Storage and shipping bin

• US 6,752,285 B1
• Filed: 04/08/2002
• Issued: 06/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wallace J. Scalf
• Original Assignee: Wallace J. Scalf
• Inventors: Scalf, Wallace J.
• Primary Examiner(s): CASTELLANO, STEPHEN J
• Application Number:
  US10/118,298
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 220/1.5, 220/4.33, 220/4.32, 220/4.31
• US Class Current: 220/4.32
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 11/1873 all walls are detached from each other to collapse the container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/18 made wholly or mainly of plastics material
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00034 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00069 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00129 Metal
• 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 2519/00288 made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00308 grid type, e.g. perforated plate
• 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 2519/00422 on the walls
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00432 Non-integral, e.g. inserts B65D2519/00462 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00497 whereby at least one side wall is made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00522 grid type, e.g. perforated plate
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00557 without separate auxiliary elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00597 integrally formed
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00651 integrally formed
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00686 integrally formed
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00776 : Accessories for manipulating the pallet
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/008 : Drainage means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00875 : collapsible side walls
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00925 : with semi-detachable components, i.e. with some side walls hinged to each other or to a base panel and the other side walls being detachable to allow collapsing of the container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/0097 : through corner posts
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/0099 : single dismountable pallet element, e.g. for replacement

Abstract

A modular container or bin with preferably four identical sidewalls held in place by four identical corner posts, with the sidewalls and corner posts both connected to a common base palette. The sidewalls are removably connected to the corner posts by interlocking slip joints. This slip joint configuration also removably connects the sidewalls to the base palette. The corners are secured to the base palette using four plastic bolts. The base palette has cutouts, to define feet and to provide for forklift (or other lifting devices) arm access in at least two directions. The sidewalls can also be designed for lifting by a claw lifting apparatus. The corner posts include a notch to allow cables to be secured during transportation. The container is designed primarily for the storage and transportation of agricultural products, though other uses are also possible.

Claims

1. A structure comprising:

a base having a single substantially planar top surface, said base having a plurality of grooves disposed at its single substantially planar top surface, each of said plurality of grooves disposed along a majority perimeter length of a specific side of said base which is a different perimeter side from the perimeter sides associated with the remaining plurality of grooves, each of said plurality of grooves having a first end and a second end and being substantially uniform in size and shape from its first end to its second end;

a plurality of sidewalls, each of said sidewalls having a bottom surface and a bottom flange extending downward from said bottom surface, said bottom flange received within one said plurality of grooves for removably connecting said sidewall to said base by a non-foldable connection; and

a plurality of corner posts, each of said corner posts removably connected to two of said plurality of sidewalls;

wherein when assembled said base, said plurality of sidewalls and said plurality of corner posts define a storage areas;

wherein said base defines a bottom support surface for any content disposed within the storage area, wherein said base is monolithically formed as a one piece base.

2. The structure of claim 1 further including means for removably connecting each of said plurality of corner posts to said base.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said structure is a shipping container;

wherein each of said corner posts are monolithically formed as one-piece corner posts.

4. The structure of claim 1 wherein said base is monolithically formed as a one piece base and each of said bottom flanges are monolithically formed with a corresponding sidewall bottom surface;

wherein receipt of each bottom flange within each corresponding groove is achieved by slidably inserting each bottom flange beginning at a first end opening or a second end opening of each corresponding groove until the sidewalls are properly positioned with respect to said base;

wherein the shape of each bottom flange and their corresponding grooves provides a non-rotatable connection and permits the plurality of sidewalls from being disconnected from said base only by sliding the bottom flanges out of either the first end or the second end of their corresponding grooves.

5. The structure of claim 1 wherein said plurality of grooves are disposed along a perimeter area of said top surface of said base, wherein each of said grooves having a first end opening and a second end opening for slidably receiving said bottom flange beginning at either said first end opening or said second end opening.

6. The structure of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of corner posts having a first groove extending along a first side and a second groove extending along a second side and each of said plurality of sidewalls having a first side flange monolithically formed thereto and a second side flange monolithically formed thereto;

wherein a second side flange of a first of said plurality of sidewalls mates with the first groove of one of said plurality of corner posts and a first side flange of a second of said plurality of sidewalls mates with the second groove of said one of said plurality of corner posts to removably connect said corner posts to two of said plurality of sidewalls;

wherein mating of each side flange with each corresponding groove is achieved by slidably inserting each side flange beginning at a first end opening or a second end opening of each corresponding groove until the corner posts are properly positioned with respect to the sidewalls;

wherein the shape of each side flange and their corresponding grooves permits the plurality of corner posts from being disconnected from said sidewalls only by sliding the bottom flanges out of the first end opening or the second end opening of their corresponding grooves.

7. The structure of claim 2 wherein said means for removably connecting includes a bolt member disposed and tightened within an aperture extending through said base and an aperture disposed at least at a bottom portion of a corresponding one of said plurality of corner posts.

8. The structure of claim 7 wherein said means for removably connecting further includes a threaded sleeve inserted within the aperture of said corner posts.

9. The structure of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of corner posts is provided with a notch disposed at a lower portion of the at least one of said plurality of corner posts, said notch adapted for receipt of a cable from a winch assembly.

10. The structure of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of corner posts is provided with a top aperture adapted for receipt of a hook member.

11. The structure of claim 1 wherein said base including a plurality of feet associated with a bottom surface of said base;

wherein said plurality of feet are disposed along the bottom surface such that forklift access underneath said base is provided from at least one side of said base.

12. The structure of claim 11 wherein said plurality of feet are monolithically formed with said base.

13. The structure of claim 11 wherein at least one of said plurality of feet are offset.

14. The structure of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of sidewalls includes a plurality of top cutouts adapted for receipt of a claw lifting apparatus.

15. The structure of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of sidewalls includes a recessed holder disposed on a lower outer half portion of said at least one of said plurality of sidewalls.

32. The structure of claim 1 wherein said bottom flange having a cross sectional shape which differs from a cross sectional shape of the sidewall which it extends downward from.

34. The structure of claim 6 wherein said first side flange and said second side flange each have a cross sectional shape which differs from a cross sectional shape of the sidewall which they extend outward from.

16. A collapsible storage and shipping bin, comprising:

a one-piece non-separable base having a plurality of grooves extending along a top perimeter surface, each of said plurality of grooves disposed along a specific side of said base which is a different perimeter side from the perimeter sides associated with the remaining plurality of grooves, each of said plurality of grooves having a first end and second end and being substantially uniform in size and shape from its first end to its second end;

a plurality of sidewalls removably connected to said base, each of said plurality of sidewalls having a monolithically formed first side flange, a monolithically formed second side flange and a monolithically formed bottom flange;

a plurality of one-piece non-separable corner posts, each of said corner posts removably connected to two of said plurality of sidewalls, each of said plurality of corner posts having a first groove extending along a first side and a second groove extending along a second side; and

means for removably connecting each of said plurality of corner posts to said base;

wherein each of said bottom flanges mates within a corresponding groove of said plurality of grooves to removably connect said plurality of sidewalls to said base in a non-foldable configuration;

wherein a second side flange of a first of said plurality of sidewalls mates with the first groove of one of said plurality of corner posts and a first side flange of a second of said plurality of sidewalls mates with the second groove of said one of said plurality of corner posts to removably connect said corner posts to two of said plurality of sidewalls;

wherein when assembled said base, said plurality of sidewalls and said plurality of corner posts define a storage areas;

wherein said base defines a bottom support surface for any content disposed within the storage area.

17. The collapsible storage and shipping bin of claim 16 wherein said means for removably connecting includes a bolt member disposed and tightened within an aperture extending through said base and an aperture disposed at least at a bottom portion of a corresponding one of said plurality of corner posts.

18. The collapsible storage and shipping bin of claim 17 wherein said means for removably connecting further includes a threaded sleeve inserted within the aperture of said corner posts.

19. The collapsible storage and shipping bin of claim 16 wherein at least one of said plurality of corner posts is provided with a notch disposed at a lower portion of the at least one of said plurality of corner posts, said notch adapted for receipt of a cable from a winch assembly.

20. The collapsible storage and shipping bin of claim 16 wherein at least one of said plurality of corner posts is provided with a top aperture adapted for receipt of a hook member.

21. The collapsible storage and shipping bin of claim 16 wherein said base including a plurality of feet associated with a bottom surface of said base;

wherein said plurality of feet are disposed along the bottom surface such that forklift access underneath said base is provided from at least one side of said base.

22. The collapsible storage and shipping bin of claim 21 wherein said plurality of feet are monolithically formed with said base.

23. The collapsible storage and shipping bin of claim 21 wherein at least one of said plurality of feet are offset.

24. The collapsible storage and shipping bin of claim 16 wherein at least one of said plurality of sidewalls includes a plurality of top cutouts adapted for receipt of a claw lifting apparatus.

25. The collapsible storage and shipping bin of claim 16 wherein at least one of said plurality of sidewalls includes a recessed holder disposed on a lower outer half portion of said at least one of said plurality of sidewalls.

33. The collapsible storage and shipping bin of claim 16 wherein said bottom flange having a cross sectional shape which differs from a cross sectional shape of the sidewall which it extends downward from.

35. The structure of claim 16 wherein said first side flange and said second side flange each have a cross sectional shape which differs from a cross sectional shape of the sidewall which they extend outward from.

26. A collapsible storage and shipping bin, comprising:

a base having a plurality of grooves extending along a top perimeter surface and a plurality of feet, said plurality of feet disposed along a bottom surface of said base such that forklift access underneath said base is provided from each side of said base;

a plurality of sidewalls removably connected to said base, each of said plurality of sidewalls having a monolithically formed first side flange, a monolithically formed second side flange and a monolithically formed bottom flange, each of said plurality of sidewalls includes a plurality of top cutouts adapted for receipt of a claw lifting apparatus;

a plurality of corner posts, each of said corner posts removably connected to two of said plurality of sidewalls, each of said plurality of corner posts having a first groove extending along a first side and a second groove extending along a second side, each of said plurality of corner posts is provided with a notch adapted for receipt of a cable from a winch assembly; and

means for removably connecting each of said plurality of corner posts to said base;

wherein each of said bottom flanges mates within a corresponding groove of said plurality of grooves to removably connect said plurality of sidewalls to said base;

wherein mating of each bottom flange with each corresponding groove is achieved by slidably inserting each bottom flange beginning at a first end or second end of each corresponding groove until the sidewalls are properly positioned with respect to said base;

wherein the shape of each bottom flange and their corresponding grooves permits the plurality of sidewalls from being disconnected from said base only by sliding the bottom flanges out of either the first end or the second end of their corresponding grooves;

wherein a second side flange of a first of said plurality of sidewalls mates with the first groove of one of said plurality of corner posts and a first side flange of a second of said plurality of sidewalls mates with the second groove of said one of said plurality of corner posts to removably connect said corner posts to two of said plurality of sidewalls;

wherein mating of each,side flange with each corresponding groove is achieved by slidably inserting each side flange beginning at a first end or second end of each corresponding groove until the corner posts are properly positioned with respect to the sidewalls;

wherein the shape of each side flange and their corresponding grooves permits the plurality of corner posts from being disconnected from said sidewalls only by sliding the side flanges out of the first end or second end of their corresponding grooves;

wherein when assembled said base, said plurality of sidewalls and said plurality of corner posts define a storage areas;

wherein said base defines a bottom support surface for any content disposed within the storage area.

27. The collapsible storage and shipping bin of claim 26 wherein said means for removably connecting includes a bolt member disposed and tightened within an aperture extending through said base and an aperture disposed at least at a bottom portion of a corresponding one of said plurality of corner posts.

28. The collapsible storage and shipping bin of claim 27 wherein said means for removably connecting further includes a threaded sleeve inserted within the aperture of said corner posts.

29. The collapsible storage and shipping bin of claim 26 wherein at least one of said plurality of corner posts is provided with a top aperture adapted for receipt of a hook member.

30. The collapsible storage and shipping bin of claim 26 wherein at least one of said plurality of feet are offset.

31. The collapsible storage and shipping bin of claim 26 wherein at least one of said plurality of sidewalls includes a recessed holder disposed on a lower outer half portion of said at least one of said plurality of sidewalls.