US20110139775A1 - Fork Tine Notch - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a stackable bin having a collapsed position and an erected position. The bin includes a base having an upper surface, a pair of opposing ends, and a pair of opposing sides. In an embodiment of the present invention, the base has raised upper edges along at least one of the pair of opposing sides or opposing ends. The bin also includes a pair of opposing side walls, each side wall attached at a lower edge to a respective base side, each side wall also including an upper edge. The bin further includes a pair of opposing end walls, each end wall attached at a lower edge to a respective base end, each end wall also including an upper edge. The bin includes at least one base notch in at least one raised upper edge of the base to provide forklift fork tine access when the bin is in the collapsed position, and at least one wall notch in the upper edge of at least one of the pair of side walls or end walls to provide forklift fork tine access when the bin is in the erected position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• The present application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 200930355384.9, entitled Nine Feet Geometric Bulk Plastic Container—No Door, filed Dec. 16, 2009; Chinese Patent Application No. 200930355383.4, entitled, Stringer Geometric Bulk Plastic Container, filed Dec. 16, 2009; Chinese Patent Application No. 200930355382.X, entitled Nine Feet Geometric Bulk Plastic Container, filed Dec. 16, 2009; Chinese Patent Application No. 201020111642.6, entitled Bulk Plastic Container Panel By Geometric Structure, filed Feb. 10, 2010; Chinese Patent Application No. 201020132357.2, entitled Universal Latch for Bulk Plastic Container, filed Mar. 17, 2010; Chinese Patent Application No. 201020145498.8, entitled Floating Hinge Lock Structure, filed Mar. 30, 2010; Chinese Patent Application No. 201020159206.6, entitled Erected Side Wall Lock Structure, filed Apr. 14, 2010; Chinese Patent Application No. 201020169698.7, entitled 45 Degree Assembly Structure for Side Wall, filed Apr. 23, 2010; Chinese Patent Application No. 201020198781.7, entitled Notch Structure for Low Profile Container, filed May 21, 2010; Chinese Patent Application No. 201020218085.8, entitled Lock Structure for Connecting Panel-Long Ribs and Short Ribs, filed Jun. 8, 2010; Chinese Patent Application No. 201020218082.4, entitled Double Rib Structure on Panels, filed Jun. 8, 2010, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
• The present application also claims the benefit of copending U.S. patent applications entitled “Collapsible Bin,” Ser. No. ______, and Attorney Docket No. 52045-7373, and “Bulk Container with Angled Side Wall to Base Installation,” Ser. No. 12/963,751, and Attorney Docket No. 52045-7371, both concurrently filed herewith, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
• Not applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention generally relates to a collapsible bin for transporting and/or storing items or materials.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Many different types of containers are used for transporting and displaying goods. Plastic collapsible bins with foldable side walls are in common use. An example of a collapsible bin is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,647 to Gyenge et al.
• Plastic collapsible bins can vary in size to accommodate the intended items or materials with which they will be used. Larger bins can be handled by standard forklifts to facilitate transport and storage. The bins are typically made of a base with hinged side and end walls. The base and the side and end walls are generally made of an injection molded plastic, but can be made using any suitable material or process. The walls include hinges, integrally formed with the side and end walls, or in separate pieces, at their bottom edges. The hinges cooperate with the base to allow the end and side walls to be folded downward over the base when the bin is not in use. To erect the side and end walls, the walls are typically extended upward from their folded position and interlocked at their edges. The edges of the side and end walls include mating or interlocking members. The side and end walls are latched to each other, or nested in pockets, for stability in the fully erected position.
• It is desirable to transport empty bins in a folded or collapsed position to minimize their profile. This minimized profile allows the bins to be efficiently stacked. Typically, bins have a ¾ inch deep stacking interlock inset on the order of 1⅜ to 2 inches around the bin perimeter to enable bins to be stacked without their sliding off of each other. Because of the desire to maintain a low profile, when collapsed bins are stacked one upon another, or when erected bins are stacked, there is not enough clearance for a forklift fork tine to effect lifting of stacked bins other than from beneath the lowest bin. The loss of ¾ inch when the bins are stacked prevents the forklift fork tines from being able to enter the fork tine tunnel area between stacked bins. Pallet jacks cannot be used with bins of this type because a pallet jack requires a higher profile.
• The present invention provides a collapsible bin able to be selectively lifted by a forklift when stacked in both the collapsed and erected positions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention provides a stackable bin having a collapsed position and an erected position. The bin includes a base having an upper surface, a pair of opposing ends, and a pair of opposing sides. In an embodiment of the present invention, the base has raised upper edges along at least one of the pair of opposing sides or opposing ends. The bin also includes a pair of opposing side walls, each side wall attached at a lower edge to a respective base side, each side wall also including an upper edge. The bin further includes a pair of opposing end walls, each end wall attached at a lower edge to a respective base end, each end wall also including an upper edge. The bin includes at least one base notch in at least one raised upper edge of the base to provide forklift fork tine access when the bin is in the collapsed position, and at least one wall notch in the upper edge of at least one of the pair of side or end walls to provide forklift fork tine access when the bin is in the erected position.
• Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following Figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
• To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible bin in an erected position in accord with an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a collapsible bin in a collapsed position in accord with an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 3 is a side view of the collapsed collapsible bin ofFIG. 2;
• FIG. 4 is a side view of the erected collapsible bin ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 5 is a side view of stacked collapsible bins in an erected position in accord with an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 6 is a side view of stacked collapsible bins in a collapsed position in accord with an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view of stacked collapsible bins in an erected position with forklift fork tine shown in accord with an embodiment of the present invention; and
• FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of stacked collapsible bins in a collapsed position with forklift fork tine shown in accord with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the Figures and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
• Referring toFIG. 1, acollapsible bin10 includes abase12, a pair ofopposing end walls14, and a pair ofopposing side walls16. Thebase12, theend walls14, andside walls16 are preferably made using a plastic molding process.
• Thebase12 has a pair ofopposing ends18 and a pair ofopposing sides20. Thebase12 also includes an upper surface (not shown), also known as the deck, and alower surface24. Items or materials to be transported or stored are placed on the upper surface.Legs26 extend from thelower surface24 to support thebase12.Legs26 definefork tunnels28 for forklift tine access to permit thebin10 to be moved using a forklift. The upper surface is typically of flat sheet of plastic. Thelower surface24 of thebase12 can include ribs (not shown) to provide structure and to strengthen thebase12.
• As best shown inFIGS. 1 through 4, thebase12 includes at itsopposing sides20 raisededges30 extending upwardly from thebase12. In accord with an embodiment of the present invention, theend walls14 andside walls16 are attached to thebase12 viahinges32 at the base ends18 andsides20, respectively. The raisededges30 along thesides20 permit theend walls14 andside walls16 to be folded over thebase12 as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3.
• Either theend walls14 orside walls16 can havedoors34 for access to items or materials stored within thebin10 when thebins10 are stacked upon each other. Thedoors34 havehinges36 at abottom edge38 to permit thedoors34 to swing downwardly about thehinges36. The doors also includelatches39 to selectively open and secure thedoors34.
• Theend walls14 have upper edges40. Theside walls16 have upper edges42. In accord with an embodiment of the present invention, one or both of theend walls14 orside walls16 include a pair ofend wall notches44 andside wall notches46 alongupper edges40 and42. In addition, the raisededges30 of the base12 have a pair ofbase notches48. Thenotches44,46, and48 are spaced apart from each other at a distance to accommodate forklift fork tines as will be described in greater detail below. Thenotches44,46, and48 preferably extend in a range from approximately ⅜ inch to 1½ inches below theupper edges40 and42 of the end andside walls14 and16, and the raisededges30 of thebase12. In another embodiment, theupper edges40 and42 of the end andside walls14 and16, or raisededges30 of the base12 can include a single notch sized to accommodate both forklift fork tines.
• FIG. 5 showsbins10 stacked in their erected position.FIG. 6 showsbins10 stacked in their collapsed position. As best shown inFIGS. 4,5, and8, thebase12 includes at the bottoms of its legs26 a stackinginterlock50. Theinterlock50 includes aninset wall52 on the order of ¾ inch tall inset approximately 1½ inches from anouter surface54 of eachleg26. As best shown inFIGS. 5 through 8, theinterlock50 allows stable stacking of thebins10 in either the erected or collapsed position. However, when collapsed or erected bins are stacked one upon another, there is not enough clearance for a forklift fork tine to effect lifting of stacked bins other than from beneath the lowest bin. The loss of ¾ inch when the bins are stacked prevents the forklift fork tines from being able to enter the fork tine tunnel area between stacked bins. Thenotches44,46, and48 regain the lost ¾ inch to permit sufficient space for afork tine56.
• FIG. 7 shows stackedbins10 in their erected position.FIG. 7 shows interaction between aforklift fork tine56 and the present invention. Only onetine56 is shown for clarity purposes although it will be understood that twoforklift fork tines56 are used.Fork tines56 are typically on the order of 2½ and 2¾ inches thick at their thickest point. To lift abin10 that is stacked on anotherbin10, thefork tines56 are inserted into anopening58 created by thefork tunnels28 of theupper bin10 andside wall notches46 in theupper edge42 of theside wall16 of thelower bin10. Thefork tunnels28 andnotches46 should align to allow insertion of the fork tines for lifting of the upper bin orbins10. On most forklifts, the distance between thefork tines56 is adjustable. It will be understood that a forklift can similarly be used on thefork tunnels28 andend wall notches44 of theend walls14.
• Similarly,FIGS. 6 and 8 show stackedbins10 in their collapsed position. To lift abin10 that is stacked on anotherbin10, thefork tines56 are inserted into anopening60 created by thefork tunnels28 of theupper bin10 andbase notches48 in the raisedupper edge30 of the side end16 of thebase12.
• While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.

Claims (20)

1. A stackable bin, the bin having a collapsed position and an erected position, the bin including:

a base having an upper surface, a pair of opposing ends, and a pair of opposing sides;

the base also having raised upper edges along at least one of the pair of opposing sides or opposing ends;

a pair of opposing side walls, each side wall attached at a lower edge to a respective base side, each side wall also including an upper edge;

a pair of opposing end walls, each end wall attached at a lower edge to a respective base end, each end wall also including an upper edge; and

at least one base notch in the raised upper edge of at least one side of the pair of opposing sides or at least one end of the pair of opposing ends of the base to provide forklift fork tine access when the bin is in the collapsed position.

2. The bin ofclaim 1 wherein the at least one base notch includes first and second notches.

3. The bin ofclaim 1 further including at least one end wall notch in the upper edge of at least one end wall of the pair of opposing end walls to provide forklift fork tine access when the bin is in the erected position.

4. The bin ofclaim 3 wherein the at least one end wall notch in the upper edge of the at least one end wall of the pair of opposing end walls includes first and second notches.

5. The bin ofclaim 1 further including at least one side wall notch in the upper edge of at least one side wall of the pair of opposing side walls to provide forklift fork tine access when the bin is in the erected position.

6. The bin ofclaim 5 wherein the at least one side wall notch in the upper edge of the at least one side wall of the pair of opposing side walls includes first and second notches.

7. The bin ofclaim 5 wherein the at least one side wall notch extends within a range from ⅜ inch to 1½ inches below the upper edge of the at least one side wall.

8. The bin ofclaim 3 wherein the at least one end wall notch extends within a range from ⅜ inch to 1½ inches below the upper edge of the at least one end wall.

9. The bin ofclaim 1 wherein the at least one base notch extends within a range from ⅜ inch to 1½ inches below the raised upper edge of the base.

10. A stackable bin, the bin having a collapsed position and an erected position, the bin including:

a base having an upper surface, a pair of opposing ends, and a pair of opposing sides;

the base also having raised upper edges along at least one of the pair of opposing sides or opposing ends;

a pair of opposing side walls, each side wall attached at a lower edge to a respective base side, each side wall also including an upper edge;

a pair of opposing end walls, each end wall attached at a lower edge to a respective base end, each end wall also including an upper edge; and

at least one wall notch in the upper edge of at least one side wall of the pair of opposing side walls or at least one end wall of the pair of opposing end walls to provide forklift fork tine access when the bin is in the erected position.

11. The bin ofclaim 10 further including at least one base notch in the raised upper edge of at least one side of the pair of opposing sides or at least one end of the pair of opposing ends of the base to provide forklift fork tine access when the bin is in the collapsed position.

12. The bin ofclaim 11 wherein the at least one base notch in the upper edge of the raised upper edge of the at least one side of the pair of opposing sides or the at least one end of the pair of opposing ends of the base includes first and second notches.

13. The bin ofclaim 10 wherein the at least one wall notch in the upper edge of the at least one side wall of the pair of opposing side walls or the at least one end wall of the pair of opposing end walls includes first and second notches.

14. The bin ofclaim 11 wherein the at least one base notch extends within a range from ⅜ inch to 1½ inches below the raised upper edge of the base.

15. The bin ofclaim 10 wherein the at least one wall notch extends within a range from ⅜ inch to 1½ inches below the upper edge of the at least one end wall or the at least one side wall.

16. A stackable bin, the bin having a collapsed position and an erected position, the bin including:

a base having an upper surface, a pair of opposing ends, and a pair of opposing sides;

the base also having raised upper edges along at least one of the pair of opposing sides or opposing ends;

a pair of opposing side walls, each side wall attached at a lower edge to a respective base side, each side wall also including an upper edge;

a pair of opposing end walls, each end wall attached at a lower edge to a respective base end, each end wall also including an upper edge;

at least one base notch in the raised upper edge of at least one side of the pair of opposing sides or at least one end of the pair of opposing ends of the base to provide forklift fork tine access when the bin is in the collapsed position; and

at least one wall notch in the upper edge of at least one side wall of the pair of opposing side walls or at least one side wall of the pair of opposing end walls to provide forklift fork tine access when the bin is in the erected position.

17. The bin ofclaim 16 wherein the at least one wall notch in the upper edge of the at least one side wall of the pair of opposing side walls or the at least one end wall of the pair of opposing end walls includes first and second notches.

18. The bin ofclaim 16 wherein the at least one base notch in the upper edge of the raised upper edge of the at least one side of the pair of opposing sides or the at least one end of the pair of opposing ends of the base includes first and second notches.

19. The bin ofclaim 16 wherein the at least one base notch extends within a range from ⅜ inch to 1½ inches below the raised upper edge of the base.

20. The bin ofclaim 16 wherein the at least one wall notch extends within a range from ⅜ inch to 1½ inches below the upper edge of the at least one end wall or the at least one side wall.

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