Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02395067 2008-06-30
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CONTAINER HAVING REINFORCING MEANS
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention is directed to containers for storage of objects, and more
particularly,
to -containers which are reversibly reinforceable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various containers are known in the art. For example, commonly assigned U.S.
Pat.
M. 5,379,897 iss. Jan. 10, 1995 to Muckenfuhs et al:, discloses a resiliently
deformable
package. However, this package does not have auxiliary reinforcement means for
use with
the container.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,099,939, iss. Apr. 23, 1991 to Goldberg, discloses a vessel
compriaing
a composite of paperboard and polymer film. U.S. Pat. 4,801,017, iss. Jan. 31,
1989 to
3o Artusi, discloses a contairier comprising a tray surrounded by a blank and
at least partially
joined to the tray. However, selected portions of the blank are not
selectively and reversibly
attachable to the tray.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention comprises a container having a plurality of upstanding sidewalls
interconnected by a floor pan. At least one of the sidewalls is reinforceable
with an
upstanding strut. The strut is removable from the sidewall, without separation
from the
1o container in one particular embodiment.
In one embodiment, a pair of the sidewalls may be reinforced with removable
struts,
the struts being transformable from a first position providing reinforcement
to the sidewalls
to a second position where the struts do not provide reinforcement to the
sidewalls. The
struts may be transformable between the first and second positions by
articulation.
In another embodiment, the invention comprises a method of assembling a
collapsed
container. The method of comprising the steps of providing a container having
sidewalls
interconnected by a floor pan. The container further comprises struts
attachable to the
sidewalls and removable therefrom optionally without separation from the
container. The
struts are not attached to the sidewalls. The struts have a proximal end
joined to the
container at a distal end articulable about the proximal end. The struts are
articulated to a
position proximate the sidewalls whereby the struts are disposed in a plane
substantially
parallel to the sidewalls. The struts, and preferably the distal ends thereof,
may then be
attached to the sidewalls.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to the present invention
and
illustrating an optional cover.
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the container of Fig. 1 showing the
reinforcement separated from the container.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the container of Fig. 1 with the reinforcement
attached
to the container and in the reinforcing position.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the container and reinforcement, the left-hand
strut of
the reinforcement being in the reinforcing position, the right-hand strut of
the reinforcement
being removed from the sidewall and not being in a reinforcing position.
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Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the container showing the reinforcement
articulated to
a nonreinforcing position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Fig. 1 depicts a preferred embodiment of a container 10 and associated
reinforcement 40 according to the present invention. In the embodiment
depicted in Fig.
1, the container 10 includes a container 10 body preferably unitarily formed
from sheet
material. An optional cover 12 may be included and unitarily formed with the
container
10. The container 10 may also include a closure for sealing the cover 12 and
container
10. The cover 12 may be generally flat, as illustrated, or may have a convex
inward or
convex outward orientation, as desired. If the optional cover 12 and seal 14
are desired, a
plug seal 14 may be utilized as is known in the art and illustrated by U.S.
Patent Nos.
3,784,055, iss. Jan. 8, 1974 to Anderson, and 3,967,756, iss. July 19, 1976 to
Barish.
However, it is to be recognized that the cover 12 is an auxiliary feature and
does not form
part of the claimed invention. For certain embodiments, it is preferred that
the cover 12
be substantially flat so that the container 10 is stackable.
The container 10 according to the present invention may be relatively small,
such
that the container 10 may be stored in one's pocket or purse. Such a container
10 may
include the optional cover 12 and be useful for storing pills, capsules, etc.
Alternatively,
the container 10 may be relatively large such that the container 10 is sized
to fit a flat bed
semi-truck. Such a container 10 may be useful for carrying construction
materials, etc.
One contemplated use for the container 10, particularly when the optional
cover 12 and a
further optional seal 14 are included, is to store perishable items such as
food.
The container 10 comprises a floor pan 22 and sidewalls 20 projecting
outwardly
from the floor pan 22. Preferably, in use, the sidewalls 20 project upwardly
and terminate
at a distal end 46 fomling the mouth 26 or opening of the container 10. The
illustrated
embodiment has four sidewalls 20. However, it is to be recognized the
invention is not so
limited.
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The floor pan 22 defines and lies in the first plane. For the embodiment
illustrated, the floor pan 22 is defined by the vertices of the four corners
of the upstanding
sidewalls 20. The floor pan 22 may be domed convex inwardly to increase
strength as is
known in the art. Particularly, domed floor pans 22 provide increased strength
for loading
by the contents of the container 10 in a direction normal to the plane of the
floor pan 22.
Alternatively, the floor pan 22 may be disposed convex outwardly, although
this may
decrease stability when the container 10 rests on a horizontal surface. It is
to be
recognized that the floor pan 22 may be domed and still define a plane.
Referring to Fig. 2, the container 10 is provided with a reinforcement 40.
Particularly, the reinforcement 40 may comprise struts 42 which support one or
more
respective sidewalls 20 and preferably a floor pan support 48. The struts 42
may be
utilized to support either self-supporting, reversibly articulable sidewalls
20, flaccid
sidewalls 20, or combinations thereof.
Further, the struts 42 may be articulable so that they may be applied to and
removed from the sidewalls 20 as desired. Preferably, the struts 42 are
articulable about a
proximal end 44, the proximal end 44 being juxtaposed with the floor pan 22.
The distal
end 46 of the strut 42 may engage the sidewall 20, a flange circumjacent the
mouth 26 of
the container 10, or any other point near the top or opening of the container
10 which is
convenient and provides structural support to resist collapse of the container
10.
Further, the reinforcement 40 preferably further comprises one or more floor
pan
supports 48. The floor pan supports 48 extend partially, or preferably
completely across
the length, and optionally across the width of the floor pan 22. If the floor
pan 22 has an
aspect ratio greater than one, preferably the floor pan support 48 extends
throughout and
in the direction of the major axis.
Referring to Figs. 2-3, preferably, the struts 42 and floor pan support 48
comprise
a single, unitary and integral piece of material as illustrated. The
reinforcement 40, thus
comprises a contiguous planar member which in turn comprises one or more
struts 42 and
the floor pan support 48. This arrangement provides the benefit that the
reinforcement 40
may be manufactured as a single element. Further, attachment of the
reinforcement 40 to
the container 10 is simplified. For example, in the embodiment illustrated,
the floor pan
support 48 may be joined to the bottom of the floor pan 22 of the container
10. Joining
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ultrasonic
welding, adhesive, etc., may be used
Referring to Figs. 3-4, the struts 42 which reinforce the sidewalls 20 may be
transformable between the first and second positions using a number of known
means.
For example, the struts 42 may slidably engage the sidewalls 20 by translation
relative
thereto. Alternatively and preferably, the strut 42 may be articulably joined
to its
respective sidewall 20 at the proximal end 44 of the strut 42. More
preferably, the
proximal end 44 of the strut 42 is joined to the container 10 at a hinge
juxtaposed with the
floor pan 22. This arrangements allows the strut 42 to support the entire
length of the
sidewall 20 between the floor pan 22 and the opening 26 at the top of the
container 10.
By supporting the entire length, the full depth of the sidewall 20 is
reinforced. This
arrangement becomes more important when the container 10 is reversibly
collapsible and
erectable as described hereinbelow.
The distal end 46 of the strut 42 may be attachable to the container 10 using
any of
or combinations of several known means, such as frictional engagement,
adhesive
attachment, cohesive attachment, hook and loop fasteners, tab-slot
arrangements, etc.
Any means for removably attaching the distal end 46 of the strut 42 to the
container 10 is
suitable. Preferably, attachment of the strut 42 to the container 10 causes
one or more
sensory indicia to occur to the user. The sensory indicia may be visual,
audible or tactile.
Sensory indicia occur when the strut 42 is joined to the container 10 using
any mechanical
engagement, such as tab-slot arrangements.
The container 10 may have a circumjacent flange. The flange may be usable for
providing a sealing means if the optional cover 12 is provided with the
container 10.
Alternatively, the flange, either with or without the optional cover 12, may
be usable for
gripping the container 10, opening and closing the optional cover 12, etc. It
is to be
recognized the strut 42 may be attachable to the container 10 at locations
intermediate the
proximal and distal ends 46 of the strut 42. However, attachment of the strut
42 at the
distal end 46 is convenient and provides fixed points spaced apart so that the
strut 42 does
not comprise a cantilevered support geometry.
Referring to Figs. 4-5, the struts 42 may be articulated to a position which
does
not provide reinforcement 40 to the sidewall 20, and even be releasably
attached to the
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floor pan 22 or to the floor pan support 48. Particularly, the struts 42 are
preferably
removably attachable to the outer surface of the container 10, although
arrangements
having the struts 42 removably attachable to the inner surface of the
container 10 are
contemplated as described below. This arrangement allows for storage of the
container
without interference from the struts 42 when not in use.
10 The strut 42 may be disposed in the form of a panel. The strut 42 is
considered to
comprise a panel if the strut 42 has a width at least 75% of the width of the
respective
sidewall 20 which the strut 42 reinforces. If so, such a panel is optionally
substantially
coextensive of and attachable to the sidewall 20 of the container 10. This
arrangement
provides a strut 42 which provides support throughout the entire width of the
upstanding
sidewall 20. It is to be recognized that, however, the stiffness of the strut
42 is a linear
function of its width and a cubic function of its thickness for bending
moments
perpendicular to the strut 42. Accordingly, the strut 42 may be optionally
reinforced as
described hereinbelow.
It is to be recognized that the container 10 may have a rectangular footprint
and/or
rectangular sidewalls 20. If so, the height may be greater than the width of
the sidewalls
20, or vice versa, as desired for the particular geometry under consideration.
Further, the
strut 42 may be perforate. A perforate strut 42 provides the benefit that,
when used in
conjunction with a transparent container 10, the user may more easily view
contents of
the container 10 disposed behind the strut 42.
Referring to Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5, the reinforcement 40 preferably further
comprises
a floor pan support 48, for reinforcing the floor pan 22 as described above.
If so,
preferably the strut 42 or struts 42 and floor pan support 48 are contiguous
and comprised
of an integral piece of material as described above. The container 10, as
illustrated, may
have a major axis and minor axis opposed thereto, although any geometry and
configuration may be utilized without deviation from the claimed invention. If
the
container 10 has a major axis and minor axis, preferably the floor pan support
48
heterogeneously reinforces the floor pan 22 in a direction substantially
parallel to the
major axis. The heterogeneous support along the major axis is preferred
because it
reinforces the longest unsupported span of the floor pan 22.
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Likewise, the struts 42 may heterogeneously support the container 10 in a
direction having a vector component normal to, and preferably identically
normal to the
floor pan 22. This arrangement provides resistance to bending and unintended
collapse
when the container 10 is in use. Suitable materials for reinforcing the
container 10
include single- face and double-face fluted cardboard, polymeric materials
similar or
1o identical to that used for the container 10, etc. If cardboard, paperboard,
or other
cellulosic materials are selected for the struts 42 and/or floor pan support
48, such
material may be sized or provided with a hydrophobic coating to prevent
degradation due
to moisture, washing, etc.
In a preferred embodiment, the container 10 comprises a first material and the
reinforcement 40 comprises a second material, the first and second materials
being
dissimilar. Each is tailored to its specific function. For example, the
container 10 may
comprise a material which is impermeable and prevents evaporation or spoilage
of liquid
contents contained therein. The struts 42 may comprise a heterogeneous
reinforcing
material suited for articulation about a hinge line 30. Thus, using the
claimed
2o arrangement, each material may be tailored to the specific properties which
will be
helpful at the point of use.
The first and second materials may be of identical composition but dissimilar
geometries, for example, the container 10 may be comprised of a polymeric
material
having a first gauge. The struts 42 and/or floor pan support 48 may be
comprised of a
polymeric material having a second gauge. The second gauge may be greater than
the
first gauge. This arrangement allows the container 10 to be formed of a
thinner gauge
material for material savings. Concomitantly, the reinforcing struts 42 and/or
floor pan
support 48 may comprise a thicker gauge material for strength.
If desired, the strut 42 may further comprise notches 34, undulations, tabs,
or
handles for gripping and manipulation of the strut 42. This arrangement
provides the
benefit that the strut 42 may be more easily manipulated and, hence, more
easily
transformed between the first and second positions. If desired, the strut 42
may be of
variable cross section. For example, the strut 42 may have a cross section
which provides
a greater bending modulus at the proximal end 44 of the strut 42 than at the
distal end 46.
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Likewise, the container 10 may comprise variable wall thicknesses to provide
additional
rigidity, as desired.
The reinforcement 40 may be joined to the inner surface of the container 10,
to
prevent the reinforcement 40 from inadvertently becoming entangled with nearby
objects.
Preferably, the reinforcement 40 is joined to the outer surface of the
container 10, so that
the contents of the container 10 may be easily removed and the container 10
easily
cleaned. The container 10 may optionally be reversibly collapsible and
erectable, If
so, the container 10 has a first volume associated with its collapsed
condition. The
container 10 further has a second volume associated with its erected
condition. The
second volume is greater than the first. The container 10 may be collapsed in
stages as
the contents are depleted. This provides the benefits of requiring less
storage space and
removing oxygen from the container 10 if perishable contents are stored
therein.
The container 10 may be optionally reversible transformable between collapsed
and erected conditions in any number of manners. In a preferred embodiment, at
least
one, and preferably each sidewa1120 has a hinge line 30 disposed substantially
parallel to
the plane of the floor. The hinge line 30 divides the sidewall 20 into upper
and lower
portions, each of which is articulable about the hinge lines 30 when the
container 10 is
transformed between the collapsed and erected conditions. Alternatively, the
container 10
may be transformable between collapsed and erected conditions, as illustrated
by
commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,882, iss. Dec. 7, 1999 to Randall.
In an alternative embodiment, the strut 42 may be totally separable from the
container 10. In such an embodiment, the strut 42 has separate attachment
means at both
the proximal end 44 and distal end 46 of the strut 42. Additionally, the strut
42 may be
attached to the container 10 at positions intermediate the proximal and distal
ends 44, 46.
Attachment at the proximal end 44, distal end 46, and intermediate position
may be
accomplished using any of the aforementioned and known means. If desired, the
struts 42
may be articulated until they contact, and even be joined, to the outwardly
facing surface
of the floor pan support 48, as illustrated in Fig. 5.
While the illustrated embodiments disclose two sidewalls 20 which are
reinforced
with the struts 42, one of ordinary skill will recognize that one sidewa1120,
all sidewalls
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20, or any combination therebetween may be reinforced by the struts 42.
Additionally,
the container 10 may be provided with two floor pan supports 48. If the floor
pan
supports 48 heterogeneously reinforce the floor pan 22, the heterogeneous
reinforcement
may be applied in mutually orthogonal directions, to provide more consistent
support
across the floor pan 22. Of course, as noted above, the invention is not
limited to
containers 10 having four sidewalls 20.
In a further variation, it is not necessary that the proximal end 44 of the
strut 42
be juxtaposed with the floor pan 22. The strut 42 may be articulated about the
top or a
position juxtaposed with the aperture 26 of the container 10. Alternatively,
the container
10 may have a plurality of struts 42. Some of the struts may be articulated
about a
proximal end 44 juxtaposed with the floor pan 22, while other struts 42
articulate about a
proximal end 44 juxtaposed with the top of the container 10, and still other
struts 42
articulate about an intermediate position. All such variations are
contemplated and within
the scope of the appended claims.
