Folding container with elastically suspended floor

Abstract

A container (10, 30) has a floor (20) for supporting produce suspended via elastic suspension elements (22) from the walls (12, 14, 16, 18) of the container so as to automatically adjust the height of the floor, and hence of the produce, as a function of the weight of the produce within the container. Optionally, an adjustment mechanism (32) is provided to allow adjustment of an effective length of the elastic suspension elements (22).

Description

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to containers used for shipping and displaying produce and, in particular, it concerns a folding container with an elastically suspended floor useful in shipping and displaying produce.[0002]A growing trend in retail industries is the shipping of produce in containers which are also suitable for displaying and selling the produce at a retail outlet. This greatly reduces the labor involved in transferring produce from shipping containers to display units and arranging product displays. The present invention is particularly, although not exclusively, related to shipping containers (alternatively referred to as “crates”, “boxes” or “bins”), typically made from molded plastic materials, which are at least partially foldable so as to reduce the volume of the containers for return (empty) transport. One typical set of examples to which the present invention is applicable are containers referred to as “bulk-boxes” of ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a shipping and display container with an elastically suspended floor. The container includes a set of walls, a floor, and a suspension arrangement with elastic suspension elements. The elastic suspension elements are attached to the floor and are designed to suspend the floor relative to the walls. The suspension arrangement allows the floor to lower when the first load is applied and to raise when a part of the load is removed. The elastic suspension elements may be adjusted to change their effective length, which affects the position of the floor. The adjustment mechanism may be a rotatable drum or a ratchet arrangement. The technical effect of the invention is to provide a container with a flexible floor that can adjust its position automatically, allowing for easy lifting and positioning of the load."

Problems solved by technology

This may make it more awkward for a customer to access the goods, requiring him or her to bend over and reach downwards to take the remaining goods.

Additionally, there is a negative psychological effect according to which the produce left at the lower height is perceived by customers as “left over” or old, and hence is considered less desirable.

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