Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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stacking and Nesting Containers
The present invention relates to containers which are designed to allow
like containers to stack or nest with each other.
One conventional style of container, an example of which is described in
British Patent GB 1270340, can stack or nest, and is referred to herein as a
stack/nest container. This style is designed to allow one container to nest
into
a container below) when in a first relative orientation, but to stack on the
container below when the relative orientation has changed) usually by 180'
about the vertical axis. In some designs, containers stack when all
identically
aligned and nest when alternately aligned. In other designs, containers nest
when identically aligned and stack when alternately aligned.
Dutch Patent Application NL 6 603 695 describes a nesting container with
stacking members which cause stacking rather than nesting) when extended.
The invention provides a container formed to allow a like container to
nest therein, and comprising stacking means having a stowed position in which
nesting is allowed as aforesaid) and a stacking position in which the stacking
means interfere with the entry of one container into another for nesting)
thereby causing like containers to stack) the container further comprising
releasable catch means operable to retain the stacking means in the stacking
position, and having a release means operable to engage and release the catch
means of a like container when the said like container is introduced into the
container from above for nesting, characterised in that the release means is
operable to release the catch means by engagement therewith.
Preferably the release means comprise a surface of the container. The
catch means may comprise a hook member engageable with a hookable portion)
the release means serving to move the hook member from engagement with the
hookable portion. The hook member may be formed on the stacking means,
AMENDED SHEET
IPEA/EP i
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and the hookable portion may be formed on or by a container wall. The hook
member may project through the container wall when the catch means is
engaged) and be releasable by engagement outside the container. The hook
member may be resilient for release, and may be integral with the stacking
AMENDED SHEET
IPEA/EP
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means.
The stacking means are preferably within the base of the container when
in their stowed position. The stacking means are preferably mounted to turn
from their stowed position to their stacking position, such as by hinge or
pivot
means. They may be mounted to the base or, where the container has a base
and upstanding walls) they may be mounted to the bottom of a wall.
Preferably there are recesses in the base to receive stacking means when
in the stowed position. The recesses may be sufficiently deep to receive the
stacking means without the stacking means projecting above the upper surface
of the base when in the stowed position. There may be detent means to retain
the stacking means in either or both of the stacking and stowed positions.
The stacking means may support the base of a like container from below
when in the stacking position.
Preferably handle means are provided to facilitate movement of the
stacking means between their stowed and stacking positions.
Preferably the container is formed to allow a second like container to
nest therein when the two containers are in a first relative orientation, and
to
cause a second like container to stack thereon when the two containers are in
a
second relative orientation. Preferably the stacking means interfere with
nesting
when the containers are in the first relative orientation.
Preferably the stacking height given by the stacking means is different to
the stacking height availabie when in the second relative orientation) and is
preferably intermediate the nesting height and the stacking height available
when in the second relative orientation.
The stacking means may incorporate formations corresponding to
formations which engage to cause stacking when containers are in the second
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relative orientation.
Preferably the first and second relarive orientations are separated by
180°
about a vertical axis.
The container may comprise further stacking formations which engage a
second like container to allow the container to stack when in the second
relative
orientation.
One embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more
detail, by way of example only) and with reference to the accompanying
drawings) in which:
Fig. 1 is a partly schematic perspective view of a container of the type to
which the invention relates;
Fig. 2 is an elevation of one end wall, of the container of Fig. I, from
within the container and divided at the central plane to indicate the
arrangement when the stacking means are in their stacking position (to the
right) and nesting position (to the left);
Fig. 3 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2 and showing the other end wall;
Fig. 4 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1) of a container according to the
present invention; and
Figs. 5 and 6 are elevations of the one and other end walls of the
container of Fig. =i.
For reasons of clarity, the container of Figs. 1 to 3 will first be fully
described, following which the additional features of the invention will then
be
described.
i
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Referring to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings, a container 10 is formed in a
manner which will be described more fully below, to allow a second like
container to nest therein when the two containers are in a first relative
orientation. A second like container may stack thereon when the two
containers are in a second relative orientation. Stacking means shown
generally
at 12 are provided and have a stowed position (as shown in Fig. 1) in which
stacking or nesting as aforesaid are possible, and a stacking position to be
described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3, in which the stacking means
interferes with nesting to cause the containers to stack when in the first
relative
orientation.
In more detail, the container 10 is a stack/nest container which nests
when containers are similarly aligned, and stacks when containers are
alternately reversed by 180° rotation about the vertical. The container
10 has a
base 14, tcvo side walls 16 and two end walls 18. in this example) the walls
16
are relatively long and the walls I8 are relatively short, but this
relationship
could be reversed or the walls could all be of equal length. The walls are
perforated in a number of ways for various reasons. A rim 20 e<Ytends around
the entire periphery at the top of the walls 16. The walls 16,18 slope
inwardly
and the plan of the base 14 is smaller than the plan of the inner edge of the
rim
20. Various notch formations 22 are provided around the mouth of the
container, just inside the rim 20. At one end wall 18A, there are two notches
22
spaced from the extreme ends of the wall 18A. On the other end wall 18B, two
notches 22 are in the container corners, at the ends of the wall 188. Three
notches 22 are provided along each side wall 16 but not symmetrically about
the centre. One merges with a notch in the end wall I8B and the other two are
spaced along the wall 16 but there is no notch 22 at the corner joining the
end
wall 18A.
It is apparent from Fig. 1 that the distribution of notches 22 has
asymmetry when viewed from above.
Ten feet 2=I are arrayed around the lower edge of the walls 16,18 at the
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outer faces. Each foot 24 corresponds with a notch 22 (so that two merged feet
correspond with the merged notches at the junction of the side walls 16 and
the
end wall 18B). Each foot 24 is structurally connected to the corresponding
notch 22 by a sloping strut 26 which allows weight supported by a notch 22 to
be passed through to the corresponding foot 24. It can be seen that the struts
26 in the end walls 18 have small upwardly facing surfaces 27 adjacent the
notches 22 and just inside the rim 20.
The distribution of feet 24 is the same as the distribution of notches 22
except that the distribution has been rotated through 180° about a
vertical axis.
That is to say, if the rim 20 was notionally rotated by 180° about a
vertical axis
relative to the base 14, there would be a foot 24 directly beneath each notch
22.
In consequence, if a first container is rotated by 180° about the
vertical axis)
relative to a second container, the two containers can then be stacked by
lowering feet 24 on the upper container to engage the notches 22 on the lower
container. A complete and secure stack can be formed by alternating the
orientation of containers so that each stacks in this maser. The weight of the
stack is then transferred down the stack through a zigzag series of struts 26.
The details of how the feet 24 and notches 22 engage) and consequently
of their design, are within the skill of the skilled reader and do not
themselves
form part of the present invention. Their design may vary according to
expected loads, manufacturing materials and techniques, etc.
The asymmetry just described also allows like containers to nest. When
containers have the same orientation as each other, the feet 2-1 and struts 26
of
the upper container can be lowered into the lower container because they will
be clear of the notches 22. As the container is further lowered, the fully
nested
condition is reached in which the rims 20 of the upper and lower containers
are
immediately above one another (and may rest on each other), the struts 26 of
the two containers are ne.Yt to each other (and on a slant) and the feet 24
lie
immediately one above the other (and may rest on each other). Finally, the
bases 1:1 of the nvo containers will be close together. This is the normal
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compact condition useful when transporting empty containers.
The nesting and stacking arrangements described above provide compact
nesting for storage and return transport, or stacking when containers are
full.
The stacking means 12 allow containers to be stacked at an intermediate height
when only partly full, as will now be described.
Each stacking means 12 has two end formations 30 connected by a bar
32 serving as a handle for easier manipulation. The end formations 30 are in
the region of the corners of the container 10. The stacking means 12 are
hinged or pivoted to the container base or the bottom edge of the end walls 18
to allow them to turn from a stowed position shown at the left of Figs. 2 and
3,
to a stacking position shown at the right of those figures. (It is to be
appreciated that the left and right sides of each of Figs. 2 and 3 would be a
mirror image when in the stowed position or in the stacking position, so that
the stowed and stacking positions can conveniently both be shown on the same
drawing by dividing the drawing at the vertical plane midway along the end
wall
18).
The base 14 has a channel recess 34 complementary to the outline of the
stacking means 12, to allow the stacking means 12 to lie in the channel 34
when in the stowed position. If desired, the channel 34 may be sufficiently
deep for the upper surface of the stacking means I2, when stowed, to be flush
with or below the level of the upper surface of the base 14. A simple snap
catch
may be provided to retain the stacking means 12 in the stowed position) if
required.
Each end formation 30 has a generally arched configuration which) in
this example, consists of t'vo upright legs 36 and a cross-bar 38. The bar 32
e.Ytends between the formations 30 to allow both formations 30 to be raised
together) such as by raising the bar 32. The complete stacking means 12 may
be a single component manufactured for instance by injection moulding. The
stacking means 12 shown in Fig. 2 differs from that shown in Fig. 3 solely by
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the location of lugs 40. In Fig. 2, adjacent the end wall 18A) the Iugs 40
extend
up above the cross-bar 38 (when raised) at the top of the outermost uprights
36.
In the stacking means 12 shown in Fig. 3, adjacent the end wall 18B, the lugs
40
extend up above the cross-bar 3 8 (when raised) at the top of the innermost
uprights 36. Many other designs of formation 30 could be used, including
rounded arches, or unperforated plate members etc.) such as are shown in Figs.
4) 5 and 6.
It can also be seen from Figs. 2 and 3 that the spacing of the lugs 40
from the centre line corresponds to the spacing of the feet 24 on the end
walls
18, also from the centre line. In consequence, if a second container is
lowered
into a container below, with both containers having the same orientation, but
with the stacking means 12 of the lower container in the raised, stacking
position, the upper container will not be able to move down to the fully
nested
condition as described above. Instead) the stacking means 12 ~r-ill interfere
because the feet 2:1 will make contact with the lugs 40 and further downward
movement will be arrested. The weight of the upper container will then be
borne by the stacking means 12 and the upper container will be supported in an
intermediate stacked position. This intermediate stacked position is part way
between the fully nested condition described above, and the stacking position
available when containers are rotated through 180° relative to each
other.
Conversely, if the stacking means are down, lying in the recess 34,
nesting is unobstructed.
The details of how the lugs 40 engage the feet 24, and whether notches
are provided in the lugs or there is simple abutment of the base 14 from
below)
or some other arrangement is used, can be widely varied, particularly
according
to the nature of the notches 22 and feet 24 being used.
It can be seen that the lugs 40 mimic notches 22 when the stacking
means 12 are raised, in that lugs 40 then occupy positions directly below the
position which notches 22 would occupy if the lower container was rotated
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through 180°.
Turning to the remaining drawings, there is shown in Fig. 4 a perspective
view of a container very similar to the container described above, but having
an
addirional feature relating to the stacking means. This container and the
container of Figs. 1 to 3 are so similar that where appropriate) the same
reference numerals are used to indicate corresponding features, with the
prefix
"1" when used in relation to Figs. 4 to 6. Thus, in relation to any features
shown in Figs. 4 to 6 but not specifically described below, reference can be
made to the descriprion above in relation to the corresponding feature.
The stacking means 112 have generally rectangular end formations 130
which are unperforated. Recesses 134 in the base 114 allow the stacking means
112 to lie within the base. A region of the base between the recesses 134 is
slightly recessed to accommodate the cross-bar 132, which is in turn
relatively
thin and smooth in shape to allow it to lie against the base without
unacceptably interfering with the contents of the container.
Each formation 130 carries a hook member 1~2 which, when the
formations 130 are raised (as in Figs. 5 and 6) project through the end walls
118
to hook over the lower part 154 of the wall.
The hooks 1~2 are formed integrally with the stacking means 112) the
whole being formed of material such as a plastics material. Consequently) by
hooking over the wall 1 ~4, the hooks 1 S 2 form a releasable catch means
either
by resilient fle.~dng to provide a snap-action, or by using some looseness in
the
hinge arrangement to allow the hooks to lift on or off the wall. When engaged,
the hooks retain the stacking means 112 in the stacking position shown in
Figs.
and 6.
If a group of containers all have their stacking means 112 raised, stacks
can be formed ~r~ith adjacent containers either at their uppermost (high)
stack
position or the intermediate stack position provided by the stacking means
112.
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In some applications, it may be convenient to leave the stacking means 112
raised and held in position by the catch means 152,154.
If containers are to be nested, the stacking means 112 of a first container
can be lowered by manually releasing the hooks 152 from the walls 154,
allowing the stacking means 112 to fold down. They may be spring-assisted in
this respect. Another container can then be nested by lowering into the first
container, with both containers having the same orientation, as has been
described. However) it will not be necessary to manually lower the stacking
means 112 of the upper container, as a result of the location of the hooks
152.
Each hook 152 is directly below a surface 127 in the adjacent strut 126. As a
result, as the upper container is lowered into the lower container, the hooks
152
of the upper container will approach and meet the surfaces 127 of the lower
container. Further downward movement (by manual downward pressure on the
upper container) will then press the hooks 152 against the surfaces 127,
causing the hooks 15 2 to move up and clear of the walls 1 ~ 4, thereby
releasing
the catch means and allowing the stacking means 112 of the upper container to
fall or be sprung down to their lower position. Thus, it is only necessary to
intervene with the lowermost container of the nested containers - all other
containers will then automatically lower their stacking means 112 to allow a
further container to be nested from above. If the hooks are resilient to
provide
a snap-action, engagement with the surfaces 12 7 will flex the hooks to spring
them off the walls 15:1.
Although described in relation to a container which provides a nesting,
stacking and intermediate stacking position, the catch means just described
could be employed in relation to other container arrangements, such as a
container providing t<vo positions for a member such as a bale arm, giving a
nesting and a single stacking position. If the bale arm (or other member) was
normally caught in one or other position by catch means, engagement yvith a
further container (above or below) could be used to release a catch means in
appropriate circumstances, and allow or force the bale member to move to an
alternative position.
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It is envisaged that the containers described above can be readily
manufactured by injection moulding from a plastics material, but other
arrangements and materials could be used.
Many modifications and variations to the container described could be
made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For instance)
stacking means generally of the form described could be incorporated in a
container which has notches and feet distributed to allow stacking when
containers have like orientation, and nesting when rotated through
180°, or
some other amount. The notches and feet could be replaced by many other
alternatives, such as pillars and voids.
Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to
those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it
should
be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any
patentable
feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in
the
drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.
