DE102011055978B4 - Bottle crate with height-adjustable truss - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a bottle crate with a height-adjustable truss, wherein the framework between two heights, in particular between the ground and a predetermined height, is free to move and in one direction, preferably away from the ground, is resiliently biased.

Description

The present invention relates to a bottle crate with height-adjustable truss according to the preamble of claim 1.

A bottle crate according to the preamble is from the document AT 315 724 A known. The bottle case shown therein has a vertically displaceable together with side wall parts truss and large side openings. To be able to take the bottles not only above, but also laterally from the bottle crate, the framework can be moved upwards (over the bottlenecks), so that the bottles can be tipped out laterally and removed through the large side openings.

A disadvantage of this solution is that the truss must be moved together with side wall parts and on the other hand by hand. Furthermore, in some way, e.g. B. over friction, which in turn complicates the adjustability of the framework, or via an additional locking mechanism, which increases the complexity of the object, to ensure that the framework retains its respective position.

JP 09-002446 A discloses a bottle crate with a bottom removable via a centrally located handle. Depending on the orientation of the soil this can be used in the bottle crate or placed on appropriately trained projections on top of the bottle crate for presentation purposes.

Out FR 25 58 442 A1 and DE 199 48 940 A1 containers are known with vertically resiliently biased floors, in which when removing the goods and the associated weight reduction of the container bottom is automatically tracked upward so as to remove the remaining goods easier.

Object of the present invention is to provide a comparison with the prior art improved and more user-friendly bottle crate with height-adjustable truss. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bottle crate, which is equally suitable for transporting a bottle or can composite and other objects as well as for the transport of individual bottles or cans.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

A bottle crate according to the invention has a grid-shaped and height-adjustable truss, which is freely movable between two heights, in particular between the ground and a predetermined height, and is spring-elastically biased in one direction, preferably away from the ground.

Due to the resilient bias is achieved that the position, d. H. adjusts the height of the truss by itself, depending on the load on the truss.

If the truss is loaded, it moves from a first height to a second height. If the load does not exist, the truss is automatically returned to its first height due to the spring preload.

Thus, the invention relates to a bottle crate having height-adjustable and self-resetting in a specific position truss.

A practical use for this solution is, inter alia, that with the bottle case according to the invention both beverage associations, eg. B. so-called six-packs, as well as individual bottles can be transported safely. When the truss is movable between a predetermined height and the bottle crate bottom and is pushed away from the ground by a spring member, the truss is normally at a predetermined height and thus in a position to receive and separate a plurality of individual bottles. This ensures that the bottles do not hit each other during transport and may break.

However, since the truss can be pressed by overcoming the spring preload to the ground, this z. B. by the gravity of one or more objects placed on the truss, z. B. a six-pack, are lowered to the ground. So when a six-pack is put in the box, the truss is pushed down to the ground by the gravity of the six-pack. When the six-pack is removed, the truss automatically goes up and back to its original height. Thereafter, the drunk, empty bottles can be individually put back into the bottle crate in the truss.

The adjustment of the truss is done so alone on the gravity or spring preload in the desired position for the user, without this by hand must adjust the truss. Furthermore, it is possible to dispense with an adjusting and / or locking mimic, so that not only the handling of the bottle crate, but also its manufacture can be simplified.

The two heights, between which the truss can move freely, can be defined and limited by appropriate stops. According to one aspect, only one stop is necessary because the bottle case bottom limits movement of the truss in one direction. Thus, only one stop is necessary, the movement range of the framework in the opposite direction, d. H. upwards, limited. This is preferably chosen so that it is arranged in the lower half of the bottle crate, preferably at shoulder height of the bottles to be transported. Not only does this make it possible to simplify the guiding facial expressions of the truss, but it can also be ensured that the bottles individually picked up in the truss do not hit each other. Since the truss can be lowered to the bottom of the bottle case, the vertical depth or the filling volume of the crate is maximized when the truss is lowered. This ensures that the bottles of a bottle assembly placed on the framework do not protrude beyond the upper edge of the bottle crate. Therefore, it makes no difference whether the bottles stand individually in the raised framework or in combination on the depressed truss in the bottle crate.

The resilient bias of the framework in a predetermined direction, z. B. upward, can be done via at least one elastic, tension spring and / or compression spring. These or other resilient biasing means may be disposed in a sidewall region, a corner region and / or a bottom region or in quills within the bottle crate. Preferably, the resilient biasing means are chosen in terms of their biasing forces and arrangement so that there is no tilting of the truss, but this is always moved in horizontal or ground parallel alignment up and down. For this purpose, the resilient biasing means should be arranged symmetrically to Fachwerkschwerpunkt.

The resilient bias may be selected so that the truss is fully pushed onto the box floor when a predetermined load is placed on the truss. The elastic preload should therefore be so large that the truss z. B. does not swing alone up and down during transport due to its own weight, but also be so small that the truss is completely pushed to the bottom of the box when a bottle assembly is set from at least four full bottles on the truss. Thus, the bottle crate does not necessarily have to be completely filled in order to completely push the truss towards the bottom of the crate, so that the functionality according to the invention is fully effective even with smaller units.

The bottle crate and the truss are preferably made of plastic. As a resilient biasing means tensile and / or compression springs made of metal can be used. According to one aspect of the invention, the tension and / or compression spring may also be made of plastic. In particular, these can be formed integrally with the plastic compartment. As a result, the assembly of the framework and the biasing facial expressions in the bottle crate can be simplified. Furthermore, this ensures that the springs, z. B. when a truss is replaced by another with a different infill, not lost.

Overall, preferably four pressure or tension springs can be integrated in the framework. This results in an optimum distribution of power on the truss.

To ensure that the truss does not tilt or twist, this can be performed vertically on at least one projecting from the box bottom guide column and / or at least one side wall portion of the bottle crate. For simplicity, this can be done via sliding guides between correspondingly arranged on the truss and the bottle crate guide elements. The vertical guide column projecting from the box bottom can be designed to fit between four bottles arranged in a rectangular composite close to one another and in particular has a cross-shaped cross-section or a cross-section with a square or diamond-shaped basic shape and in each case inwardly curved flanks. The latter cross-section corresponds to the shape of the interspace at four bottles placed side by side in a rectangular composite. This ensures that the guide posts projecting from the bottle crate do not interfere with the footprint. By appropriate dimensioning and shaping of the guide columns and in particular by their clever arrangement can be taken to ensure that when a bottle composite, z. B. a six-pack, is placed on the framework and this lowers due to the load to the ground, the guide columns between the bottles are introduced in the composite. The introduced between the bottles guide columns also serve for local fixation of the bottle assembly, so that the set on the surface of the framework bottle groups do not slide back and forth and possibly beat against each other.

The truss can have guide sections, for example in the form of recesses, to which the truss can slide vertically up and down the guide columns.

The framework of the invention can also be used in a bottle crate with sleeves. The sleeves can serve as guide columns for the height adjustment of the truss.

According to one aspect, the guiding and preloading mimic can be combined or integrated by simultaneously using the guide post as the spring guide and by pulling or pushing the spring upwards on selected or all guide columns via tension springs and / or compression springs. In particular, the spring may be arranged externally around the guide columns, i. H. be threaded from the guide columns, and press against the corresponding guide section of the truss.

Alternatively, one or more guide columns may be formed hollow or with a cylindrical recess in which a compression spring can be placed which presses against a guide section of the framework pushed over the guide column. Since the loose compression spring is located within the guide column of the bottle crate or within the folded over the guide column guide portion of the bottle crate and does not need to be connected to this variant is not only an easy-to-mount solution, but also ensures that the spring from the outside (Environmental) influences, such. B. pollution, is protected and therefore does not need to be dirty or not cleaned.

Instead of compression springs that push the truss vertically upwards from the ground, one or more tension springs can also be used, which pull the truss vertically upwards. These may be provided for example in side wall sections.

Instead of springs, the resilient bias of the truss can be made against a stop on an elastic band which engages inside or outside a side wall at a guide portion of the truss. The truss may be guided in a vertically extending slot in a side wall and a cross-slot projection may be connected via a resilient element, in particular an elastic band, with an upper edge portion of the bottle crate. As a result, the truss is pulled over the elastic against the stop and under load, z. B. by loading with a beverage composite, despite the spring force of the elastic pulled against the bottle case bottom.

The lattice-shaped framework can have a plurality of transverse and longitudinal struts. In order to increase the footprints or to reduce the surface load on the struts, surface elements may be formed on the top of the truss, in particular at the intersection of the transverse and longitudinal struts, which preferably terminate flush with the upper end faces of the transverse and longitudinal struts. This creates a flat footprint on the truss top. The framework may also be designed differently, as long as it is ensured that results in a flat surface on the top and it can be placed flat objects.

The bottom of the bottle crate may have bottle receptacles, in particular cylindrical recesses, which correspond to the Ausfachungsmuster the framework, so that individual bottles when they are placed in the bottle crate, not only by the highly-raised framework, but also at the bottom have lateral support. This ensures that the bottles do not fall over or fall out during transportation or handling of the bottle crate or strike against each other in the floor area. If the bottom has bottle seats and the bottles have lateral support at the bottom, the height adjustable truss can be made thinner, basically just a perforated plate. As a result, the bottles are supported on the bottom of the bottle through the recesses and at shoulder level through the thin, plate-shaped framework laterally.

If the truss is kept relatively thin, this can simply rest in the retracted position on the truss floor. However, if the bottle case bottom recesses or other elements for lateral fixation of the bottles and the framework itself has a certain height, it is advantageous if the bottle case bottom has recesses which corresponds to the profile of the framework, at least the profile of the underside of the framework, so that this can dip when lowering the truss in these recesses, so that the top of the truss or the footprint for the bottle assemblies or other items can be lowered deeper and the box depth can be increased accordingly with lowered truss. If the truss has a lattice-shaped structure with transverse and longitudinal struts, the bottle crate floor may have corresponding lattice-shaped recesses into which the truss can completely or partially submerge when it is pressed against the flat box bottom.

The stop against which the truss is pushed or pulled from the bottom of the box, may be a circumferential collar on the side walls or corresponding shorter protrusion sections or be integrated in the guidance mimics. A solution that is simple from a mounting perspective represents a solution in which one or more resilient locking elements are provided on the truss, in particular on its outer circumference, which automatically recoil when the truss is first inserted into the box at the stop and prevent a subsequent removal of the truss. These resilient locking elements may advantageously be upwardly and laterally projecting resilient locking lugs which come into engagement after insertion of the truss in the bottle crate with projections formed therein and limit the degree of freedom of the crate in a direction away from the ground, ie vertically upwards.

Despite the greatest caution, it can occasionally happen that one or more bottles break in the bottle crate. In order to facilitate the removal of the broken glass and also to clean the bottle crate, it is advantageous if the crate has one or more openings in one or more side walls located at floor level. As a result, broken glass or other dirt and liquids can be very easily removed laterally.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be described with reference to several embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1A and 1B show the principle according to the invention of a height-adjustable bottle crate,

2A and 2 B show perspective views of a bottle crate according to a first embodiment with a height-adjustable framework in two positions;

3A and 3B show detailed partial views of the 2A and 2 B .

4 shows a partial perspective view of a bottle crate according to a second embodiment;

5 shows a perspective view of a bottle crate according to a third embodiment;

6A . 6B and 6C show perspective partial views of a bottle crate according to a fourth embodiment; and

7A . 7B and 7C show perspective partial views of a bottle crate according to a fifth embodiment.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

The 1A and 1B represent in principle the concept according to the invention. 1A shows a bottle crate 2 with a framework 4 which has substantially the shape of a thin perforated plate and a plurality of bottles 6 takes and separates from each other, so that they do not hit each other. Because the framework 4 is height adjustable and down to the ground 8th of the bottle crate 2 can lower, as in the 1B is shown, also several bottle assemblies 10 with the bottle crate 2 be transported by these only on the truss 4 and put this to the ground 8th is lowered or lowered independently. According to the invention, the framework is 4 upwards, ie from the ground 8th way, resiliently biased, leaving the truss 4 endeavors in the 1A shown position, ie the upwards driven position to take. When in the 1B shown bottle assemblies 10 be removed, the truss 4 about the elastic means in the in the 1A shown position, so the bottles 6 the bottle assemblies 10 in full or empty condition individually in the bottle crate 2 can be reset and transported safely.

In the following, various preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail, wherein the figures marked "A" in the 1A shown position and the figures marked "B" in the 1B shown position correspond.

The 2A and 2 B show a bottle crate 102 according to a first embodiment. This has a height-adjustable framework 104 for a variety of bottles 6 (please refer 1A ). The framework 104 is a spring bias in the in the 2A shown position and can be overcome by the resilient biasing force against the ground 108 be pressed or lowered. To overcome the preload force and to completely lower the truss 104 it may be enough if only one of the in the 1B shown bottle assemblies 10 on the framework 104 is provided. Of course, the truss can be brought by other objects also to lower.

The bottle case 102 basically has the usual basic shape of a bottle cage with two handle openings 112 in the upper area of two opposite side walls 114 , The side walls 114 also have side openings 116 on (a side opening on the short sides or two side openings on the long sides), which are arranged in the lower area and to the bottom 108 pass.

Both the bottle crate 102 as well as the framework 104 are made of plastic, which is why the bottle crate 102 To increase the strength of a plurality of reinforcing ribs on the inner sides of the side walls 114 having.

The 3A shows an enlarged partial view of 2A and the 3B shows an enlarged partial view of 2 B ,

The 3A and 3B each show a quarter of the bottle crate 102 It should be noted that the other three quarters of the bottle crate 102 are formed identical or symmetrical. The framework 104 has a substantially grid-shaped basic structure with longitudinal and transverse struts 120 , At the crossing points of the longitudinal and transverse struts 120 shows the framework 104 surface sections 122 only on the upper side of the truss 104 are formed and represent a shelves for objects and on the other hand, the square cross-section of the framework 104 essentially reduce to the cross-sectional shape of the bottles to be adjusted. At a crossing point of the struts 120 (at four crossing points in the entire framework 104 ) is instead of the area section 122 a vertically extending sleeve 124 arranged, which serves as a guide element and which is in sliding contact with one from the ground 108 vertically projecting guide column 126 located. The respective outer sides of the guide sleeve 124 serve as before the surface sections 122 as lateral support surfaces for the bottles 6 ,

The guiding column 126 has a cross-shaped cross-section which is small enough to fit between four rectangles and closely spaced bottles. The floor 108 points next to a variety of reinforcing ribs 128 several from the ground 108 projecting corner segments 130 which are arranged and shaped to provide lateral support to a cylindrical body in all directions. Between the corner segments 130 there are recesses or slots 132 , which correspond to the lattice structure of the framework 104 are formed, and the longitudinal and transverse struts 120 if the truss 104 to the ground 108 is lowered, can almost completely absorb. If the truss 104 has been completely lowered or against the ground 108 is pressed, subpages of the surface sections come 122 in abutment with tops of the corner segments 130 ,

If on the truss 104 nothing is put or if at the truss 104 there is no force from above or acting, the truss is located in the 3A shown position. More specifically, the framework is 104 over a total of four helical compression springs 134 from the ground 108 pressed vertically upwards. For this are in the long side walls 114 and from the ground 108 formed vertically projecting guide columns on which the compression springs 134 are threaded, from below against a likewise the guide column 136 enclosing sleeve section 138 which is at an outer edge portion of the truss 104 is arranged, presses. The guiding column 136 , the spiral compression spring 134 and the sleeve section 138 are space-saving in a vertical groove 140 in the sidewall 114 accommodated.

The vertical stop, against which the compression springs 134 the framework 104 Press vertically and tension elastically, is by a horizontally running upper edge 142 the side opening 116 in the short sidewall 114 educated. More precisely, on the framework 104 in a central region of an outer edge portion of the shorter side resilient locking lugs 144 provided, which after the first introduction of the framework 104 from the top into the bottle crate 102 in the side opening 116 the short side wall 114 projecting and thus the movement of the framework 104 limit upwards if this locking lug 144 in contact with the upper edge 142 the side opening 116 come. Around the framework 104 dismantle and out of the bottle crate 102 only have to take out the elastic locking lug 144 through the side opening 116 be pushed inward so that the truss 104 the edge 142 can happen.

4 shows a partial view of a bottle crate 202 according to a second embodiment. The bottle case 202 also has a height-adjustable and spring-loaded framework 204 for holding bottles 6 on. An essential difference to the first embodiment is the fact that the bottle crate 202 no separate in the side walls 114 respectively. 214 provided bias mimic, but the biasing facial expression in the four from the bottom of the bottle 208 projecting guide columns 226 is integrated. More specifically, each is a helical compression spring 234 around the guiding column 226 arranged, which from below against one in the framework 204 trained guide sleeve 224 suppressed. Furthermore, the floor faces 208 instead of projecting corner segments 130 wells 230 on. Another difference from the first embodiment is that the framework shaft-shaped longitudinal and transverse struts 220 having, which in corresponding recesses 232 in the ground 208 immerse yourself when the truss 204 to the ground 208 is pressed. In contrast to the first embodiment are in the framework 204 not only at the edge portions of the short sides, but also at edge portions of the long sides locking lugs 244 not just in a side opening 216 but also in a reclassified sidewall section 246 intervention.

5 shows a bottle crate 302 according to a third embodiment. The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment essentially in that in the framework 304 , which is made of plastic, already spiral compression springs 334 are integrally formed. The 5 shows the framework 304 with the vertically downwardly projecting springs 334 before insertion in the bottle crate 302 , From the ground 308 jump as in the first and second embodiments vertical guide columns 326 in front, which in the compression springs 334 be introduced when the truss 304 in the bottle case 302 is used. At outer edge sections of the framework 304 in turn are resilient locking lugs 344 provided, which in both side openings 116 the short side walls 314 as well as in the long side walls 314 intervention. Otherwise, reference is made in terms of form and function to the above description, in particular the second embodiment.

The 6A . 6B and 6C show partial views of a bottle crate 402 according to a fourth embodiment. The 6A shows the position in which individual bottles in the truss 404 can be used while the 6B the by an (not shown) object, bottle assembly, etc. to the ground 408 pressed half-timbered 404 shows. The 6C shows the installation of the height-adjustable truss 404 in the bottle case 402 , As in the previous embodiments jump from the bottle case bottom 408 a total of four vertical guide columns 426 which are formed hollow inside or a cylindrical recess 427 have, in which a compression spring 434 is introduced (see 6C ). Instead of a guide sleeve, the framework 404 a cylindrical or a cuboid guide section 424 with concavely curved side surfaces on which one of the guide column 426 corresponding recess (not shown) to over the guide column 426 to be put on or guided. The compression spring 434 is between the ends of the recess 427 the guiding column 426 and the recess of the guide portion 424 captured. This variant offers, as from the 6C it can be seen, a simple assembly. Furthermore, the Vorspannmimik or the spring is protected and not exposed to external environmental influences such as pollution, etc.

The 7A . 7B and 7C show partial views of a bottle crate 502 according to a fifth embodiment. According to this embodiment, the height-adjustable framework 504 essentially of a thin perforated plate with cylindrical recesses corresponding to the diameter of the bottles to be used 506 , In the ground 508 are bottle shots 530 as well as slots 532 provided in which ribs 520 at the bottom of the truss 504 are trained to dip when the truss 504 to the ground 508 is pressed (see 7B ). From the 7B it is further evident that sidewalls 514 of the bottle crate 502 vertical slots 536 which not only for the vertical guidance of the framework 504 serve, but at the same time the vertical range of motion of the truss 504 specify or limit. Like from the 7B can be seen, have edge portions of the framework 504 projections 538 on which through the slots 536 to the outside (see 7C ) and rubber bands 534 or bands of other elastic material with an upper edge portion 515 the side walls 514 are connected. About elastic stretching of rubber bands 534 become the projections 538 or the framework 504 in the unloaded condition to the upper end of the slots 536 drawn. Will, as in the 1B shown a bottle composite 10 on the framework 504 This will, as in the 7B shown to the ground 508 pressed and the rubber bands 534 stretched accordingly, whereby the restoring force is generated in the starting position.

Like from the 7B and 7C it can be seen, are the slots 536 in an inwardly curved portion of the side walls 514 , which is why on the outside of the side walls 514 running rubber bands 534 run due to the inwardly curved side wall portion in a depression and are better protected against external influences. This can prevent the elastics from getting caught on something and possibly tearing off.

The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiments. For example, one or more features of an embodiment may be combined or interchanged with one or more features of another embodiment. In the first embodiment, the framework is in addition to the four projecting from the ground guide columns 126 also about management columns 136 in the side walls 114 guided. With appropriate dimensioning of the guide columns 136 may be due to the leadership pillars 126 in the middle area of the bottle crate 102 be omitted, so that guidance and preload exclusively in the side walls 114 ,

Furthermore, the trusses can be used instead of or in addition to the guide columns 126 respectively. 136 on vertical grooves in the side walls 114 be guided. In addition, more or less guiding and / or biasing elements may be provided as long as it is ensured that they are arranged symmetrically so as not to create a force imbalance.

The framework of the invention can also be used in a bottle crate with sleeves. The sleeves can serve as guide columns for the height adjustment of the truss.

Claims (10)

Bottle box ( 102 ) with a lattice or hole plate-shaped and height-adjustable framework ( 104 ) for receiving bottles ( 6 ), characterized in that the truss ( 104 ) is freely movable between two heights and is resiliently biased in one direction. Bottle box ( 102 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the framework ( 104 ) via at least one elastic band, a tension and / or compression spring ( 134 ) is biased. Bottle box ( 102 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the resilient bias is selected so that the framework ( 104 ) on the ground ( 108 ) is pressed when a predetermined load on the truss ( 104 ) is set. Bottle box ( 302 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tension and / or compression spring ( 334 ) in one piece with the truss ( 304 ) is trained. Bottle box ( 102 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the framework ( 104 ) on at least one of the ground ( 108 ) projecting guide column ( 126 ) and / or on at least one side wall section ( 136 ) of the bottle crate ( 102 ) is guided vertically. Bottle box ( 102 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that, the guide column ( 126 ) is designed to be between four in a rectangular array ( 10 ) close to each other bottles ( 6 ) fits. Bottle box ( 302 ; 402 ) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the compression spring ( 334 ; 434 ) around the guide column ( 326 ) or in a vertical recess ( 427 ) in the guide column ( 426 ) and against a section embracing the guide column ( 324 ) or over the guide column inverted section ( 424 ) of the framework ( 304 ; 404 ) presses. Bottle box ( 502 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the truss ( 504 ) in a vertical slot ( 536 ) in a side wall ( 514 ) and a through the slot ( 536 ) comprehensive advantage ( 538 ) via a resilient element ( 534 ) with an upper edge section ( 515 ) of the bottle crate ( 502 ) connected is. Bottle box ( 102 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottle bottom ( 108 ) the half-timbering corresponding bottle receptacles ( 130 ) and the half-timbering divisions corresponding recesses ( 132 ) for the complete or at least partial reception of the framework ( 104 ), if the truss ( 104 ) to the ground ( 108 ) is lowered. Bottle crate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the truss ( 102 ) on the outer circumference one or more resilient locking elements, which after insertion of the framework ( 104 ) in the box a subsequent removal of the framework ( 104 ) out of the box ( 102 ) prevent.

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