U
`5,323,911
`[11] Patent Number:
`[19]
`Ulllted States Patent
`
`Johnston et a1.
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Jun. 28, 1994
`
`llllllllllllllllllllllIllllIllllllllllllllIllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
`U800532391 1A
`
`[54] PALLETIZED CONTAINER HAVING
`DISCRETE COMPARTMENTS FORMED BY
`DIVIDERS
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors:
`
`James B. Johnston, Roseville;
`Christopher J. Rufer, Sacramento;
`Gordon K. Gardner, Jr” Los Bangs;
`Joseph Pimentel, Jr., Gustine; Verdis
`Upton, III, Woodland, all of Calif.
`[73] Assignee: The Morning Star Packing Co.',
`Woodland, Calif.
`
`-
`
`4,425,015 1/1984 Preston et al-
`42454345 6/1984 Y°k°W° -
`4,499,997
`2/1985 Swinglcy, Jr. .................. 220/552X
`4,516,692
`5/1985 Croley .
`4,697,699 10/1987 Schneider .
`4,763,787
`8/1988 Kocnig .
`4,786,192 11/1988 Graves et a1.
`419492898
`8/1990 Nederv‘” '
`$036,979 “/1991 5‘11 ‘
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1066615 4/1967 United Kingdom ................ 220/552
`
`.
`
`[21] Appl. No: 944.126
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`5611- 11, 1992
`[22] Filed:
`
`[51]
`Int. c1.5 .............................................. B65D 19/06
`[52] US. Cl. .................................... 206/600; 206/526;
`220/403; 220/410; 220/462; 220/507; 220/552;
`[58] Field of Search
`220/410 4622220???
`...............
`,
`,
`,
`,
`220/509, 552; 206/386, 600, 526; 229/12034,
`198.1
`
`Beatrice/Hunt-Wesson; “Bag-in—Bin Tomato Paste”
`Brochflre; no date-
`1
`.
`.
`.
`Amencan Plywood Assocmtlon; “Shm Bm” Brochure;
`1991.
`Primary Exami"e"Bry°n P' Gem“
`At!
`,A t, F —Bmh dKl't
`"my 39" or m"
`5
`ar
`6 en
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`
`[55]
`
`References Cited
`
`U‘S‘ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`279,199 6/ 1883 Stevens .......................... 229/120.34
`
`""""gig/1&8):
`$33123: 1323:: 33k”
`£349,364 5/1944 M23203},
`539/120 34 X
`2:534:010 12/1950 Frye .
`’
`' """""""
`‘
`2,534,011 12/1950 Frye .
`2,683,010 7/1954 Hamerslag, Jr.
`229/120 34 X
`3,3332 ;;13::
`16213113111 al
`‘
`2
`’
`mP 6"
`‘
`----------------
`i’gg’ggg 13233; $331,135.."""""""""" 229/120‘34 X
`4,221,296 9/1980 Fell et a].
`.
`4,318,475
`3/1982 Robinson ........................ 206/526 X
`4,324,333 4/1982 Porter ............................. 206/386 X
`
`.
`
`is provided
`A collapsible, palletized bin container
`which has separate compartments therewithin. Each
`compartment is designed to house a separate fluid-filled
`bag, Dividers are located withjn the container which
`form the discrete compartments. Each divider has tabs
`which are received within notches in sidewalls of the
`container. The notches allow the sidewalls to bow
`slightly outward while still maintaining a tight seal with
`the tabs. The container is collapsible to a substantially
`smaller volume for transport when empty and a bar,
`chain and hook assembly is provided for easy removal
`of the fluidofilled bags when sliding the bags out of the
`compartments “the ”Wine"
`
`31 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`
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`US. Patent
`
`June 28, 1994
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`5,323,911
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. /
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`US. Patent
`
`June 28, 1994
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
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`5,323,911
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`June 28, 1994
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`5,323,911
`
`
`’qé [/6 /
`
`—-—§I
`
`
`
`~
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 4
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`1-:
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`US. Patent
`
`June 28, 1994
`
`Sheét 4 of 5
`
`5,323,911
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`US. Patent
`
`June 28, 1994
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`5,323,911
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`1
`
`5,323,911
`
`PALLETIZED CONTAINER HAVING DISCRETE
`COMPARTMENTS FORMED BY DIVIDERS
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The following invention relates to collapsible storage
`containers having a palletized base for storage and
`transportation of liquids. More particularly, this inven-
`tion relates to collapsible palletized containers having
`dividers which subdivide the container into separate
`regions.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Containers are commonly used in storage and trans-
`portation of viscous liquids, such as tomato paste and
`other food products. These containers are often pallet-
`ized and have rigid walls and a lid which support a bag
`filled with the fluid to be contained. Commonly, these
`containers are collapsible when empty so that they
`require less space for storage and transport. The con-
`tainer must be strong enough to survive the rigors of
`transportation and yet be easily stackable to maximize
`warehouse space. Standard sizes of forklifts, highway
`freight trailers, railroad cars, and other shipping con-
`tainers have resulted in the proliferation of containers
`which have a footprint similar to that of a standard
`44-inch by 48-inch pallet and having a height of approx-
`imately 37 inches. Containers which deviate signifi-
`cantly from these dimensions are less economical in that
`they do not fit as easily onto various transportation
`systems and are not as easily manipulated by commonly
`available handling means, such as,forklifts.
`Containers of this size hold approximately 300 gallons
`of fluid. While this size can be easily handled by many
`industrial customers, a significant portion of the indus-
`trial customers can not handle such large quantities of
`fluids in their facilities. Many users of tomato paste, for
`example, prefer to receive paste in SS-gallon increments
`such as are commonly contained in SS-gallon drums.
`Drums are inherently less efficient in storage and trans-
`portation than are the palletized 300-gallon containers.
`Drums leave excess space when placed within a
`warehouse or on a transportation device. Furthermore,
`drums are not collapsible as are the 300-gallon contain-
`ers. Accordingly, a need exists for providing the conve-
`nience and cost effectiveness of a container similar to
`the collapsible SOD-gallon type, which contains the fluid
`in discrete 55-gallon increments as is required by many
`industrial customers. The invention of this application
`meets this need by providing a collapsible container
`having exterior dimensions substantially similar to those
`of 300-gallon containers but which is subdivided into
`four separate 55-gallon regions, each region receiving a
`SS-gallon bag of fluid therein.
`The following prior art reflects the state of the art of
`which applicant is aware and is included herewith to
`discharge applicant’s acknowledged duty to disclose
`relevant prior art. It is stipulated, however, that none of
`these references teach singly nor render obvious when
`considered in any conceivable combination the nexus of
`the instant invention as disclosed in greater detail here-
`inafter and as particularly claimed.
`
`
` INVENTOR U.S. Pat. No. ISSUE DATE
`
`Frye, De Moine H.
`2,534.010
`December 12, 1950
`Frye, De Maine H.
`2,534,011
`December 12, 1950
`Hamerslag, J. P. Jr.
`2,683,010
`July 6, 1954
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
` 2
`
`
`continued
`INVENTOR
`U.S. Pat. No.
`ISSUE DATE
`
`January 25, 1955
`2,700,521
`Lapham, S. D.
`October 18, 1977
`4,054,223
`Marques, et al.
`September 9, 1980
`4,221,296
`Fell, et al.
`January 17, 1984
`4,426,015
`Preston, et al
`June 19, 1984
`4,454,946
`Yokowo, K.
`May 14, 1985
`4,516,692
`Croley, T.
`October 6, 1987
`4,697,699
`Schneider, W.
`August 16, 1988
`4,763,787
`Kocnig, D.
`November 22, 1988
`4,786,192
`Graves, et al.
`August 21, 1990
`4,949,898
`Nederveld
`
`Selz August 6, 1991 5,036,979
`
`
`The brochure presented by Beatrice/Hunt-Wcsson
`(undated) for the bag-in-bin container teaches the use of
`a collapsible palletized container which receives a bag
`filled with fluid (such as tomato paste) on an interior
`thereof. The instant invention is both structurally distin-
`guishable from this reference and further provides di-
`viders on an interior thereof which segregate the inte-
`rior into four separate regions, with each region receiv-
`ing a separate bag of fluid.
`Many of the listed prior art, of which the patent to
`Preston, et al. is an example, teach a container which
`may be palletized, is collapsible and receives a bag filled
`with fluid therein. The application of this invention is
`distinguishable structurally from devices of this type
`and also in that, inter alia, it divides the interior of the
`container into four separate regions and provides a
`separate bag filled with fluid for each region.
`Another group of prior art, of which the patent to
`Yokowo is an example, teach the use of collapsible
`containers which are subdivided into separate regions
`and which are palletized. The device of this invention is
`distinguishable from the teachings of these patents in
`that, inter alia, the dividing walls within the container of
`this invention are securely fastened to sidewalls of the
`container. This insures that, if one region within the
`container is empty and an adjacent region within the
`container is full, the container will maintain its integrity
`and be able to restrain the fluid within the bag from
`displacing the dividers within the containers. Further-
`more, none of these references contemplate storage of
`liquid filled bags therein.
`Those prior art citations which do not fit into either
`of these categories, diverge even more starkly from the
`instant invention than do those inventions fitting into
`the groups specifically distinguished above.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The collapsible palletized bin container of this inven-
`tion provides a highly efficient means for transporting
`fluids in discrete increments smaller than the total vol-
`ume of conventional unpartitioned palletized contain-
`ers. This container has discrete compartments which
`can separately house fluids therewithin. This structure
`favors use by food processors, for example, which uti-
`lize smaller quantities of raw ingredients for each batch
`created. However, the container as a whole has a tradi-
`tional exterior shape which is conducive to vertical
`stacking and which can be efficiently grouped adjacent
`other identical containers in a warehouse such that
`forklifts or other devices can easily transport the con-
`tainers.
`In general, the container includes a standard pallet for
`a base. A flat platform rests upon an upper surface of the
`pallet which forms a floor of the container. Four side-
`
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`5,323,911
`
`4
`container and the lid. Once all of the fluid in each com-
`partment has been removed, the sidewalls and dividers
`may be knocked down and then stacked upon the plat-
`form and the pallet for transport and reuse.
`OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
`
`3
`walls extend vertically upward from edges of the pallet
`surrounding the platform. Two of the sidewalls have
`L-brackets riveted thereto which are located on vertical
`side edges of the sidewalls. These sidewalls are oriented
`opposite each other upon the pallet. The two remaining
`sidewalls are oriented Opposite each other and between
`the sidewalls with the L-brackets.
`Two dividers are vertically oriented inside the side-
`walls and interrelated to form a cross-shaped structure.
`One “bottom” divider is a substantially planar rectangu-
`lar construct which has a vertical slit extending from a
`top edge of the bottom divider to a central location of
`the bottom divider. One “top” divider is a substantially
`planar rectangular construct which has a slit extending
`from a bottom edge of the top divider to a central loca~'
`tion of the top divider. The two slits are sized to allow
`the two dividers to fit together with top edges of each
`divider in a horizontal plane and bottom edges of the
`two dividers in a horizontal plane. The two dividers are
`oriented perpendicular to each other with their bottom
`edges resting on the top surface of the platform. A
`cardboard liner may be interposed therebetween.
`Side edges of the dividers are oriented adjacent the
`sidewalls. Each side edge of the dividers has two tabs
`extending therefrom horizontally at both an uppermost
`and a lowermost portion thereof. Each sidewall has a
`notch formed adjacent a top edge and a bottom edge
`thereof. The notches in the sidewalls are complemental
`in size to the tabs of the dividers. Thus, the tabs of the
`dividers fit within the notches of the sidewalls.
`A lid of planar rectangular shape fits over top edges
`of the sidewalls and the dividers to form a top surface of
`the container. When the lid is removed, four parallelo-
`piped compartments are revealed. Each compartment
`has a portion of the platform on a bottom surface
`thereof and portions of two of the sidewalls and divid-
`ers for side surfaces thereof. A portion of the lid forms
`a top surface of each compartment.
`Bags of fluid, especially fluids of high viscosity, are
`commonly stored within high-strength, flexible bags. A
`fluid filled bag of appropriate size is locatable within
`each of the compartments of the container. A liner of
`cardboard or a similar substance may be interposed
`between the fluid filled bag and sidewalls of each com-
`partment to prevent snagging of the bag against side-
`walls of the compartment. The fluid filled bag may also
`be enclosed within a vapor barrier, such as a plastic bag,
`to prevent spills from contaminating the container.
`Foam may be placed over the fluid filled bags and
`below the lid to provide the damping necessary to pre-
`vent the fluid from oscillating detrimentally within the
`container during shipping.
`Straps are located horizontally around the cOntainer
`to secure the container before filling. Once filled, the lid
`is put in place over the container and vertical straps are
`located around the container. The container may then
`be easily handled by forklifts or other machinery and
`may be easily stacked on vehicles such a freight cars and
`vehicle trailers.
`'
`When the fluid within the bags is to be retrieved, the
`fluid may be pumped out of the bags or drained through
`access plugs while the bags remain within the container,
`or the bags may be hoisted out of the container and
`oriented to where the contents may be removed by
`slitting a lower portion of the bag and draining the
`contents therefrom. The container may be stored with
`only a portion of the compartments filled. If transport is
`required, the lid is replaced and a strap is fitted over the
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`4O
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present
`invention to provide a collapsible palletized bin con-
`tainer having discrete regions therein.
`Another primary object of the present invention is to
`provide a container which can handle fluids in discrete
`55 gallon increments and yet be handled together in a
`manner commonly utilized for larger volumes.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`a container which is collapsible and re-erectible to be
`reused, the container being collapsible to a substantially
`smaller volume than is occupied when the container is
`erected.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`a collapsible palletized bin container having separate
`regions which are securely supported such that even
`when one region is filled and an adjacent region is
`empty, the regions do not deform.
`Another further object of the present invention is to
`provide a collapsible palletized bin container which can
`expand somewhat when filled due to hydrostatic pres-
`sure of fluid therein and yet still maintain secure con-
`tainment of the fluid.
`Another further object of the present invention is to
`provide a compartmentalized, collapsible, palletized
`container which has a secure outer periphery which
`precludes infestation by pests therewithin.
`Another further object of the present invention is to
`provide a container which is mountable upon a pallet
`for easy transportation thereof.
`Another further object of the present invention is to
`provide a container for housing fluid within bags which
`allows the bags to be slid into and out of separate com-
`partments of the container without rupturing the bags.
`Another further object of the present invention is to
`provide a collapsible, palletized bin container which
`can house fluid within bags in a manner which pre-
`cludes oscillation of the fluid during transportation,
`insuring safe transport thereof.
`Another further object of the present invention is to
`provide a collapsible, palletized bin container having
`sidewalls rigid enough to support fluids on an interior
`thereof through the use of multi-layer cardboard or
`other materials as sidewalls thereof.
`Viewed from a first vantage point it is an object of the
`present invention to provide a container, comprising, in
`combination a base, said base having an outer periphery,
`a plurality of walls extending up from said base about
`said periphery, said walls defining exterior confinement
`means, a plurality of dividers supported on said base and
`connected to said walls, said dividers defining interior
`confinement means, said interior and exterior confine-
`ment means collectively defining pigeon—hole—type re-
`gions above said base, and removeable connection
`means between said base and said walls to allow said
`container to be deployed from a stored compact state to
`an assembled state.
`Viewed from a second vantage point it is an object of
`the present invention to provide a knock-down pallet‘
`ized container having a plurality of discrete compart-
`ments therewithin comprised of a base having a top
`surface and a bottom surface and including a pallet on
`said bottom surface, a plurality of exterior walls extend-
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`5,323,911
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`6
`FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the con-
`tainer which reveals the interrelationships of various
`portions of the container. Also, details are shown of the
`location of one of the fluid filled bags within a compart-
`ment of the container.
`FIG. 3 is a detail of the tab and notch connection at
`the junction of each divider edge with the sidewalls of
`the container, shown also in FIG. 2.
`FIG. 4 is a cutaway of a portion of that which is
`shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 revealing details of the orienta-
`tion of the clip and platform upon the stringers of the
`pallet.
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container in its
`collapsed mode.
`FIG. 6 is a perspective view revealing the bag con-
`nected to a hoist structure which is utilized to remove
`the bag out of a compartment of the container.
`FIG. 7 is a detail of an alternative embodiment of that
`which is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 revealing an alter—
`native way of mounting the L-brackets onto the long
`sidewalls and an alternative material utilizable to form
`the long and short container sidewalls.
`DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`5
`ing upward from and circumscribing said base, and a
`plurality of interior dividers extending between said
`exterior walls and dividing said container into said dis-
`crete compartments, said dividers and said exterior
`walls having complemental interconnection means pre-
`venting said interior walls from deflecting, preserving
`said compartments and strengthening said exterior
`walls.
`Viewed from a third vantage point it is an object of
`the present invention to provide a method for assem-
`bling a collapsible container, the steps including orient-
`ing a pallet on a surface, fixedly attaching a support base
`on a top surface of the pallet, providing a pair of clips on
`opposed edges of the pallet such that portions of the
`clips extend upwardly from said pallet yet providing
`clearance between the clips and the base, placing a
`cruciform-shaped divider on a top surface of the base
`and extending upward from the base, providing the
`dividers with means for anchoring the dividers to side-
`walls, placing two sidewalls adjacent the dividers and
`anchoring them thereto, orienting the two sidewalls
`thus assembled such that they are on sides of the pallet
`away from the clips, placing two other sidewalls on the
`pallet between the clips and the base, anchoring the
`dividers to the two other sidewalls, and strapping the
`sidewalls together.
`Viewed from a fourth vantage point it is an object of
`the present invention to provide a method for disassem-
`bling a collapsible container, the steps including remov-
`ing contents from within pigeon-hole-type regions of
`the container, detaching straps surrounding sidewalls of
`the container, removing two sidewalls having “L”—
`shaped brackets along edges thereof from a base and
`interior dividers of the container, removing remaining
`sidewalls from the base and dividers, and detaching the
`dividers from interconnection with each other and re-
`moving the dividers from the base.
`Viewed from a fifth vantage point it is an object of
`the present invention to provide a material storage and
`transportation device, comprising,
`in combination a
`plurality of flexible bags receiving the material therein,
`and a container confining two or more said bags there-
`within, the container including a base with a pallet
`thereunder, sidewalls defming an exterior of the con-
`tainer and a plurality of interior dividers defining at
`least two regions inside said container, said dividers
`separating said bags within said container, whereby
`material may be stored discretely in amounts less than
`that which would fill said entire container without mod-
`ifying the size of said container.
`Viewed from a sixth vantage point it is an object of
`the present invention to provide a container, comprising
`in combination a base, a pallet fixedly attached to and
`underlying said base, a plurality of walls circumscribing
`an outer periphery of said base and extending upwardly
`from said base, away from said pallet, a plurality of
`dividers, means anchoring said dividers to said up-
`wardly extending walls, and a lid.
`These and other objects will be made manifest when
`considering the following detailed specification when
`taken in conjunction with the appended drawing fig-
`ures.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the container in its
`erected state with portions cut away to reveal interior
`details thereof.
`
`3D
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`Considering the drawings wherein like reference
`numerals denote like parts throughout, reference nu-
`meral 10 is directed to a compartmentalized, collapsible,
`palletized container. The container (10) rests upon a
`pallet (20). The container (10) includes long sidewalls
`(30), short sidewalls (4-0), a platform (22) and a lid (80).
`The container has a multiplicity of discrete regions
`forming compartments (12) on an interior thereof. The
`compartments (12) are defined by portions of the long
`sidewalls (30), short sidewalls (40), platform (22), and
`lid (80) as well as dividers (60), (70) which pass between
`sidewalls (3U), (40) of the container (10). Separate parts
`of the container (10) are held securely together by
`straps (16) which are oriented both vertically and hori-
`zontally about the container (10).
`In essence, FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the container
`(10) is'composed of a platform (22) forming a lower
`horizontal surface thereof,
`two long sidewalls (30)
`forming two opposite vertical sides thereof, two short
`sidewalls (40)
`forming two opposite vertical sides
`thereof, and a lid (80) forming an upper horizontal side
`thereof. Two dividers (60), (70) are oriented vertically
`between the lid (80) and the platform (22). The dividers
`(60), (70) divide the container (10) into four separate
`compartments (12). The platform (22) rests upon an
`upper surface of the pallet (20).
`Two L-brackets (50) are riveted to each long sidewall
`(30) on sidewall edges (32) to prevent the short side-
`walls (40) from displacing horizontally with respect to
`the long sidewalls (30). Two clips (110) attach to the
`pallet (20) on an upper surface thereof and along edges
`thereof adjacent to a bottom edge (36) of each long
`sidewall (30). The clips (110) have an upper plate (112)
`(FIG. 4) which holds the bottom edge (36) of each long
`sidewall (30) from displacing horizontally with respect
`to the pallet (20). Straps (16) are oriented horizontally
`around the container (10) to hold all of the sidewalls
`. (30), (40) tightly together.
`Each compartment (12) receives a fluid filled bag
`65
`(100) therewithin. The bag (100)
`is preferably sur-
`rounded by a plastic liner (108) and then by a cardboard
`liner (109). Two access plugs (90) are located on lower
`portions of each long sidewall (30) to allow access to
`
`50
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`55
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`60
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`7
`each compartment (12) through the long sidewalls (30),
`should the bag (100) be emptied by draining or pumping
`from the bag’s bottom. Alternatively, the bags (100) can
`be emptied after removal through a hoist mechanism
`(150), shown in FIG. 6. With the bags (100) removed,
`the container (10) is collapsible (FIG. 5) for convenient
`transport and reuse.
`‘
`More particularly, and in general reference to FIGS.
`1 through 4, details of the structural configuration of the
`container (10) are revealed. The pallet (20) includes a
`series of base slats (24) (FIG. 4) which are flat horizon-
`tally oriented elongate constructs. Each base slat (24) is
`preferably oriented parallel to other base slats (24). A
`plurality of stringers (26) (FIG. 4) are connected upon
`the base slats (24) with nails (21) or some ether attach-
`ment means. Each stringer (26) is a rigid elongate ortho-
`rhombic construct which is oriented substantially per-
`pendicular to the orientation of the base slats (24) in a
`horizontal plane.
`Preferably three stringers (26) are placed upon the
`base slats (24) with two stringers (26) oriented with
`outside surfaces (29) thereof coplanar with extremities
`of the base slats (24). A third stringer (26) is oriented
`upon a middle portion of each base slat (24). In this
`configuration, two slots (25) are formed between the
`three stringers (26) and above the base slats (24) within
`which forks of a forklift may be easily oriented for
`lifting of the container (10).
`Two clips (110), one of which is shown in detail in
`FIG. 4, are fixedly attached to the outside stringers (26).
`Each clip (110) has an upper plate (112) which extends
`vertically above a middle plate (114). An outside bend
`(118) forms a substantially 90 degree angle between the
`vertically oriented upper plate (112) and the horizon-
`tally oriented middle plate (114). A lower plate (116)
`extends vertically downward from an inside edge of the
`middle plate (114) at an inside bend (115). The inside
`bend (115) forms a substantially 90 degree angle be-
`tween the middle plate (114) and the lower plate (116).
`The clip (110) is attached to the outside stringers (26)
`substantially at a middle portion of a long axis of the
`stringer (26) with a fastening means such as nails (113).
`A variety of fastening means may actually be used. The
`clip (110) is fastened to the stringers (26) such that the
`lower plate (116) is adjacent to an inside surface (27) of 45
`each stringer (26). Also, the middle plate (114) of each
`clip (110) is oriented adjacent the top surface (28) of the
`stringer (26). Thus, the upper plate (112) projects up-
`wardly with the outer surface (20) of stringer (26).
`The platform (22) rests upon the top surfaces (28) of 50
`the stringers (26) and is attached thereto with nails (21)
`or some other attachment means. The platform (22) has
`horizontal dimensions which are slightly less'than a
`footprint of the stringers (26) and the base slats (24).
`The platform (22) is fixedly attached to the stringers
`(26) to secure the pallet (20) to a lower portion of the
`container (10).
`In assembling the pallets (20), the platform (22) is
`fastened precisely to the outside stringers (26) such that
`the platform (22) overlies a portion of the top surface
`(28) of the stringers (26) with enough surface contact to
`support the weight which is placed upon the platform
`(22). The stringers (26) are commonly milled from tim-
`ber in a manner such that a width of the top surface (28)
`of the stringers (26) is not precisely uniform. Accord-
`ingly, the upper plate (112) of the clip (110) may be
`either coplanar with the outside surface (29) of the
`stringer (26), or it may be slightly inboard or outboard
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`55
`
`65
`
`5,323,911
`
`8
`therefrom. In any case, a distance (D) between the
`upper plate (112) of the clip (110) and an edge (23) of
`the platform (22) remains constant.
`The clip (110) is sized such that the distance (D)
`between the upper plate (112) and the platform (22) is
`equal to a thickness of the long sidewalls (30). Thus, the
`long sidewalls (30) are locatable tightly between the
`upper plate (112) of the clip (110) and the platform (22)
`without necessitating stringers (26) of precise dimen-
`sional accuracy. The platform (22), base slats (24) and
`stringers (26) are all preferably permanently fastened
`together in a non-removeable. noncollapsible manner.
`These parts thus form a base which can support other
`portions of the container (10) in either the erected or the
`collapsed form without modification.
`Preferably, the container (10) has four sidewalls (30),
`(40) which form vertical sides of the container (10). The
`container includes two long sidewalls (30) and two
`short sidewalls (40). Each long sidewall (30) is a sub-
`stantially planar rectangular construct. Each long side-
`wall (30) includes two side edges (32), a top edge (34)
`and a bottom edge (36). The bottom edge (36) resides
`between the upper plate (112) of the clip (110) and the
`edge (23) of the platform (22).
`Each side edge (32) has an L-bracket (50) attached
`thereto. A plurality of rivet holes (54) (FIG. 5) are
`formed near each side edge (32) of each long sidewall
`(30) in locations which correspond with rivet holes (54)
`in the L-brackets (50). Rivets (38) (FIG. 5) are then
`connected through the rivet holes (52) attaching the
`L-bracket (50) to the long sidewall (30) along a side
`edge (32).
`The L-brackets (50) are rigid elongate constructs
`which have two perpendicular plates. One plate (51) has
`a series of the rivet holes (52) thereon. The L-brackets
`(50) are of a length slightly less than a height of the long
`sidewalls (30) and short sidewalls (40). The L—brackets
`(50) are oriented such that the one plate (51) having the
`rivet holes (52) is adjacent an outside surface of each
`long sidewall (30) and an opposite plate (53) is adjacent
`to the side edge (32) and extends somewhat beyond the
`side edge (32).
`With two L-brackets (50) on each long sidewall (30)
`and each long sidewall (30) located upon the pallet (20),
`the L-brackets (50) are oriented such that each opposite
`plate (53) from the L-bracket (50) extends toward the
`other long sidewall (30). The two short sidewalls (40)
`are substantially planar rectangular constructs which
`have a width equal to the distance between the two long
`sidewalls (30) when they are in place upon the pallet
`(20). The short sidewalls (40) have a height similar to
`the height of the long sidewalls (30). Each short side-
`wall (40) has two side edges (42) on opposite sides
`thereof which extend vertically, a top edge (44) ori-
`ented horizontally on an upper surface thereof and a
`bottom edge (46). The bottom edge (46) is horizontal
`and can rest upon the stringers (26) of the pallet (20)
`adjacent edges (23) of the platform (22).
`The short sidewalls (40) are oriented in a vertical
`plane between the two long sidewalls (30). When the
`container (10) is in its erected form, side edges (42) abut
`against the L-brackets (50) and side edges (32) of the
`long sidewalls (30). The short sidewalls (40) and long
`sidewalls (30) thus form a periphery of the container
`(10) which confines the material contained therein from
`an exterior thereof when container (10) is in its erected
`form. Straps (16) are fastened horizontally about the
`
`PGR2021-00085
`
`Pelican EX1023 Page 10
`
`PGR2021-00085
`Pelican EX1023 Page 10
`
`

`

`5,323,911
`
`9
`sidewalls (30), (40) to tightly hold the sidewalls (30),
`(40) together.
`While the preferred embodiment discloses a four-
`sided container (10), containers having fewer or more
`sides are also contemplated. The number of interior
`compartments (12) could also be modified.
`The top divider (60) is a substantially planar rectan-
`gular construct having a length similar to a length of the
`short sidewalls (40) and a height similar to the height of
`the short sidewalls (40) and the long sidewalls (30). The
`top divider (60) is oriented vertically upon the platform
`(22) such that side edges (64) of the top divider (60) are
`adjacent an inside surface (31) (FIG. 3) of the long
`sidewalls (30). The top divider (60) rests upon the plat-
`form (22) with a bottom edge (66) thereof. The top
`divider (60) has a bottom slot (68) which extends verti-
`cally from the bottom edge (66) of the top divider (60)
`up to a location preferably substantially at a geometric
`center of the top divider (60). The slot (68) is of a width
`similar to a thickness of the bottom divider (70).
`The bottom divider (70) is oriented upon the platfor