NZ556688A - Collapsible container with pallet base having cut away corners - Google Patents

Abstract

The collapsible container has a pallet base with cut away corners so as corner brackets are attachable to the pallet base. Each corner bracket is able to releasably retain a lower end of a post member and has an attachment means to enable attachment to the pallet base.

Description

556688 Our ref: KER019 Patents Form No. 5 No. 556688 Dated: 23 July 2007 PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION 40 PALLET CONTAINER We, KERNOHAN ENGINEERING LTD, a New Zealand company, of 3 Kidson Place, Stoke, Nelson, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent 45 may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: mo$e i v z 3 OCT 2008 556688 PALLET CONTAINER TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a device, apparatus and system for storing and transporting objects and materials and the like. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a collapsible materials handling container having a frame that is assembled on a pallet base, the pallet base being adapted to retain the frame, and optionally being stackable.

BACKGROUND ART Conventional pallets generally comprise a wooden platform that is constructed to allow 15 goods to be placed on and within the area defined by the width and length of the pallet and to a predetermined height, and such goods are typically wrapped for security and protection, and at least to prevent such materials from collapsing off the pallet during transportation and/or storage.

Packing goods on a pallet can be a cumbersome task for some goods must be stacked within the confines of a pallet area, and packing or wrapping goods that are not in regular sizes can be difficult. Furthermore, with less robust and irregular shaped goods, the prospect of stacking pallets containing such goods is difficult in some instances. A pallet is usually constructed allowing forklift tines to lift and move materials on such pallets. 25 Such an action can move goods on a pallet if they are not properly secured, and damage to goods can occur when such wrapping is not properly executed.

It is a non-limiting object of the invention to provide a device and apparatus for transporting and/or storing materials that can overcome at least some of the abovementioned problems, or 30 which can at least provide the public with a useful choice. 2 556688 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a materials handling container that is collapsible in part after use, the container including a pallet base having cut away 5 comer sections, each said corner section being adapted to receive a comer bracket, and wherein each said comer bracket is configured and adapted in each said comer section in the pallet base to receive and releasably retain the lower end portion of a post member, the comer bracket including a pallet attachment means to enable the comer bracket to be attached to the pallet base.

Preferably the materials handling container further comprises at least four side panels, each side panel being adapted, in use, to be attached to and between opposing post members, and to a top rail and to a bottom rail along a side of the pallet base, the top rail being attached between and to opposing post members, and the bottom rail being attached between and to 15 opposing post members, and wherein at least four side panels are releasably attachable into respective said comer brackets in the pallet base.

Desirably each comer bracket is provided with a slot located in the top surface, the slot being of a sufficient size, in use, to allow the lower end portion of a post member to locate through 20 the slot and be retainable within the cavity of the comer bracket.

Preferably the lower end portion of each two adjoining post members is provided with a protruding keeper member, and wherein the top plate of the comer bracket, in use, can retain the lower end portion of the two post members within the cavity of the comer bracket.

Advantageously the top end portion of adjacent post members are provided with a movable locking member between an open and closed position to secure adjoining side panels.

Preferably the adjacent post members are provided with a locking plate and corresponding 30 keeper member about or adjacent the middle section of adjacent post members in each comer of the pallet to enable, in use, a post member with the locking plate to lock and retain an adjacent said post member with the keeper member in place. 3 556688 Optionally the side panels are made of mesh attached to the post members and to top and bottom rails.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a stacking system wherein a 5 second materials handling container configured and arranged according to any one of the preceding claims is stackable upon a lower materials handling container configured and arranged according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the corner brackets of the second materials handling container locate over respective top end portions of each respective post members of the lower materials handling container.

Optionally the pallet base is made of a plurality of configured and assembled wooden deck boards attached to spaced apart stringers and spacer blocks, and wherein respective corner brackets are made of metal and attached to each corner of the pallet base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention will now be illustrated, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1: Shows a top view of a modified wooden pallet base with corner brackets according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2: Shows a perspective view of a cut away corner section of a pallet base; Figure 3: Shows a perspective view of a corner bracket; Figure 4: Shows an elevational view of side panels interfitted onto a pallet base; Figure 4a: Shows a cut way perspective view of a locking plate and keeper member at the mid point of adjacent side panel post members; Figure 5: Shows an end view of a side panel interfitted onto a pallet base; 4 556688 Figure 6: Shows a locating member at the top of a post member; Figure 7: Shows two separable sections of a side panel; and Figure 8: Shows a second pallet container being stacked on a first pallet container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the figures, a materials handling container or apparatus, generally referred to as 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, is illustrated.

The collapsible and stackable materials handling container 1 can be suitable for storing and 15 transporting materials and objects and the like. The apparatus 1 can be suitable as a stillage cage on a modified or adapted wooden pallet base, and details of the improved pallet or pallet base adapted to receive, retain and support a cage desirably in the form of side panels that advantageously interlock or interfit with the corner areas of the pallet base. It is envisaged that the corner areas of the pallet can also be modified if the pallet or pallet base 20 is constructed of metal.

Referring now more particularly to figures 1 to 3, a pallet or pallet base that has been adapted to receive corner brackets, is illustrated.

The pallet 2 comprises bottom boards 3 and top boards 4 that are separated and spaced apart by stringer blocks or boards, or spacer blocks 5 as shown more particularly in figure 2. Although a variety of pallet designs exist, the design illustrated is provided by way of example only. It is seen that the pallet 2 is adapted or modified at each corner area of the pallet 2 to enable corner brackets 6 to be attached thereto.

Advantageously bracket support members 7 are attached about or adjacent the corners into cut away corner sections of the pallet 2. Any desirable method of attachment may be suitable, such as, for example, nails and/or screws and/or bolts. 556688 Once the corners of the pallets 2 are prepared, as shown more particularly with reference to figure 2, a corner bracket 10 is mounted and attached to the corner of the pallet 2. The corner bracket 10 can be made of any suitable durable and resilient material, and in this embodiment 5 is advantageously fabricated from mild steel of a suitable thickness that is welded to form the unique and advantageous shape and design as shown in figure 3. A slot 12 is formed in any desirable size to receive the lower end of the side panels, and optionally the top end of a side panel of a pallet below when being stacked, as more clearly seen in figure 8.

The corner bracket 10 can include a boxed body portion 11 with a slot 12 provided in the top locking plate 11a of the boxed body portion 11. The slot 12 is desirably of a suitable width and length to receive, in use, the lower end of at least one or two post members 22, 23 of two adjacent side panels 20 in the top locking plate 11a through the slot 12, and optionally when being stacked, the top end of the post members 22, 23 of two adjacent side panels 20 of the pallet container 1 below can be retained in the open cavity area of the body portion 11 as shown more clearly in figures 3,4, 5 and 8.

The corner brackets 10 preferably include pallet connecting members desirably in the form of two plates 13 suitable welded to the body portion 11 of the bracket 10. Apertures 14 are provided in the plates, through which suitable bolts, nails or screws can be provided to attach the brackets 10 to each respective corner of the pallet 2. In an alternative embodiment of the invention whereby the corner areas of the pallet 2 are constructed of metal, it is considered that the corner brackets 10 can be suitably welded to respective corner areas or corner sections of the pallet.

Referring now to the figures, and particularly to figures 4 to 8, two side panels, generally referred to as 20, and two end panels, generally referred to as 21, are provided to form a stackable pallet or a pallet stillage cage or materials handling apparatus 1.

The top working area of a pallet 2 is usually a rectangular shaped platform as seen in figure 1, and whereas figure 4 illustrates the longer side panel 20 of the pallet 2, and figure 5 illustrates the shorter side panel 21. It will be seen that the side panels 20, 21 can be of a suitable size to fit the longer sides and shorter ends of the pallet 2. 6 556688 Each side panel in this embodiment includes two spaced apart and a top rail 24 and a bottom rail 25. A mesh 26 is attached to and extends between the post members 22, 23 and the rails 24,25 to define a panel.

Furthermore, as illustrated in figures 4 and 7, the side panel 20 can be desirably adapted to provide two interfitting split panels 20a and 20b. It is seen that the split panel 20b may be adapted with tubular post members 22, 23 having a connecting tubular sleeve 27 adjacent the lower end of the post members 22, 23. The outer diameter of the sleeve 27 comprises a 10 slightly smaller diameter than the internal tubular diameter of the post member 22 of the panel 20a so as to interfit to form a combined side panel 20.

The post members 22, 23 of the side panel 20 are optionally and desirably provided with a lock and keeper arrangement on or about the middle section or area of adjacent post members 15 22,33. As illustrated in figures 4 & 4a, a locking plate 32 is advantageously provided on post member 22, and a keeper 33 is provided on adjoining or adjacent post member 23 such that, when in position and in use, the locking plate attached to post member 22 will lock over keeper 33 to effectively and advantageously assist in locking and retaining post member 23 and the side panel to which post member 23 is associated, in position on the pallet 2.

Alternatively, the top side panel 20b may be removed when assembled, and may optionally be substituted with post members 22,23 for added strength, and the container 1 may be stacked with a second pallet container on top of a first pallet container 1 as seen in figure 8, but leaving a gap where the top side panel 20b was removed, and thus allowing a gap for material 25 to be inserted into the pallet container 1, or material to be removed, as required.

Any suitable method of attachment of the mesh 26 to the post members 22,23 and rails 24,25 can be employed according to a desirable and optional feature of the invention.

It will be seen and appreciated that the side panels 20 can be of a suitable or customised width and size such that the post members fit into the corner areas of a pallet 2 regardless of the varying outer dimensions of a pallet 2. 7 556688 The side panels 20 and the end panels 21 are advantageously interfitted and retained in the pallet base by an innovative method and arrangement. As seen in figure 3, the lower end of the post member 23 is adapted with a protruding keeper in the form of a protrusion 28 that, in use, is retained within the cavity of the corner bracket 10 once the post member 23 is placed 5 through the slot 12 in the top locking plate 11a. The slot 12 and top locking plate 1 la of each corner bracket 10 is preferably and desirably adapted to receive two post members 22, 23 and when adjacent panels 20, 21 in use are mounted onto the pallet 2, the lower ends of the post members 22,23 are effectively retained in place.

Further, as seen clearly in figure 6, advantageously a post locking member 30 is provided at the top of the post member 23 and wherein the other adjoining post member 22 is desirably provided with a corresponding notch 31, such that when in operation, the side panels 20, 21 are mounted onto the pallet 2, the locking member 30 locks the two adjoining post members 22, 23 of adjoining side panels 20, 21 together on each comer area of the pallet 2 as required to form a secure cage or container 1.

The bottom of the corner bracket 10 is open so as to provide an area within the boxed section 11 for receiving the top ends of the post members 22, 23 for stacking purposes as seen in figures 4, 5, and 8. Once the locking members 30 for each corner of the container 1 are interfitted and secured, a second assembled pallet container 1, whether loaded with material or not, can be stacked onto a pallet container 1 below by interfitting the top end of the post members 22, 23 up into the cavity of the corner bracket 10. The stacked and interfitted pallet containers 1 are shown in figure 8.

It will be appreciated that materials used for components of the invention include any suitable and durable materials, for example only but not limited to, timber, metal, plastics materials, fabrics, rubber, glass or any combination thereof. More particularly the side panels may comprise components made of mild steel, with the post members 22, 23 and rails 24,25 being made of mild steel.

Wherein the aforegoing reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. 8 556688 Accordingly, it will be appreciated that changes may be made to the above described embodiments of the invention without departing from the principles taught herein.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not 5 restrictive. Additional advantages of the present invention will become apparent for those skilled in the art after considering the principles in particular form as discussed and illustrated. Thus, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described or illustrated, but is intended to cover all alterations or modifications which are within the scope of the appended claims. 9 556688

Claims (11)

Claims:

1. A materials handling container that is collapsible in part after use, the container including a pallet base having cut away corner sections, each said corner section being 5 adapted to receive a corner bracket, each said corner bracket being attachable to a respective said corner section of the pallet base, and wherein each said corner bracket is configured and adapted in each said corner section in the pallet base to receive and releasably retain the lower end portion of a post member, the corner bracket including a pallet attachment means to enable the corner bracket to be attached to the pallet 10 base.

2. A materials handling container according to claim 1 further comprising at least four side panels, each side panel being adapted, in use, to be attached to and between opposing post members, and to a top rail and to a bottom rail along a side of the pallet 15 base, the top rail being attached between and to opposing post members, and the bottom rail being attached between and to opposing post members, and wherein at least four side panels are releasably attachable into respective said corner brackets in the pallet base. 20

3. A materials handling container according to claim 1 wherein each said corner bracket is provided with a slot located in the top surface, the slot being of a sufficient size, in use, to allow the lower end portion of a post member to locate through the slot and be retainable within the cavity of the corner bracket . 25

4. A materials handling container according to claim 1 wherein the lower end portion of each two adjacent post members in each corner of the pallet is provided with a protruding keeper member, and wherein the top plate of the corner bracket, in use, can retain the lower end portion of the two post members within the cavity of the corner bracket. 30

5. A materials handling container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the top end portion of adjacent post members in each corner of the pallet are provided 10 556688

6. A materials handling container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the adjacent post members are provided with a locking plate and corresponding keeper member about or adjacent the middle section of the post members to enable, in use, a 5 post member with the locking plate to lock and retain an adjacent said post member with the keeper member in place.

7. A materials handling container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the side panels are made of mesh attached to the post members and to top and bottom 10 rails.

8. A stacking system wherein a second materials handling container configured and arranged according to any one of the preceding claims is stackable upon a lower materials handling container configured and arranged according to any one of the 15 preceding claims wherein the corner brackets of the second materials handling container locate over respective top end portions of each respective post members of the lower materials handling container.

9. A materials handling container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein 20 the pallet base is made of a plurality of configured and assembled wooden deck boards attached to spaced apart stringers and spacer blocks, and wherein respective corner brackets are made of metal and attached to each corner of the pallet base.

10. A stacking system of at least two material handling containers substantially as herein 25 described with reference to figure 8.

11. A materials handling container substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the accompanying figures. 30 11