DE29804570U1 - Bottle crate made of plastic - Google Patents

Description

Plastic bottle crate

The invention relates to a bottle crate made of plastic, with a substantially rectangular base with rounded corners and preferably hollow-profiled corner columns formed in the corners, whereby the crate has a partition for holding bottles and wall parts connecting the corner columns (on the mouth side and the bottom side all the way around), so that large window-like recesses are formed between the corner columns and the wall parts, whereby the partition is formed by intersecting webs, on the free ends of which aim into the window-like recesses, transverse projections are formed for the peripheral support of placed bottles, whereby the ends of a web running transversely to the longitudinal extension of the crate parallel to the short side surfaces are in the middle of the

Box longitudinal sides are aligned and all web ends behind the outer alignment of the box side surfaces
lag behind.

Such a bottle crate is known, for example, from DE 296 OO 977 Ul. Such bottle crates are available in dimensions of, for example, 266 x 399 mm
and can be palletized. Depending on the compartment
For example, 12 water bottles with a content of 0.75 liters or 24 H liter bottles can be stored in such a bottle box.

State-of-the-art technology includes a bottle crate
generic type, in which the corners are strongly
rounded and designed as hollow-profiled corner columns. The connecting areas between the columns are formed by
thin webs all around. The load-bearing capacity of the box is determined by the load-bearing capacity of the corner columns
certainly.

Such boxes are usually placed on pallets
transported and stacked. Common Euro pallets are rectangular in basic format and have

support skids running parallel to the longer side edge. When a pallet is stacked on a stack of crates, the stacked pallet is supported on the crates via the skids, namely on the corner columns of the bottle crates with regard to the skids arranged on the outer edge. In the middle area of the pallet, a skid is also arranged that does not rest on the corner columns of the bottle crates stacked underneath, but on their edge edges. If the crates are placed on the pallet with the narrow edge edges aligned parallel to the short side of the pallet, sufficient load-bearing capacity can also be achieved in the edge area of the crate due to the relatively short support length between the corner columns. If the crates are aligned with the long edge edges parallel to the short side of the pallet, the load-bearing capacity in the edge area may be insufficient. However, it often happens that a stacked pallet does not extend exactly over the edge of the bottle crates, but is exposed at a distance from the edge, so that it is not supported in this area, which can lead to damage to the crates underneath, since even load bearing is not guaranteed. In addition, the well-known bottle crates

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are not sufficiently torsionally rigid due to their relatively thin-walled construction.

Based on this prior art, the invention is based on the object of creating a bottle crate of the generic type which provides sufficient support surfaces for the pallet runners even when pallets are not stacked precisely and which has a high torsional rigidity.

To solve this problem, it is proposed that the ends of the central webs are connected by a material bridge to the wall part running around the bottom side and to the wall part running around the mouth side, so that a stiffening is formed that is directed parallel to the corner columns, and that the material bridges connected to the wall part on the mouth side merge into a cross-member connecting the material bridges, which runs parallel to the short side edges.

While retaining the advantage that relatively large window-like recesses are provided in the side walls of the boxes, so that the

Bottles and in particular their labels are clearly visible, the design according to the invention ensures that when pallets are stacked, the upper pallet with its middle support skid can rest on box components even if they are not arranged exactly one above the other, namely on the crossbeam, so that additional stable support is achieved. The design of the crossbeam and its connection to the box elements also means that the box as a whole has a very high torsional rigidity. Due to its appropriate arrangement, the crossbeam is also suitable as a support element, so that the user can lift and carry the box using this crossbeam.

Preferably, the material bridges and/or the crossbeam are designed as hollow profiles.

This achieves a high level of stability of the crossbeam and its connections to the box components, while still saving material and achieving a relatively high production speed due to the avoidance of thick-walled molded parts.

In addition, it is preferably provided that the upper side of the cross-beam lies partially or completely in the area spanned by the mouth plane or is flush with it.

This is particularly advantageous for the desired support of stacked pallets.

In order to further save weight and mass, it is intended that the wall parts running around the mouth side and connecting the corner columns are designed to be thin-walled.

This design is also beneficial because, due to the thin-walled design, it is possible to place a corresponding number of bottles in the crate without exceeding the target size of approx. 266 x mm crate base area.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that stacking projections are formed on the box bottom, whereby between the stacking projections there are free spaces for the engagement of the cross-beam of a box stacked underneath, into which the cross-beam can be inserted in the case of column stacking or

Longitudinal stacking or transverse stacking.

Stacking projections on the box base are common. The arrangement of the cross-beam makes a recess in the area of the stacking projections necessary, whereby the recess is selected so that the cross-beam also serves as stabilization and support when the box is stacked. In order to enable composite stacking or offset stacking, the corresponding free spaces in the area of the stacking projections protruding from the bottom of the box base are arranged in such a way that both column stacking and different offset (composite) stacking are possible.

Preferably, it is also provided that the vertical webs with their front surface facing the outer surface of the box lie behind the lateral outer surface of the box at least in the central region and have means for arranging markings, codes, εαν codes or the like.

This arrangement makes it possible to mark

or codings are to be arranged so that they are accessible and visible from the outer surface, but are located behind the outer line of the outer surface of the box so that when boxes are moved or rubbed against each other, such codings or markings cannot be damaged.

In addition, it is preferably provided that support elements for the bottle bottom of a bottle placed in the box bottom are formed centrally to each compartment, wherein the support elements are formed as a circular ring with a wave-like outer circumference and/or inner circumference contour, so that circular bottle bottoms can be placed and bottle bottoms with protruding standing tips or cones on the support surface can be inserted into the wave contours so that they stand non-rotatably on the support elements.

The support elements are arranged and designed in such a way that not only the placement of glass bottles with a base in the form of a flat circular surface is possible, but also the placement of so-called PET bottles, which have a circumferential protruding edge in the base area as a support surface.

It is also possible to set up PET disposable bottles that have several standing points or standing cones on the bottom. With such an arrangement, these protruding points can be inserted into the corresponding troughs, so that the bottles are arranged in a non-rotatable manner, with them standing not on the points but on the base surfaces that connect the points.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and described in more detail below.

It shows:

Figure 1

a bottle crate according to the invention in side view, partially broken open;

Figure 2

likewise seen from the narrow side;

Figure 3

the box seen from above, partially cut;

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Figure 4 a detail in isometric

Depiction;

Figure 5 and 6 different stacking images of

bottle crate;

The bottle crate shown in the drawing is a bottle crate that is injection-molded from plastic material. It has a substantially rectangular base with rounded corners and corner columns 1 arranged in the corners as a hollow profile. The crate has a partition for holding bottles, as well as wall parts 2, 3 that connect the corner columns 1 and run around the mouth side and the base side. The partition is formed by intersecting webs 4, on the free ends of which, which are aimed at the window-like recesses, transverse projections 5 are formed to support the bottles placed on the circumference. The ends of a web that runs transversely to the longitudinal extension of the crate and parallel to the short side surfaces are aligned in the middle of the long sides of the crate. All web ends 5 lie behind the external alignment plane of the crate side surfaces.

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The ends of the central webs 4 are connected by a material bridge 6 or 7 to the wall part 3 running around the bottom and the wall part 2 running around the mouth side, so that a stiffener 8 is formed that is directed parallel to the corner columns 1. The material bridges 7 connected to the wall part 2 on the mouth side merge into a cross-member 9 connecting the material bridges 7.

The material bridges 6, 7 and the cross-beam 9 are preferably designed as hollow profiles. The cross-beam 9 lies with its upper side partially or completely in the area spanned by the mouth plane of the box, so that the cross-beam ends flush with this at the top (in the position of use). The wall parts 2 running around the mouth side and preferably also the wall parts 3 running around the bottom side are designed with thin walls.

Stacking projections 10 are formed on the bottom of the box, with free spaces 11 being formed between the stacking projections for the engagement of the cross-beam 9 of a box stacked underneath, into which the cross-beam 9 can be inserted in the case of column stacking or in the case of longitudinal stacking or

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Cross-stacked stacking.

The vertical webs (8) are arranged with their front surface facing the outer surface of the box at least in the middle area behind the lateral outer surface of the box and have means for arranging markings, codes, εαν codes or the like. As a result, such markings or codes are behind the outer surface of the box so that they cannot be damaged during transport or when the box is moved, but are still clearly visible.

As can be seen in particular from Figure 4, support elements 12 for the bottle bottom of a bottle placed in the box bottom are formed centrally to each compartment, whereby the support elements 12 are formed as a circular ring with a wave-like outer circumference and/or inner circumference contour. This means that circular bottle bottoms can be placed on these elements. However, bottle bottoms with protruding standing points or standing cones on the support surface can also be pushed into the wave contours so that they cannot be rotated on the

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Support elements 12 are held.

Figures 5 and 6 show stacking images of such bottle crates. Such stacking images arise when crates are stacked on pallets that have skids on the underside. The skids are arranged in the edge area of the pallet on the longer side edges and in a middle area. The skids located in the edge area are supported essentially on the corner columns 1 of the crates located underneath. The skids arranged in the middle area are mostly supported on the side walls of the crates or, if the pallets are not stacked exactly in the correct position, the skids also reach into the free space of the crates on one side without resting on the edges of the crates. In order to form a support here, the crossbeam 9 is provided, which supports the corresponding skids as an additional support. In addition, the crossbeams 9 serve as a stiffening means for the crate as a whole, thereby improving its torsional rigidity. The crossbeam also acts as an additional support and holding device when the boxes are stacked together. Furthermore, the

Traverse 9 offers the possibility of using it as a carrying handle for transporting the box.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment but is variable in many ways within the scope of the disclosure.

All new individual and combination features disclosed in the description and/or drawing are considered essential to the invention.

Claims (1)

-15- Protection claims : !.Bottle crate made of plastic with a substantially rectangular base with rounded corners and preferably hollow-profiled corner pillars in the corners, the crate having a. Compartments for accommodating bottles and wall parts connecting the corner columns (running around the mouth and bottom), so that large window-like recesses are formed between the corner columns and the wall parts, the compartments being formed by intersecting webs, on the free ends of which, which are directed into the window-like recesses, transverse projections are formed for supporting the bottles placed on the circumference, the ends of a web running transversely to the longitudinal extension of the box parallel to the short side surfaces being aligned in the middle of the box's long sides and all web ends being behind the outer alignment of the box's side surfaces, characterized in that the ends of the central webs (4) are connected by a material bridge (6,7) to the wall part (3) running around the bottom and to the wall part (2) running around the mouth, so that -16- a stiffening is formed which is directed parallel to the corner columns (1), and that the material bridges (7) connected to the wall part (2) on the mouth side merge into a cross-member (9) which connects the material bridges (7) and runs parallel to the short side edges. ^.Bottle crate according to claim 1, characterized in that the material bridges (6,7) and/or the cross-member (9) are designed as hollow profiles. 3. Bottle crate according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the cross-member (9) lies with its upper side partially or completely in the surface spanned by the mouth plane or is flush with it. 4. Bottle crate according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in particular the wall parts (2) running around the mouth side and connecting the corner columns (1) are thin-walled. 5.Bottle crate according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that on the bottom of the crate Stacking projections (10) are formed, wherein between the stacking projections (10) there are free spaces (11) for the engagement of the cross-beam (9) of a box stacked underneath, into which the cross-beam (9) engages in column stacking or longitudinal stacking or transverse stacking. 6. Bottle crate according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the vertical webs (8) with their front surface directed towards the crate outer surface lie behind the lateral outer surface of the crate at least in the central region and have means for arranging markings, codes, EAN codes or the like. 7. Bottle crate according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that support elements (12) for the bottle bottom of a bottle placed therein are formed in the crate bottom centrally to each compartment, the support elements (12) being formed as a circular ring with a wave-like outer peripheral and/or inner peripheral contour, so that circular bottle bottoms can be placed thereon and bottle bottoms with protruding standing tips or cones on the support surface can be pushed into the wave contours so that they stand non-rotatably on the support elements.