Patent ID: 6631821
Filing Date: 2003-10-14
Classification: B65D

Abstract:
A reinforced double-wall knock-down bin, comprising;a) a pallet-base having a vertical side-panel at two opposite sides perpendicular to said pallet-base and said pallet-base having a vertical end-panel at two opposite ends perpendicular to said pallet-base, forming an enclosure bin with an open top enabling containment of material placed within, wherein the vertical side-panel and vertical end-panel enable a plurality of bins to be stacked one on top of the other perpendicular to a floor surface; b) said pallet-base, side-panel and end-panel each having a double-wall formed of a semi-rigid material providing resiliency to withstand impact forces each pallet-base, side-panel and end-panel double-wall having a void between adjacent walls, a foam material, defined as an expandable cellular plastic, inserted into the void to provide reinforcement to said double-walls; d) each side-panel having a plurality of bottom male extensions and said pallet-base having a plurality of female receptacles on each side of said pallet-base top surface, said bottom male extensions configured to engage within the female receptacles of said pallet-base and each side-panel and each end-panel having a plurality of segmented horizontal end extensions on opposing ends, said end-panel segmented horizontal end extensions engage and inter-mesh with said side-panel segmented horizontal end extensions and said end-panel and side-panel corner extensions having at least one opening on top and one opening on the bottom, said top and bottom openings concentrically match in perpendicularity; e) said end-panel having means for securing the end of said end-panel at the bottom of said end-panel to the end of said pallet-base, said end-panel having corner end extensions engaging with said end-panel segmented horizontal end extensions on opposing ends, said end-panel corner end extensions having at least one opening on top and one opening on the bottom, said top and bottom openings concentrically match in perpendicularity; f) said side-panel, and said end-panel having means for holding together a corner point where said side-panel extensions and said end-panel extensions inter-mesh, wherein the openings in the horizontal end extensions of said side-panel and said end-panel corner extensions inter-mesh vertically and concentrically; g) said side-panel and said end-panel and said pallet-base having means for ventilation and air circulation when required by food handling applications; h) said pallet-base having means for supporting a load within said bin at said pallet-base center when a bin is stacked on top of another bin; i) said side-panel and said end-panel having means for reinforcing respective top corners of engagement to provide suitable strength minimizing the tearing out of the top corner of said side-panel; j) said side-panel having means for internal supporting and reinforcing the side-panel longitudinally at the top, and at both ends for protection against forklift truck abuse; k) said end-panel having reinforcing means for internal supporting and reinforcing the end-panel at the top and the top corner of said side-panel for protection along the full horizontal length of the top front edge of said end-panel to provide protection against forward impact by front fork tine edges of a forklift truck, and said end panel having fastening means at opposing ends to secure top reinforcing means to said side-panel at the corners; and l) said side-panels and said end-panels each having a plurality of notches at an outer vertical edge of the corners to provide a location to accommodate tie-down rope placement.