초록 ▼

Transport packaging, capable of being erected or folded, and when erected serving as a shipper for commercial packaging of goods. The packaging is defined by a structural framework [100] capable of carrying a sheath, film wrap or cover, or other materials of vessel-forming character to hold and prot

Transport packaging, capable of being erected or folded, and when erected serving as a shipper for commercial packaging of goods. The packaging is defined by a structural framework [100] capable of carrying a sheath, film wrap or cover, or other materials of vessel-forming character to hold and protect products to be transported within the framework. The framework when erected provides contents-receptive configuration to protect the packing and its contents against the stresses of filling, storage, distribution, merchandising and use of the packaging. The framework has a plurality of horizontal and vertical members [102, 103, 105, 106, 107, 108, 110, 111], wherein horizontal members define lengthwise structural elements and the vertical members define upright structural elements, together defining an exoskeleton having windowed open frame panels of the framework joined pivotally at lower and fixedly/securely at upper corners defined by the upright structural elements. At each of the lower corners is a shiftable stabilizer [123], selectively securing the horizontal and vertical elements on each lower corner in stabilized, locked, relationship when the framework is erected, but the stabilizers each being selectively shiftable from stabilizing position to permit the frame to fold into or out of an unerected condition so it can be returned to a location for being refilled with contents, so as to be sustainably capable of reuse many times. The framework also provides for stacking/nesting and securement together of tiers of the new transport packages.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A reusable transport packaging apparatus of erectable-foldable character, characterized by: the framework comprising a frame capable of erected and collapsed states; the frame of structural elements comprising a pair of parallel base horizontal members each having connected t

What is claimed is: 1. A reusable transport packaging apparatus of erectable-foldable character, characterized by: the framework comprising a frame capable of erected and collapsed states; the frame of structural elements comprising a pair of parallel base horizontal members each having connected thereto at opposite ends of the base members a pair of vertical members, such members being vertical when the frame is erected, each being pivotally connected to a corresponding end of the base horizontal members by a pivot having an axis such that the vertical members are each permitted to pivot by endwise folding movement either toward or away from the horizontal base members in the direction along the horizontal base members; the frame further having a pair of oppositely disposed upper end horizontal members fixedly connected at outer ends to corresponding upper ends of the vertical members, the upper horizontal members each being mutually perpendicular to the lower end horizontal members, the vertical members at each end of the frame and the upper horizontal members affixed thereto defining oppositely disposed, parallel end walls; provision to permit stabilizing or selective destabilizing of each of the pivots, and when the pivots are each stabilized, each of the vertical members extending upward perpendicularly from a corresponding end of the horizontal base members, the frame being then in upright, erected upright configuration for carrying contents; the structural framework capable when erected being rectangular and having four upper corners and four lower corners and forming an exoskeleton of open panels including a pair of side panels and a pair of end panels for carrying materials of vessel-forming character to hold and protect products to be transported within the framework; and the frame when the pivots are destabilized being capable of being collapsed into a folded space-conserving configuration for storage, return shipment or future use with the frame end panels selectively in either a (a) first folded configuration with the end panels folding inward and lying over and along the horizontal base members or (b) a second folded configuration with the framework end panels folding outward and extending outwardly from outer ends of the corresponding lower horizontal base members; whereby in either folded relationship the frame occupies flat-folded space-conserving configuration; the frame being adapted for carrying when erected flexible vessel-defining material for extending over and covering at least some of said panels so as to at least partly enclose contents within the frame when erected and to thereby protect products to be transported within the framework; the vertical members and horizontal members defining when the framework is erected a plurality of windowed frame panels comprising the opposite end panels, and opposite side panels, the panels of the framework being joined at lower and upper corners defined by the upright structural elements; the framework when erected providing a contents-receptive configuration of the shipper and protects the shipper and its contents against the stresses of filling, storage, distribution, merchandising and use of the packaging; said provision to selectively stabilize or destabilize each of the pivots being at each of the four lower corners a gravity-responsive stabilizer slideably captive in the vertical member for each such corner selectively shiftable in response to gravity to a position of locking engagement with respective vertical and horizontal elements, so as to maintain the frame in an erected condition, each gravity-responsive stabilizer being shiftable in response to gravity when the framework is inverted to a position of unlocking to permit the frame to fold into an unerected condition; and stacking structure atop the vertical members to engage a like reusable transport packaging apparatus next above the claimed reusable transport packaging apparatus for stacking thereof. 2. A reusable transport packaging apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized by the structural elements defining, when the frame is in unerected condition, a reusable portion of the apparatus which, without contents, can be returned to a location for being refilled with contents, so as to be sustainably capable of reuse many times. 3. A reusable transport packaging apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized by each stabilizer being carried at the lower end of each vertical member for movement between locking and unlocking positions, such that when a vertical member is perpendicular to a horizontal base member, the stabilizer of such a vertical member is moved from an unlocking to a locking position to fix the perpendicular relationship stably. 4. A reusable transport packaging apparatus according to claim 3, further characterized by each horizontal base member being provided with a slot at each end for receiving a respective stabilizer, such that when a vertical member is perpendicular to a horizontal base member, the stabilizer is moved by gravity into the slot for securing the respective vertical member to the respective horizontal base member in stable perpendicular relationship. 5. A reusable transport packaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further characterized by each of the stabilizers being slideably captive within corresponding slots of the vertical frame members at lower ends thereof. 6. A reusable transport packaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by a of flexible porous or nonporous material carried by the framework for containment of goods within the vessel-defining receptacle at least partly enclosing a goods-receiving interior of the framework so as to form a complete reusable transport package. 7. A reusable transport packaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the stacking structure atop each of the vertical members comprises at upper corners of the apparatus a first tab diverging and upwardly from one or more of the vertical members, and a relatively smaller second tab near the first tab to be received by a corresponding vertical member of a next above like reusable transport packaging apparatus. 8. A reusable transport packaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further characterized by: when erected, the frame having a windowed character; the horizontal and vertical structural elements of the frame being each of such structural material and configuration as will provide the apparatus with strength which is at least about 80-85% or more of the strength of a non-windowed container of such structural material. 9. A reusable transport packaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further characterized by: when erected, the frame having a windowed character to provide a plurality of open panels including the two end panels and the two side panels, a bottom panel and a top panel; the frame carrying flexible vessel-defining material for extending over and covering at least some of said panels so as to at least partly enclose contents within the frame when erected. 10. A reusable transport packaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further characterized by the vertical frame members being each provided with a series of apertures therein and further comprising in combination with the transport packaging apparatus: a link configured with flanges for securely engaging vertical members of adjacent units of transport packaging according to the foregoing, in side-by-side relationship for stabilizing interconnection. 11. A reusable transport packaging apparatus as set forth in claim 10, further characterized by said link including a recessed center portion and opposed flange portions, each flange portion being configured for lying against vertical members of adjacent units, and each flange portion having upset elements for secure engagement with apertures in corresponding vertical members. 12. A reusable transport packaging apparatus as set forth in claim 11, further characterized by said link recessed center portion being of U-shaped character as viewed from an upper or lower end) that merges into the opposite flanges, the U-shaped center portion fitting between vertical frame members of adjacent package frame for maintaining appropriate spacing therebetween. 13. A reusable transport packaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further characterized by said horizontal and vertical frame members each being provided with a series of apertures along major portions of their lengths. 14. A reusable transport packaging apparatus as set forth in claim 13, further characterized by at least some of said apertures being approximately keyhole shape having a central circular part and end-wise elongations thereof along the axis of elongation of the part having the slots, being thus generally cruciform. 15. A reusable transport packaging apparatus of erectable-foldable character, characterized by: the framework comprising a frame capable of erected and collapsed states; the frame of structural elements comprising a pair of parallel base horizontal members each having connected thereto at opposite ends of the base members a pair of vertical members, such members being vertical when the frame is erected, each being pivotally connected to a corresponding end of the base horizontal members by a pivot having an axis such that the vertical members are permitted to pivot by endwise movement toward or away from the horizontal base members in the direction along the horizontal base members; the frame further having a pair of oppositely disposed upper end horizontal members fixedly connected at outer ends to corresponding upper ends of the vertical members, the upper horizontal members each being mutually perpendicular to the lower end horizontal members, the vertical members at each end of the frame and the upper horizontal members affixed thereto defining oppositely disposed, parallel end walls; provision to permit stabilizing or selective destabilizing of each of the pivots, and when the pivots are each stabilized, each of the vertical members extending upward perpendicularly from a corresponding end of the horizontal base members, the frame being then in upright, erected upright configuration for carrying contents; the structural framework capable when erected being rectangular and having four upper corners and four lower corners and forming an exoskeleton of open panels for carrying materials of vessel-forming character to hold and protect products to be transported within the framework; and the frame when the pivots are destabilized being capable of being collapsed into a folded space-conserving configuration for storage, return shipment or future use with the framework end panels selectively in either a (a) first folded configuration with the end panels folding inward and lying over and along the horizontal base members or (b) a second folded configuration with the framework end panels folding outward and extending outwardly from outer ends of the corresponding lower horizontal base members; whereby in either folded relationship the frame occupies flat-folded space-conserving configuration; the frame being adapted for carrying when erected flexible vessel-defining material for extending over and covering at least some of said panels so as to at least partly enclose contents within the frame when erected and to thereby protect products to be transported within the framework; the vertical members and horizontal members defining when the framework is erected a plurality of windowed frame panels comprising the opposite end panels, and opposite side panels, the panels of the framework being joined at lower and upper corners defined by the upright structural elements; the framework when erected providing a contents-receptive configuration of the shipper and protects the shipper and its contents against the stresses of filling, storage, distribution, merchandising and use of the packaging; said provision to selectively stabilize or destabilize each of the pivots being at each of the four lower corners a stabilizer for each such corner selectively shiftable from a position of locking engagement with respective vertical and horizontal elements, so as to maintain the frame in an erected condition to a position of unlocking to permit the frame to fold into an unerected condition; and stacking structure atop the vertical members to engage a like reusable transport packaging apparatus next above the claimed reusable transport packaging apparatus for stacking thereof; there being only two upper horizontal members and only two base horizontal members, the vertical members and the horizontal members being in mutually perpendicular relation when the frame is erected. 16. A reusable transport packaging apparatus of erectable-foldable character, characterized by: the framework comprising a frame capable of erected and collapsed states; the frame of structural elements comprising a pair of parallel base horizontal members each having connected thereto at opposite ends of the base members a pair of vertical members, such members being vertical when the frame is erected, each being pivotally connected to a corresponding end of the base horizontal members by a pivot having an axis such that the vertical members are permitted to pivot by endwise movement toward or away from the horizontal base members in the direction along the horizontal base members; the frame further having a pair of oppositely disposed upper end horizontal members fixedly connected at outer ends to corresponding upper ends of the vertical members, the upper horizontal members each being mutually perpendicular to the lower end horizontal members, the vertical members at each end of the frame and the upper horizontal members affixed thereto defining oppositely disposed, parallel end walls; provision to permit stabilizing or selective destabilizing of each of the pivots, and when the pivots are each stabilized, each of the vertical members extending upward perpendicularly from a corresponding end of the horizontal base members, the frame being then in upright, erected upright configuration for carrying contents; the structural framework capable when erected being rectangular and having four upper corners and four lower corners and forming an exoskeleton of open panels for carrying materials of vessel-forming character to hold and protect products to be transported within the framework; and the frame when the pivots are destabilized being capable of being collapsed into a folded space-conserving configuration for storage, return shipment or future use with the framework end panels selectively in either a (a) first folded configuration with the end panels folding inward and lying over and along the horizontal base members or (b) a second folded configuration with the framework end panels folding outward and extending outwardly from outer ends of the corresponding lower horizontal base members; whereby in either folded relationship the frame occupies flat-folded space-conserving configuration; the frame being adapted for carrying when erected flexible vessel-defining material for extending over and covering at least some of said panels so as to at least partly enclose contents within the frame when erected and to thereby protect products to be transported within the framework; the vertical members and horizontal members defining when the framework is erected a plurality of windowed frame panels comprising the opposite end panels, and opposite side panels, the panels of the framework being joined at lower and upper corners defined by the upright structural elements; the framework when erected providing a contents-receptive configuration of the shipper and protects the shipper and its contents against the stresses of filling, storage, distribution, merchandising and use of the packaging; said provision to selectively stabilize or destabilize each of the pivots being at each of the four lower corners a stabilizer for each such corner selectively shiftable from a position of locking engagement with respective vertical and horizontal elements, so as to maintain the frame in an erected condition to a position of unlocking to permit the frame to fold into an unerected condition; and stacking structure atop the vertical members to engage a like reusable transport packaging apparatus next above the claimed reusable transport packaging apparatus for stacking thereof; the vertical and horizontal members each being of multiply slot-apertured configuration along portions of their lengths, and the vertical members have a cross section characterized by a main web and a return web, and the return web does in turn have a return. 17. A reusable transport packaging apparatus of erectable-foldable character, characterized by: the framework comprising a frame capable of erected and collapsed states; the frame of structural elements comprising a pair of parallel base horizontal members each having connected thereto at opposite ends of the base members a pair of vertical members, such members being vertical when the frame is erected, each being pivotally connected to a corresponding end of the base horizontal members by a pivot having an axis such that the vertical members are permitted to pivot by endwise movement toward or away from the horizontal base members in the direction along the horizontal base members; the frame further having a pair of oppositely disposed upper end horizontal members fixedly connected at outer ends to corresponding upper ends of the vertical members, the upper horizontal members each being mutually perpendicular to the lower end horizontal members, the vertical members at each end of the frame and the upper horizontal members affixed thereto defining oppositely disposed, parallel end walls; provision to permit stabilizing or selective destabilizing of each of the pivots, and when the pivots are each stabilized, each of the vertical members extending upward perpendicularly from a corresponding end of the horizontal base members, the frame being then in upright, erected upright configuration for carrying contents; the structural framework capable when erected being rectangular and having four upper corners and four lower corners and forming an exoskeleton of open panels for carrying materials of vessel-forming character to hold and protect products to be transported within the framework; and the frame when the pivots are destabilized being capable of being collapsed into a folded space-conserving configuration for storage, return shipment or future use with the framework end panels selectively in either a (a) first folded configuration with the end panels folding inward and lying over and along the horizontal base members or (b) a second folded configuration with the framework end panels folding outward and extending outwardly from outer ends of the corresponding lower horizontal base members; whereby in either folded relationship the frame occupies flat-folded space-conserving configuration; the frame being adapted for carrying when erected flexible vessel-defining material for extending over and covering at least some of said panels so as to at least partly enclose contents within the frame when erected and to thereby protect products to be transported within the framework; the vertical members and horizontal members defining when the framework is erected a plurality of windowed frame panels comprising the opposite end panels, and opposite side panels, the panels of the framework being joined at lower and upper corners defined by the upright structural elements; the framework when erected providing a contents-receptive configuration of the shipper and protects the shipper and its contents against the stresses of filling, storage, distribution, merchandising and use of the packaging; said provision to selectively stabilize or destabilize each of the pivots being at each of the four lower corners a stabilizer for each such corner selectively shiftable from a position of locking engagement with respective vertical and horizontal elements, so as to maintain the frame in an erected condition to a position of unlocking to permit the frame to fold into an unerected condition; and stacking structure atop the vertical members to engage a like reusable transport packaging apparatus next above the claimed reusable transport packaging apparatus for stacking thereof; further characterized by a floor carried by the framework, the floor carrying beneath it a shock absorbing cushioning device interengaging the floor to provide protection of goods contained in the packaging apparatus. 18. A reusable transport packaging apparatus of erectable-foldable character, characterized by: the framework comprising a frame capable of erected and collapsed states; the frame of structural elements having a spaced pair of parallel base horizontal members each having connected thereto at opposite ends of the base members a pair of vertical members, such members being vertical when the frame is erected, each vertical being pivotally connected to a corresponding end of the base horizontal members by a pivot having an axis such that the vertical members are each permitted to pivot by endwise folding movement by pivoting relative to the horizontal base members in the direction along the horizontal base members; the frame further having a pair of oppositely disposed upper end horizontal members fixedly connected at outer ends to corresponding upper ends of the vertical members, the upper horizontal members each being mutually perpendicular to the lower end horizontal members, the vertical members at each end of the frame and the upper horizontal members affixed thereto defining oppositely disposed, parallel end walls; the pivots for each vertical member being capable of being stabilized or destabilized, and when destabilized each of the end walls each of the end walls being permitted to pivot by endwise movement for folding toward or away from the other end wall by pivoting relative to the horizontal base members in the direction along the horizontal base members; gravity-responsive stabilizers slideably captive in each vertical member proximate each of the pivots to permit stabilizing or destabiliziiig of each of the pivots, and when the pivots are each stabilized, each of the vertical members extending upward perpendicularly from a corresponding end of the horizontal base members, the frame being then in upright, erected upright configuration for contents carrying; each of the stabilizers movable to and then remaining in a stabilizing position in response to gravity when the frame is upright, for maintaining the frame in upright, erected condition, and each of the stabilizers movable out and then remaining out of its stabilizing position in response to gravity when the frame is turned over into an inverted condition, to permit collapse of the frame to a folded condition for storage, return shipment or future use with the framework; the folded condition selectively being either a (a) first folded configuration with either end panel folding inward and lying over and along the horizontal base members or (b) a second folded configuration with either end panel folding outward and extending outwardly from outer ends of the corresponding lower horizontal base members; whereby in the folded condition the frame occupies space-conserving configuration; the vertical members and horizontal members defining when the framework is erected a plurality of windowed frame panels comprising the opposite end panels. and opposite side panels. the panels of the framework being joined at lower and upper corners defined by the upright structural elements; the structural framework capable when erected having upper corners and lower corners and forming an exoskeleton of open panels for carrying at least one layer of nonstructural material of vessel-forming character to hold and protect products to be transported within the framework by extending over and covering at least some of said panels so as to at least partly enclose contents within the frame when erected and to thereby protect products to be transported within the framework; stacking structure atop the vertical members to engage, when the framework is erected, a like reusable transport packaging apparatus next above the claimed reusable transport packaging apparatus for stacking thereof. 19. A reusable transport packaging apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein there are only two upper horizontal members and only two base horizontal members, the vertical members and the horizontal members being in mutually perpendicular relation when the framework is erected. 20. A reusable transport packaging apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein the stacking structure atop each of the vertical members comprises at upper corners of the apparatus a first tab diverging from one or more of the vertical members and extending upwardly therefrom, and a relatively smaller second tab near the first tab to be received by a corresponding vertical member of a next above like reusable transport packaging apparatus. 21. A reusable transport packaging, capable of being erected or folded, and when erected serving as a shipper for commercial packaging of goods, the packaging comprising: a structural framework capable of carrying nonstructural material of vessel-forming character to hold and protect products to be transported within the framework; the framework when erected provides contents-receptive configuration to protect the packing and its contents against the stresses of filling, storage, distribution, merchandising and use of the packaging; the framework including a plurality of horizontal and vertical members, wherein the horizontal members define lengthwise structural elements and the vertical members define upright structural elements, when erected; the horizontal and vertical members together defining an exoskeleton, when the framework is erected, having windowed frame panels of the framework joined pivotally at lower and fixedly/securely at upper corners defined by the upright structural elements; at each of the lower corners there being a gravity-shiftable stabilizer slideably captive in the vertical member selectively securing the horizontal and vertical elements on each lower corner in stabilized, locked, relationship when the framework is erected, but the stabilizers each shiftable from stabilizing position in response to gravity when the erected framework is inverted to permit the framework to fold into or out of an unerected condition so it can be returned to a location for being refilled with contents, so as to be sustainably capable of reuse many times; and stacking members atop the vertical members to provide for stacking/nesting and securement together of tiers of the transport package. 22. A reusable transport packaging as set forth in claim 1, further characterized by at least some vertical frame members being each provided with a series of apertures therein and further comprising in combination with the transport packaging apparatus and a link configured with flanges for securely engaging corresponding vertical members of adjacent units of transport packaging according to the foregoing, in side-by-side relationship for stabilizing interconnection.