Collapsible, wateproof storage box

Abstract

Abstract A collapsible storage box formed from a series of peripheral panels, at least some of the panels being formed with a aluminium frame interior and a external sheet material, and a series of gaskets positioned in the erected state between the peripheral panels to provide a waterproof seal. Abstract 2023202937 11 May 2023 1 / 10 Figure 1 Figure 2 100 160 162 164 120 122 124 130 100 162 164 170 10 20 23 20 29 37 1 1 M ay 2 02 3 1 / 10 162 170 100 160 164 122 120 WASHINGTON 130 10 124 Figure 1 162 100 164 Figure 2 1 / 10 162 170 120 130 10 124 100 164

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to storage boxes, and more particularly to a box that is collapsible and waterproof. Background of the Invention

[0002] Storage boxes are typically used commercially in transport and warehouse environments. They may be constructed from various materials, for example wood, plastic and metals. However, due to their fixed structure, such conventional storage boxes take up considerable space when not in use. Solid storage boxes made of steel are also relatively heavy, particularly when at the scale of a pallet. One drawback with conventional storage boxes of this type is that they occupy the same volume when they are empty on return transport as when they are full.

[0003] Storage boxes are known which are formed from steel mesh. These are effective to securely store the materials contained, are durable and in some instances are foldable to reduce the volume occupied when not in use. However, these boxes are not waterproof.

[0004] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a waterproof storage box which is collapsible when not in use. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided collapsible storage box formed from a series of peripheral panels, at least some of the panels being formed with a lightweight frame interior and a external sheet material, and a series of gaskets positioned in the erected state between the peripheral panels to provide a waterproof seal.

[0006] Implementations of the invention allow for a heavy duty, collapsible and water proof storage box adapted to stand up to the bumps, knocks and the stacking and lifting cycles found in transport and warehousing environments. 2023202937 11 May 2023 Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] Illustrative embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a storage box according to the present invention;

[0009] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the storage box of Figure 1 showing one of the portions of a cover panel resting on the side an upright peripheral panel;

[0010] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the storage box of Figure 1 showing both the portions of the cover panel resting on the sides of two opposite upright peripheral panels;

[0011] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the storage box of Figure 1 showing the upper portion folded towards the lower portion of one of the upright peripheral panels;

[0012] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the storage box of Figure 1 showing the upper portion folded towards the lower portion of two opposite upright peripheral panels;

[0013] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the storage box of Figure 1 showing one of the folded upright peripheral panels bending towards the center of the box;

[0014] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the storage box of Figure 1 showing the two opposite folded upright peripheral panels bending towards the center of the box;

[0015] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the storage box of Figure 1 showing one of the upright peripheral panels bending towards the center of the box;

[0016] Figure 9 shows the storage box of Figure 1 in a disassembled configuration;

[0017] Figure 10 shows the front, back, side and bottom views of one portion of a panel;

[0018] Figure 11 shows the front and back perspective views of one portion of a panel;

[0019] Figure 12 shows the front and back perspective views of one of the side panels;

[0020] Figure 13 shows the cross-section A-A view of one portion of a panel; and 2023202937 11 May 2023

[0021] Figure 14 shows the cross-section C-C view of one portion of a panel. Detailed Description of the invention

[0022] The following is an illustrative example, designed to illustrate the principle of the invention, however, the skilled addressee will appreciate that many alternative embodiments are possible.

[0023] The term storage box is particularly concerned with storage boxes found in transport and warehouse environments, but is equally applicable to other similar applications. It may be used to move, for example, a set of tools and spare parts to a different location.

[0024] Figure 1 shows a storage box (100) in a closed configuration. The storage box (100) includes a bottom panel (110) (shown in Figure 3), four upright side panels (120,130,140,150) and a cover panel (160). The storage box (100) illustrated has dimensions of 1179.8 mm. x 1180.8 mm. x 1021.5 mm. These dimensions could be scaled down or up depending on storage requirements and intended storage environments. The storage box (100) also fits within the Australian Standard pallet racking.

[0025] In disassembling the storage box (100), the cover panel (160) is split into two portions (162,164) substantially at the middle part of the cover panel (160). These two portions (162,164) rest on the outer side of each of the two opposite upright side panels (130,150) via hinges as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0026] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the upper portions (122,142) of the other two opposite upright panels (120, 140) are folded substantially at the middle part of each of the panels (120,140). The upper portions (122,142) rest on the outer side of the lower portions (124, 144), respectively via hinges. In Figures 6 and 7, the folded upright side panels (120,140) are bent towards the center of the box.

[0027] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the two opposite upright peripheral panels (130, 150) together with the cover panel portions (162,164) bend towards the center of box forming a disassembled storage box (100).

[0028] Figures 10 and 11 show the different views of an example of a portion (162,164,122,124,142,144) of a cover panel (160) and upright side panels (120,140). The portion (162,164,122,124,142,144) includes an internal frame (10), an exterior sheet 2023202937 11 May 2023 material (20), a seal and a hinge structure (30). Figure 12 shows the front and back perspective views of an upright side panel (150).

[0029] The internal frame (10) can be formed from aluminium, for example, extruded aluminium members. For the purpose of this disclosure, it will be appreciated that aluminium includes alloys predominantly of aluminium. Extruded aluminium members are used for these internal frames of the panel assemblies due to a balance of weight, tensile strength, cost and manufacturing constraints. However, alternatives lightweight frame materials include (but not limited to) extruded / pultruded fibre composites, such as glass fibre, carbon fibre, fibre reinforced plastics, or combinations thereof.

[0030] The sheet material (20) should be of lower weight than a metal or alloy that would otherwise be used, with good impact resistance. This could be a polymeric material, such as (but not limited to) polycarbonate, polyethylene or polypropylene. Polycarbonate is preferable due to the relatively high impact resistance of this material compared to the other plastics listed and the heavy-duty use anticipated for the storage box. If product cost is less of a concern, a composite material such as (but not limited to) carbon fibre, para-aramid, fibreglass, fibre reinforced plastic, or combinations thereof, could potentially be used.

[0031] The sheet material on each panel section is covered with a facing (10) which serves to protect the sheet material (20) at the edges, and serve as frame work for the sheet material (20) to be attached to the frame. Facing (10) also serves as an attachment surface for hinges and other fittings as required.

[0032] The storage box (100) also includes a seal. The seal can be a gasket (2) that can be positioned between the panels to make the storage box (100) waterproof. The gasket (2) can be of a suitable wear resistant and elastic material, such that a profile made from this material offers compression when a light load is applied. Suitable materials may include (but not limited to) thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic vulcanised rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, or silicone.

[0033] Figure 12 and 13 show cross-sectional views of one portion (162,164,122,124,142,144) of a panel. As shown in “Detail D” in Figure 14, the panels and lids are of a layered “sandwich” construction. This layered “sandwich” construction has an outer frame (1), which encloses the mounting faces of the gaskets (2) (permitting them to seal the panel itself). It also includes the threading features that the fasteners holding the whole sandwich together engage into. Steel was selected for cost, strength, 2023202937 11 May 2023 and processing reasons, but it could be made from alternatives such as aluminium or alloys thereof, composites or fibre reinforced plastics.

[0034] The layered construction of the panels and lids also has gaskets (2), which are shaped such that they clip over and seal with the sides of the polycarbonate panel. They also seal against the insides of the perimeter frame described above.

[0035] The layered construction of the panels and lids has polycarbonate panel (3) which is sized such that, with the gaskets (2) clipped over its side edges, fits within the flanges of the outer frame (1).

[0036] The layered construction of the panels and lids has aluminium frame (4), which provides rigidity to the structure and provides additional protection from very large and heavy items held inside the box from protruding through the panel assembly.

[0037] The layered construction of the panels and lids has fasteners (5), which pass through aligned holes in the aluminium frame (4), polycarbonate sheet (3) and outer perimeter frame (1) that hold the sandwich construction together. These are set screws in the present invention, but suitable bolts, pins or clips could be substituted.

[0038] In Figure 1, storage box (100) also includes female connectors (170) and male connectors (180) (not shown). The female connectors (170) engage with male connectors (180) of the other storage box so that they are stackable. The storage boxes (100) are stackable up to 4 units high. The storages boxes (100) may also be stackable in a collapsed state.

[0039] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above are merely examples of how the invention may be put into practice. There are many other physical configurations possible, which while different in some details, would nevertheless fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A collapsible storage box formed from a series of peripheral panels, at least some of the panels being formed with a lightweight frame interior and a external sheet material, and a series of gaskets positioned in the erected state between the peripheral panels to provide a waterproof seal.

2. A collapsible storage box according to claim 1, wherein the panels include an exterior frame section to retain the sheet material.

3. A collapsible storage box according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the panels are connected so that the box can be opened in the erected state, and folded down into the collapsed state, and wherein the footprint of the box is substantially that of a pallet.

4. A collapsible storage box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the box includes a bottom panel, a plurality of side panels extending around the bottom panel, at least two of the side panels are adapted to be folded substantially at the middle panel and a cover panel adapted to be split substantially at its middle to provide separate portions.

5. A collapsible storage box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gasket is formed from a compressible polymer material and retained in a shaped portion along the edge of selected peripheral panels, so that in the erect state the gasket is compressed between adjacent edges of peripheral panels so as to provide a waterproof seal.

6. The storage box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the exterior sheet material is selected from a polymeric material selected from polycarbonate, polyethylene or polypropylene, or a composite material selected from carbon fibre, paraaramid, fibreglass, fibre reinforced plastic, or combinations thereof.

7. The storage box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gasket is formed for a material selected from thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic vulcanised rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, or silicone.

8. The storage box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage box is adapted to allow additional storage boxes to be stacked on top.

9. The storage box according to claim 8, wherein the storage boxes are stackable up to 4 units high.2023202937 11 May 202310. The storage box according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the storage boxes are stackable in a collapsed state.

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