Assemblable container
The assemblable container addresses the issues of product instability and space inefficiency by allowing for easy assembly, stacking, and secure interlocking components, achieving stability and minimal storage space.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ECOLOGISTIC SPA
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-24
AI Technical Summary
Pallets lack side walls, leading to product instability during transportation, and existing containers with side walls are bulky and non-stackable, occupying excessive storage space.
An assemblable container design featuring a base with decks and a frame that can be easily assembled and disassembled, allowing for stacking and minimal storage space, with components that securely interlock for stability.
The design provides a sturdy, reliable container that can be stacked and occupies minimal space when disassembled, ensuring product stability and efficient storage.
Smart Images
Figure IMGAF001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to an assemblable stackable container.
[0002] Pallets for the transportation of products are well known. However, a pallet has no side walls and therefore the products placed on the pallet tend to fall off.
[0003] In order to solve such a problem, containers are known which have the same bottom as a pallet and side walls to contain the products. However, such containers are bulky, not stackable, and occupy a lot of space for storage in a warehouse when not in use.
[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art by providing an assemblable container that can be easily assembled and disassembled so that the various parts of the container occupy a minimum space.
[0005] Another purpose is to provide such a container that, when it is assembled, is sturdy, durable, and reliable.
[0006] Another purpose is to provide such a container that can be stacked on top of similar containers and has parts that can be stacked, occupying a minimal space when they are disassembled.
[0007] These purposes are achieved in accordance with the invention with the characteristics of the attached independent claim 1.
[0008] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are apparent from the dependent claims.
[0009] Further features of the invention will become clearer from the detailed description below, which refers to purely illustrative and therefore non-limiting embodiments of the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the container according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a top perspective view of a deck of the container of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective bottom view of a deck of the container of Fig. 1; Fig. 3A is an enlarged detail of Fig. 3 illustrating a corner leg of the deck; Fig. 3B is an exploded detailed view of Fig. 3A, showing a partition with the diagonal ribs of the lower portion of the corner leg; Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the frame of the container according to the invention; Figs. 4A, 4B, and 4C are views of enlarged details of Fig. 4; Fig. 4D is the detail of Fig. 4C in assembled condition; Fig. 5 is a perspective rendering view illustrating a coupling between a corner leg of a deck and an upper part of an upright of the frame; Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a coupling of a foot of an upright of the frame with a seat of a corner leg of a deck of the container base; Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the frame of the container in assembled condition; Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the frame of the container assembled on a base; Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the assembled container with panels applied to the frame; Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a container comprising two frames; and Fig. 11 is a perspective view illustrating two stacked decks; and Fig. 12 is a perspective view illustrating two stacked containers.
[0010] With the aid of the Figures, the container according to the invention, which is generally indicated with reference numeral 100, is described.
[0011] With reference to Fig. 1, the container (100) comprises a base (A) and a frame (B) mounted on the base (A).
[0012] The base (A) comprises a deck (1) consisting of a plastic pallet having dimensions of 60 x 80 cm or 120 x 80 cm, for example.
[0013] With reference to Figs. 2 and 3, the deck (1) comprises a rectangular plate (10) having a plurality of holes (11). Four corner legs (2) are arranged at the four corners of the plate (10). Four central legs (3) are arranged at the lateral edges of the plate (10) in intermediate position relative to the corner legs (2). In view of the above, two spaces are left between the corner legs (2) and a central leg (3) for inserting the forks of a forklift truck.
[0014] Each corner leg (2) has a lower portion (20) and an upper portion (21) that is larger than the lower portion, so as to define an abutting step (22).
[0015] The lower portion (20) and the upper portion (21) of each corner leg have a square horizontal section. Advantageously, the lower portion (20) and the upper portion (21) of each corner leg are tapered with decreasing dimensions from up downwards.
[0016] With reference to Fig. 2, the upper portion (21) of each corner leg has an upper seat (24) with square shape that is open at the top in order to accommodate the lower portion (20) of another deck. In this way, the decks (1) can be stacked one on top of the other (as shown in Fig. 12).
[0017] With reference to Figs. 3 and 3A, the lower portion (20) of each corner leg has a first lower seat (25a) and a second lower seat (25b) that are open downwards and have a triangular shape in horizontal section.
[0018] With reference to Fig. 3B, the lower portion (20) of the corner leg has a channel (25) with square cross-section. A partition (26) is arranged along a diagonal of the channel (25) of the lower portion of the corner leg so as to divide the channel (25) into the first lower seat (25a) and the second lower seat (25b).
[0019] A stiffening rib (27) extends diagonally from the partition (26) to a corner of the channel (25) of the lower portion of the corner leg, extending into the second lower seat (25b). An abutting rib (28) extends diagonally from the partition (26) to a corner of the channel (25) of the lower portion of the corner leg. The abutting rib (28) has a lower edge that is set back with respect to the lower edge of the partition (26) so as to define a bottom wall of the first lower seat (25a).
[0020] Through slots (29) are formed in the upper portion (21) of each corner leg.
[0021] Each central leg (3) has a lower portion (30) and an upper portion (31) that is larger than the lower portion, so as to define an abutting step (32).
[0022] The lower portion (30) and the upper portion (31) of each central leg have a rectangular cross-section. Advantageously, both the lower portion (30) and the upper portion (31) of each central leg are tapered with decreasing dimensions from up downwards.
[0023] With reference to Fig. 2, the upper portion (31) of each central leg has an upper seat (34) with a rectangular section that is open at the top in order to accommodate the lower portion (30) of another deck. In such a way, the decks (1) can be stacked on top of each other (as shown in Fig. 12).
[0024] For the sake of accuracy, the upper portion (31) of the central leg has an inner wall (36) on one edge of the plate (10) of the deck, and an outer wall (37) opposite the inner wall.
[0025] With reference to Fig. 3, the lower portion (30) of each central leg has a lower seat (35) that is open towards the bottom and has an inverted V-shape in vertical section.
[0026] With reference to Fig. 4, the frame (B) comprises four uprights (4). Each upright (4) may have a height of 50-120 cm. Each upright (4) has the shape of a rod with a triangular cross-section.
[0027] Crossbars (5a, 5b) are connected to two uprights (4) of a first pair of uprights and of a second pair of uprights (4) so as to form two frame portions (B1, B2), wherein each frame portion comprises two uprights connected by crossbars. Each crossbar (5a, 5b) consists of a substantially rectangular plate.
[0028] In Fig. 4, each frame portion (B1, B2) comprises two crossbars (5a, 5b), namely a lower crossbar (5a) disposed inferiorly, and an upper crossbar (5b) disposed superiorly.
[0029] However, each frame portion (B1, B2) may also comprise three crossbars (5a, 5b, 5c), as shown in Fig. 11, i.e., also an intermediate crossbar (5c) disposed between the lower crossbar (5a) and the upper crossbar (5b).
[0030] It should be noted that each frame portion (B1, B2) has a planar shape and can therefore be stored flat, without occupying an excessive space in vertical direction.
[0031] The cross beams (6) connect the two opposite uprights (4) of the two frame portions (B1, B2) so that the frame (B) has a three-dimensional shape. Each cross beam (6) consists of a substantially rectangular plate. The cross beam (6) has a lower length than the length of the crossbar (5a, 5b).
[0032] In Fig. 4, the frame (B) comprises only two cross beams (6) arranged opposite each other at the top. However, the frame (B) may also comprise four cross beams (6), as shown in Fig. 11, namely two upper cross beams (6) and two lower cross beams (6).
[0033] With reference to Fig. 4, each upright (4) has an upper end (40) from which an upper portion (43) protrudes, comprising an upper projection (41) with triangular shape.
[0034] As shown in Fig. 5, the upper projection (41) of the upright is suitable for engaging the first lower seat (25a) of the lower portion (20) of the corner leg of the deck, until the upper projection (41) of the upright abuts against the abutting rib (28) of the corner leg of the deck and the lower edge of the corner leg of the deck abuts against the upper end (40) of the upright.
[0035] In view of the above, the deck (1), which acts as a base for another container, can be stably mounted on four uprights (4) so that one container can be stacked on top of another, as shown in Fig. 12.
[0036] With reference to Fig. 6, each upright (4) has a lower end (42) connected to a foot (7) suitable for engaging with a corner leg (2) of the deck.
[0037] The foot (7) has a square-shaped flange (74) connected to the lower end (42) of the upright. The foot (7) has a block (70) of tapered parallelepiped shape that protrudes downward from the flange (74). The block (70) of each foot is suitable for being inserted into the upper seat (24) of a respective corner leg (2).
[0038] The block (70) of the foot has a plurality of projections (75) in the form of retaining teeth that protrude externally in such a way to be engaged and interlocked with the through slots (29) of the upper portion (21) of the corner leg (2) of the deck.
[0039] In this way, the four uprights (4) of the frame (B) are firmly mounted on the deck (1) acting as a base (A) for the container.
[0040] Fig. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein only one frame (B) is mounted on a deck (1) acting as a base.
[0041] However, as shown in Figs. 11, two frames (B) can also be mounted on one deck (1) acting as a base (A), in the case where the deck (1) has dimensions of 80 x 120 cm. In such a case, it should be noted that two blocks (70) of two feet of two frames are inserted into a single upper seat (34) of a central leg of the deck. In fact, the upper seat (34) of the central leg of the deck has a length suitable for accommodating two blocks (70) of two feet of two uprights mounted in adjacent position to each other.
[0042] With reference to Figs. 4C and 4D, each upright (40) has a seat (45) facing the outside of the frame (B). The seat (45) of the upright has a recessed shape with a triangular horizontal section. A locking slot (46) is arranged in the seat (45) of the upright.
[0043] Each cross beam (6) has an end (60) with a fastening tab (61) with L-shaped cross-section suitable for being inserted into the seat (45) of the upright so as to engage with the locking slot (46) of the seat (45) of the upright.
[0044] Fig. 7 shows the assembled frame (B) in which the ends (60) of the cross beams (6) firmly engage with the seats (45) of the uprights (4).
[0045] Fig. 8 illustrates the frame (B) mounted on a deck (1) acting as a base (A). Otherwise said, the feet (7) of the uprights (4) of the frame (B) engage with the corner legs (2) of the deck (1) acting as a base (A).
[0046] Fig. 9 illustrates the container (100) in which panels (8) are applied to the frame (B) so as to form side walls of the container (100). The panels (8) may be made of cardboard. In such a case, a cardboard sheet is wrapped and folded along the uprights of the frame.
[0047] Fig. 10 illustrates an embodiment of container comprising two frames (B), each frame comprising four uprights (4), six crossbars (5a, 5b, 5c) and four cross beams (6). In such a case, two blocks (70) of the adjacent feet of the two frames are inserted into the upper opening (34) of the central leg (3) of the base.
[0048] Fig. 11 illustrates two decks (1) stacked on top of each other, wherein the lower portions of the corner legs of the upper deck are inserted into the upper portions (21) of the corner legs of the lower deck and the lower portions (30) of the central legs of the upper deck are inserted into the upper portions (31) of the central legs of the lower deck.
[0049] Fig. 12 shows two stacked containers (100). In such a case, the deck (1) of the upper container is mounted on the frame (B) of the lower container. That is to say, the upper projections (41) of the uprights (4) of the frame (B) of the lower container engage with the first lower seats (25a) of the corner legs of the deck (1) of the upper container.
[0050] Numerous variations and detailed modifications can be made to the present embodiment of the invention, within the reach of a person skilled in the art, however falling within the scope of the invention as expressed by the appended claims.
Claims
1. Container (100) comprising: - a base (A), and - at least one frame (B) removably mounted on the base (A), wherein said base (A) comprises a deck (1) comprising: - a rectangular plate (10), - four corner legs (2) arranged at the corners of said rectangular plate, and - four central legs (3) arranged at the lateral edges of said rectangular plate in an intermediate position between the corner legs; wherein the corner legs (2) and the central legs (3) of a deck are suitable for engaging respectively with the corner legs and with the central legs of another deck so that the decks are stacked on top of each other; wherein said frame (B) comprises: - four uprights (4), - at least two crossbars (5a, 5b) connected to two uprights (4) to form a first frame portion (B1), - at least two additional crossbars (5a, 5b) connected to two additional uprights (4) to form a second frame portion (B2), - at least one cross beam (6) connected to two uprights (4) of the first and second frame portions (B1, B2), and - at least one additional cross beam (6) connected to two additional uprights (4) of the first and second frame portions (B1, B2); wherein each upright (4) comprises: - an upper portion (43) suitable for engaging with a corner leg (2) of the deck, - a foot (7) suitable for engaging with a corner leg (2) of the deck, and - a seat (45) suitable for accommodating an end (60) of said crossbar.
2. The container (100) according to claim 1, wherein each corner leg (2) comprises a lower portion (20) and an upper portion (21) that is larger than the lower portion, so as to define a step (22).
3. The container (100) according to claim 2, wherein the lower portion (20) and the upper portion (21) of each corner leg have a horizontal square cross-section.
4. The container (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein both the lower portion (20) and the upper portion (21) of each corner leg are tapered with decreasing dimensions going from up downwards.
5. The container (100) according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the upper portion (21) of each corner leg has an upper seat (24) having a square shape that is open at the top to accommodate the lower portion (20) of another deck, so that the decks (1) can be stacked one on top of the other.
6. The container (100) according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the lower portion (20) of each corner leg has a first lower seat (25a) suitable for accommodating an upper projection (41) of the upper portion of the upright.
7. The container (100) according to claim 6, wherein the first lower seat (25a) of the corner leg of the deck and the upper projection (41) of the upper portion of the upright have a triangular cross-section.
8. The container (100) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the lower portion (20) of each corner leg of the deck has a second lower seat (25b) with triangular cross-section.
9. The container (100) according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the lower portion (20) of the corner leg of the deck has a channel (25) with square cross-section and a partition (26) is arranged along a diagonal of the channel (25) of the lower portion of the corner leg so as to divide the channel (25) into a first lower seat (25a) and a second lower seat (25b), and wherein each corner leg (2) of the deck comprises a stiffening rib (27) that extends diagonally from the partition (26) to a corner of the channel (25) of the lower portion of the corner leg, being arranged into the second lower seat (25b).
10. The container (100) according to claim 9, wherein each corner leg (2) of the deck comprises an abutting rib (28) that extends diagonally from the partition (26) to a corner of the channel (25) of the lower portion of the corner leg; said abutting rib (28) having a lower edge that is set back from the lower edge of the partition (26) so as to define a bottom wall of the first lower seat (25a) against which said upper projection (41) of the upper part of the upright abuts.
11. The container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each central leg (3) of the deck has a lower portion (30) and an upper portion (31) larger than the lower portion, so as to define an abutting step (32), and the lower portion (30) and the upper portion (31) of each central leg have a rectangular cross-section, and wherein both the lower portion (30) and the upper portion (31) of each central leg are tapered with decreasing dimensions going from up downwards.
12. The container (100) according to claim 11, wherein the upper portion (31) of each corner leg has an upper seat (34) with rectangular section that is open at the top to accommodate the lower portion (30) of another deck, so that the decks (1) are stacked on top of each other, and the lower portion (30) of each central leg has a lower seat (35) that is open downward and has an inverted V-shape in vertical section.
13. The container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each corner leg (2) of the deck has a plurality of through slots (29) communicating with said upper seat (24) of the corner leg, and said foot (7) of each upright has a block (70) suitable for being inserted into said upper seat (24) of the corner leg of the deck; said block (70) of the foot of the upright having projections (75) which protrude outwardly to engage with said through slots (29) of the corner leg.
14. The container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each end (60) of the cross beam (6) has a fastening tab (61) with L-shaped cross-section and each upright has a locking slot (46) communicating with the seat (45) of the upright, so that said fastening tab (61) of the crossbar can be inserted into said locking slot (46) of the upright.
15. The container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least one panel (8) connected to the frame (B) so as to form side walls, wherein said at least one panel (8) is made of cardboard.