DE102008046775A1 - Beverage bottle crate, has plastic handle strip rotatably mounted on support section, where strip and support are surrounded by handle casing made of flexible plastic, and casing is fixedly connected to strip and to support and/or side wall - Google Patents

Abstract

The crate has side walls (1) arranged perpendicular to a crate base and enclosing an internal space with partitions to accommodate bottles i.e. beverage bottles. The crate is made of plastic. One of the walls includes a handle, which is arranged above a passage opening (2). The opening limits a support (3). The support exhibits a rod-shaped support section (4). A plastic handle strip is rotatably mounted on the section. The strip and the support are surrounded by a handle casing made of flexible plastic. The casing is fixedly connected to the strip and to the support and/or the wall.

Description

The The invention relates to a plastic bottle crate for storage and for transporting bottles, with a box bottom and four in the Substantially perpendicular to the box bottom arranged side walls, the one interior with a compartment for holding the bottles enclose, wherein at least one side wall has a handle, which is arranged above a passage opening, the bounded with an upper edge of the side wall, a web of the side wall.

bottle case of the above kind are sufficient from the prior art known. These crates show the stuffed Condition a fairly large weight load on and require When carrying by hand considerable carrying forces. Often is a handle for load distribution when carrying by hand on the webs of the opposite side walls the bottle crate formed. From the prior art Efforts known, the wearing characteristics of the crates to the effect to improve that physical strain on arms and hands when carrying the bottle crate is reduced. In particular, one endeavors to form the handle in such a way that a sufficiently large gripping surface provided for power transmission via the supporting hand becomes.

From the DE 10 2006 038 883 A1 a bottle crate is known in which the handle portion has two cup-shaped plastic parts, which are connected via a plastic bridge and form a hollow profile in the closed state. The grip area is provided with a covering layer of soft plastic which partially covers the plastic parts. This provides a large-volume grip area with a softer surface at the same time, but for reasons of space the handle profile is directed into the interior of the bottle crate. On the one hand, this grip area impedes the loading of the receiving compartments with the bottles. On the other hand, this arrangement of the handle construction when carrying the bottle crate still leads to unpleasant wearing characteristics. The inwardly staggered and relatively wide base of the handle construction is the less encompassed by the hands from above, so that not the entire hand but mainly only the fingers or fingertips are included in the load distribution and thus take over with painful effect the entire load ,

An over the outer contour of the bottle crate protruding handle contour However leads to undesirably large, horizontal Space required for the bottle crate when palletizing be kept. In addition, impaired the opposite the side wall wider handle construction the stackability of the bottle crates. The economic Applicability of the bottle crates, however, to a considerable extent determined by their logistical suitability.

task The invention is, taking into account the logistical Usage requirements the carrying properties of the bottle crate to improve, in particular a handle with improved comfort to design.

The The object is achieved by a bottle crate solved according to the features of claim 1.

The Features of the dependent claims each relate to advantageous Embodiments and developments of the invention, which also consist of the following description and the accompanying drawings result.

According to the Claim 1 is provided, that the web a substantially bar-shaped web portion having which an axis forms, on which a handle bar is rotatably mounted, wherein the handle bar and the bridge with a handle shell made of elastic Plastic is surrounded with both the handle bar and is firmly connected to the web and / or the side wall.

The on the axis rotatably arranged handle bar allows a rotary movement of the handle, which is due to the elasticity of the grip, in which the handle bar is embedded, superimposed becomes. The grip jacket rotates through the fixed connection with the handle in this area with the handle bar, but is at the jetty, explicit in the adjacent areas outside the bridge section, and / or fixed to the side wall. With exercising the load causes the rotation of the handle a torsion of the handle. The possible angle of rotation of the handle is decisive from the respective modulus of elasticity and the thickness of the Plastic material of the grip jacket determined. When recording the Bottle crate may become the handle as a result of the load attack according to the typical arm or hand posture from a space-economical Turn the starting position outwards. With it move the side surfaces of the handle in the palm of your hand into and enlarge the actively available standing gripping surface. The soft plastic shell mediates also a pleasant grip. The handle is better in hand and thus ensures a high level of comfort. With This design according to the invention becomes an ergonomically deformable Handle provided.

The elastic grip sheath acts as a spring element due to the local fixation with respect to the web or the side wall, wherein the elasticity of the plastic sheath sufficient restoring generated force that rotates the handle bar with relief of the handle from a rotational position in the space-saving starting position.

is the handle in the starting position of the handle, in which the Handle shell is largely free of torsional stresses, essentially plane-parallel to the side wall, the handle is at parked bottle crate not over the side wall over, so that an unhindered and space-saving palletizing of the crates possible is.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the handle bar from a hollow body in which an axis at least partially enclosing slide bearing is formed. These is a weight and material-saving embodiment the handle bar, in which the integrated sliding bearing at the same time a Reliable rotatable mounting of the handle bar ensures the rod-shaped axis.

In A further advantageous embodiment is the handle bar limited deflectable by means of a rotation angle limiting device. This allows the handle bar under load in a limited range of rotation angle be swung to the starting position of the handle bar, wherein even with very high load overrunning the handle bar and thus an overuse of the plastic sheath safe is avoided.

Especially It is advantageous if the handle bar up to a rotational position with a rotation angle of about +/- 20 °, preferably of approx. +/- 10 ° with respect to the starting position the handle bar is deflectable. The indicated advantageous limits the angle of rotation means substantially perpendicular with respect to one oriented sidewall of the bottle crate maximum inclination the handle of about 20 ° or 10 ° opposite the perpendicular. The pivoting of the handle up to this maximum inclination corresponds to an ergonomically favorable Deflection of the handle in adaptation to the variable Hand position during the lifting, lowering and carrying process of the bottle crate.

is the handle bar in only one direction of rotation relative to the Starting position deflectable, this can be the location of the handle stabilized in the starting position on one side, since in this Case the reverse rotation of the handle in the deflection opposite direction of rotation, in which the restoring force the elastic grip shell acts on the rotation angle of the starting position is limited and thus the load-free handle more reliable remains stored in the starting position. In this context is also an embodiment of the invention covered in the plastic sheath so connected to the web or the side wall is that he has some bias towards the on the rotation angle of the initial position limited grip bar exerts so the handle with a low pressure force in the starting position to keep.

In In a particular embodiment, the handle bar is in a rotational position and / or detectable in the starting position. Thus, the handle when needed in any rotational position, but especially in the starting position of the handle, locked become. In the latter case, for example, during the Transportation of the bottle crate by a vehicle the handle in a vertical orientation to the side wall sufficient from damage be secured.

In A preferred embodiment is the rotation angle limiting device designed such that the axis has a stop element, which in a radially adjacent to the sliding bearing cavity of the Hollow body extends and an axial clearance fit to Wall of the hollow body has. This is the rotation the handle bar both in the clockwise direction and counterclockwise by striking the surrounding boundary walls of the Cavity limited to the fixed axis with the stop element. The axial arrangement of the stop element and its designed Determine the clearance against the hollow body significantly the possible rotation angle range of relative rotational adjustment of the handle bar against the Axis.

is the stop element extends longitudinally of the axle, can be a high load capacity when deflecting the handle bar under load transferred to the stop element and to the axle, which improves the stability of the handle.

Preferably is the handle strip in several parts, in particular of two strip parts, formed, so that the strip parts of the handle laterally the bridge, in particular mounted around the axis and the handle bar can be completed. This can be the Web integral with the axle, for example by injection molding, be made with the bottle crate. Passes the handle bar from a hollow body, the strip parts are accordingly cupped.

In an expedient embodiment the plastic handle. As a result, the handle bar does not only a small weight on. The ergonomically demanding form the handle bar or its strip parts are therefore low Effort, z. B. by injection molding, produced.

In a practical embodiment, the strip parts are included by means of a film hinge connected, which makes the mounting of the handle considerably easier. With the help of the easy to produce by injection molding connection the strip parts are pre-assembled to each other and can be easily bent around the film hinge and assembled to the finished, the axis enclosing handle.

The Stability of the handle is also improved by that the web has ribs. Also allows the ribbing explicitly in the adjacent areas of the bridge outside the web portion a better anchoring of the grip with the jetty.

is the surface of the handle strip is profiled, This leads to an improved anchoring of the grip with the handle bar. Preferably, the handle bar knob-like and / or rib-like projections, so that in particular the mass of the applied for the grip coat elastic Plastic material is minimized, which comparatively to usable plastic material for the handle very is expensive.

In a preferred embodiment, the grip coat made of polytetrafluoroethylene (TPE) or soft polyethylene (PE). These Plastics are elastic, reversibly deformable materials with a certain resistance to deformation, which in addition to a high Clamping power also characterized by a good ergonomic gripping behavior and thus for a particularly pleasant grip of the grip to care.

below the bottle case according to the invention on a Embodiment explained in more detail. The accompanying drawings show in a schematic Presentation in

1 a perspective view of a basic shape of the side wall of a bottle crate according to the invention,

2 a perspective view of the side wall with a handle strip and a handle shell in partial view,

3 a perspective view of the side wall with a completed handle,

4 a side view of the side wall after 2 .

5 a top view of two cup-shaped strip parts of the handle,

6 a side view of the cup-shaped strip parts,

7 a sectional view in section AA of the cup-shaped strip parts after 5 .

8th a sectional view in section BB of the sidewall after 4 in a starting position of the handle,

9 a sectional view in section BB of the sidewall after 4 in a rotational position of the handle.

1 shows a side wall 1 a bottle crate, which is formed by four, substantially vertical side walls and a box bottom and is used for the storage and transport of beverage bottles (not shown). The four side walls enclose an interior with a compartment for holding the beverage bottles. The sidewall shown 1 points above a passage opening 2 a footbridge 3 with a bar-shaped web section 4 on that as an axis 5 is trained. Two on both sides of the bridge section 4 subsequent edge sections 6 . 7 of the footbridge 3 form the transition to the side wall 1 and are fan-shaped. The jetty 3 with the axis 5 and the edge sections 6 . 7 is part of the basic shape of the sidewall 1 and with the sidewall 1 manufactured in one piece by injection molding. The jetty 3 points in its edge sections 6 . 7 several ribs 8th for various purposes explained in more detail below. At the axis 5 is an elongated stop element 9 in the form of a radially projecting extension 9 the axis 5 trained as well visible in 1 is shown. The visible recesses on the axle 5 and on the extension 9 serve only the customary in plastic moldings material reduction.

According to the 2 and 4 becomes the axis 5 from a handle bar 10 includes, consisting of two bowl-shaped strip parts 11a . 11b Made of plastic, which has a film hinge 1 2 are interconnected. In the bowl-shaped strip parts 11a . 11b (closer in 5 to 7 each shown is a bearing shell 13a . 13b for the formation of a sliding bearing 14 for the rotatable mounting of the handle 10 on the axis 5 formed. By bending the film hinge 12 can the strip parts 11a . 11b around the axis 5 be placed and closed to a hollow body, which the handle bar 10 with the plain bearing 14 forms, as in also in 8th and 9 is illustrated. The strip parts 11a . 11b be, as in the present example, either by means of a clip closure 15 locked together, but can also be welded or glued.

This is the from the 2 and 4 Roughly visible grip coat 16 made of a particularly elastic plastic, such. Eg TPE, applied by injection molding. The grip coat 16 covered, in the manner of a plastic pad 16 , the handle bar 10 and the edge sections 6 . 7 of the footbridge 3 in a profile-balancing cross section, the final handy shape of a handle 17 results in how out 3 is apparent. The width 18 of the handle 17 is essentially the thickness 19 the side wall 1 adjusted so that the handle 17 flush with the sidewall 1 completes (cf. 8th ). The grip jacket closes at the front 16 congruent to the, the bridge 3 facing connection surfaces 20 . 21 the side wall 1 (see also 1 ).

The sprayed plastic coat 16 is a firm connection on the one hand with the surface of the handle 10 and on the other hand with the surfaces of the web 3 in its margins 6 . 7 as well as with the connecting surfaces 20 . 21 the side wall 1 one. In this case, the fan-shaped shape of the edge sections 6 . 7 with the attached ribs 8th in addition to a stabilization of the bridge 3 also a sustainable anchoring of the grip 16 with the jetty 3 ,

To achieve good adhesion of the plastic sheath 16 with the handle bar 10 is the surface of the handle bar 10 formed profiled in a special way. How out 2 and 3 is exemplified, have the cup-shaped strip parts 11a . 11b outwardly protruding nubs 22 on. In an alternative design of the strip parts 11a . 11b to 4 are also pimples 22 provided, but with diagonal ribs 23 are connected. To illustrate 5 to 7 the unfolded strip parts 11a . 11b in various embodiments of the surface design. The strip part located at the top of the drawing plane 11b shows an embodiment with individual nubs 22 on while the lower part of the handle 11a the alternative embodiment shows, in addition to the nubs 22 the diagonal ribs 23 provides. In the practical design of the handle bar 10 are the two strip parts 11a . 11b expediently formed in a unitary embodiment with respect to the surface.

This adhesion-improving surface design of the strip parts 11a . 11b at the same time reduces the amount of elastic plastic to be sprayed on in the area of the handle 10 , When so completed handle 17 is the soft plastic cushion 16 of the grip jacket 16 with the stronger plastic material of the handle 10 interspersed, which also the grip stability of the handle 17 supported in this area.

The 8th and 9 each show a sectional view BB through the upper region of the side wall 1 to 4 with the handlebar 10 and the grip coat 16 completed handle 17 , The two strip parts 11a . 11b result in the closed state, the hollow body of the handle 10 , in which next to the sliding bearing 14 for the axis 5 a radially to the sliding bearing 14 adjoining cavity 24 is trained. The cavity 24 is from two elongated shell walls 25a . 25b and two end shell walls 26a . 26b . 27a . 27b the two shell-shaped strip parts 11a . 11b enclosed, with only one end shell wall 26a . 26b in 8th and 9 you can see. (The front shell wall 27a . 27b is in 6 and 7 visible). The radial extension 9 the axis 5 extends into the cavity 24 , where the extension 9 a smaller cross section than the cross section of the cavity 24 having. Here is especially the remaining axial clearance between the extension 9 and the two shell walls 25a . 25b the strip parts 11a . 11b considerable, which leads to a limited rotational mobility of the handle 10 around the axis 5 helps.

The 8th and 9 refer to a handle 17 in a left sidewall 1 of the bottle crate, at which the indicated interior 28 of the bottle crate in the plane of the drawing to the right of the sidewall 1 located. Accordingly, in the following the strip part 11a , which in the drawing to the right of a center line 29 the side wall 1 is located, as an inner ridge part 11a and that in the drawing to the left of the center line 29 situated strip part 11b as outer ridge part 11b be named. Similarly, the extension 9 a right, inner stop side 30a and a left outer stop side 30b on. The outer stop side 30b is vertical and parallel to the centerline 29 the side wall 1 formed while the inner stop side 30a diagonally to the center line 29 is trained.

In 8th is the handle 17 in a starting position of the handle 10 seen. The handle 17 is substantially flush in this position and plane-parallel to the side wall 1 the bottle crate formed and aligned, ie without over the side wall 1 to face. The shell wall 25b the outer last part 11b just lies on the outer side of the stop 30b of the extension 9 at. This can be the handle 17 not in the interior 28 the bottle crate be pivoted.

Under the load, so when engaging in the access opening 2 , Grasp the handle 17 and lifting the bottle crate, the handle bar 10 in the direction of rotation 31 deflected outwards until the shell wall 25a of the inner groin part 11a flat on the inner stop side 30a of the extension 9 strikes as in 9 is shown. At the same time, the grip coat twists 16 that by means of the pimples 22 firmly with the handle 10 connected, together with the handle bar 10 , In contrast, remains the grip coat 16 in the area of the edge sections 6 . 7 of the footbridge 3 rotationally against the side wall 1 so that the handle 17 is deformed by Torsinn.

The handle deformed in the way 17 Ergonomically adapts to the hand position of the attacking hand while carrying the bottle crate. The handle 17 turns into the palm of your hand, widening the active grip area for greater comfort.

The deflection of the handle 10 in the direction of rotation 31 takes place in the illustration 9 up to an exemplary angle of rotation 32 of about 20 ° relative to the starting position of the handle 10 to 8th , The one with the deflection up to this angle of rotation 32 deformed handle 17 lies particularly well in the palm of the attacking hand.

The limitation of the rotation angle 32 at the deflection of the handle 10 in the direction of rotation 31 is determined by the defined clearance between the shell wall 25a of the inner groin part 11a and the inner stop side 30a of the extension 9 certainly. This rotation angle limitation also avoids over-rotation of the handle 17 and thus overstretching of the plastic material of the grip shell 16 under the load capacity of the bottle crate.

On one of the left side wall 1 opposite side wall may be another, right hand grip (not shown), arranged to hold the bottle crate with both hands and to be able to wear. However, this right hand grip is to the in 8th and 9 pictured left handle 17 built up mirror-side, so that both handles 17 deflect outwards under the load attack.

In the rotary position of the handle 10 to 9 is a torsional stress on the elastic grip coat 16 transfer. The elasticity of the grip jacket 16 generates according to the modulus of elasticity of the plastic TPE a restoring force, the load reduction or when releasing the handle 17 is converted into kinetic energy. Thus, the handle turns 17 after parking the bottle crate while turning back the handle bar 10 automatically back to the handle bar 10 the starting position after 8th has reached, when the outer shell wall 25b on the outer stop side 30b of the extension 9 is applied. The handle 17 is flush with the sidewall again 1 and thus ensures unimpeded palletizing of the parked bottle crate.

1

Side wall of the bottle crate

2

Through opening

3

web

4

rod-shaped web section

5

axis

6

edge section of the footbridge

7

edge section of the footbridge

8th

rib of the footbridge

9

Stop element extension

10

handle bar

11

shell-like Groin portion inner, outer, a, b

12

film hinge

13

bearing shell a, b

14

bearings

15

clip closure

16

Handle coat, Plastic jacket, plastic cushion

17

handle

18

width of the handle

19

thickness the side wall

20

terminal area the side wall

21

terminal area the side wall

22

knob-like Tab, knob of the groin part

23

rib-like Tab, rib of the groin part

24

cavity

25

longitudinally extended Shell wall a, b

26

frontal Shell wall a, b

27

frontal Shell wall a, b

28

inner space of the bottle crate

29

centerline the side wall

30

Stop side, inner, outer a, b,

31

direction of rotation the deflection

32

angle of rotation

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 102006038883 A1 [0003]

Claims (15)

Plastic bottle crate for storing and transporting bottles with a box bottom and four side walls arranged substantially perpendicular to the box bottom, which enclose an interior space with a compartment for accommodating the bottles, wherein at least one side wall (FIG. 1 ) a handle ( 17 ), which above a passage opening ( 2 ) arranged with an upper edge of the side wall ( 1 ) a footbridge ( 3 ) of the side wall ( 1 ), characterized in that the web ( 3 ) a substantially rod-shaped web portion ( 4 ), which has an axis ( 5 ), on which a handle strip ( 10 ) is mounted rotatably, wherein the handle bar ( 10 ) and the jetty ( 3 ) with a grip jacket ( 16 ) is surrounded by elastic plastic, with both the handle bar ( 10 ) as well as with the footbridge ( 3 ) and / or the side wall ( 1 ) is firmly connected. Bottle crate according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle ( 17 ) in a starting position of the handle strip ( 10 ) plane parallel to the side wall ( 1 ) is trained. Bottle crate according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the handle strip ( 10 ) consists of a hollow body in which an axis ( 5 ) at least partially enclosing slide bearing ( 14 ) is trained. Bottle crate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping strip ( 10 ) is limited deflectable by means of a rotation angle limiting device. Bottle crate according to claim 4, characterized in that the handle strip ( 10 ) up to a rotational position with a rotation angle ( 32 ) of about +/- 20 °, preferably of about +/- 10 °, compared to the starting position of the handle ( 10 ) is deflectable. Bottle crate according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the gripping strip ( 10 ) in only one direction of rotation ( 31 ) is deflectable relative to the starting position. Bottle crate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping strip ( 10 ) Is detected in a rotational position and / or in the starting position. Bottle crate according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the rotation angle limiting device is designed such that the axis ( 5 ) a stop element ( 9 ), which in a radially to the sliding bearing ( 14 ) adjacent cavity ( 24 ) of the hollow body and an axial clearance fit to the wall ( 25a . 25b ) of the hollow body. Bottle crate according to claim 8, characterized in that the stop element ( 9 ) extends the axis ( 5 ) is trained. Bottle crate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping strip ( 10 ) in several parts, in particular of two strip parts ( 11a . 11b ), is trained. Bottle crate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping strip ( 10 ) consists of plastic. Bottle crate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strip parts ( 11a . 11b ) by means of a film hinge ( 12 ) are interconnected. Bottle crate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the web ( 3 ) Ribs ( 8th ) having. Bottle crate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface of the handle strip ( 10 ) is profiled, preferably knob-like and / or rib-like projections ( 22 . 23 ) having. Bottle crate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grip casing ( 16 ) consists of polytetrafluoroethylene (TPE) or soft polyethylene (PE).