[0001] The present invention relates to the storage and display of goods. It has been developed in connection with the storage and display of fresh produce such as fruit and vegetables, but is considered to have wider application.

Background to the Invention

[0002] The preparation of produce such as fruit and vegetables for retail purchase traditionally involves many labour intensive operations. At a minimum, the produce must be harvested, and placed into bins for storage and transport. In modern industry, these bins are standardised for easy storage and transportation. A typical produce bin is rectangular prismatic in shape, with a base about 165mm by 1165mm and a height of about 800mm. Depending on the particular produce for which the bins are used, they may need to support a weight well in excess of 500kg.

[0003] Where no intermediate processing is required, the bins may be delivered to a retail establishment. Typically, the retailer must then transfer a portion of the contents of the bins to display racks or containers, while keeping the remainder of the bin contents in storage, such as in a cool room..

[0004] During the course of trading, the retailer must constantly replenish the display racks or containers, by transferring more of the bin contents to be on display. This will generally require the retailer to rearrange the stock on display, to ensure that older stock remains On top', and that stock turnover is thus managed effectively. This is known as 'stock rotation'.

[0005] It will be appreciated that each instance of 'handling' by a retailer, be it transferring of produce from storage to display, or rearrangement of display, has the potential to damage the produce. It will also be appreciated that constant handling of heavier fruits and vegetables, such as large melons, pumpkins, or bags of potatoes, requires a significant quantity of physical labour. This is particularly problematic when the fruits or vegetables concerned must be retrieved from the bottom of a bin.

[0006] In order to ameliorate these problems, some retailers have experimented by selling produce directly from produce bins. This certainly reduces the amount of handling required. It has been found, however, that when the volume of produce in a bin begins to drop, then the perceived value of the remaining stock is significantly reduced. Frequently it is found that the produce in the lower half of the bin may be close to being unsaleable.

[0007] The present invention seeks to provide an improved storage and display container compared to this prior art.

Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a stand-alone container for the storage and display of goods, the container including:

a base;

a plurality of side walls extending upwardly of the base, the side walls having upper edges which define a top of the container;

a floor located above the base and within the side walls, the floor having a supporting means associated therewith, the supporting means being arranged to support the floor relative to the base;

a driving means associated with the floor, the driving means being electively moveable between a driving configuration in which the driving means is arranged to raise or lower the floor relative to the base, and a holding configuration in which the driving means is arranged to maintain the floor in a desired position relative to the base;

wherein the supporting means is located largely within the base and/or side walls of the container. [0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a stand-alone container for the storage and display of produce, the container including:

a base;

a plurality of side walls extending upwardly of the base, the side walls having upper edges which define a top of the container;

a floor located above the base and within the side walls, the floor having a supporting means associated therewith, the supporting means being arranged to support the floor relative to the base;

a driving means associated with the floor, the driving means being electively moveable between a driving configuration in which the driving means is arranged to raise or lower the floor relative to the base, and a holding configuration in which the driving means is arranged to maintain the floor in a desired position relative to the base

[0010] The container base may have an area in excess of 1 m ² . In a preferred embodiment, the container base is rectangular, with each side in excess of 1 m. In a most preferred embodiment, the container base is square, with sides between 1 m and 1.2m.

[0011] The container side walls preferably have a height between 500mm and 1000mm. In the most preferred embodiment, the side walls have a height of between 750mm and 850mm. The measurements in this and the preceding paragraph are external measurements.

[0012] The floor may be spaced from each side wall, allowing a small gap between the floor and the side walls. This gap may be in the order of 5mm to 10mm.

[0013] The driving means may be associated with a power source. It is preferred that the power source is located externally of the container, preferably within an appropriately shaped recess on a lower side of the base. The power source may be an exchangeable battery or battery pack. [0014] It is preferred that the driving means includes a single driving shaft. The container may include a plurality of connections of the driving means to the supporting means, with each of the plurality of connections being arranged to move in unison upon activation of the driving shaft.

[0015] In the embodiment shown, the power source acts to drive a motor. The motor is mechanically linked to the floor to provide the driving means. It is preferred that a gearing arrangement, such as toothed gears or pulley structures, is provided between the motor and the floor in order to increase the lifting capacity of the motor.

[0016] Preferably, the entire driving means including any gearing arrangement is located within the container. A portion of the gearing arrangement may be located within the side walls. A portion of the gearing arrangement may be located within the base, or between the base and the floor.

[0017] The base and/or the side walls of the container may be insulated.

[0018] The container may have a switch to change the driving means between the driving configuration and the holding configuration. The switch may be located in the base of the container.

[0019] The container may include sensing means associated with the switch, whereby the sensing means is arranged to detect the presence or otherwise of container contents in a particular region, and to activate the switch accordingly. It is anticipated that when the sensing means detects an absence of container contents (for instance at the top of a container), it will activate the switch to engage the driving configuration, raising the container floor. When the sensing means detects that container contents have reached a desired location, it will activate the switch to engage the holding configuration. [0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention the sensing means is a mechanical sensor, biased to activate the switch into the driving configuration, but arranged such that the action of container contents against the sensor cause activation of the switch into the holding configuration.

[0021] The switch may be located centrally of the base, with the sensing means disposed directly above the switch. In this embodiment the container may include a centrally disposed column about which the floor is located, the shaft connecting the switch to the sensor.

[0022] In an alternative embodiment, the sensing means may be electronic, such as using beams of light.

[0023] A patent search conducted on behalf of the applicant has revealed several attempts to provide containers having floors which move relative to their base. None of the containers revealed by this search address the underlying function for which the present invention was devised: a container capable of serving as a produce bin into which farmers and growers can place harvested produce and in which the produce can be stored and transported, and serving as a display in a retail establishment.

[0024] Some articles of prior art discovered, such as those described in WO2007/113839, US4,629,072 and US 6,229,285, have no control means for their moveable floor, and rely on springs or an elasticised member to bias the floor upwards. Such designs are inherently limited in their capacity.

[0025] Other articles of prior art, such as those described in US 5,261 ,253 and US 6,298,672, feature a container as part of a larger structure, with the container not being able to be independently transported and used.

[0026] US 5,901 ,871 describes a container used for the retailing of articles of metal hardware. It is centred around the use of a fabric on a roller to raise and lower a container floor. Such an apparatus could not be used in the application for which the present invention was designed, as no fabric could be relied upon to withstand the environment (for instance the application of direct sunlight) in which the present invention is required to operate, together with the weight of produce for which the present invention is designed. The container of US 5,901 ,871 is also clearly unsuited for fresh produce, as the rolled fabric would be an ideal incubator for mould and other fungal diseases.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] It will be convenient to further describe the invention with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments are possible, and consequently the particularity of the following discussion is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. In the drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 is an upper perspective of a container in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 is an upper perspective of the container of Figure 1 , shown with an end-cover removed;

[0030] Figure 3 is a partially cut-away upper perspective of the container of Figure 1 ;

[0031] Figure 4 is an upper perspective of a floor from within the container of Figure 1 , shown in a first position;

[0032] Figure 5 is an upper perspective of the floor of Figure 3, shown in a second position;

[0033] Figure 6 is an upper perspective of the floor of Figure 3, shown in a third position;

[0034] Figure 7 is a schematic sectional view through the container of Figure 1 in use, shown where a driving means is in a holding configuration; [0035] Figure 8 is a close-up view of a switch seen in Figure 7;

[0036] Figure 9 is a schematic sectional view through the container of Figure 1 in use, shown where the driving means is in a moving configuration;

[0037] Figure 10 is a close-up view of the switch seen in Figure 9;

[0038] Figure 1 1 is an upper perspective of a container in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 12 is a first partially cut-away lower perspective of the container of Figure 1 ;

[0040] Figure 13 is a second partially cut-away lower perspective of the container of Figure 11 ;

[0041] Figure 14 is a partially cut-away upper perspective of the container of Figure 11 ;

[0042] Figure 15 is an upper perspective of a floor of Figure 14, shown in a first position;

[0043] Figure 16 is an upper perspective of the floor of Figure 14, shown in a second position;

[0044] Figure 17 is an upper perspective of the floor of Figure 14, shown in a third position;

[0045] Figure 18 is an upper perspective of a driving means within the container of Figure 1 1 ;

[0046] Figure 19 is a cut-away view of a portion of the driving means of Figure 18, shown in position within the container of Figure 1 1 ; and [0047] Figure 20 is an upper view of a motor used in conjunction with the driving means of Figure 18.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0048] Referring to the Figures, there is shown two embodiments of the present invention, with like numerals referring to like parts. The first embodiment, shown in Figures 1 to 10, is of a container 10 having a body made primarily from a moulded plastic. The second embodiment, shown in Figures 11 to 20, is of a container 1 0 having a body made primarily from wood.

[0049] Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 10, there can be seen an open- topped, generally rectangular-prismatic container 10 having a base 12 and four side walls, being two end walls 14 and two lateral walls 16. The container 10 shown in the drawings is constructed in accordance with standard produce-bin sizing in Western Australia, meaning that its outer dimensions are (in millimetres) 1165x1 165x800, with the base 12 being generally square. The base 12 includes cut-outs 13 sized to receive the tines of a forklift or trolley.

[0050] Each end wall 14 includes a recess 18 which is, in use, covered by a cover 20. Each end wall 14 includes two elongate slots 22 which communicate between the recess 18 and the inside of the container 10. The elongate slots 22 are vertical, in use (that is, are perpendicular to the base 12), and are each located about 250 to 300mm away from the centre of the end wall 14 in which they are located.

[0051] The container 10 includes a central column 24 which extends upwardly from the centre of the base 12, parallel to and of similar height to the side walls 14, 16.

[0052] A generally square floor 26 is located within the container 10. The floor 26 is composed of a rigid, wide lattice similar to a grating. In this embodiment, the lattice holes are sufficiently wide that the column 24 can be accommodated within a central opening of the lattice.

[0053] The floor 26 is arranged to rest on an upper face of the base 12 when in a first position, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The floor 26 has a side length slightly smaller than the internal dimensions of the side walls 14, 16. This results in a gap of about 10mm between the floor 26 and the side walls 14, 16.

[0054] The floor 26 has a supporting means including two elongate supporting beams 28. Each supporting beam 28 extends beneath the floor 26 from one end wall 14 to the other end wall 14. The supporting beams 28 are aligned with the elongate slots 22, such that each supporting beam 28 extends between an elongate slot 22 in a first end wall 14 and a corresponding elongate slot 22 in the other end wall 14.

[0055] The base 12 includes elongate recesses 30 arranged to receive the supporting beams 28 when the floor 26 is in the first position.

[0056] The container includes a driving means 40. The driving means includes a main shaft 42, which is located within the base 12 beneath the column 24, and to which is coupled a winding drum 44, having a vertical axis. Two main cables 46 extend from the winding drum 44 through vertical- axis guide pulleys 48 in the base 12 to end pulleys 50 located at the junction of the base 12 and each end wall 14. The end pulleys 50 each have a horizontal axis, and therefore extend slightly into the container 10. Each end pulley 50 has a cover 52 over its otherwise exposed quadrant.

[0057] The end pulleys 50 each have a rear which opens into the recess 18 of their respective end walls 14.

[0058] The main cables 46 are each linked to two lifting cables 54 inside the recess 18. The lifting cables 46 extend upwardly to the top of the recess 18, pass over upper guide pulleys 56, and then pass downwards aligned with elongate slots 22, and couple to the supporting beams 28.

[0059] The arrangement is such that the winding drum 44 acts as a gearing for the main shaft 42. When the main shaft 42 is driven by a motor (not shown), the effective length of the main cables 46 increases or decreases by the action of winding or unwinding about the drum 44. A decrease in the effective length of the main cables 46 causes the lifting cables 54 to be pulled towards their associated end pulley 50, thus raising the ends of the lifting cables 54 connected to the supporting beams 28. This acts to raise the supporting beams 28 and thus the floor 26. This can be seen progressively in Figures 4 to 6.

[0060] The driving means 40 moves between a driving configuration, in which the main shaft 42 is being driven and the floor 26 is moving, and a holding configuration in which the main shaft 42 and the floor 26 are stationary. The container includes a switch 60 which selectively moves the driving means 40 between these two configurations.

[0061] The switch 60 in the embodiment shown is located in the base 12 beneath the column 24, and is associated with a sensing means 62 which can be seen in Figures 7 and 9.

[0062] The sensing means 62 includes a frusto-conical engagement portion 64 located above the column 24, and an operative shaft 66 which extends through the column 24 from the engagement portion 64 to a lower end 68. The lower end 68 is positioned adjacent a toggle 70 on the switch 60.

[0063] When the floor 26 is sufficiently high, the produce 80 within the container 10 will engage with the engagement portion 64 to hold the engagement portion 64 above the column 24, and thus to hold the lower end 68 of the operative shaft 66 off the toggle 70. This is shown in Figures 7 and 8. The switch 60 is arranged such that when the toggle 70 is not depressed then the motor is not engaged, and the driving means 40 is in the holding configuration.

[0064] When produce 80 acting against the engagement portion 64 has been removed from the container 10, the engagement portion 64 will drop. This will cause the lower end 68 of the operative shaft 66 to come into contact with the toggle 70. The switch 60 will then engage the motor, putting the driving means into the driving configuration and raising the floor 26. The floor 26 will continue to rise until produce 80 raises the engagement portion 64, releasing the toggle 70.

[0065] Referring now to Figures 11 to 20, there can be seen an open- topped, generally rectangular-prismatic container 1 10 having a base 112 and four side walls, being two end walls 1 14 and two lateral walls 116. The container 1 10 shown in the drawings is constructed in accordance with standard produce-bin sizing in Western Australia, meaning that its outer dimensions are (in millimetres) 1165x1 165x800, with the base 112 being generally square. The base 1 12 includes channels 1 13 sized to receive the tines of a forklift or trolley.

[0066] Each end wall 1 14 includes a panel 1 18 located internally of the end wall 1 14. The panel 118 has an open elongate channel 122 on either side thereof. The elongate channels 122 are vertical, in use (that is, are perpendicular to the base 1 12), and are each located about 250 to 300mm away from the centre of the end wall 114 to which their associated panel 118 is fixed.

[0067] The container 1 10 includes a central column 124 which extends upwardly from the centre of the base 112, parallel to and of similar height to the side walls 1 14, 1 16.

[0068] A generally square floor 126 is located within the container 1 10. The floor 26 is composed of wooden boards, similar to the construction of the side walls 114, 116. The floor 126 includes a central aperture 127 through which the column 124 can be accommodated.

[0069] The floor 126 is arranged to rest above an upper face of the base 1 12 when in a first position, as shown in Figures 14 and 15. The floor 126 has a side length slightly smaller than the internal dimensions of the side walls 114, 116. This results in a gap of about 10mm between the floor 126 and the side walls 114, 16.

[0070] The floor 126 has a supporting means including two elongate supporting beams 128. Each supporting beam 128 extends beneath the floor 126 from one end wall 114 to the other end wall 1 4. The supporting beams 128 are aligned with the elongate channels 122, such that each supporting beam 128 extends between an elongate channel 122 in a panel 1 18 of a first end wall 114 and a corresponding elongate channel 122 in the panel 118 of the other end wall 114.

[0071] The container 1 10 includes a driving means 140. The driving means includes a main shaft 142, which is located within the base 112 and extends from one end wall 1 14 to the other end wall 114. The main shaft 142 has driving toothed wheels 143 located at either end thereof.

[0072] Within each panel 1 18 is a driven toothed wheel 145, arranged to mesh with a driving toothed wheel 143 on the main shaft 142. Each driven toothed wheel 145 has a winding drum 144 located centrally of the driven toothed wheel 145, the winding drums 144 each having a horizontal axis. Two lifting cables 154 extend from each winding drum 144 to the top of the panel 1 18, pass over upper guide pulleys 156, and then pass downwards aligned with elongate channels 122, and couple to the supporting beams 128.

[0073] The arrangement is such that toothed wheels 143, 145 act as a gearing for the main shaft 142. When the main shaft 142 is driven by a motor 172 the effective length of the lifting cables 154 increases or decreases by the action of winding or unwinding about the drums 144. A decrease in the effective length of the lifting cables 154 raises the ends of the lifting cables 154 connected to the supporting beams 128. This acts to raise the supporting beams 128 and thus the floor 126. This can be seen progressively in Figures 15 to 17.

[0074] The motor 172 is located within a transmission unit 174, which can be seen in Figure 20. The transmission unit 174 is elongate, and is arranged to mount externally to the exterior of base 1 12 between two end walls 1 14. The motor 172 has a driving wheel 174 attached to a drive shaft thereof, which is arrange to engage and drive an intermediate wheel 176 located directly above the driving wheel 174. This intermediate wheel 176 has a central shaft 178 arranged to couple to and to drive the main shaft 142 of the driving means 140.

[0075] The driving means 140 moves between a driving configuration, in which the main shaft 142 is being driven and the floor 126 is moving, and a holding configuration in which the main shaft 142 and the floor 126 are stationary. The container includes a switch which selectively moves the driving means 140 between these two configurations, with the switch operating in the same manner as the switch 60 of the container 10.

[0076] Power to the driving means 140 is provided by battery packs (not shown), which can be received within slots on the underside of the base 1 12. In this way, battery packs can be readily changed without disturbing the contents of the container 1 10.

[0077] It will be observed in both of the containers 10, 1 10 that other than their respective floors 26, 126 the only moving components to which the container contents are exposed are the lifting cables 54, 154 located within elongate slots 22 or channels 122 respectively. In this way contamination is substantially prevented from passing between the container contents and the driving means 40, 140. Container walls 14, 16, 114, 1 16 can be cleaned in the usual fashion. Floors 26, 126 can be simply lifted from their container 10, 110 for cleaning if required.

[0078] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. For instance, although the containers 10, 110 shown in the drawings are relatively thin-walled, it will be appreciated that the walls could be insulated without departing from the scope of the invention.