Technical Field

The present invention relates to shopping delivery crates for use in transportation of goods.

Background

It is common for large retailers such as supermarkets to provide delivery services for customers. As part of the delivery service, customers can order goods from the supermarkets to be delivered within a predetermined time period. These services provide a convenient means of shopping which can be particularly helpful, for example, for elderly customers and those with reduced mobility.

At present, delivery services use receptacles such as shopping delivery crates (typically bale arm crates) for transporting the goods from supermarkets to customers. The crates are typically stackable to save space and reduce the likelihood of the goods being disturbed or damaged whilst in transit. Specifically, supermarket goods specified in customer orders are loaded at the supermarket into the crates, and then the crates are loaded onto delivery vehicles. Delivery drivers then drive the delivery vehicles to the locations specified by the customers.

When delivery drivers arrive at a location specified by a customer (for example a dwelling or a commercial property), crates relevant to that customer are unloaded. The unloading is typically performed, item by item, by the customer. This process is often very time consuming, in particular with elderly, or less mobile, customers. Moreover, it is difficult to predict the length of time that it will take to unload items from such crates due to the variable unloading speed of customers and range of items to be unloaded.

Such lengthy unloading times require delivery drivers to remain at the customer’s location for substantial time periods thereby preventing the drivers from quickly transitioning from delivery to delivery. This limits the number of deliveries that are possible per delivery round. Further, the inconsistent unloading times, resulting from the varying capabilities of customers and varying quantities of items to be unloaded, introduce uncertainty into delivery schedules for supermarkets. As such, wide time margins must be built into the supermarket delivery plans to accommodate the uncertainty. This further reduces the number of deliveries that can be made per delivery round. Limiting the number of deliveries that can be made per delivery round, as described above, incurs greater costs (for example, driver wages, fuel, and vehicle maintenance costs) and increases carbon emissions by requiring that subsequent delivery rounds are undertaken.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a shopping delivery crate comprising at least one retractable floor panel movable between a first position and a second position, configured within the shopping delivery crate such that: in the first position, the at least one retractable floor panel provides the floor of the shopping delivery crate for supporting shopping contents placed in the shopping delivery crate, and when moved from the first position to the second position, the retractable floor panel reveals an opening through which shopping contents of the shopping delivery crate can be deposited on a surface on which the shopping delivery crate is set down.

Optionally the at least one retractable floor panel is slidable from the first position to the second position.

Optionally, the shopping delivery crate further comprises: a first runner comprising a first groove, said first runner positioned along a first edge of the base of the crate; and, a second runner comprising a second groove, said second runner positioned along a second edge of the base of the crate, said second edge of the base of the crate opposite the first edge of the base of the crate; wherein, a first edge of one of the at least one retractable floor panels is movably located within the first groove and a second edge of the at least one retractable floor panel is movably located within the second groove, such that the first groove and the second groove together prescribe a movement path along which the at least one retractable floor panel can slide between the first position and the second position.

Optionally, the shopping delivery crate further comprises: lateral protrusions at an end of the at least one retractable floor panel; and, end stops located at each end of the first and second runners; wherein, the lateral protrusions are configured to slide within the first and second grooves until the lateral protrusions engage with the end stops thereby terminating the movement path, of the at least one retractable panel, at the ends of each runner.

Optionally, the first runner and the second runner extend past a peripheral wall of the shopping delivery crate, such that, when in the second position, the lateral protrusions engage with the end stops to form a pivotable connection such that the at least one retractable floor panel is pivotable between the second position and a third position wherein the at least one retractable floor panel can be stowed adjacent the peripheral wall of the shopping delivery crate. Optionally, the shopping delivery crate further comprises a latch system configured to releasably secure the at least one retractable floor panel in the first position.

Optionally, the latch system is operable by hand.

Optionally, the at least one retractable floor panel comprises a handle, said handle configured to provide a point at which the at least one retractable floor panel can be grasped by a user to move the at least one retractable floor panel between the first and second positions.

Optionally, the handle forms part of the latch system.

Optionally, the at least one retractable floor panel is provided by a single floor panel.

Optionally, the at least one retractable floor panel is provided by a first floor panel and a second floor panel.

Optionally, the shopping delivery crate is a bale arm crate.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a shopping delivery crate according to any previous claim, said method comprising: removing the base of an existing shopping crate; installing at least one retractable floor panel; wherein the at least one retractable floor panel is movable between a first position and a second position, configured within the shopping delivery crate such that: in the first position, the at least one retractable floor panel provides the floor of the shopping delivery crate for supporting shopping contents placed in the shopping delivery crate, and when moved from the first position to the second position, the retractable floor panel reveals an opening through which shopping contents of the shopping delivery crate are deposited on a surface on which the shopping delivery crate is set down.

Optionally, the step of installing the at least one retractable floor panel comprises: installing a first runner comprising a first groove, said first runner positioned along a first edge of the base of the crate; and, installing a second runner comprising a second groove, said second runner positioned along a second edge of the base of the crate, said second edge of the base of the crate opposite the first edge of the base of the crate; wherein, a first edge of one of the at least one retractable floor panels is movably located within the first groove and a second edge of the at least one retractable floor panels is movably located within the second groove such that the first groove and the second groove together prescribe a movement path along which the at least one retractable floor panel can slide between the first position and the second position.

Optionally, the at least one retractable floor panel comprises lateral protrusions at an end of the at least one retractable floor panel, said lateral protrusions increasing the effective width of the at least one retractable floor panel at that end; and, the first and second runners comprise end stops located at each end of the first and second runners; wherein, the lateral protrusions are configured to slide within the first and second grooves until the lateral protrusions engage with the end stops thereby terminating the movement path, of the at least one retractable panel, at the ends of each runner.

Optionally, the existing shopping crate is provided by a bale arm crate.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention there is provided a shopping delivery crate comprising a retractable floor arrangement through which the contents of the shopping delivery crate (such as shopping contents) can be deposited on a surface on which the shopping delivery crate is set down. By virtue of unloading items from the shopping delivery crate in this way, the unloading process is substantially faster than unloading items individually as is required with conventional crates.

Further, irrespective of the number of items contained within the shopping delivery crate, retracting the retractable floor arrangement requires a substantially consistent amount of time. Therefore, the unloading process associated with the shopping delivery crate is both, faster and more consistent than the unloading process associated with a conventional crate.

As such, by virtue of providing the shopping delivery crate comprising a retractable floor arrangement, a greater number of deliveries can be made per delivery round. This is due to the reduced time required to unload the shopping delivery crate coupled with narrower time margins built in to the delivery schedule to correspond with more consistent unloading of the shopping delivery crate. As a result of enabling a greater number of deliveries to be made per delivery round, both, costs to the supermarket and carbon emissions associated with the delivery process are reduced.

That is, by virtue of providing the shopping delivery crate comprising a retractable floor arrangement, unloading times are reduced and logistics efficiency is increased with more time control and ultimately cost savings. Various further features and aspects of the invention are defined in the claims.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the meaning commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which this invention belongs.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings where like parts are provided with corresponding reference numerals and in which:

Figure 1 provides a simplified schematic diagram of a conventional shopping delivery crate;

Figure 2 provides a simplified schematic diagram of a shopping delivery crate arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention;

Figure 3a provides a simplified schematic diagram of the first runner and the second runner of the shopping delivery crate shown in Figure 2;

Figure 3b provides a simplified schematic diagram of the retractable floor panel of the shopping delivery crate shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 provides a simplified schematic diagram of a cross-section of the shopping delivery crate shown in Figure 2;

Figure 5a provides a simplified schematic diagram of the retractable floor arrangement of the shopping delivery crate shown in Figure 2 when the retractable floor panel is in a first position;

Figure 5b provides a simplified schematic diagram of the retractable floor arrangement of the shopping delivery crate shown in Figure 2 when the retractable floor panel is in a second position;

Figure 5c provides a simplified schematic diagram of the retractable floor arrangement of the shopping delivery crate shown in Figure 2 when the retractable floor panel is in a third position;

Figure 6a provides a simplified schematic diagram of the shopping delivery crate shown in Figure 2 when the retractable floor panel is in the second position;

Figure 6b provides a simplified schematic diagram of the shopping delivery crate shown in Figure 2 when the retractable floor panel is in the third position;

Figure 7a provides a simplified schematic diagram of a retractable floor arrangement comprising two retractable floor panels when the retractable floor panels are in a first position; Figure 7b provides a simplified schematic diagram of the retractable floor arrangement shown in Figure 7a when the retractable floor panels are in a second position;

Figure 7c provides a simplified schematic diagram of the retractable floor arrangement shown in Figure 7a when the retractable floor panels are in a third position;

Figure 8a provides a simplified schematic diagram of a shopping delivery crate arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention comprising the retractable floor arrangement shown in Figure 7a;

Figure 8b provides a simplified schematic diagram of a shopping delivery crate arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention comprising the retractable floor arrangement shown in Figure 7c;

Figures 9a to 9d depict the sequence of unloading a shopping delivery crate arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention;

Figure 10a provides a simplified schematic diagram of a shopping delivery crate arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention with a first latch and handle arrangement fixed thereto when the first latch and handle arrangement is in a closed position;

Figure 10b provides a simplified schematic diagram of the shopping delivery crate shown in Figure 10a when the first latch and handle arrangement is in an open position;

Figure 11a provides a simplified schematic diagram of the shopping delivery crate shown in Figure 10a with a second latch and handle arrangement fixed thereto (in place of the first latch and handle arrangement) when the second latch and handle arrangement is in an open position, and

Figure 11 b provides a simplified schematic diagram of the shopping delivery crate shown in Figure 11a when the second latch and handle arrangement is in a closed position. Detailed

Prior art

Figure 1 provides a simplified schematic diagram of a conventional bale arm crate 101 for use as a receptacle for transporting goods from supermarkets to the homes of customers.

The bale arm crate 101 comprises a base portion 102, a body portion 103, a first handle 104a, a second handle 104b, a first bale arm 105a, and a second bale arm 105b.

The body portion 103 comprises a first wall 103a, a second wall 103b, a third wall 103c, and a fourth wall 103d.

Prior to delivery, the bale arm crate 101 is loaded with goods items, the goods items are contained by walls 103a 103b 103c 103d of the body portion 103 and supported by the base portion 102.

Once loaded with goods items, the bale arm crate 101 is loaded onto a delivery vehicle for delivery. On arrival at the delivery location the bale arm crate 101 is set down on a suitable surface adjacent to a surface on which to unload the items from the bale arm crate 101 ; then, the items from the bale arm crate 101 are unloaded individually. Typically, such unloading is performed by the customer.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention a modified shopping delivery crate is provided that includes a specially adapted retractable floor. Retracting the retractable floor allows the contents of the shopping delivery crate (such as shopping contents) to be deposited on a surface on which the shopping delivery crate is set down. Unloading items from the modified shopping delivery crate is substantially faster than unloading items individually as is required with conventional crates such as bale arm crate 101.

Figures 2 to 6 show a shopping delivery crate 201 and certain components thereof arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention. crate

Figure 2 provides a simplified schematic diagram of a shopping delivery crate 201 in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention. The shopping delivery crate 201 comprises a crate body 204 and a retractable floor arrangement 202 fixed thereto.

The crate body 204 comprises a first wall 204a, a second wall 204b, a third wall 204c, a fourth wall 204d, a first handle 207a, second handle 207b, a first bale arm 208a, a second bale arm 208b, and first latch part 206a.

The retractable floor arrangement 202 comprises, a retractable floor panel 203, a first runner 205a, a second runner 205b, a second latch part 206b and a handle 214.

The first runner 205a is positioned along the bottom edge of the first wall 204a and the second runner 205b is positioned along the bottom edge of the second wall 204b such that the first runner 205a and the second runner 205b are substantially parallel with each other. The retractable floor panel 203 is configured to movably engage with the runners 205a and 205b to provide a retractable base for the shopping delivery crate 201 (described in more detail with reference to Figures 3 to 5).

It will be understood that the shopping delivery crate 201 substantially corresponds to the conventional bale arm crate 101 described with reference to Figure 1 with the exception that, in place of the base portion 102 of the bale arm crate 101 , the shopping delivery crate 201 comprises the retractable floor arrangement 202. As such, similarly to the bale arm crate 101 , the shopping delivery crate 201 can be loaded with goods items, the goods items (such as shopping contents) contained by the walls 204a 204b 204c 204d and supported by the retractable floor panel 203. However, the retractable floor arrangement 202 is configured such that the retractable floor panel 203 is movable (in particular, retractable) to provide an opening through which the contents of the shopping delivery crate 201 can be released. Therefore, the retractable floor arrangement 202 can be configured such that, when in transit, the retractable floor panel 203 provides support for the contents of the shopping delivery crate 201 , but when unloading is required, the retractable floor panel 203 is retracted thereby depositing the contents of the shopping delivery crate 201 on the surface on which the shopping delivery crate 201 is located.

Advantageously, unloading items from the shopping delivery crate 201 by virtue of retracting the retractable floor panel 203, as described above, is substantially faster than unloading items individually as is required with conventional crates such as the bale arm crate 101. The first latch part 206a and the second latch part 206b are configured such that they can be releasably secured to each other thereby forming a latch system 206. As such, the retractable floor panel 203 can be releasably fixed to the wall 204d of the crate body 204 thereby preventing retraction of the retractable floor panel 203 (whilst fixed to the wall 204d). In this way, the latch system 206 can be configured to prevent unintentional retraction of the retractable floor panel 203 (for example, whilst the shopping delivery crate 201 is in transit).

Advantageously, by virtue of the latch system 206 as described above, risk of accidental release of the contents of the shopping delivery crate 201 is minimised.

It will be understood that any suitable latch arrangement can be used provided it can prevent unintentional retraction of the retractable floor panel in normal use (for example, whilst the shopping delivery crate 201 is in transit). Preferably, the latch arrangement will be operable by hand.

Figure 3a provides a simplified schematic diagram of the first runner 205a and the second runner 205b of the shopping delivery crate 201 and Figure 3b provides a simplified schematic diagram of the retractable floor panel 203 of the shopping delivery crate 201.

The runner 205a comprises a first groove 210a, the first groove 210a running substantially along the length of the first runner 205a. The first groove 210a terminates at end stops 211a and 211 b located at opposing ends of the first runner 205a. The first runner 205a further comprises a first cut-out 212a. The second runner 205b substantially corresponds to the first runner 205a and comprises a second groove 210b running substantially along the length of the second runner 205b. The second groove 210b terminates at end stops 211c and 211d located at opposing ends of the second runner 205b. The second runner 205b further comprises a second cut-out 212b.

The retractable floor panel 203 comprises a first lateral protrusion 209a, a second lateral protrusion 209b, a first edge 213a, a second edge 213b, a third edge 213c, and a fourth edge 213d. The first lateral protrusion 209a and the second lateral protrusion 209b are located at opposing ends of edge 213c thereby increasing the effective width of edge 213c.

Figure 4 provides a simplified schematic diagram of a cross-section of the shopping delivery crate 201 . As can be seen in Figure 4, both the first edge 213a and the first lateral protrusion 209a of the retractable floor panel 203 are located within the first groove 210a of the first runner 205a and, correspondingly, both the second edge 213b and the second lateral protrusion 209b (not visible in Figure 4) of the retractable floor panel 203 are located within the second groove 210b of the second runner 205b. The first edge 213a and first lateral protrusion 209a are movable via a sliding action along the first groove 210a and, correspondingly, the second edge 213b and second lateral protrusion 209b are movable via a sliding action along the second groove 210b.

Operation of the shopping delivery crate

Figure 5a provides a simplified schematic diagram of the retractable floor arrangement 202 of the shopping delivery crate 201 when the retractable floor panel 203 is in a first position. Figure 5b provides a simplified schematic diagram of the retractable floor arrangement 202 of the shopping delivery crate 201 when the retractable floor panel 203 is in a second position. Figure 5c provides a simplified schematic diagram of the retractable floor arrangement 202 of the shopping delivery crate 201 when the retractable floor panel 203 is in a third position.

The retractable floor panel 203 is movable between the first, second, and third positions shown in Figures 5a to 5c, as described below.

As can be seen in Figures 5a and 5b, the retractable floor panel 203 is slidable along axis ‘A’ in the '+’ and directions between a retracted position (shown in Figure 5a) and an extended position (shown in Figure 5b). The movement path (along axis ‘A’) is prescribed by virtue of the slidable connection between, both, the first edge 213a and the first groove 210a and the second edge 213b and the second groove 210b.

The first end stop 211a and the third end stop 211c are configured to block the ends of the first and second grooves 210a and 210b to which they are adjacent thereby preventing movement of the retractable floor panel 203 in the negative ‘A’ direction beyond the retracted position shown in Figure 5a. In this way, the retractable floor panel 203 is slidable from the extended position, along the ‘A’ axis in the negative direction, until the retractable floor panel 203 reaches the retracted position where the first lateral protrusion 209a, the second lateral protrusion 209b, and portions of the ends of the third edge 213c immediately adjacent the first and second lateral protrusions 209a and 209b, engage with the end stops 211a and 211c such that the retractable floor panel 203 is prevented from moving any further in the negative direction along the ‘A’ axis. The first cut out 212a and the second cut out 212b reduce the width of end stops 211a and 211d, respectively, such that the end stops 211b and 211d are spaced apart far enough to allow the first edge 213a and second edge 213b of the retractable floor panel 203 to slide unimpeded between the end stops 211b and 211d but close enough to prevent the first lateral protrusion 209a and the second lateral protrusion 209b from doing the same. That is, the second end stop 211b and the fourth end stop 211d are configured to prevent movement of the first lateral protrusion 209a and the second lateral protrusion 209b in the positive direction along the ‘A’ axis beyond the extended position shown in Figure 5b. As such, the retractable floor panel 203 is slidable from the retracted position, along the ‘A’ axis in the positive direction, until the retractable floor panel 203 reaches the extended position where the first lateral protrusion 209a and the second lateral protrusion 209b engage with the end stops 211 b and 211d such that the retractable floor panel 203 is prevented from moving any further in the positive direction along the ‘A’ axis.

Advantageously, by virtue of the end stop system described above, risk of accidentally separating the retractable floor panel 203 from the shopping delivery crate 201 is minimised.

As can be seen in Figure 5c, the retractable floor panel 203 is rotatable about axis B between the second position (the extended position shown in Figure 5b) and the rotated position (shown in Figure 5c) where the retractable floor panel 203 has been rotated upwards by substantially 90 degrees. That is, the first laterally extending protrusion 209a and the second laterally extending protrusion 209b, when in the second position, engage with the second end stop 211 b and the fourth end stop 211d, respectively, to form a pivotable connection about which the retractable floor panel 203 can be pivoted between the second position and the third position.

The first cut out 212a and the second cut out 212b are configured to provide sufficient space within which the retractable floor panel 203 can be rotated upwards by substantially 90 degrees.

The skilled person will understand that any suitable handle arrangement can be integrally formed with the retractable floor panel 203 or attached thereto, for example, by virtue of a pivotable connection. Such handles are configured to provide a point at which a retractable floor panel 203 can be grasped by a user to move the retractable floor panel between positions. Figure 6a provides a simplified schematic diagram of the shopping delivery crate 201 when the retractable floor panel 203 is in the second position. Figure 6b provides a simplified schematic diagram of the shopping delivery crate 201 when the retractable floor panel 203 is in the third position.

As can be seen in Figure 6a, the retractable floor panel 203 is slidable to the second position as described with reference to Figures 5a and 5b such that an opening is revealed in the shopping delivery crate 201 through which contents of the shopping delivery crate 201 (such as shopping contents) can be deposited on a surface on which the shopping delivery crate is set down.

Advantageously, irrespective of the number of items contained within the shopping delivery crate 201 , sliding the retractable floor panel 203 from the first position to the second position will require substantially the same amount of time. Therefore, the unloading process associated with the shopping delivery crate 201 is, both, faster and more consistent than the unloading process associated with a conventional crate such as the bale arm crate 101.

As can be seen in Figure 6b the first runner 205a and the second runner 205b are configured to extend past a peripheral wall (the fourth wall 204d) of the shopping delivery crate 201 such that the pivotable connection formed between the lateral protrusions 209a and 209b and the end stops 211b and 211d, respectively, extend past the fourth wall 204d. In this way, the retractable floor panel 203 is rotatable, unimpeded, between the second position and a substantially upright position such as the third position as described with reference to Figures 5b and 5c.

The retractable floor panel 203 along with the pivotable connection formed between the lateral protrusions 209a and 209b and the end stops 211b and 211d, respectively, can be configured such that the retractable floor panel 203 can be brought into contact with or immediately adjacent to the fourth wall 204d. The retractable floor panel 203 can be stowed in this position and fixed in this position, for example, by virtue of a latch system configured to fix the retractable floor panel 203 to the fourth wall 204d.

In the embodiments described above, the runners 205a and 205b are positioned along the bottom edge of the first wall 204a and the bottom edge of the second wall 204b, respectively. However, the skilled person will understand that such runners can be positioned along the bottom edge of any opposing walls of a given shopping delivery crate irrespective of length of the edges or orientation of the edges relative to the handles of the shopping delivery crate. In the embodiments described with reference to Figures 2 to 6, the retractable floor arrangement 202 comprises a single retractable floor panel 203. However, alternative embodiments of the invention can include retractable floor arrangement comprising more than one retractable floor panel. An example of a retractable floor arrangement comprising two retractable floor panels is described with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

Figure 7a provides a simplified schematic diagram of a retractable floor arrangement 302 comprising two retractable floor panels when the retractable floor panels are in a first position. Figure 7b provides a simplified schematic diagram of the retractable floor arrangement shown in Figure 7a when the retractable floor panels are in a second position. Figure 7c provides a simplified schematic diagram of the retractable floor arrangement shown in Figure 7a when the retractable floor panels are in a third position.

The retractable floor panels are movable between the first, second, and third positions shown in Figures 7a to 7c, as described below.

The retractable floor arrangement 302 comprises a first runner 304a, a second runner 304b, a first retractable floor panel 303a and a second retractable floor panel 303b.

The first runner 304a comprises a first groove 305a terminated by end stops 306a and 306b located at opposing ends of the first runner 304a. The second runner 304b comprises a second groove 305b terminated by end stops 306c and 306d located at opposing ends of the second runner 304b. The first runner 304a comprises a first cut out 307a at one end and a second cut out 307b at the opposing end. The second runner 304b comprises a third cut out 307c at one end and a fourth cut out 307d at the opposing end.

The first and second runners 304a and 304b substantially correspond with the first and second runners 205a and 205b with the exception that the runners 304a and 304b, both, comprise a cut out at each end.

The first retractable floor panel 303a comprises a first lateral protrusion 308a and a second lateral protrusion 308b. The second retractable floor panel 303b comprises a third lateral protrusion 309a and a fourth lateral protrusion 309b.

The first and second retractable floor panels 303a and 303b substantially correspond to the retractable floor panel 203 but with a reduced width dimension. As such, the lateral protrusions 308a and 308b and the edges from which they protrude laterally are located within the grooves 305a and 305b, respectively, such that the first retractable floor panel 303a is slidable along axis ‘B’ in the '+’ and directions between a retracted position (shown in Figure 7a) and an extended position (shown in Figure 7b). Correspondingly, the lateral protrusions 309a and 309b and the edges from which they protrude laterally are located within the grooves 305a and 305b, respectively, such that the second retractable floor panel 303b is slidable along axis ‘C’ in the '+’ and directions between a retracted position (shown in Figure 7a) and an extended position (shown in Figure 7b).

By virtue of the cut outs 307a and 307c, the first retractable panel 303a can slide unimpeded between the end stops 306a and 306c, but the first and second lateral protrusions 308a and 308b are prevented from doing the same. That is, the end stops 306a and 306c are configured to prevent movement of the first and second lateral protrusions 308a and 308b in the negative direction along the ‘B’ axis beyond the extended position shown in Figure 7b. As such, the first retractable floor panel 303a is slidable from the retracted position, along the ‘B’ axis in the negative direction, until the first retractable floor panel 303a reaches the extended position where the first and second lateral protrusions 308a and 308b engage with the end stops 306a and 306c such that the first retractable floor panel 303a is prevented from moving any further in the negative direction along the ‘B’ axis.

Correspondingly, by virtue of the cut outs 307b and 307d, the second retractable panel 303b can slide unimpeded between the end stops 306b and 306d, but the third and fourth lateral protrusions 309a and 309b are prevented from doing the same. That is, the end stops 306b and 306d are configured to prevent movement of the third and fourth lateral protrusions 309a and 309b in the positive direction along the ‘C’ axis beyond the extended position shown in Figure 7b. As such, the second retractable floor panel 303b is slidable from the retracted position, along the ‘C’ axis in the positive direction, until the second retractable floor panel 303b reaches the extended position where the third and fourth lateral protrusions 309a and 309b engage with the end stops 306b and 306d such that the second retractable floor panel 303b is prevented from moving any further in the positive direction along the ‘C’ axis.

The first retractable floor panel 303a and the second retractable floor panel 303b can be slid from their respective extended positions (shown in Figure 7b), along the ‘B’ and ‘C’ axes, respectively, until they engage one another in the retracted position shown in Figure 7a.

As can be seen in Figure 7c, both, the first retractable floor panel 303a and the second retractable floor panel 303b are rotatable between their respective second positions (shown in Figure 7b) and respective third positions (shown in Figure 7c) in which the first and second floor panels 303a and 303b have been rotated upwards by substantially 90 degrees relative to the second position. That is, the first and second laterally extending protrusions 308a and 308b, when in the second position, engage with the end stops 306a and 306c, respectively, to form a pivotable connection about which the first retractable floor panel 303a can be pivoted between the second position and the third position. Correspondingly, the third and fourth laterally extending protrusions 309a and 309b, when in the second position, engage with the end stops 306b and 306d, respectively, to form a pivotable connection about which the second retractable floor panel 303b can be pivoted between the second position and the third position.

The cut outs 307a and 307c are configured to provide sufficient space within which the first retractable floor panel 303a can be rotated upwards by substantially 90 degrees. Correspondingly, the cut outs 307b and 307d are configured to provide sufficient space within which the second retractable floor panel 303b can be rotated upwards by substantially 90 degrees

Figure 8a provides a simplified schematic diagram of a shopping delivery crate 301 comprising the retractable floor arrangement 302 in the first position. Figure 8b provides a simplified schematic diagram of shopping delivery crate 301 comprising the retractable floor arrangement 302 in the third position.

As can be seen from Figures 8a and 8b, the first and second retractable floor panels 303a and 303b are movable between the first position and the third position (via the second position) such that an opening is revealed in the shopping delivery crate 301 through which contents of the shopping delivery crate 301 (such as shopping contents) can be deposited on a surface on which the shopping delivery crate is set down.

As can be seen in Figure 8b the first runner 304a and the second runner 304b are configured to extend past the peripheral walls of the crate such that the first and second retractable floor panels 303a and 303b can be pivoted into the respective third positions in which they can be stowed.

For simplicity, in the embodiment shown in Figures 8a to 8b the latch system described with reference to Figure 2 has been omitted. However, the skilled person will understand that a latch system can be provided for, both, the first retractable floor panel 303a and the second retractable floor panel 303b to fix their positions relative to the shopping delivery crate 301. Further, the handle, also described with reference to Figure 2, has been omitted from the embodiment shown in Figures 8a to 8b. However, the skilled person will understand that handles can be integrally formed with the retractable floor panels or attached thereto.

Figures 9a to 9d provide a simplified schematic diagram depicting a sequence of unloading a shopping delivery crate 401 arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention.

The shopping delivery crate 401 comprises a retractable floor panel 403.

The shopping delivery crate 401 is configured in accordance with above embodiments of the invention. That is, when the retractable floor panel 403 is in the retracted position, it can be loaded with shopping contents (in this case, goods items 402) which are supported by the retractable floor panel 403 and when the retractable floor panel 403 is in the extended position the shopping contents of the shopping delivery crate 401 are deposited on the surface 404 on which the shopping delivery crate 401 is located.

As can be seen from Figure 9a, the retractable floor panel 403 is in the retracted position for supporting the goods items 402 and the shopping delivery crate 401 is set down on the surface 404.

As can be seen from Figure 9b, the retractable floor panel 403 is moved to the extended position thereby revealing an opening through which the goods items 402 are deposited on the surface 404.

As can be seen from Figures 9c and 9d, the shopping delivery crate is 401 is withdrawn from the surface 404 with the goods items 402 left on the surface. 404

In the above-described embodiments of the invention, separate latch systems and handles are provided. However, in other embodiments of the invention, the handle can form part of the latch system to provide a combined latch and handle arrangement. Examples of such latch and handle arrangements are shown in Figures 10a, 10b, 11a, and 11b.

Figure 10a provides a simplified schematic diagram of a shopping delivery crate 1001 arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention with a first latch and handle arrangement 1006 fixed thereto when the first latch and handle arrangement 1006 is in a closed position. Figure 10b provides a simplified schematic diagram of the shopping delivery crate 1001 when the first latch and handle arrangement 1006 is in an open position. The shopping delivery crate 1001 substantially corresponds with the above-described shopping delivery crates arranged in accordance with embodiments of the invention in that it comprises a main body 1008 and a retractable floor arrangement 1009. However, in contrast to the above embodiments, the shopping delivery crate 1001 has the first latch and handle arrangement 1006 fixed thereto.

The first latch and handle arrangement 1006 comprises a handle 1002 and a clip 1003.

The clip 1003 has formed therein a recess 1007, running along its length. The recess 1007 is configured to receive the handle 1002 such that it fits snugly within the recess 1007 thereby forming an interference fit as can be seen in Figure 10a.

The handle 1002 is connected to an end of a retractable floor panel 1005 by virtue of hinges 1004a and 1004b such that it can be rotated between the open position (shown in Figure 10b) and the closed position (shown in Figure 10a).

In the closed position, the handle 1002 is located in the recess 1007 as described above. The interference fit between the handle 1002 and the recess 1007 is sufficient to fix the position of the retractable floor panel 1005 relative to the main body 1008, but such that a user can prise the handle 1002 out from the recess 1007 by hand (for example, when the handle 1002 is required to retract the retractable floor panel 1005). In this way, when in the closed position, the latch and handle arrangement 1006 prevents unintentional retraction of the retractable floor panel 1005 and therefore reduces risk of accidental release of the contents of the shopping delivery crate 1001.

In the open position, the handle 1002 provides a point at which the retractable floor panel 1005 can be grasped by a user to move the retractable floor panel 1005 between positions as described with reference to above embodiments of the invention.

Figure 11a provides a simplified schematic diagram of the shopping delivery crate 1001 with a second latch and handle arrangement 1101 fixed thereto (in place of the first latch and handle arrangement 1006) when the second latch and handle arrangement 1101 is in an open position. Figure 11b provides a simplified schematic diagram of the shopping delivery crate 1001 when the second latch and handle arrangement 1101 is in a closed position. The second latch and handle arrangement 1101 comprises a handle 1103, a latch 1102 and a runner 1104.

The runner 1104 can be fixed to or integrally formed with the main body 1008.

The latch 1102 is slidably connected to the runner 1104 such that the latch 1102 can be moved between an open position (shown in Figure 11a) and a closed position (shown in Figure 11b).

In the open position, the handle 1103 provides a point at which a retractable floor panel 1005 can be grasped by a user to move the retractable floor panel 1005 between positions as described with reference to above embodiments of the invention.

In the closed position, the handle 1103 receives the latch 1102 thereby fixing the position of the retractable floor panel 1005 relative to the main body 1008. In this way, when in the closed position, the second latch and handle arrangement 1101 prevents unintentional retraction of the retractable floor panel 1005 and therefore reduces risk of accidental release of the contents of the shopping delivery crate 1001.

Shopping delivery crates in accordance with embodiments of the invention can be manufactured in any suitable way. For example, a technique for manufacturing a shopping delivery crate in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention can include: removing a base portion from an existing shopping crate such as the bale arm crate described with reference to Figure 1 ; installing a first runner along a bottom edge of a first wall of the crate; installing a second runner along a bottom edge of a second wall of the crate, the second wall opposite the first wall such that the first runner and second runner are substantially parallel with each other; and, inserting at least one retractable floor panel between the runners such that the at least one retractable floor panel is configured to be movable between a first position and a second position as described with reference to the above embodiments. Installation of the first and second runners can be performed using any suitable adhesive, bonding agent, or via mechanical fixings such as screws or rivets.

Another technique for manufacturing a shopping delivery crate in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention can include: integrally forming first and second runners with the crate body; separately forming at least one retractable floor panel; and, inserting the at least one retractable floor panel between the runners such that the at least one retractable floor panel is configured to be movable between a first position and a second position as described with reference to the above embodiments. The runners can, for example, be formed in the same mould as the crate body and the retractable floor panel (or panels) can be formed in a separate mould and subsequently integrated with the runners in the crate body.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” or “comprising” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). It will be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims.