CA1048425A - Case for carrying flexible containers filled with liquid - Google Patents
Case for carrying flexible containers filled with liquidInfo
- Publication number
- CA1048425A CA1048425A CA76262786A CA262786A CA1048425A CA 1048425 A CA1048425 A CA 1048425A CA 76262786 A CA76262786 A CA 76262786A CA 262786 A CA262786 A CA 262786A CA 1048425 A CA1048425 A CA 1048425A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- case
- members
- ribs
- rib
- case according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
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- Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A molded plastic case for carrying flexible containers filled with a liquid such as milk having a three level bottom construction with the uppermost level, which the containers contact, being a relatively thin layer of wide criss-cross members with the wide members strengthened by first and second pluralities of downwardly depending strengthening ribs, the first plurality extending to the bottom of the case and spaced every third wide member, and the second plurality, of a lesser height, depending from the remaining wide members, to provide adequate support with a minimum of material.
A molded plastic case for carrying flexible containers filled with a liquid such as milk having a three level bottom construction with the uppermost level, which the containers contact, being a relatively thin layer of wide criss-cross members with the wide members strengthened by first and second pluralities of downwardly depending strengthening ribs, the first plurality extending to the bottom of the case and spaced every third wide member, and the second plurality, of a lesser height, depending from the remaining wide members, to provide adequate support with a minimum of material.
Description
~04842S
This invention relates to carrying cases for containers such as milk containers and the like in general and more particularly to an improved case for carrying flexible plastic containers of milk.
Milk has generally been marketed in containers which are capable of self-support. Initially milk was packaged in reusable glass bottles. With the advent of appropriate cardboard carton material, most milk was packaged in this way with the carton being thrown away after use. An out-growth of this packaging is the use of thin but self-sup-porting plastic milk bottles. In whatever form, the bottles or cartons of milk were transported to dealers in cases or boxes capable of holding a plurality of such containers.
Since the containers were self supporting, no particularly stringent requirements were placed on these cases other than that they be capable of supporting the weight of the cartons and adequately pr~1iq~ them. Originally such cases were made of wood. More recently plastic construction has become prevalent. In such plastic cases, the edges i.e. corners, are generally made solid with structural re-inforcement to give the case the necessary strength. The bottom and sides are made in an expanded criss-cross pattern to save on material and minimize weight. The gaps in this expanded criss-cross portion are generally large since the cartons which they must carry do not require support over their full surface.
Recently, a new form of packaging for milk has been developed. In this type of packaging, the milk is contained within thin flexible bags which are not capable of self support. As with previously used cartons, pluralities of
This invention relates to carrying cases for containers such as milk containers and the like in general and more particularly to an improved case for carrying flexible plastic containers of milk.
Milk has generally been marketed in containers which are capable of self-support. Initially milk was packaged in reusable glass bottles. With the advent of appropriate cardboard carton material, most milk was packaged in this way with the carton being thrown away after use. An out-growth of this packaging is the use of thin but self-sup-porting plastic milk bottles. In whatever form, the bottles or cartons of milk were transported to dealers in cases or boxes capable of holding a plurality of such containers.
Since the containers were self supporting, no particularly stringent requirements were placed on these cases other than that they be capable of supporting the weight of the cartons and adequately pr~1iq~ them. Originally such cases were made of wood. More recently plastic construction has become prevalent. In such plastic cases, the edges i.e. corners, are generally made solid with structural re-inforcement to give the case the necessary strength. The bottom and sides are made in an expanded criss-cross pattern to save on material and minimize weight. The gaps in this expanded criss-cross portion are generally large since the cartons which they must carry do not require support over their full surface.
Recently, a new form of packaging for milk has been developed. In this type of packaging, the milk is contained within thin flexible bags which are not capable of self support. As with previously used cartons, pluralities of
2. ~
1~)484Z5 such containers must be transported from the dairy to the user. Attempts to transport such containers in previously used plastic cases have proven trouble-some. Becuase of the relatively large gaps between the expanded criss-cross members of the bottom, the flexible milk container can project therethrough and is subject to breaking and tearing with accompanying loss of product.
The problem could be overcome simply by spacing the criss-cross expanded portions of the bottom more closely. Alternatively, it could be solved by making these criss-cross members thicker. However, either of these solutions is not completely satisfactory since the both require more material, raising the cost of the case and result in a heavier case.
In view of this, the need for improved milk case capable of carrying such flexible milk containers without substantially adding to the cost or weight becomes evident.
The present invention provides in a case for carrying containers, such as milk containers, which case is of a molded plastic construction hav-ing sides and a bottom made of a criss-cross expanded construction to gain adequate strength while maintaining a relatively low weight, an improved bottom construction which permits transporting flexible plastic containers filled with a liquid such as milk, comprising: a horizontal circumferential rib defining the bottom of the side walls of the case; a circumferential vertical rib depending downward from said horizontal rib said vertical rib having a first height; a plurality of diagonal members running from one edge of said vertical rib to another edge thereof perpendicular to the one edge to form a first grid structure composed of individual rectangular members said members being of a second height much smaller that that of said circumferential vertical rib and width much greater than the width of said rib to form a criss-cross, expanded surfaced having relatively small gaps on which flexible containers can rest; a plurality of first strengthening ribs having a height equal to that of said circumferential vertical rib depending downward from the
1~)484Z5 such containers must be transported from the dairy to the user. Attempts to transport such containers in previously used plastic cases have proven trouble-some. Becuase of the relatively large gaps between the expanded criss-cross members of the bottom, the flexible milk container can project therethrough and is subject to breaking and tearing with accompanying loss of product.
The problem could be overcome simply by spacing the criss-cross expanded portions of the bottom more closely. Alternatively, it could be solved by making these criss-cross members thicker. However, either of these solutions is not completely satisfactory since the both require more material, raising the cost of the case and result in a heavier case.
In view of this, the need for improved milk case capable of carrying such flexible milk containers without substantially adding to the cost or weight becomes evident.
The present invention provides in a case for carrying containers, such as milk containers, which case is of a molded plastic construction hav-ing sides and a bottom made of a criss-cross expanded construction to gain adequate strength while maintaining a relatively low weight, an improved bottom construction which permits transporting flexible plastic containers filled with a liquid such as milk, comprising: a horizontal circumferential rib defining the bottom of the side walls of the case; a circumferential vertical rib depending downward from said horizontal rib said vertical rib having a first height; a plurality of diagonal members running from one edge of said vertical rib to another edge thereof perpendicular to the one edge to form a first grid structure composed of individual rectangular members said members being of a second height much smaller that that of said circumferential vertical rib and width much greater than the width of said rib to form a criss-cross, expanded surfaced having relatively small gaps on which flexible containers can rest; a plurality of first strengthening ribs having a height equal to that of said circumferential vertical rib depending downward from the
-3-~a4842s center of certain of said diagonal members to form a second grid structure composed of individual rectangular members of larger dimension than those of said first grid structure, said ribs of said second grid structure being of a width essentially equal to that of said circumferential vertical rib; and a plurality of second strengthening ribs of a height less than that of sai~
first ribs depending downward from the ones of said members not having one of said first ribs depending downward therefrom, said ribs being of a width of the same order of magnitude as said first ribs~ said diagonal members, said first and second strengthening ribs, said vertical and horizontal circumfer-ential ribs and the sides being integrally molded of plastic. In illustrated embodiment, these deeper or first strengthening ribs are spaced such that two of the smaller o second strengthening ribs are contained between each one.
This arrangement results in providing a large area of support for the flexible milk containers with sufficient structural strength, but ~sing a minimum amount of plastic to keep down the cost and weight.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the milk case of the present in-vention.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the bottom of the milk case of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the milk case of Figure 1 showing flexible containers of milk disposed therein.
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the case constructed in accordance with the present invention. The overall case designated 11 com-prises a bottom 13, two long side walls 15 and two shorter side walls 17. It will be recognized that the rectangular case shape is only an example and other shapes, e.g. a square case, can also be used. The bottom which is the subject of the present invention, will be described in more detail with re_ spect to Figures 2 and 3. To provide the necessary structural integrity of the case, each of the corners 19 is molded of solid plastic and provided with additional strengthening ribs 21 and 23. In similar fashion, the top rim of 1~4842S
the case 25 is molded of solid plastic with strengthening ribs 27 and 29 run-ning around the full circumference of the top. Each of the side walls which, as illustrated, is of an expanded criss-cross construction are bounded by the rib 29 at the top~ a corner rib 31 on each side and bottoml~ib 33. The long sides 15 contain a solid portion 35 on which the name of the dairy to which the case belongs may be imprinted. At the top, each of the sides 15 and 17 contains a cutout 37 to form a hand-hold. This construction is of a conven-tional nature and quite similar to that shown in my United States design Patent 224,393 issued July 25, 1972 to Theodor M. Box.
The present invention deals with the construction of the bottom of the case. As noted above, it is desired to construct a bottom which will support flexible plastic milk containers without permitting the miIk contain-ers to bulge through openings in the bottom and thus be subject to damage.
Furthermore, this is to be done with a minimum amount of plastic. The manner in which this is accomplished is illustrated by Figures 2 and 3. The edge of the bottom is bounded by the rib 33 described above. This rib extends essen-tiaIly horizontally. A vertical rib 41 is formed at the inner edge of the horizontal rib 33 defining the edges of the criss-cross bottom construction.
The bottom construction is essentially a three level construction. As is shown ~n Figure 3, the level on which the milk containers 49 rest is made~up of criss-cross members 47 which are relatively thin vertically but extend hor-izontally to provide the necessary area to obtain full support. In this way the flexible containers 49 do not sag through the openings 51 between members 47. By themselves, the criss-cross members 47 would not give adequate support.
In other words, the bottom would tend to sag and possibly break. Thus, each of these members 47 has a vertical strengthening rib 45 or 43. The ribs 45 are of a first and shorter vertical height with the ribs 43 extending further downward to terminate in the same plane as the circumferential rib 41-~ course all these parts 47, 45 and43 are molded together integrally in conventional _5_ fashion. In the illustrated embodiment, the spacing of the larger ribs 43 is every third member 47 thereby leaving two smaller ribs 45 in between. In general it can be said that a larger rib will depend downward from every nth member 47. At four of the intersections of the heavier ribs 43 are cylindrical members 46 which result from the molding technique used. The overall pattern as seen on the bottom view of Fig. 2 is that of a criss-cross defining essentially square segments with the openings therein relatively small i.e. members 47 intersect each other with an angle of approxi-mately 90 with equal spacing between members. For example, the openings 51 will be slightly less than 3/4 of an inch with the spacing between two ribs 45 approximately 1 and 3/8 inches. The spacing between the ribs 43 is approximately four inches. When the case is resting on the ground, it will of course rest on the circumferential rib 41 and ribs 43.
This provides adequ~te bottom support for the weight to be carried by the case. In this manner, only a minimum number of the heavier ribs 43 are used with the lighter ribs 45 used to provide additional strengthening of the base made up of the members 47 on which the flexible milk containers 49 rest.
In this way, adequate support is obtained with a minimum of material.
By the above described unique bottom configuration of the three-element rib construction of the case there is provided: a) an inner, generally flat bottom rib assembly in contact with the flexible milk containers, which rib assembly has a substantially maximum contacting surface area and a substantially minimum cross-sectional thickness;
b) an intermediate strengthening and supporting rib network 6.
1~)484ZS
integrally formed with the underside of spaced portions of the flat rib assembly; and c) a deeper gria ~ib structure integral with said flat rib assembly and said network and providing on the bottom edges thereof the sole contact of said case with a supporting surface.
Thus, an improved milk case for carrying milk which is stored in flexible plastic containers has been shown.
Although a specific embodiment has been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing of the spirit of the invention which is intended to be limited solely by the appended claims.
first ribs depending downward from the ones of said members not having one of said first ribs depending downward therefrom, said ribs being of a width of the same order of magnitude as said first ribs~ said diagonal members, said first and second strengthening ribs, said vertical and horizontal circumfer-ential ribs and the sides being integrally molded of plastic. In illustrated embodiment, these deeper or first strengthening ribs are spaced such that two of the smaller o second strengthening ribs are contained between each one.
This arrangement results in providing a large area of support for the flexible milk containers with sufficient structural strength, but ~sing a minimum amount of plastic to keep down the cost and weight.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the milk case of the present in-vention.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the bottom of the milk case of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the milk case of Figure 1 showing flexible containers of milk disposed therein.
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the case constructed in accordance with the present invention. The overall case designated 11 com-prises a bottom 13, two long side walls 15 and two shorter side walls 17. It will be recognized that the rectangular case shape is only an example and other shapes, e.g. a square case, can also be used. The bottom which is the subject of the present invention, will be described in more detail with re_ spect to Figures 2 and 3. To provide the necessary structural integrity of the case, each of the corners 19 is molded of solid plastic and provided with additional strengthening ribs 21 and 23. In similar fashion, the top rim of 1~4842S
the case 25 is molded of solid plastic with strengthening ribs 27 and 29 run-ning around the full circumference of the top. Each of the side walls which, as illustrated, is of an expanded criss-cross construction are bounded by the rib 29 at the top~ a corner rib 31 on each side and bottoml~ib 33. The long sides 15 contain a solid portion 35 on which the name of the dairy to which the case belongs may be imprinted. At the top, each of the sides 15 and 17 contains a cutout 37 to form a hand-hold. This construction is of a conven-tional nature and quite similar to that shown in my United States design Patent 224,393 issued July 25, 1972 to Theodor M. Box.
The present invention deals with the construction of the bottom of the case. As noted above, it is desired to construct a bottom which will support flexible plastic milk containers without permitting the miIk contain-ers to bulge through openings in the bottom and thus be subject to damage.
Furthermore, this is to be done with a minimum amount of plastic. The manner in which this is accomplished is illustrated by Figures 2 and 3. The edge of the bottom is bounded by the rib 33 described above. This rib extends essen-tiaIly horizontally. A vertical rib 41 is formed at the inner edge of the horizontal rib 33 defining the edges of the criss-cross bottom construction.
The bottom construction is essentially a three level construction. As is shown ~n Figure 3, the level on which the milk containers 49 rest is made~up of criss-cross members 47 which are relatively thin vertically but extend hor-izontally to provide the necessary area to obtain full support. In this way the flexible containers 49 do not sag through the openings 51 between members 47. By themselves, the criss-cross members 47 would not give adequate support.
In other words, the bottom would tend to sag and possibly break. Thus, each of these members 47 has a vertical strengthening rib 45 or 43. The ribs 45 are of a first and shorter vertical height with the ribs 43 extending further downward to terminate in the same plane as the circumferential rib 41-~ course all these parts 47, 45 and43 are molded together integrally in conventional _5_ fashion. In the illustrated embodiment, the spacing of the larger ribs 43 is every third member 47 thereby leaving two smaller ribs 45 in between. In general it can be said that a larger rib will depend downward from every nth member 47. At four of the intersections of the heavier ribs 43 are cylindrical members 46 which result from the molding technique used. The overall pattern as seen on the bottom view of Fig. 2 is that of a criss-cross defining essentially square segments with the openings therein relatively small i.e. members 47 intersect each other with an angle of approxi-mately 90 with equal spacing between members. For example, the openings 51 will be slightly less than 3/4 of an inch with the spacing between two ribs 45 approximately 1 and 3/8 inches. The spacing between the ribs 43 is approximately four inches. When the case is resting on the ground, it will of course rest on the circumferential rib 41 and ribs 43.
This provides adequ~te bottom support for the weight to be carried by the case. In this manner, only a minimum number of the heavier ribs 43 are used with the lighter ribs 45 used to provide additional strengthening of the base made up of the members 47 on which the flexible milk containers 49 rest.
In this way, adequate support is obtained with a minimum of material.
By the above described unique bottom configuration of the three-element rib construction of the case there is provided: a) an inner, generally flat bottom rib assembly in contact with the flexible milk containers, which rib assembly has a substantially maximum contacting surface area and a substantially minimum cross-sectional thickness;
b) an intermediate strengthening and supporting rib network 6.
1~)484ZS
integrally formed with the underside of spaced portions of the flat rib assembly; and c) a deeper gria ~ib structure integral with said flat rib assembly and said network and providing on the bottom edges thereof the sole contact of said case with a supporting surface.
Thus, an improved milk case for carrying milk which is stored in flexible plastic containers has been shown.
Although a specific embodiment has been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing of the spirit of the invention which is intended to be limited solely by the appended claims.
Claims (10)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. In a case for carrying containers, such as milk containers, which case is of a molded plastic construction having sides and a bottom made of a criss-cross expanded construction to gain adequate strength while maintaining a relatively low weight, an improved bottom construction which permits trans-porting flexible plastic containers filled with a liquid such as milk, com-prising: a horizontal circumferential rib defining the bottom of the side walls of the case; a circumferential vertical rib depending downward from said hor-izontal rib said vertical rib having a first height; a plurality of diagonal members running from one edge of said vertical rib to another edge thereof perpendicular to the one edge to form a first grid structure composed of individual rectangualr members said members being of a second height much smaller than that of said circumferential vertical rib and width much greater than the width of said rib to form a criss-cross, expanded surfaced having relatively small gaps on which flexible containers can rest; a plurality of first strengthening ribs having a height equal to that of said circumferential vertical rib depending downward from the center of certain of said diagonal members to form a second grid structure composed of individual rectangular members of larger dimension than those of said first grid structure, said ribs of said second grid structure being of a width essentially equal to that of said circumferential vertical rib; and a plurality of second strengthening ribs of a height less than that of said first ribs depending downward from the ones of said members not having one of said first ribs depending downward therefrom, said ribs being of a width of the same order of magnitude as said first ribs, said diagonal members, said first and second strengthening ribs, said vertical and horizontal circumferential ribs and the sides being integrally molded of plastic.
2. A case according to claim 1 wherein said case is of a rectangular box shape having two long and two short sides.
3. A case according to claim 1 wherein said first strengthening ribs are spaced depending downward from every third diagonal member.
4. A case according to claim 1 wherein said criss-cross pattern of said vertical member is such that the angle between intersecting members is approximately 90° with approximately equal spacing between members.
5. A case according to claim 4 wherein said first strengthening ribs are spaced depending downward from every third diagonal member.
6. A case according to claim 5 wherein said vertical circumferential rib depends downward from the inner edge of said horizontal circumferential rib.
7. A case according to claim 6 wherein said case is of a rectangular box shape having two long and two short sides.
8. A case according to claim 7 and further including a solid flat area on at least one long side for imprinting the name of the owner of the case.
9. A case according to claim 8 and further including hand holds at the top of at least two parallel ones of said sides.
10. A case according to claim 9 wherein the small gaps in said criss-cross pattern have a width of approximately 3/4 of an inch.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US63512675A | 1975-11-25 | 1975-11-25 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1048425A true CA1048425A (en) | 1979-02-13 |
Family
ID=24546548
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA76262786A Expired CA1048425A (en) | 1975-11-25 | 1976-10-05 | Case for carrying flexible containers filled with liquid |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU502998B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1048425A (en) |
-
1976
- 1976-10-05 CA CA76262786A patent/CA1048425A/en not_active Expired
- 1976-10-20 AU AU18843/76A patent/AU502998B2/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU502998B2 (en) | 1979-08-16 |
| AU1884376A (en) | 1978-04-27 |
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