CA2257229A1 - System and method for securing stacked containers - Google Patents
System and method for securing stacked containers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2257229A1 CA2257229A1 CA 2257229 CA2257229A CA2257229A1 CA 2257229 A1 CA2257229 A1 CA 2257229A1 CA 2257229 CA2257229 CA 2257229 CA 2257229 A CA2257229 A CA 2257229A CA 2257229 A1 CA2257229 A1 CA 2257229A1
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- container
- securing member
- engaging portion
- member according
- stacks
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
- B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
- B65D21/0201—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together side-by-side
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Stackable Containers (AREA)
- Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
Abstract
A securing member (10) for use with stackable containers. The member (10) comprises first and second container engaging portions (12A, 12B) connected together generally at (14). Each container engaging portion (12) is formed to be selectively engageable and disengageable with a container in a respective stack of containers, whereby two stacks of containers may be secured together.
Each stack could be attached to more than one other stack, so that any number of stacks can be connected together, for increased stability.
Each stack could be attached to more than one other stack, so that any number of stacks can be connected together, for increased stability.
Description
CA 022~7229 1998-11-30 SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SECURTNG STACKED COI~TArNERS
The present invention relates to stacking containers and to the stacking of containers.
There are many types of containers which are formed into stacks during use. For instance, delivery containers used to deliver goods to retail prernisesmay be in stacks while in transit.
The present invention seeks to make improvements in and relating to the stacking of containers. It is to be understood that throughout this specification, the terms "stack", "stacked" etc. are used in their broad sense to cover any stack or stack-like arrangement, including formations in which containers are wholly or partly nested inside each other.
The invention provides a securing member for use with stackable containers, the member comprising first and second container engaging portions connected together, each container engaging portion being so formed as to be selectively engageable and disengageable with a container in a respective stack of containers, whereby two stacks of containers may be secured together.
The securing member may comprise two limbs, which may be generally parallel, each of which carries a container engaging portion. The limbs may be connected together to form a generally U-shaped member. The limbs may be different in length.
The or each container ~ngAging portion is preferably engageable ~~ith an aperture or recess in a container. At least one container engaging portion may comprise a hook formation for hooking engagement past a surface of a container. At least one container engaging portion may comprise at least one barb formation for engagement with a container. The or each container engaging formation may comprise a guide surface which, in use, guides the container engaging portion into an aperture or recess in a container, and may comprise a retention surface which, in use, engages a surface of the container CA 022~7229 1998-11-30 to prevent withdrawal from the aperture or recess. The securing member may comprise at least one resiliently deformable portion which is deformable to allow a container engaging portion to engage a container or be disengaged therefrom.
The container engaging portions are preferably connected together by a resiliently deformable portion. The resiliently deformable portion is preferablyelongate and deforrnable by twisting.
The invention also provides a method of stacking containers, in which at least one container from one of two adjacent stacks of containers is secured to a container in the other stack.
The containers are preferably secured by means of a securing member as aforesaid.
The invention also provides a container system comprising a plurality of containers which may be formed into stacks, and at least one securing member as aforesaid.
Each container may comprise an aperture or recess for engagement with a container engaging portion of a securing member.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a securing member according to the invention;
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the member of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a highly schematic elevation, showing the member of Figs. 1 and 2 in use; and CA 022~7229 1998-11-30 Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view showing the member in use.
The securing member 10 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is for use with stackable ~ containers, as will be described. The member 10 comprises first and second container engaging portions shown generally at 12A, 12B, connected together generally at 1~. Each container engaging portion 12 is formed to be selectively engageable and disengageable with a container in a respective stack of containers, whereby two stacks of containers may be secured together as will be described. Each stack could be attached to more than one other stack, so that any number of stacks can be connected together, for increased stability.
In more detail, the member 10 is generally U-shaped, having two limbs 16A,16B which are generally parallel in this example, but could be at other angles, according to the design of the container with which they are to be used.Each limb 16 carries a container engaging portion 12 at its free end and is connected to a body 18 at its other end. The body 18 has a flared profile (Fig.2) to provide finger grips. Alternatively, the body 18 may include a ribbed portion(not shown) for providing finger grips.
The container engaging portion 12A has the general form of an arrowhead, having a relatively narrow end face 22 behind which the arrowhead widens to provide lead-in surfaces 24. Generally parallel side faces 26 extend back from the lead-in surfaces 24 to shoulders 28, at which points the outline of the engaging portion 12A turns in to meet the lirnb 16A. It is to be noted that the shoulder surfaces 32 are gently curved between the shoulders 28 and the sides of the lirnb 16A. However, an alternative design would use surfaces 32 which meet the sides of the limb 16A at a concave angle.
The container engaging portion 12B has the general form of a hook, having a generally triangular projection 40 to one side of the line of the limb 16B, which turns away from the limb 16A at an elbow ~2 near the portion 12B.
The hook 40 has a lead-in surfaces 44 at its tip, and a shoulder 46, at which point the outline of the hook 40 turns in to meet the limb 16B.
CA 022~7229 l998-ll-30 The securing member is made of resilient material, preferably an injection-moulded plastics material. In consequence, the limbs 16 are resiliently deformable by twisting and/or bending.
The securing member 10 can be used in the manner illustrated in Figs. 3 or 4. These figures show part of two containers 50 which each have side walls 52 extending up from a base (not shown). Stacking bars (or flaps, bales, arms or similar structures) 56 are mounted near the top of the side walls 52 to support the base of another container 50 thereby forming two stacks alongside each other. In the situation shown in the drawings, the two containers 50 are not at the same height. For instance, adjacent stacks may incorporate different mixtures of containers of different heights. This can result in a height difference at the top of the stack. The different lengths of the limbs 12A, 12B
allows for this, as will be described, but the member 10 can also be used when adjacent containers are at the same height.
The bars 56 are mounted on the walls 52 by means which do not themselves form part of the invention. However, the bars 56 have end portions 58 which reach down into recesses 60 formed between the side walls 52 and secondary walls 62. The recesses 60 are open beneath, at 64. The recesses 60 are generally rectangular in plan, the gap shown in Fig. 3 representing the narrow axis of the recess 60. The two ends of each bar 56 are supported by similar structures which are mirror images of each other. Consequently, when two container stacks are formed alongside each other, the secondary walls 62 of two containers 50 are next to each other, but displaced vertically, as shown in Fig. 3.
The two stacks can now be secured together by pushing the two limbs 16 of the member 10 down into respective recesses 60. In the situation illustrated in Fig. 3, the arrowhead 12A or the hook 12B will first enter the respective recess 60, depending on whether the vertical separation of the walls 62 is greater or less than the separation of the arrowhead and hook.
CA 022~7229 l998-ll-30 As the arrowhead 12A enters the respective recess 60, the limb 16A will twist as the arrowhead 12A is forced in. Eventually, the arrowhead 12A will reach the bottom 64 whereupon the limb 16A springs back to untwist. The arrowhead then forms a barb whose surfaces 32 would engage the mouth of the recess 60 so that the securing member 10 cannot thereafter be removed merely by lifting in the vertical direction. This engagement is expected to be adequateeven with curved surfaces 32, but could be enhanced by the concavity of the alternative design mentioned above.
As the hook 12B enters the respective recess 60, the limb 16B will twist as the hook 12B is forced down through the recess 60. Eventually, the hook 12B
will clear the bottom 6d~ of the recess and hook under it as the limb 16B snaps back to an untwisted position.
It should be appreciated that the precise order of events is governed by the dimensions of the member 10 and the relative positions of the two containers. Depending on these factors, either engaging portion 12A,12B may be first to enter the respective recess G0, and the second to enter may do so before or after the first has emerged clear of the bottom 64 of the respective recess 60.
Removal of the member 10 is achieved by gripping the body 18 and twisting it about a generally vertical axis. This causes distortion of the member 10 by twisting the limbs 16. If the member 10 is twisted sufficiently, the arrowhead 12A and hook 12B come into alignment with the respective recess 60, allowing the member 10 to be withdrawn. Again, the precise order of events will depend on the dimensions of the member 10 and the relative positions of the two containers.
Although the curve of the surfaces 32 is considered adequate to retain the clip when relaxed, the surfaces 32 can act as guide surfaces after twisting the member 10, to assist in withdrawing the arrowhead from the aperture. It is expected that the curved surfaces could even be designed to assist withdrawal . .
su~f9cien~1y ~o cause ade~te ~is.ing of th~ bs 16 ~y plllLr~ ut marl7laI t~qsting7 w~ile n~vert'~eless ~de~uatel~; sec~-i~g sl~lCS together du~i~g use. Similarl~, ~e detaiied shap~ of the s~ es ~f the hoo~ 123 are c~sen t~ ensur~ adequ~te S~CUl'it'~, while aIlo~ing re~n~val wP~n r~q,lired.
ThuS, r,~tith t~e ~n~ber 10 In posit;o~, t~2ere ~s a reasonabl~ secure a~t~chment be~een Lhe rwo ~d,acent containe~s, suffl~e~nt to hoid the stacl~s ~o$ether ~uring ~or~l h~nAlin~ SuC~l ~s ~hen loading stac~cs orto a vehl~ie ~-fork t~ucl~ Secllr~ng r~gerher t~e two adjacent stacks r~ ;luces tke r,sk of eith~
stack toppli~g o~er Howe~er, the memD~rs 10 can be leadily remo~ed b~ ~ar.d (qs has beeIl desc~ibed) when the stac~s ,are n~ r~uir~d .a be atlached.
lt is not ~aged that a member 10 ~vo~d be use~ at each level in the stack, b~u~ o~ly ~ cient nu~ ers tD ensure a~eq~ ecur ty, âr.d perh~ps nnly at the ~op ~f ~ stac}~ s~ a compiete con~er s~s~ ould comp.~se a large pl~lity o~ container~ bur proba~l~ a much Q~ ~ numb~r Gf secur~g members !~ th~ ange~en~ ~ust descri'~d. the er.gâ~g parti~ns 1~ p~s th~ough ~e bcttom o~ t~e reeess 60. .~ rnarivel;, tl~e~ could snap ir.to apertures forme~ i~ the sid~ ~alls o~ the ~ecesses 50. It is e~is~ged tha~
con~ainers eould be attached side-~y-sid~, as shown in ~i~. 4, or end-to-erd, oreve~ ~ide-tQ-eIld. dependin~ on the design of the members and t~4e co~ e~
L~l ~lte~ati~e ~rsic~s, as has beet~ said, t~e contain~ e~gaglng Fort~ons 12 could be shaped dlfPerent~y, ~or instance by ch~ngin~ the angles a~d shapes o~ the side faces 2~ ~d shoulders ~8. Some des~gns cou~d allo~r removal o~ ~he member 1~ s~ply pl~il~ng it vertically, without manual rwi.sting, but ~t may be more ~esLra~le ~o re~uire a ~sting ac~ioll for rele~se, to ~educe the lisk of a m~nber bein~ removed accident~lly. ror ~nsta~c~ a stack of he~Yily loaded contaiDers started to ~opple, c~lT~in~ ~ne .ontaiIler to move upwardly relati~ to the con~er in an ~d, acent stac~ a member mi~ht beco~e disconnected ~rom one or other conta~ner if twisting wa~ ~ot r~qulred. By contr~st, i~ n~sting is AMEN~ED SHEET
re~u~ed, it is inlik21~ at t~e ;~e~er 10 c~-~ b~ ina~ertently relea~el~ duri~g r.urm~l use. ~ U3. m~ èr~ t ~f ~ sta~ which begins to topp1e ~i~l! .~nd t~ be resist~.
Securi~ e~nbers a~ur~g to th~ t~orl are ~~perted to '~e ~ar~icula~ly w~ful ~ situa~i~ns wher~ contaI~rs a~e bei~g t~ansported ~
st~cs, th~e ~e~g se~ eral stacks o~ a s~gle sup~rt, such ~ ~ pall~t, trclley, etc. In t~ese situ2~0~s, unsec~re~ stac~s of c~nt~ir.ers are iikely to topple bec~lise of e.g~ hl~Lt~n. Cec~- the stacks ~~eth~r ~ h~s ~een described makes the st~c~s ~o-e secur~ ar.~ ma~ a3~ow higher ~tac.~s .o ke used, with cons~uenr e~cnom~ ut is e~sily a;lcl cr.ea,31~ achie~ed.
I~ ls ~o ~e ~.mderstoad ~h~ ver~ ~L~ly ~ at~o~s a~d modificati~ns zn~y b~ m~d~ ro the ~.~ember d~scr~bed ~bave an~ shown in the dra~s, without depar~ng ~rom th~ sc3pe af t~e in~eDticn. In paFtic~!ar, the designs of th~
barhs 12 may ch~ge. rhe overa~l desi~n ~ilI depend on ihe desig~ cf ~h~
co~t~rer w~.th which the member is to k~ used, ~ld ~he d~ree of securi;~
requiTed. rrhe ~o5ta~ er geomee~ .~dicate~ in Fio ~ is ~,~,~lv schemal~c and se~,es ~l~ly a~ ~.n ~ m.p~e. ~ery m~ny l~iati~ on Lllis ~eral co~ta.ner g o~re~r~ are Xno-~n to the ma~ slc~led ir. the art.
AMEN~ED SHEET
The present invention relates to stacking containers and to the stacking of containers.
There are many types of containers which are formed into stacks during use. For instance, delivery containers used to deliver goods to retail prernisesmay be in stacks while in transit.
The present invention seeks to make improvements in and relating to the stacking of containers. It is to be understood that throughout this specification, the terms "stack", "stacked" etc. are used in their broad sense to cover any stack or stack-like arrangement, including formations in which containers are wholly or partly nested inside each other.
The invention provides a securing member for use with stackable containers, the member comprising first and second container engaging portions connected together, each container engaging portion being so formed as to be selectively engageable and disengageable with a container in a respective stack of containers, whereby two stacks of containers may be secured together.
The securing member may comprise two limbs, which may be generally parallel, each of which carries a container engaging portion. The limbs may be connected together to form a generally U-shaped member. The limbs may be different in length.
The or each container ~ngAging portion is preferably engageable ~~ith an aperture or recess in a container. At least one container engaging portion may comprise a hook formation for hooking engagement past a surface of a container. At least one container engaging portion may comprise at least one barb formation for engagement with a container. The or each container engaging formation may comprise a guide surface which, in use, guides the container engaging portion into an aperture or recess in a container, and may comprise a retention surface which, in use, engages a surface of the container CA 022~7229 1998-11-30 to prevent withdrawal from the aperture or recess. The securing member may comprise at least one resiliently deformable portion which is deformable to allow a container engaging portion to engage a container or be disengaged therefrom.
The container engaging portions are preferably connected together by a resiliently deformable portion. The resiliently deformable portion is preferablyelongate and deforrnable by twisting.
The invention also provides a method of stacking containers, in which at least one container from one of two adjacent stacks of containers is secured to a container in the other stack.
The containers are preferably secured by means of a securing member as aforesaid.
The invention also provides a container system comprising a plurality of containers which may be formed into stacks, and at least one securing member as aforesaid.
Each container may comprise an aperture or recess for engagement with a container engaging portion of a securing member.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a securing member according to the invention;
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the member of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a highly schematic elevation, showing the member of Figs. 1 and 2 in use; and CA 022~7229 1998-11-30 Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view showing the member in use.
The securing member 10 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is for use with stackable ~ containers, as will be described. The member 10 comprises first and second container engaging portions shown generally at 12A, 12B, connected together generally at 1~. Each container engaging portion 12 is formed to be selectively engageable and disengageable with a container in a respective stack of containers, whereby two stacks of containers may be secured together as will be described. Each stack could be attached to more than one other stack, so that any number of stacks can be connected together, for increased stability.
In more detail, the member 10 is generally U-shaped, having two limbs 16A,16B which are generally parallel in this example, but could be at other angles, according to the design of the container with which they are to be used.Each limb 16 carries a container engaging portion 12 at its free end and is connected to a body 18 at its other end. The body 18 has a flared profile (Fig.2) to provide finger grips. Alternatively, the body 18 may include a ribbed portion(not shown) for providing finger grips.
The container engaging portion 12A has the general form of an arrowhead, having a relatively narrow end face 22 behind which the arrowhead widens to provide lead-in surfaces 24. Generally parallel side faces 26 extend back from the lead-in surfaces 24 to shoulders 28, at which points the outline of the engaging portion 12A turns in to meet the lirnb 16A. It is to be noted that the shoulder surfaces 32 are gently curved between the shoulders 28 and the sides of the lirnb 16A. However, an alternative design would use surfaces 32 which meet the sides of the limb 16A at a concave angle.
The container engaging portion 12B has the general form of a hook, having a generally triangular projection 40 to one side of the line of the limb 16B, which turns away from the limb 16A at an elbow ~2 near the portion 12B.
The hook 40 has a lead-in surfaces 44 at its tip, and a shoulder 46, at which point the outline of the hook 40 turns in to meet the limb 16B.
CA 022~7229 l998-ll-30 The securing member is made of resilient material, preferably an injection-moulded plastics material. In consequence, the limbs 16 are resiliently deformable by twisting and/or bending.
The securing member 10 can be used in the manner illustrated in Figs. 3 or 4. These figures show part of two containers 50 which each have side walls 52 extending up from a base (not shown). Stacking bars (or flaps, bales, arms or similar structures) 56 are mounted near the top of the side walls 52 to support the base of another container 50 thereby forming two stacks alongside each other. In the situation shown in the drawings, the two containers 50 are not at the same height. For instance, adjacent stacks may incorporate different mixtures of containers of different heights. This can result in a height difference at the top of the stack. The different lengths of the limbs 12A, 12B
allows for this, as will be described, but the member 10 can also be used when adjacent containers are at the same height.
The bars 56 are mounted on the walls 52 by means which do not themselves form part of the invention. However, the bars 56 have end portions 58 which reach down into recesses 60 formed between the side walls 52 and secondary walls 62. The recesses 60 are open beneath, at 64. The recesses 60 are generally rectangular in plan, the gap shown in Fig. 3 representing the narrow axis of the recess 60. The two ends of each bar 56 are supported by similar structures which are mirror images of each other. Consequently, when two container stacks are formed alongside each other, the secondary walls 62 of two containers 50 are next to each other, but displaced vertically, as shown in Fig. 3.
The two stacks can now be secured together by pushing the two limbs 16 of the member 10 down into respective recesses 60. In the situation illustrated in Fig. 3, the arrowhead 12A or the hook 12B will first enter the respective recess 60, depending on whether the vertical separation of the walls 62 is greater or less than the separation of the arrowhead and hook.
CA 022~7229 l998-ll-30 As the arrowhead 12A enters the respective recess 60, the limb 16A will twist as the arrowhead 12A is forced in. Eventually, the arrowhead 12A will reach the bottom 64 whereupon the limb 16A springs back to untwist. The arrowhead then forms a barb whose surfaces 32 would engage the mouth of the recess 60 so that the securing member 10 cannot thereafter be removed merely by lifting in the vertical direction. This engagement is expected to be adequateeven with curved surfaces 32, but could be enhanced by the concavity of the alternative design mentioned above.
As the hook 12B enters the respective recess 60, the limb 16B will twist as the hook 12B is forced down through the recess 60. Eventually, the hook 12B
will clear the bottom 6d~ of the recess and hook under it as the limb 16B snaps back to an untwisted position.
It should be appreciated that the precise order of events is governed by the dimensions of the member 10 and the relative positions of the two containers. Depending on these factors, either engaging portion 12A,12B may be first to enter the respective recess G0, and the second to enter may do so before or after the first has emerged clear of the bottom 64 of the respective recess 60.
Removal of the member 10 is achieved by gripping the body 18 and twisting it about a generally vertical axis. This causes distortion of the member 10 by twisting the limbs 16. If the member 10 is twisted sufficiently, the arrowhead 12A and hook 12B come into alignment with the respective recess 60, allowing the member 10 to be withdrawn. Again, the precise order of events will depend on the dimensions of the member 10 and the relative positions of the two containers.
Although the curve of the surfaces 32 is considered adequate to retain the clip when relaxed, the surfaces 32 can act as guide surfaces after twisting the member 10, to assist in withdrawing the arrowhead from the aperture. It is expected that the curved surfaces could even be designed to assist withdrawal . .
su~f9cien~1y ~o cause ade~te ~is.ing of th~ bs 16 ~y plllLr~ ut marl7laI t~qsting7 w~ile n~vert'~eless ~de~uatel~; sec~-i~g sl~lCS together du~i~g use. Similarl~, ~e detaiied shap~ of the s~ es ~f the hoo~ 123 are c~sen t~ ensur~ adequ~te S~CUl'it'~, while aIlo~ing re~n~val wP~n r~q,lired.
ThuS, r,~tith t~e ~n~ber 10 In posit;o~, t~2ere ~s a reasonabl~ secure a~t~chment be~een Lhe rwo ~d,acent containe~s, suffl~e~nt to hoid the stacl~s ~o$ether ~uring ~or~l h~nAlin~ SuC~l ~s ~hen loading stac~cs orto a vehl~ie ~-fork t~ucl~ Secllr~ng r~gerher t~e two adjacent stacks r~ ;luces tke r,sk of eith~
stack toppli~g o~er Howe~er, the memD~rs 10 can be leadily remo~ed b~ ~ar.d (qs has beeIl desc~ibed) when the stac~s ,are n~ r~uir~d .a be atlached.
lt is not ~aged that a member 10 ~vo~d be use~ at each level in the stack, b~u~ o~ly ~ cient nu~ ers tD ensure a~eq~ ecur ty, âr.d perh~ps nnly at the ~op ~f ~ stac}~ s~ a compiete con~er s~s~ ould comp.~se a large pl~lity o~ container~ bur proba~l~ a much Q~ ~ numb~r Gf secur~g members !~ th~ ange~en~ ~ust descri'~d. the er.gâ~g parti~ns 1~ p~s th~ough ~e bcttom o~ t~e reeess 60. .~ rnarivel;, tl~e~ could snap ir.to apertures forme~ i~ the sid~ ~alls o~ the ~ecesses 50. It is e~is~ged tha~
con~ainers eould be attached side-~y-sid~, as shown in ~i~. 4, or end-to-erd, oreve~ ~ide-tQ-eIld. dependin~ on the design of the members and t~4e co~ e~
L~l ~lte~ati~e ~rsic~s, as has beet~ said, t~e contain~ e~gaglng Fort~ons 12 could be shaped dlfPerent~y, ~or instance by ch~ngin~ the angles a~d shapes o~ the side faces 2~ ~d shoulders ~8. Some des~gns cou~d allo~r removal o~ ~he member 1~ s~ply pl~il~ng it vertically, without manual rwi.sting, but ~t may be more ~esLra~le ~o re~uire a ~sting ac~ioll for rele~se, to ~educe the lisk of a m~nber bein~ removed accident~lly. ror ~nsta~c~ a stack of he~Yily loaded contaiDers started to ~opple, c~lT~in~ ~ne .ontaiIler to move upwardly relati~ to the con~er in an ~d, acent stac~ a member mi~ht beco~e disconnected ~rom one or other conta~ner if twisting wa~ ~ot r~qulred. By contr~st, i~ n~sting is AMEN~ED SHEET
re~u~ed, it is inlik21~ at t~e ;~e~er 10 c~-~ b~ ina~ertently relea~el~ duri~g r.urm~l use. ~ U3. m~ èr~ t ~f ~ sta~ which begins to topp1e ~i~l! .~nd t~ be resist~.
Securi~ e~nbers a~ur~g to th~ t~orl are ~~perted to '~e ~ar~icula~ly w~ful ~ situa~i~ns wher~ contaI~rs a~e bei~g t~ansported ~
st~cs, th~e ~e~g se~ eral stacks o~ a s~gle sup~rt, such ~ ~ pall~t, trclley, etc. In t~ese situ2~0~s, unsec~re~ stac~s of c~nt~ir.ers are iikely to topple bec~lise of e.g~ hl~Lt~n. Cec~- the stacks ~~eth~r ~ h~s ~een described makes the st~c~s ~o-e secur~ ar.~ ma~ a3~ow higher ~tac.~s .o ke used, with cons~uenr e~cnom~ ut is e~sily a;lcl cr.ea,31~ achie~ed.
I~ ls ~o ~e ~.mderstoad ~h~ ver~ ~L~ly ~ at~o~s a~d modificati~ns zn~y b~ m~d~ ro the ~.~ember d~scr~bed ~bave an~ shown in the dra~s, without depar~ng ~rom th~ sc3pe af t~e in~eDticn. In paFtic~!ar, the designs of th~
barhs 12 may ch~ge. rhe overa~l desi~n ~ilI depend on ihe desig~ cf ~h~
co~t~rer w~.th which the member is to k~ used, ~ld ~he d~ree of securi;~
requiTed. rrhe ~o5ta~ er geomee~ .~dicate~ in Fio ~ is ~,~,~lv schemal~c and se~,es ~l~ly a~ ~.n ~ m.p~e. ~ery m~ny l~iati~ on Lllis ~eral co~ta.ner g o~re~r~ are Xno-~n to the ma~ slc~led ir. the art.
AMEN~ED SHEET
Claims (16)
1. A securing member for use with stackable containers, the member comprising first and second container engaging portions connected together and each able to engage containers of respective container stacks after the stacks have been formed, each container engaging portion being engageable with the container, thereby to secure the stacks together, and each container engaging portion further being-disengageable to allow the member to be wholly removed from the container thereby to release the stacks.
2. A securing member according to claim 1, in which the securing member comprises two limbs each of which carries a container engaging portion.
3. A securing member according to claim 2, in which the limbs are generally parallel.
4. A securing member according to claim 2 or 3, in the limbs are connected together to form a generally U-shaped member.
5. A securing member according to any of claims 2 to 4, in which the limbs are different in length.
6. A securing member according to any preceding claim, in which the or each container engaging portion is engageable with an aperture or recess in a container.
7. a securing member according to any preceding claim, in which at least one container engaging portion comprises a hook formation for hooking engagement past a surface of a container.
8. a securing member according to any preceding claim, in which at least one container engaging portion comprises at least one barb formation for engagement with a container.
9. a securing member according to any preceding claim, in which the or each container engaging formation comprises a guide surface which, in use, guides the container engaging portion into a aperture or recess in a container.
10. A securing member recording to any preceding claim, in which the or each container engaging formation comprises a retention surface which, in use, engages a surface of the container to prevent withdrawal from the aperture or recess.
11. A securing member according to any preceding claim, in which the securing member comprises at least one resiliently deformable portion which is deformable to allow a container engaging portion to engage a container or be disengaged therefrom.
12. A securing member according to any preceding claim, in which the container engaging portion are connected together by a resiliently deformable portion.
13. S securing member according to claim 11 or 12, in which the resiliently deformable portion is elongate and deformable by twisting.
14. A method of stacking containers, which at least one container from one of two adjacent stacks of containers is secured to a container in the other stacks by means of a securing member according to any of claim 1 to 13.
15. A container system comprising a plurality of containers which may be formed into stacks, and at least one securing member according to any of claims 1 to 13.
16. A container system according to claim 15, in which each container comprises and aperture or recess for engagement with a container engaging portion of a securing member.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB9611879.9A GB9611879D0 (en) | 1996-06-07 | 1996-06-07 | Stacking containers |
| GB9611879.9 | 1996-06-07 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2257229A1 true CA2257229A1 (en) | 1997-12-11 |
Family
ID=10794872
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2257229 Abandoned CA2257229A1 (en) | 1996-06-07 | 1997-06-05 | System and method for securing stacked containers |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0907568A1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU3038597A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2257229A1 (en) |
| GB (2) | GB9611879D0 (en) |
| NO (1) | NO985696L (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1997046457A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB9613632D0 (en) * | 1996-06-28 | 1996-08-28 | Mckechnie Uk Ltd | Container |
| EP2390199B1 (en) | 2010-05-27 | 2013-07-10 | Rehrig Pacific Company | Collapsible dual height stacking container |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0385993A4 (en) * | 1987-07-10 | 1991-07-24 | Brendon Michael O'sullivan | Packaging |
| FR2623382B1 (en) * | 1987-11-24 | 1991-05-03 | Peugeot Cycles | DEVICE FOR FIXING A COVERING, IN PARTICULAR A SEAT COVERING |
| DE29604228U1 (en) * | 1996-03-07 | 1996-04-25 | Nutto, Uwe, 79100 Freiburg | Connection element for beverage crates |
-
1996
- 1996-06-07 GB GBGB9611879.9A patent/GB9611879D0/en active Pending
-
1997
- 1997-06-05 CA CA 2257229 patent/CA2257229A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-06-05 EP EP97925145A patent/EP0907568A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1997-06-05 AU AU30385/97A patent/AU3038597A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-06-05 GB GB9826198A patent/GB2328246B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-06-05 WO PCT/GB1997/001514 patent/WO1997046457A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
1998
- 1998-12-04 NO NO985696A patent/NO985696L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1997046457A1 (en) | 1997-12-11 |
| GB9611879D0 (en) | 1996-08-07 |
| GB2328246A (en) | 1999-02-17 |
| NO985696L (en) | 1999-02-04 |
| GB2328246B (en) | 2000-09-20 |
| NO985696D0 (en) | 1998-12-04 |
| AU3038597A (en) | 1998-01-05 |
| GB9826198D0 (en) | 1999-01-20 |
| EP0907568A1 (en) | 1999-04-14 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |