Container systems with removable lids and related components and methods

Abstract

A container of the large collapsible container (or "LFC") type includes a removable lid and a container sidewall. The removable cover includes at least one cover attachment projecting inwardly from the lower side of the cover. The container side wall includes at least one corresponding lid receiver for receiving the lid attachment. The at least one lid attachment and the corresponding lid receiver are configured such that a user can place the lid on the container side wall by receiving the at least one lid attachment within the at least one corresponding lid receiver such that at least a majority, and in most cases, all of the lid undersides face the outer surface of the container side wall. In this manner, the removable lid can be easily and conveniently placed on the side wall of the container without affecting access to the container closure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to attachments for container components, such components for containers, containers and related methods. In particular, such containers may be containers for transporting dry goods, such as large collapsible containers or "FLCs", i.e., large containers that can be assembled and disassembled. More specifically, the present invention relates to attachments for lids for such containers, such lids, containers and / or container assemblies including such lids and related methods. Background Art

[0002] Containers for transporting dry goods in distribution networks are well known. These goods may include dry ingredients, components, packaging materials, packaged products and / or bulk goods. These containers are often described as freight containers or shipping containers. In one embodiment, the total volume of the container, i.e., the volume capacity, is about 700 liters, but a variety of sizes and geometries are available. For example, the volume of these containers may be as high as about 1000 liters to about 1500 liters. The size of the container body generally corresponds to the footprint of the base, which generally corresponds to the footprint of a standard pallet.

[0003] One such container may be referred to as a "foldable large container" or "FLC." Typically, an FLC includes relatively rigid, independently foldable and erectable side panels (these are also referred to as "walls").

[0004] Another type of such container is often referred to as a "sleeve packaging container" or "SPC." Typically, an SPC includes relatively flexible side sleeves that are also foldable and erectable, but as a unit.

[0005] FLCs and SPCs are particularly beneficial when used in a centralized manner (i.e., when used as reusable containers) because they increase efficiency and, therefore, the cost-effectiveness of reverse logistics in the supply chain. In addition to side panels and / or sleeves, FLCs and SPCs typically include a base and a removable lid. When the lid is removed, the body (i.e., the side panels and / or sleeve) can be conveniently collapsed or folded onto the base of these containers. The lid is then typically retracted and placed onto the collapsed container. In this way, an empty, folded container assembly can be shipped back to the service center after use. It should be understood that in the context of this application, the term "container assembly" refers to a folded or collapsed container, such as an FLC or SPC type, the folded or collapsed body of the container being arranged in a corresponding base, the lid covering the base and the folded body, as well as any shelf that may be provided with the container (for a brief description thereof, please read below).

[0006] In the assembled state, the base, body and lid of the container define an enclosed space in which the contents can be stored. One or more removable shelves may be provided to divide the enclosed space into, for example, two or more compartments. This allows for a more efficient use of the enclosed space during the transport of the goods. However, once the goods have been unloaded, the shelves are removed, like the lid, and placed in the folded container assembly for return to a service center, so that the recycling of the container can begin.

[0007] The lid and any shelves can present particular problems, as they can be misplaced. This can lead to at least some wasted time, and thus inefficiencies in the logistics chain, as time is needed to retrieve these parts to complete the container loading and unloading operations. There is therefore a need for accessories for these parts of the container that can solve the problem, or at least mitigate it relative to the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a container system comprising a removable cover for a container and a container sidewall, wherein the removable cover comprises at least one cover attachment protruding inwardly from the underside of the cover, and wherein the container sidewall comprises at least one corresponding cover receiver for receiving the cover attachment, the at least one cover attachment and the corresponding cover receiver being configured such that by receiving the at least one cover attachment in the at least one corresponding cover receiver, the cover can be placed on the container sidewall, wherein at least most and preferably all of the underside of the cover faces a portion of an outer surface of the container sidewall. Thus, the cover can be conveniently placed on the container sidewall in a position that does not hinder any container loading or unloading operation.

[0010] The at least one cover attachment may be generally T-shaped, with a rod extending generally vertically from the underside of the cover, and a head extending generally transversely relative to the rod. Using such a T-shaped cover attachment, placing the cover on the side wall will be particularly convenient and intuitive.

[0011] The cap may include a skirt at least partially surrounding the cap underside and the stem may extend adjacent the skirt to form an arrangement whereby substantially all or substantially all of the cap underside is in confronting alignment with the exterior of the container sidewall.

[0012] The rod may extend in a first direction which is parallel to the depth extension of the skirt, i.e. inwardly towards the container when the lid covers the container. This allows the accessory to be used particularly discreetly, as it will only minimally intrude into the enclosed space of the container. In order to further advantageously shape the rod with this advantage in mind, the rod may extend in a second direction which extends perpendicularly to the periphery of the skirt, which second direction is also effectively configured as a protrusion from the skirt. This makes the accessory particularly easy to mould, for example by injection moulding, and / or to repair, for example if an accessory needs to be replaced, and to place a new accessory, for example by welding it into position against the skirt. Therefore, it is further advantageous that the rod may extend from the skirt and be formed integrally with the skirt.

[0013] Unobtrusively, the head of the cap attachment may also extend adjacent to the skirt, but along the skirt instead of inwardly towards the enclosed space of the container. In particular, the head may extend in a first direction extending parallel to the periphery of the skirt. However, the head may also extend in a second direction perpendicular to the skirt, and in a preferred configuration, the head extends from the skirt portion and is formed integrally therewith.

[0014] In order to enable the cover attachment to withstand sufficient force and prevent the cover attachment from having to be repaired or replaced too frequently, the cover attachment can be shaped to be limited to a first T-shaped portion and a second T-shaped portion, wherein the first T-shaped portion and the second T-shaped portion can together form the substantially T-shaped cover attachment, and when the cover is positioned to cover the container, the first T-shaped portion is arranged outside the second T-shaped portion relative to the enclosed space of the container, and occupies a space larger than the corresponding occupied space of the second T-shaped portion.

[0015] The cap attachment may include at least one hooked end for retaining the cap attachment in the cap receiver so that the cap is not accidentally removed from the container sidewall. Optionally, the at least one hooked end may be disposed at one end of the head. Optionally, the head includes two hooked ends disposed at opposite ends of the head.

[0016] Advantageously, the lid attachment and the lid together with the lid attachment can swing relatively freely in the lid receiver so that the placement position of the lid can naturally fall at a slight angle relative to the outer surface, rather than being completely parallel. This may occur, for example, if a second lid attachment (as further described below) is to determine the position when the lid is placed by abutting against the outer surface. To facilitate such swinging, the lid attachment may include at least one of the following: a distal recess; a distal rounded corner; a distal bevel; and a distal chamfer, each of which may be configured to enable or maximize the swinging of the lid attachment within the corresponding lid receiver when the lid attachment is received in the lid receiver to place the lid on the container sidewall.

[0017] Turning now to the cover receiver, the cover receiver can be simply formed as a recess. In order to facilitate access, the recess can be formed on the upper edge of the container side wall.

[0018] The recess may include a first recess and a second recess disposed in series relative to each other, wherein the width of the first recess is less than the corresponding width of the second recess, the width being measured in a direction along and parallel to the edge of the container sidewall. This configuration adequately retains the cap attachment in place within the cap receiver while minimizing accidental disengagement.

[0019] The first recess and the second recess may have the same depth measured in a direction perpendicular to the edge of the container and extend on the same imaginary plane as the container side wall.

[0020] The container can be provided as a retractable container, which is configured to be expanded and retracted within the container sidewall. In some versions, the retractable container can be rotatably expanded and retracted, while in other versions, the retractable container can be slidably expanded and retracted.

[0021] In the case of the above-mentioned FLC, the container lid is generally rectangular and includes at least two opposing lid attachments which can be arranged symmetrically on the lid underside relative to the long symmetry axis of the lid center located on the lid plane. Since the lid can be placed on the container side wall by any of the lid attachments, it is of course convenient to place each lid attachment in the middle along the corresponding adjacent side of the lid.

[0022] In a particularly preferred arrangement, at least one cap attachment is positioned on the underside of the cap so that when the cap is positioned on the container to cover the enclosed space defined by the container, the at least one cap attachment is accommodated in the corresponding cap receiver to reduce or prevent contamination of the enclosed space of the container by any external factors. In other words, in this configuration, the cap attachment effectively works as a plug and the corresponding cap receiver works at least partially as a socket. In a more particularly preferred arrangement, compared to the above configuration, the recesses of the cap receiver are exchanged, i.e. the narrow recess protrudes inwardly, i.e. towards the enclosed space of the container, and the wide recess protrudes outwardly, i.e. facing the external space around the container, to further reduce and / or eliminate any contamination, and the head completely blocks any passage from the external space to the enclosed space of the container.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a container comprising the container system as described above is provided.

[0024] The container may be substantially in the shape of a cuboid, the cuboid comprising two opposing short side walls and two opposing long side walls, and a base, wherein each of the side walls may comprise a container side panel, each of the side panels may be folded onto the base and may be erected from the folded state. In addition, the base may comprise a tray base.

[0025] The container may be made from a substantially rigid plastics material.

[0026] The container cover may be adapted to interact with an upright container body, or to accommodate a container base that is collapsed to accommodate the container body, such that the cover is securely but removably retained to the container body or base.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a container assembly is provided, comprising a container base and a collapsed container body disposed on the container base, the container assembly comprising the container system as described above. The footprint of the container assembly or the corresponding container can be determined according to a standard pallet size.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for placing a removable lid of a container on a side wall of the container is provided, wherein the removable lid includes at least one lid attachment protruding inwardly from a lid underside, and wherein the container side wall includes at least one corresponding lid receiver for accommodating the lid attachment, the method comprising accommodating the at least one lid attachment within the at least one corresponding lid receiver, wherein at least most, and preferably all, of the lid underside faces a portion of an outer surface of the container side wall.

[0029] Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the FLC including a removable cover;

[0031] Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the SPC including another removable cover;

[0032] Figure 3 Shown will include Figure 2 Method for collapsing or folding the FLC of the removable cover of the container into a container assembly ready for shipping;

[0033] Figure 4 is a front perspective view of a container assembly including a lid as described herein;

[0034] Figure 5 Yes Display Figure 4 perspective view of detailed features on the underside of the cover;

[0035] Figure 6shows a container system as described herein, Figure 5 A cover coupled to the long side wall of the container;

[0036] Figure 7 Detailed display Figure 5 and Figure 6 A perspective view of a first cover attachment of the middle cover;

[0037] Figure 8 Detailed display Figure 5 and Figure 6 A perspective view of a second opposing cover attachment of the middle cover;

[0038] Fig. 9 is formed in Figure 6 a perspective view of a lid receptacle on an upper edge of one of the long side walls of the container shown;

[0039] Fig.10 Yes Display Fig. 9 A perspective view of a cover receiver, which houses Figure 7 A first cover attachment;

[0040] Fig.11 yes Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a container system;

[0041] Fig.12 Shows the Fig.11 Same profile, but around Figure 6 The "y" axis is rotated about 45 degrees;

[0042] Fig.13 yes Fig.11 Detailed view of the upper portion of the container system shown, showing Figure 7 A section of the first cover attachment;

[0043] Fig.14 yes Figure 6 Detailed view of the lower portion of the containment system showing Figure 8 a second relative cover attachment position;

[0044] Fig.15 yes Figure 5 Different perspective views of the underside of the cover;

[0045] Fig.16 yes Figure 7 Detailed view of the first cover attachment, with the cover positioned as shown Fig.15 As shown;

[0046] Fig.17 is a perspective view of a container component as described herein with a retractable cover receiver as described herein;

[0047] Fig.18 is in the retracted position Fig.17Detailed view of the cover receiver;

[0048] Fig.19 yes Fig.18 Detailed view of the cover receiver in the extended position;

[0049] Fig. 20 yes Fig.17 A cross-sectional view of the various components of the container shown, showing Figure 7 and Figure 8 A cover accessory is housed in Figures 17 to 19 in the cover receiver;

[0050] Fig.21 Shows Fig. 20 mentioned in the cover attachment, which is housed in Fig.19 in the cover receiver;

[0051] Fig. 22 Schematically shows the provision of Figures 17 to 21 The effect of the cover receiver is to provide a cover with a less obstructive placement configuration on one long side wall of the container described herein;

[0052] Fig.23 Another cover attachment is shown, which extends from the skirt of the cover and the underside of the cover;

[0053] Fig.24 yes Fig.23 A cross-sectional view of a cover attachment of the embodiment of the present invention, the cover attachment being received in a different cover receiver;

[0054] Fig.25 is a front perspective view of the removable shelf;

[0055] Fig.26 is a front perspective view of the FLC, with the front door open, having two removable shelves, wherein a first removable shelf is being installed onto the rear wall of the container, and a second removable shelf is being placed into the container;

[0056] Fig. 27 yes Fig.26 a side perspective view of the container shown with the side door open, wherein the first removable shelf is still being mounted to the rear wall of the container and the second removable shelf is further into the interior of the container;

[0057] Fig.28 Shows the Fig.26 and 27 the same container, with a first removable shelf mounted to a rear wall of the container and a second removable shelf in place within the container; and,

[0058] Fig.29 yes Figures 26 to 28An enlarged perspective view of a portion of the container is shown showing a first removable shelf mounted to the rear wall of the container.

[0059] Specific instructions

[0060] Figure 1 A rigid container 100 for transporting dry goods is shown. The container belongs to the FLC category described above. The general shape and construction of the rigid container 100 will now be described. The rigid container 100 defines an enclosed space 105 in which the goods to be transported can be stored. The enclosed space 105 is laterally bounded by a body comprising one or more container walls 106, each of which comprises panels 101 (there are four panels 101 in total, including front and rear short panels 101 and two long side panels 101), a bottom bounded by a container base 104, and a top bounded by a removable or detachable container cap or lid 110, as shown. Figure 1 As shown, the cap or cover can be folded in half longitudinally to facilitate access to the goods. However, the removable cover 110 is usually provided as a single component.

[0061] The front wall 106 includes a front short panel 101 in combination with an openable front door 109 that can be opened to facilitate access to the cargo (or any shelves that may be provided within the container 100 that may support such cargo). One of the side walls 106 includes a long side panel 101 in combination with an openable side door 107 that may be used similarly to the front door 109. One or more removable shelves ( Figure 1 A removable cover 110 (not shown, but described further below) may be disposed within the container 100 to divide the enclosed space 105 of the container into two or more compartments, respectively. However, the focus of this specification is on the removable cover 110 and how the removable cover 100 is supported on the container 100 during the container unloading operation. This type of removable cover 110 is generally rectangular and is typically made of a single component using a polymer material (such as plastic) by injection molding.

[0062] Before further description, it should be noted that the term "side wall" 106 of the container 100 as described above refers to the entire side of the container 100, whether in an upright or folded state, while the "side panel" 101 generally refers to a portion of the side wall 106, which can be folded and erected back to its original position if the container 100 is foldable, otherwise it is the portion of the side wall 106 that actually defines the container's enclosed space 105.

[0063] Figure 2An SPC-type container 100 is shown with another removable cover 110. As is known, the container body 101 is provided in this case in the form of a flexible sleeve. The cover 110 includes a set of radially extending ribs 120. These radially extending ribs 120 still provide the required reinforcement for the cover 110 (in a sense, they increase the bending stiffness of the cover 110), and when the cover 110 is rotated about an axis, for example perpendicular to the cover 110, which passes through the center C of the cover 110 (e.g. Figure 2 ), they also effectively act as water guides 200 to centrifugally drain water. However, these aspects of the cover 110 are outside the focus of the present application.

[0064] Instead, this application focuses on features such as Figure 2 As shown, the removable cover 110 is supported by a T-hook 10 on one short side panel of the SPC container 100. It is convenient to support the removable cover 100 in this way because otherwise the cover 110 may be displaced and difficult to retrieve after the container loading or unloading operation is completed. However, the outwardly protruding half of the removable cover 110 may still constitute an obstacle to the loading / unloading operation. The present application provides a solution to this problem. Although the solution proposed herein is applicable to SPC and FLC 100, it will be understood that it can be preferably applied to FLC, which has a side panel 101, which can be more easily or more effectively adapted as described herein.

[0065] Figure 3 ,in particular Figure 3-1 3-4 schematically illustrate Figure 1 A method for preparing a reverse logistics system of a collapsible rigid container (or "FLC") 100 having a plurality of Figure 2 The single removable cover 110 shown. In this embodiment, by folding the short side panels 101 ( Figure 3-1 and 3-2), one on top of the other, two on the base 104 of the container 100, and then fold the long side panels 101 onto the front and rear panels 101 (such as Figure 3-3 3-4), to fold the container 100. All panels 101 are hinged, but the details of these hinges are beyond the scope of this specification. Alternatively, the panels 101 can be collapsed in a different manner, such as by removing each panel 101 or all panels 101 from the base 104 of the container 100 and then laying them flat on the container base 104. Figure 3-5 In the embodiment of the present invention, a removable lid 110 is received on a base 104 of a container 100 and a folded body panel 101 .

[0066] Figure 4The final container assembly 100 is shown, namely a collapsed FLC-type container 100 with a removable cover 110 received thereon, ready to be shipped back to a service center for refurbishment (if necessary) and redeployment.

[0067] Figure 5 Features of the underside 111 of the cover 110 are shown in greater detail. Of particular interest are two cover attachments 10 that protrude from a peripheral region 112 of the cover underside 111 and are each located halfway along an opposite long side of the cover underside 111. Each cover attachment 10 is equidistant from a nearby corner 114 of the cover underside 111. The cover 110 also includes a skirt 117 that surrounds the cover underside 111. The cover attachments 10 are disposed adjacent the skirt 117 and are symmetrically disposed along a central axis of symmetry of the cover 110, extending parallel to the long side (e.g., through the center C of the cover 110) . Figure 5 shown).

[0068] Figure 6 Shows Figure 4 and Figure 5 The cover 110 is connected to one of the long side panels 101 of the container. Figure 6 The system described herein is shown. The system includes a removable lid 110 having one or more lid attachments 10 and a container side panel 101, which, as described above, is typically a portion of a container side wall 106, which includes a corresponding lid receiver 20 (e.g., Figure 6 ). An attachment 10 of the lid is received in a lid receiver 20 of a long side panel 101 of the container 100, and the lid 110 is placed on the side panel 101 and thus on the corresponding container side wall 106. The lid receiver 20 is arranged on the upper edge 102 of the side panel 101, at a position halfway along the length of the side panel 101. Figure 6 In this case, the lid 110 can be neatly received on the side panel 101 by means of a single attachment 10 and a single dedicated lid receiver 20 formed on one of the side panels 101 of the container.

[0069] and Figure 2 Compared to the lid 110 of the embodiment of the present invention, only one lid attachment 10 is used to attach the lid 110 to the wall 106 of the container 100. More lid attachments may also be used. However, it is particularly important to note that the rectangular lid 110 is placed on the container 100 in a "transverse" orientation rather than a "longitudinal" orientation, and substantially all of the lid underside 111 is "hidden" behind one of the long side panels 101 of the container. All of the lid underside 111 rests on a portion of the outer surface 103 of the wall 106 in a face-to-face configuration. Therefore, compared to Figure 2Compared to the configuration of the cover 110 shown, the cover is stored in a convenient location, but this also minimizes obstruction during any loading / unloading operation. As described above, this is possible by providing a cover receiver 20.

[0070] Figure 7 It shows in more detail Figure 5 A perspective view of one of the shapes of the cover attachment 10. The cover attachment 10 is generally T-shaped and protrudes from the underside 111 of the cover, more precisely from its periphery 112 near the skirt 117. The cover attachment comprises a rod 11 with a head 12 at the end. The rod 11 extends generally vertically from the underside 111 of the cover, and the head 112 extends generally parallel to the skirt 117. The T-shaped cover attachment 10 comprises two T-shaped parts: an outer T-shaped part 13 (facing the skirt 117 of the cover) and an inner T-shaped part 14 (facing the closed space 105 of the container).

[0071] The outer T-shaped portion 13 has a wider footprint and encompasses the entire footprint of the inner T-shaped portion 14. The head 12 terminates with two hooked ends 15, which make it more difficult for the cap attachment to be disengaged from the cap receiver 20 when the cap 110 is placed on the panel 101 of the container. A recess 16 is formed at the distal end of the cap attachment 10, on and along the attachment head 12. The purpose of this recess 16 is to allow the cap attachment 10 to swing relatively freely within the cap receiver 20, so that the cap 110 can be placed at a slight angle and not completely parallel to the outer surface 103 of the wall. As will be further described below, this configuration is determined by the abutment of the second cap attachment 10 and / or the skirt 117 of the cap with the outer surface 103 when the cap 110 is placed on the container 100.

[0072] Figure 8 It shows in more detail Figure 5 A perspective view of the shape of the second cover attachment 10. This view also better shows Figure 7 The inner side of the cover attachment 10 (the two cover attachments 10 are basically the same in shape, but are symmetrically arranged on the cover underside 111).

[0073] Fig. 9 It is a combination Figure 6 1 is a perspective view of a cap receiver 20 introduced in the description. As previously described, the cap receiver 20 is formed on the upper edge 102 of one long side wall 106 of the container 100. The cap receiver defines a recess 21. The recess 21 is in turn defined by two recesses: a first narrow recess 22 protruding outwardly toward the exterior of the container 100, and a second wide recess 23 facing the enclosed space 105 of the container. This configuration facilitates attachment of the cap 110 from above, and the protruding convex edge defining the narrow recess 23 serves as a retainer that cooperates with the hooked end 15 of the head 12 of the cap attachment 10 to hold the cap 110 in place within the cap receiver 20 as desired.

[0074] Fig.10 Shows the capacity Fig. 9 The cover receiver 20 is within the recess 21 Figure 7 The cover 110 can only be removed by first moving the cover 110 upwards and then pulling the cover 110 outwards to overcome the retaining effect of the above-mentioned convex edge. Fig.10 As can be understood in the drawings, the cover attachment 10 and the cover receiver 20 are complementary, ie, are correspondingly shaped, so that the cover attachment 10 can be tightly seated in the recess 21 of the cover receiver 20 .

[0075] Fig.11 and Fig.12 is a cross-sectional view showing in more detail the angle of the cap 110 relative to the container side wall 106 when one of the cap attachments 10 is received in the cap receiver 20. It can be observed that the angle is very small, perhaps between 5 and 15 degrees, and is determined by the skirt 117 of the cap 110 and / or the second cap attachment 10, which (in this case is unused) abuts against the lower portion of the side wall 106 (not shown).

[0076] Fig.13 The angular relationship between the cap attachment 10 and the recess 21 in the cap receiver 20 is shown in more detail. In use, the same angle as described above is formed between the lower surface of the recess 21 (where the cap attachment 10 is placed) and the stem 11 of the cap attachment 10. Due to the recess 16 formed on the head 12 of the distal end of the cap attachment 10, the cap attachment 10 is relatively free to swing on its base, so that the cap 110 can adopt its natural hanging configuration (such as Fig.11 and Fig.12 shown).

[0077] Fig.14 It is shown in more detail how the lower part of the lid 110 and the side panel 101 receiving the lid 110 are arranged relative to each other when the lid 110 is placed on said side panel 101. A portion of the second lid attachment 10 and / or the lid skirt 117 abuts against a portion of the container base 104 which together with the side panel 101 defines the side wall 106 of the container 100 on which the lid 110 is received. In order to make the lid attachment visible, Fig.14 The base 104 is not shown.

[0078] Fig.15 are different perspective views of the underside 111 of the cover 110 . Fig.15 It is included because it allows an observer to understand how the cover attachment 10 is positioned when the cover 110 is used to cover the enclosed space 105 of the container 100.

[0079] Fig.16 only Fig.15The cap attachment 10 is provided in a partially enlarged view of the cap 110, showing the cap attachment 10 in the direction in more detail. The cap attachment 10 is arranged sufficiently close to the skirt 117 of the cap so that when the cap 110 covers the container 100, the cap attachment 10 is at least partially accommodated in the cap receiver 20 to limit or prevent the enclosed space 105 of the container 100 from being contaminated during transportation.

[0080] Figure 17-22 are self-explanatory: they show a variant of the previously described lid receiver 20. In this variant, the lid receiver 20 is not merely configured as a recess formed on one upper edge 102 in the side panel 101 of the container 100. Instead, the lid receiver 20 is configured as a retractable container 24 that can be deployed in the upper region of the side panel 101 near its upper edge 102 and retracted inside the side panel 101. Fig.17 The position of the retractable container 24 is shown. Fig.18 Details of the container 24 are shown which are pivotally operable in the stowed configuration. Fig.19 Details of the container 24 are shown in the expanded configuration. Fig.18 In the expanded configuration, the container 24 defines a recess 21 similar to the recess of the cap receiver 20 previously described. Fig. 20 The cover attachment 10 is shown to be accommodated in said recess 21 . Fig.21 The detail of the cover attachment 10 being received in the recess 21 of the collapsible container 24 is shown. Fig. 22 The purpose of this variant is described as moving the lid slightly away from the edge 102 of the side panel 101 to further improve access to the container enclosure 105.

[0081] at last, Fig.23 and 24 A variation of the previously described cover attachment 10 is shown. Here, the cover attachment 10 is arranged as a single T-shape, without the first and second T-shaped parts. This cover attachment 10 can be described as a single stem 11 without a hook-shaped end and a single head 12. Furthermore, in this variation, the cover attachment 10 protrudes not only from the cover underside 111, but also from the skirt 117 of the cover.

[0082] Fig.23 is a detailed perspective view of the underside 111 of the cover, showing this variant of the cover attachment 10 in isolation. Fig.24 A section is shown according to a plane substantially parallel to the cover 110 , which is located directly below the underside 111 of the cover, which is used to cover the container enclosure 105 . Fig.24A different cap receiver 20 is shown, wherein the cap receiver is still configured as a recess 21 formed on the upper edge 102 of the side panel, but the narrow recess 22 and the wide recess 23 are interchanged. The narrow recess 22 is now disposed inwardly toward the enclosed space 105 of the container, while the wide recess 23 is disposed outwardly toward the exterior of the container. Thus, when the cap is used as described, the cap attachment 10 effectively acts as a "plug" and the wide recess 23 of the cap receiver 20 effectively acts as a corresponding "socket", almost completely or completely preventing potential contaminants from entering the enclosed space 105 of the container through the narrow recess 22.

[0083] This cover attachment 10 is not only better at preventing contaminants from potentially entering the enclosed space 105 of the container 100, but it can also be considered easier to repair or replace. In addition, it can be considered stronger than previous versions because it is not only connected to the cover underside 111, but also to the cover skirt 117. A damaged cover attachment 10 can be repaired by cutting off any remaining portion of the damaged cover attachment 10 and then replacing the cover attachment 10 by welding a new cover attachment by plastic welding (these techniques are well known in the art). The fact that this version of the cover attachment 10 also extends from the skirt 117 of the cover 110 as well as the cover underside 111 makes additional welding surface available for any welding operation to repair the cover attachment 10. This is better than just welding a new cover attachment 10 to the surface of the cover underside 111.

[0084] Shelves with pin-shaped shelf locators, using a similar connection principle as above

[0085] In order to reduce the misalignment or loss of movable shelves of rigid containers for transporting dry goods, the inventors realize that it may be necessary to provide a movable shelf 201, 202 (such as a movable shelf 201, 202) with one or more shelf positioners 210, 211. Fig.25 shown).

[0086] Fig.25 Removable shelves 201, 202 for dry goods rigid containers are shown. The removable shelves 201, 202 are essentially continuous panels 209, which can be made of one or more rigid plastic pieces. The removable shelves 201, 202 can therefore be a single or integral panel 209, or can be assembled and / or assemblable from multiple sub-components. It should be understood that the removable shelves 201, 202 can be manufactured according to different methods or technologies, and can be made of non-plastic materials or include parts made of non-plastic materials, although plastics are advantageous for the purposes and applications of the present invention because, as known in the art, they can easily provide light weight and suitable hardness.

[0087] Removable shelf 201,202 includes at least one shelf locator 210,211. After removing removable shelf 201,202 from container, user can use each shelf locator 210,211 or shelf locator 210 and 211 to prevent removable shelf 201,202 from being misplaced or lost. For this reason, as will be further described below, user can attach removable shelf 201 to container by shelf locator 210,211. Therefore, removable shelf 201,202 can be easily positioned. Removable shelf 201,202 can include and only have two shelf locators 210,211, which can be arranged on the front surface 203 of shelf 201. However, different number of shelf locators, such as one shelf locator, can be used equally.

[0088] For example, in the removable shelves 201, 202 described herein, a total of four shelf positioners 210, 211, 212, 213 are actually provided on each removable shelf 201, 202. Fig.25 As shown, two front shelf positioners 210, 211 are arranged on the front side 203 of the shelves 201, 202, and two rear shelf positioners 212, 213 are arranged on the back side of the shelf surface 203 ( Fig.25 Not shown in , but can be found in Fig. 27 ). The importance of the rear shelf retainers 212, 213 is that additional removable shelves 201, 202 can be attached to any removable shelf 201, 202. Before further describing the removable shelf 201, shelf retainers 210, 211 and container, some definitions will now be introduced to help specifically describe the removable shelves 201, 202.

[0089] The removable shelves 201, 202 include a pair of opposing surfaces 203 ( Fig.25 Only one is shown in the figure, one of which provides support for goods (not shown) in use (as the upper surface). The face 203 is surrounded by an edge 208, which defines the removable shelves 120,202. Fig.25 A generally rectangular shelf shape is shown, but in principle other shapes are possible. Furthermore, each removable shelf 201, 202 may be provided as a complete shelf, or a complete shelf may consist of two or more smaller shelves that together may provide the required support surface. An edge 208 surrounds the rectangular removable shelf 201 on each of its four sides 204. Thus, each shelf face 203 also has a corresponding rectangular side 204. As shown in FIG. Fig.25As shown, in the removable shelves 201, 202, the shelf positioners 210, 211, 212, 213 are arranged at opposite ends 206 of the shelf 201, near the adjacent corners 205 of the shelf 201, near the edge 208 and one side 204 of the shelves 201, 202. The removable shelves 201, 202 have two short sides 204 extending along the first axis and two long sides 204 extending along the second axis.

[0090] Now returning to the operation of the removable shelves 201, 202 described herein, each removable shelf 201 can be conveniently removably attached to the container side panel 101, and the removable shelf 201 can be optionally attached to another shelf 202, that is, the intermediate shelf 202 that has been attached to the container side panel 101, so that the removable shelf 201 will not be misaligned relative to the container 100. It should be understood that the removable shelves 201, 202 described herein can be attached one at a time, or attached in groups at the same time, with two or more removable shelves 201, 202 in each group pre-attached together.

[0091] Fig.26 A rigid container 100 for transporting dry goods is shown. As described herein, one or more removable shelves 201, 202 may be provided within the container 100 to divide the enclosed space 105 into two or more compartments 306, respectively. Figures 26 to 29 Give a better description of this.

[0092] Figures 26 to 28 Shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 100, wherein a removable shelf 201 is being lowered to a suitable position in the container 100 to support the goods. The removable shelf 201 is supported by shelf supports 215 (such as Figure 1 ), placed on appropriate raised ridges (not described here) provided inside along the vertical sides of the container 100. It is conceivable that by providing one or more handles 214 (also shown in FIG. Fig.25 This greatly facilitates the operation. Figures 26 to 28Another removable shelf 202 is shown in the figure, which is connected to the rear panel 101 of the container 100 face to face by its two shelf locators 210, 211 and two corresponding complementary shelf locators 212, 213 arranged on the rear panel 101 of the container 100. The removable shelf 202 also has additional shelf locators 212, 213, which can be similar or identical to the shelf locators 212, 213 arranged on the rear panel 101 of the container, and these shelf locators 212, 213 are arranged on the back side of the shelf face 203, and are used to accommodate the shelf locators 210, 211 of the removable shelf now placed in the container 100 when the removable shelf 201 is no longer needed for transporting goods, but is attached to the container 100 and stored in the container 100. Vice versa, the now connected removable shelf 202 can be removed from its position on the rear panel 101 of the container 100 and deployed as an additional shelf 202 within the container 100 to divide the enclosed space 105 into three compartments 306 instead of just two compartments 306 for transporting goods.

[0093] Now it is understandable, Fig.25 and 26 The front shelf positioners 210, 211 shown in FIGS. 28 are convex shelf positioners 210 and 211, which are adapted to be received in corresponding concave shelf positioners 212, 213, which are arranged on the edge of the container side panel 101, or on the edge 208 of the intermediate shelf 202 attached to the container side panel 101. In addition, as Figures 26 to 28 As shown, when the shelves 201, 202 are connected face-to-face and vertically to the container panel 101, the edge 208 of the shelves 201, 202 near the shelf positioners 210, 211 is the upper edge of the shelves 201, 202. However, these configurations are not mandatory.

[0094] For example, one or more convex shelf locators 210, 211 can be replaced by one or more concave shelf locators 212, 213 on one of the shelf faces 203, and vice versa, one or more concave shelf locators 212, 213 on the other face 203 of the shelf 201, 202 or on the container side panel 101 can be replaced by one or more corresponding convex shelf locators 210, 211, as long as the shelf locators 210, 211, 212, 213 can be used together to attach the shelf 201, 202 to the container side panel 101 (in the specific case of the shelf 201, 202, by hanging) or to one or more intermediate shelves that have been hung to the container side panel 101. Therefore, it is important that the shelf locators 210, 211, 212, 213 are positioned and shaped to achieve this result, regardless of their specific configuration and position on the shelf 201, 202.

[0095] Similarly, in the configuration where the shelves 201, 202 are attached vertically face to face to the rear wall 101 of the container 100, the shelf positioners 210, 211, 212, 213 are not necessarily arranged near the upper side 204 or edge 208 of the shelves 201 and 202; the shelf positioners 210, 211, 212, 213 can be arranged in other ways near the bottom edge or side or laterally of the shelves 201, 202. However, it is important that the male shelf locators 210, 211 and the female shelf locators 212, 213 are disposed at spatially corresponding locations 207 on the nominal plane of the removable shelves 201, 202, such that the male shelf locators and the female shelf locators 210, 211, 212, 213 can form pairs of engaged male-female shelf locators 210, 212, 212, 213 in use for attaching the panel 209 to the container 100 as desired. For example, these locations are as follows Fig. 27 shown.

[0096] As described herein, the advantages provided by providing shelf positioners 210, 211, 212, 213 correspond to providing a foldable container 100. For a foldable container 100, at least one container panel 101 is folded so that the container 100 can be configured into a more compact form to be transported back to the service center with any attached removable shelves 201, 202. Therefore, any removable shelves 201, 202 can be neatly stored in the folded container 100. At the service center, the recycling of the container 100 can begin again: the container 100 will first be refurbished and then transported to the place of use, where they will be erected and loaded with the goods to be transported. At this point, the removable shelves 201, 202 will still be stacked in the container 100, but when the container is ready to transport the goods, they will be ready to be installed in the enclosed space 105.

[0097] In principle, it is contemplated that shelf is detachably attached to container wall or the intermediate shelf of container wall face to face in any manner. In addition, multiple shelves can also be connected to multiple container walls, and these multiple container walls can be folded separately. The advantageous way that shelf is detachably attached to container wall or another shelf face to face is to simply hang shelf. Therefore, as an alternative to design described herein, it is understandable that shelf locator can be provided in the form of hanger or hook respectively. In this case, shelf 201,202 can be directly hung on container side panel 101, or be attached to any intermediate shelf from inside or outside, without the need for corresponding shelf locator, such as concave shelf locator 212,213 as described herein.

[0098] Reference now Fig.29, in the shelves 201, 202, at least one male shelf locator 210, 211 is generally provided in the form of a pin 220. At least one female shelf locator 212, 213 is generally provided in the form of a slot 222, the shape of which is at least to some extent complementary to the shape of the pin 220, so that the pin 220 can be directly and intuitively inserted into the slot 220, so that the shelves 201, 202 can be attached as intended.

[0099] Each pin 220 includes an enlarged head 224, and each complementary slot 222 includes an opening in the form of a mouth 226, which opens on the edge 208 of the shelf 201, 202 (or the container side panel 101, if the shelf locator 212, 213 is provided thereon). The mouth or opening 226 is adapted to accommodate at least the enlarged head 224 of the pin 220, but may also accommodate the entire pin 220. By the user engaging each pin 220 with the corresponding slot 22, and then moving along the Fig.29 The "w" direction sliding pin 220 shown in the middle arrow, the mouth 226 can realize the attachment of detachable shelf 201,202. Narrow or rod pin part 232 connects the enlarged pin head 224 and the face 203 of shelf 201,202. Therefore, the user can easily identify the shelf locator 210,211,212,213,220,222 on the shelf and / or container wall or attached to the intermediate shelf of the container wall, and use them in the expected manner. In addition, once shelf 201,202 is attached in place as expected, the enlarged head 224 of pin 220 prevents detachable shelf 201,202 from being easily or involuntarily disassembled or untied. By pulling shelf 201,202 perpendicular to direction "w", shelf 201,203 cannot be disassembled. To remove either shelf 201, 202, the user needs to slide one shelf 201, 202 at a time, or slide both shelves 201, 202 together along a "w", the direction of the sliding being opposite to the direction of the arrow shown.

[0100] Alternatively, the pin can have a cylindrical shape, and the slot can be in the shape of a corresponding cylindrical cavity, and the shelf can be placed in the desired position by translation and coupling in the w direction. Another retention method could have been designed, such as an interference fit between the pin and the slot, but this is a less ideal solution.

[0101] It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the above solutions related to the lid 110 and the shelves 201, 202 of the container are similar in principle. Therefore, the following also constitutes part of the present disclosure:

[0102] A removable panel for a rigid container for transporting dry goods includes at least one panel locator that can be used to allow the removable panel to be attached face-to-face to a wall of the container or to an intermediate removable panel attached to the wall.

[0103] The above-mentioned removable panel, wherein at least one shelf locator is disposed on a surface of the removable panel;

[0104] Optionally, located to the side or adjacent thereto;

[0105] Optionally, located at or near a corner thereof.

[0106] The above-mentioned detachable panel, wherein the detachable panel includes at least two panel positioners respectively disposed at or near opposite ends of the panel;

[0107] Optionally, along said side;

[0108] Alternatively, or at or near an adjacent corner of the shelf;

[0109] Alternatively, the detachable panel includes at least one panel locator, and the panel locator is arranged at a position approximately in the middle of its long side.

[0110] The above-mentioned detachable panel, wherein the detachable panel includes at least one convex panel locator and at least one complementary concave panel locator, and the convex and concave panel locators are respectively arranged at relative corresponding positions on either side of the panel; or, the concave panel locator can be arranged on the side panel of the container.

[0111] The above removable panel, wherein at least one male shelf locator is generally provided in the form of a pin, and at least one female shelf locator defines a slot or recess complementary to the pin.

[0112] The above-mentioned removable panel, wherein the pin includes an enlarged head, and the complementary slot includes a mouth opening on the edge of the removable panel or the above-mentioned side panel, and the mouth is suitable for receiving the enlarged head.

[0113] A system of rigid containers for transporting dry goods, the system comprising a removable panel as described above and side panels for the container, optionally wherein the side panels are foldable.

[0114] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that in the present disclosure, features and aspects disclosed in conjunction with a lid of a container may also be applied to a shelf of a container, and vice versa.

[0115] Reference Mark List:

[0116] 10 Cover attachment

[0117] 11 poles

[0118] 12 Head

[0119] 13 First T-shaped part

[0120] 14 Second T-shaped part

[0121] 15 Hooked end

[0122] 16 Distal recess for cover attachment

[0123] 20 Cover Receiver

[0124] 21 recess

[0125] 22 First narrow recess

[0126] 23 Second widest concave part

[0127] 24 Scalable Container

[0128] 100 containers (standing) or container components (folded)

[0129] 101 Container side, front panel and rear panel (whether specified separately or together)

[0130] 102 Top edge of container panel

[0131] 103 Exterior surface of container panel / wall

[0132] 104 container base

[0133] 105 Enclosed space of container

[0134] 106 Vessel walls (whether specified singly or collectively)

[0135] 107 Side door of container

[0136] 109 container front door

[0137] 110 Removable cover or cap

[0138] 111 Cover bottom side

[0139] 112 Cover underside perimeter

[0140] 114 Cover corners (whether specified individually or collectively)

[0141] 117 Skirt

[0142] 120 radially extending ribs

[0143] C cover center

[0144] 201 First removable shelf

[0145] 202 Second (middle) removable shelf

[0146] 203 Shelf surface

[0147] 204 Shelf side (or side of shelf)

[0148] 205 Shelf Corner

[0149] 206 Shelf End

[0150] 207 Corresponding position on the shelf surface

[0151] 208 Shelf Edge

[0152] 209 Shelf Panel

[0153] 210, 211 first and second convex shelf locators

[0154] 212, 213 first and second concave shelf locators

[0155] 214 Shelf handle

[0156] 215 Shelf support

[0157] 220 Pins

[0158] 222 groove or recess

[0159] 224 Enlarged head of pin

[0160] 226 Notch

[0161] 232 pin rod (narrow part of the pin)

[0162] wDirection of shelf pin insertion

Claims

1. A container system, comprising a removable lid for a container and a container side wall, wherein the removable lid comprises at least one lid attachment protruding inwardly from a lower side of the lid, and wherein the container side wall comprises at least one corresponding lid receiver for accommodating the lid attachment, the at least one lid attachment and the corresponding lid receiver being configured such that the lid can be placed on the container side wall by accommodating the at least one lid attachment in the at least one corresponding lid receiver, wherein at least most and preferably all of the lid lower side faces a portion of an outer surface of the container side wall.

2. The container system of claim 1, wherein the at least one cap attachment is generally T-shaped, having a stem extending generally perpendicularly from an underside of the cap, and a head extending generally transversely relative to the stem.

3. The container system of claim 2, wherein the lid includes a skirt at least partially surrounding an underside of the lid, and wherein the stem extends adjacent to the skirt.

4. The container system of claim 3, wherein the stem extends in a first direction parallel to the depth extension of the skirt; Optionally, wherein the rod extends in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the peripheral extension of the skirt; Optionally, the rod extends from the skirt and is integrally formed with the skirt.

5. A container system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the head also extends adjacent to the skirt but alongside the skirt.

6. The container system of claim 5, wherein the head extends in a first direction parallel to the peripheral extension of the skirt; Optionally, the head portion extends along a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the skirt portion, Optionally, the head extends from the skirt and is formed integrally with the skirt.

7. The container system according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein: The cover attachment is formed into a first T-shaped portion and a second T-shaped portion, wherein the first T-shaped portion and the second T-shaped portion together form the substantially T-shaped cover attachment, the first T-shaped portion is arranged outside the second T-shaped portion, and occupies a space larger than the corresponding space occupied by the second T-shaped portion.

8. The container system according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the cap attachment comprises at least one hooked end for retaining the cap attachment in the cap receiver; Optionally, the at least one hooked end is disposed at one end of the head; Optionally, the head includes two hooked ends, and the two hooked ends are arranged at opposite ends of the head.

9. A container system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cap attachment comprises at least one of: a distal recess; a distal rounded corner; a distal bevel; and a distal chamfer, and the cap attachment is configured to facilitate the cap attachment to swing within the corresponding cap receiver when the cap attachment is accommodated in the cap receiver to place the cap on the side wall of the container.

10. The container system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cap receiver is formed as a recess; Optionally, the recess is formed on an upper edge of the container side wall.

11. The container system according to claim 10, wherein the recess comprises a first recess and a second recess disposed continuously relative to each other, wherein: The first recessed portion has a width that is smaller than a corresponding width of the second recessed portion, the width being measured in a direction along and parallel to the edge of the container sidewall.

12. The container system of claim 11, wherein the first and second recesses have the same depth measured in a direction perpendicular to the container edge and extend on the same imaginary plane as the container sidewall.

13. The container system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle comprises a collapsible container configured to expand and collapse within the container sidewall; Optionally, the retractable container can be rotatably unfolded and retracted; Alternatively, the retractable container can be slidably expanded and retracted.

14. A container system according to any preceding claim, wherein the container lid is generally rectangular and comprises at least two opposing such lid attachments; Optionally, the at least two opposing cover attachments are symmetrically arranged on the underside of the cover.

15. A container system according to any preceding claim, wherein: The at least one cover accessory is located on the underside of the cover so that when the cover is located on the container to cover the enclosed space defined by the container, the at least one cover accessory is accommodated in the corresponding container to reduce or prevent the enclosed space of the container from being contaminated.

16. A container comprising a container system according to any one of the preceding claims.

17. The container according to claim 16, wherein the container is substantially in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, the container comprising two opposite short side walls and two opposite long side walls, and a base, wherein Each of the side walls may comprise a container side panel, each of which may be foldable on the base and erectable from the folded state.

18. The container of claim 17, wherein the base comprises a tray base.

19. A container according to any one of claims 16, 17 and 18, wherein the container is made from a substantially rigid plastics material.

20. A container according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the container lid is adapted to cooperate with an upright container body, or to accommodate a container base of a collapsed container body, so that the lid is securely but removably retained on the container body or base.

21. A container assembly comprising a container base and a collapsed container body disposed on the container base, the container assembly comprising the container system according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

22. A container according to any one of claims 16 to 19 or a container assembly according to claim 20 or 21 , the footprint of which is determined according to standard pallet dimensions.

23. A method of placing a removable cover for a container on a container side wall, wherein the removable cover includes at least one cover attachment projecting inwardly from an underside of the cover, and wherein the container side wall includes at least one corresponding cover receiver for receiving the cover attachment, the method comprising: The at least one cap attachment is received in the at least one corresponding cap receiver, wherein at least most, and preferably all, of the cap underside faces a portion of the outer surface of the container side wall.

Images