DE202011106430U1 - container - Google Patents

Abstract

Container, in particular for packaging and transporting goods, comprising a plurality of wall elements (2, 3) formed by longitudinal walls (2) and transverse walls (3), a bottom (5) and a lid (4), adjacent wall elements (2, 3 ) are interconnected by connecting means in the joint area, characterized in that the connecting means in the butt joint of two adjacent wall elements (2, 3) and arranged on one side of the wall element (2, 3) of at least one slot (9) and on the other side of the other wall element ( 2, 3) are formed by at least one hook (8), wherein the at least one hook (8) extends through the at least one slot (9) and engages behind the at least one slot (9).

Description

The invention relates to a container according to the preamble of claim 1 protection.

Containers of this type are well known both as disposable and as reusable packaging. They serve to protect the goods packed therein during storage or transport. Since ultimately the packaging also affects the price of the goods, their cost-effectiveness in terms of their manufacture and handling is of great importance.

From the DE 93 12 637 a reusable packaging is known, which is composed of a base plate, a side wall arranged thereon and a lid. The parts are connected to each other via hinges, which allow a space-saving folding of the reusable packaging in order to take in this way, little storage space when returning the empty packaging to complete. However, the use of hinges as connecting means increases the overall cost of the packaging, since the hinges must first be kept and assembled during assembly of the packaging. In the disposal of such packages after single or multiple use, the use of different materials also proves to be disadvantageous because the individual materials must first be separated before they can be fed to a proper disposal. The associated workload increases packaging costs.

Another transport and storage container is in the EP 1 522 498 A1 disclosed. The container described there is made of cardboard or cardboard and can be folded along predetermined fold lines together or apart. Thus, no additional connection means between the individual wall or floor elements are necessary. However, the folding mechanism is only functional for relatively thin-walled and flexible materials. These materials have a limited strength, so that the field of use of these containers is limited to the packaging of light and small goods. The integral nature of the container also means that, even if only one wall, ceiling or floor part is defective, the container can only be replaced as a whole.

Against this background, the invention has for its object to provide an economical in terms of its manufacture and handling container with which goods can be safely stored and transported.

The basic idea of the invention lies in a modular construction of a container according to the invention, which results from a combination of side walls formed from longitudinal and transverse walls, a bottom and a lid. These container parts are assembled by means of releasable connecting means, the connecting means consisting of slots in the one container part and engaging hooks in the other container part to be connected thereto. By inserting the hooks into the slots and then locking a container according to the invention can be assembled without the use of other tools. The surprisingly easy to handle and quickly produced connection of the container parts allows safe connection of a container part to another and at the same time excludes sources of error in assembling the container according to the invention as far as possible.

In addition, the modular concept allows individual components of a container to be exchanged in a targeted manner. For damaged containers, this has the advantage that only the defective container part replaced and the remaining parts can continue to be used. However, the modular concept also allows the combination of different longitudinal and transverse walls, so that different container sizes can be produced as desired by appropriate combination. Since a container part can therefore be part of different container types, a large system of containers can be made available with comparatively few parts. Investment and storage costs can be minimized in this way.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the connecting means go out in one piece from the container parts, ie consist of the same material and extend in the plane of the container parts. This eliminates the provision and installation of hinges or other fittings, with the advantage of cost-effective production of inventive container. In addition, the complete container consists of a single material, so that when disposing of such a container, a separation of materials is no longer necessary.

When not in use or emptying container according to the invention, the individual container parts can be placed flat on each other, whereby a very dense Stapelart and thus effective utilization of the storage or transport volume can be achieved.

The container parts, in particular the wall elements, can be made of wood, cardboard, cardboard, plastic or light metal sorted or from a combination of different materials. For wooden containers, for example, chipboard or OSB boards can be used. An alternative is a multi-layered construction with three or more layers such as plywood panels in combination with wood or plastic cover layers or sandwich panels with a honeycomb or foam-like core.

Containers according to the invention are particularly suitable as transport containers for piece goods and bulk goods within the production cycle. For example, in the manufacturing industry, and especially in the automotive industry, a just-in-time supply is the norm, with individual components and assemblies being delivered to their place of use in a timely manner. For their return transport, the empty containers are dismantled and tightly stacked for the best possible utilization of the available transport volume, so that they can be used again after their assembly. The reusability of the packaging therefore allows economical use in the production process. However, a prerequisite for this is a simple and quick assembly or disassembly of the container, a modular design for individual adaptation of the container to different goods, the partial interchangeability of inoperable container parts and the ability to stack the container for the return transport compact. Containers according to the invention fulfill this requirement profile in an almost ideal manner.

In addition, container according to the invention are due to the simplicity of the construction, their suitability to be made of cost-effective materials and their easy disposal after use even for single use, so as disposable packaging. The term "container" is to be understood in the broadest sense and also includes the use of a container according to the invention as a coffin, for example, for the burial of injured persons in disaster areas conceivable.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings, wherein further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent.

It shows

1 an oblique view of a first embodiment of a container according to the invention,

2 an exploded view of the in 1 represented container,

3 a longitudinal view of the in 1 represented container,

4 a transverse view of the in 1 represented container,

5 a view on a longitudinal wall of in 1 represented container,

6 a view on a transverse wall of in 1 represented container,

7 a soffit on the lid of the in 1 represented container,

8th a plan view of a slip protection of in 1 represented container,

9 an oblique view of a second embodiment of a container according to the invention,

10 an exploded view of the in 9 represented container,

11 a longitudinal view of the in 9 represented container,

12 a transverse view of the in 9 represented container,

13 a view on a longitudinal wall of in 9 represented container,

14 a view on a transverse wall of in 9 represented container,

15 a soffit to the bottom of the in 9 represented container,

16 a top view of the bottom of the in 9 represented container and

17 an oblique view of the connecting portion of a longitudinal wall, a transverse wall and a bottom of the in the 1 - 16 illustrated container in detail.

The 1 to 8th show a first embodiment of a container according to the invention 1 , The container 1 is made of pairs opposite, parallel to the surface longitudinal walls 2 and transverse walls 3 formed, laterally delimit a cuboid space. At the top is the space of a lid 4 closed, down from a floor 5 , the only in the 3 and 4 is shown. The floor 5 is formed in the present embodiment, pallet-like, ie the ground 5 includes cuboid feet 8th in the corners of a flat bottom part 7 are arranged and keep this at a distance to the ground. In this way it is possible the container 1 pick up easily with a forklift. The floor 5 or the bottom part 7 may have attacks on their inner side facing the container interior against the longitudinal walls 2 and transverse walls 3 during assembly of the container 1 be struck.

For connecting the longitudinal walls 2 with the transverse walls 3 are arranged in the respective butt joints connecting means whose more detailed configuration in particular from the 5 and 6 evident. The connecting means consist of hooks 8th along the vertical edges 10 the longitudinal walls 2 and out of slots 9 in the area of the vertical edges 13 the transverse walls 3 , Alternatively, the hooks 8th also on the transverse walls 3 and the slots 9 in the longitudinal walls 2 be arranged.

The hooks 8th are already in the course of manufacturing the side walls 2 made, which can be done for example by means of punching, sawing, milling or the like. That's how the hooks go 8th in the plane of the sidewalls 2 in one piece from the side walls 2 out. The distances of the individual hooks are preferably the same size and are for example in a range of 200 mm to 400 mm, preferably from 250 mm to 300 mm.

As from the details too 5 As can be seen, each hook comprises 8th one perpendicular to the edge 10 running approach 11 from which one is parallel and spaced from the edge 10 running nose 12 evident. To increase the stability of the hook 8th is the approach 11 longer trained than the subsequent nose 12 and the height of the nose is at least as large as their clear distance to the edge 10 from which it emerges. The transition areas are from the edge 10 to approach 11 and the approach 11 to the nose 12 rounded, in addition to a better load transfer behavior of the hook 8th to reach.

Especially from 6 with the accompanying detail, they are the ones with the hooks 8th to form a connection cooperating slots 9 at a vertical distance from and parallel to the vertical edges 13 the transverse walls 3 , The length of the slots 9 is slightly larger than the length of the hook 8th to threading the hook 8th in the slots 9 to facilitate. It has proved to be advantageous if the slots exceed the hook length by 5% to 10%. The relative position of the slots 9 on the transverse walls 3 opposite the hooks 8th on the longitudinal walls 2 is about the length of the noses 12 to the upper edge of the transverse walls 3 offset. As a result, the noses grasp behind 12 after horizontal insertion and vertical locking movement of the longitudinal walls 2 opposite the transverse walls 3 the slots 8th , resulting in a frictional connection between the side walls 2 and transverse walls 3 results. In this position are the upper and lower edges of the side walls 2 and transverse walls 3 each flush in a plane. To a ripping out of the slots 8th To avoid is the distance of the slots 9 to the free edge of the transverse walls 3 such that each one jetty 28 stops, the width of which corresponds to the slot width or greater.

The construction of the lid 4 goes from a synopsis of 1 . 2 . 7 and 8th out. The lid 4 has a slight excess over the outsides of the joined sidewalls 2 and transverse walls 3 on and thus forms a circumferential projection 14 off, on both the longitudinal edges and transverse edges of the lid 4 each of two Randausnehmungen 15 is interrupted. The depth of the edge recesses 15 extends to the outsides of the longitudinal walls 2 or transverse walls 3 , The marginal recesses 15 serve for positioning and securing position not shown straps with which a container according to the invention 1 can be clamped circumferentially.

At the interior of the lid facing the interior of the container 4 run edge-parallel longitudinal grooves 16 and transverse grooves 17 that intersect in the corner areas. The grooves 16 and 17 have a depth of a few millimeters and serve the positive reception of the upper edges of the longitudinal walls 2 and transverse walls 3 , After the positive placement of the lid 4 on the long walls 2 and transverse walls 3 be over the grooves 16 and 17 horizontal forces from the longitudinal walls 2 and transverse walls 3 in the lid 4 initiated and caught by this.

The lid so far described 4 can also be used as a floor in this embodiment 5 or bottom part 7 Use find, with the advantage that by the positive connection to the lower edges of the longitudinal walls 2 and transverse walls 3 an improved load bearing is possible. The connecting means are thereby relieved and the life of a container according to the invention 1 significantly increased.

Out 1 also shows that on the top of the lid 4 along the opposite transverse edges in each case a positive locking element 18 for securing the position of a further stacked container 1 is arranged. Such a positive locking element 18 is in 8th shown in the floor plan. It can be seen that the positive-locking elements 18 strip-shaped along the transverse edges of the lid 4 extend, wherein the one edge of the positive-locking element 18 the transverse edge of the lid 4 follows and the opposite edge of the positive locking element 18 recesses 19 in which the feet 7 or corresponding moldings of the soil 5 one on the lid 4 come to rest stacked another container. The recesses 19 can expand conically towards their open edge, to stack containers together 1 to facilitate. At the top of the Form-fitting elements 18 runs each transverse to the edge of a groove 20 , which serves to guide straps, not shown.

A further development of this first embodiment of the invention is in the 9 to 17 shown. This second embodiment corresponds largely to the under 1 to 8th described container 1 , so that the same reference numerals are used to facilitate the understanding of the same or functionally identical features. To avoid repetition, is also on the comments on the 1 to 8th directed.

The container according to the invention 1 according to the second embodiment also comprises pairs longitudinal walls 2 and transverse walls 3 in the butt joints by means of hooks 8th on the vertical longitudinal edges 10 the longitudinal walls 2 and cooperating slots 9 in the area of the vertical edges 13 the transverse walls 3 are connected. Unlike the first embodiment, the hooks 8th but with her nose 12 up, which causes the slits 9 in the transverse walls 3 in terms of the hooks 8th on the longitudinal walls 2 with a slight offset to the lower edge of the transverse wall 3 are arranged.

To also lock the longitudinal walls 2 with the ground 5 to manufacture, have the longitudinal walls 2 additionally at their lower edges 21 a number of hooks 8th' on, the hook in their design 8th at the vertical edges 10 the longitudinal walls 2 correspond to the first and second embodiment, and therefore the statement said there.

The hooks 8th' work with slits 9 ' in the ground 5 together, in the 15 and 16 is shown in more detail. The slots 9 ' are again along the longitudinal edges of the soil 5 with little offset to the hooks 8th' the side walls 2 arranged. On the inside of the floor 5 ( 16 ) run in the area of the slots 9 ' longitudinal grooves 22 and transverse grooves 23 whose cross section is dimensioned so that the lower edge 21 the longitudinal walls 2 and the bottom edge 24 the transverse walls 3 positively can be included in it, which in particular from 17 clearly shows.

The floor 5 also has slots along its transverse edges 9 ' on which to take socket-like approaches 25 on the transverse walls 3 serve. The approaches 25 are along the bottom edge 23 the transverse walls 3 arranged and have one of the length and width of the slots 9 ' corresponding shape, with the height of its supernatant over the edge 23 so measured is that the approaches 25 after plugging in the slots 9 ' not over the bottom of the floor 5 survive. Appropriate approaches 25 are also along the upper edges 26 the longitudinal walls 2 and upper edges 27 the transverse walls 3 arranged.

The lid 4 corresponds in its training to the ground 5 that is the lid 4 can also be used as soil 5 be used and vice versa; to the ground 5 The statements made therefore apply accordingly. In particular, the lid 4 for improving the transmission of power on its inside in the area of the slots 9 ' longitudinal grooves 22 and transverse grooves 22 on, in when putting the lid 4 the edges 26 and 27 the longitudinal and transverse walls 2 and 3 intervention. At the same time, the approaches correspond 25 along the upper edges 26 and 27 with the slots 9 ' in the lid 4 ,

Both the lid 4 as well as soil 5 stand with their peripheral edges on the outside of the longitudinal and transverse walls 2 and 3 over and form in this way a circumferential overhang 14 the only of Randausnehmungen 19 is interrupted, which serve as already in the first embodiment for positioning and guiding unillustrated tension straps.

In both embodiments, the longitudinal walls 2 and transverse walls 3 be secured in their locked position. 17 shows that for this purpose a security pin 30 in the released during the execution of the locking movement portion of the slot 9 is inserted. The locking pin 30 can be made of an elastic material such as rubber and is held by friction in its position.

For the assembly of a container according to the invention 1 According to the first embodiment, the longitudinal walls 2 and transverse walls 3 by inserting the hooks 8th in the slots 9 joined together and locked together by performing a relative movement across it. This can either already be on the ground 5 done or by placing the pre-assembled sidewalls as a unit on the floor 5 be put on. After filling the container 1 this will be with the lid 4 closed, with the upper edges of the longitudinal and transverse walls 2 . 3 in the longitudinal grooves 16 and transverse grooves 17 to come to rest. Not shown straps, the container 1 in the area of the wall recesses 15 circulate, ensure an additional holding together of the different container parts.

The assembly of a container 1 according to the second embodiment, this differs mainly by the locking of the side walls 2 with the ground 5 , For this purpose, first the side parts 2 with their hooks 7 ' in the slots 9 ' of the soil 5 plugged in and then locked together by performing a relative transverse movement. Subsequently, the transverse walls 3 with their slots 9 on the hooks 7 the longitudinal walls 2 plugged in and down towards the floor 5 pressed. The hooks engage with this transverse movement 7 the slots 9 and lock the two side walls 2 , At the same time, as part of this movement, the approaches 25 at the lower edge 24 the transverse walls 3 in the slots 9 ' of the soil 5 plugged in, resulting in an intensive interlocking of the longitudinal walls 2 and transverse walls 3 with the on the ground 5 leads.

Placing the lid 4 on the longitudinal and transverse walls 2 . 3 takes place as in the first embodiment, with the difference that here are the approaches 25 along the upper edges 26 . 27 the longitudinal walls 2 . 3 in the corresponding slots 9 ' in the lid 4 engage and cause there over the positive locking an additional toothing. By means of optional straps in the area of the edge recesses 15 can the container of the invention 1 additionally tense.

The invention is not limited to the feature combinations shown in the two embodiments. Rather, embodiments of the invention are also included, which combine features of the two embodiments. For example, the second embodiment of the invention may be provided with a pallet-like bottom or have positive locking elements for securing the position of stacked containers at the top of the lid.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 9312637 [0003]
• EP 1522498 A1 [0004]

Claims (17)

Containers, in particular for packaging and transporting goods, with a plurality of longitudinal walls ( 2 ) and transverse walls ( 3 ) formed wall elements ( 2 . 3 ), a floor ( 5 ) and a lid ( 4 ), wherein in each case adjacent wall elements ( 2 . 3 ) are interconnected by means of connecting means in the joint area, characterized in that the connecting means in the butt joint of two adjacent wall elements ( 2 . 3 ) and arranged on the side of the one wall element ( 2 . 3 ) of at least one slot ( 9 ) and on the side of the other wall element ( 2 . 3 ) of at least one hook ( 8th ) are formed, wherein the at least one hook ( 8th ) through the at least one slot ( 9 ) and the at least one slot ( 9 ) engages behind. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one hook ( 8th ) in the plane of the wall element ( 2 . 3 ) in one piece from the wall element ( 2 . 3 ). Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one hook ( 8th ) from a perpendicular to the butt joint extending approach ( 11 ) and a parallel to the butt joint extending nose ( 12 ), wherein the longitudinal extension of the approach ( 11 ) parallel to the butt joint is greater than the rectified longitudinal extension of the nose ( 12 ). Container according to claim 3, characterized in that the transverse extent of the nose ( 12 ) perpendicular to the butt joint is at least as large as the rectified distance of the nose ( 12 ) to the edge of the wall element ( 2 . 3 ). Container according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the transition from the wall element ( 2 . 3 ) to at least one hook ( 8th ) Has fillets. Container according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the free end of the hook ( 8th ) is round. Container according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the length of the at least one slot ( 9 ) is greater than the rectified length of the hook ( 8th ), preferably by 5% to 10% of the hook length. Container according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the distance of the at least one slot ( 9 ) from the edge of the wall element ( 2 . 3 ) is at least as large as the width of the slot ( 9 ). Container according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the at least one slot ( 9 ) in a receiving groove ( 16 . 17 ) of the wall element ( 2 . 3 ) is arranged, which extends over the entire length of the butt joint. Container according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the bottom ( 5 ) and / or lid ( 4 ) a stop for securing the position of the wall elements ( 2 . 3 ) against slipping in the plane of the soil ( 5 ) and / or covers ( 4 ) having. A container according to claim 10, characterized in that the stop of a step to the container interior or a receiving groove for the lower edge and / or upper edge of a wall element ( 2 . 3 ) is formed. Container according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the bottom ( 5 ) in the contact joint with the wall elements ( 2 . 3 ) Slots ( 9 ' ) and the wall elements ( 2 . 3 ) on the edge associated with the ground ( 8th' ) passing through the slots ( 9 ' ) and the slots ( 9 ' ) behind. Container according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the lid ( 4 ) in the contact joint with the wall elements ( 2 . 3 ) Slots ( 9 ' ) and the wall elements ( 2 . 3 ) on the lid ( 4 ) associated edge approaches ( 25 ), which are in the slots ( 9 ' ) pass. Container according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the bottom ( 5 ) and / or lid ( 4 ) with two opposite edges over the wall elements ( 2 . 3 ) and in the supernatant ( 14 ) Randausnehmungen ( 19 ) are arranged. Container according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the bottom ( 5 ) is formed like a pallet. Container according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the lid ( 4 ) at its top center ( 18 ) for securing the position of another stacked container. Container according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the container is formed of a multilayer material, preferably of a multilayer wood material.

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