AU5359790A

AU5359790A - Stackable box

Info

Publication number: AU5359790A
Application number: AU53597/90A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Georg Osbakk
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-04-11
Filing date: 1990-04-03
Publication date: 1990-11-05
Anticipated expiration: 2010-04-03
Also published as: DD296046A5; DE69009997D1; NO891493D0; NO891493L; BR9007289A; AU637366B2; FI95555C; ES2022010A6; ES2057551T3; FI95555B; EP0467920A1; JP2856906B2; NO174094C; RU2048390C1; JPH04505741A; KR920701005A; WO1990011942A1; ATE107251T1; DE69009997T2; EP0467920B1

Description

Stackable Box

The present invention is related to a stackable packing box for storing and transport of a plurality of similar objects. Stackable packing boxes are available in a number of shapes and for different purposes. Boxes for bottles normall are provided with a partition for each bottle and the shape o the boxes provide for the possibility to stack the boxes o each other. This, however, results on the other hand in empt boxes occupying just as much space as boxes containing bottles.

If on the other hand the shape of the boxes is such that the may be inserted in each other when they are empty, the weigh of one box normally rests on the content of the underlaying bo which is unfortunate, especially if the bottles are made o soft plastics and also because the lower box may contain onl one bottle, making normal stacking impossible.

The aim of the present invention is to provide stackable packing box which can be stacked in an other box whe empty, thereby occupying a minimum of space for storing an transport and which furthermore can be stacked on an other bo and rest on this independently of the lower box containin objects, such as bottles or not.

It furtermore is an object for the present inventio to provide a packing box for storing bottles which_< after us can be pressed in such a way that they only occupy part o their original height, whereby a number of boxes may be stacke into each other with the surpressed bottles, thereafter to b returned for collection and possible recirculation of th bottles. The above described object is achieved with th packing box according to the present invention as defined b the features stated in the claims.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 discloses a packing bo according to the invention in perspective, Fig. 2 discloses section II-II in Fig. 3, Fig. 3 discloses a grant view of a bo standing another, indicated lower box and Fig. 4 discloses ground view of a box having an alternative shape.

The drawing discloses a packing box adapted fo storing of five bottles and having for this purpose partition webs 2. Two different embodiments are disclosed in Fig. 3 and 4 respectively. The embodiment according to Fig. 3 has a shape enabling one box to be arranged on top of another box or alternatively by turning the box 180° to be arranged in another box, whereas the embodiment according to Fig. 4 is adapted for arranging a box on top of another box independently of the orientation.

The upper limitation of the box is provided by a surrounding flange 1 having on its upper surface a carrying handle 3 in each of the longitudinal sides of the flange. Preferably the handles are recessed in the flange. The handles

3 may be pulled up to a suitable height limited by an abutment

4 against the lower side of the flange when the handles are pulled up. After pulling up the handles 3, the handles are pressed towards each other and secured to each other by catching bottoms. In this position the two handles together are suitable as a handle for the box and simultaneously also prevent the content in falling out of the box. As disclosed especially in Fig. 2, the cross section of the box is tapered downwards, which is the case for the front and rear walls as well as the side walls. Based on this fact empty boxes may be stacked into each other as disclosed in Fig. 2. Furthermore Fig. 1 discloses apertures or windows 10 by means of which the content of the box easily can be seen.

By stacking empty boxes into each other the bottom 11 of an upper box will be arranged on a shoulder 12 in the interior of the lower box, thereby establishing a space between the bottoms of the two boxes, which space may contain an empty bottle which has been compressed for recirculation. This also avoids jamming of boxes which are stacked in each other. The distance provided between the two boxes also is such adjusted that the abutments 4 of the handles 3 may remain between the flanges 1 of the two boxes. Two boxes may be stacked in another if they are such oriented that the web 7 in one of the side walls in both boxes are arranged to the same side. If the two boxes, however, are turned 180° in relation to each other, the bottom of the upper box will be arranged on the upper surface of the flange 1 of the lower box. This is achieved by the side wall comprising the web 7 being somewhat wider than the opposite side wall. An upper box which is turned 180° in relation to a lower edge therefore will be arranged with its bottom to the wider side wall flange of the lower box and its shorter side will rest on the flange of the lower box as disclosed in Fig. 3. The webs 2 and the flanges 1 comprise a portion 13 which is somewhat lower such that an edge 14 is established between the lower portions 13 and the upper surface of the flange 1. Those edges 14 provides for receipt and guidance of the upper box and corre¬ spond with the outer shape of the bottom. The edges may be provided in the flange across the broadest side wall or on the web 7. Two boxes according to another embodiment also may be stacked in another if having the same orientation, with the web 7 in one side wall towards the same side as they are equal and all walls are tapered. If, however two boxes are turned 180° in relation to each other the bottom 11 of the upper box will rest on the webs 2 of the lower box. The upper edge of the wsbs 2 is provided with a lower portion 13 and an edge 14 is provided between the upper surface and the lower portion 13 for guiding the bottom of the upper box. To achieve this effect the distance from the side wall to the different webs 2 differs from the distance between the other side wall to the different webs.

With this embodiment the boxes may be stacked in each other being equally orientated and resting on the webs 2 of the lower box with its weight and not on the content if th boxes are turned 180° in relation to each other.

The bottom of the box according to . the presen invention is provided with a center bead 6 extending along th entire length of the bottom. The bead is formed by pressing a inwardly directed channel on each side of the bead. The purpos of this bead 6 is as follows. The bead will abut agains bottles which may be stored in a lower box if the two boxes ar oriented equally, whereafter the upper box will tilt, thereb indicating for the user that the orientation is wrong alread before the user has let go the handle 3 of the upper box. Turning 180° of the upper box will bring the bottom 11 of the upper box in a position for arrangement on the portions 13 of the lower box. The webs 2 are tapered upwards in such a way that the boxes will fit into each other as the outer surface of the webs in the upper box with a clearance will slide along the inner surface of the webs of the lower box until the bottom of the upper box abuts against the shoulder 12 in the lower box. Openings 8 are arranged in the flange near the side ends, enabling arrangement of a box on for example a wall. The flange 1 has in each longitudinal side a recess 9 making it easier for the user to catch the handle 3 of the box.

The above described embodiments of the invention are concerned with a rectangular box. The box, however, may have a square shape in such a way that the boxes may be stacked on each other, each turned 90°.

The box according to the invention is especially formed in connection with the use of bottles made of plastics for containing liquids. A bottle of this type may be thrown away after the content has been used, whereby the bottle may be compressed to a height such that the bottle may be arranged between two boxes stacked in each other. Furthermore a box according to the present invention may be used for recircula- tion of several compressed bottles in boxes stacked on each other. If such a box is filled with a larger mount of com¬ pressed bottles for recirculation, these may be locked by the handles which are pulled up and pressed against each other. On the other hand boxes according to the invention are suitable for recirculation of empty, not deformed plastic bottles, especially for payment of bottle deposite, whereby bottles as well as boxes may be collected by bottle receiving machines.

Claims

P a t e n t C l a i m s

1. Stackable box for storing and transportation of a number of similar objects, CHACTERIZED IN the front and rear walls of the box being tapered downwards and being provided with upwards tapered webs for transversial support of the objects, the box being provided with an interior shoulder on the interior surface of the walls in the lower portion such that one box may be stacked into another and rest on the shoulder of the lower box, the bottom of the box being such that the bottom of one box may rest on the surrounding flanges provided on the top of a lower box when having correct orientation. s

2. Box according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED IN the box being not-symmetric in relation to a centric transversal axis in such a way that boxes having same orientation may be fitted into each other, whereas boxes having different orientation rest on each other, preferably with the bottom of the upper box o on the upper flange of the lower box, which lower box thereby may contain objects in the space between the bottoms of the two boxes.

3. Box according to claims 1-2, CHARACTERIZED IN the surrounding flange on top of the box having a circumference 5 being vertically aligned when boxes are stacked in one another or on one another.

4. Box according to claims 1-3, CHARACTERIZED IN a handle being recessed in each longitudinal flange, each handle comprising a abutment which abuts against the underside of the 0 flange when the handle is pulled up and the two handles of a box being adapted for clamping to each other after being pulled out threby capturing the content.

5. Box according to claims 1-4, CHARACTERIZED IN a bead being provided in the longitudinal direction in the middle 5 of the bottom of the box, preferably on both sides of the bead inwardly directed portions being arranged such that the bead will hit possible objects in a lower box, thereby indicating that the upper box must be turned an angle to be stacked on the lower box, such as 180° for rectangular boxes and 90 or 180° for square boxes.

6. Box according to claims 1-5, CHARACTERIZED IN the upper surface of the flanges having recessed portions for receipt of the bottom of an upper box, whereby the edges of the recessed portions having a shape corresponding to the circum¬ ference of the bottom.

7. Box according to claims 1-6, CHARACTERIZED IN the distance from one the end wall of the box to the webs being o different from the distance from the other end wall to the different webs such that boxes having the same orientation may be stacked in another whereby boxes having another orientation will rest on each other with the bottom of the upper box on the upper surface of the webs of the lower box. s

8. Box according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED IN the recessed portions and edges being provided in the upper portions of the webs corresponding to the bottom of the box.

9. Box according to claim2 1-6, CHARACTERIZED IN the bottom of the box having a trapeze form with one short end wall o and one larger end wall and the recessed portions in the flange of a box with a shorter end wall being provided to receipt the bottom of the larger end wall of the upper box.

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