Inwardly folding container

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to foldable crates suitable for holding and transporting objects.

[0004] 2. Background Art

[0005] Folding crates are generally known in the art. Typical folding crate arrangements connect each side wall to a bottom surface via a hinge arrangement. When not in use, opposing side walls can be folded down onto the bottom surface to significantly reduce the space requirement of the crate.

[0006] Depending on the overall size of the crate, it is common for two side walls to have a height greater than half the width of the bottom surface so that only one of the side walls will lie flat on the bottom surface, while the opposing side wall will overlap and lie on top thereof. This causes the overlying side wall to be in a final nonparallel folded position relative to the bottom surface, i.e., an angle of incidence greater than zero. Thus, the overall height or “nest increment” of the folded crate is significantly increased by the angled, overlapping side wall when in the folded position.

[0007] One known approach for allowing the folded walls to lie parallel to the bottom surface, and thereby reduce the height of a folded crate, involves positioning the hinges of opposing side walls at different heights. However, such asymmetrical arrangements require the side walls to be folded in a specific sequence, which in turn increases complexity and convenience in handling the crate. In addition, the asymmetrical hinge layout can present additional issues associated with tooling or molding of the crate. Another known approach involves forming the overlapping side walls with faces that align and intermesh when folded. Again, such an approach can increase the complexity in handling the crate, and may not even be practical for crates having side walls that overlap by a significant amount.

[0008] Therefore, a need exists for a folding crate having a reduced nest increment which does not require a specific side wall folding sequence, and can be employed with crates having side walls that substantially overlap.

[0009] Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a folding crate having a hinge arrangement that allows a side wall to freely translate in a vertical direction upon folding so that the side wall will be generally parallel relative to a bottom component and a subsequently folded side wall and thereby substantially reduce the folded height of the crate without requiring a specific side wall folding sequence.

[0010] In accordance with this and other aspects, the present invention provides a folding crate including a side wall having a hinge pin, and a bottom component having a means for rotatably supporting the hinge pin to allow the side wall to be folded over the bottom component. The bottom component also includes a vertically extending slot formed therein. The hinge pin includes a portion thereof arranged to move within the slot when the side wall is in a folded position, thereby allowing the side wall to translate vertically into a position substantially parallel to the bottom component.

[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a folding crate is provided including a side wall having a hinge pin, and a bottom component having a vertically extending slot formed therein, and a stationary hinge pin retainer arranged to support rotation of the hinge pin therein to allow the side wall to be folded over the bottom component. The hinge pin includes a portion thereof arranged to move within the slot upon the pin being rotated into a predetermined position relative to the bottom component so that the side wall can translate vertically into a position substantially parallel to the bottom component.

[0012] In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a folding crate is provided having a plurality of side walls each having a hinge arranged to allow the side wall to rotate and translate vertically, and a bottom component connected to each hinge. Because each hinge allows the side wall to translate vertically, any one of the side walls can be folded first so that the hinge will allow the wall to translate vertically. The hinge of a subsequently folded side wall will allow the side wall to fold over the previously folded side wall in a position substantially parallel relative thereto to reduce the overall folded height of the crate.

[0013] The above aspects and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment(s) when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1 is an elevational perspective view of a crate in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a partial elevational perspective view of the inside of the crate of FIG. 1 showing a long wall and an end wall;

[0016] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2 showing a full translating hinge arrangement and a center line section through another translating hinge arrangement;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a side view cross-section showing the hinge arrangement in accordance with the first embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a partial elevational perspective view of the outside of the crate of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 6 is an elevational perspective cross-section of two long walls and an end wall when in the folded position;

[0020] FIG. 7 is an end view of FIG. 6 taken in the direction indicated by arrow A—A;

[0021] FIG. 8 is a partial elevated perspective view of the inside of the crate in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 7 showing a translating hinge arrangement in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 10 is a side view cross-section showing the hinge arrangement in accordance with the second embodiment; and

[0024] FIG. 11 is a partial elevational perspective view of the outside of the crate of FIG. 8.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a folding crate 10 is shown in accordance with a first, exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Crate 10 includes a bottom component 12 coupled to each of four side wall components 14 via a translating hinge arrangement 16 described more fully below. Thus, each side wall component 14 can be folded down inwardly across the bottom component 12 so as to be substantially parallel therewith. When erected, the side walls 14 form an enclosure with the bottom component 12. Adjacent side walls can be latched together in the erected position with any suitable latch or fastening mechanism arrangement. An interlocking arrangement 18 is shown for illustrative purposes, where one adjoining side wall includes a flexible latch arm integrally formed therewith which aligns with and engages a corresponding opening formed in the other adjoining side wall. However, such an arrangement is not to be construed as limiting. In addition, a set of vertically positioned guide elements 19 can be provided on each side wall to facilitate proper alignment of the side walls when raised.

[0026] The bottom component 12 and side wall components 14 of crate 10 can be injection molded from a thermoplastic material. In this exemplary embodiment, crate 10 is arranged in an open-top box configuration having a generally rectangular shape. However, the present invention can be applied to any type and shape of folding crate. Thus, the precise configuration shown in the Figures is not to be construed as limiting. As further shown, two or more side wall components 14 can include a handle or opening 20 formed therein. In addition, while not shown in the drawings, at least a portion of the bottom component and/or side walls can be formed having a pattern of holes or other openings for ventilation, weight reduction, etc.

[0027] Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 3 and 4, in accordance with this embodiment, hinge arrangement 16 includes a stationary member 22 having a curved hinge pin retainer 24 extending from at least a portion thereof, and a stop member 26 having a substantially parallel surface 28 and a curved surface 30. Both members 22 and 26 are integrally formed as part of bottom component 12. Stationary member 22 and stop member 26 are positioned relative to each other so as to form a vertically extending slot 32 defined by curved surface 30 and a partially arcuate surface 34 on stationary member 22. In the embodiments shown, slot 32 extends downwardly and outward in an arcuate path.

[0028] Hinge arrangement 16 also includes a corresponding pivot arm 36 and stop heel 38 extending from the bottom edge of the side wall component 14. The pivot arm 36 includes a horizontally extending hinge pin 40 integrally formed therewith. Hinge pin 40 has a generally cylindrical shape arranged to fit within hinge pin retainer 24 and rotate therein to allow the side wall component to be folded downward over the bottom component 12.

[0029] Hinge pin 40 includes at least one selected portion thereof formed by substantially truncating or flattening the cylindrical circumference of pin 40. The selected portion or portions can be located at the end of the hinge pin 40. However, this is not to be construed as limiting. The flattened portion(s) form a cam-like member on the pin 40. More specifically, a non-flattened portion of the outer end surface of the hinge pin 40 supports pivoting within hinge pin retainer 24 as the side wall component is rotated up or down. The substantially flattened portion or portions of pin 40 are oriented relative to slot 32 so that rotation of the pin 40 aligns the flattened portion(s) with the top opening of slot 32 when the side wall component 14 has been folded into a substantially parallel position relative to the bottom component. When so positioned, the entire hinge pin 40 is able to freely slide within slot 32. As pin 40 slides down slot 32, the side wall component 14 is able to freely translate in a vertical direction, e.g., downward and outward, when folded so as to lay in a position substantially parallel to the bottom component 12. As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the translating hinge arrangement of the present invention allows a side wall component 14ato translate vertically by an amount sufficient to allow a subsequently folded side wall component 14bto lie substantially parallel when folded over the previously folded wall, thereby effectively reducing the overall height of the folded crate. In addition, because each side wall includes a translating hinge, opposing side walls do not need to be folded in a specific sequence relative to each other.

[0030] In addition, as the side wall component 14 is erected, a bottom surface of stop heel 38 will come to rest on flat surface 28 of stop member 26 to prevent any further upward rotation of the side wall component when the side wall is substantially perpendicular to the bottom component 12 of the crate. This accomplished by positioning flat surface 28 relative to hinge pin 40 so as to be in alignment with the center of rotation thereof. Heel 38 also provides structural support for the side wall to reduce potential load forces placed on hinge arrangement 16 when the crate has been unfolded.

[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 8-11, a second exemplary crate embodiment 100 is shown in accordance with the present invention having a translating hinge arrangement 102 used to allow the side wall component 14 to move vertically when rotated into the folded position. More specifically, as best seen in FIG. 10, hinge arrangement 102 includes an upwardly extending post member 104, a stationary member 106 having a curved hinge pin retainer 108 extending therefrom, and an arcuate stop member 110, all of which are integrally formed as part of bottom component 12. Appenadage 104 and stop member 110 are positioned relative to each other so as to form the vertically extending slot 32 defined by the curved surface of member 110 and a partially arcuate surface 112 on post member 104.

[0032] Hinge arrangement 102 also includes a corresponding pivot arm 114 extending from the bottom edge of the side wall component 14. Flattened end 42 of hinge pin 40 extends horizontally from pivot arm 114, and is arranged to fit within hinge pin retainer 108 and rotate therein to allow the side wall component 14 to be folded downward over the bottom component 12.

[0033] As with crate 10, the flattened portion of pin end 42 allows the entire hinge pin 40 to slide down slot 32 when the side wall component is substantially parallel to the bottom component, i.e., when the flattened portion is aligned and oriented with the top opening of slot 32. As pin 40 slides down slot 32, the side wall component 14 translates vertically into a position substantially parallel to the bottom component, thereby allowing a subsequently folded side wall to lie substantially parallel when folded down on top thereof.

[0034] In this embodiment, as the side wall component 14 is erected, a bottom surface of pivot arm 114 will come to rest on the outer curved surface of arcuate stop member 108 to prevent any further upward rotation of the side wall component. The center point of the radius of stop member 108 is positioned relative to hinge pin 40 so as to be in alignment with the center of rotation thereof. In addition, the distance between the center of rotation of pin 40 and the center point of stop 108 is equal to the thickest portion of the side wall component 14 so that pivot arm 114 will properly nest with stop member 108 when the side wall is the erect position.

[0035] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.