Turnover box

Abstract

Systems and methods for turnover box lid hinges are provided. In some embodiments, a turnover box includes: an interior of the turnover box; the cover is used for covering the interior of the turnover box; and a hinge mechanism configured to open in one or more directions. Different application and use conditions of the turnover box require different opening directions of the cover of the turnover box. The flexible hinge mechanism allows for the use of the same hinge and lid design to open / close the lid to accommodate different applications without having to change the lid type depending on the application.

Description

[0001] Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 405,789, filed on September 12, 2022, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to hinge designs for lids. Background Art

[0004] Currently, cold chain transportation of food, pharmaceuticals, or any products that require temperature control for distribution is carried out by three-temperature zone or refrigerated trucks and vans, which are equipped with compressor-based systems that can cool or freeze the entire partitioned area of the truck and must operate continuously to maintain the temperature inside the truck. Whether there is a gallon of milk or a pint of ice cream on the truck, you need to cool or freeze the entire space. It is necessary to penetrate from the outside into compressor-based refrigerated trucks and three-temperature zone trucks or vans in order to place the cooling platform of the compressor-based system inside the truck or van, which invalidates the warranty of the van or truck. In addition, to operate a test temperature truck, you must use dividers between the temperature zones to maintain the temperature. The space separation requires you to place the orders containing the goods separately in two or more areas. Compressor-based systems consume too much electricity to be placed in or on a pure electric vehicle without significantly reducing the vehicle's range. Totes can be used to solve some of these problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Systems and methods for tote lid hinges are provided. In some embodiments, a tote includes: an interior of the tote; a lid for covering the interior of the tote; and a hinge mechanism configured to open in more than one direction. Different applications and usage scenarios of the tote require different opening directions of the tote lid. The flexible hinge mechanism allows the same hinge and lid design to be used to open / close the lid to accommodate different applications without having to change the lid type according to the application.

[0006] Those skilled in the art will understand the scope of the present disclosure and recognize additional aspects of the present disclosure after reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] The drawings incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure and, together with the description, are used to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0008] Figures 1A to 1DShows the utilization of a portable standalone refrigeration or freezing system in combination with integrated automated control and monitoring;

[0009] Figure 2 And Figure 3A And Figure 3B Shows an exemplary embodiment of an active cooler according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0010] Figure 4 Shows a system including an active cooler according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0011] Figure 5 Shows an example of a tote box disclosed herein;

[0012] Figure 6 Shows that different types of tote boxes can be used in refrigerator or freezer form;

[0013] Figure 7 Shows an exploded view of a tote box including a thermoelectric unit as discussed herein;

[0014] Figure 8 , Figure 9A , Figure 9B And Figure 10 Shows an exemplary tote box lid hinge design according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 11 Shows a pivot member with a lid attached according to some embodiments described herein;

[0016] Figure 12 Shows a cross-section of pivot-closed according to some embodiments described herein;

[0017] Figure 13 Shows a cross-section of pivot-rotating according to some embodiments described herein;

[0018] Figure 14 Shows a cross-section of the end position of pivot-rotating according to some embodiments described herein;

[0019] Figure 15 Shows a cross-section of pivot-open / separated according to some embodiments described herein;

[0020] Figure 16 Shows multiple latches assembled to the lid - opening in two directions in one plane;

[0021] Figure 17 Shows multiple latches assembled to the lid - opening in one direction in two planes;

[0022] Figure 18 Shows a latch with a spring plunger stopper according to some embodiments described herein;

[0023] Figure 19 Shows a latch with a spring plunger according to some embodiments described herein, the latch being held in a defined open position;

[0024] Figure 20 Shows a latch with a retention feature according to some embodiments described herein;

[0025] Figure 21 Shows a latch with a retention feature cross-section according to some embodiments described herein; and

[0026] Figures 22 to 24 Shows the hinge aspect of a pivot latch implemented using a flexible member snapped onto a pin according to some embodiments described herein. Detailed Description

[0027] The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. After reading the following description with reference to the drawings, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand the concepts of the present disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts not specifically set forth herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims.

[0028] Last-mile food delivery requires the temperature-controlled transportation of perishable food using a van or similar vehicle. To control the temperature, a refrigerated or frozen tote can be used that is installed in a van (e.g., a delivery truck) or a box truck.

[0029] These totes use an active heat pump to absorb heat from an enclosed chamber and discharge it to the surrounding environment. When in an enclosed position such as in a delivery van, hot air can be removed from the van to improve the operating performance of the tote.

[0030] These totes require electricity during transportation to maintain the safety requirements of perishable food. The electrical system required to reach (and / or maintain) the correct temperature should meet certain expectations for tote operation.

[0031] Figures 1A to 1D Shows the utilization of a portable standalone refrigerated or frozen system in combination with integrated automated control and monitoring.

[0032] Figure 2 And Figure 3A And Figure 3B Shows an example embodiment of an active cooler according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 4 A system including an active cooler according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0034] For more details, interested readers may refer to the following: U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 953,771, entitled THERMOELECTRIC REFRIGERATED / FROZEN PRODUCT STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION COOLER; U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 17 / 135,420, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 0199353A1, entitled THERMOELECTRIC REFRIGERATED / FROZEN PRODUCT STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION COOLER; and International Patent Application No. PCT / US2020 / 067172, now International Patent Publication No. WO2021 / 134068, entitled THERMOELECTRIC REFRIGERATED / FROZEN PRODUCT STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION COOLER. These applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0035] Figure 5 An example of a tote disclosed herein is shown. Figure 6 It shows that different types of totes can be used in refrigerator or freezer types. Figure 7 An exploded view of a tote including a thermoelectric unit as discussed herein is shown.

[0036] Different applications and usages of turnover boxes require that the opening direction of the turnover box lid is different. Figure 8 An example of this is shown in . Figure 9A , Figure 9B and Figure 10 Additional embodiments are shown in The flexible hinge mechanism allows the same hinge and lid design to be used to open / close the lid to suit different applications without having to change the lid type depending on the application.

[0037] Some embodiments include one or more of the following:

[0038] a.The hinge mechanism is based on a ball and socket design.

[0039] b. The socket arms deflect outward during assembly / removal of the cover and snap around the ball joint to capture and allow free rotation (free rotation about axis A and axis B).

[0040] c. Hinge mechanism allows the lid to be opened from four sides.

[0041] d. The hinge mechanism allows the lid to be completely removed and reattached.

[0042] e. The hinge design is symmetric, so it can be installed at 180 degrees without loss of function.

[0043] Some embodiments include a housing lid with a pivot latch. Some embodiments of the present disclosure describe a design for fixing and operating a removable lid to an enclosed space. Some embodiments allow partial or complete removal of the removable lid when it is rotated open in one or more directions on one or more planes. The pivot latch can release the lid or fix the rotation of the lid.

[0044] A storage container with an ambient temperature or a cooling volume is used for transporting and storing goods (including but not limited to fresh produce, fresh meat, refrigerated food, frozen food, liquid containers, and dry packaged items), and has an openable lid to access the storage volume.

[0045] The storage volume has a variety of loading and unloading methods, including manual transportation, access, and automation. The multifunctional housing lid allows opening from multiple sides of the storage container to improve accessibility to the internal volume, whether for users or automation.

[0046] Example case:

[0047] The storage container (turnover box) is open and loaded with food, and is sent into an automated shelving system for storage via a conveyor belt. The turnover box is automatically retrieved and delivered to a picking station, where a human operator opens the volume and removes one or more items.

[0048] Items removed from the bulk storage turnover box are placed in a similar turnover box as part of an active picking customer order.

[0049] The bulk storage box returns to the automated shelving system for storage, and then the human operator picks from additional bulk storage boxes until the automated part of the order is completed.

[0050] Then the customer order turnover box is released to the loading area, where it is placed on a cart with an additional partial order that requires manual picking from various items. The human user pushes the cart around the store and opens the order turnover box lid as needed to add items to the order. Once the order is completed, the cart with the turnover box is transported to the storage rack for customer picking. The customer opens the lid and removes the order from the turnover box and removes the turnover box. Then the empty turnover box is returned to the system for use.

[0051] The interaction between the automated system, the user, and the tote can be arbitrary or well-defined, so the ability to have multiple opening positions is important for the flexibility and convenience of each step of the cycle.

[0052] A multi-functional pivot latch is a component designed to enable the lid to open along multiple sides.

[0053] A pivot latch is a hinge that enables the lid to rotate around an edge or holds the lid in a closed position. Depending on the angle of the lid, the pivot latch can allow the lid to be released from the latch or hold the lid in the latch.

[0054] Several methods have been defined for such a rotary latch.

[0055] Figure 11 A pivot member with a lid attached is shown according to some embodiments described herein. Figure 12 A cross-section of the pivot-closed is shown according to some embodiments described herein. Figure 13 A cross-section of the pivot-rotated is shown according to some embodiments described herein.

[0056] The pivot latch has a fixed member and a movable member, which can also be separated. The fixed member and the movable member are designed such that the members can engage or disengage in one orientation through an opening, but cannot be separated once rotated around an axis defined by the fixed member until rotated back to the initial position ( Figure 12 , Figure 13 ).

[0057] The cross-sectional profile of the movable member is such that it allows the member to rotate within the fixed member but be held ( Figure 13 ).

[0058] Figure 14 A cross-section of the pivot-rotated end position is shown according to some embodiments described herein. The fixed member includes mechanical features to prevent additional rotation beyond a fixed amount.

[0059] Figure 15 A cross-section of the pivot-open / separated is shown according to some embodiments described herein. When oriented to a specific position, the movable member can be removed from the base.

[0060] Figure 16 Multiple latches assembled to the lid - opening in two directions in a plane - are shown according to some embodiments described herein. Figure 17Multiple latches according to some embodiments described herein are shown assembled to a lid - opening in one direction in two planes. A pivoting latch can be used in conjunction with multiple latches and a lid or flip to form an assembly that can rotate in one or more directions about an axis in a fixed base ( Figure 16 , Figure 17 ).

[0061] Figure 18 A latch with a spring plunger stop is shown according to some embodiments described herein. Figure 19 A latch with a spring plunger is shown, the latch being retained in a defined open position, according to some embodiments described herein.

[0062] The movable component may be retained in the fixed component in various orientations by mechanical locating features including, but not limited to, deflecting hooks and spring plunger stops and corresponding release features in either the fixed component or the movable component ( Figure 18 , Figure 19 ).

[0063] Figure 20 A latch with a retention feature according to some embodiments described herein is shown. Figure 21 A latch with a retention feature cross section is shown according to some embodiments described herein.

[0064] The fixed component may utilize mechanical retention features to prevent the movable component from freely separating, or alternatively apply a clamping force to the cover and apply a sealing material between the mounting surface of the fixed component and the cover ( Figure 20 , Figure 21 ).

[0065] Additional design concepts

[0066] Some embodiments use a friction hinge for pivoting and snap-on retention. In this approach, the hinge is a conventional friction hinge that is permanently attached to the lid of the crate and can be removed from the crate shell using a pin or snap-on fastener. The removable hinge is used on both sides of the lid. When the hinge snaps into the shell, it acts as a hinge. When it is removed from the shell, it allows the lid to open freely and rotate around the opposite side of the lid.

[0067] Some embodiments use a ball joint. Some embodiments use the hinge aspect of a pivot latch, which has a flexible member that snaps onto a pin, such as Figure 22 (and / or Figure 23 and Figure 24 ) as shown.

[0068] In some embodiments, the hinge aspect of the pivot latch is implemented by a movable hinge that can have a rotatable pin inside. When sufficient force is applied in the vertical direction, the pin can be pulled out of the movable hinge.

[0069] These embodiments can potentially be used for (but are not limited to): mechanical warehouse / shelf systems where manual insertion / removal of containers is not feasible and / or not desirable; manual systems that require minimal employee interaction time; mobile delivery platforms to expand the range of safe delivery; remotely deployed docking stations / racks. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, these general-purpose automated warehouse / shelf locations can be maintained at room temperature.

[0070] Some embodiments are characterized by having optional safety features to enable remote unattended unloading and / or loading. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure currently being made, compared to or in addition to touch control of the contents of the tote, a secure local / remote docking station can provide touch control of the tote itself. In some embodiments, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a shelf implementation with docking / locking tracks is used. More details can be found in the patent application PCT / US2021 / 054515 filed on October 12, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0071] Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. All such improvements and modifications are considered to be within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A turnover box, which comprises: the interior of the turnover box; a lid for covering the interior of the turnover box; and a hinge mechanism configured to open in more than one direction.

2. The turnover box according to claim 1, wherein the hinge mechanism is based on a ball and socket design.

3. The turnover box according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the hinge mechanism includes one or more socket arms configured to deflect outwardly during assembly / removal of the lid and engage around one or more ball joints for capture and allow free rotation.

4. The turnover box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hinge mechanism allows the lid to be opened from four sides.

5. The turnover box according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the hinge mechanism allows the lid to be completely removed and reattached.

6. The turnover box according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hinge mechanism is symmetric such that the lid can be mounted in a first manner and a second manner that is 180 degrees from the first manner, and there is no loss of function between the first manner and the second manner.

7. The turnover box according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a pivot latch to release the lid and / or fix the rotation of the lid.

8. The turnover box according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the turnover box includes a storage container having a cooling volume for transporting and storing goods.

9. The turnover box according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the hinge mechanism includes a fixed part and a movable part such that the parts can be engaged or separated in one orientation through an opening, but cannot be separated once rotated around an axis defined by the fixed part until the rotation is reversed to the initial position.

10. The turnover box according to claim 9, wherein the movable part includes a cross-sectional profile such that the movable part is allowed to rotate within the fixed part but is held.

11. The turnover box according to any one of claims 9 to 10, wherein the fixed part includes mechanical features to prevent additional rotation beyond a fixed amount.

12. The turnover box according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the movable part can be removed from the base when oriented to a specific position.

13. The turnover box according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the hinge mechanism includes a latch having a spring plunger stopper.

14. The turnover box according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the movable part can be held in the fixed part in various orientations through mechanical positioning features, the mechanical positioning features including one or more of the following: deflection hooks, spring plunger stoppers, and release features in the fixed part or the movable part.

15. The turnover box according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the fixing member uses mechanical retention features to prevent the movable member from freely separating, or alternatively applies a clamping force to the lid and applies a sealing material between the mounting surface of the fixing member and the lid.

16. The turnover box according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the hinge mechanism includes a friction hinge for pivotal rotation and snap retention.

17. The turnover box according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the hinge mechanism includes a movable hinge, and a rotatable pin can be arranged inside the movable hinge.

18. The turnover box according to claim 17, wherein when a sufficient force is applied in the vertical direction, the pin can be pulled out from the movable hinge.

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