This invention relates to containers. This invention also relates to dividers. Aspects of the invention may relate to container arrangements comprising containers incorporating dividers.

Containers are often transported in factories on rollers. These can cause noise as the containers pass over the rollers. In addition, the containers have to be able to withstand shocks as they are moved about the factory or other locations.

According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a base for a container, the base comprising a first base member and a second base member, and a spacing arrangement between the first and second base members.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a container comprising a base and upstanding side walls extending from the base to define a load receiving space, wherein the base comprises a first base member and a second base member, and a spacing arrangement between the first and second base members.

The spacing arrangement may comprise a plurality of spacers between the first and second base members.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a container comprising a base and upstanding side walls extending from the base to define a load receiving space, wherein the base comprises a first base member and a second base member, and a plurality of spacers between the first and second base members.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a container comprising a base, upstanding side walls to define a load receiving space, and corner arrangements between adjacent side walls, wherein each corner arrangement extends outwardly from the adjacent side walls to provide a protruding region adjacent each side wall, and to define a concave region communicating with the load receiving space. The first base member may be an upper base member. The second base member may be a lower base member. The side walls may extend from the upper base member.

The first base member may be a first substantially flat base member. The second base member may be a second substantially flat base member.

The base may be formed as a one piece unit. The upper surface of the upper base member may be smooth. The inner surface of each side wall may be smooth.

The base may have an edge. Each of the first and second base members may have an edge. The base may have a plurality of edges. Each of the first and second base members may have a plurality of edges.

The spacing arrangement may comprise a plurality of first and second ribs between the first and second base members. The first and second ribs may extend diagonally relative to the edges. The first and second ribs may extend diagonally relative to the side walls. The spacers may comprise the first and second ribs.

The ribs may comprise a plurality of first ribs and a plurality of second ribs. The first ribs may extend transverse to the second ribs. If desired, the first ribs may extend substantially perpendicular to the second ribs.

The first ribs may extend substantially parallel to each other. The second ribs may extend substantially parallel to each other.

The lower base member may have opposite first corner regions. The first ribs may extend inwardly from said opposite first corner regions of the base. The plurality of first ribs may comprise two opposite outer first ribs.

The spacing arrangement may comprise two sets of the first ribs. Each set of first ribs may extend from a respective one of the first corner regions. Each set of first ribs may extend to a central region of the base. Each set of first ribs may comprise two opposite outer first ribs. The first ribs in each set of first ribs may extend substantially parallel to the other first ribs in the respective set of first ribs.

The lower base member may have opposite second corner regions. The second ribs may extend inwardly from said opposite second corner regions of the lower base member. The spacing arrangement may comprise two sets of the second ribs. Each set of second ribs may extend from a respective one of the second corner regions.

The second ribs in each set of second ribs may extend substantially parallel to the other second ribs in the respective set of second ribs. The second ribs may extend to the outer first ribs.

A transverse third rib may extend across the first ribs. The third rib may extend from at least one of the second ribs. The third rib may extend from one of the second ribs in each of the two sets of second ribs.

The third rib may extend between the two sets of first ribs. Each of the first ribs of the two sets of first ribs may extend to the third rib.

The lower base member may have a central region. The lower base member may define a plurality of through holes. The through holes may be arranged in the central region of the lower base member. The central region may be substantially rectangular.

The lower base member may have upper and lower surfaces. The central region may provide a raised region in the upper surface of the lower base member.

The central region may provide a recessed region in the lower surface of the lower base member. In the embodiment described herein, the central region adds strength to the lower base member.

Each corner arrangement may comprise an upper protruding portion. Each corner arrangement may comprise a lower protruding portion. Each corner arrangement may comprise a central portion defining the concave region. The central region of each corner arrangement may be provided between the upper and lower protruding portions. The upper and lower protruding portions and the central portion may provide the concave region adjacent the load receiving space.

The upper protruding portion may extend outwardly from the side walls further than the central portion. The lower protruding portion may protrude outwardly from the side walls further than the central portion.

The central portion may have a substantially C-shaped end profile. The upper protruding portion may have a substantially V-shaped end profile. The lower protruding portion may have a substantially V-shaped profile.

Each corner arrangement may comprise a plurality of panel regions. Each corner arrangement may comprise two opposite outer panel regions and an inner panel region extending between the outer panel regions. The inner panel region may be substantially flat. Each of the outer panel regions may be substantially flat.

Each corner arrangement may comprise side panel regions extending between the outer panel regions and the side wall. The outer panel regions may be arranged between the side panel regions and the inner panel regions. Each of the side panel regions may be substantially flat.

The upper and lower protruding portions of each corner arrangement may have opposite relatively wide outer panel regions, and relatively narrow inner panel regions.

The central portion of each corner arrangement may have relatively narrow outer panel regions, and a relatively wide inner panel region.

Each lower protruding portion may have a lower face. The lower face may be inclined upwardly relative to the base. The lower face may be inclined at an angle of between 30° and 60°, desirably substantially 45°, relative to the base. The lower face of each lower protruding portion may extend from the upper base member. The lower face of each lower protruding portion may define an aperture. Water may drain through the aperture. The apertures may increase the flexibility in the corner arrangements.

Each side wall may be offset inwardly relative to the edge of the base. The side walls may be offset inwardly relative to the edges of the base. The corner arrangements may extend from the side walls to the edge of the base. A ledge region of the upper base member may be provided adjacent each side wall.

The side walls may have cooperating formations to cooperate with corresponding formations on a lid. The cooperating formations may be openings defined in the side walls.

The openings may be defined in the upper edge of the respective side walls. A slot may extend from the opening across each area. The slots may extend across the inner face of the side walls.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a divider for a container, the divider comprising a main member and a detent on the main member, the detent being receivable by a support to secure the divider to the support.

The support may be a wall of a container, or a further divider.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a container arrangement comprising a container defining a load receiving space, and a divider as described above held within the space.

The detent may comprise a resilient portion on the main member. The detent may further include a protrusion on the resilient portion. The protrusion may be receivable by the support to secure the divider to the support.

The container may comprise a base and a plurality of walls defining the load receiving space. At least one of the walls may have a receiving formation, such as an indent or hole to receive the detent of the divider. The resilient portion may comprise a leaf spring.

The container may be the container described above. Alternatively, the container may be any other suitable container.

The main member may be substantially flat. The main member may have a rim region. The detent may be provided on the rim region.

The main member may have a plurality of edge faces. The rim region may provide the edge faces. The rim region may comprise a laterally outwardly extending flange extending around the main member.

The detent may be provided on at least one of the edge faces. The divider may comprise two of the detents. A respective one of the detents may be provided on each of two opposite edge faces.

The resilient portion may extend from the main member to the protrusion. The detent may comprise a release portion.

The release portion may extend from the resilient member. The release portion may have a free end. The release portion may be substantially L-shaped.

The release portion may comprise a tab and a connecting portion. The connecting portion may connect the tab to the resilient portion. The tab may have a free end. The tab may extend transverse to the connecting portion.

The resilient portion may extend from one of the edge faces of the main member. The resilient portion may be attached to the edge face. The resilient portion may extend from the flange. For example, the resilient portion may be integrally attached to the edge face.

The resilient portion may be aligned with the edge face. The release portion may extend transverse to the resilient portion. The detent may be movable between a locking position and a release position. The main member may define a recessed region into which the detent can move to release the detent from the support.

The recessed region may be an upper region of the main member. The recessed region may be a corner region of the main member.

The recessed region may be a shoulder provided at the corner region of the main member. The corner region may be an upper corner region of the main member.

The divider or a further divider may have a fastening formation. The divider or the further divider may be a branch divider. The fastening formation may comprise a fastener, such as a projection receivable in a cavity, or a cavity in which a projection is received. The fastener could be any other suitable type of fastener.

The fastening formation may fasten the divider to a support. The support may be a further divider, or the container. The divider may include a cooperating formation. The cooperating formation may cooperate with a fastening formation of a further divider.

The fastening formation may be a T-shaped member. The T-shaped member may have a T-shaped end profile.

The T-shaped member may comprise a wide portion and a narrow portion. The narrow portion may connect the wide portion to the edge face. The narrow portion may extend from a central region of the wide portion.

The fastening formation may be provided on a second edge face of the main member. The second edge face may be opposite the edge face on which the detent is provided. The aforementioned divider may include a cooperating formation. Optionally, the aforementioned divider may have plurality of the cooperating formations. The aforementioned divider may be a central divider.

At least some of the cooperating formations may be arranged opposite each other. At least some of the cooperating formations may be arranged side by side.

The, or each, cooperating formation may be a cavity. The, or each, cavity may receive a T-shaped member of a further divider. The, or each, cavity may receive the wide portion of the T-shaped member.

The, or each, cooperating formation may comprise a retaining member extending across the cavity. The, or each, retaining member may define a slot. In use, the, or each, slot may receive therethrough narrow portion of the other divider.

At least one embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of a container;

Figure 2 is a perspective view from below of the container;

Figure 3 is a perspective view from one side and end of the container;

Figure 4 is a close up view of upper and central regions of the container, showing two corner arrangements;

Figure 5 is a view of central and lower regions of the container, showing two corner arrangements;

Figure 6 is a view of a lower region of the container, showing two corner arrangements;

Figure 7 is a sectional view from above of the base of the container; Figure 8 is a front perspective view of a divider;

Figure 9 is a close up of a region of the divider, in which a detent of the divider secures the divider to a container;

Figure 10 is a front perspective view of another divider;

Figure 11 is a side perspective view of yet another divider, showing a securing formation for securing the divider to a further divider;

Figure 12 is a close up view of the region marked XII in Figure 11 ;

Figure 13 is a view of a region of the divider shown in Figure 10;

Figure 14 is a close up view of the region marked XIV in Figure 13;

Figure 15 shows the divider depicted in Figure 11 secured to the divider shown in Figure 10; and

Figure 16 shows a top perspective view of a container in which a plurality of the dividers are arranged.

The drawings show a container 10 comprising a rectangular base 12 and four upstanding side walls 14 extending upwardly from the base 12. The side walls 14 and the base 12 define a load receiving space 16 in which one or more articles can be held. Each side wall 14 has a smooth inner surface 15.

The base 12 comprises a substantially flat upper base member 18 and a substantially flat lower base member 20. The base 12 is formed as a one piece unit. The upper surface 21 of the upper base member 18 is smooth.

The side walls 14 are attached to the upper base member 18, and extend upwardly therefrom. The provision of upper and lower base members 18, 20 in the embodiment described herein reduces the possibility that the base 12 may be damaged when the container 10 is being transported on a conveyor.

A spacing arrangement 22 is provided to space the upper and lower base members 18, 20 from each other. The spacing arrangement 22 is shown particularly in Figure 7, and comprises a plurality of parallel first ribs 24 extending perpendicular to a plurality of parallel second ribs 26. The first ribs 24 extend parallel to each other. The second ribs 26 extend parallel to each other.

The first and second ribs 24, 26 extend diagonally relative to the side walls 14 and the edges of the upper and lower base members 18, 20. The first and second ribs 24, 26 extend between the upper and lower base members 18, 20.

The plurality of the first ribs 24 comprises two sets 24A, 24B of the first ribs 24. Each set 24A, 24B of the first ribs 24 extends inwardly from a respective one of the two opposite corner regions 25A of the lower base member 20.

The sets 24A, 24B of the first ribs 24 extend to a third rib 26C. The third rib 26C is an extension of a central second rib 26 in each of the sets 26A, 26B. The third rib 26C extends perpendicular to the first ribs 24. Each of the sets 24A, 24B of the first ribs 24 comprises two opposite outer first ribs 24C.

The plurality of the second ribs 26 comprises two sets 26A, 26B of the second ribs 26. Each set of the second ribs 26 extends inwardly from a respective one of the other two opposite corner regions 25B of the lower base member 20.

The second ribs 26 extend to the outer first ribs 24C. The first and second ribs 24, 26 have the effect, in the embodiment described herein, of reducing noise as the container 10 is transported by a roller conveyor. The lower base member 20 defines a plurality of through holes 27. The through holes 27 are arranged in a substantially rectangular central region 50 of the lower base member 20.

The central region 50 provides a raised region 51 in the upper surface 53 of the lower base member 20, and a recessed region 52 in the lower surface 54 of the lower base member 20. The central region 50 adds strength to the lower base member 20.

During manufacture, the first and second ribs 24, 26 are formed by the injection of moulding material into spaces between moulding members of the moulding tool. The apertures 27 are formed by the insertion of support members into the moulding space to support the aforementioned moulding members.

The container 10 comprises corner arrangements 28 to connect adjacent side walls 14 to each other. Each corner arrangement 28 is in the form of a protruding region extending outwardly from the adjacent side walls 14. Each corner arrangement 28 defines an internal concave region 32. The concave region 32 communicates with the load receiving space 16.

In the embodiment described herein, the concave region 32 of each corner arrangement 28 provides the advantage that it improves impact performance and allows a reduction in weight compared to prior containers of similar impact performance.

Each corner arrangement 28 further comprises a central portion 30, and upper and lower protruding portions 34, 36. The central portion 30 is provided between the upper and lower protruding portions 34, 36.

As can be seen from Figures 1 to 3, the upper and lower protruding portions 34, 36 extend outwardly from the side walls 14 further than the central portion 30.

Each upper and lower protruding portions 34, 36 of each corner arrangement 28 has a relatively narrow inner panel region 28A, and relatively wide outer panel regions 28B on opposite sides of the inner panel regions 28A. The central portion 30 has a relatively wide inner panel region 28C, and relatively narrow outer panel regions 28D on opposite sides of the inner panel region 28C.

Each corner arrangement 28 has opposite side panels 28E extending along the central portion 30, and along the upper and lower protruding portions 34, 36. The outer panel regions 28D of the central portion 30 extend between the side panel regions 28E and the inner panel region 28C of the central portion 30. The outer panel regions 28B of the upper and lower protruding portions 34, 36 extend between the side panel regions 28E and the inner panel region 28A of each of the upper and lower protruding portions 34, 36.

As can be seen from the drawings, the upper and lower protruding portions 34, 36 protrude beyond the central portion 30. The central portion 30 has an angular substantially C-shaped end profile. The upper and lower portions 34, 36 have end profiles that are substantially V-shaped.

Each lower protruding portion 36 has a lower face 38 extending from the upper base member 18. The lower face 38 is inclined at an angle of substantially 45° upwardly relative to the upper base member 18, and defines an aperture 40 through which water may drain. The apertures 40 have the effect that they increase the flexibility of the corner arrangements 28.

Each side wall 14 is offset inwardly relative to the edge of the base 12, whereas the corner arrangements 28 extend from the side walls 14 to the edge of the base 12. Thus, a ledge region 29 of the upper base member 18 is provided adjacent each side wall 14.

The provision of the corner arrangements 28 as described above provide the advantage in the embodiment described herein that the corner arrangements 28 act as shock absorbers in the event of an impact on the container 10, for example by the container 10 being dropped or an article, such as another container 10, being dropped thereon. It is believed that the corner arrangements 28 add resiliency to the container, thereby reducing the risk of damage. Referring to Figure 1, the side walls 14 have cooperating formations 42 at their upper edges 44 to cooperate with corresponding formations on a lid. The cooperating formations 42 comprise openings 46 defined in the top edge 44 of each side wall 14. A respective slot 48 extends downwardly from each opening 46 across the inner face 15 of the respective side wall 14.

There is thus described a container, in which, in the embodiment described herein, the provision of diagonally extending ribs between upper and lower base members 18, 20 provide the advantage that there is a reduction in the noise created when the containers are moved by conveyors, particularly roller conveyors.

There can also be a reduction in the damage to automation equipment as a result of the lack of exposed edges on the base. The reduction in such damage will have the effect that the time during which the equipment is inoperative will also be reduced thereby minimising any loss of profit.

Figures 8 to 16 show three different dividers 102 for a container 110. The three different dividers are: a first central divider, shown in Figure 8, and generally designated 102A in that Figure; a second central divider, shown in Figures 10 and 13 to 15, and generally designated 102B in those Figures; and a branch divider, shown in Figures 11, 12, 15 and 16, and generally designated 102C in those Figures.

The container 110 may be the container 10 shown in Figures 1 to 7 above. Alternatively, the container 110 may be any other suitable rectangular container. The container 110 has a base and a plurality of side walls 111 extending upwardly from the base to define a load receiving space.

Each of the dividers 102 comprises a substantially flat main member 112. A rim 114 extends around the main member 112, the rim 114 comprising a plurality of edge faces 116. Each edge face 116 is provided by a flange 118 (see Figures 10 to 13) extending laterally outwardly and inwardly from the main member 112. The rim 114 comprises two opposite vertical edge faces 116A. Each of the vertical edge faces 116A is provided with a respective detent 120 at an upper region 122 of the respective vertical edge face 116A.

Referring to Figure 9, the upper region 122 of each vertical edge face 116A defines a recessed region 124. A shoulder 126 is provided at each of the recessed regions 124. The detent 120 extends from the shoulder 126.

Each detent 120 comprises a resilient portion 128 extending upwardly from the shoulder 126 in alignment with the flange 118 forming the vertical edge face 116A. The resilient portion 128 is in the form of a leaf spring.

A protrusion 130 extends outwardly from the resilient portion 128. The protrusion 130 is received in a receiving formation in the form of a hole 132 in one of the side walls 111 of the container 110 to secure the divider 102 to the wall 111 of the container 110.

Alternatively to the hole 132, the receiving formation could be any other suitable receiving formation, such as a concavity in the side wall 111.

The detent 120 is movable between a locking position and a release position. In the locking position, the protrusion 130 is received in the hole 132.

In the release position, the protrusion 130 is released from the hole 132 to allow the divider 102 to be removed from the container 110. In the release position, the detent 120 is received in the recessed region 124.

Each detent 120 includes a release portion 134 extending from the resilient portion 128. The release portion 134 is substantially L-shaped, comprising a tab 136 and a connecting portion 138 connecting the tab 136 to the resilient portion 128. One end of the tab 136 has a free end.

The release portion 134 is provided to allow a user to move the detent 120 to the release position. The release portion 134 can be moved into the recessed region 124 by the user pressing the tab 136, thereby moving the protrusion 130 out of the hole 132 to allow the divider 102 to be removed.

In use, as the divider 102 is slid into position in the load receiving space of the container 110, the side wall 111 engages the protrusion 130 and pushes the detent 120 into the recessed region 124.

When the divider 102 is fully received in the container 110, the protrusion 130 is aligned with the hole 132 in the side wall 111 , and the resilience of the resilient portion 128 urges the protrusion 130 into the hole 132, thereby securing the divider 102 in position.

Each of the dividers 102 shown in Figures 8 and 10 possesses two of the detents 120; a respective one of the detents 120 is provided on each of the opposite vertical edge faces 116A.

The protrusions 130 of both of the detents 120 are urged into respective holes 132 in the opposite side walls 111 of the container 110. This secures the divider 102 in the container 110 at both of the opposite vertical edge faces 116A.

The first and second central dividers 102A and 102B are intended to be arranged in the container 110 in a position in which the first and second central dividers 102A and 102B extends between opposite walls 111.

In the case of the first central divider 102A shown in Figure 8, the first central divider 102A is secured to, and extends between, the longer side walls 111.

In the case of the second central divider 102B shown in Figure 10, the second central divider 102B is secured to, and extends between, the shorter side walls 111.

The branch divider 102C shown in Figure 11 is intended to be positioned between one of the side walls 111 and the central divider 102B. Only one of the edge faces 116 of the branch divider 102C shown in Figure 11 has a detent 120. The branch divider 102C is secured to the side wall 111 by the single detent 120 in a manner that would be understood by the skilled person on reading the description above.

Referring to Figure 12, the opposite vertical edge face 116A is provided with a fastening formation in the form of a T-shaped member 140.

The T-shaped member 140 holds the branch divider 102C on the first or second central divider 102A or 102B. The T-shaped member 140 of the branch divider 102C has a T-shaped end profile.

The T-shaped member 140 comprises a wide portion 150 and a narrow portion 152. The narrow portion 152 extends from a central region of the wide portion 150 to connect the wide portion 150 to the vertical edge face 116A.

Referring to Figure 14, the central divider 102B includes a plurality of cooperating formations 142 to receive the T-shaped members 140 of a plurality of branch dividers 102C. This allows the user to include any suitable number of branch dividers 102C in the container 110.

Each cooperating formation 142 is a cavity 144 defined in the central divider 102. A retaining formation 146 defining a slot 148 extends across the cavity 144.

In use, the T-shaped member 140 is received in the cavity 144, and the narrow portion 152 of the T-shaped member 140 extends through the slot 148.

In order to install the branch divider 10C2, the branch divider 102C is aligned with the hole 132 in the side wall 111 of the container 110, and the T-shaped member 140 aligned with the cavity 144.

The user then slides the branch divider 102C between the side wall 111 of the container 110 and the central divider 102. As the detent 120 moves into its locking position, the wide portion 150 of the T-shaped member 140 is received in the cavity 144. Each of the central and the branch dividers 102A, 102B, 102C is provided with feet 154 projecting from the lower edge face 116. The feet 154 are received in holes (not shown) defined in the base of the container 110.

In the embodiment described herein, the dividers 102 provide the advantage of allowing the container 10 to be easily reconfigured in use.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.