DE112009001981B4 - Plastic container, in particular bottle crate - Google Patents

Abstract

Bottle crate (1) made of plastic with a bottom (2) and circumferentially arranged side walls (3a, 3b), for receiving beverage bottles, which is made by injection molding of plastic and wherein at least part of an inner and / or outer, each plane outer surface a side wall (3a, 3b) is provided with a plurality of elevations (4), which are arranged above and / or next to each other, characterized in that the elevations (4) formed on at least 60% of an outer surface of the corresponding side wall and by flat vaults (4) are formed, wherein the curvature (4) each have a rectangular plan shape with a length and / or width of 3 to 10 mm or in an oval outline of the curvature (4) has a ratio of 1: 1 to 1: 2 in Reference to the small and large diameter.

Description

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

Containers for transporting fruits and vegetables and bottle crates for holding beverage bottles are usually produced by injection molding of plastic and comprise a bottom and four circumferentially arranged side walls, which are interrupted with viewing openings and passage openings. Such containers are usually manufactured in large numbers, so that one endeavors to make the side walls narrow in order to save material. On the other hand, these containers are repeatedly recycled as typical Mehrwegebehälter, so used again, the life of such containers should be at least ten years. This means that the containers must also have sufficient stability, especially since they must indeed take up very heavy loads in use, bearing in mind that there are boxes of 24-liter bottles filled with beverage having a corresponding weight. For this reason, such boxes are very often formed with appropriate stiffening measures, in particular provided on the outer and inner surfaces with ribs. However, this is disadvantageous in multi-way containers because dirt catches in the edge region of the ribs and in the corners, which is difficult to remove in the downstream cleaning process. The cleaning of such boxes is thus complex and is relatively expensive. For this reason, it has begun to form such boxes with hollow profiles, which are generated partly by cores, but also partially by gas blowing. This results in comparatively large wall thicknesses. Furthermore, the manufacturing process is relatively complex both when using cores as well as the gas blowing process. On the other hand, boxes without special stiffening measures must be made correspondingly thick-walled, which in turn is disadvantageous because of the material consumption and the resulting high weight of the container.

The object of the invention is to provide a container, especially bottle crate, while maintaining smooth for the cleaning process, so not edged or ribbed outer surfaces, a low weight with constant stability and is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

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

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 results in a correspondingly lower material consumption, which of course is reflected in the price of correspondingly high numbers of items ultimately. In addition, due to the special characteristics of the design with a variety of uniformly recurring area surveys new design opportunities arise in the container sector, which is particularly important because in particular breweries and beverage producers 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 multiplicity of elevations should in this case 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 unprofiled, ie elevation-free surfaces remain as required 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 be full or broken, z. B. be provided with viewing and handle openings. The flat elevations can be provided either on the outside or on the inside or on both sides. The bottom of the container may also have elevations. These bumps can either be opposite or offset from each other. It is also possible that not only one area but several areas of an inner and / or outer side wall are provided with a plurality of elevations. In this way, different customer-oriented designs and design options of the container are possible in one color or multi-colored, while ensuring sufficient stability.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the elevations are provided on the entire inner and / or outer outer surface of the side wall. It is also expedient that the structure extends with elevations over the entire area on both sides of the side wall, ie inner and outer outer surface. In this way it is achieved that the structured from the inside and from the outside with a plurality of elevations side wall has an increased stability against a smooth wall, so that the wall thickness can be reduced accordingly. In a container with a bottom and four side walls, wherein the side walls are completely outwardly and inwardly provided with elevations, the wall thickness reduction with the same stability against side walls with flat, not provided with buckles or elevations outer surfaces in the range of 10 to 20%. The reduction of the weight of the container or the side wall is approximately in the range of 8 to 20%.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a container comprises reinforcing ribs or webs which give the side wall additional stability and / or form the framework. It is expedient that the reinforcing ribs or webs extend so that one of the ends, which is arranged on the side wall and connected to the side wall regions, merges into the elevation formed between adjacent valley-like depressions or concave curvatures on the inside of the side wall. This ensures that on the one hand, the side wall is still dimensionally stable and that on the other hand sink marks can be avoided, which are usually characterized by different cooling conditions of the plastic in joints, d. H. in areas of the side wall in which the webs or reinforcing ribs are connected to the side wall portions form. Also, the otherwise common points of incidence are avoided, resulting in a perpendicular to a wall striking reinforcing rib.

Preferably, the elevations are arranged in a regular pattern. This means that the same elevation or elevations will continually recur at the same distance over a range or over the entire area of the sidewall over the height and / or width of the sidewall.

Suitably, the elevations are arranged in rows next to each other and one above the other. It is possible that the elevations are formed parallel to and / or perpendicular to the container bottom continuously on the container wall. This means that the same surface profiling over the height and / or the width of the container extends to an area of the side wall or over the entire surface of the container wall. It is also possible that the elevations are not only carried out at an angle of 90 ° and / or 180 ° to the corresponding container bottom, but also obliquely, for example, longitudinally in diagonal rows. Due to this freedom of geometry, the optical impression of the elevations is variably adaptable, and the design possibilities are manifold.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the elevations are formed by flat curvatures. The curved surface has a curved course between the minimum and the increase. Due to the curved surface, the region in which the curved surface is formed, a high dimensional stability. The more frequently secants of the curvature lines intersect within a defined area and the more scattered these intersections are on the surface, or the greater the proportion of the area covered with intersections, the more dimensionally stable and more versatile the resulting area is. This feature can be used to produce very stable walls and boxes while maintaining low weight and low manufacturing costs. In order to further increase the stability of the wall and box with a curved structure, the container can be provided with vertically arranged ribs. These stiffen and strengthen the side walls against bending, whereby the container according to the invention has a higher load capacity than the previously known containers with reduced sidewall thickness. It is also possible that the ribs are arranged perpendicular or horizontal to the side wall, but it is preferred that they meet at 90 ° angle to the inner side wall. The fact that they meet there on a survey of the side wall inside, the material goes from the ribs in the survey at an angle greater than 90 °, so that the usual sink marks during injection molding can be avoided.

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 Handle 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.

Preferably, the elevations or vaults each have a rectangular, preferably square plan shape. Of course, the survey can also assume a different plan shape. For example, it may have a triangular, circular or hexagonal shape. This means that the geometry of the structures, such as the shape and the size is not limited, but it can be varied as desired.

Particularly preferably, the number of bulges on the longitudinal side of the container in the range between 300 and 750 narrow side in the range of 225 to 625th

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, elevations are formed on the inner surface of the side wall in comparison to the elevations on the outer surface of the side wall antisymmetric. Antisymmetric in this context means that the structure of the elevations does not exist by mirroring exactly the same on the inside and outside of the side wall, but inverted, d. H. that surveys on one side correspond to depressions on the other side. Due to the antisymmetric design of the surface profiling, the stability of the side wall is higher than that of a smooth side wall with the same wall thickness. The additional stability of the container wall and container itself can be achieved by arranging the reinforcing ribs or webs, which stiffen the side wall against bending, as z. B. also takes place in corrugated iron.

Of course, the invention is not limited to a container with the anti-symmetrical to each other surveys on the exactly opposite side of the side wall, but there are also other embodiments 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.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be 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 .

4 a partial view of an embodiment of the container seen from the inside, wherein the left side wall is shown in section,

5 and 6 two variants of 4 top left sectional view of a handle in the side wall.

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 wells 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 is 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.

4 shows a part of a container in a view seen from the inside, wherein the left side wall in height of the handle bar or the handle Holmes is shown in section. With 14 In this case, a handle opening is designated on the narrow side wall of the container. This is at the top by a part of the side wall forming handle bars or handle bar 15 limited. The special feature of this handle 15 is that they with close-fitting narrow web-like slats 16 is provided between which corresponding recesses 17 are located. In addition, the handle bar on this inside two transverse, ie in the normal position of the container horizontally extending Querverrippungen on, of which the upper Querverrippung 18a in the upper area and the lower Querverrippung 18b in the lower area within the recesses 17 are arranged or formed. As can be seen from the sectional drawing on the left 4 results are these transverse ribs 18a and 18b shorter than the depth of the lamella 16 , The transverse ribs 18a and 18b are each aligned in a line to each other, with the Querverrippung 18a and 18b is parallel to each other. The lamellae are the same depth in the illustrated embodiment, so that they give a flush outer surface, which allows a good handling. Through the cross ribbing 18a and 18b results in connection with the slats good stability of the box.

As 4 also shows, the area on the outer surface with corresponding bulges 4 Mistake. The advantage of training the vaults 4 in conjunction with the transverse ribs 18a and 18b and the slats also provides the advantage that sink marks during cooling of the plastic melt during the injection process in consequence of a comparable cross section in all areas substantially avoided, but in particular by the curvatures 4 can also be laminated.

The 5 and 6 show variants of the slats 16 and the cross ribbing. In 5 is the lamella with a curved surface 19 formed, that is, in the upper area, it has a partial radius or a partial circular shape, which then merges into an inwardly directed rounded curvature and finally terminates in a larger lower pitch circle.

A similar lamellar formation results from 6 , where in 6 a total of 3 cross ribs 18a to 18c are provided.

From the above description of the invention it has become clear that the container according to the invention compared to conventional containers has a lower weight with constant stability and is easier and less expensive to manufacture.

Claims (22)

Bottle box ( 1 ) made of plastic with a bottom ( 2 ) and circumferentially arranged side walls ( 3a . 3b ), for receiving beverage bottles, which is made by injection molding of plastic and in which at least a part of an inner and / or outer, each plane outer surface of a side wall ( 3a . 3b ) with a large number of surveys ( 4 ), which are arranged above and / or next to one another, characterized in that the elevations ( 4 ) formed on at least 60% of an outer surface of the corresponding side wall and by flat vaults ( 4 ) are formed, wherein the curvature ( 4 ) in each case has a rectangular ground plan shape with a length and / or width of 3 to 10 mm or in the case of an oval floor plan of the curvature ( 4 ) has a ratio of 1: 1 to 1: 2 with respect to the small and large diameter. Bottle box ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the elevations are provided on at least 75% of the outer surface. Bottle crate according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bulges ( 4 ) on the entire inner and / or outer outer surface ( 3a . 3b ) are formed. Bottle crate according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the bottle crate ( 1 ) at least in an inner side wall region a reinforcing rib and / or web ( 10 ) having. Bottle crate according to claim 4, characterized in that the reinforcing rib and / or web ( 10 ) into a survey ( 7 ) between adjacent valleys or concave curvatures ( 8th ) passes over. Bottle crate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elevations ( 4 ) are arranged in a regular pattern. Bottle crate 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. Bottle crate according to claim 1 to 6, characterized in that the elevations ( 4 ) are arranged along diagonal rows. Bottle crate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elevations or vaults ( 4 ) are formed pyramid-like. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elevations or bulges ( 4 ) each have a square plan shape. Bottle crate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bulges ( 4 ) are formed edge-free and rounded into the valley formed between adjacent vaults ( 5 ) pass over. Bottle case according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottle crate (two opposed longer side walls 3a ) and two opposite shorter side walls ( 3b ), wherein the number of vaults ( 4 ) lies on the longitudinal side of the bottle crate in the range between 300 and 750 and on the narrow side in the range of 225 to 625. Bottle crate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the curvature ( 4 ) each has a length and / or a width of 5 to 9 mm. Bottle crate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the curvature ( 4 ) each has a length and / or width of 7 mm. Bottle crate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall thickness of the side wall ( 3a . 3b ) is in the range of 1 to 3 mm. Bottle crate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall thickness of the side wall ( 3a . 3b ) is 2 mm. Bottle crate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall thickness of the side wall ( 3a . 3b ) is 1.5 mm. Bottle crate 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 ) are offset from each other. Bottle crate according to claim 18, characterized in that the elevation or bulges are formed antisymmetric. Bottle crate 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. Bottle crate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that by an upper handle strip ( 15 ) a side wall opening ( 14 ), wherein the outer surface of the handle strip ( 15 ) with vaults ( 4 ) is provided and the handle bar on the inner surface closely spaced web-like fins ( 16 ), which between recesses ( 17 ) limit. Bottle crate according to claim 21, characterized in that in the recesses ( 17 ) in line with each other aligned ribs ( 18a and 18b ) are provided, wherein at least two parallel Querverrippungen by the aligned in each case in-line ribs ( 18a and 18b ) are formed.

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