US 9,850,082 B2 · Storage container

Abstract

The provided containers (100, 200) and methods provide for gravitational alignment of a plurality of stacked articles (120), in which at least two edges (140, 142) of each article align along inner walls (108, 114, 208, 214) of a respective container. The aligning walls of the container are provided with low-friction surfaces to facilitate sliding and alignment of the articles. By aligning the stack of articles along two edges, the articles can be registered relative to not only each other but the container itself, thereby facilitating loading, unloading, and conversion of articles in the stack. Optionally, a compressible layer (147) opposing one or both of the aligning walls conforms and distributes stress along the non-aligning edges, thereby preserving registration of the articles relative to each other when the container is transported.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A container for a plurality of stacked articles, the container comprising:

a base having a bottom surface;
a frame extending outwardly from the base, the frame comprising:
a first wall oriented at an oblique angle relative to the bottom surface;
a second wall joined with the first wall, wherein the first and second walls are generally perpendicular to each other;
a third wall joined with the first and second walls to define a corner at least partially bounded by the first, second, and third walls, wherein at least a portion of the third wall is generally perpendicular to each of the first and second walls and at least a portion of the third wall comprises a fluoroplastic or ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene;
and
at least one opposing wall generally facing one or both of the first and second walls, wherein at least a portion of the at least one opposing wall comprises a compressible layer that can be compressed to 75 percent of its original relaxed volume.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Storage container

Life of this patent

Storage container

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16