WO1987005582A1

WO1987005582A1 - System for interconnecting panels of containers

Info

Publication number: WO1987005582A1
Application number: PCT/US1987/000586
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew S. Graham, Jr.
Original assignee: Graham Andrew S Jr
Priority date: 1986-03-19
Filing date: 1987-03-13
Publication date: 1987-09-24
Also published as: EP0301027B1; EP0301027A4; DE3788420D1; DE3788420T2; JPS63503220A; EP0301027A1

Abstract

Modular system for making enclosures or containers, including reuseable panels (10) for the side walls of the containers, the side wall panels having fastening devices (24) adjacent the upright corners of the containers, with the end portions of the panels (10) overlapping each other in a series in one direction around the perimeter of the containers and with fastening devices including fastening plates (28, 29) in a series overlapping each other in the opposite direction around the perimeter of the containers.

Description

-1-

SYSTEM FOR INTERCONNECTING PANELS OF CONTAINERS

Background and Statement of Objects

The present invention is concerned with various forms of cartons, containers and enclosures formed of panels, particularly where the panels are adapted for repeated reuse and the invention is concerned with systems and devices for assembling and interconnecting the panels in a manner providing simple and sturdy panel interconnection and simpliσ- ity in panel separation.

One of the important objectives of the invention is to provide a novel interrelationship of panel parts and of interconnecting or fastening devices which greatly increases the strength and rigidity of the containers formed while at the same time providing for ready separation and reassembly of the container components.

In another important aspect of the inven¬ tion, components such as the panels employed are arranged and proportioned to provide a modular system in which various of the panels -may be employed in various combinations providing containers or enclo¬ sures of various different sizes and shapes.

The present invention is also concerned with a system for interconnecting panels, particu¬ larly panels of a carton or container where the panels are arranged in edge-to-edge relation either in the same plane or in planes at angles to each other where such angle lies between the same plane (180 degree relationship) and the typical 90 degree relationship at the corners of conventional cartons.

Panel interconnecting systems are well known, especially for the interconnection of panels along the corners or edges of a rectangular carton where the panels extend from each other usually at angles of 90 degrees. Such known fastened systems customarily include connector plates which are fas¬ tened to the panels near the 90 degree corner, to¬ gether with a spring clip extended around the corner and engaging the connector plates. The prior art connection systems of the kind just referred to are not well adapted to the interconnection of panels where the panels lie in the same plane or at some angle to each other greater than the 90 degree angle.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a fastening system especially adapted to the interconnection of panels lying in or close to a common plane and providing for snug and secure fastening or interconnection of the panels in a direction across the panel joint, and the arrangement of the invention provides not only for a secure attachment of the panels to each other, but the invention also makes provision for resisting unde- sired relative shifting movements of the panels in directions paralleling the joint between the panels. It is a further object of the invention to provide for convenient and simple application of the fastening components and also for ready sepa¬ ration of the joint, thereby contributing to the ease of assembly of shipping cartons and ready sepa¬ ration of the parts for reuse in subsequent packaging.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a system for panel interconnection, espe¬ cially where the panels lie in the same plane and readily adapted to the interconnection of panels or panel pieces of various different sizes and shapes, so that the same fastening devices can be employed in the assembly of cartons of various sizes and shapes in some of which different numbers of panel pieces are used.

While certain features of the invention are of particular advantage in the interconnection of panels lying in planes in a range from 180 degrees to 90 degrees, nevertheless the invention provides connectors which can also be used for interconnection of panels lying in planes even at angles sharper than the 90 degree relationship.

It is also to be understood that the fas¬ tening devices of the present invention are appli- cable not only to cartons but also to a wide variety of enclosures or the like, such as boxes, containers, vessels, structural partitioning or enclosures, used, for example, for human occupancy, and the use of the term container herein is not to be understood in a limited sense. Brief Description of Drawings

How the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained will be clear from the fol¬ lowing description referring to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 to 9 correspond to the Figures disclosed in my prior United States Patent No. 4,584,806, and are particularly concerned with the use of panel interconnecting or fastening devices employing bridge plates extended across panel joints where the panels lie in a common plane or in planes extended at angles greater than the 90° relationship of rectangular containers, as follows:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of one side of a carton in which several panel pieces of different sizes are fastened together by fastening devices of the kind herein disclosed employing bridge plates;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of fragments of-adjoining panels and illustrating a fastening device incorporating a bridge plate according to the invention applied thereto;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary transverse sec¬ tional view taken as indicated by the section line 3-3 on Figure 2;

Figures 4 and 5 are transverse sectio'nal views taken as indicated by the section lines 4-4 and 5-5 on Figure 3; Figure 6 is a somewhat diagrammatic ex¬ ploded perspective view of the parts of a fastening device according to the invention;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 but illustrating the panel connecting components modified for application to a pair of panels lying in planes diverging somewhat from the common plane shown in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 2 but illustrating the modified arrangement which also appears in Figure 7; and

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 3 but illustrating the modified arrangement of Figures 7 and 8, Figure 9 being taken as indicated by the section line 9-9 on Figure 8.

Figures 10 to 30 are views illustrating various features and aspects of the present inven¬ tion, many of which are adapted for use in combina¬ tion with features illustrated in Figures 1 to 9, Figures 10 to 30 being -further identified as follows:

Figure 10 is a view of a partially assem¬ bled rectangular container incorporating a plurality of panels on each side;

Figure 11 is an enlarged, detailed view of a corner joint constructed according to the pres¬ ent invention and including a spring clip fastening device specially configured and particularly adapted for use at an upright corner of a rectangular con¬ tainer constructed according to the present inven- tion; Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 10 but illustrating another modular arrangement of panels in a rectangular container according to the present invention;

Figure 13 is a view of a rectangular con¬ tainer having a plurality of superimposed panels on each side;

Figure 14 is a view illustrating another embodiment of a rectangular container in which the panels on three of the four sides extend throughout the entire area of the container wall and in which the fourth side is made up of modular panels each overlying only a portion of the fourth side;

Figure 15 is a view illustrating the modu- lar use of panels according to the invention to form a plurality of sizes and shapes of rectangular con¬ tainers;

Figure 16 is an enlarged, detailed view of a portion of a spring clip fastening device and further including a special form of a clip-securing component;

Figure 17 is a detailed view, partly in section, illustrating the engagement of the spring clip-securing component in an aperture in one of the mounting plates for the spring clip fastening device; Figure 18 is an enlarged detailed vertical sectional view through a portion of a lid and a side wall of a container and illustrating the application of a spring clip fastening device, together with the application of a cup employed to seal an aperture in the top surface;

Figure 19 is an enlarged view with portions broken away, illustrating the relationship of aper¬ tures which may be provided in battens or reinforce- ment strips employed on panels such as shown in Figures 10 to 15;

Figures 20, 21 and 22 are views illustrat¬ ing alternative forms of one of the mounting plates for the spring clips employed at corners of the containers;

Figures 23 and 24 show two alternative forms of fastening spring clips contemplated for use according to the invention;

Figure 25 is a view of an enclosure formed of^* a plurality of panels on each side and at the top and arranged to serve as a shelter for human occupancy;

Figure 26 is an exploded view of portions of the paneled walls of an enclosure having a multi- plicity of panels on each wall and arranged to pro¬ vide for human occupancy, as in the shelter of Figure 25; Figures 27 and 28 show alternative forms of enclosures of the general kind shown in Figures 25 and 26 but being of different proportions and arrangements; and

Figures 29 and 30 are enlarged, fragmentary views of the assembly of panels and a pallet, to¬ gether with spring clip fastening devices, the assem¬ bly being arranged to facilitate storage or shipment.

Detailed Description

Before considering various details of the components employed according to the invention, it is first pointed out that the invention contemplates employment of spring clip fastening devices which, in general, are of two different types, one of which is particularly adapted for the interconnection of panels lying in a common plane, and the other of which is particularly adapted for the interconnection of panels adjoining each other at corners of the container where the panels are at right angles to each other, as in the upright corners of a container defining a generally rectangular container volume.

In addition to the use of the fastening devices of the two kinds just referred to, the in¬ vention contemplates positioning and interconnection of panels in a container in a novel manner, particu¬ larly at the upright corners of a rectangular con¬ tainer, in order to increase the strength of the container and, at the same time, provide facility for incorporation of various panels in a variety of interrelationships and thereby provide a modular -9-

system adapted to the formation of various containers of different sizes and shapes while employing com¬ ponents, such as the panels and also the fastening devices, of the same or similar construction.

The special interrelationship of the panels of a container contemplated according to the present invention and the interaction of that interrelation¬ ship with the special forms of spring clip fastening devices will be considered hereinafter, but attention is first directed to one specific form of the spring clip fastening devices employed according to the invention, i.e., the form of such fastening devices as disclosed in my United States Patent No. 4,584,806, above referred to.

Figures 1 to 9

Reference is first made to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive. The panels shown as being interconnected in this embodiment are indicated at 10-10. The fastening devices of the invention are applicable to panels formed of a .variety of materials including metals and plastics, but in most cartons or containers, the panel material comprises wood, either in the form of plain wood slabs or in the form of plywood or wood particle board.

In this embodiment, and also in other embodiments, the fastening devices are preferably formed of sheet metal and, in general, the components of the fastening devices are relatively thin as σom- pared with the panels of which the containers are made. As seen in Figures 2 to 6, the panels 10- 10 lie in a common plane and meet at a joint 11, the fastening device being associated with the edges of the panels near the joint. Each of the devices for interconnecting the two adjoining panels includes four components comprising a pair of connector plates, one mounted near the edge of each panel, a bridge plate spanning the joint between the panels and a spring clip for holding the parts in assembled re- lation.

Each connector plate is generally indicated by the reference numeral 13. Each connector plate includes a metal channel 14 having flanges 15 with marginal strips 16 apertured to pass the fastening screws 17 by which the connector plates are secured to the panels.

From the drawings, it will be noted that each connector plate is mounted on the panel in a position so as to define cavities lying along the panel and having openings presented toward each other across the panel joint. Each connector plate also hajs apertures 18 formed therein and adapted to coop¬ erate with the fastening means provided at the ends of the spring clip 19 which comprises the fasten- ing component of the joint. As shown in Figure 6, the spring clip 19 is provided with a bent hook 20 at one end and also with a detent 21 at the other end. In the assembling operation, the hook 20 is first engaged in one of the apertures 18 in one of the connector plates, and the detent 21 is then in¬ serted into the aperture 18 of the other connector plate. The spring clip 19, as best seen in Figures 2, 3 and 6, has a curvature facilitating the inser¬ tion of the detent when the parts are being assem¬ bled, and this curvature will vary according to the angle of the panels being connected.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, each connector or spring clip 19 is shown as having a hook at one end and a detent at the other end, but it is to be understood that the interen- gaging means at the ends of the connector or spring clip may take the form of a detent at both ends.

The connector plates and the spring clip comprise the components which hold the panels together at opposite sides of the joint 11, the spring clip preferably being configured so that the edges of the panels are brought together into snug engagement without clearance.

Although the connector plates and the spring clip will provide an effective connection between the two panels, as above described, the pa'nels, being extended in a common plane or in edge- to-edge relation in somewhat inclined planes (as described hereinafter with reference to the embodi¬ ment shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9) , would still remain free for relative shifting movement of the panels either angularly or transversely with respect to each other in the absence of some fastening means in addition to the spring clip. For this purpose, the invention provides what is herein referred to as a bridge plate. In the embodiment of Figures

1 to 6, this bridge plate is indicated by the ref¬ erence numeral 22. It will be seen that the bridge plate comprises a channel-shaped component extended across the panel joint and into the cavities provided within the connector plates. The bridge plate also has apertures 23 formed therein and, as seen in Fig- ure 6, those apertures are in registry with the aper¬ tures 18 in the connector plates when the parts are assembled at the panel joint. The apertures 23 are larger than the apertures 18 in a direction transverse to the joint between the panels, the apertures 23 being positioned and proportioned so that they will not restrict or interfere with the action of the spring clip 19 in its cooperation with the apertures 18 when the spring clip is applied to complete the panel joint. The presence of the apertures 23 and the projection of the fastening elements 20 and 21 of the spring clip not only into the apertures 18 at the connector plates but also into the apertures 23 of the bridge plate serves the purpose of pre¬ venting the bridge plate from escaping by uninten- tional displacement out of the openings provided within the connector plates 13.

In the preferred practice of the invention, thje bridge plate is desirably dimensioned in a direc¬ tion perpendicular to the panels and to the connector plates so that only very small clearance is provided between the top of the bridge plate and the under side of the connector plates. Providing only small clearance is of importance in preventing the panels from shifting in relation to each other in a direc- tion perpendicular to the plane of the panels or in angularly tilting with respect to each other. From the above, it will be seen that the interpositioning of the panels is effected in the direction toward and away from each other by means of the spring clip, but is effected in other direc- tions by means of the interfitting of the bridge plate and the connector plates.

Another aspect of the fastening devices of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 1. In that figure, it will be noted that the wall of the carton there shown is made up of a panel 10a, having an area equal to one-half of the total side- wall of the carton, together with two panels 10b, each of which represents about one-quarter of the total area of the wall. The spring clips and con- nector plates of the joints serve to interconnect the three panel pieces 10a, 10b and 10b, but as will be realized from inspection of Figure 1, the same parts mounted on other panel pieces lying in the same plane may alternatively be used in order to interconnect panel pieces in different arrangements. For example, four panel pieces (each representing one-quarter of the area of the wall) could be inter¬ connected by means of the connector plates; or a wall such as indicated in Figure 1 could be formed by means of two panel pieces such as shown at 10a, each comprising one-half of the wall, instead of employing the one-quarter size pieces indicated at 10b. Various combinations may thus be employed in accordance with the invention.

In connection with the illustration of

Figure 1, it will be seen that the several panels there shown could be employed in containers of various different configurations, the individual panels or components being capable of use according to a modu¬ lar system more fully described hereinafter with particular reference to Figures 10 to 30.

In Figure 1, there is also shown at 24 a number of corner joint fastening devices, and while these may comprise corner clip fastening devices of certain known types, it is preferred to employ the type of spring clip fastening devices hereinafter particularly described in connection with Figures 10 to 30 (see especially Figure 11, Figure 16, Figure 17 and Figures 20 to 24 inclusive) .

Turning now to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 7, 8 and 9, it is first noted that the same reference numerals have been used for the various parts but, in certain instances where the parts are of different configuration, the part has been iden¬ tified by the same number, together with a prime mark (' ) .

As best seen in Figures 8 and 9, the panels lO-'-lO¹ are positioned in planes at an angle to each other and may have bevelled edges providing a joint 11'. It will thus be seen that the arrangement of the invention is readily adapted to the intercon- nection of panels lying either in the same plane or in somewhat angled planes. Although the angle of the panels in the embodiment of Figures 7, 8 and 9 provides a convex configuration when viewed, as in Figure 9, it will be understood that some angu- larity in the concave sense may also be accommodated by joint parts in accordance with the present inven¬ tion. It will further be understood that the configuration of the spring clip 19' in the embodi¬ ment of Figures 7, 8 and 9 is modified as compared with the spring clip used in the first embodiment in order to readily accommodate application and removal of the spring clip, notwithstanding the relatively angled planes of the panels being con¬ nected.

Although the employment of a spring clip fastening device of the kind described above includ¬ ing a bridge plate such as shown at 22 in Figures 2 to 6 and 22' in Figures 7 to 9 is preferred for joints where the panels lie in a common plane or at a somewhat inclined plane as in Figures 7 to 9, where the joint between the panels to be connected comprises a 90° or right angle joint, as in typical rectangular containers, it is preferred to employ a spring clip fastening device of a different form, not including a bridge plate. Such fastening devices are somewhat diagrammatically illustrated at 24 in

Figure 1. While certain known right-angle fastening devices may be used for certain purposes, according to^* the present invention it is preferred to use 90° fastening devices of the kind fully described and explained in connection with various of the embodi¬ ments of containers as described hereinafter.

Figures 10 to 30

In Figure 10, there is illustrated a carton being assembled on a pallet or base, indicated at 25. The modular system of the present invention makes possible the use of the components of this invention in connection with pallets of standard configuration and size. This carton is rectangular and each of the sides of the carton are formed by employment of two superimposed panels 26, all of which are preferably of the same construction and dimensions. In Figure 10, three of the walls of the carton are shown as completed by the incorpor¬ ation of a pair of superimposed panels 26, and the fourth side of the rectangle is shown as having the lower panel already installed , and the upper panel shown separate from the container prior to assembly. As will be seen, each of the panels of this particu¬ lar container is formed of a board having batten reinforcement strips 27 positioned near the upper and lower edges of the rectangular panel, all of these components preferably being formed of wood, for instance, plywood or other sheet or strip wood material. Panels may be molded or extruded of plas¬ tic comprising both the boards 26 and the battens 27.

The illustration of Figure 10 represents one form of a container which may be constructed according to the modular system contemplated by the present invention. One of the important aspects of the present invention providing for a highly flexible modular system relates to the manner of joining or connecting the panels at the 90° corners, particularly the four 90° upright corners occurring at the junction of the side walls defining a rec- tangular volume. The invention contemplates certain distinctive features employed in combination at each one of these upright corners, and the features in question are explained herebelow with particular reference to Figure 11. As indicated above. Figure 11 is a frag¬ mentary enlarged view of the panel and joint parts at one of the upright corners of the container. As will be seen from Figure 11, the panel boards 26 and the reinforcement strips 27 are differently configured at the opposite ends of the panel. Thus, as seen in Figure 11, one end, shown at the left side of Figure 11, of the panel board 26 and the reinforcement strip 27 are both terminated or cut- off in a plane perpendicular to the panel. These end surfaces are indicated at 26a and 27a, and these surfaces are adapted to abut against the inside sur¬ face of the panel 26 at the other side of the corner, as is indicated by the dot and dash lines between the two panels shown in Figure 11. The panel board 26 of the right-hand component shown in Figure 11 may also be notched as indicated at 26b in a con¬ figuration conforming with the adjacent parts of the left-hand panel when the two panels are brought together to complete the joint. This notching will accommodate a reinforcement strip extended downwardly of the edge of a lid or cover for the container described hereinafter with particular reference to Fi'gure 18.

A spring clip fastening device as described hereinafter is provided at the joint shown in Figure 11, but before explaining the preferred structure of the fastening parts, it is here pointed out that the two end configurations of the panels shown in Figure 11 are provided on each panel, one config¬ uration being provided at one end of the panel and the other configuration at the other end of the panel. In view of this, it will be seen that in the con¬ struction of a container such as shown in Figure 12, the panels overlap each other at the corners of the container in a series extended in one direc¬ tion around the four upright corners of the container. This serial overlap is preferably employed in com¬ bination with certain features now to be described with reference to the fastening devices which, as will be explained, involves a serial overlap of parts extended around the container in the direction oppo¬ site to the overlap series of the panels themselves.

In considering the configuration and manner of mounting the components of the fastening devices, as shown in Figure 11, attention is also directed to certain features of the fastening devices which are illustrated not only in Figure 11 but also in Figures 20 to 24.

Each 90° fastening device is made up of three components, i.e., a pair of fastening plates and an interconnecting spring clip generally indi¬ cated at 30 in Figures 11 and 23. The two fastening plates 28 and 29 are basically of the same configura- tion, comprising a stamped sheet metal piece having an aperture 31 and if desired, certain reinforcing ribs or the like such as indicated at 32, as well as holes 33 (see Figures 20 - 22) provided for attach¬ ment screws for securing the fastening plates. to the panel pieces to be interconnected. As will be seen from Figures 11, 20 and 21, these two fastening plates 28 and 29 are identical in configuration, except for the bending or flexing of an end portion 29a on one of them adapted to overlie the end surface at one end of each panel as seen toward the right of Figure 11. As will also be seen from Figure 11, the outer end of the fastening plate 28 mounted at the other end of each panel, as shown at the left in Figure 11, extends beyond the end surfaces 26a and 27a of that panel in order to overlie a portion of the end surfaces of the other panel. It is here important to note that this overlapping of the fas¬ tening plate 28 of the left-hand panel shown in Figure 11 with respect to the end surfaces of the right-hand panel shown in Figure 11, provides an overlapping interrelationship which occurs in a series extended around the upright corners of the container in a series the direction of which around the container is opposite to the overlapping series of the panels themselves as above described. The arrangement of these two overlapping series to extend in opposite directions around the container provides rigidity and integrity of the panel assemblies making up the containers, and this desirable characteristic is present in all embodiments of the containers which may be produced in accordance with Applicant's modu¬ lar system.

As appears from Figure 11, the joint is also sturdily secured by the application of the spring clip such as indicated at 30 having detents 34 at both ends which are adapted to engage in the apertures 31 and thus retain the adjoining ends of the panels at the upright corners in the desired 90° relationship.

In connection with the fastening plate 29, it is particularly to be noted that the bent edge portion 29A not only serves to facilitate posi¬ tioning and mounting of the plate 29 at the end of the batten 27, but this bent edge 29A provides protec¬ tion for the covered underlying corner or edge of the batten 27. This covered edge of the end of the batten is a prominently exposed portion of the panel which otherwise would be subject to abrasion in the handling and shipment of the carton or container. From Figure 11, it will be seen that the end portion of the panel 26 and batten 27 at the left side of the joint shown in Figure 11 are not subject to such abrasion, because of the overlap of the portions of the panel and batten at the right hand side of Figure 11.

Although certain other forms of right angle or 90° spring clip fastening devices may be employed, it is contemplated according to the invention that the fastening plates for the connecting devices be arranged and connected with the opposite ends of each panel in order to provide the overlapping arrange¬ ment fully described above and illustrated in Figure 11 in a manner providing the overlapping series extended around the container in a direction opposite to the overlapping of the end portions of the panels themselves.

It should be understood that these 90° fastening devices may be employed in the position of the corner fasteners 24 shown in Figure 1, and also in various other forms of containers and enclo¬ sures described more fully hereinafter, it is pre¬ ferred to employ the opposite series of overlappings at the upright corners of each container. The type of spring clip fastening device shown in Figure 11 and described above may also be employed in the inter¬ connection of upright walls of a container either with a top wall or with a bottom wall, such as a pallet. Where the spring clip fastening device just described is employed between a side wall and a top wall, as illustrated, for example, in certain embodi- ments described hereinafter and also at the top of Figure 1, certain features as illustrated in Figure 18 are desirably employed. Thus in Figure 18, a side wall panel is indicated at 26 having a rein¬ forcement strip 27, and a top wall component is shown at 36, having a reinforcement strip 35 overlapping the side wall component 26. The fastening plate 29 also appears in Figure 18 in a position overlying the edge of the top wall component 36 and the top wall component is desirably provided with an aperture such as indicated at 37 in Figure 18 in a position underlying the aperture 31 of the fastening plate, and the detent 34 of the spring clip 30 may thus be accommodated within the aperture 37 in the top wall 36. A cup formed of sheet metal or plastic 39 is desirably inserted in the aperture 37 in the top wall, thereby providing a closure which would provide weather protection or prevent entrance of water in the event the container is exposed.

The embodiment of Figure 18 also shows a feature which may be employed on any panel having a fastening device of the kind disclosed. Thus, a flexible braided attachment wire or cord 40 may be fastened to the panel wall, for instance, the top wall 36 shown in Figure 18, by a fastening stud 41, this attachment cord being connected with the spring clip 30, thereby preventing separation or loss of the spring clip. The fastening stud may also serve for attachment of the connector plate 29. Figure 19 is an enlarged view, with a portion broken out illustrating a reinforcement strip or batten adapted to be employed on various container components, such as the components 27 fully described above with particular reference to Figure 11. Toward one end of this component (the left hand end as viewed in Figure 19) an aperture 38 is provided in a position with relation to the end of the batten providing for cooperation with fastening plates and spring clips such as shown in Figure 11. Apertures 38a may also be provided in positions adapted to receive the fastening studs or screws by which the fastening plates are secured to the batten. A sim¬ ilar aperture 38b may be provided intermediate the ends of the batten in order to provide for coopera¬ tion with fastening plates for fastening devices of the kind shown in Figure 11. The dimensions indicated by the arrows x and x' are the same, and this is provided so that the appropriate fastening plates may be attached either at the end of the batten or along the side thereof.

Another feature contemplated for use in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in Figures 16 and 17. In this arrangement, a top wall or panel such as indicated in Figure 18 at 36, may be employed, and the top wall may be connected with a side wall by means of a spring clip fastening device comprising a fastening plate 29 and a spring clip 30. In many situations, it is desirable that the container be tamper proof, and this may be accom¬ plished in a simple manner as illustrated in Figures 16 and 17. Here it will be seen that a locking or security device 42, formed, for example, of tough, break-resistant nylon or other plastic material is formed and shaped in a manner to provide for inser¬ tion into the aperture 31 of the fastening plate 29 after the detent of the spring clip has been inserted, the device 42 having projections 43 at its ends adapted for spring engagement under the edges of the plate 29 surrounding the aperture 31. This device when inserted will prevent separation of the detent and thus of the spring clip 30. Being formed of a plastic material, the security device may, if desired, be ruptured and then removed in order to permit the separation of the detent from the aperture 31 in the fastening plate 29. It is contemplated that this security device 42 be formed of a brilliantly contrastingly colored plastic mate¬ rial, so that its presence or absence would readily be recognizable in the use of the cartons and asso¬ ciated equipment.

In connection with the use of a security device such as illustrated in Figures 16 and 17 it is to be noted that in another embodiment of the invention a security device 42 may be employed, formed of a particularly tough plastic material which would not readily be rupturable and would therefore nor¬ mally remain installed in the aperture 31. Such a device may be employed in order to hold one end of the spring clip against separation. This will permit partial rotation of the other end of the spring clip, thereby permitting disengagement of the other end and opening of the joint, without separation of the end of the spring clip engaged in the aperture in which the security device is in¬ serted. This feature may be employed in order to retain the spring clip in its associated relationship to one of the panel pieces. For this purpose, it would not ordinarily be contemplated to employ a brilliantly contrasting color, as is suggested in the embodiment described above where it is contem¬ plated that the security device 42 be ruptured and removed when it is desired to open that particular joint.

As above pointed out, the system of the present invention including the spring clip fastening devices incorporating bridge plates, as in Figures 1 to 9 inclusive, and also incorporating the angular spring clip fastening devices particularly illus¬ trated in Figures 11 and 20 to 24 inclusive, are desirably employed where the containers to be assem¬ bled not only include side wall panels meeting at 90° corners, but also include panels positioned in a common plate in a side wall or in the top or bottom of a container. One embodiment illustrating the combination of such components appears in Figure

1 and others are referred to hereinafter in connec¬ tion with certain other figures. It is here further pointed out that in any of such modular construc¬ tions, at any 90° corner, especially at the 90° up- right corners of a rectangular container, the over¬ lapping interrelationships in series extended around the upright corners of the container in opposite directions as above explained with particular ref¬ erence to Figure 11, is of importance and facilitates the establishment of the modular system herein con¬ templated, whether or not the particular container being constructed contains more than one panel lying in the common plane of any given wall. Other forms of containers are illustrated in various other figures as follows. The container shown in Figure 12 has four upright walls meeting at 90° corners and three of those walls identified by the numbers 44, 45 and 46, are formed of vertical boards which are bound together by horizontal strips or battens and integrated into a single wall struc¬ ture having spaces between the individual vertical boards of each wall. The wall of this container toward the front as viewed in Figure 12 is also formed of vertical boards, but the boards are sub¬ divided into horizontally extended sections having interconnecting and reinforcing strips 47 at the upper and lower edges thereof. In Figure 12, there- fore, the container walls are integral walls except for the front wall which is made up of three super¬ imposed panels. Notwithstanding the differences between the front wall and the other side walls of the container of Figure 12, the configuration of the spring clip fastening devices may be the same as shown in Figure 11, and in addition, it is pre¬ ferred that the walls and the clips have the opposite orientations of overlapping ends thereof in the sequences extended around the container as in Figure 11. Thus, the container of Figure 12, like the container of Figure 10, has various of the advantages of the serial and opposite overlapping of the end portions of the panels and of the fastening plates 28.

Figure 13 is a view illustrating another modular container in which all four sides of the container are made up of panels of the kind indicated at 26 and 27 in Figure 10 but further having a top wall secured to the side walls and also having a pallet at the bottom to which the side walls are connected. Figure 14 illustrates an arrangement sim¬ ilar to Figure 13. In this embodiment, the front wall is modular, being formed of a vertically super¬ imposed series of panels, and the other three walls and the top wall are all formed of a single piece or component. Notwithstanding these differences, the desired corner overlappings in opposite direc¬ tions is also employed.

In Figures 13 and 14, as well as in certain other embodiments illustrated herein, it is contem¬ plated that the individual modular panels may be of a length with which it would be preferred to pro¬ vide bracing in the mid-region or even at several points along the length of the panels. For this purpose fastening devices of the kind employing bridge plates such as described above in connection with Figures 1 - 6, may be used to interconnect the superimposed edges of adjoining panel as is diagra - atically indicated in Figures 13 and 14. Such fastening devices having bridge plates may also be employed in other arrangements, such as in the walls shown in Figure 25 and in the roof shown in Figures 25 - 28 and also in the roof of such enclosures where more than one piece is employed in a common plane.

Figure 15 is a view illustrating six con¬ tainer configurations each involving a plurality of superimposed panels in each side wall, but illus¬ trating also the manner in which panels of different horizontal and vertical dimensions may readily be adapted for incorporation into containers adapted to define an interior volume of a wide variety of sizes and shapes. In this series, it is contemplated that the side walls be fastened to a pallet construc¬ tion at the bottom and further that a top wall be provided, as will readily be apparent from Figure 15. Notwithstanding the differences in length of certain of the panel components, it will be under¬ stood that the opposite serial overlappings of the ends of the panels and of the fastening plates will again be used in the variety of modular containers indicated in Figure 15.

' In connection with the various containers illustrated in Figure 15, it is first noted that the side walls of the three containers indicated by the letters a, b and c are all formed from panels of two sizes, the difference between the panels of those two sizes being that the smaller of the two are of one-half the length of the larger. Notwith¬ standing that only two different panel sizes are employed, the sides of three different container configurations may readily be formed. The same interrelationships between the panels and the con¬ tainers themselves are also present in the three containers identified by the letters d, e and f in the lower portion of Figure 15. Thus, for the side walls of the three panels d, e and f only two dif- ferent panels are needed. The panels used in the containers d, e and f are of different height than the panels used in containers a, b and σ. In one preferred embodiment, the height of the panels used in containers d, e and f would be one-half of the height of the panels used in containers a, b and c, and this would provide for modular interchange of the panels as desired. It will further be understood that in either of the groups of containers represented by the letters a, b and c on the one hand and d, e and f on the other hand, still other cartons may be developed from the same components; and in addition, it is further contemplated that in the modular system of the present invention, the horizontal length of the panels used in the cartons a, b and c on the one hand and in the cartons d, e and f on the other hand are desirably of the same horizontal dimension. This modular characteristic would still further provide for assembly of containers in which side walls may have panels of both of the widths shown in the upper and lower portions of Figure 15. If desired in such compound assemblies, panels lying in a common plane at any side of a container may be interconnected by the type of fastening devices incorporating bridge plates, as shown in Figures 1 to 6. In all instances of modular assembly, it is contemplated that the overlapping of the panels at the vertical corners and the overlapping of the attachment plates of the spring clip fastening de¬ vices should be arranged in oppositely extending s^'eries around the perimeter of the container, in order to establish and maintain the secure and rigid assembly provided by such opposite series overlap¬ ping, as fully explained above with particular ref¬ erence to Figure 11.

Figures 25 to 28 are views of still other enclosures, these enclosures being of sufficient dimensions, especially in the vertical direction, in order to accommodate human occupancy, and it is contemplated that such enclosures may be employed , for example, in areas of catastrophic disasters, for instance, earthquakes, floods or the like. Here again, the enclosures may be made up of panel com¬ ponents having the desired serial opposite overlap- ping of the ends of the panels and of the joint plates of the fastening devices. If desired, such enclosure components may also be provided with doors and windows, If desired, enclosures of this type provided for human occupancy may be formed of a wall and a roof and may have reinforcing strips mounted on the in¬ terior thereof, instead of on the exterior, as in most of the cartons described above. This provides cavities on the inside in which sheets of thermal insulating material may be attached. It will be understood that the spring clip fastening devices shown in Figures 25 to 28 are only diagramatically indicated, but may conform either with the type of fastening devices incorporating a bridge plate, as in Figures 1 to 9, or the type of devices shown more specifically in Figures 11 and 20 to 24 inclusive.

In connection with the type of enclosures particularly providing for human occupancy, as shown in Figures 25 through 28, it is of advantage that the invention provides a modular construction by which such enclosures can be erected in various sizes, an arrangement having three units being illus¬ trated in Figure 27 and an arrangement having four units being illustrated in Figure 28. Other multiple arrangements may be employed, and enclosures of this kind can even be modularly enlarged after initial construction. Referring now to Figure 22, it will be noted that the figure illustrates a plate basically the same as the plate shown in Figures 20 to 21, except that one edge of the plate has been cut-off, which may be desirable in certain special config¬ urations, especially where the plate is used at a corner between a side wall panel and a top or bottom wall.

It is also pointed out that for certain purposes, it may be desirable to change the location of the edges of the aperture 31 in a fastening plate such as shown in Figure 22 which may be employed at different distances from the edge or corner of a panel piece. This will accommodate the use of wood or panels of various different thicknesses, while still employing the same size spring clips.

An alternative embodiment of spring clip is illustrated in Figure 24. Here, one end of the clip is provided with the detent 34, but the other end is provided with a hook element 48, and this may be employed in situations where release of the spring clip by employment of a tool would not be feasible because of space limitations, for instance, in a situation where that end of the spring clip was engaged in the aperture of a mounting plate located under a pallet.

Having in mind the modular capabilities of the system of the present invention, and further having in mind the arrangement of the parts providing for ready and convenient use and reuse of all of the major components, the invention makes provision for packaging components from which containers may be formed. A system of this type is shown in Figures 29 and 30. In these figures, a pallet is indicated at 49, and for packaging purposes, a mass of spring clips such as indicated at 50 may be assembled on top of the pallet 49. A lid such as indicated at 36 and side wall panels such as indicated at 51 may then be stacked over the nested spring clips 50 and the entire assembly may be fastened together by conventional metal straps 52. In this way, containers may be returned to a point of origin in shipping systems, or may be stacked in warehouses for shipment to a point of use either for containers for ship- ping purposes or for enclosures of the kind adapted for human occupancy. In accordance with Figures 29 and 30, loss of the spring clips may be avoided in shipment or storage.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. An enclosure having walls defining an interior enclosure volume of rectangular shape, the walls including four upright side walls meeting at upright corners of the enclosure, the walls being formed of panels with an edge portion of a first panel at one side of a corner being positioned and extended to overlap the edge surface of a second panel at the other side of that corner, a spring clip fastening device for interconnecting panels adjacent an upright corner, said device including apertured plates mounted on the outer sides of the panels adjacent the edges thereof and a spring clip having'end portions posi¬ tioned to engage the apertures of said plates, and the plate mounted on said second panel having an end abutment portion projecting beyond the edge of the second panel in a position overlying the edge of the first panel, the panels adjacent each of the upright corners of the enclosure being relatively positioned with respect to each other in accordance with the above definition and being interconnected by a spring clip fastening device in accordance with the above definition, with the edges of the panels overlapping each other at each corner in a first series extended around the upright corners of the enclosure in one direction and further with the abutment portions of the plates of the fastening devices at each corner projecting in a second series extended around the upright corners of the enclosure in a direction opposite to said first series.

2. An enclosure as defined in Claim 1 in which the enclosure is sufficiently high to accom¬ modate human occupancy, and one of said panels having a doorway therethrough providing for human entrance and exit.

3. An enclosure as defined in Claim 1 in which at least one of the enclosure walls incorporates at least two panels lying in adjoining edge-to-edge relation in a common plane, and a fastening device for interconnecting said two panels lying in a common plane, the fastening device comprising apertured plates mounted on the panels adjacent the adjoining edges thereof, a spring clip having end portions positioned to engage in the apertures of said plates, the plates also being configured to define aligned channels extended transversely of the adjoining edges of the panels, and a bridge plate extended in said aligned apertures across the adjoining edges of the panels.

4. An enclosure as defined in Claim 1 in which the walls of the enclosure are of substantial thickness, and in which the apertured plates mounted on the outer sides of the panels comprise metallic plates of thickness substantially less than the thickness of the panels.

5. An enclosure as defined in Claim 1 in which the walls are formed of panels extended horizon¬ tally between the upright corners and define a shipping container and in which the end portions of the panels overlap each other in sequence in one direction around the container in a first series as defined in Claim 1 and in which the abutment portions of the plates of the fastening devices project in a second series around the container in a direction opposite to said first series.

6. An enclosure having walls defining a container as in Claim 5 having an interior container volume of rectangular shape, the walls being formed of panels me'eting at the corners of the container, and further in which the spring clip device includes apertured plates mounted on the outer sides of the panels adjacent a corner and a spring clip having end portions positioned to engage the apertures of said plates, and a locking device insertable in a place aperture in which an end portion of a spring clip is received and configured to resist withdrawal of the spring clip from said aperture.

7. A construction as defined in Claim 6 in which the locking device is formed of fracturable material providing for removal of the locking device upon fracture thereof.

8. A construction as defined in Claim 7 in which the locking device has a sharp color contrast with the surface of the plate surrounding the aperture into which the locking device is inserted.

9. A construction as defined in Claim 6 in which the container walls define an interior container volume of rectangular shape, the walls being formed of panels meeting at corners of the container, and further in which a spring clip fastening device for interconnecting panels adjacent a corner includes apertured plates mounted on the outer sides of the panels adjacent said corner and a spring clip having end portions positioned to engage the apertures of said plates, at least one end of the spring clip being separable from a first plate aperture in which it is engaged without separating the other end of the clip from the aperture in the other plate, and a locking device insertable in said first plate aperture and configured to resist withdrawal of the spring clip from said aperture, the locking device being con¬ figured to provide freedom for the spring clip to pivot in a direction to disengage said other end of the spring clip from the aperture in said other plate.

10. An enclosure as defined in Claim 5 having wall panels defining a shipping container adapted for alternative use and reuse in containers of different configurations each defining an interior container volume of different rectangular shape, each configuration having walls including four upright side walls meeting at upright corners of the container, the panels including at least one panel having at least one edge adapted for alternative use either at a corner of a container or in a region in a common plane with another panel between corners of a container, and said one edge of the panel having a series of fasten¬ ing devices some of which are of one kind adapted for use at a corner of the container and at least one of which is of a second kind adapted for use in the region of said common plane.

11. A container as defined in Claim 10 in which the fastening devices are arranged in a series comprising devices of both of said kinds, with a device of said second kind positioned between spaced devices of said first kind.

12. A container as defined in Claim 11 in which the system includes a plurality of panels having fastening devices as defined in Claim 11 and being of modular dimensions providing for use of the panels either as a sole component in one side of a container of one configuration or as one of a plurality of components in one side of a container of an alterna¬ tive configuration.

13. A panel for use as a wall component of a container as defined in Claim 5, said panel being of a shape adapted to be positioned at a wall of the container with an edge adjacent another panel, a fastening plate mounted on the edge of the panel adapted to be positioned adjacent another panel and having an aperture for receiving an end of a spring fastening clip for the panels, the panel having an aperture extended through the panel underlying the aperture in the fastening plate, and a cup positioned in the aperture in the panel underlying the aperture in the fastening plate and providing a seal against ingress of atmospheric precipitation.