GB2460079A

GB2460079A - Collapsible storage box

Info

Publication number: GB2460079A
Application number: GB0808913A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James George Harris; Patrick Maurice Goudkuil
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-05-16
Filing date: 2008-05-16
Publication date: 2009-11-18
Also published as: GB0808913D0

Abstract

A storage box 2 for fruit or vegetable produce comprises a base member 12, a front panel 4, a back panel 6 and two side panels 8, each panel being pivotally mounted in relation to the base member 12. The box 2 is adjustable between an open configuration for storing produce, and a closed configuration for stacking or transportation when the box is empty. In the open configuration the panels are disposed upright to the base member to define an open box 2, and in the closed configuration the panels lie over the base member 12. The base member 12 may have a pair of elongate hinge plates 24 one secured to each side panel 8 about a first pivot axis 9. Additionally each of the hinge plates 24 may be connected to the front panel 4 about a second pivot axis 10, and the back panel 6 about a third pivot axis 11. This is achieved by forming part of the hinge plate 24 in an L shape. The box may be put to storing potatoes.

Description

BOX

BACKGROUND

a. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a box for use in storing and transporting fruit and vegetable produce, notably to a potato storage box.

b. Related Art Currently, when potatoes or other perishable produce are harvested they are placed into wooden boxes which hold approximately one tonne. The boxes are then transported around the country to their destinations where they are emptied

and returned to the field.

In the UK, British Standard BS7611:1992 ("the Standard") sets forth standards for ensuring that potato storage boxes, containing a nominal one tonne of potatoes, are sufficiently strong to withstand the loads and forces encountered when handled or when stacked. According to the Standard, "the height of block stacks in stores has risen over the years and potato storage boxes are currently stacked up to eight high.

The boxes occupy a lot of wasted space during their return journey and when stored in large stacks over winter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention are specified in the independent claims. Preferred features are specified in the dependent claims.

The invention provides a foldable storage box which may be the same size, and so hold the same amount of produce, for example potatoes, and is as strong as existing boxes. The box of the invention may be manufactured to comply with the Standard. However, the box of the invention can be folded down to approximately one third of the height of a conventional storage box, so reducing space requirements when the box is empty.

The reduced space when empty boxes are being transported can provide a number of benefits: * approximately three times as many boxes can be loaded on to a single lorry * less fuel is used in transporting empty boxes * empty boxes can still be taken to their destination but another load can be taken as well due to the reduced space occupied by the boxes.

The invention may further provide health and safety benefits when boxes are stacked over the winter when not in use: * they can be stacked inside * many more can be placed in one stack using the same amount of space * or they can be stacked less high so reducing the risk of stacks toppling * they may be re-used more efficiently when moving from country to country * replacement of broken panels is easy * it is a one man job to erect and fold boxes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which: Figures 1-5 show views of a storage box in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, in various stages between an open configuration and a closed configuration; Figures 6 and 7 are, respectively, an elevational view and a plan view of a hinge assembly for use in the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 8 is a sectional view along line B-B of Figure 6; Figures 9-14 show views of brackets of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figures 15-17 are, respectively, a side elevational view, a plan view and a front elevational view of the base panel of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figures 18 and 19 are, respectively, a front elevational view and a side elevational view of a side panel of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figures 20-22 are, respectively, a side elevational view, a plan view and a front elevational view of a front panel or a back panel of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 23 shows an embodiment of a latch for use in an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 24 illustrates movements of parts of the embodiment of Figures 1-5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A storage box 2 for fruit or vegetable produce shown in Figures 1-5 comprises a generally rectangular base member 12, a front panel 4, a back panel 6 and two side panels 8. Each of the panels is pivotally mounted in relation to the base member 12. The box 2 is adjustable between an open configuration as illustrated in Figure 1, in which the panels are disposed substantially normal to the base member 12, and a closed configuration as illustrated in Figure 5 in which the panels lie substantially parallel to the base member. In the open configuration the box 2 is suitable for use in storing and transporting produce such as fruit and vegetables, notably potatoes. The box 2 in this embodiment has a nominal capacity of 1 tonne of potatoes; however it will be understood that other capacities of box are within the scope of the invention.

The box 2 is provided with feet 20, in this example in the form of battens provided under the base member 20 and defining access spaces 22 for the tines of a forklift when the box is to be loaded or unloaded. In a preferred embodiment, at least some of the material surrounding the access spaces 22 are coloured differently from the remainder of the box 2 to indicate where the box should be lifted, which might otherwise be unclear when the box is in the closed configuration shown in Figure 5.

In this embodiment a spigot 80 is optionally provided on an inward facing surface of the centre rear post 14b. The spigot (which may be provided by a bolt, peg or the like) is located so as to locate between adjacent slats of the front panel 4 when the box is in the closed configuration shown in Figure 5. Locating the spigot 80 between the slats helps to reduce or prevent movement of the back panel 6 in the direction or the long axis of the centre rear post 14b.

In this embodiment the box 2 has a pair of corner front posts 14c at opposed sides of the front panel 4 and a centre front post 14a, The back panel 6 has a corresponding pair of corner rear posts 14d and a centre rear post 14b. The posts 14 may be secured to their respective panels 4,6 by any suitable fixing means, for example screws, nails or bolts. In the open configuration each post 14 is upright.

Each side panel 8 is pivotally connected to the base member 12 about a first pivot axis 9 (Figure 7) which is substantially parallel to a pair of opposed edges of the base member 12. The pivotal connection in this example is provided by a hinge assembly 18, best shown in Figures 6-8. The hinge assembly 18 comprises an elongate hinge plate 24 which is fastened to the base member 12 at an edge by fastening means, in this example, screws 40. The elongate hinge plate 12 is pivotally connected to a pair of side hinge plates 26 by hinge members 36 along the first pivot axis 9. The side hinge plates 26 are secured to a side panel 8 by fastening means, in this example, screws 40. Each side panel 8 is also releasably secured to two corner posts 14c, 14d by latches 58. When the box 2 is empty and the latches 58 have been released, the user may pivot the side panels 8 about the pivot axis 9 between the first (upright) position shown in Figure 1 and a second position (Figures 2-5) in which the side panel 8 lies over the base member 1.2. In this example, the side panels 8 lie on and are substantially parallel to the base member.

In this embodiment, the hinge assembly 18 further comprises a front end hinge plate 28 which is pivotally attached to the elongate hinge plate 24 by a hinge member 38 about a second pivot axis 10. Each front end hinge plate 28 is secured to the front panel 4 by fastening means, in this example, screws 40. With the side panels 8 pivoted down and overlying the base member 12, the front panel 4 can be pivoted from a first upright position shown in Figure 1, about the second pivot axis 10, to a second position in which it overlies the front panels and the base member. In this example, the front panel 4 lies on the side panels 8 and is substantially parallel to the base member 12 when in the second position.

In this embodiment, the hinge assembly 18 further comprises a rear end plate 30, at the opposite end of the elongate hinge plate 24 to the front end hinge plate 28.

The rear end plate 30 has a spacer portion 32 and an angled portion 34 which is connected to the back panel 6. The angled portion 34 is preferably sunk into the surface of the back panel so as to present a substantially continuous internal surface within the box, to reduce possible damage to produce contained in the box. The spacer portion 32 is pivotally connected to the elongate hinge plate 24 by a hinge member 38 about a third pivot axis 11 which in this example is substantially parallel to the second hinge axis 10 and substantially normal to the first hinge axis 9. With the side panels 8 and the front panel 4 folded down, the back panel 6 can be pivoted from a first upright position shown in Figure 1 to a second position in which it overlies the base member 12. In this example, the spacer 32 is dimensioned to permit the back panel 6 to lie on and substantially parallel to the front panel 4 when in the second position.

The other hinge assembly is a mirror image of the exemplified hinge assembly 18 and operates in the same manner.

Referring now to Figures 9 and 10, an embodiment of the front bracket 16a is illustrated. The front bracket 16a includes mounting tabs 46 for securing the bracket 16a to the base member 12 and an opposed pair of side members 48, each of which has an arcuate slot for receiving a pin 52 on the centre front post 14a (Figure 20). Figure 11 shows a precursor to the front bracket, prior to its formation by folding along fold lines 54. The shape of the slot 50a is selected to guide the movement of the centre front post 14a along the same arc as that permitted by the hinge 38 when the front panel 4 is pivoted to the second position.

Figures 12-14 correspond closely to Figures 9-11 respectively, but illustrate the rear bracket 16b and its precursor. The rear bracket 16b is identical to the front bracket 16a except for the shape of the arcuate slot 50b. This slot has a steeper slope, than the slot 50a of the front bracket 16a, commensurate with the need for the back panel 6 to pivot to a higher level than the front panel 4.

Movements of parts about the hinge assemblies 18 and brackets 16 are summarised in Figure 24 at each stage of the transition of the box from the open configuration to the closed configuration.

The base panel 12 of this embodiment is shown in more detail in Figures 15-17. It has central openings 42 which are dimensioned to allow the centre front and rear posts 14a,14b access when the box is in the open configuration. These posts rest in the openings 42 and bear upon a timber infill 44. The infills 44 function as stops to prevent or inhibit the centre front and rear posts pivoting around the pin 52 in the centre brackets 16 and thus enabling the box 2 to hold its intended shape with little deflection along the panels.

A side panel 8 is shown in more detail in Figures 18 and 19. The top and bottom inner edges of the side panel 8 are chamfered or obliquely cut to reduce damage to produce such as potatoes when tipped from or placed in the box 2.

Referring now to Figures 20-22, the front panel 4 is shown in more detail. (The back panel 6 in this example is of identical construction and will not be separately illustrated). The front panel 4 in this example comprises a plurality of slats 60 which are secured to the posts 14 by fixing means, for example screws. A pin 52 is provided in the centre post 14a to enable mounting of the centre post in the front bracket 16a.

An embodiment of a latch 58 for the present invention is shown in Figure 23. The latch comprises a catch plate 62 which is secured to one of the corner posts. The catchplate 62 has a catch member 64 for releasable engagement by a clasp member 68 which is connected by a threaded connector 72 to a cross-member 66 in a clip 70. The threaded connector 72 can be adjusted to increase or decrease the distance between the clasp member 68 and the cross-member 66 to adjust tension. The clip 70 is pivotally connected to a fixing plate 74 which has fixing means, in this example, welded nuts 76, for securing it to a top side batten of a side panel. The clip 70 has an over-centre action so that force is required to open it, thereby reducing the likelihood of accidental opening of the latch. Internal surfaces 78 of the latch 58 are rounded so as to reduce or minimise likelihood of damage to agricultural produce in the box. All of the latch parts are contained within the open box so that the outside of the box can present a conventional storage box appearance.

In the present example, the base member 12 and each panel 4,6,8 is made from wood, which is a traditional material for storage boxes for agricultural produce.

However, the invention is not limited to a box made from wood. For example, in an alternative embodiment, any or all of the base member 12, the front panel 4, the back panel 6 and the side panels 8 may be formed from a structural plastics material, notably an injection moulded plastics material. This offers the benefit that parts may be made to close tolerances; also a separate hinge assembly may not be required. For example, hinge barrels could be moulded in to the panels and/or base member so that only a suitable hinge pin need be inserted. The panels could also be formed integrally with the posts. Thus, the number of parts, and associated tolerances, may be substantially reduced.

Thus, the described embodiment of the invention works in a simple way. When changing the box from the open configuration to the closed configuration, four simple procedures are followed: 1. The latches on all four corners are released and then locked back in to position leaving the side panels and front and back panels free.

2. The side panels are then folded down on the base member.

3. The front panel is then folded down over the side panels until it rests securely on top.

4. Finally the back panel is folded over the top of the front panel until it rests securely on top.

To erect the box from the closed configuration to the open configuration the procedure above is simply reversed, ensuring that when the side panels are raised into position that they are pulled outwards until the stops will not allow the panel to move any farther. The latch can then be locked.

The invention provides a collapsible storage box which functions as a conventional storage box and resists outward pressure when full, but which can also be folded down to a smaller package when its storage capacity is not required. The hinge assembly provides ease of use as well as strength.

The articles a' and an' are used herein to refer to at least one' unless the context otherwise requires.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A storage box for fruit or vegetable produce, the box comprising a base member, a front panel, a back panel and two side panels, each panel being pivotally mounted in relation to the base member and the box being adjustable between an open configuration for storing produce, and a closed configuration for stacking or transportation when the box is empty, wherein: in the open configuration the panels are disposed upright to the base member to define an open box, and in the closed configuration the panels lie over the base member.
2. A box according to claim 1, wherein the base member has a generally flat surface and in the closed configuration the panels lie substantially parallel to that surface.
3. A box according to claim I or claim 2, wherein the base member is generally rectangular and has a first pair of opposed edges, each side panel being pivotally connected to the base member about a first pivot axis which is substantially parallel to said edges, in a manner to enable that panel to be pivoted between a first position in which it is substantially normal to the base member, and a second position in which it lies on and substantially parallel to the base member.
4. A box according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the base member is pivotally connected at a proximal end to the front panel about a second pivot axis in a manner wherein, when the side panels are in the second position, the front panel may be pivoted between a first position in which it is substantially normal to the base member, and a second position in which it is substantially parallel to the base member.
5. A box according to claim 4, wherein the base member is pivotally connected at a distal end to the back panel about a third pivot axis in a manner wherein, when the side panels are in the second position the back panel may be -11 -pivoted between a first position in which it is substantially normal to the base member, and a second position in which it is substantially parallel to the base member.
6. A box according to claim 5, wherein the base member is connected to the back panel by a spacer which separates the third pivot axis from the back panel by a sufficient distance to ensure that when the side panels and the front panel are in the second position, pivoting the back panel to the second position will cause the back panel to overlie the front panel.
7. A box according to claim 2, wherein the base member has a pair of elongate hinge plates secured substantially parallel to one another along said first pair of opposed edges of the base member, each hinge plate being pivotally connected to a side panel about the first pivot axis.
8. A box according to claim 7, wherein each elongate hinge plate is pivotally connected at a proximal end to the front panel about a second pivot axis in a manner wherein, when the side panels are in the second position, the front panel may be pivoted between a first position in which it is substantially normal to the base member, and a second position in which it is substantially parallel to the base member.
9. A box according to claim 8, wherein each elongate hinge plate is pivotally connected at a distal end to the back panel about a third pivot axis in a manner wherein, when the side panels are in the second position the back panel may be pivoted between a first position in which it is substantially normal to the base member, and a second position in which it is substantially parallel to the base member.
10. A box according to claim 9, wherein each elongate hinge plate is connected to the back panel by a back hinge plate which is generally L-shaped, the third pivot axis being located at a sufficient distance from the back panel to ensure that when the side panels and the front panel are in the second position, pivoting the back panel to the second position will cause the back panel to overlie the front panel.
II. A box according to claim 10, wherein the portion of the back hinge plate which is upright when the box is in the open configuration is inset in the back panel so that the surface of the back hinge plate is substantially coplanar with the adjacent surface of the back panel.
12. A box according to any preceding claim, wherein the front and back panels are each provided with a post intermediate the ends of the panel which is upright when the box is in the open configuration, each post being pivotally mounted in a bracket on the base member.
13. A box according to claim 12, wherein each post is disposed through an opening in the base member when the box is in the open configuration.
14. A box according to any preceding claim, wherein the base member is provided with a plurality of feet that define access spaces for the tines of a forklift.
15. A box according to claim 14, wherein at least some of the material defining the access spaces is coloured differently from the remainder of the box.
16. A box according to any preceding claim, wherein latch means are provided for releasably securing each side panel to the front and back panels when the box is in the open configuration.
17. A box according to claim 16, wherein the latch means are located entirely within the volume defined by the box.
18. A box according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the latch means have rounded edges.

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19. A box according to any preceding claim, wherein internal edges and corners of the box in the open configuration are rounded.
20. A box according to any preceding claim, wherein the base member and the panels are formed from an injection moulded plastics material.
21. A box according to claim 20, wherein the base member and the panels include moulded hinge barrels for making the pivotal connections.
22. A box according to any preceding claim, wherein an inner surface of one of the front panel and the back panel is provided with a spigot and the other of the front panel and the back panel is provided with an opening to receive the spigot when the box is in the closed configuration, the opening being a close fit for the spigot in at least one dimension parallel to the surface of the front panel so that the panel on which the spigot is provided will resist translational movement in said at least one dimension.
23. A box according to claim 22, wherein the opening is defined by a pair of adjacent slats in the panel.
24. A storage box for fruit or vegetable produce substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.