Patent Application
20190184669
The present invention relates generally to foldable containers. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with foldable bulk containers.
Foldable containers are commonly used to store and/or ship various products. Foldable containers provide benefits over non-foldable containers at least because foldable containers can be folded from a flat configuration into a three-dimensional configuration.
It is much easier to ship and store containers when they are in relatively flat in a “stowed” configuration. Consequently, containers are usually not moved from their stowed configurations into their three-dimensional “deployed” configurations until they are needed. This often results in the containers being assembled by personnel that may or may not be familiar with the process of folding a particular container. Consequently, it would be beneficial for the container to be designed such that it is relatively easy to move the container from a stowed configuration into a deployed configuration.
Once the container is folded into a deployed configuration, users are often required to apply tape or some other adhesive to hold the container in the deployed configuration. Often, however, such adhesive is damaging to the container and/or inappropriate for the particular application. Consequently, it would be beneficial if the container included one or more feature for securing the container in the deployed configuration without requiring the use of adhesives. Furthermore, some containers, especially large bulk containers, require reinforcing straps. If a user forgets to install the strap and/or installs the strap incorrectly, the container can break. Consequently, it would be beneficial if the container was configured such that it did not require a reinforcing strap.
Many large bulk containers require two people to assemble the container. Consequently, it would be beneficial if large bulk containers could be safely assembled by a single person.
A bulk container is a specific type of container that is particularly well-suited for holding a large volume of items, material, or the like (“bulk material”). Such containers are often fabricated from one or more piece of flat material that is folded into a three-dimensional container having a plurality of vertical panels extending upwards from a bottom panel so as to define an interior area for holding the product. In many cases, the container is placed on a pallet so that the product can be moved without requiring the bottom panel to be sturdy enough to hold the entire weight of the product. While providing a relatively continuous barrier by itself, the various cuts and folds forming the bottom of the container create gaps and holes through which bulk material can escape from the interior area of the container and/or through which foreign objects can migrate into the interior area, potentially contaminating the bulk material. In some embodiments, an additional piece of material is required to cover and/or otherwise seal these gaps and holes. Unfortunately, such extra piece of material can be misplaced or forgotten. Furthermore, such extra pieces of material are not always sized appropriately for the container. Consequently, it would be beneficial if the various panels and/or flaps of the container included features for covering any gaps and/or holes so that a separate piece of material is not required.
The present invention comprises a foldable container that is movable from a generally flat “stowed” configuration to a three-dimensional “deployed” configuration. While in the stowed configuration, various panels of the container are folded relatively flat with each other so that a plurality of containers can be stacked on top of each other for shipping and storage of the containers themselves. While in the deployed configuration, the container defines an interior area for holding items, material, or the like (“bulk material”).
Some embodiments of the container of the present invention are stronger than existing bulk containers. For instance, in some embodiments and for some applications, reinforcement straps that are required for existing bulk containers are not required for the bulk container of the present invention. Various embodiments of the present invention are also easier and faster to fabricate and erect than are existing bulk containers. For instance, some embodiments can be erected by one person in less time than it takes multiple people to erect existing bulk containers.
Embodiments of each container include various novel features to assist users in quickly and easily moving the container from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration and/or for allowing a user to move the container from the stowed configuration back to the deployed configuration without adversely affecting the structural integrity of the container. In some embodiments, a key feature is opposed hooks extending from distal ends of opposed bottom flaps. The hooks are interlocked so as to hingedly couple the distal ends of the bottom flaps together. Each bottom flap extends from a bottom edge of a side panel of the container such that as the side panels are translated from their respective stowed configuration positions to their respective deployed configuration positions, the bottom flaps are simultaneously rotated from their respective stowed configuration positions to their respective deployed configuration positions. In some embodiments, the hooks and/or other locking features secure the bottom flaps together such that tape, adhesives, and other bonding agents are not required.
Some embodiments of the present invention further include locking tabs for further securing the container in the deployed configuration when the locking tabs are in a locked configuration. In some such embodiments, the locking tabs extend partially into the interior area of the container such that as bulk material is placed into the container, the weight of the bulk material secures the locking tab in the locked configuration. In other such embodiments, the locking tabs extend partially between a bottom surface of bottom panels and a top surface of a support structure (such as a floor or a pallet) such that the weight of the container and/or bulk material within the container secures the locking tab in the locked configuration. In still other embodiments, the locking tabs are moveable to an unlocked configuration so as to enable the container to be moved to the stowed configuration.
Some embodiments of the present invention further include corner flaps and/or auxiliary flaps for covering one or more hole or gap in the container. In this way, bulk material within the container is less likely to migrate out of the container and foreign objects outside of the container are less likely to migrate into the container.
The foregoing and other objects are intended to be illustrative of the invention and are not meant in a limiting sense. Many possible embodiments of the invention may be made and will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and accompanying drawings comprising a part thereof. Various features and subcombinations of invention may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of this invention and various features thereof
A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which the applicant has contemplated applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.
As required, a detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the principles of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
Referring to
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of vertical panels include first 110 and second 120 side panels and first 130 and second 140 end panels.. In some embodiments, the first 130 and second 140 end panels extend directly between the first 110 and second 120 side panels such that the container has a rectangular configuration. In other embodiments, corner panels 150 extend between each side panel 110, 120 and end panel 130, 140 such that the bulk container has an octagonal configuration. It will be appreciated that still other panel configurations are capable of being folded into containers having various other shapes.
In a preferred embodiment, first 210 and second 220 bottom flaps extend from a bottom edge of respective first 110 and second 120 side panels. In some embodiments, a first tab 212 extends from a distal end of the first bottom flap 210 and a second tab 222 extends from a distal end of the second bottom flap 220 such that when the bottom flaps 210, 220 are folded towards each other, each tab 212, 222 extends beyond the distal end of the opposing bottom flap. In some such embodiments, first 214 and second 224 tab fingers extend from respective first 212 and second 222 tabs so as to create at least one hook associated with each bottom flap. As the bottom flaps 210, 220 are folded towards each other, the first 214 and second 224 tab fingers/hooks are capable of being interlocked with each other, thereby hingedly coupling the distal end of the first bottom flap 210 to the distal end of the second bottom flap 220. In some embodiments, a plurality of tabs having tab fingers/hooks extend from each of the first 210 and second 220 bottom flaps such that a first set of hooks extends from the distal end of the first bottom flap and a second set of hooks extends from the distal end of the second bottom flap. In some such embodiments, each hook of the first set of hooks is capable of being interlocked with a hook of the second set of hooks, thereby providing additional structural support for coupling the distal ends of the first and second bottom flaps together.
The container is moveable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. In a preferred embodiment, interlocked hooks remain interlocked as the container is moved between the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration and while the container is in the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration. In this way, the interlocked hooks decrease the time it takes to move the container between the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration and increases the strength and stability of the container when it is in the deployed configuration such that, in some embodiments, adhesives and straps are no longer required.
In the deployed configuration, the first 110 and second 120 side panels are displaced from each other and the first 210 and second 220 bottom flaps extend between the first and second side panels such that the container defines an interior area having a generally enclosed bottom and an open top. In this way, the container is optimized for storing and/or shipping a large volume of items, material, or the like.
In the stowed configuration, the first 210 and second 220 panels are folded against each other and the first and second side panels are positioned in general proximity to each other such that the container is relatively flat and occupies a relatively small volume. In this way, the container is optimized for storage and/or shipping of a plurality of containers.
In some embodiments, the bottom flaps are configured to fold down and away from the interior area of the container as the container is moved from the deployed configuration to the stowed configuration. In some such embodiments, the opposed side panels are positioned adjacent to each other when the container is in the stowed configuration. In other embodiments, the bottom flaps are configured to fold up and into the interior area of the container as the container is moved from the deployed configuration to the stowed configuration. In some such embodiments, each side panel is adjacent to its respective bottom flap and the bottom flaps are sandwiched between the opposed side panels when the container is in the stowed configuration.
In some embodiments, each end panel is bisected by a fold line such that when the container is in the stowed configuration each end panel is folded over against itself. In some such embodiments, unfolding the end panels causes the side panels to move away from each other. In embodiments having interconnected tab fingers/hooks, moving the side panels away from each other causes the bottom panels to rotate away from each other, thereby causing the container to move towards the deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, each end panel is relatively flat and, in some embodiments, relatively parallel with the other end panel. In some such embodiments, each end panel is perpendicular with each side panel and the bottom flaps are generally perpendicular with the side panels and the end panels.
In a preferred embodiment, first 230 and second 240 end flaps extend from a bottom edge of respective first 130 and second 230 end panels. In some embodiments, each end flap is configured to fold against the first 210 and/or second 220 bottom flaps when the bulk container is in the deployed configuration.
In some embodiments, a first locking tab 232 extends from a distal end of the first end flap 230 and a second locking tab 242 extends from a distal end of the second end flap 240. In some such embodiments, each locking tab is moveable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. In some embodiments, the locking tab is approximately parallel with its respective end flap and/or extends generally towards the opposed end flap when the locking tab is in the locked configuration. In other embodiments, the locking tab is approximately perpendicular to its respective end flap when the locking tab is in the unlocked configuration.
In some embodiments, each locking tab 232, 242 includes a handle portion 234, 244 and locking tab fingers 236, 246 extending from respective handle portions 234, 244. In some such embodiments, each handle portion extends generally away from its respective end flap towards the opposing end flap. In other such embodiments, each locking tab finger extends generally away from its respective handle portion towards its respective end panel.
In some embodiments, each locking tab is coupled to its respective end flap at a hinge line and is configured such that as its handle portion is rotated down and away from an end flap plane defined by its respective end flap, its locking tab fingers rotate up and away from the end flap plane. In this way, movement of the handle portion is capable of moving the entire locking tab between the locked and unlocked configurations. In some such embodiments, the locking tab fingers are approximately on the same plane as the handle portion while the locking tab is in the locked configuration, the unlocked configuration, and throughout the movement between the locked and unlocked configuration.
In some embodiments, a proximal end of the handle portion of the locking tab is hingedly coupled to a distal end of the end flap. In some such embodiments, the proximal end of the handle portion of the locking tab is wider than the distal end of the end flap such that locking tab fingers extending from the proximal end of the handle portion are positioned relatively adjacent to the end flap on opposed sides of the end flap.
In some embodiments, the bottom flaps 210, 220 each define locking slots 216, 226 that are configured to receive the locking tab fingers 236, 246 of the locking tab when the container is in the deployed configuration. In some such embodiments, the locking tab fingers and the locking slots are configured such that when the locking tab fingers are received by the locking slots and the locking tabs are in the locked configuration, the end flaps are inhibited and/or prevented from rotating away from the bottom flaps and/or the container's ability to expand when horizontal loads are imposed on the vertical panels is inhibited and/or prevented. In other such embodiments, the locking tab fingers are configured such that when the locking tab is moved to the unlocked configuration the end flaps are allowed to fold away from the bottom flaps, thereby enabling the locking tab fingers of the locking tab to be removed from the locking tab slots of the bottom flaps. In some such embodiments, folding the end flap towards the bottom flaps while the locking tab is in the unlocked configuration allows the locking tab fingers of the locking tab to be received by the locking slots of the bottom flaps.
In some embodiments, the locking slots 216, 226 of the bottom panels each define an “L”-shape. In some such embodiments, a primary slot portion is positioned, oriented, sized, and/or otherwise configured to receive the locking tab fingers of the locking tab. In other such embodiments, a secondary slot portion is positioned, oriented, sized, and/or otherwise configured to accommodate the locking tab rotating to the locked configuration while minimizing bending and/or otherwise reducing deflection of the locking tab fingers.
In some embodiments, the locking tab fingers extend into the interior area of the container such that as bulk material is placed into the interior area of the container, the weight of the bulk material pushes the locking tab fingers down towards the bottom flaps, thereby securing the locking tabs in the locked configuration. In other embodiments, the handle portions of the locking tabs are positioned outside of the interior area and are sandwiched between a top surface of a support structure (such as the floor or a pallet) and a bottom surface of the bottom flaps such that the weight of the container inhibits the locking tabs' ability to move away from the locked configuration. As weight is added to the container, the locking tabs are further secured in the locked configuration.
In some embodiments of the present invention, corner flaps 250 extend from bottom edges of the corner panels 150. In some embodiments, the corner flaps fold up and against the bottom flaps as the end flaps are folded up and against the bottom flaps. In some such embodiments, the corner flaps and the bottom flaps are retained against the bottom flaps while the locking tabs are in the locked configuration. In this way, the corner flaps are capable of providing additional vertical support to the bottom flaps and/or reducing and/or eliminating gaps between the various flaps and/or panels, thereby reducing the chance that bulk material will be lost out of the bottom of the container and/or foreign objects will migrate into the container.
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The present invention also includes a method of fabricating a flat pattern for a bulk container and folding the bulk container from a flat pattern configuration to a stowed configuration and/or between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration.
In preferred embodiments, a flat piece of material is die-cut, creased, perforated, and/or otherwise manipulated so as to form a flat pattern configuration of the present invention. In some embodiments, the material is flexible material, such as corrugated paperboard.
In preferred embodiments, the flat pattern configuration includes a first end 112, an opposed second end 114, and a plurality of vertical panels, including first 210 and second 220 side panels, positioned between the opposed first 112 and second 114 ends. In some embodiments, first 210 and second 220 bottom flaps extending from a bottom edge of respective first 110 and second 120 side panels are also formed from the flat piece of material. In some such embodiments, one or more tab 212, 222 extending from a distal end of each bottom flap 210, 220 and a tab finger 214, 224 extending from each tab 212,222 are also formed from the flat piece of material so as to form hooks.
In a preferred embodiment, the vertical panels further include first 130 and second 140 end panels. In some embodiments, first 230 and second 230 end flaps extending from a bottom edge of respective first 130 and second 140 end panels are also formed from the flat piece of material. In some such embodiments, locking tabs 232, 242 coupled to a distal end of each end flap 230, 240 are also formed from the flat piece of material.
In a preferred embodiment, the method includes folding the flat pattern over itself so as to enable the first end 112 of the flat pattern to be secured to the second end 114 of the flat pattern. In some embodiments, each end panel is folded in half and opposed side panels and bottom flaps are stacked on top of each other so as to move the container to a stowed configuration. In some such embodiments, each bottom flap extends away from its respective side panel, allowing the side panels to rest directly against each other. In other such embodiments, each bottom flap is folded up against its respective side panel such that both of the bottom flaps are positioned between the side panels.
In some embodiments, hooks extending from a distal end of each bottom flap are interconnected so as to hingedly couple the distal ends of the bottom flaps to each other. In this way, moving the side panels away from each other towards their respective deployed configuration positions causes the bottom flaps to rotate towards their respective deployed configuration positions. Similarly, moving the side panels towards each other towards their respective stowed configuration positions causes the bottom flaps to rotate towards their respective stowed configuration positions.
In some embodiments, end flaps 230, 240 are folded up against a bottom surface of the bottom flaps when the container is in the deployed configuration. In some such embodiments, the end flaps are secured to the bottom flaps with one or more attaching means, such as adhesive, tape, and/or a locking feature. In some embodiments, locking tabs 232, 242 hingedly coupled to a distal end of each end flap is rotated to an unlocked configuration so that locking tab fingers 236, 246 of the locking tabs can be received by locking slots 216, 226 that are defined by the bottom flaps. In some such embodiments, the locking tabs are then rotated to a locked configuration so as to secure the end flaps to the bottom flaps. In some such embodiments, placing the container on a bottom support structure (such as a floor or a pallet) and/or placing bulk material in the container secures the locking tabs in their respective locked configurations.
In other embodiments, end flaps 230, 240 extending from respective end panels 130, 140 are folded up against an interior surface of their respective end panels prior to interlocking the bottom flap hooks. In some such embodiments, the end flaps are then folded down against a top surface of the bottom flaps when the container is in the deployed configuration. In some such embodiments, auxiliary flaps 300 formed from one or more flap or panel, such as the end flaps, are folded over gaps and/or holes in the bottom flaps, such as those caused by forming legs 310 from the bottom flaps and/or end flaps. In some such embodiments, placing bulk material in the container secures the auxiliary flaps 300 in position over the gaps and/or holes.
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In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the description and illustration of the inventions is by way of example, and the scope of the inventions is not limited to the exact details shown or described.
Although the foregoing detailed description of the present invention has been described by reference to an exemplary embodiment, and the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that certain changes, modification or variations may be made in embodying the above invention, and in the construction thereof, other than those specifically set forth herein, may be achieved by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that such changes, modification or variations are to be considered as being within the overall scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is contemplated to cover the present invention and any and all changes, modifications, variations, or equivalents that fall with in the true spirit and scope of the underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein. Consequently, the scope of the present invention is intended to be limited only by the attached claims, all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the invention is constructed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts and combinations, are set forth in the appended claims.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.
This application is a continuation application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/818,059, filed Nov. 20, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,220,588, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/046,261, filed Feb. 17, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,827,732, which claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 62/117,015 and 62/119,627, the entire disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62117015 | Mar 2015 | US | |
| 62119627 | Feb 2015 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15818059 | Nov 2017 | US |
| Child | 16283778 | US | |
| Parent | 15046261 | Feb 2016 | US |
| Child | 15818059 | US |
