초록 ▼

According to the invention there is provided a collapsible container (10) comprising a base panel (11); opposed side wall panels (13) and opposed end wall panels (12), the side wall panels (13) and end wall panels (12) being movable to an upright position relative to the base panel (11) so as to def

According to the invention there is provided a collapsible container (10) comprising a base panel (11); opposed side wall panels (13) and opposed end wall panels (12), the side wall panels (13) and end wall panels (12) being movable to an upright position relative to the base panel (11) so as to define corner zones at their junctions; and corner posts (25) releasably connecting adjacent side wall panels (13) and end wall panels (12) where they adjoin one another in the upright position, each corner post (25) having connecting formations (26, 28) for receiving and connecting the side wall panels (13) and end wall panels (12) thereto. The invention also extends to corner post (25) suitable for a container (10) formed of sheet material so as to define corner zones at a junction between side wall panels (13) and end wall panels (12) of the container (10); to a blank of sheet material for a collapsible container (10); and to a method of erecting a collapsible container (10).

대표청구항 ▼

1. A corner post for a container formed of sheet material, the container including sidewall panels and end wall panels having respective heights, each of the sidewall panels configured to form a junction with a corresponding one of the end wall panels at a corner zone, the sidewall and end wall pane

1. A corner post for a container formed of sheet material, the container including sidewall panels and end wall panels having respective heights, each of the sidewall panels configured to form a junction with a corresponding one of the end wall panels at a corner zone, the sidewall and end wall panels having respective outer surfaces and respective opposite inner surfaces, the sidewall and end wall panels including respective first apertures extending therethrough, the corner post comprising: a rigid outer post section extending the respective heights of the sidewall and end wall panels and configured to be disposed against the respective outer surfaces of the sidewall and end wall panels at the corner zone; a rigid inner post section extending the respective heights of the sidewall and end wall panels and configured to be disposed against the respective opposite inner surfaces of the sidewall and end wall panels at the corner zone, the outer and inner post sections being separately formed; and connectors coupling the outer and the inner post sections together to sandwich the sidewall and end wall panels at the corner zone between the outer and inner post sections, the connectors including first engagement formations arranged on one of the outer and inner post sections, the connectors further including respectively positioned second engagement formations arranged on another one of the inner and outer post sections, the first engagement formations being positioned and shaped to extend through the respective first apertures of the sidewall and end wall panels to inter-engage with the respectively positioned second engagement formations when the outer and inner post sections are coupled together. 2. The corner post according to claim 1, wherein the first engagement formations include tongue formations and the second engagement formations include apertures, the tongue formations of the first formations being configured to engage with the apertures of the second formations when the outer and inner post sections are coupled together.3. The corner post according to claim 2, wherein the tongue formations define lateral hook or barb elements that engage the second formations.4. The corner post according to claim 1, wherein the first engagement formations of the connectors are configured to inter-engage with the respectively positioned second engagement formations of the connectors via a snap-fit when the outer and inner post sections are coupled together.5. The corner post according the claim 1, wherein the first engagement formations include integral lugs configured to inter-engage with the respectively positioned second engagement formations when the outer and inner post sections are coupled together.6. The corner post according to claim 1, further comprising a first stacking element arranged on one end of the corner post and a second stacking element arranged on another end of the corner post, the first stacking element being configured to releasably engage with a second complementary stacking element of another corner post when the corner posts are stacked upon one another.7. The corner post according to claim 6, wherein the first stacking element includes an integral spigot and the second stacking element includes a socket the integral spigot of the first stacking element being complementary with and configured to engage with a socket of the second stacking element of the other corner post when stacked upon one another.8. The corner post according to claim 7, wherein the first stacking element includes an extending foot formation arranged on the outer post section, the foot formation being configured to engage with the second stacking element, the second stacking element being arranged on the inner post section.9. The corner post according to claim 8, wherein the foot formation includes an expanding barb adapted to pass through a base of the container, and the second stacking element includes a socket, the expanding barb being configured to engage with a socket of second stacking element of the other corner post.10. A collapsible container formed of sheet material, comprising: a base panel; opposed sidewall panels connected to the base panel, the sidewall panels having respective heights, opposed end wall panels connected to the base panel, the end wall panels having respective heights, the sidewall panels and the end wall panels being movable to an upright position relative to the base panel, thereby defining corner zones between adjacent sidewall and end wall panels, the sidewall and end wall panels having respective outer surfaces, opposite inner surfaces, and first apertures extending therethrough; and corner posts configured to releasably connect the adjacent sidewall and end wall panels at the corner zones, each corner post including: a rigid outer post section extending the respective heights of the sidewall and end wall panels and configured to be disposed against the respective outer surfaces of the sidewall and end wall panels at a respective one of the corner zones;a rigid inner post section extending the respective heights of the sidewall and end wall panels and configured to be disposed against the respective opposite inner surfaces of the sidewall and end wall panels at the respective one of the corner zones, the outer and inner post sections being separately formed; andconnectors coupling the outer and the inner post sections together to sandwich the sidewall and end wall panels at the respective one of the corner zones between the outer and inner post sections, the connectors including first engagement formations arranged on one of the outer and inner post sections, the connectors further including respectively positioned second engagement formations arranged on another of the inner and outer post sections, the first engagement formations being positioned and shaped to extend through the respective first apertures of the sidewall and end wall panels to inter-engage with the respectively positioned second engagement formations when the outer and inner post sections are coupled together.11. The collapsible container according to claim 10, further comprising hinges to connect the sidewall and end wall panels to the base panel.12. The collapsible container according to claim 10, further comprising at least two connectable roof panels adapted to releasably engage with one another.13. The collapsible container according to claim 12, wherein a first one of the roof panels includes a plurality of slotted apertures and a second one of the roof panels includes lip formations configured to respectively engage with the slotted apertures of the first roof panel.14. The collapsible container according to claim 10, wherein the sidewall and end wall panels include apertures in an area of the corner zones, the apertures being adapted to receive the first engagement formations of the connectors therethrough.