located downwards in the recess 34, there is no hindrance to telescoping.

The details of how the protrusions 40 engage the feet 24, whether there are notches in these protrusions, whether there is a simple butt joint of the base 14 from below, or some other arrangement, can be specified in terms of the notches 22 and the feet 24. properties can be changed arbitrarily.

It can be seen that when the stacking device 12 is raised, the protrusion 40 simulates the notch 22 because if the underlying container were rotated 180°, the protrusion 40 would be in a position directly below the position occupied by the notch 22 .

It is conceivable that the container described above could easily be injection molded from a plastic, but other methods and materials could also be used.

Many modifications and changes may be made to the container without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, a stacking device of the type generally described may be included in a container that has notches and feet configured so that it can be stacked when the containers have the same orientation, but when rotated 180° or some other Capable of nesting at angles. These gaps and feet can be replaced by many other alternatives such as posts and voids.

Although in the above patent specification an attempt has been made to direct attention to those features of the invention which are considered to be of particular importance, it should be understood that the scope of the applicant's claims extends to the scope of protection referred to above and/or shown in the accompanying drawings. any patentable feature or combination of those features, whether or not particularly important.

Claims (36)

1. container, it is processed to definite shape, can be when being in first relative azimuth with two containers of box lunch with second same container intussusception in wherein, and when two containers are in second relative azimuth, make second same container stacking thereon, wherein bunching device is provided with a filling position and a stacked location, in this filling position, can carry out aforesaid stacking or intussusception, and in this stacked location, when being in first relative azimuth, this bunching device hinders intussusception so that these container stackings.

2. one kind according to the described container of claim 1, and wherein, the stacking height of being given by bunching device is different from adoptable stacking height when this bunching device is filled with.

3. one kind according to the described container of claim 2, between the stacking height when wherein the stacking height of being given by bunching device is between the intussusception height with when this bunching device filling.

4. one kind according to the described container of aforementioned each claim, and wherein bunching device comprises many configurations, they when being in second relative azimuth when container its engagement to produce the configuration of stacking.

5. one kind according to the described container of aforementioned each claim, and wherein first and second relative azimuths are separated by 180 ° around a vertical axis.

6. one kind according to the described container of aforementioned each claim, and wherein when bunching device was in its filling position, they were positioned at the bottom or the bottom of container.

7. one kind according to the described container of aforementioned each claim, and wherein bunching device is mounted to from their filling rotated position to their stacked location.

8. one kind according to the described container of claim 7, and wherein bunching device rotates by hinged or pivot device.

9. one kind according to claim 7 or 8 described containers, and wherein bunching device is installed on the bottom.

10. one kind according to claim 7 or 8 described containers, and wherein bunching device is installed on the bottom of a wall that stands on container bottom.

11. one kind according to the described container of aforementioned each claim, it comprises some grooves in the bottom, hold bunching device when being in the filling position with box lunch.

12. one kind according to the described container of claim 11, wherein, these grooves are enough dark, hold bunching device when being in the filling position with box lunch and can not make bunching device stretch out the top of upper base surface.

13. one kind according to claim 11 or 12 described containers, it comprises stop motion mechanism, bunching device is remained in the position or their two positions in stacked location and the filling position.

14. one kind according to the described container of aforementioned each claim, wherein bunching device is used for when it is in stacked location from the bottom of a same container of surface bearing down.

15. one kind according to the described container of aforementioned each claim, it also comprises other stacking configuration, and when being in second relative azimuth, they mesh second same container, so that this container can stacking.

16. one kind according to the described container of aforementioned each claim, it comprises handle apparatus, with make things convenient for bunching device they the filling position and stacked location between move.

17. container, it is processed to definite shape, so that make a same container can intussusception in wherein, and this container comprises a bunching device, and this bunching device has a filling position and a stacked location, can carry out aforesaid intussusception in this filling position, and in this stacked location, bunching device hinders a container intussusception to enter another container, thereby makes same container stacking, and wherein bunching device is positioned at the bottom or the bottom of container when being in the filling position.

18. one kind according to the described container of claim 17, wherein bunching device is positioned at the bottom of container when being in their filling position.

19. one kind according to claim 17 or 18 described containers, wherein be mounted to can be from their filling rotated position to their stacked location for bunching device.

20. one kind according to the described container of claim 19, wherein bunching device is mounted to by hinged or pivot device and rotates.

21. one kind according to each described container in the claim 17 to 20, wherein bunching device is installed on the bottom of container, and this container has bottom and upright wall.

22. one kind according to each described container in the claim 17 to 20, wherein bunching device is installed on the bottom of a wall that stands on container bottom.

23. one kind according to each described container in the claim 17 to 22, it comprises some grooves in the bottom, hold bunching device when being in the filling position with box lunch.

24. one kind according to the described container of claim 23, wherein said groove is enough dark, hold bunching device when being in the filling position with box lunch, and this bunching device can not reach the top of upper base surface.

25. one kind according to each described container in the claim 17 to 24, it comprises stop motion mechanism, so that bunching device remains in the position or their two positions in stacked location and the filling position.

26. one kind according to each described container in the claim 17 to 25, wherein bunching device can be from the bottom of a same container of surface bearing down when being in stacked location.

27. one kind according to each described container in the claim 17 to 26, it comprises handle apparatus, with make things convenient for bunching device they the filling position and stacked location between move.

28. one kind according to each described container in the claim 17 to 27, it is processed to definite shape, can make when being in first relative azimuth second same container intussusception in wherein with two containers of box lunch, and when two containers are in second relative azimuth, make second same container stacking thereon.

29. one kind according to the described container of claim 28, wherein when these containers were in first relative azimuth, bunching device hindered intussusception.

30. one kind according to claim 28 or 29 described containers, wherein the stacking height of being given by bunching device is different from the stacking height that adopts when being in second relative azimuth.

31. one kind according to the described container of claim 30, wherein between the stacking height that the stacking height of being given by bunching device can be used between the intussusception height with when being in second relative azimuth.

32. one kind according to each described container in the claim 28 to 31, wherein bunching device can comprise some configurations, its engagement and form the configuration of stacking when being in second relative azimuth when container of these configurations.

33. one kind according to each described container in the claim 28 to 32, wherein first and second relative azimuths are separated by 180 ° around a vertical axis.

34. one kind according to each described container in the claim 28 to 33, it comprises other stacking configuration, and when being in second relative azimuth, this configuration and second same container engagement are so that container can stacking.

35. one kind with reference to the aforesaid basically container of accompanying drawing.

36. any novel theme or comprise the combination of disclosed novel theme all drops on as described above in the claim in each described identical invention scope in any case, perhaps relates to as described above each described identical invention in the claim.

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