GB2356391A - Container with stiffening ribs comprising shelf support means - Google Patents

Abstract

A container 10 has a pair of stiffening ribs 32 at opposite sides of the container, constructed to provide support means for a shelf within the container. The stiffening ribs 32 may be provided on insertable panels 24, 26. The container may be fabricated from cardboard or like board material and may have front, rear and side walls (12, 14, 16, 18) which may be strengthened by stiffening panels which are slidably located within the container. The ribs 32 may have a V-shaped profile wherein the upper lengthwise-extending surface of the V-profile can be disposed generally horizontally in order to support a shelf-like structure. The shelf may be provided with its own stiffening means e.g. stiffening ribs or like formations as an additional structure adhered to the shelf. The shelves may be alternatively constructed to form insertable container dividers to contain and protect goods in transit inside the container.

Description

2356391 PRODUCE CONTAINER This invention relates to containers for produce

and other commodities, particularly but not exclusively containers fabricated from cardboard or the like board material. An example of the application of the invention is to a container of the kind disclosed in our UK patent GB 2269580 C(Reference P51924GB).

We have identified a need for enhanced versatility in relation to containers of the kind disclosed in our above mentioned GB 580C specification, notably in relation to versatility for the accommodation of a wide variety of produce and other goods for installation for storage therein in a convenient and effective manner, together with is an ability to offer the combination of enhanced container stiffness in accordance with the teachings of our above GB 580C specification and enhanced versatility in terms of accommodating product storage requirements of the kind which are best responded-to by the provision of shelving and/or the combination of shelving with regular container storage facilities.

Accordingly, an objection of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus wherein one or more of the advantages identified above is provided, or improvements generally.

According to the invention there is provided a container as defined in the accompanying claims.

In an embodiment of the invention described below.

There is provided a container. The container is generally as described in our prior patent GB 580C. The container comprises front, rear and side walls which are strengthenable and are strengthened by the provision of stiffening panels which are slidably locatable within the container. The stiffening panels have their own stiffening or reinforcement means comprising ribs. In the embodiment, the ribs are of generally V-section format extending in a spaced parallel array. In order to provide a co-operative mechanical interaction with the structure of the container the arrangement is such that some at least (preferably all) of the stiffening ribs cooperate (for example by.abutment) with an adjacent structure of the container, for example a generally upwardly extending folded corner reinforcement element or pillar of the container.

Thus far this description is in accordance with the subject matter generally disclosed in GB 580C and produces a container having constructional advantages in terms of economical use of constructional board material in relation to the strength and stiffness of the container provided.

We hereby incorporate into the present application by way of disclosure the entire text and drawings of GB 580C.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention there is provided the following modification with respect to the construction described in GB 580C.

The general structure of the stiffening ribs is modified slightly in terms of the relative angular disposition of the previously V-format ribs, whereby at least one on opposite sides of the, container, and at generally the same level on each side, has the upper lengthwise -extending surface of the V-profile disposed generally horizontally whereby the rib becomes 'a dual function element serving both to provide a stif f ening/strengthening function and to provide a supporting function for an edge of a generally shelf -like structure to be located within the container.

Accordingly, by the provision of at least one pair of ribs on opposite sides of the container and at generally the same level therein (but of course different levels could be adopted for particular circumstances) there is provided the means for supporting a shelf structure within the container and the invention provides such a shelf accordingly.

In the embodiment, the shelf is provided with its own stiffening means, which may be constructed generally in accordance with the principles disclosed in GB 580C namely by the provision of stiffening ribs or the like formations formed in the board of the shelf or provided as an additional structure adhered thereto.

It may be possible to construct the shelf so that a degree of mechanical cooperative interaction between the shelf-stiffening ribs or other reinforcements and the structure supporting the shelf is provided.

More than one shelf may be used by appropriate provision of more than one pair of shelf -supporting ribs. The shelves may be constructed to function as shelves or is may be constructed as insertable compartment or container dividers to facilitate the effective containment and protection of goods in transit within the container.

An embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example by means of the accompanying Figs 1 to 4 of the drawings which illustrate the construction of am embodiment in accordance with the details of the foregoing description accordingly. t

Claims (2)

1. A container wherein a stiffening rib at each side of the container is constructed to provide support means for a shelf within the container.
2. 2. A container according to claim 1 wherein said pair of stiffening ribs are provided on insertable stiffening panels.

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