DE60307470T2 - Box for bottle carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

A bottle crate (1) comprises a base (2), side walls (3, 4) and dividing elements such as partitions (5, 6) and pillars (7) which define bottle positions (8) for receiving bottles. The bottle positions are arranged in rows and have mutual spacings (S1, S2, S3), the second (S2) and the third spacing (S3) in a row being greater than the first spacing (S1). This allows both six-packs and four-packs to be used. To provide a greater strength, the pillars (7) are each connected to a partition (6). <IMAGE>

Description

The The present invention relates to a box or the like container for storage and / or transport of bottles and the like objects which can be found in carrying cases. In particular, it concerns the present invention includes a box comprising a bottom, side walls and bottle positions defining positioning elements, used in which bottle carrier can be.

Boxes for storage and / or transport of bottles and similar items are known per se. Bottle crates typically have 12 to 24 bottle positions defined by partitions and / or other partitions, for example columns. A box provided with such columns, also called "cones" or "quills", is disclosed, for example, in the British patent GB 758 517 (Turner) revealed. The pillars extending from the bottom of the box parallel to the side walls, ie horizontally, vertically each define four bottle positions and assist the insertion of the bottles into the box.

Both the columns and the partitions can be used to define the bottle positions in a box. An example is in the German patent application DE 38 06 924 (Theysohn), in which the box is adapted to receive bottle carriers. Such bottle carriers, which are typically made of paperboard, often contain six ("six pack") bottles and facilitate handling of the bottles, and openings may be provided in the bottle carriers to house the columns, as described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,071,162 (Schneller) ) is shown.

The box from the above DE 38 06 924 is designed to accommodate four carriers, with each carrier capable of holding six bottles. For this purpose, the box is divided by a longitudinal and a transverse partition into four areas, each area for receiving a six-bottle bottle carrier ("six-pack") is formed.

However, some bottle carriers are not intended for six bottles but for four ("four pack") bottles, and possibly only for bottles, because of the wall thickness of the carriers it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to place them in the box DE 38 06 924 Use four-packs, if in the carrier a slot for receiving the transverse separation would be provided. Two adjacent four-packs would be separated by the double wall thickness of the carrier. This would create a problem because the bottle positions are spaced from each other so that the bottles can be used in a tight and space-saving manner.

The DE 296 04 306 U1 discloses a bottle crate for holding four-packs or six-packs. To insert into this box, the packs must be slightly rotated.

A Object of the present invention is to provide these and others Overcome prior art problems and provide a box The separator comprises and is capable of both bottle carrier for four bottles as also bottle carrier for six To take bottles.

A Another object of the present invention is to provide a To provide box comprising dividers and both solid as well as inexpensive is.

Corresponding the present invention provides a bottle crate comprising a bottom and from the bottom extending side walls, wherein Separators arranged in series bottle positions with mutual Define distances, and wherein in a row both the second and the third distance is larger as the first distance.

By the provision of larger distances between these bottle positions, in which two carriers can adjoin one another the wall thickness of the beams adjusted and it is achieved a good fit of the carrier in the box. The third distance between the third and the fourth bottle position one row takes the walls the carrier on when six-packs are used. The second distance between the second and the third bottle position of a row takes the Walls of the carrier on when four-packs are used. That way, both Four packs as well as six packs are used.

In a box according to the invention can the second and the third distance each at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1.0 mm, for example 2.0 mm larger than the first distance. The actual Difference between the distances may also depend on the dimensions of the bottles.

Preferably In the box are four rows of six bottle positions each provided, which result in a total of twenty-four bottle positions. However, a different number of bottle positions is also possible, so for example twelve or thirty-six.

In an embodiment of the invention In the case of the box, the dividers comprise pillars which are essentially extend vertically from the ground, parallel to the side walls. These pillars are very helpful in defining bottle positions and guiding the bottle Bottles in their positions while filling the box. It has, however pointed out that the freestanding columns are structurally weak and easily bend or even be demolished. After another important aspect of the present invention, therefore, the separating elements partitions each column connected to a partition wall.

By connecting each column with a partition will be the columns gave greater stability and there is less danger of damaging the box. Preferably become the pillars one piece with the partitions connected and in a central portion of a respective partition arranged. It is understood that if a column in a middle section a partition is arranged, bending the column, in particular in the plane of the partition, effectively prevented. In addition, wear the partitions to the structural rigidity of the box.

To a preferred embodiment the partitions a between two first side walls extending primary partition and at least two secondary partitions extending between the primary partition wall and the second side walls. The primary Partition may extend for example in the longitudinal direction of the box and higher and / or be thicker while the secondary ones partitions extending transversely to the box, between the primary partition and the longer side walls and lower and / or thinner could be. All partitions can but also the same height and / or have the same thickness.

extend the second partitions cross to the box, between the primary Partition and the longer one Sidewalls, so reinforce these partitions clear the box and prevent bending the longer side walls. This is an important additional Advantage of the box according to the invention.

advantageously, are the pillars only with the secondary partitions directly connected. This results in a practical and effective design of the box, in which an excessive number on columns is avoided while ensuring that the bottles sufficiently stable to be positioned.

The columns preferably have an approximate quadrangular cross-section, being a rounded, slightly concave square cross section is particularly preferred; other cross sections, For example, round cross sections are also conceivable. In the latter Trap could the columns have a cone shape.

Of the box according to the invention is advantageously in one piece made of a plastic, preferably polyethylene. However, it is also possible the box according to the invention composed of separately manufactured components, which made of a plastic, wood, metal or another suitable Material can be made.

The The present invention also provides a box as defined above ready, are used in the bottle-containing bottle carrier.

The The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrated embodiments explained in more detail. It demonstrate:

1 a schematic plan view of a preferred embodiment of a box according to the invention;

2 a schematic cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of 1 ,

3 a schematic plan view of bottle positions and their mutual distance in a bottle crate.

The in the 1 and 2 by way of example and not by way of limitation, bottle crate 1 includes an open floor 2 which consists of a latticework. Integral with the ground 2 are formed upright first side walls 3 and second side walls 4 the former being longer than the latter. A primary partition 5 that are different from the ground 2 upwards parallel to the first side walls 3 extends, extending in the longitudinal direction of the box, between the second side walls 4 , Several secondary partitions 6 that are different from the ground 2 from parallel to the second side walls 4 extend, each extending between a first side wall 3 and the primary partition 5 ,

columns 7 also stand upright on the ground 2 , extend substantially at right angles to the ground and serve to bottle positions 8th to define (see also 2 ). According to the invention, the distance between the bottle positions 8th carefully chosen, as determined by the 3 will be described in more detail.

The columns shown 7 have an approximately quadrangular cross-section. In the execution form in 1 but are the sides of the columns 7 Concave to better use the bottles, while the edges of the columns 7 are rounded. As you can see, the columns are 7 each in one piece with a secondary partition 6 educated. This greatly increases the stability of the columns and also strengthens the box.

In particular, the secondary partitions 6 that with the longer side walls 4 are connected (and preferably integrally formed therewith), prevent bending of these side walls and therefore contribute significantly to the structural rigidity of the box.

As in 3 shown schematically are the bottle positions 8th separated by distances S1, S2 and S3, which are measured from center to center of the respective bottle positions. As mentioned above, these bottle positions and thereby the distances are defined by the positioning elements (partitions and columns). According to the present invention, these distances between the bottle positions are not equal: starting from one end of the box (a secondary side wall 4 in 1 ), the first distance S1 is smaller than the second distance S2 and the third distance S3. As can be seen, the arrangement is symmetrical in that the distances are in a row with six bottle positions 8th form an order S1 - S2 - S3 - S2 - S1. The special distances serve to bottle carrier 10 and 11 accommodate, which are typically made of cardboard.

In the in 3 illustrated schematic example take the two upper rows bottle positions 8th two carriers 10 for every six bottles, called six-packs, while the two bottom rows with three straps 11 are filled for every four bottles. As can be seen, lie the two six-packs 10 between the third and the fourth bottle position of the upper rows at the third distance S3. This double material layer (for example cardboard) requires additional space, which is why the third distance S3 is greater than the first (standard) distance S1. The three four-packs 11 however, between the second and third bottle positions and the fourth and fifth bottle positions are at the second distance. Because of this double material layer, the second distance S2 must also be greater than the first distance S1.

In a practical embodiment depends on that actual inventive increase in the distances of the presence (optional) of partitions between the bottle positions and the dimensions of the partition, the dimensions of the bottles and other factors. In a typical embodiment, the further distances S2 and S3 at least 0.5 mm, but preferably about 1.0 to 2.0 mm larger as the first distance S1, with differences of, for example, 3.0 mm also possible are.

An inventive box can be equipped with six-packs or four-packs or both. In the in 1 For example, two six-packs and three four-packs could be accommodated simultaneously. It is understood that the box according to the invention can also accommodate two-packs, ie bottle carrier for two bottles.

The The present invention is based on the recognition that, with it Box for both Four packs as well for Six-packs may be appropriate to the bottle positions in appropriate intervals must be provided. The present invention utilizes the further insight that the Stability and Structural rigidity of the box can be significantly increased by adding the columns with the partitions get connected.

It It should be noted that the terms used in this document not to be construed as limiting the present invention. Especially the words "comprising" and "comprising" are to be understood as meaning that they exclude no element that was not specifically named. individual elements can be replaced by multiple elements or equivalent.

It goes without saying those skilled in the art, that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments limited and that within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims will, numerous changes and additions possible are.

Claims (10)

Bottle box ( 1 ), comprising a floor ( 2 ) and extending from the ground side walls ( 3 . 4 ), where separating elements ( 5 . 6 . 7 ) Bottle positions arranged in series ( 8th ) with mutual distances (S1, S2, S3), characterized in that in a row both the second (S2) and the third distance (S3) is greater than the first distance (S1). Box according to claim 1, wherein the second (S2) and the third distance (S3) each at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1.0 mm, larger as the first distance. Box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein four rows each with six bottle positions ( 8th ) are provided. Box according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the separating elements comprise columns ( 7 ) extending substantially perpendicularly from the ground. Box according to claim 4, wherein the separating elements are partitions ( 5 . 6 ) and wherein each column ( 7 ) is connected to a partition wall. A box according to claim 5, wherein the partitions are located between two first side walls (14). 3 ) extending primary partition ( 5 ) and at least two located between the primary partition ( 5 ) and second side walls ( 4 ) have extending secondary partitions. Box according to claim 5 and 6, wherein the columns ( 7 ) only with the secondary partitions ( 6 ) are directly connected. Box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the columns ( 7 ) have an approximately square cross-section. Box according to any one of the preceding claims, integral made of a plastic, preferably polyethylene. Box according to any one of the preceding claims, in which bottle-containing bottle carriers ( 10 . 11 ) are housed.