FORM -2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE
Specification
(See Section 10; rule 13)
CRATE
Applicant: NILKAMAL LIMITED
An Indian Company
of Survey No.354/2 & 354(3), Near Rakholi Bridge, Silvassa-Khanvel Road,
Village Vasona, Silvassa (D & NH), India.
Inventor: PAREKH NAYAN
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in
which it is to be performed.

Field of the Invention:
The present invention generally relates to systems and methods used for transportation of goods.
Particularly, the present invention relates to crates used for shipment of various articles.
Background of the Invention:
A crate is a container used for shipment of various articles such as fishes, vegetables, fruits, bottles, milk and the like. A crate has a self-supporting structure, with or without sheathing. Crates may be of wood, plastic, metal or other materials. Crates may be of various types, such as closed, perforated, framed, and the like.
Generally, use of crates is very rough because it is handled by unskilled workers manually. Further, these crates may be transported over long distances. Accordingly, a crate may be constructed taking into consideration various aspects such as items to be stored and transported therein, transportation methods, storage conditions and the like. Every step of the transportation chain may result in different stresses, such as shock, vibration, impact and the like. Additionally, differences in pressure, temperature and humidity may not only adversely affect the content of the crate, but also will have an effect on the holding strength of the crate.

The prior art discloses various types of crates for shipment of various articles. However, the prior art crates have numerous limitations. For example, the prior art crates have comparatively less operative life. Further, the prior art crates generate cracks at four corners of crate. Further, the prior art crates are difficult to handle. Furthermore, the prior art crates have comparatively less strength.
Accordingly, there is need for a crate that is easy to handle. Also, there is need for a crate that has comparatively more strength. Further, there is need for a crate that provides additional strength at the corners thereof. Also, there is need for a crate that has comparatively increased operative life.
Objectives of the Invention:
An object of the present invention is to provide a crate that is easy to handle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a crate that has comparatively more strength.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a crate that provides additional strength at the corners thereof.
Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a crate that has comparatively increased operative life.
Also, an object of the present invention is to provide a crate that provides improved ventilation.

Summary of the Invention
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a crate for shipment of articles. The crate includes a base, a plurality of side walls and reinforcement structures. The plurality of side walls is extending from the base and meeting at corners. The reinforcement structures are provided at least at a portion of the corners.
Typically, at least a pair of holding grips is configured on the plurality of side walls for facilitating easy handling of the crate.
Preferably, at least one ribbing grid is provided to reinforce the plurality of side walls.
Further, at least one ribbing grid is provided to reinforce the base.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a double walled structure is configured along a central portion of at least one of the plurality of side walls.
Additionally, at least one insert is configured on the crate.
Typically, the at least one insert is selected from the group consisting of a calendar, a recycle code insert, an air vent insert, a logo insert, a plant location insert, an address insert and a name insert.
Preferably, the reinforcement structures include at least one reinforced rib.

Further, in one embodiment of the present invention, the corners are of doubled walled structure.
Brief Description of the Accompanying Drawings:
The invention will now be explained in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a crate, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a crate, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a crate, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment:
The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which do not limit the scope and ambit of the invention. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The present invention provides a crate for shipment of various articles such as fishes, vegetables, fruits, bottles, milk and the like. The crate of the present invention provides comparatively more strength by providing improved structure of the operative top corner and the operative bottom corner thereof. Accordingly, the crate of

the present invention is adapted to cany various articles therein for long distances. Further, the crate of the present invention provides adequate holding arrangement configured thereon for facilitating an unskilled labor to easily handle the same.
Referring to Figures 1 to 3, various embodiments of a crate for shipment of various articles such as fishes, vegetables, fruits, bottles, milk and the like are disclosed, in accordance with the present invention. More specifically, referring to Figure 1, a crate 100 is disclosed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The crate 100 includes a base (not shown), a plurality of side walls, such as 102, 104, 106, and 108, a plurality of corners 110, 112, 114, and 116, and a plurality of ventilation openings 118.
The plurality of side walls 102 to 108 extends from the base and meets at the corners 110 to 116. In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of side walls 102 to 108 and the base are reinforced by ribbing grid with various designs, according to the size of the crate. Additionally, in one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of side walls 102 to 108 may be adapted to have solid structure. In one embodiment of the present invention, the long side walls 102 and 106 are adapted to have double wall structure 124 configured along center portion thereof.
Reinforcement structures are provided at least at a portion of the plurality of corners 110 to 116 for providing additional strength to the crate 100. In one embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcement structures include a reinforced rib. The plurality of corners 110 to 116 are configured to have double walled structure for providing better strength. The double walled structure configured at the plurality of corners 110 to 116 is created from the operative top portion as well as from the operative bottom portion of the crate 100. Additionally, in one embodiment of the

present invention, the double walled structure configured at the plurality of corners 110 to 116 is a solid structure.
The plurality of ventilation openings 118 is adapted to provide improved ventilation so that the articles contained in the crate 100 get proper ventilation. The crate 100 of the present invention further includes holding grips 120 and 122 configured on the side walls 104 and 108 respectively. The holding grips 120 and 122 are adapted to facilitate an unskilled labor to easily handle the crate 100. In one embodiment of the present invention, the crate 100 may be manufactured by injection molding process. However, the present invention is not limited to any particular manufacturing process used for manufacturing the crate 100.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the crate 100 of the present invention has outside dimension of about 543mm X 360mm X 290mm. Further, in one embodiment of the present invention, the crate 100 of the present invention has inside dimension of about 510mm X 328mm X 276mm. Furthermore, in another embodiment of the present invention, the crate 100 may have a mass of about 1700g. The outside dimension, the inside dimension and the mass of the crate 100 as described in the above-mentioned embodiments are exemplary. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to any particular value of dimension or any other physical property of the crate 100. The values of the dimensions and the other physical properties of the crate 100 may be decided based on various factors, such as, articles to be transported, means of transportation, and the like.
Referring to Figure 2, a crate 200 is disclosed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The crate 200 includes a base (not shown), a plurality of side

walls, such as 202, 204, 206, and 208, a plurality of corners 210, 212, 214, and 216, and a plurality of ventilation openings 218,
The plurality of side walls 202 to 208 extends from the base and meets at the corners 210 to 216. In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of side walls 202 to 208 and the base are reinforced by ribbing grid with various designs, according to the size of the crate. In one embodiment of the present invention, the long side walls 202 and 206 are adapted to have double walled structure 224 configured along center portion thereof.
Reinforcement structures are provided at least at a portion of the plurality of corners 210 to 216 for providing additional strength to the crate 200. In one embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcement structures include a reinforced rib. The plurality of corners 210 to 216 are configured to have double walled structure for providing better strength. In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of corners 210 to 216 is adapted to have double walled structure created from the operative top end portion of the crate 200. Alternatively, in another embodiment of the present invention, the double walled structure configured at the plurality of corners 210 to 216 is created from the operative top portion of the crate as well as from the operative bottom portion of the crate. Also, in one embodiment of the present invention, the double walled structure configured at the plurality of corners 210 to 216 is a solid structure.
The plurality of ventilation openings 218 is adapted to provide improved ventilation so that the articles contained in the crate 200 get proper ventilation. The crate 200 of the present invention further includes holding grips 220 and 222 configured on the side walls 208 and 204 respectively. The holding grips 220 and 222 are adapted to

facilitate an unskilled labor to easily handle the crate 200. In one embodiment of the present invention, the crate 200 may be manufactured by injection molding process. However, the present invention is not limited to any particular manufacturing process used for manufacturing the crate 200.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the crate 200 of the present invention has outside dimension of about 543mm X 360mm X 290mm. Further, in one embodiment of the present invention, the crate 200 of the present invention has inside dimension of about 510mm X 328mm X 276mm. Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the crate 200 may have a mass of about 1500g. The outside dimension, the inside dimension and the mass of the crate 200 as described in the above-mentioned embodiments are exemplary. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to any particular dimension or any other physical property of the crate 200. The values of the dimensions and the other physical properties of the crate 200 may be decided based on various factors, such as, articles to be transported, means of transportation, and the like.
Referring to Figure 3, a crate 300 is disclosed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. The crate 300 includes a base (not shown), a plurality of side walls, such as 302, 304, 306, and 308, a plurality of corners 310, 312, 314, and 316, and a plurality of ventilation openings 318.
The plurality of side walls 302 to 308 extends from the base and meets at the corners 310 to 316. In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of side walls 302 to 308 and the base are reinforced by ribbing grid with various designs, according to the size of the crate.

Reinforcement structures are provided at least at a portion of the plurality of corners 310 to 316 for providing additional strength to the crate 300. In one embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcement structures include a reinforced rib. The plurality of corners 310 to 316 are configured to have double walled structure for providing better strength. The double walled structure configured at the plurality of corners 310 to 316 is created from the operative top portion as well as from the operative bottom portion of the crate 300. Also, in one embodiment of the present invention, the double walled structure configured at the plurality of corners 310 to 316 is a solid structure.
The plurality of ventilation openings 318 is adapted to provide improved ventilation so that the articles contained in the crate 300 get proper ventilation. The crate 300 of the present invention further includes holding grips 320 and 322 configured on the side walls 308 and 304 respectively. The holding grips 320 and 322 are adapted to facilitate an unskilled labor to easily handle the crate 300. In one embodiment of the present invention, the crate 300 may be manufactured by injection molding process. However, the present invention is not limited to any particular manufacturing process used for manufacturing the crate 300.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the crate 300 of the present invention has outside dimension of about 543mm X 360mm X 290mm. Further, in one embodiment of the present invention, the crate 300 of the present invention has inside dimension of about 510mm X 328mm X 276mm. Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the crate 300 may have a mass of about 1550g. The outside dimension, the inside dimension and the mass of the crate 300 as described in the above-mentioned embodiments are exemplary. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to any particular dimension or any other physical property of the crate 300.

The values of the dimensions and the other physical properties of the crate 300 may be decided based on various factors, such as, articles to be transported, means of transportation, and the like.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the crate 100, 200 and 300 may include various inserts, such as calendar, recycle code insert, air vent insert, logo insert, plant location insert, address insert, name insert and the like, configured thereon.
Technical Advancements and Economic Significance:
The crate of the present invention is easy to handle. Also, the crate of the present invention has comparatively more strength. Further, the crate provides additional strength at the corners thereof. Furthermore, the crate of the present invention has comparatively increased operative life. Moreover, the crate of the present invention provides improved ventilation. Additionally, the crate of the present invention does not create any adverse effect on articles stored therein.
The numeral values given of various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher or lower than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities fall within the scope of the invention and the claims unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the specific features of the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that many additional features can be added and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiment without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other changes in the

preferred embodiment of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

We Claim:
1. A crate for shipment of articles, said crate comprising:
• a base;
• a plurality of side walls extending from said base and meeting at corners; and
• reinforcement structures provided at least at a portion of said corners.

2. The crate as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least a pair of holding grips configured on said piurality of side walls for facilitating easy handling of said crate.
3. The crate as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one ribbing grid adapted to reinforce said plurality of side walls,
4. The crate as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one ribbing
grid adapted to reinforce said base.
5. The crate as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a double walled structure configured along a central portion of at least one of said plurality of side walls.
6. The crate as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one insert configured on said crate.

7. The crate as claimed in claim 6, wherein said at least one insert is selected from the group consisting of a calendar, a recycle code insert, an air vent insert, a logo insert, a plant location insert, an address insert, and a name insert.
8. The crate as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reinforcement structures comprise at least one reinforced rib.
9. The crate as claimed in claim 1, in which said corners are of doubled walled structure.