DE202014105307U1 - Container for food - Google Patents

Abstract

Containers for food, in particular for meat, made of food-safe plastic, comprising a base (4) and several pairs of opposite side walls (2, 2 ', 3, 3'), the container having a rotary stacking function for which the pairs of opposite side walls (2, 2 ', 3, 3') are designed such that when two identical containers (1) are placed one on top of the other in a first position, the bottom (4) of the upper container (1) on an upper edge (5) of the lower container (1) and that when two identical containers (1) are placed one on top of the other in a second positional relationship, the upper container (1) with its side walls (2, 2 ', 3, 3') into the lower container ( 1) penetrates, in order to implement the rotary stacking function in partial areas of the side walls (2, 2 ', 3, 3') at least one pair of opposite side walls (2, 2 ', 3, 3') bulges (6) are formed, which each extend from the upper edge (5) of the respective side wall (2, 2 ', 3, 3') to the bottom (4) of the container (1) and which in each case on the inside of the respective side wall (2, 2 ', 3rd , 3 ') form a depression (601) and on the outside of the respective side wall (2, 2', 3, 3 ') an elevation (602) ends (603) of the bulges (1) of the upper container (1) lying at the bottom (4) of the upper container (1) are held at the upper edge (5) of the lower container (1) and when two identical containers (1) 1) in the second position relation, the elevations (602) of the bulges (6) of the upper container (1) are at least partially received in respective recesses (601) of the bulges (6) of the lower container (1).

Description

The invention relates to a container for food, in particular for meat.

Many different containers for storing or transporting food are known from the prior art. These containers are made of a food safe plastic, such as Polypropylene or polyurethane. Although conventional food containers are stackable in the filled state, they can not usually be stored in a space-saving manner.

The object of the invention is to provide a food container which is stackable in a simple manner with other containers and can be stored to save space.

This object is achieved by the food container according to protection claim 1. Further developments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

The food container according to the invention is used in particular for the transport or storage of meat, but may also be used for other foods, such as meat. Fish, to be used. The container is made of food grade plastic, such as Polyethylene or polypropylene. The container includes a bottom and a plurality of pairs of opposite side walls extending upwardly from the bottom. The container is designed as a rotating stack container with a rotating stack function. Such a rotary stacking function is known per se. In this case, the pairs of opposing side walls are configured such that when two identical containers are placed in a first position relation to each other (ie in the stacked state), the bottom of the upper container is held at an upper edge of the lower container or its side walls and that at Aufeinanderetzen of two identical containers in a second position relation to each other (ie in the nested state) the upper container with its side walls penetrates to a predetermined depth in the lower container and thus nestles in the lower container. The concept of fitting two identical containers is to be understood as meaning that the containers are placed one above the other in alignment with their cross sections.

The rotary stacking function just described is realized in the container according to the invention in a special way. In this case, bulges are formed in partial areas of the side walls of at least one pair and in particular of all pairs of opposite side walls, which each extend from the upper edge of the respective side wall to the bottom of the container and thus in the vertical direction and which respectively on the inside of the respective side wall a recess and form an elevation on the outside of the respective side wall. In this case, when two identical containers are placed in the first position relation, the ends of the bulges of the upper container lying adjacent to the bottom of the upper container are held on the upper edge of the lower container or its side walls. In particular, these bulges are on the upper edge of the lower container. In contrast, when two identical containers are placed in the second positional relationship, the elevations of the bulges of the upper container are at least partially accommodated in respective depressions of the bulges of the lower container. In the food container according to the invention, a rotary stacking function is realized in a simple manner by means of bulges without specially designed columns or webs, which prevents food residues from becoming stuck in the rotary stacking container.

In a preferred embodiment of the container according to the invention, a respective bulge in the direction parallel to the bottom of the container (i.e., in the horizontal direction) is followed by substantially straight portions (i.e., flat portions without curvature) of the side wall in which the respective bulge is provided. This ensures that in the stacked state of the container (i.e., in the first positional relation), the lower container is largely closed by the upper container.

In a further, particularly preferred embodiment, the container according to the invention is designed rectangular with (exactly) two pairs of opposite side walls, wherein in the second position relation the upper container is rotated by 180 ° in plan view of the upper container compared to the first position relation. Optionally, however, there is also the possibility that the containers have a shape other than a rectangular.

In a specific variant of a rectangular container, four bulges per side wall are provided in the side walls of the one pair of opposite side walls and two bulges per side wall in the side walls of the other pair of opposite side walls. As a result, a good stability of the stacked in the first position relation container is achieved. Preferably, the side walls of one pair are longer than the side walls of the other pair.

In a further variant is on only one of the side walls of each pair of opposite side walls a corrugation provided at the upper edge of the side wall. As a result, the orientation of the container is conveyed visually in a simple manner.

In a further embodiment of the container according to the invention a plurality of bulges per side wall are provided in the at least one pair of opposite side walls, wherein the bulges of one side wall of the corresponding pair of opposite side walls to the bulges of the other side wall of the corresponding pair seen in plan view of these side walls are arranged to each other and / or wherein the bulges are arranged asymmetrically in the respective side walls of a corresponding pair of opposite side walls with respect to the center of the respective side wall seen in plan view of the bottom of the container.

In a further, particularly preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the bulges and in particular all bulges in plan view of the bottom of the respective container in each case a trough-shaped or possibly U-shaped profile.

In a further variant, at least in sections, and preferably continuously along the outer circumference of the container on the outer sides of the side walls a substantially parallel to the bottom of the container (ie horizontally) extending web provided so that when nesting identical containers in the second position relation of the web upper container rests on the upper edge of the lower container. In this way, tilting of the container in the nested state is prevented. Furthermore, a transport of food in the nested state can be achieved, in which case the containers must always be filled only to the height of the web. Preferably, the web is arranged at half the height of the side walls.

In a further preferred variant, the container is a one-piece plastic body, in particular a one-piece injection molded part. As a result, the container can be easily manufactured. In a further preferred embodiment, the bottom of the container is curved to its interior. As a result, it is achieved, for example, that the meat juice collects in the region of the side walls during transport of meat and remains in the container when the meat is removed.

In a further variant, the container has carrying openings on the side walls of one or more pairs of opposite side walls. In a further embodiment, a plurality of ventilation openings are formed in the side walls of the container.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the container according to the invention dimensions, so that the container with containers of the standard DIN 55423-1 can be stacked. In other words, the container according to the invention is compatible with the containers of this standard, which do not involve a rotating stack function. Examples of containers of this standard are the Euro containers E1 and E2. The outer dimensions of the Euro container E1 are 600 mm × 400 mm × 125 mm, whereas the outer dimensions of the Euro container E2 are 600 mm × 400 mm × 200 mm.

In a further preferred variant, the container further has dimensions such that, when the container is disposed on a pallet (intended), the standard is met DIN 55423-5 (also referred to as H1 pallet) abut all side walls of the container to projections of the pallet. In other words, the container according to the invention is compatible with H1 pallets.

Embodiments of the invention are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Show it:

1 a perspective view of two stacked containers according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 a top view of a container according to the embodiment of the 1 ; and

3 a perspective view of the container 1 Now, the upper container is nested in the lower container.

In 1 two food containers are shown according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the containers are stacked one above the other and are thus arranged in the first position relation in the sense of the protection claims. The containers are made of food grade plastic as a one-piece injection molded part. As plastic in particular polyethylene or polypropylene is used. The two containers are constructed identically, wherein both the lower and the upper container by the reference numeral 1 are designated. For clarity, are in 1 and also in the one described below 3 only the components of the upper container provided with corresponding reference numerals. The dimensions of the container of 1 are chosen so that a compatibility with the euro containers of the standard DIN 55423-1 in the sense that the container is made 1 also with the containers of this standard, which have no Drehstapelfunktion can be stacked. As a result, the usability of the container according to the invention is ensured with common containers for food transport.

A respective container 1 includes a floor 4 as well as four side walls 2 . 2 ' . 3 and 3 ' which extend upwards from the bottom and thereby taper slightly outwards. The floor 4 includes crowns 401 , which are indicated only schematically and extend both parallel to the side walls and in the diagonal direction to the corners of the bottom. The cambers make an inner curvature of the floor 4 reached. When transporting meat, which is the preferred use of the container 1 is, accumulates due to this inner curvature of the meat juice at the edge of the soil so that it remains in the container when removing the meat.

Around a rotary stacking function in the containers 1 to realize are in the individual sidewalls 2 . 2 ' . 3 and 3 ' straight bulges 6 formed, which extend in the vertical direction. In the short side walls 2 and 2 ' In each case two bulges are provided, whereas in the long side walls 3 and 3 ' each four bulges are formed. The bulges form an integral part of the side wall or the container and make recesses on the inside of the side walls 601 and on the outside of the side walls elevations 602 The reference numerals 601 and 602 are indicated for clarity only for a bulge. The bulges 6 start at the top 5 of the container 1 and are formed in a cross-section trough-shaped. They end up on the ground 4 the container on an end face, the example of one of the protrusions with reference numerals 603 is designated. Between the bulges 6 straight portions of the respective side walls extend, and an upper portion of the straight portions is slightly outwardly offset from a lower portion of these portions.

The container 1 includes both on its short sidewalls 2 and 2 ' as well as on its long side walls 3 and 3 ' carrying openings 9 , which are designated for clarity only once with this reference numeral. Furthermore, above the carrying openings of the side walls 2 ' and 3 ' corrugations 201 respectively. 301 at the top 5 trained, whereby the user the orientation of the container when stacking or when nesting is displayed. The container 1 also includes square vents 8th , which are designated for clarity only once with this reference numeral. These are on the long side walls 3 respectively. 3 ' four vents and on the short sides 2 respectively. 2 ' two ventilation openings provided. On the outside of the container 1 is halfway up the side walls a circumferential bridge 7 provided, which is used as a stop when the containers are nested in each other, as described below with reference to 3 is explained. In addition, on the outside of each side wall is a knobbed field 10 designed to attach labels on it, which are easily removable because of the knobs again.

The rotating stack function of in 1 shown container is achieved in that the bulges 6 offset or arranged asymmetrically on opposite side walls of the respective container. This is from the top view of 2 on the upper container 1 seen. In 2 the dashed line M1 represents the symmetric through the middle of the side walls 2 and 2 ' In contrast, the dashed line M2 represents the symmetrical through the middle of the side walls 3 and 3 ' extending axis. How to get out 2 recognize, are the bulges 6 on the sidewall 3 offset to the bulges 6 on the sidewall 3 ' arranged, the arrangement of the bulges on each of the side walls 3 and 3 ' however, is symmetrical with respect to the axis M2. In contrast to this are the bulges 6 the side wall 2 in alignment with the bulges 6 the side wall 2 ' However, the arrangement of the bulges of each side wall is asymmetrical with respect to the axis M1. Due to the asymmetrical or staggered arrangement of the bulges can in accordance with the orientation of the container 1 a stacking of these containers and in alignment according to 3 a nesting of the containers are effected.

When stacking according to the 1 is located below the side wall 2 ' of the upper tank, the side wall 2 of the lower container. Analog is located below the side wall 3 of the upper container of the side wall 3 ' of the lower container. Due to the arrangement of the bulges accordingly 2 this causes the end faces 603 the bulges of the upper tank on the edge 5 rest of the lower container, so that the container can be stacked in the filling state. In order to store the containers in a space-saving manner or to enable their transport at half the filling state, the containers are correspondingly described below 3 aligned.

In 3 is the upper container compared to 1 rotated by 180 ° about a vertical axis. As a result, lies below the side wall 3 of the upper container now the side wall 3 of the lower container. Accordingly lies below the side wall 2 of the upper tank, the side wall 2 of the lower container. This has the consequence that the bulges 6 now in alignment in the vertical direction one above the other, so that the surveys 602 on the outside of the upper container in the wells 601 which slip on the inside of the lower container. The bridge forms 7 the upper container a stop for this container such that this web at the top 5 the lower container comes to rest. As a consequence, the upper container slips up to half its height into the lower container without jamming. It is thus achieved a reduction of the volume of the stacked containers by 50%. The containers can therefore be stored to save space. Optionally, the containers may be aligned as shown in FIG 3 also be used for transport, provided that they are filled only up to half the height.

The embodiment of the container according to the invention described above has a number of advantages. In particular, in a food container, a rotary stacking function is easily created by integrally formed in the side walls bulges. The container is easy to prepare and the bulges prevent the setting of dirt or food residues on the container, which would be the case, for example, in the realization of the rotary stacking function via webs. In addition, the containers are compatible with the standard format of the standard DIN 55423-1 , so that a stacking with the containers of this format is possible.

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 non-patent literature

• DIN 55423-1 [0016]
• DIN 55423-5 [0017]
• DIN 55423-1 [0023]
• DIN 55423-1 [0030]

Claims (14)

Container for foodstuffs, in particular for meat, of food-safe plastic, comprising a bottom ( 4 ) as well as several pairs of opposite side walls ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ), wherein the container has a rotary stacking function, for which the pairs of opposite side walls ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) are designed such that when two identical containers ( 1 ) in a first positional relation the ground ( 4 ) of the upper container ( 1 ) at an upper edge ( 5 ) of the lower container ( 1 ) and that when two identical containers ( 1 ) in a second position relation the upper container ( 1 ) with its side walls ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) to a predetermined depth in the lower container ( 1 ) penetrates, wherein for realizing the rotation stacking function in partial areas of the side walls ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) at least one pair of opposing sidewalls ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) Bulges ( 6 ) are formed, which in each case from the upper edge ( 5 ) of the respective side wall ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) to the ground ( 4 ) of the container ( 1 ) and which respectively on the inside of the respective side wall ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) a recess ( 601 ) and on the outside of the respective side wall ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) a survey ( 602 ), whereby when two identical containers ( 1 ) in the first position relation adjacent to the ground ( 4 ) of the upper container ( 1 ) ( 603 ) of the bulges ( 1 ) of the upper container ( 1 ) at the upper edge ( 5 ) of the lower container ( 1 ) and when two identical containers ( 1 ) in the second position relation the surveys ( 602 ) of the bulges ( 6 ) of the upper container ( 1 ) at least partially into respective wells ( 601 ) of the bulges ( 6 ) of the lower container ( 1 ) are included. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that a respective bulge ( 6 ) in the direction parallel to the ground ( 4 ) of the container ( 1 ) substantially straight portions of the side wall ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ), in which the respective bulge ( 6 ) is provided. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the container ( 1 ) rectangular with two pairs of opposite side walls ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) is configured, wherein in the second position relation of the upper container ( 1 ) compared to the first positional relationship by 180 ° in plan view of the upper container ( 1 ) is turned. Container according to claim 3, characterized in that in the side walls ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) of the one pair of opposite side walls ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) four bulges ( 6 ) per side wall ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) and in the side walls ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) of the other pair of opposite side walls ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) two bulges per side wall ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) are provided, wherein the side walls ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) of the one pair is preferably longer than the side walls ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) of the other pair. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on only one of the side walls ( 2 ' . 3 ' ) of each pair of opposite side walls ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) a corrugation at the top ( 5 ) of the side wall ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) intended. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of bulges ( 6 ) per side wall ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) in the at least one pair of opposing side walls ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) are provided, wherein the bulges ( 6 ) of one side wall of a corresponding pair of opposite side walls ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) to the bulges ( 6 ) of the other side wall ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) of the corresponding pair seen in plan view of these side walls ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) are arranged offset to one another and / or wherein the bulges ( 6 ) in the respective side walls ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) of a corresponding pair of opposing side walls ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) with respect to the middle of the respective side wall ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' seen in plan view of the ground ( 4 ) of the container ( 1 ) are arranged asymmetrically. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a part of the bulges ( 6 ) in plan view of the ground ( 4 ) of the respective container ( 1 ) has a trough-shaped or U-shaped profile. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least in sections and preferably continuously along the outer circumference of the container ( 1 ) on the outsides of the side walls ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) substantially parallel to the bottom of the container ( 1 ) running bridge ( 7 ), so that when competing identical containers ( 1 ) in the second position relation of the web ( 7 ) of the upper container ( 1 ) on the upper edge ( 5 ) of the lower container ( 1 ) rests, wherein the bridge ( 7 ) preferably at half the height of the side walls ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) is arranged. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container ( 1 ) is a one-piece plastic body, in particular a one-piece injection molded part. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom ( 4 ) of the container ( 1 ) is arched to its interior. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container ( 1 ) on the side walls ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) one or more pairs of opposite side walls ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) Carrying openings ( 9 ) having. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of ventilation openings ( 8th ) in the side walls ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) of the container ( 1 ) are formed. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container ( 1 ) Has dimensions such that the container ( 1 ) can be stacked with containers of standard DIN 55423-1. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container ( 1 ) Dimensions, so that when the container ( 1 ) on a pallet of standard DIN 55423-5 all sidewalls ( 2 . 2 ' . 3 . 3 ' ) of the container to abut projections of the pallet.

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