DE102015121801B3 - Divisible container, in particular divisible bottle crate - Google Patents

Abstract

In a container, in particular divisible bottle crate, the combined box halves form between them an intermediate chamber for the access of washing water in cleaning systems

Description

The invention relates to a divisible container, in particular a divisible bottle crate according to the preamble of claim 1.

Divisible crates, in particular those in which two identically constructed box halves can be combined to form a box, are well known. The EP 389 802 B2 relates to a divisible bottle crate, which is constructed of two opposite to form the box arranged box halves. Each box half is provided with a bow-shaped carrying handle and is provided on both sides with locking elements or bolt receptacles in a staggered arrangement to each other. To lock the two box halves they are joined along their parting planes and locked together by pressing down on both bow handles, which engage in the locking position, the locking elements in the corresponding bolt receptacles of the opposite box half. As a result, both box halves are closely connected in the region of the parting plane between the two halves, so to speak wall to wall, and thus form a uniformly portable bottle crate with a capacity corresponding to both box halves.

The divisible crates have the advantage that the individual box halves can be worn independently, which of course considerably simplifies the transport, bearing in mind that a bottle crate with set and filled with drinks crates has a significant weight.

If such divisible crates are used by breweries, then they are regularly cleaned after return with empties by being inserted into appropriate automatic car washes so that they can eventually be stocked for re-sale with bottles provided with drinks. However, this cleaning process is complicated in these divisible boxes, since each box must be divided again before the actual cleaning process by the corresponding locking mechanism is actuated so that each box half can be cleaned separately. In a box made up of two halves, cleaning is insufficient because the dividing wall halves joined together along the dividing plane can not be cleaned accordingly. This complicates the overall filling after returning the boxes with empties and is associated with an increased amount of time since the cleaned box halves must be separated and locked again after the cleaning and before filling with filled bottles again and locked.

Also known other divisible crates are subject to the same disadvantages. This concerns, for example, crates after the DE 10 2012 000 504 A1 and the EP 2 781 462 A2 in which in the region of the partitions between the two box halves corresponding locking elements are present, which can be engaged by engaging a handle bar this engaged position and moved apart by lifting the handle bar. Again, both box halves are joined together to form the box along the opposite partitions, so that after returning the boxes with empties a corresponding eventual cleaning process can be performed properly only after separation of the two box halves.

Finally, divisible crates are known in which instead of vertically movable handle strap pivotable handle bars are provided which are pivotally mounted on each box half (approximately DE 40 09 060 A1 . DE 10 2013 004 590 A1 ). By pivoting the handle bar unlocking takes place for the separation of the two box halves and by pivoting down of the handle bracket in the direction of the respective longer side walls takes place the close merging of the two box halves along the respective separation to form the entire box. These bottle crates provided with swiveling handlebars are also subject to the same disadvantages.

From the utility model DE divisible crates are known ( DE 85 920 265 U1 ), in which the partitions are formed in the region of the parting plane through the Gefachwänden for the limitation of the Flaschenaufnahmeabteile, which have correspondingly large openings. For the purpose of cleaning the arranged in the parting plane Gefachewände are arranged offset to each other, so that at least the vertical Gefachewandstege are not in overlap and thus can be cleaned. However, it is not possible to clean all areas in the parting plane.

From the U.S. Patents 3,317,081 and 4,328,902 Bottle crates are known, which can be summarized for the purpose of transport laterally via splines and the like.

The object of the invention is to provide, starting from this prior art, a multi-part, in particular divisible container, in particular bottle crate, which is designed with simple measures so that a possible cleaning process allows in a perfect manner and is easy to carry out.

This object is achieved by the features contained in the characterizing part of claim 1, wherein expedient developments of the invention are characterized by the features contained in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the closed together in the closed position of the box box halves between them along the parting plane at least one or more spaces that allows proper cleaning of the box in the field of interconnected box halves, the cleaning water is made possible by at least one leading to the gap access opening. Thus, the boxes can be cleaned in a washing and cleaning system in a closed state, ie with locked box or container halves with washing and / or cleaning water. This is very advantageous because in this case the boxes usually delivered together in the car wash do not have to be separated and locked together again after the cleaning process, which makes the washing process and thus the filling process in a filling station substantially easier. Due to the preferred chamber-like intermediate space or corresponding spaces between the combined container or box halves proper cleaning of the box side walls or partitions located along the parting plane is possible in a simple manner. This circumstance comes in more and more importance, because sometimes even in the joined position of both box halves located at the dividing plane partitions or side walls are designed visually accordingly, since the box halves are more and more worn separately and the breweries therefore also in this Provide areas corresponding labels, labels and the like.

In the event that locking devices are used to join the box halves, with the latching elements located on the box sidewalls and thus at the ends of the dividing walls, it is preferred that a gap or preferably pocket-like chamber be provided which is substantially extends over the entire area of the dividing wall.

In the event that the locking devices are moved inward into the partition, so are no longer located at the ends in the side walls of the box halves, depending on the design of the locking means a plurality of intermediate spaces or chambers may be provided. Are located in the region of the partition two spaced apart locking devices, which are also arranged at a distance from the ends of the partition walls, then three chambers are expediently provided, which are respectively arranged or provided between the two locking devices and the locking means and the corresponding ends of the partitions , In the case where, for example, a locking device is provided only in the center of the partition wall, two separate intermediate spaces or chambers may be provided, for example. In these cases, it is also possible to form only one continuous chamber, which then also extends over the intermediate regions of the locking members.

Conveniently, the access opening is arranged to the or to the chambers at the upper and / or lower edge of the partition walls. However, it is within the scope of the invention also possible and quite expedient to provide the access openings separately and / or additionally laterally. For this purpose, it may be expedient to provide one or more recesses on the partitions projecting frame members, in particular profile webs or profile beams, which can serve as an access opening for the cleaning water from the side.

It is only essential that the partitions are largely so far spaced apart from any locking elements which are arranged in the partition, in a closed position of the two box halves that correspondingly free space for the washing water to clean the corresponding partitions remains. In this case, it is preferred that the thickness of the intermediate space or the chamber which preferably passes through the dividing wall length is in the range from 2 to 16 mm, preferably 5 to 12 mm, in particular 7 to 11 mm. Another and very considerable effect of the relative to the parting plane of the combined box halves recessed partitions or recessed partition areas is that they can be designed as advertising media surfaces or serve, due to the recessed arrangement and laterally projecting frame members or frame members in particular by protruding components of Box halves, such as profile beams, profile webs or the like, the advertising media, such as labels, labels, in-mold film and imprints are substantially protected against any scratching and damage, and in particular when merging or separating the box halves, where often relative movements of the two Halves can take place, which can also lead to scratches and the like.

For the protection of the advertising surface against scratching, it is expedient that of the recessed partition wall surface or the wall surfaces projecting frame members over the height of the partition wall, in particular on the sides. Also advantageous is a peripheral design with frame members with a through a corresponding recess in the frame members to form the access opening for the cleaning water. In such a circumferential configuration of the projecting frame members or frame members, the recessed partition wall surface or the recessed wall surfaces would be very effectively protected on all sides. The access openings may be suitably provided, either in the region of the upper edge of the dividing wall, the sides and / or the protruding bottom area, the size of which may be reduced to the extent of a detergent feed sufficient for the cleaning process, for example water. Overall, this results in an optimal large-scale design of an advertising space with appropriate scratch protection.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the purely schematic drawing. Show in it

1 a perspective view of an assembled from two box halves bottle crate with swivel actuation

2 the bottle crate according to 1 in a separated position, where the two halves of the box are separate and can be carried separately,

3 a cross section through a box half, again in a purely schematic representation,

4 a plan view of the box in a separate arrangement, as well

5 a plan view of the box in a closed arrangement.

1 shows a divisible bottle crate, which consists of two zusammenschließbaren and separable box halves 2 and 4 is formed. The box halves are usually the same depending on the type of locking device for the joining of the box halves, which facilitates the manufacturing process, but is not mandatory.

The joining of the two box halves 2 and 4 to a self-actuated transport unit in the form of a bottle crate takes place in a conventional manner by locking devices, which usually have locking lugs on a box half, which engage in corresponding locking bushes of the other box half. Here, two locking devices are usually provided per box half, namely locking lug and locking sleeve, which can then engage in the staggered locking lugs and locking sockets of the other box halves. However, the nature of the locking device is not the subject of the application, but the object of the invention is generally applicable to all locking devices of divisible bottle crates, so that such locking devices, as generally known, are neither illustrated nor described.

The operation of the locking devices is often done by swivel bracket, for example, in the embodiment of the 1 to 3 However, the invention is not limited to this type of actuators, but rather applicable to all other actuators for such locking devices, as they are known for example by the aforementioned prior art. This is especially true for vertically movable handle, be it handle with two vertical bars or handle with only one spar, which are usually arranged in the middle of each box half. The actuators serve on the one hand to unlock and join the box halves as well as in the open position usually for supporting the separate box halves.

By locking the box halves are tightly joined together when merging into a bottle crate along its dividing plane, wherein the facing each other dividing walls in this locking position closely against each other and both together closed box halves thus virtually form a single bottle crate.

In the illustrated embodiment, each box half has four side walls, namely two opposite longitudinal walls 6 . 8th and two opposite narrow side walls 10 and 12 , wherein in the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal walls 8th represent the two box halves, so to speak, the partitions. From the figures also shows that the side walls can be provided with the usual handle openings or display openings, on the one hand to facilitate the transport or carrying the box halves or the entire box and the display openings and a view into the interior of the in to allow the bottle to be set. In addition, such divisible crates can also with corresponding compartment divisions, here, for example, each with a Gefach 14 to 1 , The invention is not limited to certain specialist divisions, which also applies to the capacity to accommodate bottles for each box half. In the illustrated embodiment are ever Box half can accommodate ten bottles in two rows of five bottles, a total of twenty bottles, which in turn is for illustration purposes only and is therefore in no way limiting. Just as well, the invention is applicable to divisible boxes that can accommodate four to twelve and more bottles per box half.

To stabilize the material saving reasons usually very thin box side walls are known per se on the inside of the side walls stiffening elements provided at a distance and often formed by profile spars, which can generally be generated by form of swords during the molding process in the rule.

For illustration purposes is in 2 also an alternative compartmentalization 12 illustrated, the sleeves has, which are formed here as part or half quill, connect to the compartment walls and form the corresponding bottle receiving compartments between itself and the box side walls.

In the illustrated embodiment, on the box in a closed position accordingly 1 each, two profile beams 16 on the inside of the outer longitudinal walls 6 and one profile spar each 18 on each box half, in each case on one side of the corresponding partition 8th intended. Each box half has here on the other side of the partition 8th , so opposite to the profile spar 18 , a profile bar 20 extending from the floor here upwards to near or to the upper edge of the box. That is, on each side of the partition 8th Each box half is a profile spar 18 and an inwardly moved profile web 20 provided, as best of the 4 and 5 evident. Since the two box halves are constructed identically, comes when merging the two box halves each of a profile spar 18 with the profile web 20 on the opposite box half to the plant or in engagement, whereas on the opposite side (see also 4 and 5 ) each of the profile spar 18 the other box half with the profile web 20 cooperates on the opposite box half and get both elements in abutment with each other.

How best 2 shows, are the contact surfaces of profile web 20 and profile spar 18 complementary for the purpose of conditioning each other in the joined position. This can, as well as off 2 shows, the profile bar 20 by a recess in the manner of a shoulder in the area of the narrow side wall 10 the corresponding box half, here box half 2 be trained.

It should be pointed out at this point that the profile bars are only one of possible stabilizing or stiffening means for such boxes, which are shown for illustrative purposes in the embodiment. Alternatively, inwardly directed vertical webs and the like are also possible. In the illustrated embodiment, the profile spars and profile webs extend substantially from the bottom to near or to the upper edge of the box and the spars are hollow in the usual way and often formed with triangular cross-section. For actuating the locking devices, each box half has a swivel bracket 22 standing here near the profile spars 18 or the profile webs 20 on the narrow side walls 10 each hinged pivotally.

A key point of the invention results quite clearly from the representation in the 1 and 5 , because in the closed position of both box halves 2 and 4 by appropriate actuation of the swivel bracket 22 these along the dividing plane of the two box halves a dedicated space 24 , here in the manner of a top and bottom open chamber, form between them, which is designed so that in the cleaning process at a bottling plant, the two facing each other partitions 8th can be cleaned even with fully connected bottle crate. This requires an inlet and a chamber, namely once for the supply of the spray water to the chamber and the chamber itself to clean the partitions 8th ,

The dividing walls limit this 8th between them in a closed position a free space 24 ( 1 and 5 ) with an upper and lower access opening 26 for the supply of spray and cleaning water. The result between the partitions 8th formed, here over the length of the side wall preferably continuous and bottom and top open and formed by the gap chamber 24 spaced the two opposite partitions 8th in the closed position of the box, in particular to a distance of 2 to 10 mm, in particular preferably 3 to 8 mm. In the in 1 illustrated embodiment, the distance between the two partitions 8th about 5 or 6 mm, but this would not be limited to the illustrated embodiment, in particular, would be larger distances between the partitions 8th possible for chamber formation.

The training of the Chamber is achieved by the fact that, like the 2 to 5 clearly show the partition 8th of each box half is arranged in the region of the parting plane in the interior of the respective box half set back and that preferably in each case by half the thickness of the intermediate space or the chamber 24 , Here is the recessed partition 8th one box half 2 . 4 framed by frame elements that extend from the outside of each partition 8th protrude outwards (relative to the respective partition wall) and in the exemplary embodiment by the profile spars 18 and the side profile webs 20 are formed. These elements, that is the ones over the partition 8th outwardly projecting profile spars 18 or profile webs 20 as lateral frame members limit together with the partitions 8th in the united position around the approximately pocket-like, top and bottom open chamber 24 , wherein the supply of spray and cleaning water from above and below from the bottom to and into the chamber. Of course, if necessary, other access openings instead of or in addition to the upper and lower access opening 26 be provided, for example from the side by corresponding recesses in the frame members one in the profile spars 18 or profile webs 20 , In the outward on the partition wall in the direction of parting plane in each case projecting areas.

As can be seen from the figures, in the illustrated embodiment in each case the partition wall 8th pulled up to a height approximately in the middle of the box height, wherein the height of the partition itself can be selected as required. The partition can therefore extend to near or up to the upper edge of each box half or be designed lower in height than in the illustrated example. There are no restrictions for this purpose within the scope of the invention.

The resetting of the partition 8th or the corresponding wall areas, if a plurality of wall areas are provided in the region of the partition wall level due to arranged in the partition locking means is suitably accompanied by resetting the dividing plane adjacent bottle compartments or bottle receptacles inside, in about the extent of resetting the partition or the wall areas. Although this results in a minimization of the existing area for receiving the bottles against non-recessed partitions, but this can be compensated by appropriate design of the compartment division.

As 1 can be taken, are the Gefachwände 30 with access openings 32 equipped for the bottles, so that the bottles partially extend with the bottle circumference through the openings, which allows a resetting of the partition readily.

Alternatively - and this results from the alternative embodiment in 2 - Are quill set at a distance from each other 34 provided, which are designed here as Halbpinolen. These quills 34 also allow for the bottles to pass through in bottles receiving compartments adjacent to the dividing wall 8th are arranged, indicating the resetting of the partition 8th or partition wall areas. As 2 shows can on the quills Gefachwände 34 be formed, in particular to the opposite side or partition walls arranged 6 . 8th can raise and are connected to these.

The 4 and 5 show the two box halves 2 . 4 in plan view, on the one hand in a separated, ie separate position in which each box half can be transported and handled by itself ( 4 ), as well as in the box to the closed position according to 5 , Out 5 is clearly the chamber-like gap 24 recognizable, which is designed so that accordingly cleansing water can enter and clean the two opposite and set to appropriate cleaning distance partitions. The access takes place from above over the opening 26 or by the congruent in this embodiment opening at the bottom of the box. In the embodiment shown, the chamber extends from one side of the box to the other side of the box, so that the cleaning water as a whole, that is, in all places, in a suitable manner to the opposite partitions 8th can get.

Out 4 is clearly seen that each box half on one side of a profile spar 18 and on the other side a complementarily shaped profile web 20 or has an inwardly set shoulder, so that with identical box training in juxtaposition each of the profile spar of a box half of the corresponding and complementarily shaped shoulder or profile web 20 the other box half opposite. In the illustrated embodiment with the swivel bracket 22 the locking devices would expediently be arranged or formed in the region of these components. Of course, these frame members (profile spar and profile web) are shown only by way of example and depending on the structure of the box halves or type of locking device, other frame members, which are known for themselves in divisible boxes, can be used. It is essential only the corresponding reset of the partitions to form a chamber-like gap in closed box halves.

Claims (12)

Divisible container, in particular bottle crate, of several, in particular two container halves, which by appropriate actuation of a locking device ( 22 ) along a parting plane zusammenschließbar and are separated from each other, characterized in that the container halves are formed such that these in the closed position of the two container halves along the parting plane, along which the two box halves ( 2 . 4 ), between them at least, preferably a chamber-like gap ( 24 ) each having at least one access opening ( 26 ) limit for the cleaning water, and that for the formation of the chamber-like gap ( 24 ) arranged in the closed position of the two box halves on the parting plane partitions of both box halves ( 2 . 4 ) are recessed into the interior of each box half or have correspondingly recessed wall portions. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that the container is formed by a divisible bottle crate, preferably a box of two box halves ( 2 . 4 ). Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recessed partitions ( 8th ) or the recessed wall portions of both box halves between them a chamber ( 24 ) with a thickness (from partition to partition) of 2 to 14 mm, preferably 5 to 12 mm, in particular 9 to 11 mm limit. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chamber ( 24 ) substantially pocket-like or slit-like and with at least one upper and lower access opening ( 26 ) is trained. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate space ( 24 ) or the chamber laterally by on the partition wall or the recessed wall portions projecting frame members, in particular profile beams ( 18 ) are laterally delimited on both sides of the box halves, wherein the frame elements between the access openings ( 26 ), which preferably extend substantially the length of the partitions ( 8th ). Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the projecting frame elements delimit therebetween recesses for access openings for cleaning water. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chamber ( 24 ) laterally of profile bars ( 18 ) and / or profile webs ( 20 ) is limited. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recessed partition walls or wall areas are designed as advertising media surfaces, in particular for receiving labels, labels, in-mold films for printing purposes are prepared for corresponding coating layers. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each box half has means which are formed such that at least and preferably the adjacent or close to the partition ( 8th ) arranged bottle receptacles of the box half inwardly in the direction of the respective opposite side wall ( 10 ) of the respective box half ( 2 . 4 ) are moved, preferably to at least one measure, which corresponds to the depth of the retracted partition wall or the retracted wall areas relative to the parting plane of both combined box halves. Container according to Claim 9, characterized in that the means are provided by the quills ( 14 ), in particular middle quills, are formed. Container according to claim 10, characterized in that the quillons projecting Wachfandabschnitte ( 34 ), which limit with the sleeves, in particular Halbpinolen, the bottle receptacles. Container according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the means by Gefachwände ( 30 ), the bottle openings ( 32 ) limit.

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