GB2204021A

GB2204021A - Stackable containers

Info

Publication number: GB2204021A
Application number: GB08709994A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hubert James Holliday
Original assignee: Elopak Ltd
Current assignee: Elopak Ltd
Priority date: 1987-04-28
Filing date: 1987-04-28
Publication date: 1988-11-02
Also published as: GB8709994D0

Abstract

A container which is to be stacked on top of an indentical container has two opposed end walls 1, 2. Each end wall defines on upper projection 4 which is centrally located at the top of the upper part of the wall, there being a corresponding recess 5 formed in the lower part of each end wall. Each recess is bounded, on the side towards the interior of the container, by a depending web 6. Guide means 8 are formed on each end wall adjacent the upper projection 4 to guide an upper container into stacking engagement with a lower container. <IMAGE>

Description

Description of Invention "Improvements in or relating to a stackable container" THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a stackable container and more particularly relates to a stackable container in the form of a crate.

According to this invention there is provided an item to be stacked on top of at least one other substantially identical item, the said item comprising two vertically extending end walls, each end wall, at its upper part defining a projection, and each end wall in its lower part defining a recess, such that the projections of an underlying item may be received in the corresponding recesses of a superimposed item, the recess formed at the lower -part of each end wall being bounded on the side thereof towards the interior of the container, by a depending wall, there being means provided adjacent said projections adapted to engage said depending walls to guide the upper item into engagement with the lower item.

Preferably said means adpated to engage the depending walls comprise inclined or ramp means located on a portion of the end wall located towards the interior of the item.

The item may be in the form of a crate, such as a crate of substantially "H" configuration having two vertical end walls interconnected by a substantially horizontal platform.

Preferably the means to engage the depending walls are provided on each side of each-end wall.

Conveniently the item is injection moulded of a plastics material.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I is a perspective view of a crate in accordance with the invent ion; Figure 2 is an end view of the crate shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating one crate as shown in Figures I and 2 being stacked on top of another crate, the view being taken from the inside of the stack; and Figure 4 is a view corresponding to Figure 3 but taken from the outside of the stack.

Referring now to the drawings a crate, in accordance with the invention, comprises two vertical end walls 1, 2 and a horizontal platform 3 extending between the walls I, 2 in a plane spaced between the lower part of the walls 1, 2 and the upper part of the walls 1, 2.

Thus the described crate is of substantially "H" configuration.

The crate illustrated- in Figures I and 2 is designed to be stacked on top of a similar crate. Consequently the upper part of the walls 1, 2 are each provided with an upwardly extending projection 4. Similorly, the lower part of each end wall is provided with a recess 5 designed to receive the projection 4 of an underlying crate. The recess 5 is defined in the central region underneath the respective end wall 1, 2, but the recess 5 is bounded, on the side thereof-towards the interior of the crate, with a depending wall 6.

It can be seen that the side of the projection 4 towards the interior of the crate is provided with a ledge or shelf 7 on which the depending wall 6 of a superimposed crate is designed to rest. The projection ledge or shelf 7, towards each side of the crate, terminates in a downwardly extending ramp portion 8.

It is to be appreciated that when the crates are stacked one above the other, the-projections 4 on the end walls 1, 2 on the lowermost crate are received within the recesses 5 of the superimposed crate, and so on, thus providing a sturdy stack.

In prior proposed crates of this type each crate to be added to the stack must be located immediately above the stack and then lowered into position. Similarly, when the crate is removed from the stack the crate must be lifted vertically upwardly to disengage the crate from the stack.

However in the presently described arrangement, a crate to be mounted on the stock may be presented to the stack with a sliding motion if the crate being presented to the stack is maintained in an inclined orientation. As the crate is moved towards the stack the depending wall 6 on each end wall 1, 2 will engage the corresponding inclined ramp 8 on the underlying crate, as can be seen from Figure 3, and this provides a guiding action. Since each depending wall 6 is engoged with the respective ramp 8, the crate being mounted in position connot move to the left, or to the right, since one of the depending walls would, in such a case, engage the upstanding part projecting above the respective ramp 8 of the end wall I or the end wall 2. The upper crate effectively slides along the ramp 8, thus guiding the crate into positiqn. As the crate becomes fully superimposed on top of the stack of crates, the crate adopts a horizontal position with the projection 4 on the lower crate inserted in the recesses S of the crates that has just been located in position.

It is believed that this design of crate will greatly facilitate the stacking of crates, and will also facilitate the de-stacking of crates, since a crate may be de-stacked by adopting a procedure which is the reverse of the stocking-procedure.

The crate as described may be injection moulded from a plastics material, but may be fabricated in other ways.

Whilst the invention has been described with reference to one particular crate it is to be clearly understood that the invention may be utilised with other types of crate or other items to be stacked.

Claims

CLAIMS:

An An item to be stacked on top of at least one other substantially identical item, the soid item comprising two vertically extending end walls, each end wall, at its upper part defining a projection, and each end wall in its lower part defining a recess, such that the projections of an underlying item may be received in the corresponding recesses of a superimposed item, the recess formed at the lower part of each end wall being bounded on the side thereof towards the interior of the container, by a depending wall, there being means provided adjacent said projections adapted to engage said depending walls to guide the upper item into engagement with the lower item.
2. An item according to claim I wherein said means adapted to engage the depending walls comprise inclined or ramp means located on a portion of the end wall located towards the interior of the item.
3. An item according to claim I or claim 2 in the form of a crate.
4. A crate according to claim 3, in the form of a crate of substantially "H" configuration having two vertical end walls interconnected by a substantially horizontal platform.
5. An item according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the means to engage the depending walls are provided on each side of each end wall.
6. An item according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the item is injection moulded of a plastics material.
7. An item substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
8. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.