BOX WITH DRAINAGE HOLES IN THE SIDE WALL.

Abstract

A box with a drainage system is provided to distribute water evenly on all four sides. The box includes a first end wall, an opposite second end wall, a first side wall, an opposite second side wall, and a bottom wall. A butt extends outward around the periphery of the box. A plurality of D-shaped drainage holes are positioned a first distance above the upper surface of the bottom wall, allowing the liquid in the box to drain evenly out of the box through the butt.

Description

The present invention relates generally to a drainage system for a box, and more particularly to a box having a plurality of drainage holes in the side and end walls configured to allow drainage of liquid through a stop in the lower portion of the walls. DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART Boxes and similar containers are a primary packaging product used in industry to distribute a wide range of products. Boxes are typically used in an automated returnable loop retrieval and storage system (ASRS) to fulfill inventory orders. When boxes are stored in an ASRS system, it is essential that no water remains inside the box during a fire detection incident that would activate the sprinklers. Typically, boxes used in this type of application have simple drainage holes on the sides and / or bottom that do not optimize water dispersion. Excessive water accumulation in the box can also cause transfer failures due to the weight of the water inside the boxes. The present invention provides a design for optimizing water evacuation during fire suppression. In the new design, water is forced to accumulate at the bottom of the box before draining down the four sides in a uniformly distributed pattern. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a drainage system for a box to permit a uniform flow of a liquid inside the box. The system includes a plurality of drainage holes in the walls of the box, spaced a certain distance above the surface of the bottom wall. The drainage holes are configured to permit the flow of any liquid inside the container through a stop extending around the outer periphery of the LQLOLn / eznz / q / Yi box. The system requires that the liquid first be allowed to accumulate at the bottom of the box before it drains evenly from the container through the drain holes and the stopper. The drain holes are configured to have a D-shaped opening (on their side) to facilitate the even flow of liquid through all sides of the stopper and beyond the footprint of the box. Specifically, according to the design of the present invention, water is forced to accumulate at the bottom of the box before draining out the sides in a uniformly distributed pattern, without exceeding approximately 1.27 cm (0.50 in) of water inside the container at any given time. The water is forced to drain through the top and outward from the perimeter of the box, preventing water from draining down to boxes stacked or placed below. According to one aspect of the invention, a box is provided with a drainage system to allow uniform flow of liquid out of the container. The box comprises a container body having a first end wall, an opposite second end wall, a first side wall, and an opposite second side wall extending upward from a bottom wall. A stop extends outward from the first end wall, the second end wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall around a lower portion of the container body. At least one first drain hole is located in the first end wall a first distance above an upper surface of the bottom wall, allowing liquid from inside the container body to exit through the stop.Similarly, at least one first drain hole is located in the second end wall, spaced the first distance above the top surface, allowing liquid from inside the container body to drain through the stop. There is also a first drain hole in the first side wall, spaced the first distance above the top surface, allowing liquid from inside the container body to drain through the stop; and a first drain hole is located in the second side wall, spaced the first distance above the top surface, allowing liquid from inside the container body to drain through the stop. The box is configured to collect liquid in a lower portion of the container body, below the first distance, before drainage occurs. The box also includes a plurality of ribs extending upward from the upper surface of the bottom wall. The plurality of ribs comprises a plurality of separate parallel ribs extending from near the first end wall to near the second end wall, and a plurality of separate parallel ribs that are The ribs extend from near the first side wall to near the second side wall. The ribs form a grid-like pattern on the bottom wall. The ribs are configured to extend upward a second distance that is less than the first distance. The box can be designed so that the first distance is 1.27 cm (0.5 in) and the second distance is 1.143 cm (0.45 in). With these measurements, the ribs will completely fill with any liquid in the container body (e.g., water) before draining through the drain holes. The first end wall may include a second drain hole located a distance above the top surface, or more, to allow liquid from inside the container body to drain through the stop. Similarly, the second end wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall may also have a second drain hole located a distance above the top surface, or more, to allow liquid from inside the container body to drain through the stop. Each of the drainage holes may have a D-shaped opening. In this case, the opening may have a flat segment and an arched segment connected at one end to the first end of the flat segment and at the other end to the second end of the flat segment. The flat segment may be oriented in a horizontal position with the arched segment above the flat segment. The stop may include a first horizontal upper wall extending outward from the container body and a second horizontal lower wall extending outward from the container body. Drainage holes may be positioned between the first and second walls of the stop. Additionally, the stop may include a plurality of segments extending outward from the container body between the drainage holes. According to another aspect of the invention, a box having a drainage system is provided. The box comprises a container body having a first end wall, an opposite second end wall, a first side wall, and an opposite second side wall extending upward from a bottom wall. A stop extends outward from the first end wall, the second end wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall around a lower portion of the container body. A first plurality of drainage holes is located in the first end wall a first distance above the upper surface of the bottom wall, allowing liquid from inside the container body to drain through the stop. A second plurality of drainage holes is located in the second The end wall is separated by the first distance above the top surface, allowing liquid from inside the container body to drain through the stop. A third plurality of drain holes is located in the first side wall, separated by the first distance above the top surface, allowing liquid from inside the container body to drain through the stop, and a fourth plurality of drain holes are located in the second side wall, separated by the first distance above the top surface. The drain holes allow liquid from inside the container body to drain through the stop. The box is configured to collect liquid in a lower portion of the container body below the first distance before drainage occurs. The drain holes and stop can be configured as shown. The box can be made from molded plastic. Other similar or suitable materials can also be used. Other features and advantages of the invention will become evident from the following description taken together with the following Figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a box with a drainage system according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of a lower interior portion of the box in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partial perspective cross-sectional view of an interior lower portion of the box in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a partial perspective cross-sectional view of a lower exterior and interior portion of the box in Figure 1 Figure 5 is an enlarged partial perspective view of an outer portion of the top of the box in Figure 1; Figure 6 is an inverted perspective view of the box in Figure 1; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a container according to the present invention having a drainage system according to the present invention and divider panels that intersect with elements for blocking the panels along the length of the intersections. LQLOLn / eznz / q / Yi between matching half-slots in the divider panels; Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a lower portion of the intersection; and, Figure 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an upper portion of the intersection. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Although this invention is susceptible to embodiments of very different forms, the figures shown and described in detail herein are preferred embodiments of the invention, with the understanding that this description should be regarded as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad scope of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. Figures 1-6 show aspects of one embodiment of a box 10 with a drainage system to allow a liquid to drain uniformly from the interior of the container according to the present invention. The box 10 is in the form of a unitary container body having a first end wall 12, a second end wall 14 opposite the first end wall 12, a first side wall 16, and a second side wall 18 opposite the first side wall 16. All walls 12, 14, 16, and 18 extend upward from a generally rectangular bottom wall 20. The container body includes a stop 22 that extends continuously around a lower portion of each of the side and end walls 12, 14, 16, 18. The stop 22 extends outward from the walls 12, 14, 16, 18 and includes a top horizontal wall 24 and a bottom horizontal wall 26 that has a downward-facing flange 28, as shown in Figure 3. The top horizontal wall 24 is separated by a distance above the bottom horizontal wall 28. The container body also includes a plurality of drain holes 30 positioned near the bottom of each of the side and end walls 12, 14, 16, 18. The drain holes 30 are positioned a first distance above the top surface of the bottom wall 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom of each drain hole 30 is about 1.27 cm (0.50 in.) from the top surface of the bottom wall 20. This distance aligns the drain holes 30 so that they are between the horizontal wall of the top 24 and the horizontal wall of the bottom 26 of the stop 22, as shown, for example, in Figure 3. The lower wall 20 of the box includes a plurality of ribs 32, 34 extending towards 5 LQLOLn / eznz / q / Yi above from the top surface of the bottom wall 20. A first set of ribs 32 are generally parallel to each other and extend from near the first end wall 12 to approach the second end wall 14, and a second set of ribs 34 are generally parallel to each other and extend from near the first side wall 16 to approach the second side wall 18. This forms a grid pattern on the bottom wall 20. The ribs extend upward a second distance that is slightly less than the bottom of the drainage holes 30. In the modality shown, the ribs extend upward approximately 1.143 cm (0.45 in).Given these dimensions, the grooved portion of the lower wall 20 will be completely filled with any liquid (e.g., water) before allowing the liquid to drain evenly through the drain holes 30 and out through the top 22. The drainage holes 30 are formed to have a D-shaped opening (with the D shape on its side). Each drainage hole 30 includes a flat segment 36 connected at each end to one end of an arched segment 38. The stop 22 is designed to include the openings 40 that align with the drain holes 30. The openings 40 are generally trapezoidal in shape. The segments 42 that extend between the horizontal wall of the upper part 24 and the horizontal wall of the lower part 26 are formed between the adjacent drain holes 30 and the openings 40 in the stop 22. The box is preferably formed from molded plastic or other similar or suitable materials. Directional words such as top, bottom, upper, etc. are used in the present description to describe the invention as shown in the figures and as typically used, and are not intended to limit the invention to being in such positions. Figure 7 describes a container 50 having a drainage system according to the present invention. Additionally, the container includes divider panels 52, 54 having a structure at the intersections to prevent the upper or lower portions of the panel walls 52, 54 from flexing due to a load, as set forth in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 265,452 filed on December 15, 2021. Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the structure 56 for the lower portion of an intersection, and Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the structure 58 for the upper portion of the intersection (the intersections are formed from corresponding half-slots in each divider panel). Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the teachings 6 LQLOLn / eznz / q / Yi above. Therefore, it should be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be protected in any other way than that specifically described.

Claims

1. A box with a drainage system to permit uniform flow of liquid comprising: a container body having a first end wall, an opposite second end wall, a first side wall, and an opposite second side wall extending upwards from a bottom wall; a stop extending outwards from the first end wall, the second end wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall around a lower portion of the container body; a first drain hole in the first end wall separated by a first distance above the upper surface of the bottom wall allowing liquid from inside the container body to exit through the stop; a first drain hole in the second end wall separated by a first distance above the upper surface allowing liquid from inside the container body to exit through the stop;a first drain hole in the first side wall separated by the first distance above the upper surface that allows liquid from inside the container body to exit through the stop; and a first drain hole in the second side wall separated by the first distance above the upper surface that allows liquid from inside the container body to exit through the stop, wherein the box is configured to accumulate liquid in a lower portion of the container body below the first distance before drainage occurs.

2. The box according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of ribs extending upwards from the upper surface of the lower wall.

3. The box according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of ribs comprises a plurality of separate parallel ribs extending from near the first end wall to near the second end wall.

4. The box according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of ribs comprises a plurality of separate parallel ribs extending from near the first side wall to near the second side wall.

5. The box according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of ribs extends upwards a second distance that is less than the first distance.

6. The box according to claim 5, wherein the first distance is 1.27 cm (0.5 inches).

7. The box according to claim 6, wherein the second distance is 1.143 cm (0.45 inches).

8. The box according to claim 2, wherein the first end wall includes a second drain hole separated by the first distance above the upper surface that allows liquid from inside the container body to drain out through the stopper.

9. The box according to claim 8, wherein the second end wall includes a second drain hole separated by the first distance above the upper surface that allows liquid from inside the container body to drain out through the stopper.

10. The box according to claim 9, wherein the first side wall includes a second drain hole separated by the first distance above the upper surface that allows liquid from inside the container body to drain out through the stopper.

11. The box according to claim 10, wherein the second side wall includes a second drain hole separated by the first distance above the upper surface that allows liquid from inside the container body to drain out through the stopper.

12. The box according to claim 11, wherein each of the drainage holes is D-shaped and has a flat segment and an arched segment connected at a first end to a first end of the flat segment and at a second end to a second end of the flat segment. LQLOLn / eznz / q / Yi 13. The box according to claim 12, wherein the flat segment is oriented in a horizontal position with the arced segment above the flat segment.

14. The box according to claim 11, wherein the stop includes a first horizontal upper wall extending outwards from the container body and a second horizontal lower wall extending outwards from the container body and wherein the drainage holes are located between the first stop wall and the second stop wall.

15. The box according to claim 14, wherein the stop includes a plurality of segments extending outwards from the container body between the drainage holes.

16. The box according to claim 1, wherein the box is made of plastic.

17. A box having a drainage system comprising: a container body having a first end wall, an opposite second end wall, a first side wall, and an opposite second side wall extending upward from a bottom wall; a stop extending outward from the first end wall, the second end wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall around a lower portion of the container body; a first plurality of drain holes in the first end wall separated by a first distance above the upper surface of the bottom wall allowing liquid from inside the container body to drain through the stop; a second plurality of drain holes in the second end wall separated by a first distance above the upper surface allowing liquid from inside the container body to drain through the stop;a third plurality of drain holes in the first side wall separated by the first distance above the upper surface that allows liquid from inside the container body to exit through the stop; and a fourth plurality of drain holes in the second side wall separated by the first distance above the upper surface that allows liquid from inside the container body to exit through the stop, wherein the box is configured to accumulate liquid in a lower portion LQLOLn / eznZ / q / YI of the container body below the first distance before drainage occurs.

18. The box according to claim 17, wherein each of the drainage holes is D-shaped and has a flat segment and an arched segment connected at a first end to a first end of the flat segment and at a second end to a second end of the flat segment.

19. The box according to claim 18, wherein the stop includes a first horizontal upper wall extending outwards from the container body and a second horizontal lower wall extending outwards from the container body and wherein the drainage holes are located between the first stop wall and the second stop wall.

20. The box according to claim 18, wherein the box is made of plastic.

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