Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02526783 2005-11-14
NESTING AND STACKING CONTAINER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
[0001] The present invention relates to containers. More particularly, the
present
invention relates to nesting and stacking containers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
[0002] Packing containers permit multiple items to be packed, stored and
shipped as a
single unit. Stackable packing containers, which compared to non-stackable
containers, permit a
greater percentage of available storage space to be used for stored items.
However, when
stackable containers are not being used to store items, they occupy the same
volume of space as
the containers in use.
[0003] Various solutions to this space problem have been proposed. For
example,
containers that can be broken down when not in use have been developed. The
acts of breaking
down and re-building the containers can be labour intensive. Also, these
breakable containers
may not be compatible with automated packing lines. There exists a need for a
container that
obviates or mitigates at least some of the above-presented disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0004] A container is provided. The container comprises a base; sidewalls
extending
from the base, the sidewalls defining a container opening opposite the base;
and, supports
connected to the sidewalls for supporting a second container. The base of the
container
comprises support engaging sections for engaging the supports of the second
container and
permitting stacking of the first and second containers, and support bypassing
section for
bypassing the supports of the second container and permitting nesting of the
first and second
containers. The container is orientable relative to the second container
between a stacking
orientation, whereby the support engaging sections of the container base
engage the supports of
the second container, and a nesting orientation, whereby the support bypassing
sections of the
container base bypass the supports of the second container.
The base and sidewalls may be comprised of a plurality of interconnected wire
members.
1
CA 02526783 2005-11-14
[0005] The supports may be connected to the sidewalls about the opening.
[0006] The container may comprise four sidewalls.
[0007] The wire may be comprised of one of plastic, ceramic, metal and
composites
thereof.
[0008] The metal may be one of steel, aluminium, copper and alloys thereof.
[0009] The steel may be stainless steel.
[0010] A nesting and stacking container is provided. The container comprises a
base;
four sidewalls extending from respective sides of the base, the sidewalls
defining a container
opening opposite the base; and, supports connected to two opposing sidewalls
about the opening
for supporting a second container. The base of the container comprises a
support engaging
section for engaging the supports of the second container and permitting
stacking of the first and
second containers, and a support bypassing section for bypassing the supports
of the second
container and permitting nesting of the first and second containers. The
container is orientable
relative to the second container between a stacking orientation, whereby the
support engaging
section of the container base engages the supports of the second container,
and a nesting
orientation, whereby the support bypassing section of the container base
bypasses the supports of
the second container.
[0011] A nesting and stacking container for use in a packing line is also
provided. The
container comprises a base; sidewalls extending from the base, the sidewalls
defining a container
opening opposite the base; and, supports connected to the sidewalls for
supporting a second
container. The base of the container comprises a support engaging section for
engaging the
supports of the second container and permitting stacking of the first and
second containers, and a
support bypassing section for bypassing the supports of the second container
and permitting
nesting of the first and second containers. The container is graspable and
orientable relative to
the second container from a nesting orientation, whereby the support bypassing
section of the
container base bypasses the supports of the second container, to a stacking
orientation, whereby
the support engaging section of the container base engages the supports of the
second container.
2
CA 02526783 2005-11-14
LIST OF FIGURES:
[0012] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a nesting and stacking
container,
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] Figure 2 is a is a perspective view illustrating a first and second
nesting and
stacking container in a stacking arrangement, according to an embodiment of
the present
invention;
[0015] Figure 3 is a is a perspective view illustrating a first and second
nesting and
stacking container in a nesting arrangement, according to an embodiment of the
present
invention;
[0016] Figure 4 is a side view illustrating a first and second nesting and
stacking in a
stacking arrangement, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] Figure 5 is a side view illustrating a first and second nesting and
stacking
container in a nesting arrangement, according to an embodiment of the present
invention; and,
[0018] Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating a nesting and stacking
container,
according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
[0019] Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3 a perspective view of a nesting and
stacking
container 10 is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0020] The container 10 is preferably for use in the packing line of, for
example, a
manufacturing or packaging facility. For example, the container 10 may be
configured and sized
to hold milk cartons. Alternately, the container 10 may hold cartons of eggs.
It will be apparent
to those skilled in the art that the container 10 may be configured and sized
to hold any of a
number of items.
3
CA 02526783 2005-11-14
[0021] The container 10 comprises a base 11; sidewalls 13 extending from the
base 11,
the sidewalls 13 defining a container opening 15 opposite the base 11; and,
supports 17
connected to the sidewalls 13 for supporting a second container 10b. The base
11 of the
container 10 comprises a support engaging section 19 for engaging the supports
17b of the
second container 14b and permitting stacking of the first and second
containers (10, 10b), and a
support bypassing section 21 for bypassing the supports 17b of the second
container 10b and
permitting nesting of the first and second containers (10, 10b). The container
10 is orientable
relative to the second container 10b between a stacking orientation, whereby
the support
engaging section 19 of the container base 11 engages the supports 17b of the
second container
l Ob, and a nesting orientation, whereby the support bypassing section 21 of
the container base 11
bypasses the supports 17b of the second container 10b.
[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the container 10 comprises a base 11; four
sidewalls
13 extending from respective sides of the base 11, the sidewalls 13 defining a
container opening
15 opposite the base 11; and, supports 17 connected to two opposing sidewalls
13 about the
opening 15 for supporting the second container l Ob.
[0023] The container 10 may be wire framed. In a preferred embodiment, the
container
is comprised of a plurality of interconnected wire members 23. The wire
members 23 may be
comprised of a plastic, ceramic, metal or composites thereof. In a preferred
embodiment, the
wire members 23 are comprised of a metal, such as stainless steel, aluminium,
copper and alloys
thereof. For example, the steel may be stainless steel. It will be apparent to
those skilled in the
art that any wire material suitable to support the items to be stored in the
container 10 may be
employed. For example, if the container 10 is configured and sized to hold a
relatively heavy
item, such as a milk carton, stainless steel may be used as the wire material.
[0024] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, side views of the nesting and stacking
container 10
are illustrated according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wire
members 23 of the
sidewalls 13 that are adjacent the support bypassing section 21 of the base 11
are spaced apart
sufficiently to bypass the supports 17b of the second container 10b, thereby
enabling nesting of
the containers 10, 10b. In a preferred embodiment, the portions of the wire
members 23 that are
oriented vertically, vertical portions 25, are spaced so as to permit
bypassing the supports 17b.
4
CA 02526783 2005-11-14
The vertical portions 25 may also be oriented sufficiently off vertical in a V-
like configuration so
as to guide the container 10 into a nesting arrangement with the second
container l Ob.
[0025] Referring to Figure 1 in a preferred embodiment, the supports 17 are
connected to
the sidewalls 13 about the opening 15, toward the top of the container 10. It
will be apparent to
those skilled in the art that the supports 17 may be positioned anywhere on
the sidewalls 13 that
suits the needs of the individuals packing the container 10. Figure 1 also
illustrates that the
supports 17 preferably extend inwardly from the sidewalls 13.
[0026] The supports 17 are preferably connected to at least two opposing
sidewalls 13.
For example, Figure 1 illustrates a container 10 comprising four sidewalls 13.
The resulting
container opening 15 is approximately square-shaped, and the container 10 is
approximately
cube-shaped. In this example, the supports 17 are connected to two opposing
sidewalls 13. It
will be apparent, however, that the number of opposed sidewalls 13 to which
the supports 17 are
connected may vary with the number of sidewalls that the container 10 possess,
as well as the
stacking requirements of the container 10 user. In some instances, the
supports 17 may not be
positioned on opposed sidewalls 13. For example, if a five-sided container is
used, there are no
two sidewalls that are opposed. As such, the sidewalls 13, to which the
supports 17 are
connected, are selected so as to best support the container stacked atop.
[0027] Referring to Figures 1-5, the container 10 about the opening 15 is
comprised of a
rim 51. In a preferred embodiment, the rim 51 is a plate material, such as a
steel plate material.
The rim 51, being so comprised, permits container supports 17 to be formed
therefrom.
Alternatively, the supports 17 may be connected to the rim 51. The supports 17
preferably
extend inwardly from the rim 51.
[0028] In the present embodiment, the support engaging section 19 comprises a
plate or
bar 59. The support engaging section 19 preferably comprises four plates or
bars 59. The bar 59
may be connected to the base 11. Alternately, it may be integrally formed with
the base 11. It
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that any means of connecting or
forming the bar 59
with the base 11 that permits the bar 59 to function as a support engaging
section may be
employed. The bar 59 comprises engaging end 61, which is configured to engage
the support
17b of the second container lOb during the stacking operation. For example,
the engaging end
CA 02526783 2005-11-14
61 may be stamped or otherwise deformed to form a recess or hook 63 that
engages the
corresponding support 17b of the second container 10b during the stacking
operation.
[0029] Referring to Figures 1-5, the vertical portions 25 of the container 10
are
preferably configured to have an offset or recess 53 at about the opening 15.
The recesses 53
combine to form a support or seat against which the respective second
container sits when the
containers are nested. With reference to container 10 in Figure 3, the wire
members 23 adjacent
the rim 51 define a recess 53 configured to engage the second container I Ob
when the container
is in the nesting orientation.
[0030] Referring to Figure 6, a perspective view of a nesting and stacking
container 100
is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present invention. As with
container 10, the
container 100 is preferably for use in the packing line of, for example, a
manufacturing or
packaging facility.
[0031] The container 100 comprises a base I 11; sidewalls 113 extending from
the base
I 11, the sidewalls 113 defining a container opening 115 opposite the base
111; and, supports 117
connected to the sidewalls 113 for supporting a second container. The base 111
of the container
100 comprises a support engaging section 119 for engaging the supports of the
second container
and permitting stacking of the first and second containers, and a support
bypassing section 121
for bypassing the supports of the second container and permitting nesting of
the first and second
containers. The container 100 is orientable relative to the second container
between a stacking
orientation, whereby the support engaging section 119 of the container base
111 engages the
supports of the second container, and a nesting orientation, whereby the
support bypassing
section 121 of the container base 111 bypasses the supports of the second
container.
[0032] The container 100 may be wire framed. In a preferred embodiment, the
container
100 is comprised of a plurality of interconnected wire members 123. The wire
members 123
may be comprised of a plastic, ceramic, metal or composites thereof. In a
preferred embodiment,
the wire members 123 are comprised of a metal, such as stainless steel,
aluminium, copper and
alloys thereof. For example, the steel may be stainless steel. It will be
apparent to those skilled
in the art that any wire material suitable to support the items to be stored
in the container 100
6
CA 02526783 2005-11-14
may be employed. For example, if the container 100 is configured and sized to
hold a relatively
heavy item, such as a milk carton, stainless steel may be used as the wire
material.
[0033] The wire members 123 of the sidewalls 113 that are adjacent the support
bypassing section 121 of the base 111 are spaced apart sufficiently to bypass
the supports of the
second container, thereby enabling nesting of the containers. In a preferred
embodiment, the
portions of the wire members 123 that are oriented vertically, vertical
portions 125, are spaced so
as to permit bypassing the supports. The vertical portions 125 may also be
oriented sufficiently
off vertical in a V-like configuration so as to guide the container 100 into a
nesting arrangement
with the second container.
[0034] The supports 117 are connected to the sidewalls 113 about the opening
115. The
supports 117 preferably extend inwardly from the sidewalls 113.
[0035] The container 100 about the opening 115 is comprised of a rim 151. The
rim 151
is preferably a wire material. The rim 151, being so comprised, permits the
container supports
117 to be formed therefrom.
[0036] The support engaging section 119 is preferably comprised of a wire
material that
is connected to the base 111. Alternately, it may be integrally formed with
the base 111. It will
be apparent to those skilled in the art that any means of connecting or
forming the support 119
with the base I 11 that permits the support 119 to function as a support
engaging section may be
employed. For example, the support 119 may be stamped or otherwise deformed to
form a
recess or hook that engages the corresponding support of the second container
during the
stacking operation.
[0037] The vertical portions 125 of the container 100 are preferably
configured to have
an offset or recess 153 at about the opening 115. The recesses 153 combine to
form a support or
seat against which the respective second container sits when the containers
are nested. With
reference to container 100, the wire members 123 adjacent the rim 151 define a
recess 153
configured to engage the second container when the container 100 is in the
nesting orientation.
[0038] When the nesting and stacking containers 10 and 100 are configured for
use in a
packing line, they are graspable by a packing line robotic unit (not shown).
Any means that are
7
CA 02526783 2005-11-14
known to those skilled in the art for configuring the containers to be
graspable on the packing
line may be employed in order to suit the particular requirements of the
packing line. For
example, the containers 10 and 100 may further comprise a guide (not shown)
positioned on each
container. The guide, when the respective container is positioned on the
packing line, interacts
with a corresponding guide (not shown) on the packing line thereby permitting
the container to
be directed on the packing line.
[0039] The above description is intended in an illustrative rather than
restrictive sense.
Variations may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from
the spirit and scope
of the invention as defined by the claims set out below.
8
