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EP1424287A1 - Conteneur en treillis métallique, système utilisant ledit conteneur et méthode pour la production dudit conteneur - Google Patents

Conteneur en treillis métallique, système utilisant ledit conteneur et méthode pour la production dudit conteneur Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1424287A1
EP1424287A1 EP02258199A EP02258199A EP1424287A1 EP 1424287 A1 EP1424287 A1 EP 1424287A1 EP 02258199 A EP02258199 A EP 02258199A EP 02258199 A EP02258199 A EP 02258199A EP 1424287 A1 EP1424287 A1 EP 1424287A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
piece
mesh material
mesh
container
sidewalls
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP02258199A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1424287B1 (fr
Inventor
Hsi-Ming Cheng
R.Neal Post
Christopher Hardy
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Design Ideas Ltd
Original Assignee
Design Ideas Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Design Ideas Ltd filed Critical Design Ideas Ltd
Priority to ES02258199T priority Critical patent/ES2277988T3/es
Priority to DE2002617521 priority patent/DE60217521T2/de
Priority to PT02258199T priority patent/PT1424287E/pt
Priority to EP20020258199 priority patent/EP1424287B1/fr
Priority to DK02258199T priority patent/DK1424287T3/da
Publication of EP1424287A1 publication Critical patent/EP1424287A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1424287B1 publication Critical patent/EP1424287B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D7/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal
    • B65D7/12—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal characterised by wall construction or by connections between walls
    • B65D7/14—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal characterised by wall construction or by connections between walls of skeleton or like apertured construction, e.g. baskets or carriers formed of wire mesh, of interconnected bands, bars, or rods, or of perforated sheet metal
    • B65D7/16—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal characterised by wall construction or by connections between walls of skeleton or like apertured construction, e.g. baskets or carriers formed of wire mesh, of interconnected bands, bars, or rods, or of perforated sheet metal made of apertured or perforated sheet metal components
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D7/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal
    • B65D7/12—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal characterised by wall construction or by connections between walls
    • B65D7/34—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal characterised by wall construction or by connections between walls with permanent connections between walls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D7/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal
    • B65D7/42—Details of metal walls
    • B65D7/48—Local reinforcements, e.g. adjacent closures

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to containers, a system using such containers, and a method of making such containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to drawers made of mesh material.
  • United States Patent No. 645,344 to White discloses a container formed of perforated sheet metal, wire-netting or another open-work material.
  • the White container is intended to have a folded state and a flat state. This container is designed to be readily knocked down from its folded state to its flat state and to be easily constructed without tools.
  • the Elfa® container is formed of a wire grid with a plurality of separately formed wires welded together.
  • the Elfa® container includes a basket portion and a flat rail around the top edge of the basket portion.
  • the Elfa® baskets are designed for use in a frame having a plurality of pairs of runners. When the baskets are inserted in the frame, the flat rail is supported by a pair of runners and is movable between retracted and extended positions.
  • the wire grid used for the Elfa® basket has large holes measuring about 1 inch by 1 inch.
  • the Elfa® basket also has openings at its corners. If a user desires to store small objects in these baskets, a plastic liner can be used.
  • the liner has a bottom wall and upwardly bendable sidewalls, with slits between the sidewalls to allow for such bending.
  • the open corners of the basket and the slits between the sidewalls of the liner may allow small objects to fall out of the basket, which is undesirable.
  • Mesh material is typically formed by perforating or slitting a piece of sheet metal and stretching it.
  • a sheet of mesh material requires less raw sheet metal than a non-mesh piece of sheet metal and a perforated piece of sheet metal.
  • United States Patent No. 1,408,026 to Ochiltree discloses a desk tray or basket formed of "expanded metal" or mesh material. Similar to the previous containers, the Ochiltree container is formed by a single blank of flat material that is cut out and folded.
  • ROC (Taiwan) Patent Application No. 086202709 to Chih-Ming, Ko (in transliteration), filed February 21, 1997 discloses a system of containers supported by a frame.
  • the containers are formed of a single piece of mesh with a rim connected thereto. Additionally, the containers do not move with respect to the frame so that the contents of the lower container are not easily accessible.
  • a number of mesh containers are made by Design Ideas, Ltd. One of these containers is the "Mesh Storage Nest.” This container is formed using a first piece of mesh that has the ends welded together to form a loop. A second piece of mesh is welded to the lower edge of the loop so that the first piece of mesh forms sidewalls and the second piece of mesh forms a bottom wall. The seam at the bottom of the container is covered by a bottom rail. A top rail is connected to the upper edge of the container.
  • the sidewalls can be shaped to include a plurality of corners.
  • the present invention was developed with the above-noted general objects in mind.
  • the present invention is directed to a container or drawer comprising first and second pieces of mesh material.
  • the first piece of mesh forms a bottom wall and two spaced apart first and second sidewalls that extend upwardly from the bottom wall.
  • the second piece of mesh material is formed separate from the first piece of mesh material.
  • the second piece of mesh material includes third and fourth sidewalls.
  • the second piece of mesh material is joined to the first piece of mesh material to form a basket portion.
  • the basket portion may further include a runner portion that may be a rail separately formed from the basket portion.
  • the basket portion includes open corners between the sidewalls.
  • the third and fourth sidewalls include extensions for overlapping the first and second sidewalls so that closed corners are formed between the sidewalls. In such an embodiment, the corners may be curved.
  • one drawer and more preferably, a plurality of drawers are useful with a frame in a storage system.
  • Each drawer is moveable with respect to the frame between retracted and extended positions.
  • the frame may further include a pair of runners with a gap therein for slidably receiving the runner portion of each drawer.
  • the present invention is also directed to a container comprising first, second, and third pieces of mesh material.
  • the first piece of mesh forms a bottom wall and first and second spaced apart sidewalls that extend upwardly from the bottom wall.
  • the second piece of mesh material is formed separate from the first piece of mesh material.
  • the third piece of mesh material is formed separate from the first and second pieces of mesh material.
  • the second and third pieces of mesh material are joined to the bottom wall by a pair of bottom seams. Additionally, the second and third pieces of mesh material are joined to the end walls by a plurality of generally vertically extending side seams that all combine to form a basket portion.
  • the basket portion may further include runner portion.
  • the runner portion may be a rail that may be separately formed from the basket portion.
  • the rail is preferably a flat piece of material and can include a curved portion.
  • the curved portion defines an opening in an uncompressed state for receiving the upper section of the basket portion, and in a compressed state the opening is minimized.
  • the present invention is also directed to a method for forming a container comprising the steps of: forming a first piece of mesh material; bending the first piece of mesh material into a bottom wall and first and second spaced apart sidewalls extending upwardly from the bottom wall; forming at least one second piece of mesh material separate from the first piece of mesh material including forming the second piece of material to include third and fourth sidewalls; and connecting the first piece of mesh material to the second piece of mesh material to form a basket portion with an upwardly-extending opening.
  • the method can include the step of forming second and third separate pieces of mesh that will form the third and fourth sidewalls.
  • the connecting steps may be performed by welding.
  • the method may further include the step of forming a runner portion on the top of the basket portion.
  • a preferred, first embodiment of a drawer system 10 is shown.
  • This drawer system 10 may be used to store a variety of housewares, such as kitchen items, clothing, accessories, sports equipment, shoes, bathroom supplies, tools, appliances, and the like. Additionally, the system 10 can be used to store a variety of other items, for example food, office supplies, office equipment, file folders, papers/documents, bags, boxes, cans, bottles, etc.
  • the drawer system 10 includes a frame 12 and a plurality of containers or drawers 14a-d.
  • the drawer 14a is smaller than the drawers 14b-c so drawer 14a can hold a smaller volume than the other drawers 14b-d.
  • the drawers 14a-d are movable with respect to the frame 12 between a retracted position (shown in FIG. 1) and an extended position. In the retracted position, the contents of the lower drawers 14b-d is difficult to access. In the extended position, the contents of the extended drawer are easily accessible; the extended drawer may be fully withdrawn from frame 12 if desired.
  • frame 12 includes two side frame members or ladders 16 that are spaced apart and joined by pairs of upper and lower cross members 18a,b, respectively.
  • the side frame members 16 and the pairs of upper and lower cross members 18a,b are formed to give the frame 12 a rectangular shape.
  • the present invention is not limited to this frame shape.
  • the frame 12 further includes L-connectors 20 (as best seen in FIG. 2A) and T-connectors 22 (as best seen in FIG. 2B) for joining the side frame members 16 to the cross frame members 18a,b.
  • L-connectors 20 connect upper cross member 18a to the side frame members 16, if no additional frames are to be added above the one illustrated in FIG. 1.
  • T-connectors 22 are used to join upper cross members 18a to frame members 16.
  • T-connectors 22 also connect lower cross members 18b to the side frame members 16.
  • the T-connectors 22 joined to the lower cross members 18b can be replaced with plugs with casters (not shown) thereon to make the system 10 movable, as is apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
  • each side frame member 16 includes a pair of spaced apart vertical rods 24 coupled by vertically spaced apart horizontally-extending runners 26a-g.
  • Each side frame member 16 is formed so that the runners 26a-g of each side frame member 16 are aligned with the runners 26a-g of the other side frame member 16 to form a plurality of pairs of runners.
  • Each runner 26a-g is a generally U-shaped member with an inwardly extending gap 28 defined therein.
  • the runners 26a-g may include a bore (not shown) in the rear end for receiving a pin (not shown) for preventing rearward movement of the drawers 14a-d out of the frame 12.
  • the bore may be formed at both ends of each runner and the pin (not shown) disposed in the desired end for use.
  • the frame 12 is preferably formed of any metal with sufficient rigidity and formability, for example mild sheet steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper or the like can be used.
  • the vertical rods 24 and the runners 26a-g are preferably welded together using conventional welding techniques.
  • the frame 12 may be subjected to a powder painting treatment, similar to that discussed below for the drawers 14a-d.
  • the L-connector 20 includes a central body 30 and first and second generally perpendicular legs 32 and 34 extending therefrom.
  • the pairs of cross members 18a,b and vertical rods 24 are hollow so that the legs 32 and 34 are received therein to join these components together.
  • the T-connector 22 includes a central body 36 and first, second, and third legs 38, 40, and 42, respectively, extending therefrom.
  • First and second legs 38 and 40 are generally perpendicular to one another similar to L-connector 20.
  • Third and second legs 40 and 42 are also generally perpendicular to one another.
  • the first leg 38 and the third leg 42 may be inserted into the hollow vertical rods 24, and the second leg 40 is inserted in the hollow associated cross members 18a,b.
  • the L-connectors 20 and T-connectors 22 are preferably formed of any metal with sufficient rigidity and formability.
  • the connectors 20 and 22 can be cast of die-cast aluminum or any alloy, using conventional techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. These connectors 20 and 22, however, can also be formed of another material like injection molded plastic.
  • the drawer 14b includes a runner portion that comprises upper rail 54 and a basket portion 55.
  • the basket portion 55 is coupled to the upper rail 54.
  • the basket portion 55 is formed of expanded metal plate (i.e. , sheet metal) or "mesh” and has small openings 55a therein.
  • “mesh” means flat metal that is pierced and stretched so that no material is separated from the original raw material, as known by those of ordinary skill in the art.
  • punching portions of waste material out of sheet metal material forms perforated metal.
  • the openings 55a (see FIG. 3) in the mesh have an area less than 25.4 mm by 25.4 mm, more preferably less than 20 mm by 10 mm, and most preferably, less than 6 mm by 3 mm.
  • the basket portion 55 preferably, is formed of any metal such as copper, steel, stainless steel or aluminum, and the like.
  • the basket portion 55 includes a bottom wall 56, a pair of spaced apart sidewalls 58 and 60, and another pair of sidewalls 62.
  • the sidewalls 58, 60 and 62 are joined together to form closed curved corners 64.
  • the sidewalls 58, 60 and 62 extend upwardly from the bottom wall 56 to form an upwardly-facing opening 66..
  • the corners 64 are curved so that they deviate from straightness in a smooth, continuous fashion.
  • the present invention is not limited to drawers with curved corners and drawers with more angular corners are also considered inventive.
  • the present invention is also not limited to drawers with a radius of curvature greater at the top of the drawer (adjacent the rail 54) than at the bottom.
  • drawers with, for example, a constant radius of curvature are also considered inventive.
  • the sidewall 58 forms a front end wall that includes a curved cutout 68 bordered by a handle rail 70.
  • the cutout 68 forms a place where a user can easily grasp the drawer 14b to move it between the retracted and extended positions.
  • the cutout 68 can be replaced with other methods to aid the user in moving the drawer 14b, such as a protruding handle connected to wall 58.
  • the handle rail 70 may have a circular cross-sectional shape and be cut and formed to extend along the edge of cutout 68.
  • the rail 70 is of the same material as upper rail 54 and is spot-welded to the basket portion 55.
  • the sidewall 60 forms a rear end wall.
  • the drawer 14b is shown in a disassembled state.
  • the basket portion 55 is formed by a first piece of mesh 72, a second piece of mesh 74 and a third piece of mesh 76.
  • the first, second, and third pieces of mesh are formed separately from one another.
  • the first piece of mesh 72 is bent along lines 72a,b to form edges as shown in FIG. 5 to define bottom wall 56 and sidewalls 62.
  • the angle between the bottom wall 56 and sidewalls 62 is greater than about 90°, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration.
  • the second piece of mesh 74 includes an outer edge 74a, an inner edge 74b, a central portion 74c, side extensions 74d, and a lower extension 74e.
  • the central portion 74c is between the outer edge 74a and the lower extension 74e and between the side extensions 74d.
  • the side extensions 74d have a trapezoidal shape so that they taper downward from the outer edge 74a to the lower edge 74b.
  • the second piece of mesh 74 is bent to form front end wall 58, curved corners 64, and lower extension 74e that is generally perpendicular to front end wall 58 (see FIGS. 3 and 5).
  • Third piece of mesh 76 is formed similarly to second piece of mesh 74 to include an upper edge 76a, a lower edge 76b, a central portion 76c, side extensions 76d, and a lower extension 76e.
  • the pieces of mesh 74 and 76 can be formed of a single piece of material separate from the first piece of mesh 72. In such event, the two pieces of mesh 74 and 76 would be joined by another mesh segment (not shown) that would be shaped similar to bottom wall portion 56. As a result, the bottom wall of basket 55 would be formed of two layers of mesh material that overlap.
  • the first, second, and third pieces of mesh 72, 74, and 76 have been joined together so that bottom seams 78 are formed.
  • Seams 78 are where the material of bottom wall 56 of the first piece of mesh 72 overlaps with lower extension 74e of the second and third pieces of mesh 74 and 76 (see FIG. 4).
  • side seams 80 (as shown in FIG. 3) are formed adjacent each corner 64.
  • Seams 80 are where the material of sidewalls 62 of the first piece of mesh 72 overlaps with side extensions 74d and 76d of second and third pieces of mesh 74 and 76, respectively.
  • Seams 80 are generally vertically extending side seams.
  • the first piece of mesh 72 is formed shaped as shown. This involves cutting a piece of mesh 72 with the desired dimensions from a roll of mesh using a conventional press machine. Then, the first piece of mesh 72 is bent into a U-shape that includes the bottom wall 56 and end walls 62 (as shown in FIG. 5). A conventional hydraulic press machine is used to bend the mesh piece 72.
  • the hydraulic press machine includes a mold for achieving the desired bent shape, as is known by those of ordinary skill in the art.
  • the second and third pieces of mesh 74 and 76 are formed and shaped as shown in FIG. 4. This involves cutting the pieces of mesh 74 and 76 with the desired dimensions and shape from a roll of mesh using a conventional press machine. Then, the piece 74 is bent using a conventional hydraulic press machine so that side extensions 74d are curved and lower extension 74e is angularly offset from center section 74c.
  • the hydraulic press machine includes a mold, as is known by those of ordinary skill in the art.
  • the third piece of mesh 76 is bent similarly to second piece 74 (as shown in FIG. 5).
  • the handle rail 70 may be welded to mesh piece 74 at this point or later, when the upper rail 54 is joined to basket portion 55.
  • a process of powder painting may be used to coat the drawer 14b, as is known by those of ordinary skill in the art.
  • One preferable paint is an epoxy coat.
  • the painting may provide a decorative (colored and/or metallic) finish to the drawer 14b, if desired, and will also provide some protection for the drawer 14b from water and other corrosive elements.
  • each piece 74,76 is connected by welding to the side edge of the bottom wall 56 of first piece 72 (as shown in FIG. 5A) to form seams 78.
  • the curved side extensions 74d,76d of pieces 74,76 are connected by welding to sidewalls 62 of first piece 72 to form seams 80 (as shown in FIG. 3).
  • the equipment preferably comprises a spot-welding machine 84 including a base 86, a clamp 88 supported on the base 86, a movable elongated member 90 movable by the clamp 88 to provide a clamping force F, and a pair of anode electrodes 92a and a pair of cathode electrodes 92b.
  • the base 86, clamp 88, member 90, and cathode electrodes 92b form a fixture for supporting the mesh pieces 72, 74, and 76 during welding.
  • the cathode electrodes 92b are preferably bar-like and parallel to one another to properly support and clamp mesh pieces 72, 74, and 76.
  • the spot-welder can be used without the clamp 88 and elongated member 90, where the pieces may be manually held during welding.
  • the already-bent first piece 72 is disposed on cathode electrodes 92b so that the sidewalls 62 extend downward (as shown in FIG. 6) toward the floor. Bent second piece 74 is disposed between member 90 and cathode electrode 92b, as shown in FIG. 7.
  • the clamp 88 is actuated so that the clamping force F moves the member 90 from a retracted position (shown in FIG. 6) into a clamping position (shown in FIG. 7). In the clamping position, the mesh piece 74 is compressed between member 90 and cathode electrode 92b.
  • the clamping force F must be sufficient to hold mesh piece 74 into contact with mesh piece 72 for the welding operation.
  • the anode electrode 92a moves in direction D1 into contact with pieces 72,74 adjacent extension 74e. These pieces 72,74 are tightly compressed between the electrodes 92a and 92b.
  • the electrodes 92a,b then discharge electric welding current through the place to be welded and seam 78 (see FIG. 5A) is formed.
  • the third piece 76 as shown in FIG. 5, is similarly joined to first piece 72.
  • the welding machine 84 is properly configured so that the fixture includes two clamps, two elongated members 90 and two pairs of electrodes 92a,b. As a result, the second and third pieces 74 and 76 can preferably be simultaneously welded to first piece 72.
  • spot-welding machine similar to machine 84 is used to weld pieces 74 and 76 to piece 72 adjacent the corners 64 to form seams 80.
  • This spot-welding machine for forming seams 80 has an appropriately sized fixture including clamp(s), elongated member(s) and cathode electrode(s) for smaller pieces 74 and 76.
  • the cathode electrode(s) may be tapered to match trapezoidal extensions 74d,76d so that pieces 74 and 76 are suitably clamped to end walls 58 and 60 during welding.
  • the upper rail 54 is subsequently connected to the upper section of the end walls 58 and 60 and sidewalls 62 by spot-welding.
  • the step of connecting the upper rail 54 to the basket portion 55 further preferably includes the steps of forming a generally flat upper rail 54; contacting rail 54 to basket portion 55 on a contact surface 54a so that an upper section 55a of the basket portion 55 extends above the rail 54; and spot-welding the contact surface 54a to the outer surface of basket portion 55.
  • the upper rail 54 is preferably formed of the same material as the basket portion 55 so that these components can be welded together.
  • the rail 54 is formed of any metal such as copper, steel, stainless steel, mild sheet steel or aluminum, and the like.
  • a roll of sheet steel strip material with a circular cross-section is used. This material is passed through a conventional roll forming machine with a number of pairs of rollers using a predetermined compression pressure to continuously and gradually change the circular cross-section into a generally flat rectangular cross-section, as is known by those of ordinary skill in the art.
  • the material with the flat rectangular cross-section is then fed into a bending machine that includes spaced apart pairs of guide rollers for guiding the material through the machine and bending the material into four spaced apart right angles to form a rectangular ring. Hydraulic power can be used to provide the bending force to the associated pairs of guide rollers. Where the bending pairs of guide rollers are located, the machine further includes rollers for preventing vertical expansion of the material. Once the rectangular ring is formed, the free ends of the ring are joined by welding to form the upper rail 54.
  • the rail is not limited to the above configuration, shape and materials.
  • it can be hollow with various shapes, such as a circular cross-section.
  • the rail can also be solid with various shapes, such as a circular cross-section.
  • the rail can also be formed of a plastic that is connected to the basket portion 55 by glue or adhesive, for example.
  • the step of contacting rail 54 to basket portion 55 on a contact surface 54a may preferably further include the step of using a spot-welding machine with a fixture F for supporting the rail 54 at a sufficient elevation above a table (not shown) so that the upper section 55a of the basket portion 55 extends above the rail 54.
  • the fixture F may also provide a clamping force for assuring the surface 54a is in solid contact with the basket portion 55 or this force may be provided by movable anode and cathode electrodes AE and CE, respectively.
  • electrodes AE and CE are circular welding wheels.
  • the anode electrode AE contacts the outer surface of the rail 54 and the cathode electrode CE contacts the inner surface of the basket portion 55 adjacent surface 54a, as shown in FIG. 9.
  • An electric current is discharged through the electrodes AE and CE, rail 54 and basket portion 55 to spot-weld the rail 54 to the basket portion 55.
  • sufficient electrodes AE and CE are provided to make the welding of rail 54 to basket portion 55 efficient. Since the electrodes AE and CE are movable vertically in directions V and horizontally in directions H, the spot-welder can be used to weld variously size rails and baskets together.
  • the step of connecting the upper rail 54 may further include cutting and grinding steps.
  • the upper section 55a (as shown in FIG. 8) of basket portion 55 is severed using a conventional severing apparatus, such as one including a reciprocating saw blade.
  • the exposed upper edge 55b (FIG. 9) of basket portion 55 is worked using a conventional grinding machine so that a smooth upper edge 55b is formed.
  • the rail 54 aids in providing structural rigidity to the basket portion 55 and is the only rail circumscribing each drawer's perimeter.
  • the drawer 14b in use the drawer 14b is inserted into the system 10 by disposing upper rail 54 within gap 28 of opposed, aligned pair of runners 26b.
  • the rail 54 and gap 28 are sized to allow free sliding movement of the drawer 14b with respect to the frame 12 between the retracted and extended positions.
  • the drawer 14b is formed of mesh with very small openings 55a (see FIG. 3), small objects, such as pens, paper clips, and the like, can be stored in the drawer without a liner and will not fall through the openings 55a. In addition, since the drawer 14b has closed corners 64, small objects also cannot fall out of this area of the drawer.
  • drawers 14b-14d are of medium size and vertically extend across two sets of vertically spaced runners.
  • Drawer 14a is a small size and consequently extends across only one set of vertically spaced runners.
  • the drawers may be sized differently, see FIG. 4, particularly by changing the length L of the first piece of mesh 72 and the height H of the second and third pieces of mesh 74 and 76.
  • This allows containers of a variety of sizes to be formed without excess machinery costs, particularly large containers having a depth D from bottom wall 56 to top surface of top rail 54 (see FIG. 3) equal to or greater than about 11 inches.
  • the basket material may need to be changed and/or thickened to provide more rigidity thereto.
  • the width W of the mesh (FIG. 4) can be set by the machine forming the raw material so that the edges of piece 72 that will be connected to pieces 74 and 76 are smooth and require no cutting or grinding.
  • FIGS. 10-12 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the upper rail 54' for use with an alternative embodiment of basket portion 55'.
  • raw material is bent to include a curved portion 54a' with an opening 54b' and an extension 54c' angularly offset from curved portion 54a' using a roll forming machine.
  • the material is bent into a closed rectangular loop and welded together, similar to rail 54.
  • the basket portion 55' is formed similarly to basket portion 55 except the end walls 58, 60 and sidewalls 62 all have an outwardly bent upper section 55a' formed by a conventional hydraulic press machine with a mold at the same time other bends are formed in pieces 72, 74, 76 (see FIG. 5).
  • the bent upper section 55a' is inserted into the opening 54b' of the upper rail 54' (as shown in FIG. 11).
  • the curved portion 54a' is then compressed by a conventional press machine so that the opening 54b' is minimized and curved portion 54a' tightly engages the basket portion 55a'.
  • This step also results in the front curved tip 54d' of the rail 54' engaging the angled corner 55b' of the basket portion 55'.
  • the vertically-extending extension 54c' is welded to the basket using a spot-welding machine and fixture similar to the method used for rail 54 (shown in FIGS. 8 and 9).
  • basket 14a includes a rectangular cutout 68' on the front of wall 58'.
  • a metal handle rail 70' covers the free end of the mesh within the cutout 68'.
  • the handle rail 70' is preferably formed similar to rail 54' with an opening that is compressed about the mesh, once the mesh is inserted therein.
  • the handle rail 70' also includes an extension, similar to extension 54c' of rail 54', that can be spot-welded to securely attach the rail 70' to the mesh.
  • the opening in the rail 70' extends vertically along with the extension.
  • the rail 70' may still be spot-welded to the mesh.
  • Drawer 114b comprises a runner portion or upper rail 154 and a basket portion 155.
  • the upper rail 154 may be formed like rail 54 or rail 54' previously discussed.
  • the basket portion 155 includes a bottom wall 156, end walls 158 and 160, and sidewalls 162.
  • the bottom and end walls 156 and 158 are also sidewalls.
  • a first piece of mesh 172 is bent to form the bottom wall 156 and end walls 158 and 160.
  • the sidewalls 162 are formed of separate second and third pieces of mesh 174 and 176, respectively.
  • the end wall 158 includes a first piece of mesh 172 with a cutout 168 similar to end wall 58.
  • the second piece of mesh 174 includes a central portion 174c, rectangular side extensions 174d and a lower extension 174e.
  • the third piece of mesh 176 has a similar configuration.
  • the drawer 114b has closed smoothly curved corners similar to corners 64 (as shown in FIG. 3), but the corners of drawer 114b will have a substantially constant radius.
  • Drawer 114b also includes four side seams 80 at each corner and two bottom seams 178.
  • Drawer 214b comprises a runner portion or upper rail 254 and a basket portion 255.
  • the upper rail 254 may be formed like rail 54 or rail 54' discussed above.
  • the basket portion 255 includes a bottom wall 256, end walls 258 and 260, and sidewalls 262.
  • the end walls 258 and 260 are also sidewalls.
  • a first piece of mesh 272 is bent to form the bottom wall 256 and end walls 258 and 260.
  • the sidewalls 262 are formed of separate second and third pieces of mesh 274 and 276.
  • the end wall 258 includes a cutout 268 similar to end wall 58.
  • the second and third pieces of mesh 274 and 276 do not include extensions.
  • the pieces 272, 274 and 276 are connected using the method of forming drawer 14b, pieces 274 and 276 only overlap piece 272 on the bottom not on the sides.
  • the drawer 214b has open corners 264 (as shown in FIG. 15) and two bottom seams 278.
  • Drawers configured like drawer 214b can be used in systems like system 10 (shown in FIG. 1) and move between extended and retracted positions.
  • Drawers similar to drawer 214b can come in a number of sizes.
  • the drawer 214b is formed similarly to drawer 14b by bending and spot-welding the mesh pieces.
  • Drawer system 310 includes a frame 312 and a plurality of drawers 314a and 314b.
  • the frame 312 includes four pairs of runners 326a-d. This embodiment illustrates that any number of pairs of runners can be used depending on how large a system is desired.
  • the frame 312 is otherwise configured and formed similarly to frame 12 (shown in FIG. 1).
  • the system 310 further may include a solid table top or shelf 327 that is securely connected to the top of frame 312 by a press fit so that objects can be stored or displayed thereon.
  • the shelf 327 may be sized differently (larger or smaller than) the frame 312 and connected to the frame 312 with conventional fasteners such as screws and L-brackets.
  • Drawer 314a is small and extends across one pair of runners 326a.
  • Drawer 314b is large and extends vertically across three pairs of runners 326b-d.
  • Drawers 314a and 314b are configured and manufactured similar to drawer 14b (see FIG. 1), but drawers configured like drawers 114b and 214b can also be used with system 310.
  • one system can have drawers with both types of rails 54 and 54'.
  • a system can use all closed-corner drawers or combine closed-corner drawers with open-corner drawers in one system.
  • the system may be used with sliding drawers and/or stationary and sliding shelves each supported by a pair of runners.
  • the system frame may also include a section for holding hanging file folders and one or more of the inventive drawers.
  • the drawers of the present invention may be used without a frame.
  • the containers/drawers of the present invention may be retained within a frame formed of wood, plastic, metal, or material with a wood finish, where the frame has components such as runners and rollers thereon.
  • the frame would cooperate with a stationary holder with runners and rollers thereon so that the container does not move with respect to the holder, but when the holder moves between an extended and retracted position by moving with respect to the stationary component, the container likewise moves.
  • the runner portion serves to connect the container to the holder without a sliding engagement therebetween.
  • the container can be formed without upper rail 54 (see FIG. 3) by forming the runner portion in another way, such as by folding the upper edge of the basket portion upon itself to form a sufficiently-rigid integral runner portion.
  • the runner portion need not extend around the entire basket and may extend only on the sides to work with the runners 26a-g (See FIG. 1).
  • the end walls without the runner portions may have upper edges finished with portions of metal, wood, plastic or some other suitable material.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Drawers Of Furniture (AREA)
  • Rigid Containers With Two Or More Constituent Elements (AREA)
EP20020258199 2002-11-28 2002-11-28 Conteneur en treillis métallique, système utilisant ledit conteneur et méthode pour la production dudit conteneur Expired - Lifetime EP1424287B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ES02258199T ES2277988T3 (es) 2002-11-28 2002-11-28 Contenedor de malla metalica, sistema de formacion de dicho contenedor y metodo de fabricacion de dicho contenedor.
DE2002617521 DE60217521T2 (de) 2002-11-28 2002-11-28 Drahtgitterbehälter, ein Drahtgitterbehälter verwendendes System und Verfahren zum Herstellen dieses Behälters
PT02258199T PT1424287E (pt) 2002-11-28 2002-11-28 Recipiente em malha, sistema que utiliza um recipiente em malha e método para fabricar um recipiente em malha
EP20020258199 EP1424287B1 (fr) 2002-11-28 2002-11-28 Conteneur en treillis métallique, système utilisant ledit conteneur et méthode pour la production dudit conteneur
DK02258199T DK1424287T3 (da) 2002-11-28 2002-11-28 Trådnetbeholder, system, der anvender en trådnetbeholder, og en fremgangsmåde til fremstilling af denne beholder

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20020258199 EP1424287B1 (fr) 2002-11-28 2002-11-28 Conteneur en treillis métallique, système utilisant ledit conteneur et méthode pour la production dudit conteneur

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1424287A1 true EP1424287A1 (fr) 2004-06-02
EP1424287B1 EP1424287B1 (fr) 2007-01-10

Family

ID=32241349

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20020258199 Expired - Lifetime EP1424287B1 (fr) 2002-11-28 2002-11-28 Conteneur en treillis métallique, système utilisant ledit conteneur et méthode pour la production dudit conteneur

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1424287B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE60217521T2 (fr)
DK (1) DK1424287T3 (fr)
ES (1) ES2277988T3 (fr)
PT (1) PT1424287E (fr)

Cited By (5)

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US9307833B2 (en) 2013-09-11 2016-04-12 Panacea Products Corp. Shelving system
GB2584915A (en) * 2019-06-18 2020-12-23 Cao Xin Multifunctional breathable storage cabinet
SE2050739A1 (en) * 2020-06-22 2021-12-23 Elfa Int Ab Mesh container and method for producing a mesh container
SE2151577A1 (en) * 2021-12-21 2023-06-22 Elfa Int Ab Container and method for producing a container
SE2350331A1 (en) * 2023-03-23 2024-09-24 Elfa Int Ab Container and method for producing a container

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11224291B1 (en) 2001-12-03 2022-01-18 Design Ideas, Ltd. Method for making mesh containers with a rail and mesh container formed therefrom
US8006858B2 (en) 2001-12-03 2011-08-30 Design Ideas, Ltd. Method for making mesh containers with a rail and mesh container formed therefrom
CN104443888B (zh) * 2014-12-07 2017-04-12 正安县瑞缘茶业有限公司 茶叶运输装置

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US1445259A (en) * 1922-01-27 1923-02-13 Peerless Wire Goods Company Woven-wire receptacle
US2825481A (en) * 1956-06-29 1958-03-04 Washburn Co Wire basket construction
FR1444104A (fr) * 1965-05-18 1966-07-01 Trefileries Leon Bekaert S P R Emballage perfectionné
GB2078498A (en) * 1980-05-22 1982-01-13 Auriol Guildford Ltd Wire baskets for prams or freezers
US4795041A (en) * 1986-11-13 1989-01-03 Clairson International Channel basket stop
US5642829A (en) * 1996-05-17 1997-07-01 Perky-P Co., A Colorado Partnership Containers
GB2314833A (en) * 1996-07-02 1998-01-14 Heartbeat Manufacturing Co The Containers
US5810179A (en) * 1997-04-17 1998-09-22 Kleiman; Ronald Basket or container rack for closet shelving system
USD437354S1 (en) * 1999-10-04 2001-02-06 Design Ideas, Ltd. Wall file

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1445259A (en) * 1922-01-27 1923-02-13 Peerless Wire Goods Company Woven-wire receptacle
US2825481A (en) * 1956-06-29 1958-03-04 Washburn Co Wire basket construction
FR1444104A (fr) * 1965-05-18 1966-07-01 Trefileries Leon Bekaert S P R Emballage perfectionné
GB2078498A (en) * 1980-05-22 1982-01-13 Auriol Guildford Ltd Wire baskets for prams or freezers
US4795041A (en) * 1986-11-13 1989-01-03 Clairson International Channel basket stop
US5642829A (en) * 1996-05-17 1997-07-01 Perky-P Co., A Colorado Partnership Containers
GB2314833A (en) * 1996-07-02 1998-01-14 Heartbeat Manufacturing Co The Containers
US5810179A (en) * 1997-04-17 1998-09-22 Kleiman; Ronald Basket or container rack for closet shelving system
USD437354S1 (en) * 1999-10-04 2001-02-06 Design Ideas, Ltd. Wall file

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9307833B2 (en) 2013-09-11 2016-04-12 Panacea Products Corp. Shelving system
GB2584915A (en) * 2019-06-18 2020-12-23 Cao Xin Multifunctional breathable storage cabinet
SE2050739A1 (en) * 2020-06-22 2021-12-23 Elfa Int Ab Mesh container and method for producing a mesh container
WO2021262070A1 (fr) 2020-06-22 2021-12-30 Elfa International Ab Conteneur en treillis et procédé de production d'un conteneur en treillis
SE545538C2 (en) * 2020-06-22 2023-10-17 Elfa Int Ab Mesh container and method for producing a mesh container
US12129091B2 (en) 2020-06-22 2024-10-29 Elfa International Ab Mesh container and method for producing a mesh container
SE2151577A1 (en) * 2021-12-21 2023-06-22 Elfa Int Ab Container and method for producing a container
EP4201543A1 (fr) 2021-12-21 2023-06-28 Elfa International AB Récipient et procédé de fabrication d'un récipient
SE2350331A1 (en) * 2023-03-23 2024-09-24 Elfa Int Ab Container and method for producing a container
WO2024196300A1 (fr) * 2023-03-23 2024-09-26 Elfa International Ab Contenant et procédé de fabrication d'un contenant
SE546436C2 (en) * 2023-03-23 2024-11-05 Elfa Int Ab Container and method for producing a container

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
PT1424287E (pt) 2007-03-30
DE60217521T2 (de) 2007-10-25
EP1424287B1 (fr) 2007-01-10
ES2277988T3 (es) 2007-08-01
DK1424287T3 (da) 2007-03-12
DE60217521D1 (de) 2007-02-22

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