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The present invention generally relates to features for blocking fork tine openings in a container, and more particularly, to features for blocking openings for a single fork tine on stacked containers.
Today, bulk parts are packaged in a number of different ways. Many of these ways incorporate reusable containers that require a fork truck or other similar material handling equipment for transport. To improve product density, material handling flexibility and presentation to the assembly line, the designs of such containers are becoming more custom for a specific use or need.
Within the various designs of such custom containers exist containers that can only be carried by one fork tine. For example, the Assignee of the present invention has developed a tote style container having two handles connected to the top portion of the end walls, that form a gap or opening sized and positioned for accepting a single tine of a fork truck or other similar equipment. While transporting a single container in this manner is acceptable, transporting a stack of containers using one fork tine (i.e., on the lowest container of the stack) creates safety concerns. Specifically, the load may rotate about the tine and tip over during lifting or transport.
The present invention provides an improved container having features that block a fork tine when stacked with other containers. Only the topmost container in the stack of containers allows the fork tine to be used.
The present invention provides a plastic tote style container with features for blocking a fork tine in a stack of like containers.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a container having blocking features to prevent a fork tine from picking up a stack of like containers is provided. The container comprises a container body having a bottom wall, a first side wall, an opposing second side wall, a first end wall and an opposing second end wall. The container body is preferably formed from a molded plastic or other similar suitable material. A first handle is connected to a top portion of the first end wall and forms a first opening, and a second handle is connected to a top portion of the second end wall and forms a second opening aligned with the first opening. The handles are preferably bolted to the container body. The first and second openings are sized and positioned to receive a tine of a fork truck. The container further includes a first lower wall extending downward from the bottom wall of the container body. The lower wall is positioned to block the first opening in a lower like container. In this manner, only the topmost container can be picked up with the fork tine using the handles.
The first lower wall can extend from the first side wall to the second side wall, or a portion thereof. The first lower wall can be positioned proximate the first end wall, or can be placed at any position between the first end wall and the second end wall.
The container can include a second lower wall extending from the bottom wall of the container to block the second opening. The second lower wall can be positioned proximate the second end wall.
The container can include a plurality of shoulder portions extending upward from corners formed by the end walls and side walls. The container can also include a plurality of feet extending downward from the bottom wall where each foot is proximate a corner of the bottom wall.
The container body can include a plurality of outwardly extending ribs on the first and second side walls, and first and second end walls. Additionally, the container body can also include one or more flat regions between the outstanding ribs on the side walls and/or end walls for receiving a label.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention a container having blocking features to prevent a fork tine from picking up a stack of like containers is provided with moveable handles. The container comprises a container body having a bottom wall, a first side wall, an opposing second side wall, a first end wall and an opposing second end wall. A first handle is moveably connected to a top portion of the first end wall. The first handle forms a first opening sized to accept a tine of a fork truck between a top of the first handle and a top edge of the first end wall in a first position, and the first handle prevents a tine of a fork truck from being accepted between the top of the first handle and the top edge of the first end wall in a second position. Downward pressure from an upper like container forces the first handle from the first position to the second position.
The container can also include a second handle moveably connected to a top portion of the second end wall. Like the first handle, the second handle forms a second opening sized to accept a tine of a fork truck between a top of the second handle and a top edge of the second end wall in a first position and prevents a tine of a fork truck from being accepted between the top of the first handle and the top edge of the second end wall in a second position. Again, downward pressure from an upper like container forces the second handle from the first position to the second position.
The handles can include a first downwardly extending arm, a second downwardly extending arm and a horizontal bar extending between the first downwardly extending arm and the second downwardly extending arm. The first arm can be connected to the end wall by a first slideable element, and the second arm can be connected to the end wall by a second slideable element. Preferably, each slideable element includes a spring that is connected to the arm by a rivet.
The container can further comprise corner elements extending upward from the end walls adjacent each side of a handle. The horizontal bar of each handle is preferably level with a top of the corner elements when the handle is in the first position. When pushed into the second position the horizontal bar is flush with the top edge of the end wall.
Further aspects of the invention are disclosed in the Figures, and are described herein.
To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
The present invention is directed to features for blocking a tine of a fork truck in a stack of containers. Certain tote style containers have handles that form openings positioned to accept a single tine of a fork truck or other similar device. However, it can be dangerous to lift a stack of such containers using a fork tine. The present containers include features to block the openings of containers below the topmost container of a stack of containers to prevent lifting two or more containers in the stack with the fork tine.
Each container 10 includes a first handle 20 connected to a top portion of the first end wall 12, and a second handle (not shown) connected to a top portion of the second end wall 14. The handles include a first arm 22 and a second arm 24 that are secured to the end wall. In one embodiment (shown in
The container 10 includes shoulder portions 32 that extend upward on either side of each handle 20. The shoulder portions 32 include a first portion 34 that is an upward extension of the respective end wall, and a second portion 36 that is an upward extension of the respective side wall. As shown in the Figures, the first portion 34 of each shoulder portion 32 extends to an arm of one of the handles 20. Both portions 34, 36 of the shoulder portions 32 extend upward to the same height as a top edge of the handle 20 (in another embodiment of the container—shown in
The container 10 also includes feet 38 extending downward proximate each corner of the bottom wall 40 of the container 10. The feet 38 are positioned slightly inward from the corner to form a slight ledge or overhang 42 as shown in
As shown in the Figures, each of the end walls 12, 14, side walls 16, 18 and shoulder portions 32 and feet 38 include a plurality of outwardly extending ribs 44. The side walls 16, 18 also can include flat portions 46 that can be used for labels or molded-in indicia. The end walls 12, 14 could also be provided with flat portions.
The openings 28 formed by the handles and the upper edge 30 of the end walls 12, 14 are sized and positioned to receive a single tine of a fork truck. This enables the container 10 and any load contained therein to be lifted by the fork tine. Because only one fork tine can be used to lift the container 10 in this manner, lifting a stack of such containers can be problematic. Specifically, the stack of containers can become unbalanced and the upper containers of the stack could shift and fall.
To prevent attempts to lift a stack of such containers 10, the present containers 10 include features to prevent a fork tine from lifting any but the topmost container of the stack. Specifically, the containers include structure to remove or block the openings formed by the handles of any lower container of a stack of containers. This leaves only the topmost container of the stack having openings that can receive the fork tine.
Referring to
As illustrated in
Moreover, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the blocking wall 48 can extend downward from the bottom wall 14 at any location between the first end wall 12 and the second end wall 14. Additionally, more than one blocking wall 48 can be used (e.g., one proximate the opening of the first handle, and one proximate the opening of the second handle).
As more fully illustrated in
An alternative and/or additional embodiment is illustrated in
As shown in
In a further embodiment of the invention illustrated in
As described herein, each container in the stack of containers is a “like” container. This does not mean that the containers are necessarily identical (although they are preferably identical). Rather, each of the containers merely needs to have enough features in common to stack with each other and to allow for handling by a fork tine in the manner described.
Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be protected otherwise than as specifically described.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/149,857, filed Apr. 20, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference and made a part hereof.
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