US20090057191A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20090057191A1
Application number: US11/897,015
Authority: US
Inventors: Nicholas B. Temple, JR.; Gregory P. Berndt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-08-27
Filing date: 2007-08-27
Publication date: 2009-03-05

Abstract

The pallet container is stackable on similar containers, without resting on the goods within the containers below, preventing damage to the palleted goods. Side panels of the pallet container hinge upon fold onto the base of the stabilize the propellers of a wind machine or alternatively a wind powered generator, and more particularly a system. The invention comprises a transportable and collapsible storage container, sized to receive a pallet of stacked articles. The storage container is stackable, to support a similar container stacked on top, without damage to the palleted contents stored within the container. The load of the storage container stacked above is handled by the walls of the storage container below. Preferably, the four walls of the pallet container hinge at the base of each wall, to fold flat for compact storage. The walls may be solid, slatted, meshed or grate. The walls interlock, when raised from the flat, storage position, to prevent unwanted folding of the container. The storage container may be employed as a stand-alone rack system, or in a carrier, such as a rail car, flatbed truck or trailer combination.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a stackable and collapsible pallet container, especially suited for receiving and protecting paletted goods. The container is sized to receive a pallet of stacked articles. The storage container is stackable, to support a similar container stacked on top, without damage to the paletted contents stored within the container. The load of the storage container stacked above is handled by the walls of the storage container below. Preferably, the four walls of the pallet container hinge at the base of each wall, to fold flat for compact storage. The walls may be solid, slatted, meshed or grate. The walls interlock, when raised from the flat, storage position, to prevent unwanted folding of the container. The storage container may be employed as a stand-alone rack system, or in a carrier, such as a rail car, flatbed truck or trailer combination.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

All types of manufactured and agricultural goods and produce are stored and transported on pallets. The standard pallet is a flat box with approximately four-foot sides in length and width, and a height dictated by the thickness of the materials, often wood, that the pallet is made from, and with the additional consideration that the pallet must be able to receive the forks from a common “fork-lift” or some similar pallet jack or pallet moving device.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,305 to Hart discloses a collapsible walled storage framework that attaches to the top surface of a pallet. The walls of the container hinge to each other, and each wall includes a “hook” element to engage the pallet. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,918, also to Hart, focuses on the mechanism used to hinge the walls of the framework. These patents fail to provide for a stacking of the collapsible containers.

A collapsible walled storage container is needed that incorporates a standard pallet, which is also stackable to support a similar container stacked on top of it, without damage to the palleted contents stored within the container.

The following is a disclosure of the present invention that will be understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stackable and collapsible pallet container, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a stackable and collapsible pallet container, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a stackable and collapsible pallet container, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a stackable and collapsible pallet container, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a stackable and collapsible pallet container, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a partially sectioned perspective view of a stackable and collapsible pallet container, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a stackable and collapsible pallet container, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a partially sectioned perspective view of a stackable and collapsible pallet container, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9A is a partially sectioned perspective view of a stackable and collapsible pallet container, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9B is a partially sectioned perspective view of a stackable and collapsible pallet container, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9C is a partially sectioned perspective view of a stackable and collapsible pallet container, according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a partially sectioned perspective view of a stackable and collapsible pallet container, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

The invention provides a collapsible container for receiving a pallet and paletted goods.FIGS. 1 through 10 show thecollapsible container16, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The collapsible container includes apallet base20, surrounded bysidewalls21, which are panels that extend upward from the pallet base. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the pallet base can be described as essentially a flat and four-sided framework, bordered byside edges19, specifically afront side edge22, afirst side edge24, arear side edge26, and asecond side edge28. The four side edges of the pallet base enclose a framedinterior29.

Thepallet base20 is able to receive apallet30, with “palleted goods”31 stacked upon the pallet, as shown inFIG. 2, the pallet supported by the pallet base, specifically within theframed interior29, as formed by thefront side edge22, thefirst side edge24, therear side edge26, and thesecond side edge28. Most preferably, the enclosed surface area of the framed interior approximately matches the square footage or surface area of the pallet.

Preferably, thepallet30 is a conventional, freight pallet, often made of wood and able to be moved by a typical forklift. In North America, the standard pallet is forty inches wide, which is the side of the pallet corresponding to thefront side edge22 and therear side edge26 of thepallet base20. Additionally, the standard pallet is forty-eight inches deep, which is the side of the pallet corresponding to thefirst side edge24 and thesecond side edge28 of the pallet base. Any conventional pallet could be employed for use with the present invention, with a properly sized pallet base.

Thepallet30 is employed as a supporting platform for palletedgoods31, stacked upon it. When thecollapsible container16 of the present invention receives a pallet of goods, the goods are referred to herein as the palleted goods, “enclosed goods,” or simply, goods. The pallet is received onto theframed interior29 of thepallet base20 and so, the palleted good are received into an enclosedspace32, within thesidewalls21. The palleted goods may be a single item, a portion of a greater, later assembled item, or a plurality of stacked materials or manufactured products. Additionally, the goods may be encased in a single container or multiple containers, organized onto the pallet. Within the collapsible container, the palleted goods are stackable on similar collapsible containers, without resting on the goods within the containers below, preventing damage to the palleted goods.

Each of thesidewalls21 includes alower sidewall edge33 that abuts to thepallet base20. As detailed inFIG. 1, afirst sidewall34 hingably mounts to thepallet base21, proximate to thefirst side edge24 of the pallet base. The first sidewall can hingably fold on the pallet base, laying flatly onto the pallet base. The first sidewall also includes a firstupper edge35. The first upper edge of the first sidewall is the opposite edge of the first sidewall, relative to the lower sidewall edge, where the hinged connection to the pallet base is located.

Arear sidewall36 hingably mounts to thepallet base21, proximate to therear side edge26, the rear sidewall can hingably fold onto the pallet base, laying flatly on the pallet base, similar to thefirst sidewall34. The rear sidewall also includes a rearupper edge37. The rear upper edge of the rear sidewall is the opposite edge of the rear sidewall, relative to thelower sidewall edge33, where the hinged connection to the pallet base is located.

Asecond sidewall38 hingably mounts to thepallet base21, proximate to thesecond side edge28, the second sidewall can hingably fold onto the pallet base, similar to thefirst sidewall34 and therear sidewall36, laying flatly on the pallet base. The second sidewall also includes a secondupper edge39. The second upper edge of the second sidewall is the opposite edge of the second sidewall, relative to thelower sidewall edge33, where the hinged connection to the pallet base is located.

Together, thefirst sidewall34, therear sidewall36 and thesecond sidewall38 are referred to herein as “the sidewalls”21. The sidewalls may be manufactured from a variety of materials, such as metal or plastic. The sidewalls may be solid, slatted, meshed or grated. Preferably, as shown inFIG. 1, each of the sidewalls includes aframe41 made from a high strength, tubular metal. A most preferred tubular metal is a square tubular steel, such as a twelve-gauge stainless alloy, or alternatively a high strength aluminum alloy, as selectable by a person skilled in the manufacture of structural metal materials. Most preferably, apanel42 of metal mesh is encased within the frame. Each sidewall also includes a sidewallupper edge43, opposite eachlower sidewall edge33. The sidewall upper edge may be the firstupper edge35 of the first sidewall, the rearupper edge37 of the rear sidewall, or the secondupper edge39 of the second sidewall.

As shown inFIG. 2, asecond pallet base44 is stackable onto and wholly supported by thesidewalls21 of thecollapsible container16, below. The collapsible container positioned below the second pallet base is also referred to herein as the firstcollapsible container16. In a preferred alternative of the collapsible container, the second pallet base can include asocket45 for receiving a portion of the sidewalls of thecollapsible container16, below it. Most preferably, the sockets are indentations that each receive asidewall post47, which extends from theupper edge43 of any of the sidewalls.

Preferably, each of thesidewalls21 includes itsown sidewall post47, which is receivable into thesocket45 that corresponds to the sidewall post within thesecond pallet base44, above it. In a most preferred embodiment, as shown inFIG. 2, thefirst sidewall34 includes a firstforward post54 and a firstrearward post55, which both extend from the firstupper edge35 of the first sidewall. Therear sidewall36 includes a rearfirst sidewall post56 and a rearsecond sidewall post57, which both extend from the rearupper edge37 of the rear sidewall. Thesecond sidewall38 includes a secondrear sidewall post58 and a secondforward sidewall post59, which both extend from the secondupper edge39 of the second sidewall. Preferably, the sidewall posts are extensions of theframe41 of each sidewall, and most preferably formed of the same tubular metal material as the preferred tubular frame, formed as discussed above.

Thesecond pallet base44 is the supportive base of a secondcollapsible container60, stackable on top of the firstcollapsible container16. Specifically, as discussed above, the firstupper edge35, the rearupper edge37, and the secondupper edge39 of thesidewalls21 of the first collapsible container, together support the second pallet base. This support prevents the second pallet base from resting on theenclosed goods31 of the collapsible container, below. By not contacting the enclosed goods of the first collapsible container, the second pallet base is supported without relying upon the enclosed goods either for primary, or supplemental support. Structurally, the load of the storage container stacked above is transferred through theframe41 of the storage container below. The enclosed goods are contained within the sidewalls of the collapsible container without being crushed or compacted, which is a great advantage, when compared to conventional pallet stacking schemes.

The stacking relationship of the secondcollapsible container60 onto the firstcollapsible container20 may be repeated as needed, upward or to either side and to the back or rear of the containers. Additionally, the collapsible containers may be emptied of thepallet30, which includes theenclosed goods31, and used as a scaffolding or a framework of temporary storage cages for pallets of goods. With a forklift, the pallets and goods can be removed from or placed into the enclosedspace32 of any similar collapsible container, placed into another collapsible container, or de-palleted, shipped or stored, as needed.

To retain thegoods31 within the enclosedspace32 within thesidewalls21 of thecollapsible container16, agate23 can be included, to span between thefirst sidewall34 and thesecond sidewall36, directly above thefront side edge22 of thepallet base20, as shown inFIG. 1. Preferably, the gate includes agate hinge25, which is most preferably a two-part hinge, mounted along the secondforward sidewall post59. Most preferably, the gate also includes alatch65, as detailed inFIG. 8, which may be tuned manually, to lock the gate to the first forward sidewall post54 of thefirst sidewall34.

As shown inFIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment of thecollapsible container16, thegate23 may be opened and rotated on thegate hinge25, a full “three-quarters of a circle” or 270 degrees around the secondforward sidewall post59, to lay flat against thesecond panel38. This hinged rotation of the gate provides for thecollapsed configuration61, as shown inFIG. 4, with the gate lying flat upon the second panel.

As shown inFIG. 1, thepallet base20 preferably includesbase forklift slots63, positioned along thefront side edge22 of the pallet base, allowing the forks to be received into its framedinterior29. With the aid of these slots, each collapsible container may be transported along with the pallet ofenclosed goods31, or the container may be placed anywhere, temporally or permanently, to receive transient goods, with thepallet30 moved into and out of the container. The collapsible container may be employed as a stand-alone rack system, or in a carrier, such as a rail car, aircraft, boat, flatbed truck, or a tractor and trailer combination.

As discussed above, and shown inFIGS. 3,4 and9A through9C, thecollapsible container16 may be “knocked-down” or collapsed for efficient transport when “empty,” which is when the collapsible container does not carry or contain thepalleted goods31. The foursidewalls21 of the pallet container each hinge at the base of each wall, to fold flat for compact and stackable storage, preferably into acollapsed configuration61, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 9C. In the compact configuration, the container can still be moved easily, with the aid of a forklift, because thebase forklift slots63 are still exposed.

The connection between each of thesidewalls21 and thepallet base20, is preferably accomplished with sidewall hinges62. As discussed above, thelower sidewall edge33 of each of thesidewalls21 abuts to thepallet base20, closely proximate to where the hinged connection to the pallet base is located. As detailed inFIGS. 6 and 7, for a preferred embodiment of thecollapsible container16, the sidewall hinges62 include afirst sidewall hinge64, arear sidewall hinge66, and asecond sidewall hinge68.

Thefirst sidewall34 hingably mounts to thepallet base21, proximate to thefirst side edge24 of the pallet base, at thefirst sidewall hinge64. The first sidewall can hingably fold on the pallet base, laying flatly onto the pallet base, as shown inFIG. 3. The distance between the framedinterior29 of the pallet base and the first sidewall hinge, at the first side edge of the pallet base, directly below the hinge, is referred to herein as afirst hinge height74, as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8.

Therear sidewall36 hingably mounts to thepallet base21, proximate to therear side edge26 of the pallet base, at therear sidewall hinge66. The rear sidewall, like thefirst sidewall34, can hingably fold on the pallet base, laying flatly onto the pallet base, as shown inFIG. 4. The distance between the framedinterior29 of the pallet base and the rear sidewall hinge, at the rear side edge of the pallet base, directly below the hinge, is referred to herein as arear hinge height76, as shown inFIG. 7.

Thesecond sidewall38 hingably mounts to thepallet base21, proximate to thesecond side edge28 of the pallet base, at thesecond sidewall hinge68. The second sidewall, like thefirst sidewall34 and thesecond sidewall36, can hingably fold on the pallet base, laying flatly onto the pallet base, as shown inFIG. 4. The distance between the framedinterior29 of the pallet base and the second sidewall hinge, at the second side edge of the pallet base, directly below the hinge, is referred to herein as asecond hinge height78, as shown inFIG. 6.

The proximity of the sidewall hinges62 to the respective side edges19 of the pallet base is important in that collapsing or lowering each of thesidewalls21 preferably results in each sidewall matching the outside dimensions of, or approximately covering the framedinterior29 of the pallet base. If each sidewall hinged at the same relative distance from the pallet base, the sidewalls will interfere with one another, when all three of the sidewalls are knocked-down, lowered or collapsed. Preferably, thefirst hinge height74, therear hinge height76 and thesecond hinge height78 are all different, and unequal relative to each other. This difference in hinge height, allows thefirst sidewall34, therear sidewall36 and thesecond sidewall38 to all fold flat onto thepallet30 received within thepallet base20. The difference in the hinge heights is preferably close to the thickness of each sidewall. The purpose of the hinge heights' inclusion of the height of the pallet, is to allow the framed interior of the pallet base to still receive the empty pallet, when the container is in the collapsedconfiguration61, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 9C. This is a significant advantage over prior collapsible containers.

Specifically, as an example, if each of thesidewalls21 are approximately one inch in thickness, as preferred, the above listed hinge heights will begin at approximately the height or thickness of thethickest pallet30 expected to be received into thepallet base20, and then the hinge heights would follow at one inch increments greater than that height, for each successive hinge. If, for instance, the thickest pallet to be received within the pallet base will be three inches high, thefirst hinge height74 for thefirst sidewall hinge64 could be built at three and one-half inches above the pallet base, which allows a tolerance for some irregularities, such as preexisting warp or damage to the pallet. If the sidewalls are one inch in thickness, therear hinge height76 for therear sidewall hinge66 could be four and one-half inches, followed by thesecond hinge68 having asecond hinge height78 of five and one-half inches.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, a preferred order of the folding of the sidewalls21 onto thepallet base20 of thecollapsible container16 is: thefirst sidewall34, then therear sidewall36, followed finally by thesecond sidewall38. Alternatively, especially in an embodiment without agate23, or with the gate hinged in reverse, about the firstforward sidewall post54, this order could be reversed, with the second sidewall followed by the rear sidewall and finally the first sidewall. A consistent order for each container is most preferred, to simplify the manual folding of the containers, minimizing confusion by a person folding the container as to which sidewall folds onto the pallet base first, second and third. A number painted on each sidewall in a conspicuous spot, might be employed to aid a person folding the container.

Alternative folding orders, from the preferred order listed above, easily could be implemented. An alternative preferred order of the folding of the sidewalls21 onto thepallet base20 of thecollapsible container16 is the folding of thesecond sidewall38, as shown inFIG. 9A, followed by the folding of thefirst sidewall34, as shown inFIG. 9B, followed finally by therear sidewall36, as shown in the collapsedconfiguration61 ofFIG. 9C. Alternatively, the first sidewall could be folded first, followed by the second sidewall and the rear sidewall. Also, alternatively, the order of folding could be reversed from that shown inFIGS. 9A through 9C, with the rear sidewall folded, followed by the first sidewall and finally the second sidewall, or the rear sidewall followed by the second sidewall and then the first sidewall. Most preferably, in each of these folding orders, the sidewall hinges62 would be positioned with hinge heights, as discussed above, to best accommodate the most compact folding of the panels.

In a preferred embodiment of thecollapsible container16, thesidewalls21 are able to interlock with one another, when the sidewalls are raised from the flat, collapsedconfiguration61.

This prevents unwanted folding of the container, and maintains the desired abutment of the sidewalls to each another. One or more of the sidewalls can include asidewall clasp81, to engage neighboring sidewalls. Preferably, one or more sidewall post can include one of the sidewall clasps. Most preferably, as shown inFIG. 1, the rear sidewall includes two clasps, a rearfirst sidewall clasp86 on the firstrear sidewall post56, and a rearsecond sidewall clasp87 on the rearsecond sidewall post57, as detailed inFIG. 5. Additional or alternative sidewall clasps could be included between the sidewalls.

In an additional preferred embodiment of thecollapsible container16, the sidewalls can include sidewall handles90 to aid in moving, grasping, folding or unfolding the sidewalls.

Preferably, as shown inFIG. 10, thefirst sidewall34 can include a first sidewall handle94, and thesecond sidewall38 can include asecond sidewall handle98. Preferably, the sidewall handles extend from the sidewall posts47. The sidewall handles can also extend above the upper edges of the sidewalls. The first sidewall handle can extend above the firstupper edge35 of the first sidewall and the second sidewall handle can extend above the secondupper edge39 of the second sidewall.

In compliance with the statutes, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features and process steps. While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in different forms, the specification illustrates preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and the disclosure is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. Those with ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other embodiments and variations of the invention are possible, which employ the same inventive concepts as described above. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited except by the following claims, as appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A collapsible container for receiving a pallet, the collapsible container comprising:

a pallet base, the pallet base bordered by a front side edge, a first side edge, a rear side edge and a second side edge, the pallet base able to receive a pallet enclosed within the front side edge, the first side edge, the rear side edge and the second side edge of the pallet base;

a first sidewall hingably mounted to the pallet base proximate to the first side edge, the first sidewall hingably foldable onto the pallet base, and the first sidewall having a first upper edge;

a rear sidewall hingably mounted to the pallet base proximate to the rear side edge, the rear sidewall hingably foldable onto the pallet base, and the rear sidewall having a rear upper edge;

a second sidewall hingably mounted to the pallet base proximate to the second side edge, the second sidewall hingably foldable onto the pallet base, and the second sidewall having a second upper edge; and

a second pallet base stackable onto and supported by the first upper edge, the rear upper edge and the second upper edge of the collapsible container.

2. A collapsible container according toclaim 1, further comprising:

a first sidewall hinge, a rear sidewall hinge, and a second sidewall hinge;

the first sidewall hinge located at a first hinge height relative to the pallet base, the rear sidewall hinge located at a rear hinge height relative to the pallet base, and the second sidewall hinge located at a second hinge height relative to the pallet base;

the first hinge height, the rear hinge height and the second hinge height all unequal relative to each other, to provide for the first sidewall, the rear sidewall and the second sidewall to all fold flat onto said pallet received within the pallet base.

3. A collapsible storage container according toclaim 1 wherein:

the second pallet base is stackable onto and supported by the collapsible container, without contacting the enclosed goods of the collapsible container.

4. A collapsible storage container according toclaim 1 additionally including:

a gate positioned above the front side edge of the pallet base, to connect the first sidewall to the second sidewall.

5. A collapsible storage container according toclaim 1 wherein two of the sidewalls are lockable along their adjacent edges in the container configuration.

6. A collapsible container for receiving a pallet, the collapsible container comprising:

a first sidewall hingably mounted to the pallet base proximate to the first side edge, and the first sidewall hingably foldable onto the pallet base;

a rear sidewall hingably mounted to the pallet base proximate to the rear side edge, and the rear sidewall hingably foldable onto the pallet base;

a second sidewall hingably mounted to the pallet base proximate to the second side edge, and the second sidewall hingably foldable onto the pallet base;

a first sidewall hinge, a rear sidewall hinge, and a second sidewall hinge;

7. A collapsible container according toclaim 6, further comprising:

the first sidewall having a first upper edge;

the rear sidewall having a rear upper edge;

the second sidewall having a second upper edge; and

8. A collapsible storage container according toclaim 7 wherein:

9. A collapsible storage container according toclaim 6, additionally including:

10. A collapsible storage container according toclaim 6, wherein two of the sidewalls are lockable along their adjacent edges in the container configuration.