Hinge System For a Modular Bulk Container

Abstract

A panel ( 10 ) for a modular bulk container is described. The panel ( 10 ) has a frame ( 16 ) and a door ( 18 ) pivotally attached to the frame ( 16 ) by a hinge ( 20 ). The frame ( 16 ) has a first frame surface defining a first imaginary plane and an opposing second frame surface defining a second imaginary plane. The door ( 18 ) has a first door surface. The hinge ( 20 ) is extendable from a portion of the frame ( 16 ). The hinge ( 20 ) has a single pivoting axis and is movable from a first position in the door closed condition wherein the hinge ( 20 ) is entirely located between the first imaginary plane and the second imaginary plane to a second position located outwardly from the first position in a door open condition wherein an angle between the first imaginary plane and the first door surface is less than 30 degrees.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A panel for a modular bulk container, the panel comprising:
 a first member;   a second member;   an extensible hinge pivotally joining an end portion of the first member with an end portion of the second member comprising a pivot axis about the first member pivots relative to the second member; and   wherein the first extension is engaged with the second extension during pivoting of the first member relative to the second member about the pivot axis causing a reciprocal movement of the extensible hinge and increasing a distance between the end portion of the first member and the end portion of the second member in response to engagement between the first and second extensions.   
     
     
         2 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein the extensible hinge is selectively extendable from a portion of the panel along a linear path. 
     
     
         3 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein the extensible hinge is selectively extendable from a portion of the panel at a substantially fixed angle thereto. 
     
     
         4 . The panel of  claim 3  wherein the substantially fixed angle is less than or equal to 90 degrees relative to an imaginary plane parallel to an outer surface of the first member. 
     
     
         5 . The panel of  claim 4  wherein the first member includes a slot through which a portion of the extensible hinge traverses. 
     
     
         6 . The panel of  claim 5  wherein the slot has an angle approximately equal to the substantially fixed angle at which the extensible hinge is selectively extendable. 
     
     
         7 . The panel of  claim 6  wherein the extensible hinge comprises a keeper for engaging a portion of the panel to ensure attachment of the extensible hinge thereto. 
     
     
         8 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein the second member comprises an extension selectively engageable with a portion of the first member as the second member pivots on the hinge wherein the extensible hinge extends outwardly from the first member in response to engagement between the first and second members. 
     
     
         9 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein the second extension of the second member comprises a cam surface engageable with the first extension of the first member causing reciprocal movement by the extensible hinge increasing the distance between the end portion of the first member and the end portion of the second member. 
     
     
         10 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein the hinge includes a pivoting axis about which the second member rotates, and the panel further comprises a means for increasing a distance of the pivoting axis from the first member. 
     
     
         11 . The panel of  claim 10  wherein the means for increasing a distance of the pivoting axis from the first member is activated by engagement of the first and second members as the second member is pivoted about an axis of rotation on the hinge. 
     
     
         12 . The panel of  claim 10  wherein a portion of the hinge is located within a slot located on the panel, the slot restricting operational motion of the portion of the hinge to two directions. 
     
     
         13 . The panel of  claim 10  wherein the hinge comprises a plate received within a slot located on the first member wherein the plate traverses within the slot to extend the hinge outwardly from the first member. 
     
     
         14 . The panel of  claim 13  wherein the slot has an angle relative to an imaginary plane parallel to a stacking surface of the first member.