Collapsible container with integrally supported dunnage

• US 6,062,410 A
• Filed: 03/03/1998
• Issued: 05/16/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bradford Company
• Original Assignee: Bradford Company
• Inventors: Bradford, Judson A., Zink, Robert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): POLLARD, STEVEN M
• Application Number:
  US09/033,680
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• Field of Search: 220/6, 220/532, 220/533, 220/544, 206/521, 206/521.7, 206/521.8, 206/521.9, 206/583
• US Class Current: 220/6
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/225 Collapsible boxes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 11/1826 and one or more side walls being foldable along a median line
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 11/1833 whereby all side walls are hingedly connected to the base panel B65D11/186 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 11/184 and one or more side walls being foldable along a median line
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/18 made wholly or mainly of plastics material
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/44 Elements or devices for locating articles on platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/04 Partitions
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/06 adapted to be fitted in two or more alternative positions
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/10 Devices to locate articles in containers for protecting articles from mechanical damage B65D81/02
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00019 Paper
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00034 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00069 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00159 Paper
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00174 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00243 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00268 made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00273 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00288 made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00318 made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00338 contact surface having a discrete foot-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00497 : whereby at least one side wall is made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00502 : whereby at least one side wall is made of two or more pieces
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00572 : with separate auxiliary element, e.g. screws, nails, bayonets
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00631 : sidewalls not connected to each other, e.g. spaced apart frames
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00661 : side walls maintained connected to pallet by means of auxiliary locking elements, e.g. spring loaded locking pins
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/0082 : in the side wall
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/0089 : comprising two side walls hinged along the sides of a base panel and to an upper frame and two other side walls being hinged only to the upper frame
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00895 : and one or more side walls being foldable along a median line
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/02 : specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage containers of polygonal cross-section provided with internal protecting elements for contents B65D5/50; devices to locate articles in containers B65D25/10
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/05 : maintaining contents at spaced relation from package walls, or from other contents B65D81/022, B65D81/025, B65D81/03 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/07 : using resilient suspension means B65D81/051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/80 : Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging bio-packaging Y02W90/10

Abstract

A reusable and returnable container for holding product therein during shipment and subsequently being returned generally empty of product for reuse comprises a body configured for being manipulated into an erected position for containing a product placed therein during shipment and for subsequently being manipulated into a collapsed position for reducing the size of the container for return. An integrated dunnage structure is coupled to the body and is operable for moving into an engagement position when the container body is erected to thereby engage a product placed in the container for shipment. The dunnage structure is further operable for moving into a relaxed position when the container body is collapsed so that the container and dunnage structure may be returned together for reuse. The container provides reusable dunnage which is usable with the container when it is shipped and subsequently remains with the container when it is returned for being reused when the container is again shipped. In a preferred embodiment, pliable dunnage pouches are suspended in the container and collapse when the container is collapsed.

Claims

1. A reusable and returnable container for holding product therein during shipment and subsequently being returned generally empty of product for reuse comprising:

a body having at least two opposing and moveable side structures, the side structures being configured for being moved outwardly away from each other into an erected position so that the body may contain a product placed therein during shipment and for subsequently being moved inwardly toward each other into a collapsed position for reducing the size of the container for return;

support rails coupled to the two opposing side structures of the body and remaining coupled to the side structures to move outwardly away from each other when the side structures are erected and inwardly toward each other when the side structures are collapsed;

a dunnage structure comprising a pouch supported by the body, the pouch spanning lengthwise between the movable support rails and being stretched between the support rails into an engagement position when the side structures are erected and the support rails are moved away from each other to thereby receive a product placed in the container for shipment, the dunnage structure further being collapsed between the support rails into a relaxed position when the side structures are collapsed and the support rails are moved toward each other so that the container and dunnage structure may be returned together for reuse;

the dunnage structure movably coupled to the body and operable for being slid along the support rails to vary the position of the dunnage structure and received product within the container;

whereby the container provides reusable dunnage which is usable with the container when it is shipped and subsequently remains with the container when it is returned for being reused when the container is again shipped.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein at least one of the side structures includes a sidewall, the sidewall being operable for moving, alternatively, between an erected state and a collapsed state when the side structure is manipulated between an erected position and a collapsed position, respectively.

3. The container of claim 1 further comprising a support member extending between the support rails, the dunnage structure coupled to the support member to be supported in an engagement position when the container body is erected.

4. The container of claim 3 wherein the support member is movably coupled to said support rails for moving the dunnage structures within the container.

5. The container of claim 1 where the body includes a bottom and side walls, at least two opposing side walls being hingedly attached to the bottom for moving between an erected state and a collapsed state.

6. The container of claim 1 wherein the body includes opposing side walls forming a sleeve, at least two of said opposing side walls including vertical hinge lines and operable for folding along said hinge lines to collapse the side structures and reduce the depth of the sleeve in a collapsed position of the body.

7. A reusable and returnable container for holding product therein during shipment and subsequently being returned generally empty of product for reuse comprising:

a body having at least two opposing and moveable side structures, the side structures being configured for being moved away from each other into an erected position so that the body may contain a product placed therein during shipment and for subsequently being moved toward each other into a collapsed position for reducing the size of the container for return;

support rails coupled to the two opposing side structures of the body and remaining coupled to the side structures to move away from each other when the side structures are erected and toward each other when the side structures are collapsed;

a dunnage structure coupled to the support rails to be supported in the container, the dunnage structure spanning between the movable support rails and being erected between the support rails into an engagement position when the side structures are erected and the support rails are moved away from each other for thereby receiving a product placed in the container for shipment, the dunnage structure further being collapsed between the support rails into a relaxed position when the container body is collapsed and the support rails are moved toward each other so that the container and dunnage structure may be returned together for reuse;

the dunnage structure movably coupled to the support rails for being moved along the support rails to vary the position of the dunnage structure and received product within the container;

whereby the container provides reusable dunnage which is usable with the container when it is shipped and subsequently remains with the container when it is returned for being reused when the container is again shipped.

8. The container of claim 7 wherein said dunnage structure is slidably coupled to the support rails to slide along the length of the rail element for varying the position of the dunnage structure.

9. The container of claim 7 wherein said support rails are rigid.

10. The container of claim 7 wherein said support rails are flexible.

11. The container of claim 7 further comprising a dunnage pouch, the dunnage pouch spanning between the opposing support rails.

12. The container of claim 11 further comprising a support structure coupled to the pouch, the support structure engaging the support rails for movably coupling the pouch to the support rails.