DE102006038883A1 - Crate with handle region for bottles has cover layer of different plastic on one part of handle region - Google Patents

Abstract

The bottle crate (2), made of plastic, has at least one handle region (10) under which the hand can pass, in the form of two parts one above the other connected by an integral plastic bridge of small material thickness. A least one part of the handle region has a covering of a different plastic to that used for the rest of the region.

Description

object The invention is a container Plastic, in particular bottle crate, with at least one, with the hand-grasped grip area, which overlapped two each other Has parts over an integral plastic bridge be associated with small material thickness, at least on a cover layer of a second part of the grip area Plastic is provided, extending from the first plastic of the Handle area parts are different.

Of the inventive container is particularly comfortable and without the risk of painful pressure points on the handle area or with two hands Grasp and carry on two grips, even when heavy is. The grip area leaves Produce very easily and with a pleasant volume To run. Due to the structure of the grip area, there is the freedom that Grip area at least in a desired part with a material perform, that stands for the carrying hand feels comfortable.

Bottle crates are a common example of Plastic containers those in the filled Condition are quite heavy and therefore when worn with one or two with two hands require considerable carrying power. For a long time now, efforts have been made to design the grip area in such a way that that he is for the lifting or carrying hand provides a sufficiently large power transmission surface. A first way to do this was the broadening (measured at right angles to the Extension plane of the relevant wall of the container) of the underside of the handle portion while maintaining the interests of the lowest possible weight of Bottle crate of ordered small keeping the other wall thickness of the Bottle crate. Another way was the provision of vertical running, relatively thin Ribs or fins on the inside of the relevant wall of the Bottle crate, so that the lower ends of the ribs or fins in their entirety resulted in a broadening of the grip area. Furthermore It has worked to form the handle area as a hollow profile to in this way, to come to a sympathetic broadening. The production of these hollow profiles, typically by pressing of gas under high pressure using a hollow needle, however, is laborious and does not lead very rarely to faults.

The grip area of a bottle crate has also been made double-walled by pivoting over two overlapping gripping areas which are connected via an integral plastic bridge with a small material thickness ( DE 39 27 767 A1 ). This has provided the desired broadening measured perpendicular to the plane of extension of the relevant wall of the bottle crate, but the hand contact feel when lifting or carrying the full bottle crate was not perfect because the superimposed gripping area parts are still locked despite being locked in the superimposed position could easily work against each other.

The cover layer provided in the invention not only has the potential if desired, the Volume of the grip area to further increase and the grip area one for to give the gripping contact friendlier material, but can also be for perfect, mutual anchoring of the two grip area parts use.

The injection of softer plastic to gripping parts of a handle portion of a bottle crate is known ( DE 102 08 845 A1 ), but not the achievement of the aforementioned, combined effects by providing the cover layer in combination with the handle portion of two superimposed handle portion parts.

following becomes in most places of grip area in the singular, in that regard consistent with the feature "with at least one grip area "of the claim 1, spoken. It is understood, however, that containers, especially crates, in many cases two grip areas, namely for every hand one, own. Also four grip areas on the four outer walls of the boxy Container or Bottle crate are possible. The container according to the invention is preferably substantially box-shaped, but e.g. also a cylindrical container with a grip area or two grip areas.

Preferably the grip area is provided on a boundary wall of the container. Alternatively, it is preferable to the grip area in the interior of the container position, especially in the way it is already known for crates. There protrude in the central region of the bottle crate two spaced Support upwards, and in the upper end of the columns, these are by the untergreifbaren Handle area connected.

Preferably is an adhesive bond or a latching connection between the two grip area parts or between a grip area part and a neighboring area of the container. Such compounds prevent or complicate at least mutual Relative movements of the two handle area parts while carrying the container.

Preferably, at least one of the grip area parts has at least one projection over which it rests with the other grip area part in Ab is support contact. Preferred means for the realization of the projection are frame-shaped projection, webs, knobs, ribs, fins or the like. About the selected Vorrag extent of Vorragungen it has a simple way in the hand to choose the effective thickness of the handle area - measured at right angles to the plane of extension of the relevant wall, without having to increase the other wall thickness of the handle portion parts.

Preferably the grip area has, where the cover layer is provided, an anchoring structure for the second cover layer. Preferred embodiments of the anchoring structure are grooves, grooves, knobs, at least one recess or depression, at least one undercut, at least one breakthrough, and execution as a honeycomb structure. The anchoring structure is intended to apply the cover layer and its permanent adhesion to the handle area to ensure.

you can disregard the area between the grip area parts from the mentioned projections - just leave it blank. alternative But you can also divide the area between the grip area parts partially or completely fill with the second plastic. This increases the stability the grip area, but at the certain price of a weight increase of the container. A partial or complete Plastic filling in said intermediate area is particularly easy if at least one of the grip area parts is at least has a breakthrough.

All in all especially rational the top layer by injection molding of the second plastic the preliminary stage of the final Make grip area. This is preferred.

Preferably covered the cover layer at least those areas where - apart from the plastic bridge - the second Grip portion adjacent to the first grip portion. Since the Handle according to the invention two superimposed grip area parts There are areas of considerable extent where the two handle portion parts adjacent to each other (in this context First and foremost, those abutment areas exist in the center of Contemplation when looking at the grip area from all sides seen as an abutment between the two handle area parts become; it's less about those areas that are further inside as the outside recognizable adjoining line). The mentioned, preferred coverage leads on the one hand to the fact that the mentioned adjoining line or adjoining joint no longer visible and no longer palpable. On the other hand Miniature relative movements of the two grip area parts more perfect fought. The feeling of support is optimized.

you can go so far that the top layer superimposed the two on each other Includes handle area parts in total or with the exception of one includes in the state of support upper end portion of the handle portion (the latter to the stackability of the container maintain, without special measures, such as. local reset of the first plastic, to avoid). On the other hand, the bottom are and the inside of the container facing side of the handle portion for the application of the cover layer functionally most important; the one facing away from the wall in question Side of the grip area can easily be easily freed from the top layer hold, at least from some distance from the bottom of the grip area. This is also in terms of the life of the container of Advantage, since the cover layer on the outside of a greater danger the damage subject as at the bottom and the inside.

Preferably is where the top layer ends, at least in part the first Plastic reset compared to its subsequent surface, wherein the second plastic extends into the reset. To this Way lets the vehicle unintentional peeling Minimize the topcoat from the rest of the grip area.

According to one Particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is between the two grip area parts a data carrier, preferably RFID transponder, positioned. According to the invention is found Been that the area between the two grip area parts one perfect place for the disk is. Here is the disk protected from external influences such as moisture, dirt, etc. and is also through the walls the grip area parts in particular protected against impact.

Especially RFID transponders attached to trade items are currently up to date strong on the rise. The data stored in the transponder, e.g. Price, expiry date, manufacturer, etc., can be wireless over certain Read the distance so that you can e.g. automatic recording for the cashier, Warehousing, etc., perform can. The transponder needed no own energy source.

Of the disk is not only protected in the intermediate area of the grip area, but can also be particularly convenient in the production of the container be brought there.

You can embed the disk in the second plastic when the second plastic is in the intermediate area. Alternatively, you can use the disk in one of the second art Position the fabric free space between the two handle area parts. This is even preferred because in this case it is possible in particular to use particularly inexpensive RFID transponders which are less temperature-resistant than more expensive RFID transponders. Particular preference is given to RFID transponders in foil form which contain their antenna embedded in the foil. The receiving space free of the second plastic does not necessarily mean that there would be no second plastic at all between the two handle area parts; On one or more sides of the second plastic free receiving space may be located spaces that are filled with second plastic.

Preferably the receiving space is adapted to the dimensions of the data carrier. The receiving space may e.g. a more or less complete framing for the outer edge of the disk form. Also what the sizing of the recording room in the direction the thickness of the disk If one arrives, one can e.g. in the receiving space, the Vorragungsmaß the Vorragungen Reduce so much that just the free space remains. An adapted recording space facilitates the insertion of the data carrier and Hold this in the simplest way on the spot. But you can also go ahead and between the disk and one of the grip area parts provide an adhesive bond or a Verrasterungsverbindung.

Preferably the first plastic is a polyolefin, more preferably in the essential HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) or substantially PP (polypropylene) or a blend with the main components HDPE and PP. Preferably, the second plastic is a thermoplastic Elastomer TPE or a blend of a thermoplastic elastomer and one or more polyolefins. Among the thermoplastic elastomers There are quite a few known to those of ordinary skill in the art Materials that are for the cover layer favorable Possess properties (especially grip-sympathetic and durable). One of ordinary skill in the art is aware of thermoplastic elastomers which can be processed well and especially a good, lasting Bond with the first plastic, e.g. Polyether block amides. Particularly preferred is a second plastic that is noticeably softer as the first plastic is. Such second plastics are known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Preferably are those areas of a wall of the container (be it outer wall, be it partition), the left and right of the handle area Support For this form, designed as a hollow profile and / or as a rib profile. This serves to increase the rigidity of the supports, without increasing the material thickness to have to work.

Another object of the invention is a method for producing a container made of plastic, in particular a bottle crate, comprising the following steps:
first injection molding of a first stage of the container with a first plastic, wherein in a region which is to be converted in a later step to a handle portion, a first handle portion and a part of an integral plastic bridge with a small material thickness hereby related, second handle portion part be formed;
Pivoting the second handle portion portion to the first handle portion portion;
and forming a cover layer on at least a portion of the handle portion by second injection molding with a second plastic different from the first plastic.

you sees that with this method the manufacture of the container very simple way. Compared to making containers with single-walled The grip area only has to be moved in, the second grip area part be formed with and the cover layer must be produced.

The Generating the cover layer can in particular in the same injection mold, where the first stage of the container injection-molded, carried out, with only at least a slider of the molding tool is moved away from the molding and replaced at least one other slider of the mold to the molding is moved up. The replacing slider includes one or more feed channels for the second Plastic in the mold cavity for the topcoat. An alternative possibility is the first injection molding perform in a first mold and the second injection molding in a perform second mold, which only the area to be provided with the cover layer and subsequent subregions the first stage of the container (in order to create a closed cavity there too and lateral Leakage of liquid Plastic).

If a disk, in particular an RFID transponder, in the intermediate area between the two handle portion parts to be introduced, it is preferable such that either before the beginning of the pivoting of the second handle portion or at least before the completion of the swinging of the second Handle area portion of the volumes the first grip portion or the second grip portion added is (for example, by a kind Einklipsvorgang in the weiter above-mentioned recording room).

It is emphasized that the method according to the invention comprises one or more of the preferred features may have, which have been described above in connection with the product, namely the container. In this respect, corresponding, dependent method claims are hereby disclosed.

The original claims and the previous description included - as required by the matter was - on In a whole series of passages, expressions such as "at least one", "at least in part" or similar. It is emphasized that in many of these cases the plural is preferred (typical example several projections at the two grip area parts) and that in many of these cases the not only partially but the complete execution is preferred (typical For example, the complete boundary line between the first grip area part and the second grip portion part is covered with the cover layer).

The Invention and preferred features of the invention are described below an illustrated embodiment illustrated in more detail. It shows:

1 a perspective view of a bottle crate;

2 a grip area of the bottle crate of 1 in vertical section along II-II on a larger scale;

3 a section analogous to that of 2 but representing an intermediate state during the manufacture of the bottle crate of 1 ;

4 a section analogous to 2 but representing a later intermediate state than 3 during the manufacture of the bottle crate;

5 a section along VV in 1 , representing an intermediate state during the manufacture of the bottle crate like 3 ,

In 1 is a bottle crate 2 drawn from plastic. The bottle case 2 is rectangular in plan view with two outer longitudinal boundary walls 4 and two larger cross-boundary walls 6 , In each of the transverse boundary walls 6 is a substantially rectangular handle opening 8th present, the area above the handle opening 8th is a grip area 10 , In each of the longitudinal boundary walls 4 There is a substantially rectangular opening 12 , The openings 12 are usually not intended for reaching in, but serve to save weight of the bottle crate. Inside the bottle crate 2 are partitions 14 provided, thereby taking pictures 16 for each one bottle separated from each other.

When you look at the dividing walls 14 Thinking away, you have a box-shaped container in front of you that is no longer specialized as a bottle crate. Such a container could also be provided with an upper lid. Even with such a container, it is advantageous, two grip areas 10 to lift and carry.

At the in 1 rear handle area 10 one recognizes that he - measured at right angles to the plane of extension of the transverse boundary wall 6 - Has a thickness D, which is much larger than the other wall thickness d of the bottle crate 2 is.

2 shows that the grip area 10 from two grip area parts 20 and 22 is constructed and to a part with a cover layer 24 is provided. The first grip area part 20 and the second grip area part 22 hang over an integral plastic bridge 26 together.

3 shows an intermediate state during the manufacture of the bottle crate 2 , after injection molding of the bottle crate 2 but still before the completion of the two grip areas 10 ; this intermediate state is referred to in the application as "first stage of the container".

The first grip area part 20 has in 3 drawn section the shape of a left open U, the vertical leg 28 of the U much more extensive than the horizontal thighs 30a and 30b is. Behind and in front of the drawing plane the 3 goes the vertical leg 28 at the end of the grip area 10 into the rest of the transverse boundary wall 6 above. The upper horizontal leg 30a and the lower horizontal leg 30b protrude, for example, for 2 times to 4 times the normal wall thickness d of the vertical leg 28 path.

In 3 it can also be seen that the second grip area part 22 , with the exception of ribs to be described later, has substantially the shape of a plate. In the intermediate state, the in 3 is drawn, the second grip area part extends 22 from the free end of the lower horizontal leg 30b vertically downwards and hangs over the already mentioned, integral plastic bridge 26 with this together.

The first grip area part 20 is with vertical ribs pointing to the left 40 provided, and the second handle portion part 22 is in the intermediate state of 3 also left vertical ribs 42 Mistake. Ribs 40 and 42 Stand "on gap" so they pivot on the second grip area part 22 in a clockwise comb-like manner (transition from 3 to 4 ). Ribs 40 and 42 are just an example of projections on the grip area parts 20 and 22 , There are many other alternatives for this, as they are called in the general part of the description.

If you start from 3 the second grip area part 22 pivots 180 degrees clockwise, the in 4 drawn intermediate state. The grip area 10 now has a thickness D, which is for example 3 times to 4 times the normal thickness d. There is a visible borderline 44 where the first grip area part 20 stops and the second grip area part 22 begins. Ribs 40 respectively. 42 provide a support against the other handle area part. If you look at the ribs 40 respectively. 42 think away, there is a free intermediate area 46 between the grip area parts 20 . 22 ,

In addition, on pimples 48 made aware of that on the in 3 Right surface of the second handle portion part 22 and on the lower surface of the lower horizontal leg 30b are located. Finally, on resets 50 respectively. 51 alerted to the free end surface of the upper horizontal leg 30a and in the lower end region of the right surface of the vertical leg 28 are located. Exemplary breakthroughs 53 for molding plastic into the space between the handle area parts 20 and 22 are marked. An exemplary Verrasterung 55 between the Griffberich parts 20 and 22 is drawn.

The production of in 2 drawn final state of the grip area 10 of the bottle crate 2 runs as follows. First the in 3 drawn, first stage of the bottle crate 2 produced by injection molding a first plastic, eg HDPE (high density polyethylene). Then the second grip area part becomes 22 pivoted upwards substantially 180 degrees clockwise, resulting in the intermediate state of 4 leads. Finally, by injection molding a second plastic, for example thermoplastic elastomer, a cover layer 52 generated, see 2 , The cover layer 52 covers the left-facing surface of the second handle portion 22 , the plastic bridge 26 , and the lower surface of the lower horizontal leg 30b , In addition, the topcoat reaches 52 in the reset 50 at the upper horizontal leg 30a and in the reset 51 at the lower end of the right surface of the vertical leg 28 , The adjoining line 44 between the first grip area part 20 and the second grip area part 22 is from the topcoat 52 covered.

In 2 is the topcoat 52 with slightly increasing from top to bottom thickness and greater thickness below the lower horizontal leg 30b drawn. You can also with the same thickness of the top layer everywhere 52 work.

In addition, it is pointed out, that you also only ribbed me 40 on the first grip area part 20 and without ribs 42 on the second grip area part 22 can work. In this case, one would choose the distance of the ribs smaller; the protection function remains the same.

The injection molding of the first stage can be carried out in a first mold, and the molding of the cover layer 52 can be done in a second mold, which encloses only the required area of the bottle crate, ie the handle area parts 20 and 22 and the subsequent regions of the transverse boundary wall 6 to an extent which prevents leakage of liquid plastic there. Alternatively, you can work without switching to a second mold. In this case, for the first stage according to 3 worked with a first pair of slides of the mold. Subsequently, a second pair of sliders would substitute, with which the mold cavity for the cover layer 52 would be formed.

3 is intended to illustrate that, for example, by locally reduced Vorragemaß 56 of the ribs 40 (and only for a part number of ribs 40 ) can ensure that between the grip area parts 20 and 22 a recording room 58 arises, in which a data carrier, preferably an RFID transponder 60 , lets insert. Both the vertical and the horizontal extent of the recording room 58 as well as its thickness 62 are the size of the RFID transponder 60 customized. Of course, there are where the recording room 58 should be formed, no ribs 42 at the second grip area part 22 available.

Claims (27)

container plastic, in particular bottle crate, with at least one, hand gripped grip area, two overlapping each other Has parts over an integral plastic bridge be associated with small material thickness, at least on a cover layer of a second part of the grip area Plastic is provided, extending from the first plastic of the Handle area parts are different. container according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle area a boundary wall of the container is provided. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the grip area in the interior of the Be container is positioned. container according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that an adhesive bond or a Latching connection between the two handle area parts or between a handle portion and a neighboring portion of the container is. container according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one of the handle portion parts has at least one projection over which he is with the other Grip area part in support contact is. container according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one frame and / or webs and / or knobs and / or ribs and / or lamellae or the like are provided as Vorragungen. container according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the grip area where, where the cover layer is provided, an anchoring structure for the second Covering has. container according to claim 7, characterized in that the anchoring structure Grooves and / or grooves and / or nubs and / or at least one Recess and / or at least one undercut and / or at least has a breakthrough and / or a honeycomb structure. container according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the area between the handle portion parts at least partially filled with second plastic. container according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one of Handle area parts has at least one breakthrough. container according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the cover layer by a injection molding of the second plastic produced cover layer. container according to one of the claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the cover layer at least those areas covered, where - apart from the plastic bridge - the second Grip portion adjacent to the first grip portion. container according to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the cover layer, the two superimposed on each other Includes handle area parts in total or with the exception of one includes in the state of support upper end portion of the handle portion. container according to one of the claims 1 to 13, characterized in that where the cover layer ends, at least in part the first plastic compared to his subsequent Surface reset is, with the second plastic in the reset ranges. container according to one of the claims 1 to 14, characterized in that between the two handle portion parts a disk, preferably an RFID transponder, is positioned. container according to claim 15, characterized in that the data carrier in the second plastic is embedded. container according to claim 15, characterized in that the data carrier in a is positioned from the second plastic free space. container according to claim 17, characterized in that the receiving space to the dimensions of the data carrier is adjusted. container according to one of the claims 15 to 18, characterized in that between the disk and one of the handle portion parts is an adhesive bond or a Verrasterungsverbindung. container according to one of the claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the first plastic a Polyolefin, preferably substantially HDPE or substantially PP or a blend with the main components HDPE and PP, is. container according to one of the claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the second plastic a thermoplastic elastomer TPE or a blend of a thermoplastic Elastomers and one or more polyolefins. container according to one of the claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the second plastic is noticeably softer as the first plastic is. container according to one of the claims 1 to 22, characterized in that those areas of the wall the container, the left and right of the handle area supports for this form, as a hollow profile and / or rib profile are formed. A method for producing a container made of plastic, in particular a bottle crate, comprising the following steps: first injection molding of a first stage of the container with a first plastic, wherein in a region to be reworked in a later step to a handle portion, a first handle portion portion and a second grip portion portion connected thereto via an integral plastic bridge of small material thickness; Pivoting the second handle portion portion to the first handle portion portion; and forming a cover layer on at least a portion of the handle portion by second injection molding with a second plastic different from the first plastic. Method according to Claim 24, characterized that the first stage of the container after the first injection molding for the Swinging up and for the second injection molding remains in place, with at least one slider of the mold moved away from the molding and replacing at least one other Slider of the mold is moved up to the molding, whereupon thus the second injection molding he follows. Method according to Claim 24, characterized that the first injection molding in a first mold and that the second injection molding in one second mold takes place, which only with the cover layer to be provided area and subsequent sections of the first Stage of the container encloses. Method according to one of claims 24 to 26, characterized that before the end of the pivoting up a data carrier, preferably an RFID transponder, the first grip area part or the second Added grip area part so that he is after the end of the swinging between the two grip area parts is located.