More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to a collapsible container for use in curing cheese, and for storing and/or transporting purposes.

BACKGROUND ART Conventional bulk cheese boxes are made of wood sheets such as plywood. Plywood boxes generally have a substantial number of components and require a significant amount of time to assemble before loading cheese, and disassemble after the curing process is completed. Further, straps are commonly used about such boxes to apply an appropriate amount of compressive force on the cheese being cured within, and this type of container for curing cheese can be cumbersome and time consuming to manage.

Further, wooden boxing, after each use, for hygienic purposes, the wooden components should be cleaned and reconditioned, and the wooden and metal components should be rewaxed. This can be a time consuming process.

It is an object of the invention to provide a container for use in handling blocks of cheese for curing, storage and transportation and the like that overcomes at least some of the abovementioned problems, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a materials handling container, the container including a base platform and a plurality of side panels, each side panel being substantially planar and wherein the bottom edge of each side panel is provided with a platform locating member and being adapted with interlocking members adjacent the top comers of each said side panel to releasably attach adjacent said side panels.

Preferably the platform locating means includes at least one lug projecting from the bottom edge of each side panel, and wherein a corresponding aperture is located in the platform, in use, to interfit and lock each side panel. Desirably the lugs are elongate flat tongues.

Advantageously the flat tongues are provided with a reflex angle through the central section, in use, such that the bottom edge of each said side panel is mountable in a tilted position and rotatable about the bottom edge to a substantially vertical position, and wherein the distal end of the lug is restrained by a projecting member located on the platform which engages the lug when the panel is oriented to a substantially vertical position.

Preferably the platform locating means further includes a locking means to lock each said side panel to the platform.

Desirably the container includes four side panels releasably attachable to a square base to define a cube shaped container. Preferably each side panel includes a sheet of plastics material having a smooth surface attached to the inside surface of each said panel.

Desirably the side panel is reinforced with a metal frame with a top rail, bottom rail and side rails. Optionally each side panel is also provided with at least one support rail between the top rail and the bottom rail.

Preferably the side panel includes a plurality of spaced apart substantially vertical support rails attached between the side rails.

Optionally the interlocking members are adapted such as to allow a second container to be stacked upon the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be illustrated, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1: Shows a perspective view of a container in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure2 : Shows a part perspective view of figure 1 with details of the interfitting members of the side panels and base ; Figure 3 : Shows a part perspective view of a container in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 4: Shows a lug and pin locking arrangement in an unlocked position with a side panel in a tilted position; Figure 5: Shows a lug and pin locking arrangement in a locked position with the side panel in a vertical position; Figure 6: Shows an interlocking arrangement for a top corner of the container; and Figure 7: Shows a perspective view of a container with an alternative lug and pin locking arrangement in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to figures 1 and 2, a container, generally referred to as 1 in figure 1, according to one preferred embodiment of the invention, is illustrated.

The container 1 has been designed to retain and store goods. The container 1 is particularly adapted for retaining and storing cheese for curing purposes, and desirably for curing blocks of cheese stacked on the base 2 of the container 1. In use, the blocks of cheese can be vacuum packed in a suitable plastics material and stacked on a platform 4 on the base 2.

The container 1 is advantageously configured and arranged to be quickly assembled and disassembled as required, and can be adapted to be movable by forklift tines or the like. The container 1 is desirably robust and durable and can resist undesirable bulging of the goods contained therein. This invention therefore can have the advantage of maintaining the form of blocks of cheese during the curing process.

The container 1 preferably includes a base 2 including a platform 4 and side panels 3. In this non-limiting preferred embodiment a cube shaped container 1 is formed having four side panels 3 associated with the platform 4. Each of the four side panels can be adapted to be releasably attachable to the base 2.

The base 2 includes a platform 4 that is desirably substantially horizontally disposed and including a planar top surface, and being attached to a plurality of feet 5 configured and arranged to elevate the platform 4, thus allowing tines of a forklift to lift the container 1, as required.

The platform 4 can be made of any suitable durable and resilient material, and preferably has a smooth top surface upon which goods such as packaged cheese can be placed thereupon.

The top surface is desirably formed of a plastics material such as, for example, from a group of materials including, but not limited to, polypropylene, high density polyethylene and polystyrene.

The container 1 in this embodiment has four side panels 3. Desirably each side panel 3 has a metal frame including a top rail 6, a bottom rail 7 and side rails 8,9. A sheet 10 is desirably attached by any suitable fastening means to the inner surface of the side panel 3.

The sheet 10 is desirably a plastics material such as, for example, from a group including, but not limited to, polypropylene, high density polyethylene and polystyrene.

Advantageously the metal frame of each panel 3 includes at least one support rail 11 between the side rails 3 to increase the strength of the panel and decrease the risk of outward bulging of the container 1 during use. In this embodiment three substantially vertical support rails 11 between the top rail 6 and the bottom rail 7, are provided. The rails 6,7, 8,9, 11 of the metal frame can be welded together to form the frame, as in the

embodiment shown, or be fastened together by any desirable and suitable means. It will be appreciated that other materials, such as timber, plastics material and/or polystyrene and/or otherwise to form the side panels 3.

Each panel 3 includes a platform locating member for attachment of each side panel 3 with the platform 4 or base 2. The platform locating member can be desirably in the form of a locating tongue or lug 12 (as seen clearly in figure 2). The lug 12 is attached to the underside of the bottom rail 7 and projects from the bottom rail 7 to meet a corresponding aperture 13 in the platform 4. The lug 12 may be made of any durable and resilient material, and can be conveniently a metal piece welded to the lower edge of the bottom rail 7. A slot 12a is desirably provided in the lug 12 which is arranged to enable the side panel 3 to locate the lug 12 into the aperture 13 and then slide the side panel 3 to engage a latch (not shown) in the slot 12a to lock the side panel 3 in place.

The bottom rail 7 of each side panel 3 may be adapted to include a fastening means to secure a side panel 3 to the platform 4. The fastening means may be in the form of a pin 14, in use, that can be extended or projected into a corresponding slot or aperture 15 in the platform 4. The pin 14 is provided with a latch 16 adjacent the distal end of the pin 14 that locates through the aperture 15, and then can be rotated to lock the side panel 3 in position on the platform 4. The pin 14 can be attached to the side rail 8 and bottom rail 7 by a bracket 17.

The container 1 is provided with interlocking members 18 adjacent the top corners of the side panels 3 to releasably attach adjacent side panels 3. In this embodiment interlocking members in the form of releasably attachable corner brackets 18 are provided at each top corner of the container 1 to secure adjoining side panels 3. The corner bracket 18 can be attached to the top rail 6 of a side panel 3 by any suitable securing means and desirably two apertures 19 are provided in the bracket 18 and corresponding rails 6 to receive bolts that locate into respective top rails 6 to fasten the bracket to each said top rail 6 of each adjoining side panel 3.

The interlocking members 18 can also be adapted to allow the container 1 to be stackable.

It is considered that the interlocking members 18 can be adapted with a splayed skirt (not shown) suitable enough to allow the feet 5 of a second container 1 to be stacked thereupon.

Referring now to figures 3 to 7, the container 1 can be provided with an alternative interlocking arrangement in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. Details of the container 1 are similar to the container 1 as described with reference to figures 1 and 2 and do not need to be repeated.

Each panel 3 can include a platform locating member in the form of at least one locating tongue or lug 30. In this non-limiting embodiment one lug 30 is provided, and conveniently the lug 30 is provided adjacent the lower right corner of each side panel 3 when viewed from the outside of the container 1. The lug 30 may be made of any durable and resilient material, and can be conveniently a piece of metal attached to the underside of the bottom rail 7 of each panel 3.

The lug 30 projects from the bottom rail 7 to meet a corresponding aperture 31 in the platform 4. The slot 31 is of a sufficient size to allow the lug 30 to pass therethrough during locking and unlocking steps of assembly and disassembly of the container 1.

The lug 30 can be advantageously provided with a reflex angle 32 along the length of the lug as more clearly seen in the profile of the lug 30 in figure 4. The angle or reflex in the lug 30 is advantageously back toward the outside of the container 1. An aperture 33 is provided in the lower section of the lug 30. A retaining pin 34 is attached to the foot 36 of the platform 4 in an appropriate position such that the end portion 35 of the retaining pin 34 projects inwards from the foot 36. It is seen in operation from figures 4 and 5 that the end portion 35 of the retaining pin will locate within the aperture 33 to lock the side panel 3 to the platform when the side panel 3 is moved from a tilted position to a substantially vertical position.

In this non-limiting embodiment at least one locating bolt or pin 37 is provided on each side panel 39 and conveniently the pin 37 is provided adjacent the lower left corner of each of the panels 3 when viewed from the outside of the container 1. It is envisaged that other

locating pins 37 and lugs 30 may be provided at any suitable position along the lower edge of the panel 3, as required.

The locating pin 37 is desirably attached to the lower edge of the panels 3 by any suitable attachment means, and the length of the pin 37 is desirably sufficient to locate in a corresponding aperture 38 provided in the platform 4. The pin 37 may extend or project outwards to the length matching the projecting lug 30 but only just short of the bend in the reflex angle 32. This length will allow the panels 3 to be easily located and assembled onto the platform 4 and subsequently removed when required.

Referring now also to figures 6 and 7, the container 1 is preferably provided with interlocking members 40 to attach adjacent side panels 3 in place on the platform 4.

In this second embodiment each corner of the container 1 where two adjoining side panels 3 meet is preferably provided with interlocking members in the form of a releasably attachable corner bracket 40. The bracket 40 may be constructed as seen clearly in figure 6, and desirably including a locating pin 41 and a locking pin 42 attached to and projecting from the underside surface of the top plate 50. Optionally the top plate is shaped and configured with a cut away corner 40a, in use, to allow a lid (not shown) to be attached and removed from the container as required. Locating pin 41 can be of a sufficient length to locate and pass through a corresponding aperture 43 in the top rail 6 of a side panel 3.

Locking pin 42 can be of a sufficient length to locate and pass through a corresponding aperture 44 in the top rail 6 of an adjacent top rail 6 of the adjacent side panel 3. A bolt aperture 45 is provided in the locking pin 42 and in this embodiment is provided adjacent the distal or lower end portion of the pin 42. A sliding latch bolt 46 is configured and arranged to be mountable to the vertical side rail 8. In operation, the distal end 47 of a bolt pin 49 will slide through a corresponding aperture 48 in the side rail 8 to secure adjacent side panels 3 and the bracket 40 together. The mid section of the pin 49 passes through a cylindrical casing 54 and through an aperture 55 at the near end of the bolt pin 49. A knob 56 is desirably provided for ease of use. Further, the distal end 47 of the bolt pin is provided with a spring stop 52. The spring 53 is located about the bolt pin 49 and extends through one end of the casing 54 to bear against the other end of the casing 54.

The bracket 40 desirably includes a skirt 51 about the two edges of the top plate 50 to increase the stability of the corners.

In operation, the container 1 of the invention can be assembled in accordance with the second embodiment by an operator who may mount a first panel 3 by locating the lug 30 and a locating pin 37 through respective apertures 31, 38 in one edge of the platform 4, and then mounting a second panel 3 adjacent to the first panel 3, with first and second panels 3 being moved from a tilted position to a vertical position about the lower edge of the panel 3 to lock the retaining pin 34 into the lug aperture 33 to retain the panels 3 in place on the platform 4.

A first top corner bracket 40 can then be mounted thereon by locating pins 41,42 through respective apertures in the panels 3 and the first corner is secured together by driving a bolt 46 through the vertical side rail 8 and through the corresponding aperture 45 in the locking pin 42 of the first bracket 40.

The operator can then mount a third panel 3 by mounting the lug 30 and a pin 37 of the third panel 3 into another edge of the platform 4 being moved from a tilted position to a vertical position to lock the retaining pin 34 into the lug aperture 33 to retain the third panel 3 in place.

A second corner bracket 40 can then be mounted thereon by locating pins 41,42 through respective apertures in the panels 3, and the second corner is locked to the adjacent side panels 3 by driving a bolt 46 through a corresponding vertical side rail 8 and through the corresponding aperture 45 in the locking pin 42 of the second bracket 40. The operator can then mount a fourth panel 3 by mounting the lug 30 and a locating pin 37 of the third panel 3 into another edge of the fourth panel 3 being moved from a tilted position to a vertical position to lock the retaining pin 34 into the lug aperture 33 to retain the fourth panel 3 in place. Third and fourth corner brackets 40 can then be mounted thereon by locating pins 41, 42 through respective apertures in the panels 3 and are secured together to respective third and fourth corners by driving a bolt 46 through corresponding vertical side rails 8 and through the corresponding apertures 45 in the locking pins 42 of respective third and fourth brackets 40.

It will be appreciated that disassembly of the container 1 can be by reversing the steps of assembly of the container 1.

It is also within an aspect of the invention to have a container 1 that collapses or disassembles when not required. The container 1 may be advantageously stacked when disassembled for storage and/or return shipping or otherwise.

The container 1 size may correspond with the size of a standard pallet, although in one application it can be sized to allow a specified number of blocks of cheese of a predetermined weight or size to be stacked in the container 1. The container 1 can be configured and arranged to handle any reasonable size and weight of material.

The container 1 can desirably be configured and arranged to accommodate soft blocks of cheese for, inter alia, curing purposes, and such blocks of cheese may be vacuum packaged and contained in cardboard boxes. The cardboard boxes are then stacked in the container 1 and the side panels 3 fitted into position to secure the cardboard boxes and allow time for the cheese to cure or ripen as required. During such a process, the container 1 of this embodiment is assembled and remains substantially cubed or square in form, and is advantageously sturdy enough to maintain its shape, even with outward pressure being exerted on the side panels 3 during use by the soft blocks of cheese curing within the container 1.

The parts of the container 1 are made of any suitable durable and resilient material and may include wood, metal, alloys, aluminium, plastics materials or a combination thereof.

In the embodiment described the main material desirably used is galvanised steel with sheets of a suitable plastics material for the side panels 3 can be selected from a group including, but not limited to, polypropylene, high density polyethylene and polystyrene.

Any suitable plastics material or solid polymer may be used.

Wherein the aforegoing reference has been made to integers or components having lcnown equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that changes may be made to the above described embodiments of the invention without departing from the principles taught herein.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Additional advantages of the present invention will become apparent for those skilled in the art after considering the principles in particular form as discussed and illustrated.

Thus, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described or illustrated, but is intended to cover all alterations or modifications which are within the scope of the appended claims.