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US 12,703,537 B2Granted
Shipping containers
AssigneeGoodpack IBC (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
InventorUthai Srichai
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Described herein are collapsible containers for transportation of cargo, and methods of using them. The containers may include textured bottom surfaces to facilitate positive engagement with a conveyor. In some embodiments, the containers include secure locking mechanisms that prevent inadvertent unlocking while also permitting one-handed operation. In some embodiments, the containers include adapters to facilitate discharge of liquid cargo.
Claims14
A collapsible container having an erected and a collapsed condition for transporting goods in the erected condition, the container comprising:
- a base;
- a front wall and a rear wall pivotably attached to the base;
- and
- side walls pivotably attached to the base, the side walls positionable between the front and rear walls when the container is in its erected condition;
- wherein the base includes an upper frame and a lower frame that is spaced apart from the upper frame to receive forklift tines therebetween, and wherein the lower frame comprises a checker plate having a bottom surface that includes a pattern of anti-skid features and the bottom surfaces of corner supports that extend between the upper frame and lower frame are free of anti-skid features and include openings to permit stacking in the erected configuration;
- wherein each of the front and rear walls has a pair of locking mechanisms mounted adjacent opposite sides of its upper end to facilitate securing and releasing a front wall when the container is in its erected position;
- each locking mechanism including (a) a locking pin that is longitudinally movable between a closed position in which it extends into an opening in an associated adjacent side wall, and an open position in which it does not extend into the opening, (b) a handle rigidly joined to the locking pin, (c) a spring that urges the locking pin away from its associated adjacent side wall, and (d) a fixed stop that prevents inadvertent unlocking due to vibration;
- wherein, when locked, the pin is prevented from rotating and is constrained against lateral displacement by the handle engaging the stop;
- wherein, to open the locking mechanisms, the handle must first be displaced laterally toward the adjacent side wall into which its associated locking pin extends, against the urging of the spring, then rotated outward, away from the exterior surface of its associated front or rear wall, thereby disengaging the handle from the stop, then displaced laterally away from the associated adjacent side wall to remove the locking pin from engagement therewith;
- and
- wherein the fixed stop is generally J-shaped or L-shaped.
8 more elements
A collapsible container having an erected and a collapsed condition for transporting goods in the erected condition, the container comprising:
- a base;
- a front wall and a rear wall pivotably attached to the base;
- and
- side walls pivotably attached to the base, the side walls positionable between the front and rear walls when the container is in its erected condition;
- wherein the base includes an upper frame and a lower frame that is spaced apart from the upper frame to receive forklift tines therebetween, and wherein the lower frame comprises a checker plate having a bottom surface that includes a pattern of anti-skid features and the bottom surfaces of corner supports that extend between the upper frame and lower frame are free of anti-skid features and include openings to permit stacking in the erected configuration;
- wherein each of the front and rear walls has a pair of locking mechanisms mounted adjacent opposite sides of its upper end to facilitate securing and releasing a front wall when the container is in its erected position;
- each locking mechanism including (a) a locking pin that is longitudinally movable between a closed position in which it extends into an opening in an associated adjacent side wall, and an open position in which it does not extend into the opening, (b) a handle rigidly joined to the locking pin, (c) a spring that urges the locking pin away from its associated adjacent side wall, and (d) a fixed stop that prevents inadvertent unlocking due to vibration;
- wherein, when locked, the pin is prevented from rotating and is constrained against lateral displacement by the handle engaging the stop;
- wherein, to open the locking mechanisms, the handle must first be displaced laterally toward the adjacent side wall into which its associated locking pin extends, against the urging of the spring, then rotated outward, away from the exterior surface of its associated front or rea wall, thereby disengaging the handle from the stop, then displaced laterally away from the associated adjacent side wall to remove the locking pin from engagement therewith;
- and
- wherein fixed stop includes a first portion that extends outward from the front or rear wall and a second portion that extends transversely therefrom.
8 more elements
A collapsible container having an erected and a collapsed condition for transporting goods in the erected condition, the container comprising:
- a base;
- a front wall and a rear wall pivotably attached to the base;
- and
- side walls pivotably attached to the base, the side walls positionable between the front and rear walls when the container is in its erected condition;
- wherein the base includes an upper frame and a lower frame that is spaced apart from the upper frame to receive forklift tines therebetween,
- wherein each of the front and rear walls has a pair of locking mechanisms mounted adjacent opposite sides of its upper end to facilitate securing and releasing the front and rear walls when the container is in its erected position;
- each locking mechanism including (a) a locking pin that is longitudinally movable between a closed position in which it extends into an opening in an associated adjacent side wall, and an open position in which it does not extend into the opening, (b) a handle rigidly joined to the locking pin, (c) a spring that urges the locking pin away from its associated adjacent side wall, and (d) a fixed stop that prevents inadvertent unlocking due to vibration;
- wherein, when locked, the pin is prevented from rotating and is constrained against lateral displacement by the handle engaging the stop;
- wherein, to open the locking mechanisms, the handle must first be displaced laterally toward the adjacent side wall into which its associated locking pin extends, against the urging of the spring, then rotated outward, away from the exterior surface of its associated front or rear wall, thereby disengaging the handle from the stop, then displaced laterally away from the associated adjacent side wall to remove the locking pin from engagement therewith,
- wherein the fixed stop includes a first portion that extends outward from the front or rear wall and a second portion that extends transversely therefrom.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.