EP0500735B1

EP0500735B1 - Storage crate

Info

Publication number: EP0500735B1
Application number: EP90917397A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gösta FREDRIKSSON
Original assignee: PLASTIC FORM GF AB
Current assignee: PLASTIC FORM GF AB
Priority date: 1989-11-13
Filing date: 1990-11-05
Publication date: 1995-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 2010-11-05
Also published as: WO1991007327A1; DE69016044D1; NO921896L; DE69016044T2; SE8903809L; NO176268B; NO176268C; SE464918B; NO921896D0; EP0500735A1; SE8903809D0; ATE116926T1

Abstract

A bottle crate has a bottom and vertical corner posts (3) which are connected at the top via top pieces (4) so that the crate has openings (6) in its sides. The crate has an insert (2) divided into compartments (7), the insert being displaceable between a lower position where it blocks the openings (6) and an upper position where it permits laterally directed removal of the bottles. The insert (2) is guided in the crate by the intermediary of guide surfaces (12, 13). To achieve ready displacement of the insert (2) without "jammed drawer" effects, one or other or both of the guide surfaces (12, 13) have a surface structure with projecting and recessed surface portions so that diversion or accommodation spaces for foreign particles are created. The guide surfaces consist of guide grooves (12) in the corner posts (3) and corresponding elongate strips (13) on the insert (2). The strips (13) and the grooves (12) are approximately complementary and the surface structure is disposed on the strips (13).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a storage crate for objects such as cans, bottles or the like and which comprises partly an outer case with a bottom and corner portions upstanding therefrom, the corner portions being, at the top, connected with top pieces, whereby the outer case has opening in at least one side wall, and partly an insert disposed in the outer case and provided with compartments for the objects, the insert being displaceable, in the vertical direction of the crate, between a lower position where it blocks the opening and an upper position where it permits laterally directed removal of the objects through the opening, the insert being guided in the outer case by the intermediary of guide surfaces in the corner regions of the outer case and the insert.

BACKGROUND ART

A crate of the type mentioned by way of introduction is known from SE-B-407 779. The crate according to this publication has arched corner regions which serve to guide the insert displaceably disposed in the crate. The insert is designed with vertically directed legs which have an arching corresponding to the corner arching of the crate so that thereby the legs guide the insert on its displacement in the crate.
The crate according to SE-B-407 779 suffers from serious drawbacks in that the vertical movement of the insert may not readily be effected. Thus, so-called "jammed drawer" effects are manifest when attempts are made to slide the insert vertically. Hence, a ready and reliable guiding of the movement of the insert will not be achieved with the above-described design and construction.
A factor which further aggravates she situation is that foreign particles, dirt or the like have a propensity to become trapped between mutually sliding surfaces, whereby the movement capacity of the insert is greatly impaired.

PROBLEM STRUCTURE

The present invention has for its object to develop the apparatus described by way of introduction to such an extent that it offers a reliable and freely-running guide for the insert when this is displaced vertically. Thus, the invention has for its object to reduce, as far as possible, the friction between the insert and the crate and to eliminate "jammed drawer" effects when the insert is slidingly displaced. The present invention further has for its object to realise an apparatus which is not sensitive to dirt attack or foreign particles.

SOLUTION

The objects forming the basis of the present invention will be attained with a storage crate as disclosed by way of introduction in which one or the other of the mutually cooperating guide surfaces has a surface structure with protruding and recessed surface portions, whereby the effective friction surface between cooperating guide surfaces is reduced and diversion or accommodation spaces for foreign matter or particles are created.
According to one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the corner portions are also designed as hollow, closed profiles, the corner portions having a vertical guide groove formed from the wall material of the profile and constituting the guide surface on the corner portion, while the insert has a guide projection which is accommodated in the guide groove and which constitutes the guide surface of the insert, the guide projection being of a configuration which is approximately complementary to the configuration of the guide groove.
In order to minimise as far as possible the costs for the tools in which the storage crate is produced, it suitably further applies according to the present invention that the above-mentioned surface structure is disposed on the guide surfaces of the insert.
Further advantages will be attained according to the present invention if the apparatus is also given one or more of the characterising features as set forth in appended Claims 4-6.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, in which:

Fig. 1: is, in perspective, an exploded illustration of a crate designed according to the present invention; and
Fig. 2: is an exploded illustration showing a horizontal section through a corner portion of the crate and its insert.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Fig. 1 shows a storage crate for bottles, cans and similar objects which is intended partly for transport and partly for direct sale of the objects. The storage crate is designed in such a manner that it is composed of two different parts, viz. an outer case or crate 1 and an insert 2 mounted therein and provided with a compartment unit for the objects. In the position of use of the storage crate, the insert 2 is placed interiorly in the outer case 1 or crate by being slid down into the crate from above.
According to the invention, the crate 1 has substantially smooth and even inner defining surfaces and a bottom which is not specified more closely on the Drawing but which is preferably produced from a grid construction. On its outside, the crate has a number of rigidifying fillets directed transversely or at right angles to the side walls, the fillets, however, not being shown in Fig. 1. Hereby, the side walls will have requisite rigidity and mechanical strength.
It will further be apparent from the Drawing that the crate 1 is composed of four corner portions in the form of tubular, downwardly open posts or profiles 3 which, at the upper end of the crate, are connected via horizontally directed top pieces 4. Furthermore, the crate is provided, along the bottom, with lower side pieces 5 which, in the vertical direction, are preferably of lesser extent than the top pieces 4. As a result of this design and construction, the crate will have an opening 6 in each side surface. However, as an intimately related and self-evident modification, it is conceivable that at least certain of the side surfaces be closed by providing panel-like means in place of the openings, possibly provided with rigidifying fillets. Furthermore, the corner portions may of course be wider so that together they may at least partly or completely cover one side surface of the crate.
As is apparent from the Drawing, the insert 2 is composed of a compartment unit 7 which, in the illustrated embodiment, has compartments designed as equilateral hexagons. A single row of such compartments is shown in the Figure, but it will be obvious that identical or similar compartments are disposed in the entire compartment unit, with one row on either side of that illustrated.
The compartment unit 7 has an outer defining frame 8 which defines a nominal outer contour of the compartment unit. This defining frame is produced from upright strip or panel material and is of a height which approximately corresponds to the height of the top pieces 4 of the crate 1. Furthermore, the defining frame 8 and the compartment unit 7 are preferably of the same height.
In the corner regions, the defining frame 8 has downwardly directed legs 9 which have outwardly facing guide surfaces 10 which are preferably disposed at an angle of 45^o in relation to the sides of the defining frame 8. The guide surfaces 10 are arranged to guide against corner surfaces 11 disposed interiorly in the crate 1 and of approximately the same width as the guide surfaces 10. These corner surfaces 11 are produced as one side of the closed profile which constitutes the corner posts 3.
As intimated by way of introduction, the insert is movable in the crate in the vertical direction thereof and switchable between a lower position where the compartment unit 7 blocks the openings 6 in the side surfaces of the crate. This is achieved in that the downwardly directed legs 9 have been given a suitable height for this purpose. In order to permit ready upward and downward displacement of the compartment unit, it is crucial that fully adequate guiding be realised so that so-called "jammed drawer" effects will thereby be eliminated as far as possible when the compartment unit is displaced. For this reason, the corner surfaces 11 in the crate 1 are provided with guide grooves 12, guide projections 13 on the legs 9 of the insert 2 running in these guide grooves. The guide grooves 12 are also created directly in the closed profile which forms the corner posts 3, whereby the walls defining the guide grooves will also be walls in the closed profile.
Ideally, dimensioning of the legs 9, the guide surfaces 10, the guide grooves 12 and the corner surfaces 11 may be adapted such that the major guiding function is realised by the guide grooves 12 and the guide projections 13. However, in heavier loadings, the guide surfaces 10 may come into abutment against the corner surfaces 11 in order to reinforce the guiding function.
It will further be apparent from the Drawing that the downwardly directed legs 9 have side surfaces 14, whereby the stability of the legs is considerably improved.
The function of the above-described crate is such that, once the insert 2 has been mounted in the crate 1 and this filled with bottles, the insert 2 is in a standing position with the legs 9 against the bottom of the crate. In this position, the compartment unit 7 will be located roughly in the middle of the crate viewed vertically so that thereby the compartment unit blocks the openings 6. In this position, the objects may only be removed from the crate upwardly. If, for example in retail premises, several crates are stacked on one another, this entails that removal of the objects may take place only upwardly from the uppermost crate.
However, as was mentioned above, the insert 2 is slidable in the vertical direction and may be slid to an upper position where the compartment unit is substantially concealed behind the top pieces 4. In this position, an object may be lifted slightly so that its bottom comes to a level higher than the upper edge of the lower side pieces 5. In this state, the object may be pivoted laterally and removed bottom-first through one or other of the openings 6. Hence, as a result of the present design of the crate, it is possible laterally to remove objects from any optional crate, even in the middle of a stack of crates.
Fig. 2 shows a horizontal section through a corner region of the crate 1, as well as a top plan view of a corner region of the insert 2. It will be apparent from this Figure that the corner portion 3 or corner post is designed as a closed profile which is open downwardly towards the underside of the crate. It will also be apparent that the bottom of the crate is designed with a grid lattice of ribs 18 and that the openings 6 in the side surfaces of the crate are defined by rigidifying fillets 16 and 17 disposed on the outside of the crate.
It is further apparent from the Drawing that the corner post 3 is designed as a hollow profile comprising two outer walls 25 approximately normal to one another, and a corner surface 11 facing the interior of the crate and making an angle of approx. 45^o with both of the outer walls 25. Between the outer edges of the corner surfaces 11 and the outer walls 25, there are provided inwardly extending walls 26 so that the profile is thereby closed. These inwardly directed walls are approximately normal to the corner wall or surface 11. It will further be apparent from the Drawing that the vertical rigidifying fillets 17 defining the openings 6 may also be considered as included in the profile forming the corner portion.
According to the invention, the corner wall 11 has a longitudinal guide groove 12 which is of a gently arched, approximately U-shaped contour. This guide groove 12 serves for accommodating and guiding a guide projection 13 which is disposed on the guide surfaces or corner surfaces 10 of the insert 2. The cross-sectional configuration of the guide projection 13 is suitably complementary to the configuration of the groove 12. Furthermore, the guide projection extends vertically throughout the entire height of the leg 9. However, the guide projection 13 may be replaced by a series of projections distributed along the leg 9.
The dimensioning of the insert 2 and the crate 1 is such that, in normal loading, the groove 12 guides the insert 2 by cooperation with the projection 13 or series of projections. However, in certain exaggerated loading situations, the guide surfaces 10 may also come into abutment and guiding engagement with the corner surfaces 11 of the corner portions.
Already by employing guide projections 13 and guide grooves 12 alone, the size of the friction surfaces operating against one another when the insert is slid in the vertical direction will be greatly reduced. Hereby, the major advantage will be gained that it becomes easier for foreign particles, dirt and the like to depart from those surfaces which move relative to one another than would be the case involving large, continuous friction surfaces.
In order further to reduce friction and increase dependability in the movement of the insert 2, one or the other of the mutually cooperating guide surfaces on the projection 13 and the groove 12 has a surface structure which comprises projecting and recessed surface portions. Hereby, the tops of the projecting surface portions will, on movement of the insert, slide against a smooth surface on the other guide surface, whereby the effective friction surface is greatly reduced. In addition, accommodation or diversion spaces are formed at the recessed surface portions, for foreign particles, dirt or the like so that, thereby, such particles do not run the risk of becoming embedded in the plastic material of the guide surfaces so that these are damaged and the insert 2 becomes jammed.
Those surface portions of the guide surfaces which are displaced relative to the mean surface of the guide surface may be of sizes of from a few tenths of a millimetre up to a few millimetres.
The location of the surface portions displaced from the mean surface is of no consequence to the function of the present invention but, on the other hand, considerable production engineering advantages are gained if these surface portions are placed on the guide surface 13 on the insert 2.
In one practical embodiment, the surface structure may be realised in that the guide surface is generally rough or granular. Furthermore, various types of more or less regular striated patterns may of course be employed, mention here being made by way of one example of a design in which the guide surface 13 has longitudinally directed projecting strips or ridges between which corresponding depressions or grooves are disposed. In another example, projecting ridges and interjacent grooves may be transversely directed in relation to the longitudinal direction of the guide surface 13, and also transversely directed in relation to the direction of movement of the insert 2.
When the crate according to the present invention is used and objects are to be removed through one of the openings 6, it is advantageous if the insert 2 may be positionally fixed or locked in the uppermost end position. According to the invention, the surface structure includes means for such positional fixing of the insert. Further such positional fixing measures may be implemented in that the groove 12 is provided with a tapering upper portion where direct clamping of the insert 2 may take place. Furthermore, snap locking devices pure and simple may be utilised for positionally fixing the insert 2 in its upper position.

Claims

Storage crate for objects such as cans, bottles or the like, comprising an outer case (1) with a bottom (18) and corner portions (3) upstanding therefrom, the corner portions being connected at the top to top pieces (4), whereby the outer case has an opening (6) in at least one side wall, an insert (2) disposed in the outer case and provided with compartments (7) for the objects, the insert being, in the vertical direction of the crate, slidable between a lower position where it blocks the opening (6) and an upper position where it permits laterally directed removal of the objects through the opening (6), the insert being guided in the outer case via mutually cooperating guide surfaces (10, 11, 12, 13) in the corner regions of the crate and the insert, characterised in that one or the other of the guide surfaces (12, 13) has a surface structure with projecting and recessed surface portions, whereby the effective friction surface between cooperating surfaces is reduced and diversion or accommodation spaces for foreign matter or particles are created.
Storage crate as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the corner portions (3) are designed as hollow, closed profiles; and that the corner portions have a vertical guide groove (12) formed from the wall material of the profile and constituting the guide surface on the corner portion, while the insert (2) has a guide projection (13) accommodated in the guide groove and constituting the guide surface of the insert, the guide projection having a configuration which is approximately complementary to the configuration of the guide groove.
Storage crate as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the surface structure is disposed on the guide surfaces (13) of the insert (2).
Storage crate as claimed in any one of Claims 1-3, characterised in that the surface structure is formed in that the guide surface has projecting ribs or strips with interjacent depressions.
Storage crate as claimed in any one of Claims 1-3, characterised in that the surface structure is formed by the guide surface being granular.
Storage crate as claimed in any one of Claims 1-5, characterised in that the surface structure includes means for fixedly retaining the insert (2) in the upper end position thereof.