GB2542557A

GB2542557A - A delivery crate

Info

Publication number: GB2542557A
Application number: GB1516465.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Benjamin Fahey Ernest
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-09-17
Filing date: 2015-09-17
Publication date: 2017-03-29
Also published as: GB2558475B; GB2558475A; WO2017046752A1; EP3350090B1; GB201806235D0; GB201516465D0; EP3350090A1

Abstract

A delivery crate, for handling shopping or hazardous waste, comprises sidewalls 2; and a base portion movably connected to the side walls to block the bottom face. Preferably, the side walls form a rectangular perimeter. Preferably, the base portion comprises a pair of identical base (5a, 5b) panels moving inwards and outwards; and in the outwards position can be folded flat against the side walls and retained using an interference bump or a lip (8, figure 3) that interferes with a cut-out (9) in the side wall. Preferably, the base panels are connected via a pin and slot (6, 7 figure 5a) that only allows linear movement but rotation at a fully outwards position; and prevents movement when folded flat. Preferably, the base panels move horizontally and have a downwards upper surface, or may move at a 15 degree angle downwardly and inwardly; have a releasable bump fit joining them; and the lower surface is contoured to aid stacking.

Description

A Delivery Crate

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a delivery crate. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a delivery crate such as of the type used by supermarkets or similar for transport and home delivery.

Background

Home delivery of goods and produce is increasingly popular, including home delivery of orders that contain multiple smaller items that can be filled from a single warehouse or depot, such as for example food or grocery shopping. Typically, an order is placed on-line by a user, who chooses the goods they require, and a delivery time and day. The order is processed by loading the required goods into delivery crates at a depot or warehouse, with the filled crates then loaded into a van or truck for delivery. On arrival at the destination, the goods are unloaded from the crates, which are then returned to the depot or warehouse for re-use.

Crates of the type commonly used for this purpose are open-topped so that they can be easily and quickly loaded and unloaded, and generally have a pair of foldaway end bars or arms that can be located over the open top, towards the sides, so that filled crates can be stacked on top of one another without the goods in the lower crate being crushed by the crate stacked above pressing downwards. The arms can be folded back out of the way of the open top so that empty crates can be stacked inside one another to reduce the amount of space they take up.

Typically, each order (for example a week's worth of groceries for a typical household) requires several crates. Each crate is large enough to hold many items, and it can take several minutes to unload each crate once these have been moved to the required location - for example from a delivery van parked in a street, to a kitchen or similar a short distance from the street. The time spent unpacking the crates can cause delays, especially if the van has had to stop in a busy area and is blocking traffic.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: WO201342037 describes and shows a bottom discharge container comprising a pair of opposed end walls, a pair of opposed side walls connected to the end walls so as to form an enclosure and an at least partially displaceable floor which is displaceable between a raised, closed position in which it extends across a bottom of the enclosure so as to form a base of the container, and a lower, open position in which at least part of the floor is displaced away from the bottom of the enclosure so as to define a discharge opening in the bottom of the container for discharging a load from the container. EP2345591 describes and shows a three-dimensional container box which is flat-foldable and has an automatically folding bottom part, comprising a horizontal row of four side panels and a horizontal row of four bottom panels adjacent to the side panels, the side panels being foldable with respect to the bottom panels over a horizontal fold line, and the individual side panels being foldable with respect to each other over parallel vertical fold lines, the individual bottom panels foldable with respect to each other over cornering fold lines, and wherein two neighbouring bottom panels share one cornering fold line by which they form a pair of retractable cornering bottom panels in the three-dimensional container box. EP2168883 describes and shows reusable, washable, plastic, collapsible bin that has a plastic base with four walls extending upwardly from the base and interlocking with one another near the corners, and straps around the walls that hold the walls together temporarily during use and keep the walls interlocked with one another.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a delivery device comprising: side walls configured to form a closed perimeter portion for enclosing a quantity of items, the closed perimeter portion providing substantially open top and bottom faces; and at least one base portion movably connected to the closed perimeter portion and moveable between a closed position where the base portion(s) is configured to extend at least partly across the bottom face of the perimeter portion to substantially block the bottom face, and an open position where the bottom face is substantially unblocked.

This arrangement allows a user to quickly and easily unload a loaded crate by moving the base portion from the closed position to the open position and lifting the crate upwards to separate the crate and the contents and leave the contents on a surface.

In contrast to the prior art therefore the present invention provides a transport or delivery crate that can be quickly and easily unloaded without damaging or spilling the contents and/or that provides a means for stacking the crates without bases, or with adjustment of intermediate bases. Applications for this may be but not limited to: supermarkets/grocery stores, farming/horticulture, fishing both at sea and transportation of fish, hospitals, schools, chemical engineering, couriers and other forms of delivery, textiles, recycling. In addition or the alternative applications where items are preferably not touched by human hands for hygiene or other physical reasons. For example for applications such as hazardous waste, currently this may be put into screw top sealed containers for disposal but may involve someone physically picking up this waste and placing it in the container. In contrast, the waste can be dropped straight into the crate of the present invention and when full all waste can be emptied into a designated bin/container. The user would not come into contact with the waste at all with contact limited or avoided between the user and whatever is transported/moved/delivered.

In some embodiments the blocking/unblocking may be driven or activated elsewhere on the crate, for example wherein at least one peripheral handle is provided on the base portion(s) so as to minimise contact with active or dirty base surfaces.

In an embodiment, the closed perimeter portion is substantially rectangular in plan view. This allows crates to maximise the use of space when used in numbers.

In an embodiment, the at least one base portion comprises a pair of substantially identical base panels configured for movement inwards and outwards from two opposed sides of the perimeter portion to block and unblock the bottom face. This allows the panels to be moved outwards from each side, which shortens the distance that each panel has to move and thus assists with movement of the panels from the closed to the open position.

In an embodiment, the base panels and opposed side walls are movably connected so that in an outer position the base panels can be folded flat against the opposed side walls. This helps to reduce the profile of the crate in the open position so that it can be stored more easily.

In an embodiment, the opposed side walls and base panels are sized and connected so that when folded flat, the base panels do not extend above the top edge of the perimeter portion. This helps to reduce the profile of the crate in the open position so that it can be stored more easily.

In an embodiment, the opposed side walls and base panels are further configured to comprise a mutual retaining means that holds the base panels folded flat against the opposed side walls. This assists a user in storing the crate as the wall swill be retained and not loose and potentially in the way.

In an embodiment, the mutual retaining means comprises at least one interference bump extending from each of the opposed side walls around the edge of the base panel. This is a simple, reliable and easily produced mechanism.

In an embodiment, the mutual retaining means comprises a lip on the base panel, and a side wall cut-out section, the lip located and shaped so as to pass through the cut-out section and be retained by an interference fit with the side wall in the folded flat position. This is a simple, reliable and easily produced mechanism.

In an embodiment, the base panels and side walls are mutually connected via a pin and slot arrangement. This is a simple, reliable and easily produced mechanism.

In an embodiment, the pin and slot arrangement is configured so that the base panels are restrained so as to move substantially linearly only, except when located in a fully outwards position. This assists with operation of the crate when unloading and helps to ensure that the contents will be unloaded at least partly in an orderly manner rather than piled up.

In an embodiment, the pin and slot arrangement is configured so that when the base portions are folded flat, the pin engages with the slot to prevent movement of the pin along the channel. This stop the base portions sliding relative to the walls, which assists a user with storage and transport of the empty crate.

In an embodiment, the base panels and side walls are configured so that each of the base panels is substantially horizontally aligned in the closed position. This maximises the space available for storage.

In an embodiment, the base panels move inwards and outwards in a substantially horizontal plane. This assists with operation of the crate when unloading and helps to ensure that the contents will be unloaded at least partly in an orderly manner rather than piled up.

In an embodiment, the upper surface of the base panel is angled inwards and downwards. This assists the contents to slide off the base portions when unloading. In an embodiment, the base panels and side walls are configured so that each of the base panels is angled downwards when in the closed position. This assists the contents to slide off the base portions when unloading.

In an embodiment, each of the base panels is angled downwards at substantially 15 degrees from the horizontal and move inwards and outwards in a plane angled downwards at substantially 15 degrees from the horizontal. This assists the contents to slide off the base portions when unloading.

In an embodiment, the inner edges of the base panels are mutually configured to releasably connect together when in the closed position. This helps to prevent inadvertent unloading.

In an embodiment, the releasable connection mechanism is a bump fit. This is a simple, reliable and easily produced mechanism.

In an embodiment, the underside of the at least one base panel is contoured to assist with locating the base when stacking the delivery crate on top of a substantially similar delivery crate. This helps a user to stack multiple loaded crates quickly and easily, and to prevent movement during transport.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a perspective view from above and to one side of a delivery crate according to an embodiment of the invention, having side walls that form a closed rectangular perimeter portion with an open top face and an open bottom face, and a pair of base portions movably connected to the closed perimeter portion which can move between a closed position where the base portions extend across and close the lower face of the perimeter portion, and an open position where the bottom face is open, the base portions shown in the closed position.

Figure 2 shows an exploded view from the same angle of the delivery crate of figure 1.

Figure 3 shows the delivery crate of figures 1 and 2 from the same angle with the base portions pulled apart so that the bottom face is open.

Figure 4 shows the delivery crate of the preceding figures with the base portions pulled apart so that the bottom face is open, and the base portions folded up against the opposed side walls of the crate for storage.

Figures 5a to 5c show detail of a pin and slot arrangement that allows the base portion to be moveably connected to the perimeter portion, the pin and channel sized and profiled so that the base portion cannot rotate relative to the pin except in the fully open position, and so that when the base portions are folded against the side walls, the base portions cannot slide down.

Figure 6 shows another embodiment of the delivery crate of the present invention. Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the delivery crate of the present invention. Figure 8 shows another embodiment of the delivery crate of the present invention.

Detailed Description of Figures A first embodiment of the invention is shown in figures 1 to 5. A delivery crate 1 according to this embodiment has side walls 2 configured to form a closed perimeter portion, rectangular in plan view. The closed perimeter portion has open top and bottom faces 3, 4. A pair of base portions or panels 5a, 5b are movably connected to the closed perimeter portion on the two longer opposed side walls 2. The connection mechanism will be described in detail below.

The crate is sized so that it can be carried easily by a person, and has cut-outs that form handles on the shorter side walls. The crate can hold a quantity of groceries in use, and has a depth of 230mm, a length of 610mm at the top and 540 at the bottom on the longer side walls, and a length of 450mm at the top and 340mm at the bottom of the shorter side walls (the side walls 2 are slightly tapered inwards).

The base portions 5a, 5b can be slid in and out across the open bottom face 4, so that when slid in (closed position) they extend across the bottom face 4 to substantially block the bottom face 4, and when slid out, the bottom face 4 is open or unblocked.

In use, a user loads the crate 1 with produce, groceries or similar, and then carries it the crate and the contents as required. The base portions 5a, 5b are in the closed position during loading and subsequent loaded transport. When a user want to quickly and easily unload a loaded crate 1, they move the base portions 5a, 5b from the closed position to the open position and lift the crate 1 upwards to separate the crate and the contents and leave the contents on the surface on which the crate was previously sitting.

When moved to the outermost position, the base panels 5a, 5b can be folded upwards to rest flat against the side walls 2. This helps to reduce the profile of the crate in the open position so that it can be stored more easily. The dimensions of the base panels and side walls, and the connection at the bottom of the side walls via the slots 6, ensures that the base panels 5a, 5b do not extend above the top edge of the perimeter portion. This helps to reduce the profile of the crate in the open position so that it can be stored more easily. The base panels 5a, 5b are retained against the side walls 2 via a lip 8 on the base panels 5a, 5b, and a cut-out section 9 in the side wall 2. The lip 8 is shaped and located so as to pass through the cut-out section 9 and be retained by an interference fit with the side wall 2 in the folded flat position. The opposed longer side walls 2 are also mutually configured to have an interference bump on each of the opposed side walls 2. This forms an interference fit with the base panels 5a, 5b around the edge of the base panel to hold the base panels 5a, 5b folded flat against the walls 2.

The base panels 5a, 5b and side walls 2 are mutually connected via a pin and slot arrangement - slots 6 are formed across the bottom of the crate 1, towards the lower edge of the shorter side walls. A pin 7 extends from the side edge of the base portions 5a, 5b and fits into the slot, as shown in figures 5a - 5c. It can be seen that the pin 7 and slot 6 arrangement restrains the base panels so that these can move substantially linearly only, except when located in a fully outwards position. The slot and pin are aligned so that the panels move substantially horizontally except when located in a fully outwards position (that is, horizontally when the crate 1 is resting on a horizontal surface). This assists with operation of the crate when unloading and helps to ensure that the contents will be unloaded at least partly in an orderly manner rather than piled up, as the items will be pushed off the upper surfaces of the base panels 5a, 5b one by one as these move outwards, rather than the entire contents being dumped at once. However, it is preferred that the upper surface of the base panel is slightly angled inwards and downwards. This assists the contents to slide off the base portions when unloading. The inner edges of the base panels 5a, 5b are mutually configured to releasably connect together via a bump fit when in the closed position. This helps to prevent inadvertent unloading.

The arrangement of the pin 7 and slot 6 is further configured so that when the base portions are extended fully outwards, and folded upwards, flat against the side walls 2, the pin engages with the slot as shown in figure 5c to prevent movement of the pin along the channel of the slot 6. This stops the base portions 5a, 5b sliding downwards relative to the walls 2, which assists a user with storage and transport of the empty crate 1.

The crate 1 also has rails 10 that fold inwards and outwards across the open top 3 of the crate 1. When folded inwards, the rails 10 extend across the across the open top 3, and can support a second crate 1 or similar above the first crate 1. The underside of the base panels 5a, 5b is contoured to assist with locating the base when stacking the delivery crate on top of a substantially similar delivery crate. This helps a user to stack multiple loaded crates quickly and easily, and to prevent movement during transport.

In variations of the embodiment described above, the base panels and side walls are configured so that each of the base panels is angled downwards at 15 degrees when in the closed position, and move inwards and outwards in a plane angled downwards at substantially 15 degrees from the horizontal. This can be beneficial in some configurations to assist the contents in sliding off the base portions when unloading.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A delivery crate comprising: side walls configured to form a closed perimeter portion for enclosing a quantity of grocery items, the closed perimeter portion providing substantially open top and bottom faces; and at least one base portion movably connected to the closed perimeter portion and moveable between a closed position where the base portion(s) is configured to extend at least partly across the bottom face of the perimeter portion to substantially block the bottom face, and an open position where the bottom face is substantially unblocked.

2. A delivery crate as claimed in claim 1 wherein the closed perimeter portion is substantially rectangular in plan view.

3. A delivery crate as claimed in claim 2 wherein the at least one base portion comprises a pair of substantially identical base panels configured for movement inwards and outwards from two opposed sides of the perimeter portion to block and unblock the bottom face.

4. A delivery crate as claimed in claim 3 wherein the base panels and opposed side walls are movably connected so that in an outer position the base panels can be folded flat against the opposed side walls.

5. A delivery crate as claimed in claim 4 wherein the opposed side walls and base panels are sized and connected so that when folded flat, the base panels do not extend above the top edge of the perimeter portion.

6. A delivery crate as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the opposed side walls and base panels are further configured to comprise a mutual retaining means that holds the base panels folded flat against the opposed side walls.

7. A delivery crate as claimed in claim 6 wherein the mutual retaining means comprises at least one interference bump extending from each of the opposed side walls around the edge of the base panel.

8. A delivery crate as claimed in claim 6 wherein the mutual retaining means comprises a lip on the base panel, and a side wall cut-out section, the lip located and shaped so as to pass through the cut-out section and be retained by an interference fit with the side wall in the folded flat position.

9. A delivery crate as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 8 wherein the base panels and side walls are mutually connected via a pin and slot arrangement.

10. A delivery crate as claimed in claim 9 wherein the pin and slot arrangement is configured so that the base panels are restrained so as to move substantially linearly only, except when located in a fully outwards position.

11. A delivery crate as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the pin and slot arrangement is configured so that when the base portions are folded flat, the pin engages with the slot to prevent movement of the pin along the channel.

12. A delivery crate as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 11 wherein the base panels and side walls are configured so that each of the base panels is substantially horizontally aligned in the closed position.

13. A delivery crate as claimed in claim 12 wherein the base panels move inwards and outwards in a substantially horizontal plane.

14. A delivery crate as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the upper surface of the base panel is angled inwards and downwards

15. A delivery crate as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 11 wherein the base panels and side walls are configured so that each of the base panels is angled downwards when in the closed position.

16. A delivery crate as claimed in claim 15 wherein each of the base panels is angled downwards at substantially 15 degrees from the horizontal and move inwards and outwards in a plane angled downwards at substantially 15 degrees from the horizontal.

17. A delivery crate as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 16 wherein the inner edges of the base panels are mutually configured to releasably connect together when in the closed position.

18. A delivery crate as claimed in claim 17 wherein the releasable connection mechanism is a bump fit.

19. A delivery crate as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein the underside of the at least one base panel is contoured to assist with locating the base when stacking the delivery crate on top of a substantially similar delivery crate.

20. A delivery crate substantially as herein described with reference to the figures