EP0368713B1 - Stackable or nestable containers with removable closures - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a stackable and nestable handling container (1). According to the invention, this container comprises support flaps (11) which can occupy either a first stable active position, in which they are brought down over the opening of the container and can then receive a super-adjacent container supported upon them, or a second stable inactive position, in which they extend outside the container. The container can be equipped with a closure (10) comprising engagement hooks (21) which are capable of coming to lodge themselves under a rim (9) which the container has on its upper part, this in both the active and inactive position of the flaps (11). The invention finds application in the production of containers intended in particular for the packaging of pharmaceutical products. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to handling bins, in particular made of plastic, which can be stacked one on top of the other or partially nested one inside the other.

More specifically, the subject of the invention is a container comprising a bottom from which side walls rise, the free end of which defines an opening which can be closed by a cover fitted to the container, the latter comprising retractable flaps mounted in articulation in rotation on along the free end of two opposite side walls, between a first active stable position in which the flaps are folded over the opening of the container and are capable of receiving an overlying container on them, and a second non-active position , in which these same flaps extend outside the tank, then authorizing the nesting of the tanks in one another.

Such a bin is described in publication DE-A-3,521,894.

This being the case, there are certain fields (such as that of "chain" work) in which it has appeared necessary for users of trays to be able to stack them, whether or not these are fitted with their lid, and whatever either their state (ready to be stacked or nested), this in particular in order to avoid that the persons responsible for filling or handling operations (opening, closing, transport, storage of containers, etc.) have, before acting, to check the state in which the bins are located.

However, among the existing bins, none has given complete satisfaction to users faced with this kind of requirement.

It is therefore in order to solve the problems posed that the invention proposes a container of the aforementioned type which is characterized in that the cover which it can be provided with, comprises, along the edge of one of its sides, and for its connection to the tank, hook-shaped engagement means capable of being received under a rim which the container has at its periphery, towards the free end of its side walls, and this both in the active position and in the non-active position of the flaps.

Thus, the cover can be placed on the tray regardless of the position of the flaps and therefore regardless of the state in which the tray is located (stacking or nesting position).

An advantage of the container of the invention is, moreover, that its flaps and its cover can be accommodated in the overall size of the container, thus greatly facilitating storage problems.

It will also be noted that according to the invention the flaps with which the container is equipped will preferably be curved at their lateral ends, the walls of the container then having grooves suitable for receiving these curved parts of the flaps when the latter are folded over the container.

Thus, not only will the flaps be provided with stable support in the active position, but, in addition, the walls of the container which are devoid of flaps will be prevented from moving away from one another (in particular when several loaded containers are stacked ), said curved parts playing the role of retaining elements once engaged in their receiving grooves.

• la figure 1 est une vue générale en perspective du bac de l'invention avec ses volets en position inactive (seul l'un des volets est visible), le bac étant ici équipé de son couvercle ;
• la figure 2 est pour moitié une vue de côté dans le sens de la flèche 11 de la figure 1, et pour moitié une vue en coupe dans le plan II-II de la figure 4, les volets étant en position non active ;
• la figure 3 est une vue identique à celle de la figure 2, hormis en ce qui concerne les volets qui sont ici représentés dans leur position active ;
• la figure 4 est une vue pour moitié de côté dans le sens de la flèche IV de la figure 1 et pour moitié en coupe dans le plan IV-IV de la figure 2. On notera que le bac a été ici représenté sans couvercle ;
• la figure 5 est une vue partielle de dessus du bac dans le sens de la flèche V de la figure 4, pour moitié avec couvercle (à gauche) pour moitié sans (à droite) ;
• la figure 6 est une vue de l'un des volets du bac, pour moitié en vue de dessus (à gauche) et pour moitié en vue de dessous (à droite) ;
• la figure 7 est une demi vue de côté du volet de la figure 6 dans le sens de la flèche VII ;
• la figure 8 est une vue pour moitié en coupe médiane et pour moitié en vue extérieure du couvercle dont peut être équipé le bac de l'invention,
• et la figure 9 est une représentation d'un ergot d'indexation, en vue de face.

The invention will appear more clearly from the description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings given solely by way of example and in which:

• Figure 1 is a general perspective view of the container of the invention with its flaps in the inactive position (only one of the flaps is visible), the container being here equipped with its cover;
• Figure 2 is half a side view in the direction of the arrow 11 in Figure 1, and half a sectional view in the plane II-II of Figure 4, the flaps being in the inactive position;
• Figure 3 is a view identical to that of the Figure 2, except for the flaps which are shown here in their active position;
• Figure 4 is a half side view in the direction of arrow IV in Figure 1 and half in section in the plane IV-IV of Figure 2. Note that the tray has been shown here without cover;
• Figure 5 is a partial top view of the tray in the direction of arrow V in Figure 4, half with cover (left) for half without (right);
• Figure 6 is a view of one of the pan flaps, half in top view (left) and half in bottom view (right);
• Figure 7 is a half side view of the shutter of Figure 6 in the direction of arrow VII;
• Figure 8 is a view in half in section middle and half in external view of the cover with which the container of the invention can be fitted,
• and Figure 9 is a representation of an indexing lug, in front view.

If we refer to the figures and in particular to Figure 1, we therefore see illustrated a handling tank 1 of substantially parallelepiped shape with rectangular section made of plastic. The tank 1 which is open at its upper part comprises a bottom 2 assumed to be horizontal from which rise four side walls (of which only two marked 3, 4 are visible in the figure), which walls are slightly inclined relative to the vertical so to go by getting closer to each other towards the bottom 2.

Towards the free upper part of its side walls, the container is reinforced on its outer face by a projecting peripheral belt 7 which is limited by a lower horizontal rib 8 and an upper horizontal rib 9, the latter forming the upper rim of the container on which can come to rest a removable cover 10 suitable for completely closing the opening of the tank, without however exceeding the overall size of the latter.

Before considering the method of engagement of the cover on the container, it should first of all be noted that, according to an important characteristic of the invention, the container is here equipped with retractable flaps 11 mounted articulated in rotation along the free upper end of two opposite side walls (in this case the two shorter walls 4 and 6).

As clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the flaps 11 can occupy two extreme positions of stable equilibrium: a first position (Figure 3) called active, in which the flaps are folded over the opening of the tray and are then suitable for receive on them an overlying tray, and a second position (Figure 2) called non-active, in which these same flaps extend to the outside of the tank, substantially parallel to the walls 4 and 6 which carry them, then authorizing the nesting of the tanks one inside the other.

In practice, the flaps 11 will preferably be shaped to come, in their inactive position of FIG. 2, to be housed along the corresponding walls of the tank, inside its belt 7, between the upper edge 9 and the lower rib. 8. Thus, they will in no way extend beyond the overall dimensions of the tank, thus avoiding any risk of damage.

Now refer to Figures 6 and 7 to see illustrate an embodiment of a flap 11 according to the invention.

The shutter shown comprises pins 12 which extend parallel to the axis 20 of articulation of the shutter and protrude on either side of a series of branches 13, except as regards the two innermost branches where only one nipple has been provided, directed towards the outside of the flap. Between the branches 13 are provided notches 15 whose role will appear below.

To allow the articulation in rotation of the flaps on the tank, there have been provided, as can be seen in FIG. 4, passages 14 in the upper rim 9 of the corresponding walls of the tank. In these passages are introduced the pins 12, which then play, as we have understood, the role of articulation shaft.

To promote the engagement of the nipples, the passages 14 could be opened downwards at 16 (FIG. 3), a flat 12a (FIG. 6) being able to be formed along the length of the nipples so that the latter do not unexpectedly disengage from their receiving passages after being introduced there.

Now refer to Figure 7 to see illustrated half of the shutter shown in Figure 6 (the other half being identical to that which has been shown). By this figure 7 we wanted to clearly highlight the shape of the lateral ends 11a of the flaps which are bent into hooks 17, which are, in the active position of the flaps, received in grooves 18 arranged facing towards the upper part of the walls 3 and 5 of the tank which are adjacent to those 4 and 6 along which the flaps are arranged.

Thus, these flaps can come into their active position to bear on the edge of the grooves, the hooks 17 preventing excessive deformation on the walls which can come from an additional load when several trays are stacked.

Let us now focus more specifically on the cover 10 with which the container of the invention can be fitted.

Figure 8, it will first be noted that this cover comprises along one of its shorter side edges, sections 21 of wall shaped clean hook to engage under the rim 9 of a corresponding side wall (4 or 6) of the container, this engagement being able to be carried out, that the flaps 11 are in the active position (FIG. 3, position in which the flaps are still housed in the overall dimensions of the container, therefore in no way harming when fitting the cover) or in the inactive position (Figure 2). In the latter case, it will be noted that the sections 21 of the cover then engage through the notches 15 of the flaps.

With regard to the cover, it will also be noted that on its edge opposite to that where its engagement means are shaped, it may have only a single fallen edge 22, while projecting ribs 23 may be shaped near the longer edges of the cover, on the side of its face to be directed towards the container, so that these ribs 23 extend towards the interior of the container once the cover is in position, thus limiting its lateral displacement and stiffening it .

On its face which must be directed towards the outside of the tank, the cover 10 may also have, near its periphery, a rib 24 in the form of a frame, intended to limit the movement of the trays when these fitted with their cover must be stacked on top of each other (see also Figure 5).

To allow the passage of a closure strip such as a plastic strip, cutouts 25 may be provided locally in the rib 24.

If we are again interested in the container of the invention as such, it will be noted that along at least one of its walls of greater length) such as wall 3 of FIG. 1) it comprises on the outer face of this wall and in the lower part, a recess or a notch 26 suitable for receiving a label (not shown).

As illustrated, the opening to the outside is partially closed by a plate 27 intended to maintain the label in position, once it has been slid between the bottom of the notch and the retaining plate .

Under its belt 7 and for example on the outer face of at least one of its walls of greater length (such as the wall 5 of FIG. 2), the tank 1 may also include zones 28 formed slightly recessed in the thickness of its wall. In practice, these zones will be intended to receive retroreflective marking strips, useful in particular for ensuring automatic routing of the trays in the event that they are installed on conveyor belts, for example in the context of line work. It is moreover to ensure that the rollers have good attack from the rollers that short walls 29 slightly inclined with respect to the bottom have been provided at the connection between this same bottom and each of the side walls of the tank.

In its upper edge 9, for example along one of its longer walls 5, the last container may also have orifices 30 (FIG. 5) in which short signaling or indexing lugs can be received marked 31 in Figure 9. To engage in the holes 30, the pins 31 will provided with a foot 31a of lesser thickness.

On conveyor belts, it has become apparent that in some cases the tanks may have a tendency to overlap.

It is in order to avoid these overlapping problems, that provision has been made to extend locally and downward the rib 8 which limits the belt 7 of the tank in the lower part.

Figures 1 and 2, there is shown the tray with twice two tabs 32 formed on the two sides 4, 6 of the tray of shorter length and which in this case extend substantially perpendicular to the rib 8 which carry them, in direction of the bottom 2. Laterally, these tabs 32 will preferably extend until their ends 32a closest to the external angles of the container come into alignment with the side walls of the container adjacent to those where the tabs are formed ( Figures 1 and 4). This will in particular allow the tray to rest by its ribs 8 without tabs on supports such as rollers, angles, etc.

Claims (10)

1. Handling container comprising a base (2) of which the side walls (3, 4, 5, 6) are raised, and of which the free end forms an opening which can be closed by a lid (10) fitted onto the container, which container comprises retractable flaps (11) mounted so as to be rotatably hinged along the free end of two opposite side walls (4, 6) between a first, stable, active position in which the flaps are folded back above the opening of the container and can receive a container resting on top thereof, and a second, non-active position in which these flaps extend outside the container, thus allowing the containers to be fitted inside one another, characterised in that along the edge of one of its sides, and for connection thereof to the container, the said lid (10) comprises hook-shaped engaging means (21) which can be accommodated under an edge (9) disposed on the periphery of the container, towards the free end of the side walls thereof, both in the active and the non-active position of the flaps (11).
2. Container according to claim 1 characterised in that in the non-active position of the flaps, the hooks (21) of the lid engage under the edge (9) of the container, through grooves (15) provided along the length of the said flaps.
3. Container according to either of claims 1 or 2, of the type in which the side walls are inclined,in such a manner that they approach one another towards the base, characterised in that the lid (10) comprises a square-shaped rib (24), of which the upper face projects towards the outside of the container when the lid (10) is fitted on the latter, whose opening it covers without projecting beyond the overall dimensions thereof.
4. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, in the non-active position, the flaps (11) extend substantially parallel to the walls of the container which supports them, and are housed with.in the overall dimensions of the said container, between the upper edge (9) of the latter and an inner rib (8) which projects from the corresponding outer face of the container side wall.
5. Container according to claim 4, characterised in that the lower rib (8) is extended locally and substantially perpendicularly by tabs (32) so as to prevent two successive containers moving one after the other along a conveyor belt from overlapping.
6. Container according to claim 5, characterised in that, towards the corners of the container, the tabs are extended until one of the ends thereof (32a) is aligned with the container side walls adjacent to that wall or those walls where the said tabs are formed.
7. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connection between the side walls (3, 4, 5, 6) and the base (2) thereof is formed by means of short walls (29) slightly inclined relative to the said base.
8. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises, formed through its upper edge (9), apertures (30) for accommodating indexing elements such as lugs (31).
9. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flaps (11) are :curved at the side edges thereof, by means of which in the active position they rest on the upper part of the container walls adjacent those to which the said flaps are attached, these walls containing slots (18) into which the curved part (17) of the flaps can be inserted.
10. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that on one side of the flaps (11) there are grooves (15) separated by legs (13) to which there is attached at least one stud (12, 12a) each disposed in such a manner that it can co-operate with recesses (14) in the upper edge (9) of the container, for attachment and rotation of the said flaps.

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