Containers shaped to prevent line of sight through drainage holes

Abstract

The container (100) comprises a base (102), a sidewall structure (104) extending upwardly from and supported by the base (102), and drainage holes (140) above the base (102) and fluidly connected to the cargo space (101) of the container (100), the drainage holes (140) including a first drainage hole (140) on a first side (118, 120, 122, 124) of the container (100) and a second drainage hole (140) on a second, opposite side (118, 120, 122, 124) of the container (100), wherein the container (100) is shaped to obstruct a line of sight through the first drainage hole and the second drainage hole (140).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a container that is shaped to prevent line of sight through its drain holes. [Background technology]

[0002] Containers are known. Containers having holes in the sides are known. The drainage holes in the container ensure that when the container is filled with a liquid, such as water, the liquid can drain out of the container, minimizing the weight gain of the container. This is useful, for example, when a warehouse's sprinkler system is activated or when rainwater enters the container. The drainage holes ensure that any storage rack on which the container is placed can always support the weight of the container.

[0003] In an automated factory or warehouse, containers may be moved by a moving conveyor. A container moving on the conveyor may break the beam of a light gate or equivalent line of sight sensor. The light gate may have a light transmitter on one side of the conveyor and a light receiver on the other side of the conveyor. The light gate may output a signal indicating the presence of a container on the conveyor.

[0004] A first hole on a first side of a container may be aligned with the beam. If a corresponding second hole on a second opposite side of the container is aligned with both the first hole and the beam, the beam may not be temporarily broken as the aligned hole on the side of the container moves through the beam. Thus, the light gate may briefly output a signal indicating that a container is not present when in fact the container is still passing through the light gate.

[0005] The possibility of not blocking the beam can be reduced by designing smaller holes, and further by offsetting the locations of opposing holes horizontally. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the present invention, a container is provided comprising a base, a sidewall arrangement extending upwardly from the base and supported by the base, and drainage holes above the base and fluidly connected to a cargo space of the container, the drainage holes including a first drainage hole on a first side of the container and a second drainage hole on a second, opposite side of the container, wherein the container is shaped to obstruct a line of sight through the first drainage hole and the second drainage hole.

[0007] The container may be shaped to provide a barrier configuration to block line of sight through the first and second drainage holes. This is advantageous when the drainage holes are upright drainage holes (draining sideways). Alternatively, the container may be shaped so that the drainage holes are oriented in a horizontal plane (draining downwards) and block line of sight through the first and second drainage holes.

[0008] The advantage is that the beam of the light gate or similar sensor remains blocked by the container on the moving conveyor, which allows for larger and / or more drain holes to be provided without the corresponding risk of not blocking the beam.

[0009] A further advantage is that the line of sight is blocked even when the container is at an angle on the conveyor, which is advantageous compared to offsetting opposing drain holes horizontally, as simply offsetting the holes will not work if the container is rotated to an angle that aligns the offset holes with the beam.

[0010] The drain holes located above the base, rather than through it, have the advantage that a shallow pool of liquid can be formed within the container below the level of the drain holes to help extinguish a fire within the container. Furthermore, the liquid is discharged outward rather than into the center of the load space of the underlying container. Furthermore, the base is smooth and free of holes that could act as detents that could catch on parts of the conveyor system (e.g., the spherical balls of a transfer unit). The container is therefore optimized for use in automated warehouses equipped with conveyors and line-of-sight sensors.

[0011] Thus, the container does not have the drawbacks associated with base holes or wall holes (line of sight issues).

[0012] A sidewall configuration may be referred to as a "set of one or more sidewalls." A barrier configuration may be referred to as "at least one barrier." Alternatively, a barrier configuration may be referred to as a "barrier."

[0013] If a barrier arrangement is provided, the barrier arrangement may block line of sight through all drain holes.

[0014] The barrier configuration may be an interior barrier configuration inward of the sidewall configuration. The barrier configuration may be between the first drain hole and the second drain hole. The term "inner" means toward the center of the container and the term "outer" means away from the center of the container.

[0015] The floor level of the container may be above the base of the container. The drain hole may be at least partially recessed below the floor level of the container. The drain hole may be fully recessed below the floor level of the container.

[0016] The drainage holes may be located inside the peripheral edge of the base.

[0017] If a barrier arrangement is provided, the barrier arrangement may be connected to the bottom of the container. The barrier arrangement may extend upward to floor level of the container. The barrier arrangement may extend to floor level of the container while blocking line of sight through the drain hole.

[0018] An advantage of the barrier arrangement being below floor level is that it minimizes or avoids any intrusion of the barrier arrangement into the cargo space of the container.

[0019] When the drainage hole is upright, the barrier arrangement may be higher than the drainage hole. The barrier arrangement may extend from a first side of the container to a second side of the container. The barrier arrangement may be connected to opposing sidewalls of the sidewall arrangement on the first and second sides of the container.

[0020] The drain holes may comprise a first plurality of drain holes spaced along a first side of the container including the first drain hole. The drain holes may comprise a second plurality of drain holes spaced along a second side of the container including the second drain hole.

[0021] If a barrier arrangement is provided, the barrier arrangement may block a line of sight between any one of the first plurality of drain holes and any one of the second plurality of drain holes.

[0022] Alternatively, the first and / or second plurality of drainage holes may be oriented in a horizontal plane, obstructing a line of sight between any one of the first plurality of drainage holes and any one of the second plurality of drainage holes.

[0023] The advantage is that containers with many drain holes can be at a very oblique orientation on the conveyor and still not be able to block the beam.

[0024] The container may have a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side. The third and fourth sides of the container may be perpendicular to the first and second sides of the container. Each side of the container may include a corresponding sidewall of the sidewall configuration. The container may be in the form of a four-sided tray or a four-sided box.

[0025] The drain holes may include a third drain hole to a third side of the container and a fourth drain hole to a fourth side of the container.

[0026] The advantage of having drainage holes on each / every side of the container is that it ensures complete drainage, so if the container is on an incline, liquid cannot pool as the drainage holes are always submerged.

[0027] The container is shaped to obstruct a line of sight extending through the third and fourth drain holes. If a barrier arrangement is provided, the barrier arrangement can block a line of sight through the third and fourth drain holes. Alternatively, the third and fourth drain holes may be oriented in a horizontal plane, obstructing a line of sight through the third and fourth drain holes.

[0028] An advantage is that containers can be placed on the conveyor in any orientation (e.g., vertical or horizontal) without the possibility of the drain holes blocking the beam.

[0029] If a barrier arrangement is provided, the barrier arrangement may extend from the third side of the container to the fourth side of the container. The barrier arrangement may be connected to opposing side walls of the side wall arrangement at the third and fourth sides of the container.

[0030] The barrier configuration can block all possible lines of sight through all possible pairs of the first through fourth drain holes.

[0031] Alternatively, the first through fourth drain holes may be oriented in a horizontal plane, blocking a line of sight through all possible pairs of the first through fourth drain holes.

[0032] The drain holes may comprise a third plurality of drain holes spaced along a third side of the container, including the third drain hole.The drain holes may comprise a fourth plurality of drain holes spaced along a fourth side of the container, including the fourth drain hole.

[0033] If a barrier arrangement is provided, the barrier arrangement can block a line of sight between any one of the third plurality of drain holes and any one of the fourth plurality of drain holes. The barrier arrangement can block all possible lines of sight through all possible pairs of the first through fourth plurality of drain holes.

[0034] Alternatively, the third and / or fourth pluralities of drainage holes may be oriented in a horizontal plane, obstructing a line of sight between any one of the third plurality of drainage holes and any one of the fourth plurality of drainage holes. The first through fourth pluralities of drainage holes may be oriented in a horizontal plane, obstructing a line of sight through all possible pairs of the first through fourth pluralities of drainage holes.

[0035] The container may include a plurality of upstanding ribs.

[0036] The height of the upstanding ribs above the base may be greater than the height of the drainage holes above the base. Thus, the upstanding ribs can block the line of sight between the drainage holes, including the first drainage hole and the second drainage hole. Thus, in this example, the upstanding ribs define a barrier configuration.

[0037] The advantage is that the same feature strengthens the base of the container while blocking the line of sight between the drain holes. The strengthening effect of the upright ribs resists load-induced bending of the base. Excessive bending would make the container unstable and susceptible to vibration-induced movement on the conveyor. Thus, the upright ribs make the container more suitable for use on the conveyor.

[0038] In another example, the height of the drain holes above the base may be equal to or greater than the height of the upstanding ribs above the base. The drain holes may be oriented in a horizontal plane to prevent a line of sight between the first drain hole and the second drain hole. Alternatively, a separate barrier structure, other than the upstanding ribs, may be provided at the height of the drain holes.

[0039] The upper edges of the upstanding ribs may define a floor level of the container. An item placed in the container can rest on the upper edges of the upstanding ribs. The bottom edges of the upstanding ribs may be connected to the base of the container. Alternatively, the container may include a floor plate supported above the base of the container and defining the floor level of the container. The floor plate may be supported above the base by the upstanding ribs. The upper edges of the upstanding ribs may be connected to the floorboard.

[0040] The upstanding ribs may be interconnected ribs. The upstanding ribs may extend continuously and interconnectedly from a first side of the container to a second side of the container. The upstanding ribs may extend continuously and interconnectedly from a third side of the container to a fourth side of the container. The upstanding ribs may extend continuously and interconnectedly all the way between the first and fourth sides of the container.

[0041] The advantage is improved stiffness.

[0042] The upstanding ribs may be connected to multiple side walls of the side wall arrangement.

[0043] The advantage is that it provides a rigid connection between the base and side walls of the container.

[0044] The upstanding ribs may comprise diagonal ribs extending along the base and diagonally relative to the sidewall configuration.

[0045] The advantage is that the diagonal braces resist shear forces.

[0046] The upstanding ribs may define a repeating reinforcing pattern.At least some of the upstanding ribs may define a repeating diamond-shaped reinforcing pattern.

[0047] The advantage is that the container has high density reinforcement.

[0048] The container may be molded to define a plurality of drainage channels for the drainage holes.

[0049] When the upstanding ribs function as a barrier formation, the upstanding ribs may be configured to define a plurality of drainage channels, each of which may be a recess bounded by a subset of the upstanding ribs and a portion of the base.

[0050] The advantage is that liquid can flow through the drain channel to the drain hole, which is defined as the open outlet of the drain channel, and which defines the direction in which liquid will exit the container.

[0051] Alternatively, the sidewall configuration of the container may include upwardly extending wall ribs configured to provide multiple drainage channels. The sidewall configuration may include wall sections to which the multiple wall ribs are connected. The wall ribs may be spaced apart to provide the drainage channels to allow liquid to fall through the drainage holes. The drainage channels may be drop channels defined between the wall ribs, a raised perimeter of the floor plate, and a corresponding wall section of the sidewall configuration. The raised perimeter forms a shallow pool of liquid to help extinguish a fire within the container. If liquid overflows the raised perimeter of the floor plate, the liquid falls through the drainage channels between the raised perimeter of the floor plate, the corresponding wall section of the sidewall configuration, and the wall rib.

[0052] The sidewall arrangement may extend between the floor level of the container and the top of the container and define a top opening of the container.

[0053] The sidewall arrangement may also be held above the base of the container to provide a peripheral gap between the base and the sidewall arrangement. Drain holes may be positioned to drain through the peripheral gap. The peripheral gap may be below floor level (below an elevated floor level).

[0054] The structure may hold the sidewall arrangement above the base of the container.

[0055] The structure holding the sidewall arrangement above the base may comprise an upstanding rib. If a raised floor plate is provided above the base, the structure holding the sidewall arrangement above the base may further comprise the floor plate.

[0056] The peripheral edge of the base may be a free edge cantilevered outward from the structure and separated from the sidewall structure. The peripheral edge may be cantilevered from the structure (e.g., an upstanding rib) by at least about 1 centimeter. The peripheral edge of the base may not be reinforced against vertical deflection.

[0057] The advantage is that noise along the roller conveyor is reduced as the peripheral edge of the base can flex up and down, and for this reason the upstanding ribs may start inside the outer peripheral edge of the base.

[0058] The drainage holes may be mutually defined by structure that holds the sidewall formation above the base. Upstanding ribs or wall ribs, as defined above, may mutually define adjacent drainage holes.

[0059] If the drain holes are upright drain holes, each upright drain hole may have a lower edge and an upper edge and lateral side edges connecting the lower and upper edges. The upper edge of the upright drain hole may be at subfloor level. The base of the container may define the lower edge of the upright drain hole. A sidewall configuration (ridge) of the container may define the upper edge of the upright drain hole. If upright ribs define the barrier configuration, the outer ends of the upright ribs may define the lateral side edges of the upright drain hole.

[0060] Alternatively, if the drain holes are oriented in a horizontal plane, each drain hole may have an inner edge, an outer edge, and lateral side edges connecting the inner and outer edges. If the drain holes are located between a floor panel, a corresponding wall section of the sidewall configuration, and a wall rib, as described above, the floor panel may define the inner edge of the drain hole. A wall section or portion of the sidewall configuration of the container may define the outer edge of the drain hole. The wall rib may define the lateral side edges of at least some of the drain holes.

[0061] In a further example, the drain holes may be partially upright and partially sloped to lie along a horizontal plane.

[0062] The container base may be plate-shaped, and the lower surface of the plate-shaped base may be substantially flat.

[0063] An advantage is that it is easy to use with conveyor transport units as there are no detents for the spherical balls of the conveyor transport units to fit into.

[0064] The container may be formed from a plastic material. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0065] For a better understanding of various examples of embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a container. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional end view of the container. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed perspective view of a cross section of a container. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed end view of a cross section of the container. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 illustrates a detailed perspective view of a cross section of another container. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0066] 1 illustrates a container 100 in the form of a four-sided tray. The container 100 comprises a base 102 and an arrangement of four side walls 104. The side walls 104 extend upwardly from and are supported by the base 102. A side wall 104 is provided on each side 118, 120, 122, 124 of the container 100.

[0067] The base 102 is plate-shaped. As shown in Figure 2, the plate-shaped base 102 is generally flat, but in this case, the base 102 is slightly raised towards its center to resist downward warping.

[0068] 1, the side wall 104 includes a pair of parallel long side walls 106 and a pair of parallel short side walls 108. The side wall 104 may be straight.

[0069] The base 102 includes a plurality of ribs 112 upstanding therefrom to strengthen the container 100. The ribs 112, base 102, and sidewalls 104 may be integrally molded from any suitable plastic material.

[0070] As shown in the detailed views of Figures 2-3, the top edges 114 of the ribs 112 provide a floor level 110 of the container 100 upon which items can be placed. The bottom edges 116 of the ribs 112 are directly connected to the top surface of the base 102. The side walls 104 are higher than the ribs 112, such that the floor level 110 and the side walls 104 together define a cargo space 101 of the container 100 for holding items. The container 100 has a top opening 126 defined by the side walls 104, through which items can be placed.

[0071] The ribs 112 are shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4 as interconnected to define a repeating reinforcement pattern. In the non-limiting example shown, the repeating reinforcement pattern is mostly or entirely diamond-shaped and is formed by diagonal ribs 134 inboard of the ribs 112. It will be appreciated that a variety of other rib patterns and shapes may be defined.

[0072] In FIG. 1, a repeating reinforcing pattern of ribs 112 extends continuously around all sides 118 , 120 , 122 , 124 of the container 100 and connects to each of the side walls 104 .

[0073] 3-4, the ribs 112 connect to one another and intersect one another to form cells 136, 138 therebetween. Each cell 136, 138 is a recess having an open top, a closed bottom defined by the base 102, and closed sides defined by the ribs 112.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 3, the diagonal interior ribs 134 of the ribs 112 connect to one another so that the interior cells 136 are diamond-shaped.

[0075] The diagonal and off-diagonal outboard ribs 134, 128 of the ribs 112 connect to each other to define outer cells 138 which may have different shapes, such as half-hexagons as shown in FIG.

[0076] Additionally, the upper edge 114 of the outermost rib 128 of the outboard ribs 112 is directly connected to the side wall 104 .

[0077] As shown in Figures 2-4, the sidewall 104 may not be directly connected to the base 102. Instead, the illustrated sidewall 104 is held above the base 102 by an outermost rib 128. The method of connection is described below in connection with Figure 4. The separation results in a peripheral gap 130 between the bottom of the sidewall 104 and the base 102. The peripheral gap 130 may extend continuously around multiple sides 118, 120, 122, 124, or the entire perimeter of the container 100. Thus, the sidewall 104 may not directly contact the base 102.

[0078] As a result, the peripheral edges 132 of the base 102, which define the perimeter of the base 102, are free edges, but they are typically connected to the side walls 104. Thus, the peripheral edges 132 of the base 102 are flexible because they are separated from the side walls 104.

[0079] Additionally, the outer cells 138 do not have completely closed sides. Each outer cell 138 has an open side facing the peripheral gap 130. Drainage channels extend from the load space 101 into the outer cells 138, exit through the open sides of the outer cells 138, and exit the container 100 through the peripheral gap 130.

[0080] Thus, the combination of the open sides of the outer cells 138 and the peripheral gap 130 defines upright "drain holes" 140 of the container 100. By "upright," we mean that the drain holes 140 occupy upright surfaces and allow lateral flow therethrough. Each outer cell 138 provides a drainage channel 139 for a corresponding individual drainage hole 140. Water can enter the drainage holes 140 from the load space 101 through the open tops of the outer cells 138. The drainage holes 140 are therefore fluidly connected to the load space 101. Each drainage hole 140 is separately fluidly connected to the load space 101 via a separate drainage channel 139 (separate outer cell 138).

[0081] 3 and 4 illustrate that the drain hole 140 can be defined as having left and right lateral side edges 158, 160, a top edge 154, and a bottom edge 156. The lateral side edges 158, 160 of the drain hole 140 are defined by the respective adjacent outermost ribs 128, and therefore the outermost ribs 128 can be described as dividers / demarkers between adjacent drain holes 140 / outer cells 138. The top edge 154 of the drain hole 140 is defined by the underside of the side wall 104 of the container 100. The bottom edge 156 of the drain hole 140 is defined by the base 102 of the container 100.

[0082] By analogy with hydraulic engineering, the exterior ribs 134, 128 that define the exterior cells 138 can be defined as "weirs" over which water can overflow into the exterior cells 138. Because the cells 138 are open, water can escape from the exterior cells 138. Water can leak through drainage holes 140 into the peripheral gap 130 of the container 100 and overflow past the peripheral edge 132 of the base 102.

[0083] Because the spacing between adjacent drain holes 140 is only equal to the thickness of the outermost rib 128 separating them, a large number of drain holes 140 can be provided. For example, each short side of the container 100 can include more than 10 drain holes 140, and each long side can include, for example, more than 20 drain holes 140.

[0084] FIG. 3 shows that the outermost ribs 128 supporting the sidewalls 104 may not extend diagonally, but may instead extend in a vertical outward direction perpendicular to the supported sidewalls 104. This results in a semi-hexagonal shape for the outer cells 138. As noted above, other shapes may be formed in other examples.

[0085] FIG. 4 shows how the outermost ribs 128 can be directly connected to the sidewall 104. Each outermost rib 128 is shown in FIG. 4 as connected to an inboard toe 144 of a lower flange 142 of the sidewall 104. The sidewall 104 has a lower flange 142 and a web 146 (wall section) that extends upward from the lower flange 142 to an upper edge 148 ( FIG. 2 ) of the sidewall 104. Thus, the vertical load path from the sidewall 104 is through the web 146 to the lower flange 142, through the lower flange 142 to the toe 144 of the lower flange 142, through the toe 144 of the lower flange 142 to the outermost rib 128, and through the outermost rib 128 to the base 102. Any lateral force components received by the outermost rib 128 may be further spread to adjacent connected ribs 112.

[0086] The upper surface of each lower flange 142 may be flush with the floor level 110 of the container 100, or in other words, with the upper edge 114 of the rib 112 so as to form part of the boundary of the load space 101 of the container 100. The lower surface of each lower flange 142 may define the upper edge 154 of the drain hole 140, as well as the upper edge of the peripheral gap 130 between the side wall 104 and the base 102.

[0087] 3 and 4 also show that the outermost rib 128 may be recessed inward relative to the nearest peripheral edge 132 of the base 102. This is to ensure that the peripheral edge 132 of the base 102 is a flexible free edge. As shown in FIG. 4, the depth of the recess may be substantial, where the illustrated outermost rib 128 terminates on the inside of the web 146 of the sidewall 104. As a result, if the lower flange 142 of the sidewall 104 is double-sided relative to the web 146, the outermost rib 128 will only connect to one side (the inside) of the lower flange 142.

[0088] To prevent a linear light beam from passing through opposing pairs of drainage holes 140, a barrier arrangement 150 is provided to block the line of sight between the drainage holes 140. Blocking the line of sight means blocking most (>80%) or all of the possible direct line of sight between the drainage holes 140.

[0089] In the illustrated example, the drain holes 140 are recessed and located at sub-floor level. The ribs 112 therefore function as internal ribs that define the barrier arrangement 150. In the illustrated example, the term "barrier arrangement" refers to any one of the ribs 112 blocking the line of sight between the drain holes 140.

[0090] In the illustrated example, the ribs 134, 128 that define the outer cells 138 can be described as the barriers of the barrier configuration 150. As shown in FIG. 4 , when the beams 152 extend horizontally through the peripheral gap 130 and into the drainage holes 140, the beams intersect with the surfaces of the ribs 112, 128 that define the corresponding outer cells 138.

[0091] The illustrated barrier configuration 150 is configured so that there is no straight line path that the horizontal beams 152 can follow that would intersect any pair of drain holes 140 in the container 100 .

[0092] 4, it can be seen that despite the fact that the container 100 shown is a low-walled tray, the container 100 must be tilted significantly before the top opening 126 of the container 100 becomes visible through the drain holes 140. This is partly a result of the upper edges 114 of the ribs 112 being higher than the upper edges 154 of the drain holes 140. This is also partly a result of the bottom of the side walls 104 being flanges 142 and therefore having a greater horizontal depth than the webs 146.

[0093] 5 illustrates another container 100' with a different design of drain holes 140'. The drain holes 140' are oriented in a horizontal plane so that liquids drain downward through the drain holes 140'. The horizontal orientation of the drain holes 140' ensures that there are no lines of sight between the drain holes 140'. Therefore, no barrier configuration is required.

[0094] The shape of the container 100' of Figure 5 will now be described in more detail, it being understood that different shapes can be used.

[0095] The container 100' has a floor plate 162 connected to the upper edges 114 of the ribs 112. The floor plate 162 provides a flat, level floor on which items can be placed. The upper surface of the floor plate 162 defines the floor level 110 of the container 100'.

[0096] The floor plate 162 includes a raised perimeter in the form of a lip 164. The lip 164 extends vertically above the floor level 110 to form a raised rim of the floor plate 162.

[0097] Similar to the previously described container 100, the side walls 104' are not directly connected to the base 102. Instead, the side walls 104' of the container 100' are connected to the floor plate 162. Specifically, each side wall 104' is connected to a lip 164 of the floor plate 162 by a plurality of parallel, upwardly extending wall ribs 168.

[0098] Thus, the web 146 (wall section) of each side wall 104′ is held outboard from the perimeter of the floor plate 162, providing a horizontal gap between the web 146 of the side wall 104′ and the lip 164 of the floor plate 162. This gap provides a plurality of drainage channels 139′, each separated from adjacent drainage channels 139′ by intervening wall ribs 168.

[0099] When liquid overflows the lip 164 of the floor plate 162, the liquid flows down the drain channel 139' and out through the drain hole 140'.

[0100] Each drain hole 140' (and drain channel 139') may be defined as having an inner edge, an outer edge, and a lateral side edge. A lip 164 of the floor plate 162 defines the inner edge. A wall rib 168 defines the lateral side edge. A web 146 of the side wall 104' defines the outer edge.

[0101] While embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be understood that modifications to the provided examples may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. In some examples, different drainage holes 140 may be provided, such as holes through the side wall 104 itself. The upright drainage holes 140 may be below floor level, as shown, or may be above floor level 110 if the barrier structure correspondingly extends above floor level. In some examples, the reinforcing pattern of ribs 112 may be replaced by a different barrier structure, such as one or more ribs extending parallel to the peripheral edge 132 of the base 102, at a substantially constant distance from each drainage hole 140. In yet another example, the barrier structure may be external rather than internal to the container 100. In yet another example, the floor plate 162 may have holes or slots fluidly connected to the drainage holes 140.

[0102] Features set forth in the foregoing description may be used in combinations other than those expressly set forth.

[0103] Although functions are described with reference to particular features, those functions may be performed by other features, whether or not described.

[0104] Although features are described with reference to particular embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether or not described.

[0105] Although the foregoing specification has attempted to draw attention to those features of the invention which are believed to be particularly important, it is to be understood that applicants claim protection for any patentable feature or combination of features referred to in this specification and / or shown in the drawings, whether or not specifically emphasized.

Claims

1. A container, With the base, a sidewall structure extending upwardly from and supported by the base; drainage holes above the base and fluidly connected to a cargo space of the container, the drainage holes including a first drainage hole to a first side of the container and a second drainage hole to a second, opposite side of the container; wherein the container is shaped to obstruct a line of sight through the first drain hole and the second drain hole.

2. 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the drain holes are upright or angled drain holes, and wherein the container is shaped to provide a barrier configuration for blocking line of sight through the first drain hole and the second drain hole.

3. 3. The container of claim 2, wherein the barrier arrangement is an interior barrier arrangement located inside the sidewall arrangement between the first drain hole and the second drain hole.

4. The container of claim 3 , wherein the barrier arrangement is connected to the base of the container.

5. 5. The container of claim 3 or 4, wherein the floor level of the container is above the base of the container, and wherein the drain hole is at least partially recessed below the floor level of the container, and wherein the barrier arrangement is at a level below the floor and extends upward to the floor level of the container while blocking a line of sight through the drain hole.

6. 6. The container of claim 2, wherein the drain holes comprise a first plurality of drain holes spaced along the first side of the container, including the first drain hole, and wherein the drain holes comprise a second plurality of drain holes spaced along a second side of the container, including the second drain hole, and wherein the barrier arrangement blocks a line of sight between any one of the first plurality of drain holes and any one of the second plurality of drain holes.

7. 7. The container of claim 2, wherein the container has a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side, wherein the third side and the fourth side of the container are perpendicular to the first side and the second side of the container, wherein each side of the container comprises a corresponding side wall of the side wall arrangement, wherein the drain holes comprise a third drain hole to the third side of the container and a fourth drain hole to the fourth side of the container, and wherein the barrier arrangement blocks all possible lines of sight from the first drain hole through all possible pairs of fourth drain holes.

8. 8. The container of claim 7, wherein the barrier arrangement extends from the third side of the container to the fourth side of the container, wherein the barrier arrangement is connected to opposing side walls of the side wall arrangement at the third side and the fourth side of the container.

9. 9. The container of claim 7 or 8, wherein the drain holes comprise a third plurality of drain holes spaced along the third side of the container including the third drain hole, and wherein the drain holes comprise a fourth plurality of drain holes spaced along the fourth side of the container including the fourth drain hole, and wherein the barrier arrangement blocks a line of sight between any one of the third plurality of drain holes and any one of the fourth plurality of drain holes.

10. 10. A container as described in any one of claims 2 to 9, comprising a plurality of upstanding ribs, wherein the height of the upstanding ribs above the base is greater than the height of the drain holes above the base so that the upstanding ribs block the line of sight between the drain holes.

11. 11. The container of claim 10, wherein the container is molded to define a plurality of drainage channels for the drainage holes, and wherein the upstanding ribs are configured to define the plurality of drainage channels, and wherein each drainage channel is a recess bounded by a subset of the upstanding ribs and a portion of the base.

12. 12. A container according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the drainage holes are separated from one another by the upstanding ribs, which hold the side wall arrangement above the base.

13. 13. The container of claim 1, wherein the sidewall arrangement extends between a floor level of the container and an upper portion of the container defining an upper opening of the container, wherein the sidewall arrangement is retained above the base of the container and provides a peripheral gap between the base and the sidewall arrangement, and wherein the drainage holes are configured to drain water through the peripheral gap.

14. 14. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the drain holes drain in an outward direction away from the cargo space.

15. 2. The container of claim 1, wherein at least some of the drain holes are oriented in a horizontal plane to obstruct a line of sight through the first drain hole and the second drain hole.

16. 16. The container of claim 15, wherein the drain holes comprise a first plurality of drain holes spaced along the first side of the container, including the first drain hole, and wherein the drain holes comprise a second plurality of drain holes spaced along a second side of the container, including the second drain hole, and wherein the first plurality of drain holes and / or the second plurality of drain holes are oriented in the horizontal plane to obstruct a line of sight between any one of the first plurality of drain holes and any one of the second plurality of drain holes.

17. 17. The container of claim 15 or 16, wherein the container has a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side, wherein the third side and the fourth side of the container are perpendicular to the first side and the second side of the container, wherein each side of the container comprises a corresponding side wall of the side wall configuration, wherein the drainage holes comprise a third drainage hole to the third side of the container and a fourth drainage hole to the fourth side of the container, wherein the first drainage hole to the fourth drainage hole are oriented in the horizontal plane to obstruct a line of sight through all possible pairs of the first drainage hole to the fourth drainage hole.

18. 18. The container of claim 17, wherein the drain holes comprise a third plurality of drain holes spaced along the third side of the container, including the third drain hole, and wherein the drain holes comprise a fourth plurality of drain holes spaced along the fourth side of the container, including the fourth drain hole, and wherein the third plurality of drain holes and / or the fourth plurality of drain holes are oriented in the horizontal plane to obstruct a line of sight between any one of the third plurality of drain holes and any one of the fourth plurality of drain holes.

19. 19. A container as described in any one of claims 15 to 18, comprising a plurality of upstanding ribs, wherein the height of the drain holes above the base is equal to or greater than the height of the upstanding ribs above the base, and wherein the drain holes are oriented in the horizontal plane so as to obstruct a line of sight between the first drain hole and the second drain hole.

20. 20. A container as described in any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the container is shaped to define a plurality of drainage channels for the drainage holes, and wherein the sidewall configuration of the container comprises upwardly extending wall ribs configured to provide the plurality of drainage channels, and wherein the sidewall configuration comprises wall sections to which a plurality of the wall ribs are connected, and wherein the wall ribs are spaced from one another to provide the drainage channels and allow liquid to fall through the drainage holes.

21. 21. The container of claim 20, wherein the drainage channel is a drop channel defined between the wall rib, a raised periphery of a floor plate supported above the base of the container, and a corresponding wall section of the sidewall configuration, wherein the raised periphery of the floor plate allows a pool of liquid to form, and when liquid overflows the raised periphery of the floor plate, the liquid falls through the drainage channel between the raised periphery of the floor plate, the corresponding wall section of the sidewall configuration, and the wall rib.

22. 22. The container of claim 21, wherein the drain holes are separated from one another by the wall ribs, which hold the sidewall arrangement above the base.

23. 23. A container according to any one of claims 15 to 22, wherein the drain holes are positioned outboard of the load space.

24. 24. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the drainage holes are configured to allow pools of liquid to form within the container.

25. 25. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the peripheral edge of the base is a free edge that is cantilevered outwardly from the structure and separated from the sidewall formation.

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