Biased latch hinge

A collapsible container is provided, the container having a base and two pairs of opposed sidewalls pivotally attached to the base. A latch member is disposed at an end of one of the sidewalls and a latch is pivotally connected to a corresponding end of an adjacent sidewall. The latch has a body with a biasing means attached thereto, for releasably engaging the latch member when the sidewalls are in an assembled position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to collapsible containers and more particularly, to a latching mechanism for a collapsible container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Collapsible containers are commonly used for transportation and storage of produce or other foods. Typically, collapsible containers have a bottom panel or base, and four sidewalls hinged to the base. These sidewalls are pivotable between collapsed and assembled positions. In the collapsed position, the four sidewalls generally lie stacked on, or parallel to, the base. This position is useful for compact transportation and storage of containers.

From the collapsed position, the sidewalls are pivoted about the base, into the assembled position, such that each wall is approximately orthogonal to the base. To maintain the container in the assembled position, the sidewalls generally include a latching mechanism at each of the four corners.

Many recent containers also include a second collapsed position in which the sidewalls are pivoted outwardly from the base to facilitate cleaning.

Various latching mechanisms are employed with collapsible containers. One example of a latching mechanism is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,056 (Overholt et al.) assigned to Rehrig Pacific Company. Overholt et al. teaches a flexible latch integrally moulded with a sidewall of the container. The latch is resiliently biased to receive a latch member that is integrally moulded with a corresponding sidewall when the container is in the assembled position. To move the sidewalls to a collapsed position, each latch is depressed by pinching a portion of the latch and the corner of the container with one hand while forceably separating the corresponding sidewall with the other hand. This releases the latch member from the latch and the corresponding sidewalls are then pulled apart.

This latch is integrally moulded with the respective sidewall and is difficult to flex, requiring a large applied force to release each latch member from each corresponding latch. Further, each latch mechanism must be actuated individually while pulling the corresponding sidewalls apart. This container is therefore awkward and can be time-consuming to collapse from the assembled position.

It is therefore among the objects of the present invention to provide an improved latch mechanism for a collapsible container for easier, less awkward collapsing of the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, there is provided a collapsible container having a base and two pairs of opposed sidewalls pivotally attached to the base. A latch member is disposed at an end of one of the sidewalls and a latch is pivotally connected to a corresponding end of an adjacent sidewall. The latch has a body with a biasing means attached thereto, for releasably engaging the latch member when the sidewalls are in an assembled position.

In another of its' aspects, there is provided a latch mechanism for a collapsible container. The latch mechanism has a latch member disposed at an end of the sidewall of the container and a latch pivotally connected to a corresponding end of an adjacent sidewall of the container. The latch has a body with a biasing means attached thereto, and is for releasably engaging the latch member when the sidewalls are in an assembled position.

In another of its' aspects, a latch is provided for a collapsible container. The latch has a body for hinged coupling with an end of a sidewall of the container and a biasing means attached to the latch body. The biasing means is for biasing the latch body out of engagement with a latch member extending from a corresponding end of an adjacent sidewall of the container.

In yet another of its' aspects, a collapsible container having a base and first and second pairs of opposed sidewalls is provided. The sidewalls are pivotally coupled to the base and can be pivoted between assembled and collapsed positions. A latch member is disposed at each end of the first pair of opposed sidewalls. A latch is hingedly coupled with each end of the second pair of opposed sidewalls for releasably engaging the latch member when the sidewalls are in the assembled position. The latch has a body and a biasing means attached thereto for biasing the latch body in engagement with the latch member when the sidewalls are in the assembled position.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is first made toFIG. 1to describe a preferred embodiment of a collapsible container designated generally by the numeral20. The container20is injection moulded polypropylene and includes a base22and first and second pairs of opposed sidewalls24,26,28,30, pivotally attached to the base22. The sidewalls24,26,28,30are pivotable between assembled and collapsed positions. In the assembled position, shown inFIG. 1, the container20is available for transportation and storage of goods. Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 2, latch members32extend from each end34,36,38,40of the first pair of opposed sidewalls24,26respectively, and latches42each having a body44are hingedly coupled with each end46,48,50,52of the second pair of opposed sidewalls28,30, respectively. Each latch42releasably engages its respective latch member32when the sidewalls24,26,28,30are in the assembled position. Each latch body44has a biasing member54projecting therefrom for biasing the latch42in engagement with the latch member32.

The collapsible container20will now be described in more detail. As seen inFIG. 1, the base22is substantially rectangular with two opposed end flanges60,62projecting substantially perpendicularly therefrom. The first pair of opposed sidewalls24,26, herein referred to as long sidewalls24,26, are pivotally attached to long sides64,66, respectively, of the base22. The second pair of opposed sidewalls28,30, herein referred to as short sidewalls28,30are pivotally attached to edges68,70, respectively, of the end flanges60,62, respectively. The pivotal attachment of the sidewalls24,26,28,30will be explained further below.

Referring now toFIGS. 1,3, and4, it can be seen that the sidewalls24,26,28,30are pivotable between any outwardly collapsed position as shown inFIG. 3, the assembled position as shown inFIG. 1, and an inwardly collapsed position as shown in FIG.4. It will be evident that, in the outwardly collapsed position, the sidewalls24,26,28,30are pivoted outwardly away from the base22. Similarly, in the inwardly collapsed position, the sidewalls24,26,28,30are pivoted inwardly and are stacked generally parallel to the base22.

Side flanges74,76project substantially perpendicularly from each end46,48, respectively, of the short sidewall28. Similarly, the side flanges78,80project perpendicularly from each end50,52, respectively, of short sidewalls30. It will be evident thus far that the side flanges74,78of the short walls28,30, respectively, form an extension of and are generally coplanar with the long wall24when the sidewalls24,26,28,30are in the assembled position. Similarly, the side flanges76,80of the short walls28,30, respectively, form an extension of and are generally coplanar with the long wall26when the sidewalls24,26,28,30are in the assembled position.

The pivotal attachment of the short wall28will now be described in detail. The short wall28has a hinged edge82, from which three laterally spaced L-shaped hinge posts84project. These L-shaped hinge posts84are generally centred on the hinged edge82. Also, a pair of split-cap L-shaped hinge posts86project from the hinged edge82, each split-cap hinge post86being proximal to one of the ends46,48. The split-cap hinge post86is useful for maintaining the short wall28in pivotal attachment with the base22.

Complementary hinge-post receivers90extend from the edge68of the end flange60and are sized and shaped appropriately to receive the L-shaped hinge posts84. A pair of split-cap receivers92are appropriately sized and positioned on the end flange60to receive the split-cap L-shaped hinge posts86. When the container20is manufactured, the L-shaped hinge posts86are received by the complementary hinged-post receivers90and the split-cap hinge posts86are received by the complementary split-cap receivers92. Clearly, the short wall28is pivotable about the hinge post receivers90and is maintained in pivotal attachment with the base22.

While the above description of the pivotal attachment was directed to the short wall28, it will be understood that short wall30is pivotally attached to the base22in a similar manner. The long walls24,26are also pivotally attached to the long sides64,66of the base22in a similar arrangement of L-shaped hinge posts84and hinge-post receivers90. Because of the length difference, the long sides24,26have more L-shaped hinge posts84than do the short sides28,30, it will also be noted that the end flanges60,62restrict lateral movement of the long walls24,26with respect to the base22. The long walls24,26are thereby maintained in pivotal attachment with the base22and the L-shaped hinge posts84are prevented from sliding out of their respective hinge-post receivers90. Therefore, the long sides24,26do not have split-cap hinge posts86.

Each of short walls28,30have a laterally centred handle100, appropriately sized and positioned for lifting or handling the container20when the sidewalls24,26,28,30are in the assembled position. Also, each of the long walls24,26have a laterally centred handle102appropriately sized and positioned for lifting or handling the container20when the sidewalls24,26,28,30are in the assembled position.

Turning again toFIG. 2, a latch mechanism104is employed to maintain the sidewalls24,26,28,30in the assembled position. The latch mechanism104between the short wall28and the long wall26will be now be described in detail. Referring first to the long wall26, the latch member32extends from the end38and has a tapered end106and a rectangular aperture108. The end106is tapered to facilitate latching together of the walls26,28and the aperture108is shaped to receive the latch42, as will be described further below. Also extending from the end38, on either side of the latch member, are first and second guide tabs110,112, as best shown in FIG.3. These guide tabs110,112provide added stability at the juncture of the long wall26and the short wall28and aid in assembly and latching. The guide table110, proximal the base22, is tapered inwardly to reduce interference with the side flange76when moving the walls26,28into the assembled position.

Referring now to the short wall28, a pair of rectangular cavities114,116in the flange76, are sized appropriately to receive the first and second guide tabs110,112, respectively. The latch42is pivotally coupled to the short wall28, between the rectangular cavities114,116, by a pair of hinge posts118that are received in a pair of hinge post apertures120. Thus, a slot122, located between the rectangular cavities114,116, is defined by the flange76and the latch42and is sized to receive the latch member32.

Referring to the latch42, shown inFIG. 2, the body44is substantially rectangular with the two hinge posts118extending outwardly therefrom. For the purpose of clarity of this description, the latch42will be described with reference to front and back surfaces126,128, respectively. The latch body44has a tapered end130to guide the latch42into place when the walls26,28are placed in the assembled position. A lug132protrudes outwardly from the front surface126, adjacent the tapered end130, and is sized appropriately to fit in the aperture108of the latch member32. Also, a groove134adjacent the lug132, in the front surface126of the latch body44, is sized and shaped to receive the tapered end106of the latch member32when the walls26,28are in the assembled position.

In the present embodiment, the biasing member54is a pair of resiliently deformable arms54. These resiliently deformable arms54are spaced apart, proximal outer edges136of the latch body44and project outwardly from the back surfaced128of the latch body44. The resiliently deformable arms54are substantially S-shaped with ends138that extend toward and abut an inward rib140of the short wall28, as shown in FIG.5. When the sidewalls26,28are in the assembled position, the resiliently deformable arms54are slightly deformed (compressing the ends138in the direction of the latch body44) to bias the latch42in engagement with the latch member32. Turning now toFIGS. 6 and 7, urging the latch body44toward the end48of the shortwall by pinching the two together using a thumb and forefinger, the resiliently deformable arms54are further deformed. This causes the ends138to compress in the direction of the latch body, thus causing the latch42to pivot about the hinge post apertures120.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 5, the latch body44further has an aperture142centred between the resiliently deformable arms54, for receiving an actuating member144. Depressed grooves146are located on each side of the aperture142on the front surface126of the body44. These grooves146are for retaining a portion of the actuating member144.

Referring now to the actuating member144, a pair of outwardly turned feet148engage the depressed grooves146of the latch body44, and the feet148are retained therein. A pair of legs150extend from the feet148and merge at a body152that extends along the short wall28to a lip156. Turning now toFIGS. 6 and 7, it can be seen that urging lip156in the direction of arrow A causes further deformation of the resiliently deformable arms54, compressing the ends138in the direction of the latch body44and causing the latch42to pivot about the hinge post apertures120.

While the above description is directed to the latch mechanism104between the short wall28and the long wall26, it will be understood that latch mechanisms between the short wall28and the long wall24, the short wall30and the long wall24, and the short wall30and the long wall26are similar and therefore will not be further described herein.

It will be evident thus far that two actuating members144extend along the short wall28and therefore there are two lips156proximal the handle100. These two lips156are joined together by a single hand actuator158that has a hand grip160and attached deformable arms162, as best shown inFIGS. 1 and 5. Urging the hand grip160in the direction of the handle100causes the arms162to deform around the guide posts164, thus urging the lips156inwardly toward the handle100. This again causes deformation of the resiliently deformable arms54, compressing the ends138in the direction of the latch body44and causing the latch to pivot about the hinge post apertures120. It will now be understood that a similar hand actuator158joins the two lips156on the short wall30and thus the two latches42on the short wall30can be actuated in a similar manner. Therefore there is a single-point latch actuator provided for disengaging the latches42from their respective latch members32on each short wall28,30. Also, it will now be clear that there are three methods of actuating the latch mechanism104.

The operation of the container20will now be described with reference to the foregoing description and the attachedFIGS. 1-7. To collapse the container20from the assembled position shown inFIG. 1to the outwardly collapsed position shown inFIG. 2, each hand grip160is grasped and urged in the direction of the handle100. As stated previously, this causes deformation of the resiliently deformable arms54, urging the ends138in the direction of the latch body44and causing the latch to pivot about the hinge post apertures120. Thus each latch42is urged away from its' respectively latch member32, disengaging each latch42from each latch member32. Each short wall28,30is pivoted outwardly into the collapsed position and then each long wall24,26is pivoted outwardly into the collapsed position.

To assemble the container20from the outwardly collapsed position, the long walls24,26are pivoted so that they are substantially normal to the base22. The short walls28,30are then pivoted so that the tapered end180of the latch42abuts the tapered end106of the latch member32. Pushing the short walls28,30inwardly toward the long walls24,26, the tapered end180of the latch42slides along the tapered end106of the latch member32. The latch42is thus pivoted about the hinge post apertures120causing resilient deformation of the resiliently deformable arms54, compressing the ends138in the direction of the latch body44. The latch42then engages the latch member32as the lug132is received by the aperture108and the groove134receives the tapered end106. In this position, the resiliently deformable arms54are slightly resiliently deformed to maintain the latch42in engagement with the latch member32, as stated previously.

To collapse the container20from the assembled position shown inFIG. 1to the inwardly collapsed position shown inFIG. 3, each hand grip160is grasped and urged in the direction of the handle100thus disengaging each latch42from its' respective latch member32. The short sidewalls28,30are then pivoted outwardly so that each of the short walls28,30form an obtuse angle with the base22. This is to provide clearance as the long sidewalls24,26are then pivoted inwardly into the inwardly collapsed position. Next the short sidewalls28,30are pivoted inwardly into the inwardly collapsed position.

To assemble the container20from the inwardly collapsed position, the short walls28,30are first pivoted outwardly so that each on forms an obtuse angle with the base22. Again this is to provide clearance as the long walls24,26are pivoted so that they are substantially normal to the base22. The short walls are then pivoted towards the long walls24,26as described in the above description of the assembly of the container20from the outwardly collapsed position.

While the embodiment discussed herein is directed to a particular implementation of the invention, it will be apparent that variations of this embodiment are within the scope of this invention. For example, the size and shape of any of the features described can vary while still performing the same function. The sidewalls, for instant, can differ in length or all sidewalls can have equal length. The container can have a cover to protect the goods in transportation or storage. Also, the container can have a plurality of apertures for ambient circulation. The configuration of the hinged attachment of the sidewalls to the base can differ or the number of hinge posts and split cap hinge posts can vary. The shape of the actuating member can vary and latch and latch members can have different configurations while still achieving the same function. In the above described embodiment, the container is injection moulded polypropylene but other materials and forming processes can be used. The size and shape of the guide tabs can also be changed without departing from the scope of the invention.

The present invention provides a novel collapsible container for transport or storage of goods. The container has a latch with a latch body in hinged attachment with a sidewall and a biasing arm attached to the latch for biasing the latch body into engagement with latch member.