Palletized Container with Clip-Locked Sleeve

Abstract

A molded plastic clip for attachment to the edge of a container sleeve to form part of a passive lock operable between the sleeve and a base structure such as a molded plastic pallet having a peripheral groove for receiving the edge of the panel. The clip comprises a molded plastic body having two generally planar panels joined at one end by a double hinge that allows the panels to be folded into a parallel condition spaced apart by the geometry of the double hinge wherein the inner surfaces of the panels are provided with integral male and female snap lock features and an outer panel is provided with an integral protruding tab feature near the double hinge to fit into a locking slot or opening in the structure groove. The clips are used in multiples.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 a pallet base;
 an open ended sleeve with a bottom edge configured to fit peripherally into the pallet base; and 
 a plurality of molded plastic clips attached to the sleeve adjacent the bottom edge to passively lock into the pallet base when inserted therein. 
   
     
     
         2 . A container as defined in  claim 1  wherein the sleeve has four walls. 
     
     
         3 . A container as defined in  claim 2  wherein the clips have two geometrically similar panels joined in a parallel configuration by a hinge wherein a sleeve wall fits into and between the parallel clip panels when a clip is attached thereto. 
     
     
         4 . A container as defined in  claim 3  wherein the clip panels have passive locking means integrally formed on inner surfaces thereof to passively engage through apertures in a sleeve wall. 
     
     
         5 . A container structure comprising:
 a four-sided pallet base and an open-ended sleeve adapted for joinder to said four-sided pallet base wherein the sleeve comprises four wall panels at least some of which are joined by hinges;   at least two opposite walls being provided with apertures adjacent but spaced from a bottom wall edge; and a plurality of one piece, molded plastic clips having integral parallel panels joined by a double hinge; said clips being joined to said sleeve solely by integral passive locking elements joined through said apertures in said sleeve walls wherein the clips have wedge shaped tabs integrally molded onto an outside panel surface for passively locking said sleeve to said pallet base.   
     
     
         6 . A container assembly comprising:
 a pallet base;   a four-walled sleeve configured for attachment to said pallet base; and   a set of molded plastic clips each having a panel with inner and outer parallel surfaces; said clips being attached to a sleeve wall with the inner panel surfaces thereof against an outer surface of a sleeve wall; and   one of said clips and pallet base further having a locking tab molded onto a surface thereof for passive locking attachment to the other of the clip and pallet base by bringing the clip and attached sleeve into conjugal relationship with said pallet base.   
     
     
         7 . A container assembly as defined in  claim 6  wherein the locking tab is wedge shaped and is integrally molded with said clip and said pallet base has means formed therein to passively receive and lock to said clip tab and sleeve when said conjugal relationship is achieved. 
     
     
         8 . A container assembly as defined in  claim 6  wherein each clip is formed with two geometrically similar panels attached to one another by means of an integral hinge section and said clips are attached to said sleeve with a sleeve wall between said clip panels by means of a snap lock structure integrally molded onto the inner parallel surfaces and passively joined to each other through an aperture in said sleeve wall. 
     
     
         9 . A container assembly as defined in  claim 6  wherein said sleeve has center fold lines in two opposite walls to allow the sleeve, when detached from said pallet base, to be folded accordion style. 
     
     
         10 . A container assembly as defined in  claim 9  wherein the clips attached to said opposite walls are staggered relative to said center fold lines.