Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02330996 2001-01-15
BIASED LATCH HINGE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to collapsible containers and more particularly, to
a latching mechanism for a collapsible container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Collapsible containers are commonly used for transportation and storage
of produce or other foods. Typically, collapsible containers have a bottom
panel,
or base, and four sidewalls hinged to the base. These sidewalls are pivotable
between collapsed and assembled positions. In the collapsed position, the four
sidewalls generally lie stacked on, or parallel to, the base. This position is
useful
for compact transportation and storage of containers.
From the collapsed position, the sidewalls are pivoted about the base, into
the assembled position, such that each wall is approximately orthogonal to the
base. To maintain the container in the assembled position, the sidewalls
generally include a latching mechanism at each of the four corners.
Many recent containers also include a second collapsed position in which
the sidewalls are pivoted outwardly from the base to facilitate cleaning.
Various latching mechanisms are employed with collapsible containers.
One example of a latching mechanism is taught in U.S. Patent No. 6,015,056
(Overholt et al.) assigned to Rehrig Pacific Company. Overholt et al. teaches
a
flexible latch integrally moulded with a sidewall of the container. The latch
is
resiliently biased to receive a latch member that is integrally moulded with a
corresponding sidewall when the container is in the assembled position. To
move
the sidewalls to a collapsed position, each latch is depressed by pinching a
portion of the latch and the corner of the container with one hand while
forceably
separating the corresponding sidewall with the other hand. This releases the
latch
member from the latch and the corresponding sidewalls are then pulled apart.
This latch is integrally moulded with the respective sidewall and is
difficult to flex, requiring a large applied force to release each latch
member from
each corresponding latch. Further, each latch mechanism must be actuated
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individually while pulling the corresponding sidewalls apart. This container
is
therefore awkward and can be time-consuming to collapse from the assembled
position.
It is therefore among the objects of the present invention to provide an
improved latch mechanism for a collapsible container for easier, less awkward
collapsing of the container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, there is provided a collapsible container having a base and
two pairs of opposed sidewalls pivotally attached to the base. A latch member
is disposed at an end of one of the sidewalls and a latch is pivotally
connected to
a corresponding end of an adjacent sidewall. The latch has a body with a
biasing
means attached thereto, for releasably engaging the latch member when the
sidewalls are in an assembled position.
In another of its' aspects, there is provided a latch mechanism for a
collapsible container. The latch mechanism has a latch member disposed at an
end of the sidewall of the container and a latch pivotally connected to a
corresponding end of an adjacent sidewall of the container. The latch has a
body
with a biasing means attached thereto, and is for releasably engaging the
latch
member when the sidewalls are in an assembled position.
In another of its' aspects, a latch is provided for a collapsable container.
The latch has a body for hinged coupling with an end of a sidewall of the
container and a biasing means attached to the latch body. The biasing means is
for biasing the latch body out of engagement with a latch member extending
from
a corresponding end of an adjacent sidewall of the container.
In yet another of its' aspects, a collapsible container having a base and
first and second pairs of opposed sidewalls is provided. The sidewalls are
pivotally coupled to the base and can be pivoted between assembled and
collapsed positions. A latch member is disposed at each end of the first pair
of
opposed sidewalls. A latch is hingedly coupled with each end of the second
pair
of opposed sidewalls for releasably engaging the latch member when the
sidewalls are in the assembled position. The latch has a body and a biasing
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means attached thereto for biasing the latch body in engagement with the latch
member when the sidewalls are in the assembled position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings,
in which:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a collapsible container according to a
preferred embodiment of the invention and shown in an assembled position;
FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of a latching mechanism of the
container of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the collapsible container of FIG. 1, shown
in an outwardly collapsed position;
FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the collapsible container of FIG. 1, shown
in an inwardly collapsed position;
FIG. 5 is a partial isometric view of the collapsible container of FIG. 1,
showing a latch, an actuating member, and a single hand actuator;
FIG. 6 is a top partial sectional view of the collapsible container of FIG.
1, showing the latch engaged with a latch member; and
FIG. 7 is a top partial sectional view of the collapsible container of FIG.
1, showing the latch disengaged from the latch member.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference is first made to Fig. 1 to describe a preferred embodiment of a
collapsible container designated generally by the numeral 20. The container 20
is injection moulded polypropylene and includes a base 22 and first and second
pairs of opposed sidewalls 24, 26, 28, 30, pivotally attached to the base 22.
The
sidewalls 24, 26, 28, 30 are pivotable between assembled and collapsed
positions. In the assembled position, shown in Fig. 1, the container 20 is
available for transportation and storage of goods. Referring now to Figs. 1
and
2, latch members 32 extend from each end 34, 36, 38, 40 of the first pair of
opposed sidewalls 24, 26, respectively, and latches 42 each having a body 44
are
hingedly coupled with each end 46, 48, 50, 52 of the second pair of opposed
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sidewalls 28, 30, respectively. Each latch 42 releasably engages its
respective
latch member 32 when the sidewalls 24, 26, 28, 30 are in the assembled
position.
Each latch body 44 has a biasing member 54 projecting therefrom for biasing
the
latch 42 in engagement with the latch member 32.
The collapsible container 20 will now be described in more detail. As
seen in Fig. 1, the base 22 is substantially rectangular with two opposed end
flanges 60, 62 projecting substantially perpendicularly therefrom. The first
pair
of opposed sidewalls 24, 26, herein referred to as long sidewalls 24, 26, are
pivotally attached to long sides 64, 66, respectively, of the base 22. The
second
pair of opposed sidewalls 28, 30, herein referred to as short sidewalls 28, 30
are
pivotally attached to edges 68, 70, respectively, of the end flanges 60, 62,
respectively. The pivotal attachment of the sidewalls 24, 26, 28, 30 will be
explained further below.
Referring now to Figs. 1, 3 and 4, it can be seen that the sidewalls 24, 26,
28, 30 are pivotable between an outwardly collapsed position as shown in Fig.
3,
the assembled position as shown in Fig. 1, and an inwardly collapsed position
as
shown in Fig. 4. It will be evident that, in the outwardly collapsed position,
the
sidewalls 24, 26, 28, 30 are pivoted outwardly away from the base 22.
Similarly,
in the inwardly collapsed position, the sidewalls 24, 26, 28, 30 are pivoted
inwardly and are stacked generally parallel to the base 22.
Side flanges 74, 76 project substantially perpendicularly from each end
46, 48, respectively, of the short sidewall 28. Similarly, the side flanges
78, 80
project perpendicularly from each end 50, 52, respectively, of short sidewall
30.
It will be evident thus far that the side flanges 74, 78 of the short walls
28, 30,
respectively, form an extension of and are generally coplanar with the long
wall
24 when the sidewalls 24, 26, 28, 30 are in the assembled position. Similarly,
the
side flanges 76, 80 of the short walls 28, 30, respectively, form an extension
of
and are generally coplanar with the long wall 26 when the sidewalls 24, 26,
28,
are in the assembled position.
30 The pivotal attachment of the short wall 28 will now be described in
detail. The short wall 28 has a hinged edge 82, from which three laterally
spaced
L-shaped hinge posts 84 project. These L-shaped hinge posts 84 are generally
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centred on the hinged edge 82. Also, a pair of split-cap L-shaped hinge posts
86
project from the hinged edge 82, each split-cap hinge post 86 being proximal
to
one of the ends 46, 48. The split-cap hinge post 86 is useful for maintaining
the
short wall 28 in pivotal attachment with the base 22.
Complementary hinge-post receivers 90 extend from the edge 68 of the
end flange 60 and are sized and shaped appropriately to receive the L-shaped
hinge posts 84. A pair of split-cap receivers 92 are appropriately sized and
positioned on the end flange 60 to receive the split-cap L-shaped hinge posts
86.
When the container 20 is manufactured, the L-shaped hinge posts 86 are
received
by the complementary hinge-post receivers 90 and the split-cap hinge posts 86
are received by the complementary split-cap receivers 92. Clearly, the short
wall
28 is pivotable about the hinge post receivers 90 and is maintained in pivotal
attachment with the base 22.
While the above description of the pivotal attachment was directed to the
short wall 28, it will be understood that short wall 30 is pivotally attached
to the
base 22 in a similar manner. The long walls 24, 26 are also pivotally attached
to
the long sides 64, 66 of the base 22 in a similar arrangement of L-shaped
hinge
posts 84 and hinge-post receivers 90. Because of the length difference, the
long
sides 24, 26 have more L-shaped hinge posts 84 than do the short sides 28, 30.
It will also be noted that the end flanges 60, 62 restrict lateral movement of
the
long walls 24, 26 with respect to the base 22. The long walls 24, 26 are
thereby
maintained in pivotal attachment with the base 22 and the L-shaped hinge posts
84 are prevented from sliding out of their respective hinge-post receivers 90.
Therefore, the long sides 24, 26 do not have split-cap hinge posts 86.
Each of short walls 28, 30 have a laterally centred handle 100,
appropriately sized and positioned for lifting or handling the container 20
when
the sidewalls 24, 26, 28, 30 are in the assembled position. Also, each of the
long
walls 24, 26 have a laterally centred handle 102 appropriately sized and
positioned for lifting or handling the container 20 when the sidewalls 24, 26,
28,
30 are in the assembled position.
Turning again to Fig. 2, a latch mechanism 104 is employed to maintain
the sidewalls 24, 26, 28, 30 in the assembled position. The latch mechanism
104
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between the short wal128 and the long wa1126 will be now be described in
detail.
Referring first to the long wal126, the latch member 32 extends from the end
38
and has a tapered end 106 and a rectangular aperture 108. The end 106 is
tapered
to facilitate latching together of the walls 26, 28 and the aperture 108 is
shaped
to receive the latch 42, as will be described further below. Also extending
from
the end 38, on either side of the latch member, are first and second guide
tabs
110, 112, as best shown in Figure 3. These guide tabs 110, 112 provide added
stability at the juncture of the long wall 26 and the short wall 28 and aid in
assembly and latching. The guide tab 110, proximal the base 22, is tapered
inwardly to reduce interference with the side flange 76 when moving the walls
26, 28 into the assembled position.
Referring now to the short wa1128, a pair of rectangular cavities 114, 116
in the flange 76, are sized appropriately to receive the first and second
guide tabs
110, 112, respectively. The latch 42 is pivotally coupled to the short wall
28,
between the rectangular cavities 114, 116, by a pair of hinge posts 118 that
are
received in a pair of hinge post apertures 120. Thus, a slot 122, located
between
the rectangular cavities 114, 116, is defined by the flange 76 and the latch
42 and
is sized to receive the latch member 32.
Referring to the latch 42, shown in Fig. 2, the body 44 is substantially
rectangular with the two hinge posts 118 extending outwardly therefrom. For
the
purpose of clarity of this description, the latch 42 will be described with
reference
to front and back surfaces 126, 128, respectively. The latch body 44 has a
tapered
end 130 to guide the latch 42 into place when the walls 26, 28 are placed in
the
assembled position. A lug 132 protrudes outwardly from the front surface 126,
adjacent the tapered end 130, and is sized appropriately to fit in the
aperture 108
of the latch member 32. Also, a groove 134 adjacent the lug 132, in the front
surface 126 of the latch body 44, is sized and shaped to receive the tapered
end
106 of the latch member 32 when the walls 26, 28 are in the assembled
position.
In the present embodiment, the biasing member 54 is a pair of resiliently
deformable arms 54. These resiliently deformable arms 54 are spaced apart,
proximal outer edges 136 of the latch body 44 and project outwardly from the
back surface 128 of the latch body 44. The resiliently deformable arms 54 are
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substantially S-shaped with ends 138 that extend toward and abut an inward rib
140 of the short wall 28, as shown in Fig. 5. When the sidewalls 26, 28 are in
the
assembled position, the resiliently deformable arms 54 are slightly deformed
(compressing the ends 138 in the direction of the latch body 44) to bias the
latch
42 in engagement with the latch member 32. Turning now to Figs. 6 and 7,
urging the latch body 44 toward the end 48 of the shortwall by pinching the
two
together using a thumb and forefinger, the resiliently deformable arms 54 are
further deformed. This causes the ends 138 to compress in the direction of the
latch body, thus causing the latch 42 to pivot about the hinge post apertures
120.
Referring to Figs. 2 and 5, the latch body 44 further has an aperture 142
centred between the resiliently deformable arms 54, for receiving an actuating
member 144. Depressed grooves 146 are located on each side of the aperture 142
on the front surface 126 of the body 44. These grooves 146 are for retaining a
portion of the actuating member 144.
Referring now to the actuating member 144, a pair of outwardly turned
feet 148 engage the depressed grooves 146 of the latch body 44, and the feet
148
are retained therein. A pair of legs 150 extend from the feet 148 and merge at
a
body 152 that extends along the short wall 28 to a lip 156. Turning now to
Figures 6 and 7, it can be seen that urging lip 156 in the direction of arrow
A
causes further deformation of the resiliently deformable arms 54, compressing
the
ends 138 in the direction of the latch body 44 and causing the latch 42 to
pivot
about the hinge post apertures 120.
While the above description is directed to the latch mechanism 104
between the short wall 28 and the long wall 26, it will be understood that
latch
mechanisms between the short wall 28 and the long wall 24, the short wall 30
and
the long wall 24, and the short wall 30 and the long wall 26 are similar and
therefore will not be further described herein.
It will be evident thus far that two actuating members 144 extend along
the short wall 28 and therefore there are two lips 156 proximal the handle
100.
These two lips 156 are joined together by a single hand actuator 158 that has
a
hand grip 160 and attached deformable artns 162, as best shown in Figs. 1 and
5.
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Urging the hand grip 160 in the direction of the handle 100 causes the arms
162
to deform around the guide posts 164, thus urging the lips 156 inwardly toward
the handle 100. This again causes deformation ofthe resiliently deformable
arms
54, compressing the ends 138 in the direction of the latch body 44 and causing
the latch to pivot about the hinge post apertures 120. It will now be
understood
that a similar hand actuator 158 joins the two lips 156 on the short wall 30
and
thus the two latches 42 on the short wall 30 can be actuated in a similar
manner.
Therefore there is a single-point latch actuator provided for disengaging the
latches 42 from their respective latch members 32 on each short wall 28, 30.
Also, it will now be clear that there are three methods of actuating the latch
mechanism 104.
- The operation of the container 20 will now be described with reference to
the foregoing description and the attached Figs. 1-7. To collapse the
container
from the assembled position shown in Fig. 1 to the outwardly collapsed
15 position shown in Fig. 2, each hand grip 160 is grasped and urged in the
direction
of the handle 100. As stated previously, this causes deformation of the
resiliently
deformable arms 54, urging the ends 138 in the direction of the latch body 44
and
causing the latch to pivot about the hinge post apertures 120. Thus each latch
42
is urged away from its' respective latch member 32, disengaging each latch 42
20 from each latch member 32. Each short wall 28, 30 is pivoted outwardly into
the
collapsed position and then each long wall 24, 26 is pivoted outwardly into
the
collapsed position.
To assemble the container 20 from the outwardly collapsed position, the
long walls 24, 26 are pivoted so that they are substantially normal to the
base 22.
The short walls 28, 30 are then pivoted so that the tapered end 180 of the
latch 42
abuts the tapered end 106 of the latch member 32. Pushing the short walls 28,
30
inwardly toward the long walls 24, 26, the tapered end 180 of the latch 42
slides
along the tapered end 106 of the latch member 32. The latch 42 is thus pivoted
about the hinge post apertures 120 causing resilient deformation of the
resiliently
deformable arms 54, compressing the ends 138 in the direction of the latch
body
44. The latch 42 then engages the latch member 32 as the lug 132 is received
by
the aperture 108 and the groove 134 receives the tapered end 106. In this
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position, the resiliently deformable arms 54 are slightly resiliently deformed
to
maintain the latch 42 in engagement with the latch member 32, as stated
previously.
To collapse the container 20 from the assembled position shown in Fig.
1 to the inwardly collapsed position shown in Fig. 3, each hand grip 160 is
grasped and urged in the direction of the handle 100 thus disengaging each
latch
42 from its' respective latch member 32. The short sidewalls 28, 30 are then
pivoted outwardly so that each of the short walls 28, 30 form an obtuse angle
with the base 22. This is to provide clearance as the long sidewalls 24, 26
are
then pivoted inwardly into the inwardly collapsed position. Next the short
sidewalls 28, 30 are pivoted inwardly into the inwardly collapsed position.
To assemble the container 20 from the inwardly collapsed position, the
short walls 28, 30 are first pivoted outwardly so that each one forms an
obtuse
angle with the base 22. Again this is to provide clearance as the long walls
24,
26 are pivoted so that they are substantially normal to the base 22. The short
walls are then pivoted towards the long walls 24, 26 as described in the above
description of the assembly of the container 20 from the outwardly collapsed
position.
While the embodiment discussed herein is directed to a particular
implementation of the invention, it will be apparent that variations of this
embodiment are within the scope of this invention. For example, the size and
shape of any of the features described can vary while still performing the
same
function. The sidewalls, for instance, can differ in length or all sidewalls
can
have equal length. The container can have a cover to protect the goods in
transportation or storage. Also, the container can have a plurality of
apertures for
ambient circulation. The configuration of the hinged attachment of the
sidewalls
to the base can differ or the number of hinge posts and split cap hinge posts
can
vary. The shape of the actuating member can vary and latch and latch members
can have different configurations while still achieving the same function. In
the
above described embodiment, the container is injection moulded polypropylene
but other materials and forming processes can be used. The size and shape of
the
guide tabs can also be changed without departing from the scope of the
invention.
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The present invention provides a novel collapsible container for transport
or storage of goods. The container has a latch with a latch body in hinged
attachment with a sidewall and a biasing arm attached to the latch for biasing
the
latch body into engagement with latch member.
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