Patent Publication Number: US-2022234783-A1

Title: Collapsible containers including attachment brackets

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to containers used for shipping cargo and specifically to collapsible and reusable containers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Collapsible containers are commonly used in the shipping industry to transport cargo. Collapsible containers may be reused to reduce waste disposal costs associated with “single-use” shipping containers. Furthermore, collapsible containers may reduce storage space necessary when the containers are not in use. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In certain examples, a container includes a first panel with a detent and a pin extending therefrom, a second panel that extends transverse to the first panel, and a bracket removably coupled to the first panel via engagement with the detent and the pin such that the bracket prevents movement of the second panel relative to the first panel. The detent is selectively depressed to thereby decouple the bracket from the first panel. 
     In certain examples, a container includes a first panel with a detent, a first pin, and a second pin extending therefrom and a second panel that extends transverse to the first panel. A bracket is removably coupled to the first panel via engagement with the detent, the first pin, and the second pin such that a first arm of the bracket is coupled to the first panel and a second arm of the bracket extends along the second panel to thereby prevent movement of the second panel relative to the first panel. The detent is selectively depressed to thereby decouple the bracket from the first panel. 
     In certain examples, a method for assembling a container includes the steps of positioning a first panel adjacent to the second panel, wherein the first panel has a pin and a detent, positioning a bracket with a slot along the first panel such that the pin is in the slot and the bracket depresses the detent, and moving the bracket relative to the first panel such that the pin is in a leg of the slot and the detent automatically extends into the slot such that the bracket is fixed relative to the first panel. 
     Various other features, objects, and advantages will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure is described with reference to the following Figures. The same numbers are used throughout the Figures to reference like features and like components. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example container with panels assembled on a base and brackets securing the panels to each other; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an example container system with panels stacked in the base; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an example bracket according to the present disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 4-12  are various views depicting a sequence for coupling the bracket to panels of the container system. Note that  FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the bracket and the panel along line  6 - 6  on  FIG. 5  and  FIGS. 11-12  are cross-sectional views of the bracket and the panel along lines  11 - 11  and  12 - 12 , respectively, on  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1-2  depict an example container  10  of the present disclosure in which cargo is received. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the container  10  is formed by a plurality of panels  14 ,  15 ,  16  that are on a base  11 . The container  10  defines an internal cavity  23  ( FIG. 4 ) in which cargo is contained. Note that the container  10  generally extends along a vertical axis (see arrow V) between a top and a bottom, a lateral axis (see arrow H) between a front and a back, and a longitudinal axis (see arrow L) between a first side and an opposite second side. The containers  10  are formed by any suitable material such as metal, plywood, corrugated cardboard, and solid wood. 
     Also note that although  FIG. 1  depicts only one side panel  14  and a top panel  15 , the container  10  includes additional side panels  14  (see  FIG. 4 ) and a bottom panel  16  (see  FIG. 2 ). The shape of the container  10  can vary, and in one example, the container  10  has a total of four side panels  14  such that the container  10  has a generally a rectangular prism. 
     The side panels  14  have edge guards  17  that protect the ends and edges of the side panels  14 . The edge guards  17  are coupled to the side panels  14  with adhesives or fasteners such as screws. The edge guards  17  are L-shaped or U-shaped and are formed of any suitable material such as metal and plastic. 
     Each side panel  14  can also include one or more mounting plates  30  that each include a first pin  31 , a second pin  32 , and a detent  33  extending therefrom. The mounting plates  30  are on an exterior surface of the side panel  14  that is opposite an interior surface that faces an internal cavity  23  ( FIG. 4 ) formed by the container  10 . As such, the first pin  31 , the second pin  32 , and the detent  33  extend outwardly in a forward or first direction (see arrow A) away from the exterior surface of the container  10 . Each pin  31 ,  32  has a pinhead  35  and a shaft  36  ( FIG. 12 ) that extends between the mounting plate  30  and the pinhead  35 . The pinhead  35  is enlarged relative to the cross-section or diameter of the shaft  36 . The pins  31 ,  32  are aligned with each other in the lateral direction and the detent  33  is offset from the pins  31 ,  32  (e.g., the pins  31 ,  32  are positioned along a common line and the detent  33  is not positioned along the common line). For instance, the detent  33  is vertically offset from pins  31 ,  32 . In certain examples, the pins  31 ,  32  are fixed on the side panel  14 . In certain examples, the number of pins can vary (e.g., only one pin extends from the mounting plate, four pins extend from the mounting plate). 
     The number of mounting plates  30  on each side panel  14  can vary, and in one example, two mounting plates  30  are coupled to the top portions of two opposing side panels  14 . Note that in certain examples, the pins  31 ,  32  and the detent  33  are coupled directly to the exterior surface of the side panel  14  such that the mounting plate  30  can be excluded. Brackets  40  (described further herein) are coupled to each mounting plate  30  to thereby prevent movement of adjacent side panels  14  (described further herein) and/or secure the shape of the container  10 . In one example, the brackets  40  prevent movement of the side panels  14  in an outward direction (see arrows J on  FIG. 1 ) relative to the center of the internal cavity  23  ( FIG. 4 ). 
     The top panel  15  rests on top of the side panels  14  and defines the top of the container  10 . The top panel  15  has one or more lips  18  that extend from the sides or edges of the top panel  15 . Thus, when the top panel  15  is placed on top of the side panels  14 , the lips  18  extend in a second or downward direction (see arrow B on  FIG. 1 ) and along the exterior surfaces of the side panels  14 . Therefore, the lips  18  prevent the top portions of the side panels  14  from bowing outwardly. The lips  18  are coupled to the top panels  15  with adhesives or fasteners such as screws. The lips  18  are L-shaped and formed with any suitable material such as metal and plastic. 
     The bottom panel  16  ( FIG. 2 ) rests on the base  11  and has a plurality of channels  12  that receive bottom ends of the side panels  14 . Accordingly, the side panels  14  are prevented from inwardly moving or bowing. That is, when the side panels  14  are in the channels  12 , the side panels do not move in an inward direction (see arrow I on  FIG. 1 ) relative to the center of the internal cavity  23  ( FIG. 4 ). The bottom panel  16  defines the bottom of the container  10  and the side panels  14  are vertically supported when the side panels  14  are in the channels  12 . The channels  12  are defined U-shaped support members  13  that vertically upwardly extend toward the top of the container  10 . In other examples, the channels  12  are recessed in the bottom panel  16 . 
     The bottom panel  16  rests on the base  11 , and thus, the container  10  rests on the base  11  when constructed. The base  11  has a recessed chamber  20  in which the container  10  sits such that the bottom panel  16  and the lower portions of the side panels  14  are in the chamber  20 . Sidewalls  21  of the base  11  define the sides of the chamber  20 . Furthermore, as depicted in  FIG. 2 , when the container  10  is disassembled (e.g., the panels  14 ,  15 ,  16  are decoupled from each other and no longer form the container), the chamber  20  advantageously receives the panels  14 ,  15 ,  16 . That is, when the container  10  is disassembled or collapsed, the panels  14 ,  15 ,  16  are advantageously positioned in the chamber  20  in a stacked configuration (see  FIG. 2 ). Accordingly, the panels  14 ,  15 ,  16  can be easily stored in the base  11 . Optionally, the base  11  rests on a pedestal  8  having fork-receiving openings  9  or a convention pallet (not shown). Thus, the base  11  and the container  10  (either assembled or disassembled) is easily transported on the pedestal  8 . Note that in certain examples, the base panel  16  is excluded and the channels  12  are in the base  11 . 
     As noted above, a bracket  40  is selectively coupled to each mounting plate  30  on the side panels  14 , to thereby prevent movement of adjacent side panels  14  (described further herein). Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the bracket  40  is depicted in greater detail. The bracket  40  has a first arm  41  and a second arm  51  that is fixedly coupled to the first arm  41  such that the first arm  41  extends transverse to the second arm  51 . The first arm  41  has a free first end  42  and an opposite second end  43  that is coupled to a second end  53  of the second arm  51 . The second arm  51  also has a free first end  52  with an end portion  54  that extends transverse to the remaining portion of the second arm  51 . Thus, the end portion  54  has an edge  56  that is configured to engage the exterior surface of a side panel  14  when the bracket  40  is coupled to the mounting plate  30 . The second arm  51  includes stiffening elements  55  (e.g., welds, recessed channels such that the material on second arm  51  opposite the channel “bulges” outwardly) that stiffen the second arm  51  and prevent bending of the second arm  51 . The first arm  41  also includes stiffening elements  55  that stiffen the first arm  41  and prevent bending of the first arm  41 . Certain stiffening elements  55  of the first arm  41  and the second arm  51  are contiguous with each other such that these stiffening elements  55  prevent inadvertent bending of the first arm  41  relative to the second arm  51 . 
     The first arm  41  has a first slot  44  and a second slot  60  that is spaced apart from the first slot  44 . The first slot  44  has a head  45 , a pair of opposing legs  46 , and a body  47  that extends between the head  45  and the legs  46 . The body  47  has an enlarged section  48  through which the pinhead  35  of the first pin  31  passes. That is, the width or diameter of the enlarged section  48  is greater than or equal to the width or diameter of the pinhead  35  of the first pin  31 . The width of the other sections of the body  47 , the head  45 , and the legs  46  is less than the width or diameter of the pinhead  35  of the first pin  31 . Thus, the pinhead  35  of the first pin  31  does not pass through the other sections of the body  47 , the head  45 , and the legs  46  and the pinhead  35  only passes through the enlarged section  48  (described further herein). Each leg  46  extends transverse to the body  47  and an angle is formed between the body  47  and each leg  46 . 
     The second slot  60  is at the first end  42  of the first arm  41  such that the first end  42  of the first arm  41  has an opening  50  and two opposing prongs  49 . Thus, the second pin  32  can pass between the prongs  49  into the second slot  60 . The second slot  60  has a pair of opposing legs  61 . Note that the width of the second slot  60  is less than the width or diameter of the pinhead  35  of the second pin  32 . Thus, the second pin  31  only passes into or out of the second slot  60  when the bracket  40  is moved such that the second pin  31  is moved between the prongs  49 . Each leg  61  extends away from each other and transverse to an axis  62 . An angle is defined between the axis  62  and each leg  61 . In certain examples, the angle defined between the axis  62  and one of the legs  61  is equal to the angle defined between the body  47  and one of the legs  46 . In certain examples, the one leg  46  of the first slot  44  extending in the same direction as one leg  61  of the second slot  60 . Note that the first arm  41  extends along the axis  62   
       FIGS. 4-15  depict an example sequence for coupling the bracket  40  to the mounting plate  30  that is on one of the side panels  14 . Accordingly, as noted above, the bracket  40  prevents an adjacent side panel  14 ′ from moving relative to the side panel  14  on which the mounting plate  30  is coupled. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the steps noted below may be combined with other steps. In certain examples, the side panels  14 ,  14 ′ abut each other. 
       FIG. 4  depicts the one side panel  14  adjacent to another side panel  14 ′. The bracket  40  is spaced apart from the mounting plate  30  such that the enlarged section  48  of the first slot  44  is aligned with the first pin  31 . The operator moves the bracket  40  in a fourth direction (see arrow D) toward the mounting plate  30  such that the first pin  31  passes through the enlarged section  48  of the first slot  44 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5-6 , as the first pin  31  passes through the enlarged section  48  of the first slot  44 , the bracket  40  acts on and moves the detent  33  in the fourth direction (see arrow D). That is, the bracket  40  forces the detent  33  in the fourth direction (see arrow D) against a spring force exerted by a spring  37  ( FIG. 6 ) that normally biases the detent  33  in a first direction (see arrow A). Thus, the spring  37  is compressed as the detent  33  is moved in the fourth direction (see arrow D). Note that the detent  33  is depicted in dashed lines on  FIG. 5 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , after the first pin  31  passes through the enlarged section  48  of the first slot  44 , the operator upwardly slides the bracket  40  in the third direction (see arrow C) such that the bracket  40  slides along the first pin  31  until the first pin  31  is at the head  45 . Note that the pinhead  35  of the first pin  31  slides along the exterior surface of the bracket  40  while the shaft  36  ( FIG. 12 ) of the first pin  31  slides in the first slot  44 . Thus, the pinhead  35  prevents the bracket  40  from moving the first direction (see arrow A) away from the side panel  14 . Note that the bracket  40  continues to act on the detent  33  as described above while the operator upwardly slides the bracket  40  in the third direction (see arrow C). 
       FIG. 8  depicts the operator pivoting the bracket  40  about the first pin  31  in a first pivot direction (see arrow E; e.g., clockwise direction) such that the second arm  51  of the bracket  40  is along the adjacent side panel  14 ′. Note that the bracket  40  continues to act on the detent  33  as described above while the operator pivots the bracket  40 . 
     The operator then slides the bracket  40  in a fifth direction (see arrow F), as depicted in  FIG. 9 , until the second pin  32  is in the second slot  60 , the first pin  31  is near the legs  46  of the first slot  44 , and the second arm  51  of the bracket  40  is along the adjacent side panel  14 ′. In certain examples, the edge  56  of the second arm  51  contacts the exterior surface of the adjacent side panel  14 ′. Note that the pinhead  35  of the second pin  32  is along the surface of the bracket  40  while the shaft  36  ( FIG. 12 ) of the second pin  32  is in the second slot  60 . Thus, the pinhead  35  of the second pin  32  also prevents the bracket  40  from moving in the first direction (see arrow A) away from the side panel  14  (e.g., the pinheads  35  of the first pin  31  and the second pin  32  retain the bracket  40  on the panel  14 ). Note that the bracket  40  continues to act on the detent  33  as described above while the operator slides the bracket  40  in the fifth direction (see arrow F). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10-12 , the operator completes the coupling sequence (e.g., to fully secure or lock the bracket  40  into position on the mounting bracket  40 ) by sliding the bracket  40  generally downwardly (e.g., see second direction indicated by arrow B) such that the first pin  31  is in one of the legs  46  and the second pin  32  is in one of the legs  61 . As the operator slides the bracket  40 , the detent  33  is moved by the spring  37  ( FIG. 12 ) in the first direction (see arrow A) such that the detent  33  extends through the enlarged section  48  of the first slot  44 . As noted above, the detent  33  is offset from the pins  31 ,  32  (e.g., the detent  33  is vertically offset from the pins  31 ,  32 ) and accordingly, the bracket  40  is fixed in place on the mounting bracket  40 . Thus, the second arm  51  of the bracket  40  is also fixed relative to the adjacent side panel  14 ′ and thus, the bracket  40  creates a braced connection between the side panel  14  and the adjacent side panel  14 ′ such that the bracket prevents the side panels  14 ,  14 ′ from moving relative to each other. 
     The operator decouples the bracket  40  from the mounting bracket  40  (such as when the container  10  is to be disassembled or collapsed) by pressing the detent  33  in the fourth direction (see arrow D on  FIG. 10 ) against the spring force applied by the spring  37  to the detent  33 . Accordingly, the operator can then move (e.g., slide, pivot) the bracket  40  in different directions to decouple the bracket  40  from the mounting plate  30 . Note that a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the directions the operator must moves the bracket  40  to decouple to the bracket  40  from the mounting plate  30  are generally opposite the directions noted above with respect to the example coupling sequence for coupling the bracket  40  to the mounting plate  30 . 
     Note that the legs  46 ,  61  of the slots  44 ,  60 , respectively, are advantageously arranged such that the bracket  40  can be used on any side panel  14  of the container. For instance,  FIGS. 4-12  depict the bracket  40  on a right side of the container  10 . However, the bracket  40  could be “flipped” and used on the opposite, left side of the container  10 . 
     In the present description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be inferred therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. The different apparatuses, systems, and method steps described herein may be used alone or in combination with other apparatuses, systems, and methods. It is to be expected that various equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.