Multi-level nestable container

Abstract: The drawings show part of a nesting and stacking container. A support member 22 has a nesting position P1 which allows another container to nest in the container 10. The supporting member 22 can move to a chosen one of two stacking positions P2,P3 at which the member 22 can support the base of a container stacked above. Movement between the positions P1, P2 and P3 is achieved by a combination of pivotting the member 22 about an axis at 24, and moving the pivot axis relative to the container. Various other arrangements for mounting the support member 22 on the container are also described.

Description: The present invention relates to containers. A conventional form of stacking and nesting container comprises two bail arms, stacking bars or support bars pivotally attached to and extending between the sides of the containers, usually at opposing ends of the container. Each bail arm can be moved from a storage (or nesting) position to a position in which it can support a second like container stacked on top of a first container. When the bail arms are in the storage positions, they do not obstruct a second container, which can therefore nest in the container below. However, such bail arms can sometimes result in inefficient use of the capacity of the containers, because the fixed volume defined between the base of two stacked containers is only efficiently used when the containers are full to the height between the bases. Patent documents GB-A-2067167, GB-A-2104486, CA-A-1128878 and US-B-4573577 all describe containers which allow stacking at a plurality of heights above the container base but which require a plurality of notches in the base, for security of stacking. Conventional containers which do not have the necessary additional notches cannot therefore be supported securely at each of the plurality of heights. It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate these disadvantages. A container according to the present invention has a base and a support member mountable on said container at a stacking position to support a second container rested on the support member to form a stack, the support member having a plurality of stacking positions as aforesaid at which a second container may be supported at respective positions above the container base, and the container is characterised in that the plurality of stacking positions of the support member include at least two vertically aligned stacking positions. Preferably, the support member also has a nesting position in which the support member allows a second like container to be nested in the container. Preferably mounting means are operable to mount the support member on the container and are arranged as to allow the support member to be movable between the stacking positions. The mounting means may include a projection which is confined, in use, to a predetermined range of locations to limit the range of movement of the support means. The projection may be confined by surfaces which do not continuously bound the region in which the projection is confined. The mounting means preferably allow the support member to pivot relative to the rest of the container, whereby the support member is able to pivot and move between any of the plurality of stacking positions. Preferably the mounting means allow the pivot axis to move. The pivot axis is preferably movable relative to the container or the support member. The mounting means may comprise detent means which tend to resist movement of the pivot axis when the support member is in at least one of the positions, whereby the number of the positions accessible by the support member is restricted unless the pivot axis is released from the detent means. The support member may be movable only between a first stacking position and a nesting position unless the pivot axis is released from the detent means. The first stacking position is preferably the uppermost stacking position. A resilient detent formation may be provided, which must be moved against its associated resilience to allow the pivot axis to pass. The container may incorporate a surface which is so oriented as to urge the pivot axis to move to a preferred position relative to the container when the support member moves to one of the positions. The one position may be a nesting position. The surface may be provided by a wall of the container. The mounting means may be so formed as to allow the pivot axis to be moved while the support member is in a nesting position to a position corresponding to a selected stacking position and at which the support member may swing from the nesting position to the selected stacking position without further movement of the pivot axis. The mounting means may comprise a slot, the pivot axis being movable along the slot. The slot may be arcuate. The slot is preferably centred at the nesting position. The slot is preferably formed in a container wall. Preferably, a pivot member is fixed in relation to the container wall and located in a slot which is movable with the support member. The mounting means may incorporate a resilient detent formation so located as to bear on a part moving along the slot. The detent formation may be formed in a wall of the slot. The resilience may be provided by material of the wall of the slot. The support member may comprise at least one first portion locatable in the slot of the mounting means to be pivotable within and movable along the slot, and a second portion which extends across the container to support a second container when in a stacking position. The support member may comprise at least one connecting portion each connecting the second portion to a corresponding first portion. The support member may be substantially U-shaped. Corresponding mounting means are preferably provided at opposite walls of the container. The container may be adapted to retain the support member in each of the stacking positions. There may be a formation at each stacking position, each formation being formed to retain the support member in the corresponding stacking position. Each formation may comprise a notch in which the support member may rest. The support member may comprise a projection which enhances engagement between the support member and the retaining formation. The formations may be formed in side walls of the container. A channel forming member may be provided adjacent side walls of the container, to form a generally open-topped channel. Mounting means for the support member may be provided in one or both channel walls. The mounting means may comprise a slot in one or both channel walls, and corresponding portions of the support member locatable in the slot or slots. There may be a plurality of support members. There may be two support members, located toward respective ends of the container, each being mounted as aforesaid. The container may have a base and walls extending above the base. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of part of one end of a container according to the present invention, showing a support member in three alternative positions; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic cross-section of a first type of pivotal connection viewed along the line II-II in Fig. 1 with details of the end wall omitted, for clarity; Fig. 3 is a similar diagrammatic cross-section of a second type of pivotal connection; Fig. 4 is a similar diagrammatic cross-section of a third type of pivotal connection; Fig. 5 is an elevation of the container wall corresponding to Fig. 1, viewed from inside the container along the line V-V of Fig. 4, and showing the use of the pivotal connection of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is an elevation corresponding to Fig. 5, showing a further type of pivotal connection; Fig. 7 is a side view corresponding to Fig. 1, showing a second embodiment; and Fig. 8 is a partial plan view, in section, along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7, with parts cut away. Turning to Fig. 1, a container 10 comprises a base 12 and four upstanding walls of which part of a side wall 14 and an end wall 16 can be seen in Fig. 1. The walls are formed to allow containers to nest inside each other, subject to the location of support members, as will be described. Both side walls 14 comprise an outer channel forming member 15 (see particularly Figs. 2 and 3) extending adjacent thereto, to form an upwardly open channel 17. Alternatively, the channel and channel forming member could be adjacent the inner face of the wall 14. Corresponding slots 18 are provided in the channel 17 in each member 15. The slots 18 are shown as arcuate, but may be straight. Fig. 2 shows the slot 18 formed in the channel forming member 15. Alternatively, the slot 18 may be formed at the corresponding height in the channel forming portion 20 of the side wall 14. In a further alternative (Fig. 3) a slot 18 is formed in the channel forming member 15 and also in the wall portion 20. A support member 22 is provided which comprises a support bar 23 which extends across the upper mouth of the container 10, between the side walls 14, and which further comprises an end portion 24 at each end thereof. The end portions 24 are located within corresponding slots 18. Connecting portions 26 connect the respective ends of the support bar 23 to the respective end portions 24, such that the support member 22 is generally U-shaped (generally inverted when in position in the container). The support member 22 may be of metal, or reinforced plastics material, or other suitable material having adequate strength. The location of the end portions 24 in the slots 18 serves to mount the members 22 on the container and allows the members 22 to pivot about the axis of the end portions 24 (parallel to the bar 23). The end portions 24 may also slide along the slots 18 to move the pivot axis relative to the container. Corresponding sets of recesses 28,30,32 are formed in the walls 14 of the container. A recess 28 is formed at the top of each end wall 16 and recesses (or notches) 30,32 are formed in the channel forming portion 20 of each side wall 14. The recesses 28,30,32 are so formed as to be able to engage the support bar 23, to support the support bar 23 at a fixed position and pre-determined height above the base 12. The other end of the container (not shown, but to the left as viewed in Fig. 1) has a corresponding support bar arrangement. In use, when a similar container is to be nested in the container 10, each support member 22 is in position P1, with each support bar 23 in the respective recess 28, adjacent the respective end wall 16. The end portions 24 are at the lower ends of the slots 18. They will tend to adopt this position by the influence of gravity. In this position, the support bars 23 do not obstruct the entry of the base of a similar container into the container 10, and therefore allow the similar container to be nested with the container 10. When a similar container is to be stacked on top of the container 10 at a relatively large height above the base 12 (that is, the containers are to be stacked relatively far apart), then the support members 22 are moved from position P1 to position P2 wherein the support bars 23 are located in the respective recesses 30. It can be seen that in order for each bar 23 to be located in the respective recess 30, the support member 22 must be both pivotted about the end portions 24 and the end portions 24 moved along the slots 18. When in position P2, the support bars 23 extend across the container to provide a support for the base of a similar container thereby supporting the similar container at a relatively large height above the base 12. The container 10 may have a stacking notch 34 in its base, to locate securely on a support bar 23 below. If the vertical distance between stacked containers is desired to be relatively small, then the support members 22 can be moved to position P3, in which the respective support bars 23 rest in the respective recesses 32. Again, moving the members 22 into this position (either from position P1 or P2) requires a combination of pivotal movement of the members 22 about the portions 24 and movement along the slots 18. Movement between the nesting position P1 and the various stacking positions is facilitated by having the slot 18 arcuate and centred on the axis of the bar 23 when at the nesting position P1. A stacking position can then be selected by pivotting the portions 26 about the bar 23, to move the portions 24 along the slot 18 to a position which allows pivotting about the portions 24 to swing the bar 23 into notch 30 or 32. The final positions of the bar 23 in the notches 30,32 are vertically aligned. A number of positions, some vertically aligned and some offset, could be provided. It is to be appreciated that any suitable number of recesses can be provided according to the number of different stacking heights required. It should also be understood that the Figures indicate support members occupying each of the positions P1,P2,P3 simultaneously, whereas, of course, only one position would be in use at any time. Another alternative arrangement for mounting the support bar 23 on the container is illustrated in figs. 4 and 5. In this arrangement, a fixed lug or pin 40 is mounted on or formed integrally with the container wall. The connecting portion 26 has an elongate slot 42 in which the lug 40 is located. The lug and slot provide a pivotal connection between the support member 23 and the container 10. Movement of the lug 40 along the slot 42, as will be described, allows the pivot axis to move relative to the support member. Small resilient fingers 44 may be formed in the walls of the slot 42 to resist movement of the lug 40 along the slot 42 unless the resilience is overcome. In order to allow the resilience to be overcome, the fingers 44 may be inherently resilient, or the material in which the slot is formed may be resilient, or both. Preferably the fingers 44 confine the lug 40 to one end (the lower end) of the slot 42. If the resilience is not overcome, the support member 23 is then free to swing between the nesting position P1 and the uppermost stacking position P2 at which the support member 23 rests in a hooked notch 46 to be retained in position. Fig. 5 shows two other positions P3 and P4 which are lower stacking positions and are shown vertically aligned with position P2 A support bar 23 can be placed in positions P3 or P4 in the following manner. The bar 23 is first swung out from position P1 or position P2 to an intermediate position and a downward force is applied to overcome the resilience in the slot 42 until the lug 40 clears the fingers 44 and is located above them in the slot. By sliding the connecting portion 26 up or down on the lug 40, and by pivotting the support bar 23 and connecting portion 26 about the lug 40, the support bar 23 can be moved to position P3 or P4. Thus, the support bar 23 can be moved between any of the positions P1, P2, P3 and P4 by appropriate pivotal movement about the lug 40, and movement of the pivot axis relative to the support bar 23 along the slot 42. For some applications, it may be desirable to provide more resilient fingers at other positions, or to provide no resilient fingers. Fig. 6 shows a further alternative arrangement for mounting the support bar 23 on the container 10. The illustrated arrangement provides three stacking positions P2,P3,P4 at different heights. A hook formation 46A is provided at each stacking position to receive the bar 23. For convenience of description, a support bar 23 and connecting portion 26 are shown in each of the three stacking positions and at the nesting position but naturally, only one position would be occupied at any one time. In this arrangement, each connecting portion 26 carries a land 50. The container walls carry lands 52. If the support bar 23 is moved to certain positions relative to the container 10, the land 50 will contact one or other of the lands 52, thereby preventing further movement. In other positions, the connecting portion 26 will engage the container end wall 16 as can be seen at 54. The shape and position of the lands 52 and the land 50 are choosen to confine the land 50 during normal use to a region 56 between the lands 52 and the end wall 16. Alternatively, a ring of lands 52 could be used to confine the land 50 and avoid the need for any contact with the wall 16 to assist in the confinement. It is to be noted that the region 56 is not delimited by a continuous wall. Alternatively, a continuous wall could be used. The positions of the lands 50,52 could be reversed, so that a land or other projection fixed on a container wall is confined in a region defined relative to the connecting portion 26. The effect of the confinement of the land 50 limits the land 50 to a predetermined range of locations. Since the land 50 moves with the support bar 23, the support bar 23 is therefore also limited in its range of movement. This allows the support bar 23 to move between stacking positions (and a nesting position, if one is provided) but retains the support bar 23 loosely mounted on the container. In effect, while the slots of figs. 2,3 and 4 allow the corresponding pivot axis to move along a line, the confinement in the region 56 allows the pivot axis to move in two dimensions around the region 56. Thus, while the connecting member 26 is more loosely mounted on the container in Fig. 6, it is nevertheless mounted to allow the support bar to move between stacking positions by a combination (possibly a complicated combination) of linear and pivotal movement. A second embodiment is shown in Figs. 7 and 8. This embodiment corresponds closely with the first embodiment described above, particularly that shown in Figs. 1 to 3, and corresponding numerals are used, where applicable. However, the connecting portions 26 are arcuate rather than straight. The end wall 16 slopes less steeply in the region indicated by numeral 100. The sliding pivot mounting of the connecting portions 26 incorporates a detent, as will be described. These differences will now be described in more detail. The connecting portions 26 and the wall region 100 are formed so that the connecting portions 26 lie along the wall portion 100 when the support member 22 is in the nesting position P1. In this position, the curve on the connecting portions 26 places the end portions 24 at or near the upper end of the slots 18. This position corresponds to the position at which the support member 22 can swing (without the pivot axis moving along the slot) between the nesting position and the uppermost stacking position P2. These two positions are likely to be the most frequently used, and correspond to the nesting and stacking positions of conventional nest/stack containers. The mounting arrangement of the support members 26 tends to resist movement of the end portions 24 along the slots 18, away from this upper position. The resistance is provided by a resilient detent formation 102, shown most clearly in Fig. 8. The location of the formation 102 is indicated in Fig. 7 by a pair of broken lines. The formation 102 is a prominence formed in the rear wall 20 of the slot 18. Alternatively, the formation could be flush with the rear wall 20, the end portion 24 moving normally in a groove to either side of the formation 102. Other detent arrangements could be used, and appropriate resilience can be provided in various ways. The formation 102 provides resilient resistance to movement of the end portion 24, which can only move along the slot 18 past the formation 102 if the resilience is overcome, for instance by flexing the material of the rear wall 20 and/or the channel forming member 15. The presence of the formation 102 tends to retain the end portion 24 to one side or the other of the formation 102. In many applications, it is expected that the end portion 24 will normally be located between the formation 102 and the upper end of the slot 18, in the position corresponding to the nesting position P1 and the upper stacking position P2. The support member 22 can be moved easily from the nesting position to the upper stacking position and back, while the end portion 24 is retained at the corresponding position by the formation 102. It is to be noted that the geometry is such that forces applied to the support member 22 when in the stacking position P2 or the nesting position P1, cannot force the end portion 24 past the formation 102. This is a result in particular of the abutment of the connecting portions 26 and the wall section 100, together with the curvature of the connecting portions 26. The security of the arrangement at the positions P2,P3 can be enhanced by deepening the notches in relation to Fig. 1, as shown, and providing projections 104 which engage the deepened notches. If it is required to place the support member 22 in the lower stacking position P3, the support member 22 should be moved by hand to an intermediate position between the nesting position and the upper stacking position, at which position a downward force can be applied to force the end portions 24 past the formations 102, against the resilience of the wall 20. Once the end portion 24 has been forced past the formation 102, the location of the pivot axis of the support member 22 changes, as has been described above in relation to Figs. 1 to 6, and the support member 22 can then be pivotted down to the lower stacking position P3. If it is desired to return the support member 22 to the upper stacking position or to the nesting position, the support member 22 is again raised to the intermediate, substantially upright position and an upward force is applied to pull the end portions 24 past the formations 102 to the upper positions corresponding to the nesting position and the upper stacking position. Alternatively, this upward force can be provided by a form of camming action in which the support member 22 is swung from the lower stacking position toward the nesting position, until bearing against the wall section 100. A sideways force, such as by placing a second container down into the mouth of the container, or applied by hand, would then force the support bar 23 outwardly and force the connecting portions 26 against the wall section 100, thereby exerting an upward force on the end portions 24, by virtue of a form of camming or levering action. This would force the end portions 24 past the formations 102. Various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. For example, the slots can be of any suitable shape, and may be substituted for any other suitable mounting means, for example runners. The pivotal attachment of the support member to the sides of the container may be of any suitable design. A single support member may be provided in a container, and adapted to sufficiently support a container stacked therein.

Claims: A container (10, 110) having a base (12) and comprising a support member (22) mountable on said container at a stacking position (P2) to support a second container rested on the support member to form a stack, the support member having a plurality of stacking positions (P2, P3) as aforesaid at which a second container may be supported at respective positions above the container base, characterised in that the plurality of stacking positions of the support member include at least two vertically aligned stacking positions. A container (10, 110) according to claim 1, characterised in that the support member (22) also has a nesting position (P1) in which the support member allows a second like container to be nested in the container. A container (10, 110) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised by comprising mounting means (18, 24, 40, 42, 50, 52) operable to mount the support member (22) on the container and so arranged as to allow the support member to be movable between the stacking positions (P2, P3). A container (10, 110) according to claim 3, characterised in that the mounting means (18, 24, 40, 42, 50, 52) include a projection (24, 40, 50) which is confined, in use, to a predetermined range of locations to limit the range of movement of the support means. A container (10, 110) according to claim 4, characterised in that the projection (50) is confined by surfaces (52) which do not continuously bound the region in which the projection is confined. A container (10, 110) according to any of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the mounting means (18, 24, 40, 42, 50, 52) allow the support member (22) to pivot relative to the rest of the container, whereby the support member is able to pivot and move between any of the plurality of stacking positions (P2, P3). A container (10, 110) according to claim 6, characterised in that the mounting means (18, 24, 40, 42, 50, 52) allow the pivot axis to move. A container (10, 110) according to claim 7, characterised in that the pivot axis is movable relative to the container (10, 110) or the support member (22). A container (10, 110) according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the mounting means (18, 24, 40, 42) comprise detent means which tend to resist movement of the pivot axis when the support member (22) is in at least one (P1) of the positions (P1, P2, P3), whereby the number of the positions accessible by the support member is restricted unless the pivot axis is released from the detent means. A container (10, 110) according to claim 9, characterised in that the support member (22) can only move between a first stacking position (P1) and a nesting position (P2) unless the pivot axis is released from the detent means. A container (10, 110) according to claim 10, characterised in that the first stacking position (P1) is the uppermost stacking position. A container (10, 110) according to claim 9, 10 or 11, characterised by comprising a resilient detent formation (44, 102) which must be moved against its associated resilience to allow the pivot axis to pass. A container (10, 110) according to any of claims 6 to 12, characterised by the container incorporating a surface (100) which is so oriented as to urge the pivot axis to move to a preferred position relative to the container when the support member (22) moves to one (P1) of the positions. A container (10, 110) according to claim 13, characterised in that the one position (P1) is a nesting position. A container (10, 110) according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that the surface (100) is provided by a wall of the container. A container (10, 110) according to any of claims 6 to 12, characterised in that the mounting means (18, 24, 40, 42, 50, 52) are so formed as to allow the pivot axis to be moved while the support member (22) is in a nesting position (P1) to a position corresponding to a selected stacking position (P2) and at which the support member may swing from the nesting position to the selected stacking position without further movement of the pivot axis. A container (10, 110) according to claim 16, characterised in that the mounting means (18, 24, 40, 42) comprise a slot (24, 42), the pivot axis being movable along the slot. A container (10, 110) according to claim 17, characterised in that the slot (18) is arcuate. A container (10, 110) according to claim 18, characterised in that the slot (18) is centred at the nesting position (P1). A container (10, 110) according to claim 17, 18 or 19, characterised in that the slot (18) is formed in a container wall (14). A container (10, 110) according to any of claims 17 to 19, characterised in that a pivot member (40) is fixed in relation to the container wall and located in a slot (42) which is movable with the support member (22). A container (10, 110) according to any of claims 17 to 21, characterised in that the mounting means (18, 24, 40, 42) incorporates a resilient detent formation (44, 102) so located as to bear on a part (24) moving along the slot (18). A container (10, 110) according to claim 22, characterised in that the detent formation (44, 102) is formed in a wall of the slot (18). A container (10, 110) according to claim 22 or 23, characterised in that the resilience is provided by material of the wall of the slot (18). A container (10, 110) according to any of claims 17 to 24, characterised in that the support member (22) comprises at least one first portion (24) locatable in the slot (18) of the mounting means to be pivotable within and movable along the slot, and a second portion (23) which extends across the container to support a second container when in a stacking position. A container (10, 110) according to claim 25, characterised the support member (22) comprises at least one connecting portion (26) each connecting the second portion to a corresponding first portion (18) A container. (10, 110) according to claim 25, characterised in that the support member (22) is substantially U-shaped. A container (10, 110) according to claim 3 or any claim dependent on claim 3, characterised in that corresponding mounting means (18, 24, 40, 42, 50, 52) are provided at opposite walls of the container. A container (10, 110) according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the container is adapted to retain the support member (22) in each of the stacking positions (P2, P3). A container (10, 110) according to claim 29, characterised by comprising a formation (30, 32, 46) at each stacking position (P2, P3), each formation being formed to retain the support member in the corresponding stacking position. A container (10, 110) according to claim 30, characterised in that each formation (30, 32, 46) comprises a notch in which the support member (22) may rest. A container (10, 110) according to claim 30 or 31, characterised in that the support member (22) comprises a projection (104) which enhances engagement between the support member and the retaining formation (30, 32, 46). A container (10, 110) according to claim 30, 31 or 32, characterised in that the formations (30, 32, 46) are formed in side walls (14) of the container. A container (10, 110) according to any preceding claim, characterised a channel forming member (15) is provided adjacent side walls (14) of the container, to form a generally open-topped channel (17). A container (10, 110) according to claim 34, characterised in that mounting means (18, 24, 40, 42, 50, 52) for the support member (22) are provided in one or both channel walls (14). A container (10, 110) according to claim 35, characterised in that the mounting means (18, 24) comprise a slot (18) in one or both channel walls, and corresponding portions (18) of the support member locatable in the slot or slots. A container (10, 110) according to any preceding claim, characterised by comprising a plurality of support members (22). A container (10, 110) according to claim 37, characterised in that two support members (22) are located toward respective ends of the container, each being mounted as aforesaid. A container (10, 110) according to any preceding claim, characterised by comprising a base (12) and walls (14) extending above the base.

Inventors: COPE A, LOFTUS S, COPE, A., LOFTUS, S.
Applicants: PAXTON C G LTD, C G PAXTON LIMITED
Application year: 1993
Main classification: B65D21
IPC codes: B65D21