WO2006122261A2

WO2006122261A2 - Dolly for nestable totes

Info

Publication number: WO2006122261A2
Application number: PCT/US2006/018285
Authority: WO
Inventors: Henning Rader; Hans Niemann
Original assignee: Monoflo International, Inc.
Priority date: 2005-05-11
Filing date: 2006-05-11
Publication date: 2006-11-16
Also published as: WO2006122261A3

Abstract

A container dolly supports a plurality of nestable containers with container lids. The dolly includes a supporting platform configured to support the containers in a side-by-side first orientation when the containers are full of product and the container lids are closed. The supporting platform also includes an empty container area sized to receive the containers oriented in a second orientation perpendicular to the first orientation when the containers are empty and nested within one another with the container lids open. This arrangement facilitates use, transport and return of containers.

Description

TITLE OF INVENTION

DOLLY FOR NESTABLE TOTES

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/679,654, filed May 11, 2005, the entire content of which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a plastic dolly for nestable totes and, more particularly, to a plastic dolly that supports totes with closed lids in a side-by-side orientation and nested totes with open lids in a perpendicular orientation.

Nestable containers facilitate storage of empty containers and delivery of the containers to a use location. The nested containers can be stacked on a dolly as transport to the use location, and the same dolly can be used to transport full containers from place to place, with the full containers being stacked on the dolly. With typical dolly construction, if the containers are not correctly loaded on the dolly, the resulting stack can be unstable and dangerous. Similarly, if the number of stacked containers exceeds a maximum, a similar unsafe condition can result.

It would thus be desirable to provide a container dolly that can secure stacked full containers for stable transport and that can also securely support empty nested containers for transport. It would also be desirable to allow the stacks to be strapped to further secure the load.

The dolly described herein permits the user to place two stacks of containers or totes in a side-by-side orientation. The fit of the stacks of totes on the dolly is snug to create a stable load and to permit strapping. Additional structure is provided for added support particularly when the full load is being moved over bumpy or uneven surfaces or transported in delivery vehicles.

When the containers are empty, they are nestable within each other to conserve space. If the container is of a nestable design with an attached lid, the lids hang over the sides of the totes when nested, which causes their base footprint to grow and prevents the nested totes from fitting on the dolly in the side-by-side original orientation. In order to return the nested totes on the same dolly, an empty container area is provided in the center of the dolly to secure the stack of empty totes, which may be recessed to prevent them from sliding back and forth. hi an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a container dolly for supporting nestable totes includes a supporting platform, a pair of stand-up members disposed along respective ends of the supporting platform, and an empty container area formed in the supporting platform. The empty container area is preferably sized to receive one of the nestable totes oriented with its longitudinal axis parallel to a lengthwise axis of the supporting platform. The supporting platform is sized and the stand-up members are configured to receive two of the nestable totes side-by-side and between the stand-up members with their longitudinal axes parallel to a widthwise axis of the supporting platform. The dolly may additionally include a pair of wedge members pivotably attached to the supporting platform adjacent opposite sides of the empty container area. The wedge members are pivotable between a stowed position substantially flush with the supporting platform and a support position, hi this context, the dolly may also include a pair of wedge locks attached to the supporting platform and selectively engageable with the pair of wedge members, respectively, to lock the wedge members in the support position. The wedge locks may be pivotable between an unlock position substantially flush with the supporting platform and a lock position.

At least one projection preferably extends from the supporting platform that with the stand-up members delineates side-by-side receiving areas for the side-by-side nestable totes with longitudinal axes parallel to the widthwise axis of the supporting platform.

The dolly may still also include a second pair of stand-up members disposed along respective ends of the supporting platform and parallel to the lengthwise axis, hi this context, the stand-up members parallel to the widthwise axis and the stand-up members parallel to the lengthwise axis do not extend to corners of the supporting platform, thereby defining open corners to facilitate stacking of container dollies.

The empty container area may be recessed relative to the supporting platform, hi another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a container dolly supports a plurality of containers with container lids. The dolly includes a supporting platform that is configured to support the containers in a side-by-side first orientation when the containers are full of product and the container lids are closed. An empty container area in the supporting platform is sized to receive the containers oriented in a second orientation perpendicular to the first orientation when the containers are empty and nested within one another with the container lids open. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a container dolly; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the dolly supporting an empty container; and

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the dolly supporting containers in a side-by-side orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container dolly 10 for supporting nestable totes. The dolly 10 includes a supporting platform 12 having a lengthwise axis L and a widthwise axis W as shown. The dolly 10 typically also includes caster wheels or the like (not shown) secured on an underside thereof via attachment holes 14.

The dolly 10 includes at least a first pair of stand-up members 16 disposed along respective ends of the supporting platform 12 and parallel to the widthwise axis W. The dolly 10 shown in FIG. 1 additionally includes a second pair of stand-up members 18 disposed along respective ends of the supporting platform 12 and parallel to the lengthwise axis L.

An empty container area 20 is defined in a central portion of the supporting platform 12. Preferably, the empty container area 20 is recessed as shown and is sized corresponding to a bottom panel of the nestable totes. As shown in FIG. 2, the empty container area 20 receives one of the nestable totes T with its longitudinal axis T_L parallel to the lengthwise axis L of the supporting platform 12. In an alternative embodiment, the empty container area 20 is not recessed. As shown in FIG. 3, the supporting platform 12 is sized and the stand-up members 16 are configured to receive two of the nestable totes T in a side-by-side orientation and between the stand-up members 16 with their longitudinal axes TL parallel to the widthwise axis W of the supporting platform 12. At least one projection 28, preferably two, extends from the supporting platform 12. The projection 28 with the stand-up members 26 delineate side-by- side receiving areas for the totes in the side-by-side orientation.

With this construction, with the containers T full of product and the container lids closed, the container dolly 10 can stably support two stacks of containers in the side-by-side orientation. To create a stable load and to permit strapping of the stacks to further secure the load, the fit of the stacks of totes on the dolly 10 is snug (approximately 1/8 inch clearance per side, for example). The stand-up members 16 (and also members 18 if included) provide additional support to hold the tote stacks in place, especially when the full load is being moved over bumpy or uneven surfaces or transported in delivery vehicles. The totes T can be stacked several layers high, for example, two stacks of seven totes each for a total of fourteen totes per dolly 10. When the totes T are empty, they are nestable within each other to conserve space.

When nested, however, the container lids must be opened, which causes their base footprint to grow and prevents the nested totes from fitting on the dolly 10 in the side-by-side original orientation, hi order to return the nested totes on the same dolly 10, with reference to FIG. 2, the empty totes are set in the empty container area 20 in the supporting platform 12 to secure the stack of empty totes and when recessed prevent the totes from sliding back and forth. hi order to provide additional support for the empty tote stack, regardless of whether the empty container area 20 is recessed, the dolly 10 includes pivotable locking structure 22. hi particular, as shown in FIG. 1, the locking structure 22 comprises a pair of wedge members 24 pivotably attached to the supporting platform 12 adjacent opposite sides of the empty container area 20. The wedge members 24 are pivotable between a stowed position substantially flush with the supporting platform 12 as shown in FIG. 1 and a support position against a sidewall of an empty tote as shown in FIG. 2. The locking structure 22 additionally comprises a pair of wedge locks 26 attached to the supporting platform 12 and selectively engageable with the pair of wedge members 24, respectively, to lock the wedge members 24 in the support position (FIG. 2). The wedge locks 26 can be engaged with the wedge members 24 in any suitable manner such as by sliding, pivoting or rotating, hi a preferred arrangement, the wedge locks 26 are pivotable between an unlocked position substantially flush with the supporting platform as shown in FIG. 1 and a locked position engaged with the wedge members 24 as shown in FIG. 2. Still other methods may be used to secure the wedge members 24 in place, and the invention is not necessarily meant to be limited to the illustrated example. For example, a picture frame style lock may also be used.

The use of the wedge members 24 on each end of the tote creates a higher retention wall to prevent the tote stack from bouncing out of location, i.e., out of the empty container area 20. Retention of the empty tote stack is improved by positioning the wedge members 24 in such a way that once erected, the wedge members 24 make contact with end panels on each side of the empty bottom tote. This contact creates pressure and friction and helps to hold the totes in place. Since many polyolefms have a "slick" surface, the wedge members 24 may also incorporate a second, more rubber-like material 25 to provide an even higher retention level. This soft, rubber-like material could be molded onto the wedge members 24 (overmolding) or inserted into slots in the form of grommets or the like.

The stand-up areas 16, 18 allow for secure stacking of empty dollies 10 on top of each other. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 1, the stand-up members 16, 18 do not extend the full length/width of the supporting platform 12 and thus do not extend to corners of the supporting platform 12, thereby defining open corners. The open corners allow the casters on a stacked dolly 10 to rotate freely without obstruction, eliminating the need to orient the wheels by hand when the dollies 10 are stacked. Alternatively, a recessed area may be provided for the casters on the supporting platform 12 to allow the dollies 10 to nest more tightly. This would provide a fixed location for the casters if so desired.

The dolly described herein stably supports stacked side-by-side full containers while additionally providing a sturdy support system to secure and transport nested empty containers. The dolly system thus facilitates storage, use and return of such containers.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A container dolly for supporting nestable totes, the container dolly comprising: a supporting platform having a lengthwise axis and a widthwise axis; a pair of stand-up members disposed along respective ends of the supporting platform and parallel to the widthwise axis; and an empty container area defined in the supporting platform, the empty container area being sized to receive one of the nestable totes oriented with its longitudinal axis parallel to the lengthwise axis of the supporting platform, wherein the supporting platform is sized and the stand-up members are configured to receive two of the nestable totes side-by-side and between the stand-up members with their longitudinal axes parallel to the widthwise axis of the supporting platform.

2. A container dolly according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of wedge members pivotably attached to the supporting platform adjacent opposite sides of the empty container area, the wedge members being pivotable between a stowed position substantially flush with the supporting platform and a support position.

3. A container dolly according to claim 2, further comprising a pair of wedge locks attached to the supporting platform and selectively engageable with the pair of wedge members, respectively, to lock the wedge members in the support position.

4. A container dolly according to claim 3, wherein the wedge locks are pivotable between an unlock position substantially flush with the supporting platform and a lock position.

5. A container dolly according to claim 1, further comprising at least one projection extending from the supporting platform, the projection with the stand-up members delineating side-by-side receiving areas for the side-by-side nestable totes with longitudinal axes parallel to the widthwise axis of the supporting platform.

6. A container dolly according to claim 1, comprising a second pair of stand-up members disposed along respective ends of the supporting platform and parallel to the lengthwise axis.

7. A container dolly according to claim 6, wherein the stand-up members parallel to the widthwise axis and the stand-up members parallel to the lengthwise axis do not extend to corners of the supporting platform, thereby defining open corners to facilitate stacking of container dollies.

8. A container dolly according to claim 1, wherein the empty container area is recessed relative to the supporting platform.

9. A container dolly that supports a plurality of containers with container lids, the dolly comprising a supporting platform that is configured to support the containers in a side- by-side first orientation when the containers are full of product and the container lids are closed, the supporting platform including an empty container area sized to receive the containers oriented in a second orientation perpendicular to the first orientation when the containers are empty and nested within one another with the container lids open.

10. A container dolly according to claim 9, further comprising pivotable locking structure that supports the empty containers in the second orientation.

11. A container dolly according to claims 10, wherein the pivotable locking structure comprises a pair of wedge members pivotably attached to the supporting platform adjacent opposite sides of the empty container area, the wedge members being pivotable between a stowed position substantially flush with the supporting platform and a support position.

12. A container dolly according to claim 11, wherein the pivotable locking structure further includes a pair of wedge locks attached to the supporting platform and selectively engageable with the pair of wedge members, respectively, to lock the wedge members in the support position.

13. A container dolly according to claim 12, wherein the wedge locks are pivotable between an unlock position substantially flush with the supporting platform and a lock position.

14. A container dolly according to claim 9, further comprising stand-up members disposed along respective ends of the supporting platform that facilitate container stacking.

15. A container dolly according to claim 14, wherein the stand-up members are disposed along respective ends of the supporting platform and do not extend to corners of the supporting platform, thereby defining open corners to facilitate stacking of container dollies.

16. A container dolly according to claim 9, wherein the empty container area is recessed relative to the supporting platform.

17. A container dolly for supporting nestable totes, the container dolly comprising: a supporting platform; a plurality of stand-up members disposed along respective ends of the supporting platform; an empty container area formed in the supporting platform, the empty container area being sized to receive one of the nestable totes oriented in a first orientation, wherein the supporting platform is sized and the stand-up members are configured to receive two of the nestable totes side-by-side and between the stand-up members in a second orientation perpendicular to the first orientation; and pivotable locking structure coupled with the supporting platform that supports the containers in the first orientation.