BR112013006617B1 - shipping and presentation box - Google Patents

Abstract

TRANSPORTATION BOX AND PRESENTATION. A box includes a bottom (12) and the first of the side walls (16b) extends upwards from the bottom (12) in a vertical direction (18), at least partially by a recovery height (20 ) which is less than the height of one or more of the remaining side walls (14a, 14b, 16a), to define a side opening with dimensions that allow access to and removal of the products contained in the box through the side opening. In addition, a locking element (100) is provided which extends between the two opposite side walls (14a, 14b), which are adjacent to the first side wall (16b), and in which the element is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the locking element is disposed between the opposite side walls (14a) and (14b) and away from the first side wall (16a) and in the second position it is disposed overlapping the first side wall (16b). Fig. 13 (a)

Description

description

The present invention relates to boxes for the transport of goods, which make it possible to present the goods transported in the box to a consumer and facilitate access to the goods inside the box for him.

A plurality of products are transported in boxes that are opened upwards. For example, a plurality of different carton shapes are known in the beverage industry to transport beverage bottles or smaller beverage bottle containers (for example, so-called "packs of six") from production to retailers. In retail, boxes are usually stacked so that access is only possible from the top, and thus products that are located inside a box that is located at a lower position in the stack can be accessed only when all the boxes above it are removed. This is extremely uncomfortable, strenuous and time consuming. In addition, these boxes are generally designed to transport goods of a certain type, such as bottles, so that for the transport of other products, other boxes must be used.

It would therefore be an advantage to provide boxes that allow for more efficient and simpler access to the products transported in the box.

Some embodiments of the present invention thus comprise a base or bottom and at least two pairs of opposite side walls respectively, wherein a first of the side walls is implemented so that it allows the removal of the products contained in the box. In addition, the first side wall extends from the bottom or bottom in the vertical direction, at least partially, by only a lower recovery or discharge height to the top, which is less than the height of one or more of the remaining side walls. The recovery height is determined so that from the first side wall, a side opening is defined with a size or dimension that allows access or removal or recovery of the products contained in the box through the side opening.

According to a first aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a box of the aforementioned implementation, which further includes a locking element that extends between the two opposite side walls that abut against the first side wall, and which is movable between a first position and a second position, in which the locking element is disposed in the first position between the opposite side walls and spaced from the first side wall, in which the locking element is disposed in the second position in overlap with the first side wall.

The locking element, according to the modalities, includes a support that extends between the opposite side walls, and two struts arranged at the two opposite ends of the support, where a first end of the struts is arranged at the opposite ends of the support, and wherein a second end of the struts is rotatably arranged on the corresponding side wall. The opposing side walls and the first side wall can include recesses to receive both the support and the struts, wherein the recesses can be such that the struts and the support in the first or second position of the locking element are aligned with a surface of the walls opposite sides facing the first side wall, or with an external surface of one of the side walls. In addition, a locking element can be provided which cooperates with the locking element in order to keep the locking element securely in the first or second position. For the formation of the locking element, the struts and / or the support of the locking element can be applied to couple portions of opposite side walls or the first side wall, in which, according to the modalities, the struts and / or support in this The context comprises one or more snap elements in order to cooperate with the corresponding fitting in the side wall receiving element. The locking element can be arranged in the second position, at a distance from the bottom or bottom that corresponds to about one third, half or two thirds of the height of the opposite side walls. In addition, the locking element can be implemented to be additionally disposed in a position further away from the first side wall, in which case, the supports can be telescopically implemented, to provide the locking element selectively in the second or later position .

According to another aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a box of the aforementioned type, which further includes an insert to be provided at the bottom of the box, the insert to be implemented according to the products to be received inside the box.

According to modalities, the insert can be removable attached to the bottom and / or the side surfaces, preferably only using special tools. The insert can be in the form of a plate and a first surface of the insert facing the bottom can be adapted for a bottom structure. The surface of the insert in the form of a plate opposite the first surface is structured according to the product to be inserted. The insert may include sleeves, longitudinal struts, transverse struts or members and / or recesses. Other embodiments provide a system that includes a box according to the modalities of the invention and a plurality of structured inserts for different products, in which one of the inserts can be selectively arranged in the box.

According to this aspect, therefore, a system that can be freely assembled is provided, which can be easily adapted to different products to be inserted into the box, for example, by a service provider that supplies the boxes according to configuration desired by a customer, and provides corresponding inserts and, consequently, proceeds to assemble the boxes without inserts, in which case it is foreseen for the inserts only to be interchangeable with special tools, where only the supplier has the box.

According to modalities, the box is restricted in the vertical direction to the upper part of the area of the first side wall (which can also be on the complete side wall) which extends from the bottom to the top, which has a height of inferior recovery. That is, above that first side wall area, no other frictional connection between adjacent side walls exists. In other words, the first sidewall, at least partially, less elevated than the surrounding sidewalls or that of some of the adjacent sidewalls, so that access is also possible on the side of the box, so as to have easy access to the products which are arranged in bottom boxes of the stack, even when the boxes are stacked.

Here, in some embodiments, the height of the first sidewall is dimensioned in such a way that even the specific products transported in the box cannot fall out of the box during transport. In some embodiments, the box is designed to transport bottles or pre-packaged bottles in smaller containers, so that the first side wall comprises a height that is sufficient to prevent individual bottles from falling out of the box. In some modalities, the height is between 1 and 10 cm. In some embodiments, the height is between 2 and 5 cm, or generally more than 2 cm.

In some embodiments, each first sidewall comprises two sidewall parts at its edges adjacent to the adjacent sidewalls that extend up to the height of the adjacent sidewalls, in order to increase the stability of the box.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the box includes four side walls, at least on the side walls adjacent to the first side wall openings for adhering or handling openings are arranged. The clamping openings here comprise a space that runs parallel to the bottom and also an area perpendicular to the bottom. In some embodiments, the area perpendicular to the bottom or the bottom is arranged towards the first side wall. In some embodiments, in addition, the first horizontal opening section, parallel to the bottom passes to the vertical opening section with a radius that is large enough to be able to secure the box to the radius. In embodiments of this invention, therefore, it is possible to attach and lift the box also in the radius or in the vertical opening section, so that it tilts backwards when attached. During transport, this reduces the likelihood of goods falling out, such as bottles, from the box through the opening of the first side wall.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the box further comprises, in the bottom area adjacent to the first side wall, a larger support area for the products to be transported, on average, than in the remaining bottom area. In other words, this means that, when the bottom is not implemented holohedrally but, for example it consists of individual struts, the number of rods per area, that is, the density of the strut in the area adjacent to the first sidewall is increased. This leads to the fact that a commodity inserted in the box near the side wall, for example, a drink bottle or can is in contact with the bottom, with a large area or support area. This prevents the bottle or drink from sliding or tilting in recesses between the bottom struts, so that a can fall or the unwanted bottle out during transport is prevented.

In some embodiments, in addition, the side walls adjacent to the first side wall on the front side, where they touch the first side wall are less elevated than on the front side of the opposite side wall. That is, in the direction of the opening, the side walls adjacent to the opening are lower, so that on the one hand the space available for recovery is increased and, therefore, on the other hand, the incidence of light or viewing angle to the inside of the box it is enlarged in order to make objects transported in the box such as bottles or the like more visible.

In some embodiments, the remaining side walls, which do not correspond to the first side wall, are foldable or articulated with respect to the bottom, so that the box can be brought into a folded state, where the remaining side walls are approximately parallel to the bottom covering the same or are located above the bottom. Therefore, the box can be transported more efficiently and at lower costs in an empty state.

Some additional embodiments comprise a movable area of the sidewall that extends above the first sidewall, in a vertical direction and that can be removed or folded. This can have the advantage that, in the unfolded state of the movable sidewall area, it also increases stability and safety, so that no goods or products can fall out of the box. In addition, in this unfolded or folded-down state, the area of the movable sidewall can be used to display product information or the like.

In some embodiments, the area of the movable sidewall is implemented crate or formed from a plurality of struts, so that the enclosure can be cleaned by pressure jets without separating the area of the movable sidewall from the enclosure or removal inadvertently from the housing by high pressure.

In some embodiments, in addition, the remaining side walls are coated or laminated with a sheet or film that contains product information that can be read from the outside.

In some embodiments, a sheet of light is provided so that by reflecting the light from the object or bottles carried in the box they can be optically better visible.

In some embodiments, the remaining three side walls that do not correspond to the lower region of the wall are of equal height so that the boxes can be stacked on top of each other, where the bottom of a box is placed on the three side walls remaining at the bottom of the box. For this purpose, both at the bottom and also at the upper ends of the remaining side walls special recesses or contours can be provided within which the corresponding recesses or contours of the bottom or the remaining side walls fit together, in order to thus allow stacking and ensure the firm position.

In some embodiments of the boxes of the invention, which are suitable for storing or transporting and presenting beverage bottles or cans, the bottom comprises a plurality of sleeves extending in the vertical direction from the bottom upwards. Sleeves are three-dimensional objects, which are located at the bottom and are formed in such a way that the bottles are maintained or fixed by the outer contour surfaces of the sleeves, so that the falling of the bottles is effectively prevented. In some embodiments, the sleeves comprise only a low height in the vertical direction, so that it can also be referred to as pieces of mango. The height and external shape of some sleeves are selected so that it prevents the bottles from falling out, through the side opening, in connection with the first side wall. In order to further guarantee recovery, in some modalities, the sleeves in their highest position are no higher than the first side wall. In some embodiments, the external contour surfaces of the sleeves have a variable height to adapt it as best as possible to the respective requirements. In order to allow the bottles to be tilted or tilted towards the first side wall, and still guarantee good stability, the sleeves comprise a lower height in a direction parallel to the side wall than in the direction of the first side wall so that the inclination in parallel to the first side wall is enabled, in which the inclination, in a direction perpendicular to this is prevented and the bottles are held firmly.

In the following, preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a box for transporting bottles;

Fig. 2 shows the mode of fig. 1 loaded with "six packages";

Fig. 3 shows filled boxes, stacked according to the modality of fig. 1;

Fig. 4 shows the mode of fig. 1 view from the bottom;

Fig. 5 shows an additional embodiment of a box of the invention;

Fig. 6 shows an additional embodiment of an inventive box with foldable side walls;

Fig. 7 shows the mode of fig. 6 in a partially folded state;

Fig. 8 shows the mode of fig. 6 in a completely folded state;

Fig. 9 shows the mode of fig. 6 full of bottles;

Fig- 10 shows the mode of fig. 6 loaded with "six packages";

Fig. 11 shows a top view of the embodiment of fig. 6;

Fig. 12 shows a detailed view of sleeves used in some embodiments of the invention

Fig. 13 (a) shows a box according to fig. 1 with a locking element according to an embodiment of the present invention in a first open position;

Fig. 13 (b) shows the box in fig. 13 (a) with the locking element in the second closed position;

Fig. 14 shows a stacked arrangement of a box in fig. 1 and a box of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 shows a box according to fig. 1 with a replaceable insert;

Fig. 16 (a) - (d) show insertion modalities that can be used in the box according to fig. 16.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention for a beverage box 10. The bottom 12 of the illustrated modality is not implemented continuously holohedrally, but is composed of a lattice type structure. As can be seen from the bottom view of the box of fig. 3, the bottom 12 is formed by a plurality of bars or struts. It is arranged dense enough for the goods to be transported, that is, for example, a bottle cannot fall through the bottom of the box or tilted in an uncontrolled manner, when one end of a bottle leans into one of the recesses. between the props.

The box further comprises two pairs of opposite side walls, respectively, 14a, 14b and 16a, 16b extending from the bottom 12 upwards, that is, in the vertical direction 18. A first of the four side walls, in this example, the side wall 16b, extends only for a small recovery height 20 in the vertical direction 18.

The recovery height 20 is less than the height of the remaining side walls 14a, 14b and 16a, so that a side opening is formed, which allows access or recovery or removal of bottles or products contained and transported in the box through the side opening. Above the first side wall 16b no additional housing structure is located. In the bottom 12 of the embodiment illustrated in fig. 1, an additional plurality of sleeves are arranged which, for example, sleeve (or barrel or axle) 22a and sleeve 22b are emphasized. The side opening for product removal is thus generated by the first side wall 16b having a lower height than the adjacent or the remaining side walls. Here, and also in the following figures, the height must be the dimension in the positive vertical direction 18. The term "upper" designates a position in the positive vertical direction 18, the term "lower" designates a position that comprises a small dimension in the vertical direction 18. The sides are any direction that limit the box in the direction parallel to the bottom or bottom surface 12.

By the first side wall 16a, a side opening is defined or formed, which allows access to remove the bottles transported in the box. In other modalities, of course, other products can be transported in the box. In the box in fig. 1 also called "packs of six" can be transported, that is, prepackaged containers of six bottles each.

In alternative embodiments not shown here, the side wall does not include the lowest recovery height 20 along its full length, but from the adjacent side walls 14a and 14b, the fixed side wall sections extend into the opening side, where the side opening remains so large that the removal of products or bottles is guaranteed. Such boxes can have greater stability.

The bottom embodiment 10 shown in fig. 1 further comprises a movable side wall 23 which is articulated with respect to a first fixed side wall 16b through hinges 24a to 24c. The area of the movable sidewall 23 is shown in fig. 1 in an unfolded position, in which it is folded down with respect to the first side wall 16b. In the upward folded position which is illustrated below with respect to some other embodiments of the invention, the area of the movable sidewall 23 extends in the vertical direction 18 upwards. Therefore, safety can be further increased as a bottle located in box 10 cannot tilt outwards. In addition, the moving part can be used to display product information or the like.

The side walls 14a and 14b adjacent to the first side wall 16b each comprise a clamping opening 28a and 28b using the box where it can be lifted and carried. Here, the clamping openings comprise both a first opening area that extends parallel to the bottom and also a second opening area that basically extends in the vertical direction, the function of which will be explained in more detail below with reference to fig. 3.

In addition, the side walls 14a and 14b adjacent to the first side wall 16b, at the inwardly facing end towards the first side wall, comprise beveled edge areas 30a and 30b through which light can strike the boxes even if they are stacked on top of each other. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 1, thus, the ends of the side wall 14a and 14b adjacent to the first side wall 16b comprise a height less than at its opposite end. It is obvious that, although in the embodiment illustrated in fig. As part of the side wall recess is basically triangular, any other forms of recesses can also be used for alternative modalities. In some embodiments, the heights of the side walls 14a and 14b adjacent to the first side wall 16b continually increase to the maximum height. In alternative modalities, the height increase can, of course, also be in a step or staircase way.

The box illustrated in fig. 1 can be stacked, that is, the contours of the upper ends of the side walls 14a 14b, and 16a are implemented in such a way that when stacking them they involve the contour or the bottom structure of another box (see for example fig. 3), so that the boxes can be stacked on top of each other. Despite this, the side opening defined by the first side wall 16b allows to remove bottles or other containers, such as six-pack bottles from inside the box, even if they are stacked.

In some embodiments of the invention, the surfaces of the side walls 14a 14b and 16a, turned inward, are drawn in a light color, so that due to the incidence of light caused by the openings 30a and 30b of the bottles inside the boxes they are clearly visible to the observer from the outside. In alternative modalities, the surfaces are glued with information about the product or advertisements.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in fig. 1 further comprises, at least on one of the side walls (in the case illustrated here, the side wall 14b), a plurality of bars or areas 32a to 32d passing in the vertical direction and projecting into one of the side surfaces, which prevent the bottles from being stuck inside the box through the sleeves contact the side wall with its complete side surface and pollute it extensively. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 1 bars 32a to 32d are each provided so that the bottles are on the outer wall with their outermost radius at the position of bars 32a to 32d. This can thus prevent large areas of the side wall interim surfaces from being polluted as it applies only to the bars.

Fig. 2 shows the embodiment of box 10 of fig. 1 in a state filled with three “packs of six”.

The "packs of six" 40a, 40b and 40c each contain six individual bottles not shown here, for the sake of clarity.

Here, in addition to the sleeves that attach to the “packs of six” from the bottom, which are opened at the bottom for this purpose, the “packs of six” are attached by bars 40a and 40b, which, as illustrated in Fig 1, are arranged on bottom 12 of box 10.

Since it can be obtained from the view of fig. 3, showing two boxes 10 and 10a in a state stacked on top of each other, the products or bottles can be removed from the bottom of box 10, also in a stacked state. This, of course, also applies to "packs of six" 40a, 40b and 40c when they are transported or presented in boxes as an alternative to individual bottles. As can be seen in fig. 2 and 3, the special implementation of a box illustrated in fig. 1 comprises a high flexibility with respect to the bottles to be transported, while, on the one hand the "packs of six" and on the other hand the individual bottles can be transported using the box. This results from the arrangement of the sleeve 22a and 22b and the bars 42a and 42b illustrated in the arrangement of fig. 1.

It is obvious that, in other modalities of box 10, the arrangement of the sleeves can be different. For example, in some modalities, bars can be omitted completely and, instead, only sleeves can be used. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 1, however, as far as possible each individual bottle that is inserted into one of the free spaces between the sleeves and / or bars, is supported in four directions, each either by a side wall of a bar, by a sleeve or by one of the side walls 14a, 14b 16a, 16b, or of the box so that it is supported in a stable manner for transportation.

As can be seen in fig. 3, due to the possibility of stacking the boxes and the possibility of a side recovery, which is provided by the first side wall 16b, it is now possible to offer different products for sale in a column of stacked boxes. The side wall 16b prevents here in connection with the sleeves that the bottles may fall out of the box 10 during transport, this is because the side wall 16b is dimensioned so that during transport, it prevents the tilting or destabilization of the box . It is still low enough, however, that the bottles can be removed from the box forward, although a new box 10 is arranged in box 10. In this regard, according to some modalities, the bottles can be first slightly raised and then tilted and removed forward. This is made possible in some embodiments by a special implementation of the sleeves, as described in more detail with reference to fig. 12.

Fig. 3 clearly shows an additional feature of some embodiments of the present invention, that is, the special implementation of the clamping openings 28a and 28b. The clamping opening is folded and extends horizontally and vertically. In other words, the clamping opening 28a comprises a first opening area 50a that extends parallel to the bottom 12 and a second opening area 50b that passes essentially in the vertical direction 18. Here, the delimitation between the vertical and horizontal opening area in fig. 3 should be considered as an example only. The clamping opening 28a also extends to a significant degree in the vertical direction, so that the clamping openings 28a can be used by a person also in the vertical opening area. With alternative embodiments of the invention, the clamping apertures 28a can, of course, be in a different way from the embodiment illustrated in fig. 3. For example, it can also comprise a square or rectangular cross section, so that the box can be raised both from the top through the horizontal opening area 50a and also from the side through the vertical opening area 50b.

In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 3, the vertical opening area is on the side facing the first side wall 16b and passes through a large radius in the horizontal opening area 50a of the outer contour (i.e., the contour facing towards the first sidewall). This leads to the fact that when lifting the box it can be secured as the radius, as well as the box, when the vertical opening area is located on the side associated with the first side wall 16b, tilts back (towards the side wall 16a), so that tilting the box during transport, falling out of the individual bottles is additionally avoided.

In some embodiments of the invention, as illustrated with reference to fig. 4, showing a corresponding view from the bottom to the box of fig. 1, and with reference to fig. 11 showing a bottom view of an additional embodiment of the invention, safety is further increased by a special implementation of the bottom 12 in the area 50 adjacent to the first side wall 16b.

In some embodiments of the invention, the bottom 12 is not implemented holohedrally, but is formed by an arrangement of ribs to save weight and facilitate cleaning. It covers the surface of the bottom 12, so that the individual bottles are supported firmly on the bottom 12 by its lower part of the bottle. In the zone 50 of the front end, that is, in the zone 50 adjacent to the first side wall 16b, the number or the density of the area of the ribs, in comparison with the residual area, is increased so that the bottles located there cannot tilt towards outside even when they are tilted from their resting position slightly towards the first side wall 16b by external influences. This is prevented by the ribs being densely located in the area 50 adjacent to the first side wall 16b, so that the rim of a bottle cannot tilt between the spacing between two adjacent ribs. In other words, in the zone 50 adjacent to the first side wall 16b the bottom 12 consists of a support area for the bottles, which is larger than the available support area provided on average along the bottom per unit area, to allow the safe exploitation of the bottles.

Since it can still be obtained from fig. 4, in the area adjacent to the side walls 14b 14a and 16a, the bottom 12 comprises an elevation of several ribs whose contour is implemented so that, when placed on another box it is fastened inside the side walls in the contour of the side walls of the another box in order to guarantee the stackability and a safe position in the stacked state.

In addition, the bottom of the box in the center of it comprises a strut 52 extending from the side wall 16a to the first side wall 16b and whose bars comprise a greater extent in the vertical direction than the remaining bars of the bottom. This strut 52 serves to additionally support the first side wall 16b of a reduced height, in order to increase the stability of the box. The strut 52 is arranged in the center, so that the strut, which extends below the remaining bottom does not obstruct when lifting the bottles from the bottom box in the stacked state.

Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention, which is basically different from the modalities discussed with reference to the figures mentioned above, using the modality illustrated in fig. 5, different bottle sizes can be transported. While the modality illustrated in fig. 1 is adapted for bottles that have a content of 0.5 I, the modality illustrated in fig. 5 of a box is adapted for bottles with a content of 0.33 I. Thus, the embodiment of fig. 5 is basically different from the embodiment of fig. 1, in relation to the arrangement of the sleeves and with regard to the strength of the side walls 14a, 14b and 16a, which has been modified to contain the bottles arranged inside the box while the external volume is maintained. Thus, for example, the box illustrated in fig. 5 comprises five sleeves 54a, 54b, 54c, 54d and 54e that are adjacent to the first side wall16b, in order to all hold the six bottles of a content of 0.33 I in the first row. In addition, the box of fig. 5 only includes a continuous bar 56 in the center of the box, so that, alternatively, four "packs of six" can be transported with the box.

Thus, the embodiment of fig. 5, in contrast to the modalities of figs. 1 to 4, shows the box with a movable sidewall area unfolded 23 on the first sidewall 16b. In addition, the implementation characteristics of the box of fig. 5 correspond to those of fig. 1 and each has identical functionality, a rediscussion of the components corresponding to those in the box of Fig. 1 is omitted. It should be further noted here that the box illustrated in fig. 5, as well as the box shown in fig. 1, comprises at least one opening 58 in the side wall 16a, which is opposite the first side wall 16b, wherein the opening extends through the side wall 16a, so that the box can be mounted or hung on a wall or a shelf or similar through the opening.

To increase the safety of the assembly of the modalities illustrated in fig. 1 and 5 each additionally comprise an optional second mounting opening 60.

In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 6 is also configured to transport 24 pieces of bottles with a content of 0.33 I each, and here basically corresponds to the modality illustrated in fig. 5. Thus, the embodiment of fig. 5, however, the side walls 14a, 14b and 16a, or at least parts of the side walls 14a 14b and 16a are foldably arranged with respect to the bottom by means of hinges. Here they are foldable in such a way that they can be folded towards the bottom, and in a folded state they are located basically parallel to the bottom, which is illustrated in fig. 7 for the side wall 16a which is parallel to the bottom surface 12 in a folded state. Fig. 8 shows all the side walls 14a, 14b, 16a and a folded down state, so that in the folded state the box can be easily transported back to the factory or a filler without the need for storage space. This can substantially reduce transportation costs.

Although with respect to Figures 6 to 8, the folding side walls 14a, 14b and 16a are only illustrated for a box, which is configured to carry 24 bottles of 0.33l, it is evident that also the box illustrated in fig. 1 for 0.5 liter bottles can be equipped with foldable side walls. This generally applies to any modality described here where the features described or illustrated with respect to the individual modalities can be randomly combined with each other in order to acquire other alternative embodiments of boxes of the invention.

Fig. 9 illustrates the embodiment of Fig. 5 in a loaded state in which 24 bottles are located in the box.

As in Fig. 5 here, the area of the movable sidewall 23 is in the unfolded position in order to thus additionally protect the bottles of the first row or to apply product identifications for transport outside the flexible part 23 which are not relevant to the presentation of the goods.

Fig. 10 shows the embodiment of fig. 5, with an alternative form of loading, that is, four “packs of six” 70a, 70b, 70c and 70d.

Fig. 11 finally shows a top view of the embodiment of fig. 5, in which it is evident that the sleeve 54c comprises a different geometric shape than the sleeves 54a, 54b, 54d and 54e, or in order to allow placement within the "packs of six". With alternative embodiments, however, the central sleeve 54c may, of course, have the same design or shape as the remaining sleeves, i.e., for example, the sleeve 54a. Likewise, any other sleeves can be in the form of sleeve 54c.

As can be seen from the bottom view of the box in fig. 11, also in the case of beverage bottle cases 24, the bottom 12 in the area 50 adjacent to the first side wall 16 is constructed with an area larger than the central support area of support of the complete bottom, in order to avoid a unwanted drop out of the bottles from the box.

Fig. 12 shows an enlarged illustration of the sleeves 54a to 54c, so that their special shape can be seen which allows, in cooperation with the first side wall 16b, to keep the bottles both firm and also recoverable to the front. In order to achieve this goal, some types of sleeves have an external surface whose height is not constant, in the vertical direction. As an outer boundary surface of the sleeve 54a, then, the shaded area 70 should be considered, that is, the area or elements that limit the sleeve area laterally, that is, in any direction perpendicular to the vertical direction 18.

The outer boundary surface or area 70 comprises a variable height, as already indicated above. Here, the sleeve on a first side surface area 75, which is parallel to the first side wall 16b and holds a bottle at the back (in the direction 72 in front of the first side wall 16b) is less elevated than in a second area side surface 76, which secures the bottle against tilting in a direction 74 parallel to the first side wall 16b.

With the sleeve 54a shown in fig. 12, which basically comprises a rhombus-shaped cross section whose tip is directed towards the first side wall 16b, the function of avoiding backward tilt is performed by a first surface limit area 75, which completes the sleeve in the basically direction parallel to the first side wall 16b. The second boundary surface area 76 that limits the sleeve 54b towards the first side wall 16b prevents the bottles from tilting, in parallel with the first side wall 16b.

The first side surface area 75 is lower than the second side surface area 76, to allow the bottles to tilt when they fall or tilt forward, without having to lift the bottle until it already touches the bottom of the bottle. an additional box that is placed over the respective box.

The second area of the boundary surface 76, however, avoids tilting in the direction parallel to the first side wall 16b and can therefore be higher in order to increase stability. Generally, both sleeves 54a and 54b, as well as sleeve 54c, cause maximum stability when simultaneously allowing outward tilt towards the front as the sleeves in the direction parallel to the sidewall comprise a lower height than in the direction perpendicular to the sidewall .

In addition, the sleeves in fig. 12 are provided with partial external contour surfaces, which are concave domes, between the tips of the basically basic diamond shape, where the radius of the dome is approximately the diameter of a bottle, in order to still be able to hold the bottle firmly.

With reference to figures 13 and 14, hereinafter a further aspect of the present invention is described according to which a box, as explained, for example, with reference to fig. 1 to 12, is provided with an additional element, a locking element, which, for example, serves as a transport protection. Fig. 13 shows a box that basically corresponds to the box in fig. 1, so that a renewed description of the different elements already described with reference to fig. 1 is omitted. As can be seen, the box according to fig. 13 (a) further includes a locking element 100 which comprises a support 102 which includes two opposite ends. At a first end 102a of the support 102 a first strut 104 is arranged and at the second end 102b that of the support 102 a second strut 06 is arranged. The ends 104a and 106a of the struts 104, 106, in front of the support 102 are arranged in a rotatable manner on the opposite side surfaces and end surfaces 14a and 14b. In the situation illustrated in fig. 13 (a), the locking element or transport protection element 100 is located in a position that is between a first position and a second position. With reference to fig. 13 (b), the box illustrated in fig. 13 (a) is illustrated again, but now with the locking element 100 in a first position where the support 102 extends between the side walls 14a and 14b, where it is disposed away from the lower side wall 16b. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 13 (b) the support 102 is located halfway up the side wall 14a and 14b, where the present invention is not limited to this arrangement. Instead, support 102 may either be placed lower or higher, depending on the circumstances. Struts 104 and 106 are applied and supported in such a way that when bending or rotating support 102 from the position illustrated in fig. 13 (a) to the position illustrated in fig. 13 (b), the support 102 assumes a certain distance from the bottom, lower than the side wall 116b. Since it can be obtained from fig. 13 (b), the side walls 14a and 14b or the surfaces of these two end walls facing the lower side walls 16b are structured to receive or include the struts 104 and 106 and the area in which the support 102 is connected to the struts 104 and 106, that is, the opposite ends 102a and 102b of the support 102, in recesses or cutouts in such a way that a front discharge surface results.

Fig. 14 shows a stacked arrangement of a box of fig. 1 in which a box according to fig. 13 is arranged, in which, however, the situation is illustrated in which the support 102 is arranged in a second position in which it is arranged in overlap with the lower side wall 14b. As can be seen, the lower side wall 16b is also structured by recesses or cutouts to receive the support 102 in the second position illustrated in fig. 14 so that the front discharge surface of the side walls 16b appears.

As can still be obtained from figs. 13 (b) and 14, the opposite ends 102a and 102b of the support 102 are implemented in such a way that it includes the corresponding side wall 14a and 14b in the first position illustrated in Fig. 13 (b) to thereby ensure a lock and secure positioning of support 102. Similarly, in the position shown in fig. 14, a secure positioning of the support 102 is achieved by corresponding locking elements formed on the lower wall of the locking support 102.

It is the advantage of this aspect of the invention that an additional transport protection element is now provided which is arranged in the position illustrated in fig. 13 (b), during transport and, therefore, can act on the products located inside the box to prevent movement in the same direction towards the opening, that is, to provide an additional barrier against falling out of the product. The support is rotatably connected to the side surfaces or the end surfaces of the box and can be easily moved from the closed position shown in fig. 13 (b) to the open position, so that free access is possible for products located inside the box.

The invention is not restricted to the examples described with reference to fig. 13 and 14, and instead, instead of the support arrangement 102 halfway up the end walls, another position can also be selected, for example, the distance between the low walls 16b can be selected at a one third of the height of the side walls or two thirds of the height of the side walls. Furthermore, according to one embodiment, this can be provided to apply the struts 104 and 106 telescopically, in order, thus, to provide a positioning of the support 102 based on the situation of fig. 14 at different heights along the height of the side walls, so that the height of the locking element 102 can be flexibly configured depending on the products located inside the box.

With respect to Figures 15 and 16 below, another aspect of the present invention is described, in which Fig. 15 shows a box that has already been described with reference to fig. 1, but which is different with regard to the application of the bottom 12. In the box illustrated in fig. 15 an insert 112 is provided which is removably mounted on the bottom of the box. The box illustrated in fig. 16 includes an upper surface 112a on which a first strut 114 is shown which extends parallel to the end walls 14a and 14b between the complete depth of the box to the rear wall 16a. An additional support, the transverse strut or transverse strap 116 is provided, which extends from the side wall 14a at approximately mid-depth of the box to the first strut 114. Insert 112 can, for example, be supplied to receive the products packed in cardboard boxes with dimensions corresponding to the compartments resulting in insert 112. In addition to such products, any products can be supplied to be included in the box according to fig. 16, in which, according to the invention, for different products, also different inserts 112 can be arranged removably in the box.

With reference to fig. 16, some modalities for implementing the inserts 112 are given, for example, where the surface 112a in fig. 16 (a) can be provided with rectangular and circular recesses, to simultaneously lift products comprising a corresponding reference surface. Fig. 16 (b) shows, similar to Fig. 15, the arrangement of the struts on the upper surface 112a of insert 112, and according to fig. 16 (c), sleeves can be provided on the upper surface 112a similar to that described with reference to figures 1 to 12. Fig. 16 (d) shows a lower surface 112b of the insert 112, in which the elements 118a to 118d arranged in the corners are illustrated, which serve to fit the corresponding elements or recesses in the bottom 12 of the box, where the elements 118 are preferably implemented so that, for example, after fitting with the bottom of the box, a separation of the bottom of the box only it is possible using special tools, so that a box supplier can assemble the boxes differently according to the customer's requirements, without the customer using the box having a possibility to exchange the insert for the use of the box with other products. In this way, the boxes can be assembled according to customer requirements and in particular, an increased demand for boxes with certain inserts can be caused when boxes for other products are not in much demand.

Although the modalities discussed above basically in the context of beverage boxes, other modalities of the present invention can, of course, also be used for other types of products. For example, beverage cans and any other cylindrical objects, such as hair spray, canned deodorants or the like, can be transported with the boxes of the invention. In addition, boxes with a side opening can also be used for a completely different type of products that can deviate from a cylindrical base shape. The boxes are universally usable for any product that allows the product to be removed laterally from the box in a stacked state. This great advantage is not restricted to the type of goods transported.

Claims (23)

1. Box, comprising: a bottom (12); at least two pairs of opposite side walls, respectively (14a, 14b 16a, 16b), where the first of the side walls (16b) extends upwards from the bottom (12) in a vertical direction (18), at least partially only by a recovery height (20) that is less than the height of one or more of the remaining side walls (14a, 14b 16a), to define a side opening with dimensions that allow access to and removal of products contained in the box through the side opening, and a locking element (100), which extends between the two opposite side walls (14a, 14b) that touch the first side wall (16b) and which is movable between a first position and a second position, where the locking element is disposed in the first position between the opposite side walls (14a) and (14b) and away from the first side wall (16a), and where the locking element (100) is disposed in the second overlapping position of the first later wall al (16b); and wherein the locking element includes a support (102) that extends between the opposite side walls (14a, 14b) and two struts (104, 106) disposed on the opposite ends (102a, 102b) of the support (102), characterized that one end of the rods spaced from the support (102) is rotatably arranged on the corresponding side wall (14a, 14b). Box according to claim 1, characterized in that the opposite side walls (14a, 14b) and the first side wall (16b) include recesses for receiving the support (102) and the arms (104, 106). Box according to claim 2, characterized in that the recesses are such that the struts (104, 106) and the support (102) in the first or second position of the locking element (100) are aligned with the surface of the walls opposite sides (14a, 14b), or with an outer surface of a side wall (16b) facing the first side wall (16b). Box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a locking element cooperating with the locking element (100) to hold the locking element securely in the first or second position. Box according to claim 4, characterized in that the struts (104,106) and / or the support (102) of the locking element (100) are implemented to secure portions of opposite side walls (14a, 14b) and / or the first side wall (16b). Box according to claim 5, characterized in that the struts (104, 106) and / or the support (102) of the locking element (100) include one or more locking elements to cooperate with the correspondent in portions of receiving insert element on the side walls. Box according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the locking element (100) is located in the second position at a distance from the bottom (12), which is about three thirds, half or two thirds the height of the opposite side walls (14a, 14b). Box according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the locking element is implemented to be arranged in a position further from the first side wall. Box according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the struts (104, 106) of the locking element (100) are telescopically implemented in order to provide the locking element (100) selectively in the second position or in the back position. Box according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the first sidewall (16b) includes one or two sidewall sections that extend from one of the adjacent sidewalls towards the side opening and comprise a height that is greater than the recovery height (20). Box according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it also comprises an area of movable sidewall (23) that extends upwards, in the vertical direction (18), in the first sidewall (16b), in that the area is movable in relation to the first side wall (16b) towards the bottom. Box according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the side walls (14a, 14b) adjacent to the first side wall (16b) each opening comprise a clamping opening (28a, 28b) for lifting the box , wherein a clamping opening (28, 28b) each comprises a first opening area that extends parallel to the bottom and a second opening area located on the side of the clamping opening (28a, 28b) facing the first side wall (16b) and passing essentially in the vertical direction. 13. Box according to claim 12, characterized in that the opening areas (28a, 28b) on the side facing outwards from the bottom (12) pass between them in a transition zone with a curvature, which allows fixing of the box in the transition area. Box according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the bottom (12) in an area adjacent to the first side wall (16b) comprises a support area for the products to be transported, which is greater than a support area on average along the complete bottom (12). Box according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the side walls (14a, 14b) adjacent to the first side wall (16b), at its end adjacent to the first side wall, comprise a first height less than the second height at its opposite end. Box according to claim 15, characterized in that the height of the side walls (14a, 14b) adjacent to the first side wall (16b), increases continuously from the first height to the second height. 17. Box according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the remaining side walls (14a, 14b 16a) that do not correspond to the first side wall (16b) are arranged in a movable way in relation to the bottom (12) such that they can be folded towards the bottom (12) in a downward folded state, in which they are located substantially parallel to the bottom (12). 18. Box according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that at the bottom (12) of the box a plurality of sleeves (22a, 22b) are arranged which are implemented in such a way that they can hold bottles arranged in the box . 19. Box according to claim 18, characterized in that the height of the sleeves (22a, 22b) in the vertical direction (18), does not exceed the recovery height (20) of the first side wall (16b). 20. Box according to either of Claims 18 or 19, characterized in that the sleeves (22a, 22b) comprise an outer boundary surface which extends upwards from the bottom (12) in a vertical direction (18) , where the height of the surface varies along the outer circumference of the sleeve. 21. Box according to claim 20, characterized in that at least one sleeve (22) comprises a boundary surface area (75) limiting the sleeve (22a), in a direction parallel to the first side wall (16b), which it has a height less than a second boundary surface area (76) that limits the sleeve (22a) towards the first side wall (16b). 22. Box according to any one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that the boundary surface of the sleeve (22) basically comprises a cross-section in the shape of a diamond parallel to the bottom, in which one end of the diamond goes in the direction the first side wall (16b). 23. Box according to any one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the first side wall (16b) is removably connected to the bottom (12).

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