Patent Publication Number: US-2016229583-A1

Title: Crate of multiple uses

Description:
The invention relates to a crate of multiple uses, regular or foldable or dismantable, that is useful for the packaging and transportation of agricultural and industrial products, meat, bakery products, etc.. 
     To date there are several reusable crates, regular or foldable or dismantable, which are available in various dimensions. Since they are being transported stacked onto euro-pallets, their dimensions (length and width) are sub-multiples of the corresponding dimensions of the latter (80 cm×120 cm); it has therefore been established that the length and width dimensions of the crates have to be 60 cm×40 cm and 40 cm×30 cm. In this way mixed pallets may be provided with a large crate underneath a pair of small crates and vice versa. Peaches, grapes, cups containing various fruits are being packed in crates of the same length and width but of varying heights, namely having a height of 10 cm for peaches, of 11 cm for grapes, of 14 cm for the cups. A separate mold is used for the cast production of each one of these variably dimensioned crates, whereby the cost of such molds, as well as the costs associated with the overall management of such different sizes of crates in the supply chain is high. 
     The advantage of this invention is that in the crate of multiple uses, regular or foldable or dismantable, including the crate that is dismantable and foldable at the same time, at least two opposite vertical sides are constructed in a manner that allows variation of the height thereof so as to satisfy varying specific requirements. That is, while as mentioned herein above up to date three different sizes of crates are required for packing peaches, grapes and cups, the present invention requires only a single crate with two opposite sides having a height that can vary in the range of 10-14 cm. It therefore follows that a small number of crates having sides with variable height can adequately cover the needs of packaging for most products, since hitherto the crates being used have heights within a range of 10 cm to 25 cm. 
    
    
     
         FIG. 1  shows a plastic crate with an adjustable height according to the invention with the height set at a maximum value, 
         FIG. 2  shows the same with an adjustable height according to the invention with the height set at a minimum value, 
         FIG. 3  shows the crate with an adjustable height according to the invention the crate being dismantable and foldable at the same time. 
         FIG. 4  shows the crates of adjustable height, which are being dismantled and folded, stacked one above the other according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     In the specification following hereinbelow, descriptions refer to a quarter or half of the crate due to the symmetry thereof, 
     Some of the embodiments of the invention are described below. 
       FIG. 1  shows a plastic crate of multiple uses A, regular or foldable or dismantable, which is constituted by the vertical sides B, C, D, E, and the base F, wherein all vertical sides or at least two opposing sides of the four vertical sides, e.g. side C and similarly the opposing side B are provided with vertically extending sliding channels C 2 , C 3 , C 4 . 
     A plastic component M is fitted onto this side, such plastic component M consisting of a horizontally extending bar M 1  that constitutes the top of side C and similarly of side B of the crate, a pair of vertical extensions M 2  and M 3  emanating from such plastic component M and adapted to slide within channels C 2  and C 3  of side C respectively. The sliding channels C 2  and C 3  are open at the top thereof and extensions M 2  and M 3  are adapted to slide within these channels in a manner that ensures that component M can move in the vertical direction only. A groove M 5 ′ is provided at the middle and underneath the horizontally extending bar M 1 , such groove being adapted to receive a correspondingly formed protrusion M 5  provided at the top of the plastic surface M 4 , thereby forming a hinged connection that allows a slight rotation of surface M 4  within channel C 4 . Protrusions M 6 , M 7 , M 8  are provided longitudinally along the surface M 4 , as shown in  FIG. 1.1  that is a detail of  FIG. 1 , one of these protrusions M 6 , M 7 , M 8  being inserted within the horizontally extending bar C 1  of side C at each particular instant thereby defining the new height of the crate. Bar C 1  is a II-section rotated by 90° so that the protrusions M 6 , M 7 , M 8  are being inserted within the gap thereof. A projection M 9  with the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped is provided onto the surface M 4  at the opposite side of that with the protrusions. One side of projection M 9  abuts onto side C and plays a dual role: a) it operates as a spring that exerts a constant pressure onto M 4  so that any protrusion that has been selected to be locked within the II-section of C 1  can be released only after exercising an opposite force onto M 4 , and b) it determine the exact position of the slots to facilitate the person who sets the height of the crate, since such slots adapted to nest projection M 9  are being provided at the proper height onto side C and at the side thereof that abuts onto the projection M 9 . In this way the practitioner has a sense of the position chosen to stabilize the mechanism M. The crate has a maximum height at position M 6 , whereas a total of four different heights can be chosen for the crate being depicted, the shortest being obtained at the initial setting and the other three being determined by the number of protrusions being provided. 
     The mechanisms M may be mutually connected together so as to jointly move upwardly or downwardly. 
     The mechanism M might also comprise additional desired protrusions that can be inserted within corresponding channels of side C, such protrusions having the same functional role as that of protrusions M 2 , M 3 , M 4  or the role of simply averting the falling of products outside the crate. 
       FIG. 2  shows the plastic crate for multiple uses A having the minimum height. From the position wherein the crate had the maximum height whereby the sides of surfaces M 4  with the plastic components M of sides B and C were being pushed towards the interior of the crate, these are being slightly rotated around the hinged connection of protrusion M 5  within the groove M 5 ′, thereby unhooking the protrusion M 5  from bar C 1  of side C and allowing sliding of the plastic components M within the channels of sides B and C respectively until they terminate therein. 
       FIG. 3  shows the plastic crate for multiple uses A wherein the two opposite sides B and C thereof have a variable height, whereas the other two vertical sides D and E and the base F thereof result from a unitary surface of any material that can be cut and folded so as to form the crate or they may be cast and be pivotally connected together with a film or other connecting methods. 
     Extensions BE, BF, BD, and CE, CF, CD of a rectangular parallelepipedal shape are respectively provided onto the vertical sides B and C in which the plastic component M is being embedded. An additional plastic mechanism K of an inverted II-section is also provided with K 1  and K 3  being the vertical sides and K 2  the horizontal side thereof. K 1  is parallel to the parallelepiped CE, K 2  is parallel to CF and K 3  to CD and accordingly K 1  is parallel to BE, K 2  to BF and K 3  to BD. 
     The mechanism K, as shown in  FIG. 3.1  that depicts a detail of  FIG. 3 , abuts the inner surface of side of C, and similarly of side B, and in the present embodiment it is being rotated around axis K 4  that is located at the upper end of K 1  and is perpendicular thereto and around axis K 5  that is located at the upper end of K 3  and is perpendicular thereto. These axes penetrate corresponding holes K 4 ′ and K 5 ′ provided onto CE and CD respectively so as to allow rotation of at least 90 degrees of K in relation to the side C, to enable disassembly of the crate in the manner that will be described hereinafter. At least two protrusions K 6  and K 7 , perpendicular to K 2  extend in the direction of C, such two protrusions K 6  and K 7  having a length such that they may in each case not to protrude from side C, while corresponding holes K 6 ′ and K 7 ′ are provided at the positions of K 6  and K 7  on side C such that to allow insertion therein of the abovementioned protrusions when the mechanism K abuts onto the side C. An appropriately shaped and sized hole is provided at the end of protrusions K 6  and K 7 , where in this embodiment such hole is provided in a horizontal direction. 
     Onto the same side C and at the outer surface thereof another plastic mechanism Z that is shown in  FIG. 3.2 , a detail of  FIG. 3  is provided such mechanism being appropriately incorporated in side C without protruding therefrom. Mechanism Z consists of a plastic ring Z 1  with angular extensions Z 2  and Z 3  and a horizontally extending pin Z 4  which is being inserted within the hole of protrusion K 6  of mechanism K. Another symmetrical mechanism Z is provided at the other end of the same plastic side, such mechanism having a pin that is being inserted within the hole of protrusion K 7 . In this way the mechanism K is held securely against the side C. The dimensions of ring Z 1  and the distance between the two mechanisms Z which lie on the same side are such as to accommodate the thumb in one mechanism and the middle finger of a practitioner in the other, so that when the mechanisms are being pulled they may lead to projections Z 2  and Z 3  being deformed so that pin Z 4  is being withdrawn from the hole of the protrusion K 6  and the other pin is withdrawn from the hole of the projection K 7 , thereby releasing the mechanism K and allowing rotation thereof around axes K 4  and K 5  to dismantle the crate. When the external force acting onto the two mechanisms Z is removed, then extensions Z 2  and Z 3  which were bent tend to return to their original position thereby leading to pins Z 4  being inserted within the holes of the protrusions K 6  and K 7  respectively. Mechanism K might be provided with more than two protrusions and corresponding pins holding them depending on the forces being exerted on and within the crate. 
     The single surface that forms the two vertical sides D and E and the basement F of the crate has an initial shape of a rectangular parallelepiped and is being cut to the desired dimensions or it may have the desired dimensions if it is composed of discrete molded surfaces which are connected together, such surface being provided with folds/hinges so as to form surfaces E 1 , E 2  on side E, corresponding surfaces D 1 , D 2  on side D and surfaces F 1 , F 2  on the basement F, as shown in  FIG. 3.3  that depicts a detail of  FIG. 3 . Sides E and D are rotated towards the interior of the crate and perpendicularly to the basement F around an axis with the corresponding fold/hinge S 2 . The surfaces E 1 , F 1 , D 1  on one side and E 2 , F 2 , D 2  on the other side are rotated towards the interior of the crate, more than 135° in one case and more than 90° in another case, as will be explained immediately below, around an axis of rotation of the corresponding fold/hinge S 1  thereof. 
     In the section of the groove being formed by (CD, C, K 3 ) as shown in  FIG. 3.4  that depicts a detail of  FIG. 3 , identical grooves being further formed by (CE, C, K 1 ), (CF, C, K 2 ), (BE, B, K 1 ), (BF, B, K 2 ), (BD, B, K 3 ), the groove consisting of a triangle with vertices K 11 , K 12 , K 13  and with a right angle whose sides are the intersection of a portion of side C and the perpendicular to this CD, wherein the side (K 12 , K 13 ) of the triangle abuts side C. The side of the triangle (K 13 , K 11 ) is being extended by a few millimetres, and the distance of point K 12  from CD depends on the maximum thickness of the material to be used for the manufacture of E, F, D, whereas the distance of the point where the extension of side (K 13 , K 11 ) ends from CD should be greater than twice the thickness D or than the thickness of D plus the thickness of D 2  in case it differs in this part, the angle being formed by the sides of the triangle (K 11 , K 12 ) and (K 12 , K 13 ) being greater than 10°, and with the length of D 2  being less than the length of side (K 11 , K 12 ) so that the portion D 2  of side D, due to its tendency to return to its original position, would hook into this groove by the extension of side (K 13 , K 11 ), so that finally the surfaces E 1 , F 1 , D 1  on one side and E 2 , F 2 , D 2  on the other would permeate the grooves being formed onto the sides B and C to be entrapped therein and thereby forming the crate, 
     The crate might also be formed without mechanism K initially abutting sides B and C, but being inclined with respect to them at an angle of more than 90° degrees. In this case the intersection of the groove being formed by (CD, C, K 3 ) as shown in  FIG. 3.5 , which is identical to the grooves being formed by (CE, C, K 1 ), (CF, C, K 2 ), (BE, B, K 1 ), (BF, B, K 2 ), (BD, B, K 3 ), the mechanism K is formed by a right angled triangle with vertices K 21 , K 22 , K 23  and by a rectangle with tops K 21 , K 24 , K 25  , K 26  and a right angle whose sides are the intersection of a portion of side C and the perpendicular therein CD, wherein the side (K 22 , K 23 ) of the triangle abuts side C. The distance between the side (K 24 , K 25 ) from CD is equal to the thickness of D, and the distance of the side (K 25 , K 26 ) from C is equal to the thickness of the portion D 2  of side D, wherein the crate is in this case being formed after first having E 1 , F 1 , D 1 , on the one side and E 2 , F 2 , D 2  abutting side B and side C respectively, thereafter rotating the mechanism K up to the point of bringing K to abut sides B and C, respectively, to have E 1 , F 1 , D 1  and E 2 , F 2 , D 2  entrapped within the grooves and thereafter have the mechanisms K immobilized by the mechanisms Z so that crate A is ultimately being formed, 
     Onto the surface out of which the two vertical sides D, E and the basement F of the crate are being formed, there are provided folds/hinges S 3  onto the basement F of the crate, folds/hinges S 4 , S 5 , S 6  onto the vertical sides E and D thereby forming the surface F 3  onto the basement F, the surfaces E 3 , E 4 , E 5 , E 6 , E 7  onto side E and the corresponding surfaces D 3 , D 4 , D 5 , D 6 , D 7  onto the side D. The angle formed in between the folds/hinges S 4 , S 5  is 45°. The distance in between the folds/hinges S 1  and S 4  is equal to or greater than the length of the perpendicular drawn from the end of the extension of side (K 13 , K 11 ) of the triangle and ending at side C in the first case and in the second case it is equal or greater than the length of the side (K 21 , K 22 ). The distance in between the folds/hinges S 3  and S 4  is analogue to the above so that the surfaces E 5  and E 7  will abut each other and the parallelepiped N 1  of mechanism N as will be explained hereinafter abuts F when the crate is being folded. 
     After the crate has been formed, exerting pressure onto surfaces E 7  and D 7  towards the interior of the crate around the axis of rotation being determined by the folds/hinges S 2  provided on either side of the basement F, results in the crate being unfolded since surfaces ES and E 6  of side E follow, and similarly the corresponding surfaces of D, which however move in the opposite direction to that of E 7  around the axis of rotation being determined by the folds/hinges S 4 , S 5  for one of them and S 4 , S 6  for the other. Sides B and C also follow, which are rotated towards the interior of the crate around the axis of rotation being determined by the folds/hinges S 3  provided on either side of the basement F. Eventually E 5  and E 6  get to the point where their exterior surface abuts the exterior surface of E 7  of side E, while it is in this way that sides B and C are becoming parallel to the basement F of the crate. 
     In this embodiment the fixation of the folding box so that it may retain its shape after being formed, is being performed as follows. Sections E 7  and D 7  of the sides E and D respectively are provided with vertically extending gaps N 4 ′, N 5 ′, a mechanism N being adapted to slide within these gaps, mechanism N having the shape of a II-section with unequal vertical sides N 1  and N 2  and a horizontal side N 3 , as shown in  FIG. 3.6  that is a detail of  FIG. 3 . The internal surface of the parallelepiped N 1  abuts the internal surface of side E and the internal surface of N 2  abuts the external surface thereof, with the distance between them being equal to or greater than the material thickness of E 5 , E 6 , E 7  and the length of N 2  being less than N 1 . The protrusions N 4  and N 5  are shaped in the form of a mushroom and provided in the parallelepiped N 1  having a body with a height greater than the thickness of E 7 , being adapted to move within the notches N 4 ′ and N 5 ′ of E 7  so that when the crate has been formed, mechanism N slides until the interior of the parallelepiped N 3  abuts the upper part of E 5 , E 6 , E 7 , thereby restraining them from being folded. In this way the crate is being appropriately formed and fixed with a single motion and the adjustment of the height thereof follows when necessary. The length of mechanism N is such that it may allow the unobstructed folding of the crate. 
     The folding of the crate of a large height is being effected after the plastic components M on sides B and C slip into their original position, which is that where the crate has the minimum height. Thereafter, the mechanisms N, which are located on the sides D and E of the crate A are being lifted, so that the bottom of the parallelepiped N 2  of mechanism N reaches a height higher than that of the sides D and E and then pressing D 7  and E 7  towards the interior of the crate leads to the latter being folded as described hereinabove. 
     The choice of the shape of mechanism K, i.e. of the manner in which the crate is being formed, has more to do with the material from which sides D, E and the basement F of the crate are being made, as well as with the speed and the cost of construction of the machine employed in the forming process, since in both cases the method of disassembling the crate is the same. 
       FIG. 4  shows plastic crates for multiple uses, having an adjustable height and being dismantable in a folded condition, one on top of the other, according to the invention, wherein sides B and C of crate A are shown, whereupon are being mounted the mechanisms M that provide adjustment of the height of the crate and mechanisms Z that securely fix mechanism K in position. 
     The crates are provided with openings with a scope of saving material and ventilation of the products contained therein. They are further provided with notches that serve as handgrips, notches and protrusions that serve as supports when mixed pallets comprising crates sized 60×40 cm and crates sized 40×30 cm are being made, so as to provide hooking of the crate when closed, mutual hooking of the crates when these are stacked one above the other when they are filled and when they are folded, thereby creating rigid pallets. Where the word plastic is encountered, it is to mean all molded plastics, i.e. materials which can be cast and vice versa.