DE102008051664A1 - Plastic container, in particular bottle crate - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1) made of plastic, in particular bottle crate for holding beverage bottles, with a bottom (2) and preferably circumferentially arranged side walls (3a, 3b), wherein at least part of an inner and / or outer, preferably flat outer surface a side wall (3a, 3b) and / or the bottom (2) is provided with a plurality of elevations (4), which are arranged above and / or next to each other. This container (1) has a high stability with a lower weight and is simple and inexpensive to produce.

Description

The The invention relates to a container made of plastic, in particular a bottle crate for holding Beverage bottles, according to the generic term of claim 1.

Container for transport of fruits and vegetables as well as crates for the Intake of drinks bottles become common made by injection molding of plastic and include a bottom and four peripherally arranged side walls, with viewing openings and access openings are interrupted. Such containers become common in big numbers made, so that one strives to make the side walls narrow Save material. On the other hand, these containers are called typical multi-way containers always returned, so used again, the life of such containers at least should be ten years. This means that the containers too sufficient stability have to have especially since they have to take heavy loads in use, if considering that there are boxes with 24 liter bottles there are with drink filled have a corresponding weight. For this reason, such Box very often trained with appropriate stiffening measures, in particular on the outside and inner surface ribbed. But this is in Mehrwegebehältern because of it disadvantageous because in the edge area of the ribs and in the corners Dirt catches, in the downstream cleaning process difficult to remove is. The cleaning of such box is thus elaborate and is comparatively expensive. That's why you've started to form such box with hollow sections, partially through Cores, but also partially produced by gas blowing. This results in comparatively large wall thicknesses. Furthermore, that is Manufacturing process both in the application of cores as well as the gas blowing method comparatively expensive. On the other hand Box without special stiffening measures corresponding thick-walled be formed, which in turn because of the material consumption and the resulting high weight of the container is disadvantageous.

task The invention is a container, in particular To provide bottle crate that, while maintaining smooth for the cleaning process, So not edged or ribbed outer surfaces, a low weight with constant stability and that is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

These The object is achieved by the in claim 1 mentioned features, wherein expedient developments the invention are characterized by the features of the subclaims.

Due to the measures according to the invention a stability gain is achieved due to the large number of elevations of at least one outer surface of a wall, ie side wall, of a container, which results in that the thickness of the side wall can be reduced accordingly. Of course, this also results in a correspondingly lower material consumption, which naturally results in a correspondingly high number of pieces in the price. In addition, due to the special characteristics of the design with a variety of uniformly recurring flat surveys new design options arise in the container sector, which is particularly important because in particular breweries and beverage manufacturers just about the special design as an additional advertising measure over others Want to take off competitors. By flat elevations is meant a planar extent, which stands out from ribs and the like webs, that is, in particular with respect to a geometric elevation with an approximately rectangular plan a ratio of 1: 1 to 1: 2 of the edge lengths and in an oval floor plan with respect on the small and large diameter. It should mean a surface area of at least 60 mm ² , preferably at least 80 mm ² , area. The large number of elevations is intended here to make up the majority of the planar extent of the side wall, namely at least 60%, but preferably at least 75% and above, so that, if required, unprofiled, ie elevation-free surfaces remain for the attachment of labels, imprints or other designs for recognition the product or the manufacturer. The term flat outer surface used here is intended to mean the ideally stretched outer surface of the side wall from which the elevations extend outwards.

The side walls can thereby over the entire surface or broken through, z. B. be provided with viewing and handle openings. there can the plane Elevations either on the outside or on the inside or on both sides. Also the Bottom of the container may have surveys. These surveys can be either opposite or offset from one another. It is also possible that not just one area but multiple areas of an inner and / or outer sidewall are provided with a variety of surveys. In this way are different customer-oriented designs and design options of the container monochrome but also multicolored possible, with simultaneous warranty sufficient stability.

In An advantageous embodiment of the invention, the surveys provided on the entire inner and / or outer outer surface of the side wall. It is also appropriate that the structure with elevations over the entire area on both sides of the side wall, so inner and outer outer surface extends. In this way it is achieved that the inside and outside with a variety of elevations structured sidewall increased stability over a smooth Wall has, so that the wall thickness reduced accordingly can be. With a container with a floor and four side walls, the side walls Completely Outside and are provided with elevations inside, is the wall thickness reduction with the same stability across from sidewalls with flat, not with vaults or surveys provided outside surfaces in Range of 10 to 20%. This is the reduction in the weight of container or the side wall approximately in the range of 8 to 20%.

In a preferred embodiment The invention comprises a container Reinforcing ribs or - webs, the side wall additional Give stability and / or the framework. It is appropriate that the reinforcing ribs or -stege run so that one of its end, that on the side wall arranged and connected to the side wall portions, in the between adjacent valley-like depressions or concave curvatures formed elevation on the inside of the side wall merges. This will ensure on the one hand, the side wall becomes even more stable in shape and on the other hand Custody points can be avoided, which are usually due to different cooling conditions of the plastic in joints, d. H. in areas of the sidewall where the webs or reinforcing ribs are connected to the side wall portions form. Also will be the usual ones Avoiding incidence, which is perpendicular to a Wall hitting reinforcement rib result.

Prefers the surveys are arranged in a regular pattern. The means that the same survey or surveys are ongoing at the same distance over an area or over the entire area of the Sidewall over the height and / or over the Width of the sidewall returns or recurs.

Are useful the elevations arranged in rows next to each other and one above the other. It is it is possible that the elevations parallel and / or perpendicular to the container bottom continuously on the container wall are formed. This means that the same surface profiling over the Height and / or the width of the container on an area of the side wall or over the entire surface of the container wall extends. It is also possible, that the elevations not only at an angle of 90 ° and / or 180 ° to the corresponding container bottom, but also obliquely for example, longitudinally executed in diagonal rows are. This freedom of geometry is the visual impression of the surveys variably customizable, and the design options are many.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention are the Elevations by flat curvature educated. The arched area has a crooked course between the minimum and the increase. Through the arched area The area where the curved surface is formed has a high dimensional stability on. The more common while secants of the curvature lines within a defined area cut and the more scattered these intersections are on the surface, or the larger the The proportion of the area covered with points of intersection is the more dimensionally stable and more diverse resilient is the resulting area. This property can be added use, especially stable walls and box at the same time low weight and low production costs to manufacture. To the stability wall and chest with arched Structure to increase further can the container be provided with vertically arranged ribs. These stiffen and reinforce the side walls against bending, whereby the container according to the invention has a higher carrying capacity than the previously known Container with reduced sidewall thickness. It is also possible, that the ribs are arranged perpendicular or horizontal to the side wall are, however, it is preferred that they are at 90 ° angle hit the inner sidewall. By being there on one Gathering the side wall inside, the material goes from the ribs in the elevation at an angle greater than 90 ° above, so that the usual sink marks avoided during injection molding.

Suitably, the bulges are pyramid-shaped with preferably curved outwardly pyramidal surfaces. Of course, the invention is not limited to a specific geometry of the elevations or bulges, but there are also several levels, transitions or rounded structures such as trapezoidal structures or hemisphere or other geometries conceivable. The preferred geometry of the survey is a rounded shape of the curvature, which is formed edge-free and the rounded merges into the valley formed between adjacent vaults. It is also advantageous that the survey itself is rounded. In the case of a rounded arch structure, in contrast to an edgy structure, the structure is not exposed to any particular wear. Even with a touch of a provided with rounded elevations surface of the side wall can thereby a pleasant grip feeling can be achieved. It is advantageous if the length and width of the elevation or the curvature in the range of 3 to 10 mm. All this allows an advantageous wall thickness of about 2 mm. The rib thickness is advantageously in the range of 1.5 to 2 mm. In this way also results in a savings in material consumption compared to a container with a smooth side wall, which of course has a positive effect on high production costs in the production costs.

Prefers have the elevations or vaults each a rectangular, preferably square plan shape. Of course you can the survey also assume a different plan shape. For example can it be a triangular, circular or have a hexagonal shape. That is, the geometry of the Structures, as the shape and size is not limited, but it can be varied as desired.

Especially Preferably, the number of buckles on the long side of the container in the range between 300 and 750 narrow sides in the range of 225 to 625.

In A further advantageous embodiment of the invention are elevations on the inner surface the side wall compared to the elevations on the outer surface of the Sidewall formed antisymmetric. Antisymmetric in the sem Context means that the structure of the elevations is not exactly the same by mirroring on the inside and outside the sidewall is present, but inverted, d. H. that surveys on one side correspond to depressions on the other side. Due to the antisymmetric formation of the surface profiling, the stability of the side wall higher than the one a smooth side wall with the same wall thickness. The additional stability of the container wall and containers itself can by arrangement of the reinforcing ribs or webs, the stiffen the side wall to prevent bending, as it does z. B. also takes place in corrugated iron.

Of course it is The invention does not relate to a container with antisymmetric to each other Elevations on the exact opposite Side of the side wall limited, but there are other embodiments the assignment of the elevations on the opposite sides of the side wall conceivable. You can, for example offset by a certain distance parallel, vertically or obliquely be arranged to each other.

following become preferred embodiments the invention described with reference to the drawings. Show:

1 a perspective view of a container according to the invention,

2 a side view of the container according to the invention 1 and

3 a horizontal section through the container according to the invention after 1 ,

In the 1 is a container according to the invention 1 made of plastic purely schematically shown in a perspective view. The container 1 is in 2 reproduced in a side view.

The container 1 includes a container bottom 2 and four side walls 3a . 3b of those in 1 a longer side wall 3a and a shorter sidewall 3b you can see. The side walls 3a . 3b are formed open for handle and viewing openings. On the outer surfaces of both the shorter side wall 3b as well as the longer side wall 3a are areas with a recurring surface profiling in the form of flat elevations 4 and valleys 5 to recognize. The surface profiling is roughly formed as a wave-shaped structure parallel and perpendicular to the container bottom 2 on the container wall 3a . 3b you can see. The single structure of the survey 4 is in the form of an edge-free curvature 4 formed, rounded in the valley formed between adjacent vaults 5 passes. It has a convex shape that faces outward from the center of each sidewall 3a . 3b is arched from. The plan shape of the vault 4 is each rectangular, essentially square. In its three-dimensional design, it resembles a cushion in its shape.

On the outer side of the shorter 3b and the longer one 3a Side wall of the container 1 Each is an area with a smooth surface 6 to recognize the z. B. can serve for product identification by means of an imprint. In 1 are also the inner surfaces of the longer side wall 3a and the shorter side wall 3b to see. The inner surfaces of the shorter ones 3b and the longer side wall 3a are with variety of surveys 7 provided between which wells 8th are arranged, which have a concave curvature 8th ie, which is curved relative to the inner outer surface inwardly. The surface structures of the inside and outside of the side walls are 3a . 3b so arranged offset to each other that the bulges 4 and the depressions 8th exactly opposite each other, so that therefore preferably the elevations on one side correspond to the wells on the other side. The surfaces are thus formed antisymmetric, so that the side walls 3a . 3b has a substantially curved shape in these areas relative to its center plane. Of course, another embodiment of the Assignment of the surveys on the opposite sides of the side wall conceivable. They may, for example, be arranged at a specific distance parallel, perpendicular or obliquely offset from one another. This results in a very pleasing design of such a container. However, an antisymmetric reflection of the elevations on the exactly opposite sides of the side wall is preferred. As a result, the side wall is particularly stable while reducing the wall thickness.

In 1 is on every visible outer surface of the sidewalls 3a . 3b only one area each 6 to see with a smooth surface. However, it is also possible that the side walls 3a . 3b several areas 6 having a smooth surface. Besides, it is possible the side walls 3a . 3b completely, ie over the entire surface of the side wall with elevations 4 . 7 to provide. Also, other combinations of surface profiling can be realized. For example, one side wall may have a partially or completely smooth surface, a second side wall may have partially or completely surface profiling, and a third side wall may as well have a different surface profiling geometry. This not only increases the stability of the side wall with a simultaneous reduction in wall thickness, but also improves the design and design options.

Likewise it is also possible to the lateral edges 9 the side surface 3a . 3b of the container 1 around, so around the corner pages 9 of the container 1 around, a surface profiling over the height circumferentially form. In the corner of the container 1 ie in the area of two adjoining side walls 3a . 3b is the structure of surface profiling in 1 designed so targeted that the maximum of the convex curvature 4 the outer surface of the sidewall 3a . 3b of the container 1 and the minimum of concave curvature 8th the inner surface of the sidewall 3a . 3b exactly in the corner area 9 lies. Thus, otherwise resulting in adjoining smooth walls resulting incidence in injection molding can be avoided.

It is in 2 it can be seen that the area 6 with the smooth surface is offset inwards, ie that he faces the elevations 4 withdrawn in the wall 3a . 3b is arranged. However, it is also possible to have one or more areas 6 arranged offset to the outside. The surface profiling of the sidewall 3a . 3b extends substantially parallel and perpendicular to the container bottom 2 , The layout of the elevations 4 is essentially quadrangular, with the side length of the structure in different areas of the side walls 3a . 3b a continuous, recurring bulge 4 about the height of the container 1 seen as a continuous truncated cycloid. However, it is also possible that the structure is formed as a sinusoidal wave, a usual cycloid or another wavy structure, wherein the wave sizes can be varied. Likewise, combinations of two or more shafts are possible, which can be offset, for example offset, both horizontally and vertically. The areas 6 with a smooth, flat surface, ie elevation-free surface amount to at most 40% of the total area and extend over an area preferably less than 25%.

In the 3 It can be seen that the container according to the invention 1 reinforcing ribs 10 includes, in the areas of the sidewalls 3a and 3b arranged and each with the corresponding side wall 3a and or 3b are connected. Ribs 10 are advantageous in the area of the side wall 3a and or 3b connected where a survey 7 in a valley between the adjacent vaults 8th is trained. As a result, sink marks, which usually arise in a perpendicular to a wall striking rib, avoided.

The vaults 8th on the inner surface of the side wall 3a . 3b in 3 are opposite the vaults 4 on the outer surface of the sidewall 3a . 3b formed antisymmetric, ie the minimum of the concave curvature 8th the inner surface of the sidewall 3a . 3b at the position of the maximum of the convex curvature 4 the outer surface of the sidewall 3a . 3b located. In the embodiment of the container according to the invention the height of the elevation or the curvature is in the range of 1 to 3 mm, preferably in the range of 1.5 to 2 mm. This allows an advantageous wall thickness of 1 to 3 mm, preferably 2 mm.

Out it has become clear from the above description of the invention that the container according to the invention over conventional containers has a lower weight while maintaining stability and easier and cheaper too finished is.

Claims (15)

Container ( 1 ) made of plastic with a bottom ( 2 ) and circumferentially arranged side walls ( 3a . 3b ), in particular bottle crate for holding beverage bottles, characterized in that at least part of an inner and / or outer, preferably flat outer surface of a side wall ( 3a . 3b ) with a plurality of preferably flat elevations ( 4 ) is provided, which are arranged above and / or next to each other and to at least 60%, preferably at least 75% of an outer surface of the respective sides wall are provided. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the elevations ( 4 ) on the entire inner and / or outer outer surface ( 3a . 3b ) are provided. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the container ( 1 ) at least in an inner side wall region a reinforcing rib and / or web ( 10 ), which prefers a survey ( 7 ) between adjacent valleys or concave curvatures ( 8th ) passes over. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elevations ( 4 ) are arranged in a regular pattern. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elevations ( 4 ) are arranged in rows next to each other and one above the other. Container according to claim 1 to 4, characterized in that the elevations ( 4 ) are arranged along diagonal rows. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elevations by flat curvatures ( 4 ) are formed. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elevations or bulges ( 4 ) are formed pyramid-like with preferably outwardly arched pyramidal surfaces. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elevations or bulges ( 4 ) each have a rectangular, preferably square plan shape. Container according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the bulges ( 4 ) are formed edge-free and rounded in the formed between adjacent vaults valley ( 5 ) pass over. Container according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the number of vaults ( 4 ) lies on the longitudinal side of the container in the range between 300 and 750 and on the narrow side in the range of 225 to 625. Container according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the curvature ( 4 ) each having a length and / or width of 3 to 10 mm, preferably from 5 to 9 mm, in particular 7 mm. Container according to one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the wall thickness of the side wall ( 3a . 3b ) in the range of 1 to 3 mm, preferably 2 mm, in particular 1.5 mm. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elevations or bulges ( 4 ) on the inner and outer surfaces of the side wall ( 3a . 3b ) offset from one another, in particular are formed antisymmetric. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side wall ( 3a . 3b ) with elevations or vaults ( 4 ) and / or in the form of a "corrugated iron" structure by adjacent ribs ( 10 ) is reinforced.