1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tamper proof collapsible container, and more particularly, to such a collapsible container that is volumetrically efficient for its transportation and storage.
2. Description of the Related Art
Several designs for collapsible containers have been designed in the past. None of them, however, discloses a simple design that utilizes a minimum number of elements to assemble while retaining its functions.
Applicant believes that the closest reference corresponds to the German patent No. 144916 issued to Publio Duranti-Valentini on Jul. 18, 1901 for a collapsible container for transportation. However, it differs from the present invention because the present invention includes the use of coaxially aligned knuckles that are integrally built to the panels. The German patent, on the other hand, teaches the use of separate knuckles (see FIGS. 1 and 9) that require the use of fastening members to secure them to the panels. Second, the German patent discloses the use of pin assemblies, like in the present invention, but it does not disclose through openings that lockingly receive locking tubular members to keep the pin assemblies in place. The pin assemblies in the German patent are kept in place by using pin members of four different dimensions and shapes (b; F and the short and long pins) while the present invention only uses short and long pins. Additionally, the pin assemblies in the German patent have releasably mounted heads kept in place with locking clips, which make a difference with the pin assemblies of the present invention. Third, the present invention cannot be tampered with unless the security seal is broken. Also, the tubular members cannot be removed while the container is assembled. It requires disassembly of the top long pins (breaking the security seals) first before it can remove the vertical pins. Locking tubular members can only be pushed through to remove them when adjoining walls are in the same plane. When assembled, the locking tubular members are flush with the wall surface. Therefore, the locking pin cannot be removed from the outside. This facilitates the logistics for security, transporting and storing the containers when not in use. If the container disclosed in the German patent is disassembled, the pieces will be loose and require separate handling. With the present invention, a user can keep the panels of a disassembled container joined together. This feature constitutes a logistic advantage for storage, transportation and reassembly operations.
Another difference not shown in the German patent reference is that the present invention provides for plugs and cavities that are used to stack the containers vertically. In sum, the different features of the present invention resolve logistic problems with the storage and transportation of these containers that were not even considered by the German patentee, let alone disclosed in his 1903 patent.
Other patents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention.
It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a collapsible container that is volumetrically efficient for its transportation and storage.
It is another object of this invention to provide a collapsible container that includes substantially identical square walls perpendicularly disposed with respect to each other requiring a minimum of components and tools for assembly.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a container that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness.
Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.
With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
a shows the assembly represented in the previous figure showing how the pins are introduced.
a is a detail representation of one of the corners of the container, taken from portion 4a in
Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral 10, it can be observed that it basically includes bottom wall 20, lateral walls 30; 40; 50; and 60, and top wall 70 perpendicularly mounted to each other and held in place with elongated pin assemblies 80 and 180 and kept in place with locking tubular members 90. An interior space is defined for housing goods that are protected during storage and/ or transportation.
Walls 20; 30; 40; 50; 60 and 70 are preferably identical and square. Bottom wall 20 has four straight longitudinal sides 21; 22; 23 and 24, lateral walls 30; 40; 50 and 60, as well as top wall 70 also have similar sides labeled as 31; 32; 33; 34; 41; 42; 43; 44; 51; 52; 53; 54; 61; 62; 63; 64; 71; 72; 73 and 74, as best seen in
Knuckle extensions 121; 121′; 122; 122′; 123; 123′; 124; 124′; 131; 131′; 132; 132′; 133; 133′; 134; 134′; 141; 141′; 142; 142′; 143; 143′; 144; 144′ 151; 151′; 152; 152′; 153; 153′; 154; 134′; 161; 161′; 162; 162′; 163; 163′; 164; 164′; 171; 171′; 172; 172′; 173; 173′; 174 and 174′ are associated with each side for walls 20; 30; 40; 50; 60 and 70, as best seen in
As shown in
Collapsible container 10 includes short pins 80 and long pins 180. As best seen in
As shown in
As shown in
To assemble container 10, a user starts with bottom wall 20 on a horizontal supporting surface and positioning lateral walls 30; 40; 50 and 60 adjacent to sides 21; 22; 23 and 24, respectively. Then, top wall 70 is placed adjacent to one of the lateral walls, for example, adjacent to side 42 of wall 40, as shown in
Seal wire member 500 is inserted through openings 571 and 573, through openings 371 and 373 and transversal holes 182 of pin assemblies 180.
Once collapsible container 10 reaches its destination, the receiver brakes seal wire members 500, remove long pins 180 from the top wall, removes pin 80 from through openings 272; 272′; 264 and 264′ and empty its merchandise. Then, the receiver removes the four short pins 80 from through openings 232; 232′; 241; 241′ and 243; 243′; 252; 252′ and 254; 254′; 263; 263′ and 234; 234′; 261; 261′ so walls 20; 30; 40; 50; 60 and 70 return to the same plane as shown in
The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.
The present application is a continuation-in-part of pending of PCT Patent Application Ser. No. PCT/CR03/00001, filed on Sep. 4, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
6631821 | Vourganas | Oct 2003 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
144916 | Jul 1901 | DE |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20060237455 A1 | Oct 2006 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | PCT/CR03/00001 | Sep 2003 | US |
Child | 11113209 | US |