Buckhorn, Inc.

Buckhorn Material Handling Group, Inc.

Paul J Ficker

John Kevin Bruce

Daniel R Miller

Thomas P Deaton

According to the embodiments provided herein, a multi-axis hinge can include a fixed axis body and an articulating body. The fixed axis body and the articulating body can be in rotational engagement and can be configured to rotate with respect to one another around a hinge rotational axis. The fixed axis body can include a first pillar and a second pillar that extends away from the hinge rotational axis. The first pillar and the second pillar can each include a panel engagement member. The articulating body can include a first articulating pillar and a second articulating pillar that extends away from the hinge rotational axis. The first articulating pillar and the second articulating pillar can each include a door engagement member.

Multi-axis hinges and containers including the same

According to the embodiments described herein, a nestable pallet can include an upper deck and a lower deck. The upper deck can forms a product support region. The upper deck can include a plurality of foot members each formed as a cavity within the product support region of the upper deck. Each of the foot members can include a base portion offset downward from the from the product support region of the upper deck. The lower deck can be joined to the upper deck and can be disposed downwards from the upper deck. The lower deck can include a plurality of foot strengthening orifices. Each of the foot strengthening orifices can include a support rim. The foot members of the upper deck can be received by the foot strengthening orifices and constrained by the support rim.

Nestable pallets and methods for forming the same

A collapsible container has a base with a bottom part having a bottom wall and feet and an upper part having side and end walls. Opposed side and end panels are hinged to the side and end walls of the base, respectively. The opposed side panels and opposed end panels are movable between an erected position and a folded position, in which one or both pairs of the opposed panels fold essentially flat onto the bottom wall of the base thereby reducing the height of the container for return shipment. Each of the opposed side panels of the container are hinged to the base at the same height in a channel formed in the corresponding side wall of the base to permit a hinge line to slide vertically in the channel formed in the side wall of the base.

Collapsible container having foldable side and end panels

A container constructed of parts that are injection molded using a synthetic resin molding technique includes a base, side walls and end walls. The side and end walls are movable between a first position in which the side and end walls are collapsed in the interior of the base and a second position in which the side and end walls are erect for being engaged at the corners by over center latches that are also molded of a synthetic resin material. The latches fit within recessed areas of the side or end walls such that when the latches are in a locked or unlocked position, the latches are contained entirely within a recessed area, which is recessed with respect to the exterior surface of the walls. Thus, when the latches are in the latched or unlatched position, the latches do not project outwardly beyond the exterior surface of the walls.

Container with over center corner latches

A stackable nestable container has access openings in at least one of the side and end walls. The access openings are covered by a dispensable panel that can be removed for enabling access to the contents of the container. The container is therefore suitable for use in shipping goods as well as displaying the goods at a retail outlet. Upon return of empty containers, the panels do not need to be replaced and the containers can be stacked in a nested stack, separately from the lids. Then, when the containers are to be used again, new or replacement panels are fit into the access openings. The panels are of a lightweight, inexpensive material and are therefore expendable, and can even be discarded by the user when a need arises to remove or replace the panels. Also, the panels have a wide flat area on which advertising or other indicia can be printed, which is typically displayed on the sides of containers.

Nestable container with expendable closure panel covering access opening in container wall

A container for transporting products such as produce as a reusable base part including a base and support members hingedly mounted to the base that are movable between two positions. In a first position, the support members are upright, generally perpendicular to the base and in a second position the support members are retracted to a position to lie parallel with a bottom wall of the base. In the first position, an over sleeve is adapted to slide over the support members along opposite end walls of the container and fit into the base along opposite side walls of the container. Bottom wall flaps of the over sleeve extend part way across the bottom wall of the container and produce contained therein pushes down on the bottom flaps to maintain engagement of the over sleeve with the base. The base and support members are made of a reusable material, such as plastic whereas the over sleeve is made of cardboard, which can be discarded or recycled after use.

Container having reusable base and disposable over sleeve

A keyed, two part container for shipping or storing associated articles. The container includes a box portion having a generally planar base member, a pair of opposed sidewalls, and a pair of end walls defining an open area adapted to access a central cavity for receiving the associated articles. Lid receiving means is formed on the box portion, specifically, on the end walls. A lid portion is adapted for receipt over the open area of the box portion. The outer surface of the lid portion is provided with a preselected design that receives, in turn, a preselected pattern defined on an outer surface of the base member of another container. A first keyed means is defined by a continuous flange in the lid portion which matingly engages with the lid receiving means of a compatible box portion and interferes with the lid receiving means of a comparable box portion. Also, a second keyed means is defined by selected ridges extending from recessed areas of the box portion. The selected ridges matingly engage with recessed areas in the lid portion of a compatible container and interfere with a comparable lid portion.

Growing community of inventors

Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Paul J Ficker