EP0392451A1 - Packaging for long objects - Google Patents

Abstract

The packaging for long objects has a bottom part (1) and a lid (2) which is linked swivellably to an end wall (1b) of the bottom part and is in engagement with the other end wall (1b). The end walls (1b) and the side walls (1c) of the bottom part (1) extend from the bottom surface (1a) thereof, diverging at essentially the same angle. Constructed at the upper edge of each end wall (1b) in its central region is a projecting tongue (4), below which there is a recess (3b) with an upper edge (3c). On each end portion, the lid (2) has a transversely extending web (5), an elastically resilient tab (6), which extends parallel to the web (5) and is provided with an inwardly directed projection (6a), and a slot (7) constructed between the web (5) and the tab (6). The projection (6a) is in engagement with the associated recess (3b) while the tongue is arranged in the slot (7). The lid (2) and the bottom part (1) can be reliably engaged with one another in a simple manner and can be separated from one another in a simple manner by gripping behind one of the tabs (6). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a packaging container for elongated objects, which has a lower part with a bottom surface, with two side walls starting at the same angle diverging from the bottom surface and with two end walls starting from the bottom surface, connecting the side walls, and one at one of the end walls via a hinge pivotally held, the opening delimited by the free edges of the side and end walls closing cover, which comes into locking engagement with the opposite other end face in its closed position.

Such a plastic packaging container is known and is sold on the relevant market. In this packaging container, the lower part and the lid are formed in one piece, so that the container can only be produced in one color or only in a transparent manner and high costs for the molding tools arise because of the one-piece design. Another disadvantage is that the containers in the empty state, because of the lid when they are in the closed position, but also because of the formation of the walls, especially the end walls, which are perpendicular or almost perpendicular, do not stack into one another are, so that the space required for storage is large. Finally, the cover can easily tear off from the lower part, with which the lower part can no longer be closed, in order to continue to hold tools such as drills, milling cutters and the like to be able to preserve, ie both the lower part and the lid are products that both end up in the garbage if one part fails.

The invention has for its object to develop a packaging container of the type mentioned in such a way that the container can be made two-colored or partly transparent, partly opaque, that the lower parts can be stacked to a certain extent nested that if, for example, a lid is unusable has become, the packaging container can be closed again with a replacement lid, i.e. a waste of material and an increased environmental impact due to waste are avoided, and that there is the possibility of loading the lower parts with objects in stock, stacking the lower parts with the objects in a space-saving manner and when calling up the previously produced objects located in the lower parts, to label the latter in the lower part, for example by laser beams with company names, trademarks or originals, etc., and then to pack them using the lid.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the end walls of the lower part run at substantially the same angles as the side walls from the bottom surface and have a projecting wall section above their half height on the outer surface, the two lateral, from the upper edge of the end walls away in the downward direction and a defined between these approaches recess whose upper edge is spaced from the free edge of the end walls forms that an upstanding tongue is formed on the upper free edge of the end walls in the central region above the recess and that the lid to be combined with the lower part has one of the two end sections Lid inner surface has substantially perpendicularly projecting web extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the lid, which is in contact with its one wall surface, ie with the wall surface facing the end walls, with each inner surface of the end walls of the lower part in the state in which it is closed. Furthermore, the lid is provided on its inner surface with a tab which is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the lid outward from the above-mentioned web and also projects essentially at right angles and is parallel to the web and which is flexible or resilient and has one wall surface, that is to say the interior of the Lower part facing wall surface, is in contact with each outer surface of the projecting wall sections on the end walls in the state attached to the lower part. This tab is provided with a protruding nose directed towards the adjacent end wall of the lower part, which can enter the recess delimited between the lateral lugs and then comes into locking engagement at the upper edge of this recess. Furthermore, a slot is formed in the cover between each web and each tab, into which the tongues protrude from the upper edge of the end walls.

When the relatively flat packaging container is designed to accommodate essentially only one object in each lower part or of objects in only one layer or position, as stated above, the lower part is related to its vertical longitudinal center plane and with Relative to its perpendicular transverse center plane designed completely symmetrical, which applies in the same way to the lid. The lower part and the lid can be made from different materials, for example the lower part from a rigid, colored plastic material that is inexpensive, and the upper part from a more flexible, transparent material. The lid is designed so that when it is pressed onto the lower part, the tabs provided with lugs snap into the recesses on the end walls of the lower part and latch, the internal webs and the protruding tongues clearly hold the lid on the lower part in the intended position. To detach the lid from the lower part, it is sufficient to grasp one of the resilient tabs and their outward bends so that the lugs emerge from the recesses. Due to the completely symmetrical design of the lower part, it is not necessary to pay attention to a predetermined position when loading objects, which is particularly advantageous for automated filling processes.

Since all four standing walls of the elongated, rectangular lower part diverge from the floor surface at substantially equal angles, the lower parts can be put together to a certain extent so that storage space can be saved. The taper of the side and end walls can be chosen as required. If, for example, it is intended to keep the packaging containers with objects in them in stock until the objects are retrieved, the upper part in each case can enter the lower part with about 1-2 mm, which ensures secure stacking even when the parts are filled .

The lower parts stacked and filled in this way as a supply can then be removed if necessary, with the possibility being given of objects located in the lower parts, e.g. by means of laser beams to label a tool located in the lower part, such as a drill, milling cutter and the like. to be labeled. Then the lid is pushed open. which ends the labeling and packaging process.

In a preferred embodiment, the cover is provided with a film hinge in the area of one end section and with a grip tab in the area of the other end section Mistake. This film hinge is formed directly adjacent to a transverse web and with respect to the longitudinal extent of the cover inwards from the web. Due to the locking engagement between the tab on the lid and the outside of the end wall of the lower part and the abutment of the web on the lid on the inner surface of the end wall and by the tongue engaging in the slot in the lid, the lid is clearly held even during a pivoting movement. In order to facilitate the intended emergence of the nose formed on the tab from the latching engagement with the recess on the lower part, the cover is provided with an extension serving as a handle at the end opposite the film hinge.

The lower part and the cover are preferably made of plastic materials by injection molding. This makes it possible to manufacture several lower parts and several lids in a juxtaposition, whereby thin bridges ensure a certain cohesion between the adjacent lower parts and lids, but these bridges are easily broken by bending or cut through with a knife to separate a single closed container can.

• Fig. 1 eine Draufsicht auf einen Verpackungsbehälter;
• Fig. 2 einen Längsschnitt des Verpackungsbehälters von Fig. 1 mit vom Unterteil getrenntem Deckel;
• Fig. 3 eine Stirnansicht des Unterteils;
• Fig. 4 eine Einzelheit des Verpackungsbehälters in größerem Maßstab;
• Fig. 5 den Schnitt nach der LInie A-B in der Fig. 4;
• Fig. 6 einen Querschnitt des Unterteils mit eingeletem Gegen­stand sowie eine Draufsicht auf das Unterteil;
• Fig. 7 eine zu Fig. 6 gleichartige Darstellung einer abgewan­delten Ausführungsform;
• Fig. 8 einen Quershnitt durch aufeinandergestapelte Unter­teile mit darin befindlichen Gegenständen;
• Fig. 9 eine perspektivische Darstellung vom mehreren komplet­ten und zusammenhängenden Verpackungsbehältern.

Further features and advantages of the subject matter of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the drawings. Show it:

• Figure 1 is a plan view of a packaging container.
• FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section of the packaging container from FIG. 1 with the cover separated from the lower part;
• 3 is an end view of the lower part;
• 4 shows a detail of the packaging container on a larger scale;
• Fig. 5 shows the section along the line AB in Fig. 4;
• 6 shows a cross section of the lower part with an inlaid object and a top view of the lower part;
• FIG. 7 shows a representation similar to FIG. 6 of a modified embodiment;
• 8 shows a cross-section through stacked lower parts with objects located therein;
• Fig. 9 is a perspective view of several complete and contiguous packaging containers.

In the initial state, the packaging container according to the invention consists of two separate parts, namely the lower part 1 and the cover 2.

The lower part 1 has two opposite end walls 1b, which diverge upwards from the bottom surface 1a, and two opposite side walls 1c, which also diverge in the upward direction at substantially the same angles as the end walls 1b.

On the end walls 1b, a projecting wall section 3 is formed above half the height of the end walls, which has two lateral projections 3a with a recess 3b delimited between them, which is trapezoidal in shape in the view (FIG. 3). Above this recess 3b located in the central region of the end walls 1b, each end wall is provided with a tongue 4 protruding upwards from its upper edge, which also holds a trapezoidal shape in the view (FIG. 3).

The cover 2 has an inner web 5, which extends toward the lower part and extends almost over its entire width, ie the width of the opening of the lower part 1, the outer surface of which is aligned with the inner wall surface of the inner web 5 End walls 1b is in contact. Furthermore, an outer flap 6 is formed on the inner surface of the cover 2 at the end portions thereof, which is provided with a nose 6a directed towards the end walls 1b of the lower part 1, which can enter the recess 3b and with the upper edge 3c thereof Recess 3b comes into the locking system, so that a firm connection between cover 2 and lower part 1 is established. The tab 6 on the right-hand side in FIG. 2 preferably has a width that is the same as the width of the lower part, while that on the left-hand side in FIG. 2 has a smaller width. The lugs 6a are provided with bevels which promote a resilient outward movement of the tabs 6 when the cover 2 is pressed onto the lower part 1. In contrast to the hook-shaped lug 6a, the lug 6 on the left in FIG. 2 has a wedge-shaped lug 6a on the right-hand side, which facilitates pulling this lug 6 out of the recess 3b when the cover 2 is opened.

Furthermore, the cover 2 is provided in its two end sections with a transverse slot 7 in its central region, into which the tongue 4 protruding from the lower part 1 enters.

Furthermore, a film hinge 8 is formed in the cover 2 adjacent to the one (in FIGS. 2 and 3) web 5, which enables the cover 2 to be folded up (see FIG. 4), but due to the existing on this side of the cover, in the recess 3b hooked nose 6a and counteracted by the straight, perpendicular to the bottom surface 1a of the lower part 1 of the wall section 3 of the pivoting movement of the cover 2 and a stable mounting of the cover on the lower part 1 is ensured.

The cover 2 is preferably provided in the region of its longitudinal edges with ribs 9, which come into contact with the inner surfaces of the side walls 1c of the lower part 1 on their outer surfaces in the closed state of the cover and give the cover increased rigidity.

In addition, an extension 11 is preferably formed on the cover 2 at the end section opposite the film hinge 8 as a handle, which can be provided with a slot or hole 12 in order to provide a hanging option for the packaging container.

As shown in FIG. 8, the taper of the side walls 1c of the lower parts 1 and also the taper of the end walls 1b is chosen so that the lower parts 1, even if an object 14 is located therein, to a certain extent (approximately to 2 mm) interlock. In the state shown in Fig. 8, the packaging containers with objects 14 located therein can be stacked to save space and the objects can also be labeled, e.g. using laser beams.

8 and 9 can also be seen that a plurality of lower part 1 and a plurality of lids 2 can be produced in connection, thin bridges 13 being present in each case between the lower parts and between the lids, which bridges can be broken or cut through to form a complete one Separate packaging containers from the rest.

6 and 7 show prism-shaped ribs 15 between the inner surfaces of the side walls 1c and the bottom surface 1a of the lower parts, whereby an object 14 or 14 'can be centered in the lower part regardless of its cross-sectional dimension, which is particularly for automatic labeling of the Ge objects 14, 14 'is important. In addition, wedge lugs 16 can also be attached in the upper region of the side walls 1c, as a result of which objects with a circular cross section receive improved positional security. Since the side walls 1c have a certain elasticity, the wedge lugs 16 do not hinder the introduction of an object into the lower part 1.

The packaging container according to the invention, which consists of two parts, can be produced in comparison with the packaging container according to the prior art described at the beginning with less complicated molding tools. Because of their symmetrical design, the lower parts can be loaded with an object and stacked in a space-saving manner without having to adhere to a predetermined orientation. The objects can be labeled in the lower parts, after which the lids are then pressed onto the lower parts in a simple, automated process. The various positional securing devices (webs, brackets, locking lugs and slots) attached to the lid, which interact with elements of the lower part, enable a clear, firm connection to be achieved between the lid and lower part, whereby the lid is also firmly held on the lower part when it is is pivoted around the film hinge. A high-quality material is preferably used for the lid, including the film hinge integrated therein, so that the packaging container can also serve as a storage container that can withstand frequent pivoting movements of the lid. However, if the lid is destroyed, for which only the film hinge is actually considered, a replacement lid with the original lower part can be used to protect an item, especially high-quality tools or instruments in industry, medicine, and craft etc. is meant to serve.

Claims (12)

1.Packaging container for elongated objects, which has a lower part with a bottom surface, with two side walls extending diverging from the bottom surface at the same angles and with two end walls starting from the bottom surface, connecting the side walls, and one which is pivotably held on one of the end walls via a hinge cover closing the opening delimited by the free edges of the side and end walls, which comes into locking engagement with the opposite other end in its closed position,
characterized,
- That the end walls (1b) of the lower part (1) at substantially the same angle as the side walls (1c) from the bottom surface (1a) diverging and above their half height on the outer surface a projecting wall section (3) with two side and projections (3a) running away from the upper free edge and with a recess (3b) delimited between these projections, the upper edge (3c) of which is spaced from the free edge of the end walls,
- That at the upper free edge of the end walls (1b) in the central region an upstanding tongue (4) is formed and
- That with the lower part (1) to be combined cover (2) at its two front end sections each projecting from its inner surface, transversely to its longitudinal axis extending web (5), which has one wall surface with each inner surface of the end walls (1b) of the lower part (1) in the state connected to it, one in the longitudinal direction of the cover (2) outside of the web (5) located, protruding from the inner surface of the cover, parallel to the web (5) and resiliently resilient tab (6), with its one wall surface in each case with each outer surface of the wall sections (3) projecting from the end walls in the closing position in this state System and in its central part is provided with an inwardly directed nose (6a) which enters into the recess (3b) defined between the shoulders (3a) of the wall sections (3) and with its upper edge (3c) is in latching engagement, as well as one has between each web (5) and each tab (6) formed slot (7) for receiving the tongue (4) protruding from the upper edge of the end walls. 2. Packaging container according to claim 1, characterized in that the recess (3b) in the outer wall sections (3) of the end walls (1b) in the view is trapezoidal with side edges inclined towards the upper edge of the end walls. 3. Packaging container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tongue (4) protruding from the upper edge of the end walls (1b) is trapezoidal with side edges which are inclined outwards to this upper edge. 4. Packaging container according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pivoting movement of the lid (2) enabling hinge (8) as a film hinge directly against a transverse web (5) zend and with respect to the longitudinal extension of the lid inwardly from the web (5) is formed. 5. Packaging container according to claim 4, characterized in that the lid (2) including the film hinge (8) from a compared to the lower part (1) higher quality, more durable material is formed. 6. Packaging container according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the inside of the lower part (1) between the side walls (1c) and the bottom surface (1a) to this inclined, opposite ribs (15) are formed. 7. Packaging container according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that on the inner surfaces of the side walls (1c) of the lower part (1) in the region of the upper free edges opposite, inwardly projecting de lugs (16) at a distance from the bottom surface (1a ) are trained. 8. Packaging container according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cover (2) in the longitudinal direction on the outside of the elastic tab (6) has an extension (11) lying in the cover plane, designed as a handle. 9. Packaging container according to claim 8, characterized in that a hanging hole (12) is formed in the extension (11). 10. Packaging container according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the lower part (1) and the lid (2) are each formed symmetrically with respect to their vertical longitudinal center plane. 11. Packaging container according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the lower part (1) and the lid (2) are formed as separate parts in the initial state. 12. Packaging container according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a plurality of lower parts (1) and a plurality of lids (2) are each connected to one another by a plurality of tear-off, thin bridges (13), one bridge on each side of the hinge (8) is arranged.

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