EP0518402B1

EP0518402B1 - Stackable bottle crate

Info

Publication number: EP0518402B1
Application number: EP92201413A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bart Elias
Original assignee: Dw Plastics NV
Current assignee: D.W. PLASTICS, NAAMLOZE VENNOOTSCHAP
Priority date: 1991-06-13
Filing date: 1992-05-19
Publication date: 1995-09-13
Anticipated expiration: 2012-05-19
Also published as: EP0518402A1; BE1005252A6; DE518402T1; ATE127753T1; ES2079782T3; DE69204750D1; DE69204750T2

Abstract

Stackable bottle crate made of plastic, containing a bottom (1), four side walls (2 and 3) standing on it and partitions (4) connected to these which border compartments (5 and 6) for bottles, including four corner compartments (5), characterized in that it is provided with a window (10) in at least two diagonally opposed corners which extends in both side walls (2 and 3) converging in the corner and in that the crate has reinforcement constructions (11 to 15 or 11, 13, 29, 30) on both sides of such a window (10) linked to these converging side walls (2 and 3) which extend from the bottom (1) to nearly the top of the crate. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention concerns a stackable bottle crate made of plastic, containing a bottom, four side walls standing on it and partitions connected to these which border compartments for bottles, including four corner compartments, whereby the crate is provided with a window in at least two diagonally opposed corners which extends in both side walls converging in the corner and the crate has reinforcement constructions on both sides of such a window linked to these converging side walls which extend from the bottom to nearly the top of the crate.
The windows in the corners offer an increased visibility of the bottles in the corresponding corner compartments, whereas the reinforcement constructions, together with the side walls with which they are linked provide sufficient strength in the upright direction. These reinforcement constructions can border the window itself or can be situated at a small distance from the standing edges of the window.
Since the reinforcement constructions aim to absorb the load of a crate stacked upon it, "nearly the top" means either exactly the top or, in those cases where the top crate rests on the underlying crate with an edge penetrating in the open, topmost end, somewhat beneath it.
Bottle crates of the above mentioned kind are disclosed in DE-U-8.702.930 and in DE-U-8.704.845.
These crates are only provided with reinforcement constructions in the upstanding sidewalls. Columns are formed in these sidewalls, on both sides of the windows.
The strenght in the vertical direction and thus also the stackability of the crates are limited, especially when the surface of the windows is great.
The invention aims to provide a bottle crate providing an increased visibility of its contents without jeopardizing the stackability.
To this aim, the crate does not only have a reinforcement construction on both sides of a window situated in a corner, but it also has a reinforcement construction in the corner of the corresponding corner compartment which is diagonally opposed to the window.
According to a particular embodiment of the invention the windows form openings which extend upward to the topmost edge of the side walls and thus give out onto the upper side of the crate.
Especially in this embodiment, the visibility of the bottles in the corner compartments provided with a window is excellent.
The distance between the standing edges of a window is preferably smaller than the diameter of a circle traced by the corresponding corner compartment.
According to a practical embodiment of the invention the crate has a window in all four corners.
The reinforcement constructions may have different forms.
Thus, according to a first embodiment, the reinforcement constructions have wall parts which form at least one standing hollow column with the side walls with which they are linked.
A hollow column structure provides a very great strength with a minimum of material.
According to another embodiment the two reinforcement constructions contain wall parts on both sides of one and the same window which also form the partitions which border the corner compartment onto which the window gives out; these partitions extend from the bottom to practically the upper side of the crate.
The above-mentioned wall parts which form the partitions which border the corner compartment form one single cylindrically bent standing wall part according to a favourable embodiment which, on both sides of the window, links up with the side walls converging in the corner.
These partitions, in particular this bent wall part, functionally border the above-mentioned hollow columns at least partially together with the side walls.
According to another embodiment of the invention the partitions which border a corner compartment are pointed at right angles to each other as usual, but they extend from the bottom over more than half the height of the crate.
Thus, these partitions are higher than usual and must not only separate the bottles from one another in the crate, but must also provide more strength to the crate in the upward direction.
These partitions functionally link up with the side walls at the height of wall parts which form hollow columns together with the side walls.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following description of a stackable bottle crate according to the invention. This description is given by way of example only and without being limitative in any way. The figures refer to the accompanying drawings where:

Figure 1 shows a view in perspective of a stackable bottle crate according to the invention, filled with bottles.
Figure 2 shows a front view of the bottle crate in figure 1;
Figure 3 shows a side view of the bottle crate in the previous figures;
Figure 4 shows a cross-section according to line IV-IV in figure 2;
Figure 5 shows a cross-section according to line V-V in figure 3;
Figure 6 shows the part F6 from figure 2 to a larger scale;
Figure 7 shows a view in perspective analogous to that in figure 1, but in relation to another embodiment of the bottle crate according to the invention;
Figure 8 shows a front view of the bottle crate in figure 7;
Figure 9 shows a side view of the bottle crate in figures 7 and 8;
Figure 10 shows a cross section according to line X-X in figure 8;
Figure 11 shows a cross section according to line XI-XI in figure 9.

The stackable bottle crate of plastic according to the figures 1 to 6 is mainly composed of a rectangular bottom 1 with four rounded angles, two longitudinal standing side walls 2, two cross standing side walls 3 and partitions 4 which divide the crate in six compartments 5 or 6 for a bottle, namely two corner compartments 5 along each cross side wall 3 and the two above-mentioned corner compartments 5 and one middle compartment 6, along each longitudinal side wall 2.
The side walls 2 and 3 and the partitions 4 are at right angles to the bottom 1 and the terms standing, topmost, etc. are given with reference to the bottom 1. This bottom 1 is provided with supporting ribs 7 below in the known manner which fit exactly in the open upper side of an identical crate placed under it, both when stacked in columns or when stacked crosswise, so as to keep the stacked crates from shifting. Between the supporting ribs 7, the bottom 1 has, also in the known manner, recesses 8.
The longitudinal side walls 2 are provided with a window 9 in the middle which gives out onto a middle compartment 6. This window 9 is formed by a longitudinal opening which is pointed at right angles to the bottom 1 with its longitudinal side. The bottommost edge of the window 9 is situated at a distance above the bottom 1 and the topmost edge is situated at a distance from the topmost edge of the side wall 2. The width of the window 9 is smaller than the diameter of a circle traced in the middle compartment 6 and thus is smaller than the diameter of the bottles for which the crate is designed.
A characteristic of the invention is among other things that a window 10 has also been provided in the four corners of the crate. This window 10 follows the bent corner and thus partially extends in a longitudinal side wall 2 and partially in a cross side wall 3. This window 10 forms an opening which extends from a short distance above the bottom 1 to the topmost edge of the crate. The distance between the standing edges of the window 10 is smaller than the diameter of a circle traced in a corner compartment 5.
Further, the windows 10 in the corners are surrounded on both sides by reinforcement constructions, i.e. wall parts 11 to 15 which rest on the bottom 1 and extend uninterruptedly to or almost to the upper side of the crate. They are solid and thus have no openings. Together with parts of the side walls 2 and 3 with which they are linked, they form standing hollow columns 16, 17 and 18. At the bottom, these hollow columns give out onto opening 8 in the bottom 1, but also at the top these hollow columns are partially open. Thus is avoided that water is left behind in the hollow columns when the crates are washed.
The wall parts 11 are almost cylindrically bent and have a radius which corresponds to the radius of the above-mentioned circle traced in a corner compartment 5 but which slightly increases towards the upper side as represented in detail in figure 6. These wall parts 11 border four corner compartments 5 at the inner side and simultaneously form partitions 4 which border the corner compartments and thus which are not only bent, but which also extend over the full height of the crate.
The two wall parts 11 which border the corner compartments 5 along one and the same cross side wall 3, together with the part of this side wall 3 which is situated between the windows 10 giving out onto these corner compartments 5 and with a narrow, strip-shaped wall part 12 which connects the two wall parts 11 to one another at a distance from the side wall, form a first hollow column 16 which is thus situated in the middle of a cross side wall 3, between two corner compartments 5.
Between each of the corner compartments 5 and the middle compartment 6, along a longitudinal side wall 2, a hollow column 17 is formed. This hollow column 17 is bordered by a part of the bent wall part 11 which borders the corner compartment 5 on the inside, a bent wall part 13 which forms a part linked up with the side wall 2 of one of the partitions 4 which border the middle compartment 6, a part of the side wall 2 situated between the wall parts 11 and 13, and a narrow, strip-shaped connecting wall part 14 situated at a distance from the latter which connects the wall parts 11 and 13 to one another. The wall part 13 is practically bent according to a cylinder part having the same radius as the wall parts 11, which is also the radius of a circle traced in a middle compartment 6. Also the radius of the wall part 13 can slightly increase towards the top on the upper side. This wall part 13 only traces almost one quarter of a cylinder and goes over in a connecting wall part 15 at the height of the connecting wall part 14 which connects the two wall parts 13 of two opposed columns 17 in the crate. By means of this connecting wall part 15, the connecting wall parts 14 of the two opposed columns 17 and parts of the two bent wall parts 11 which border the corner compartments 5 situated next to them, a hollow column 18 is formed.
The reinforcement construction which is normally situated in each corner in crates, but which cannot be present in the here described crate because of the windows 10, is hence replaced by three columns, namely the two columns 16 and 17 on both sides of the window 10 and the above-mentioned column 18 inside the crate, diagonally opposed to the window 10 where the partitions 4 which border the corner compartment 5 meet.
The partitions 4 which border a middle compartment 6 contain, apart from two wall parts 13 which extend over the full height of the crate, partition parts 19 which are clearly less high.
In the middle, between the topmost ends of the two connecting wall parts 15 in the crate, a handle 20 is formed.
The embodiment of the bottle crate according to figures 7 to 11, as opposed to the crate described above, is designed for twelve bottles and thus contains twelve compartments 5 and 6. Along a cross side wall 3 there are two corner compartments 5 and one middle compartment 6, whereas along the longitudinal side walls 2 there are two corner compartments 5 and two intermediate compartments 6 and inside also two compartments 6. There is no central handle 20.
The corner compartments 5 are provided with a window 10 giving out on the upper edge of the crate in the same manner as described above which is bordered on both sides by a column 16 or 17 which extends from the bottom 1 to the top of the crate. However, there is an extra column 16 along the cross side wall 3 since the two corner compartments 5 along this side wall 3 are not nearby.
Also the middle compartment 6 along this side wall 3 has been provided with a window 21 between the columns 16 which does not give out onto the upper edge of the crate however. The part of the side wall 3 which is situated above the window 21 which widens somewhat at the top forms a handle. This part contains a wall part 22 which is situated more inwardly and on the outside of which bent ribs 23 have been provided as well as an outwardly pointed edge 24 at the top. As the window 21 widens at the top, the two columns 16 situated on both sides have a somewhat smaller diameter at the top than at the bottom.
In an analogous manner, a window 25 has also been provided between the two columns 17 along each side wall 2 and the part of the side wall 2 situated above the window 25 forms a handle strip. This part contains a wall part 26 which is situated slightly more inwardly than the rest of the side wall. On the outside of this wall part 26 there are bent ribs 23 and at the top also an edge 24 pointed towards the outside. Notches 27 have been provided in the edges 24 in which supporting ribs 7 provided in the bottom 1 of a crate placed on top fit when stacking crosswise.
The bottommost edge of the windows 21 as well as of the windows 25 is formed by an inwardly bent edge 28.
The columns 16 along the side walls 3 and the columns 17 along the side walls 2 are, in the same manner as in the first embodiment according to figures 1 to 6, formed by a part of the corresponding side wall 2 or 3, a wall part 11 which is part of the border of the neighbouring corner compartment 5 and a wall part 13 which is part of the border of the neighbouring compartment 6.
As opposed to the above-mentioned first embodiment the wall parts 11 of a corner compartment do not cylindrically extend between a side wall 2 and a side wall 3 and thus they do not form the entire partition 4 which borders this corner compartment on the inside; however, these wall parts 11 only border the columns 16 and 17. A flat partition part 29 links up with each column 16 and 17, whereby two cross partitions parts 29 which border one and the same corner compartment 5, and with a column 16 on one side of the window 10 in this compartment 5 and a column 17 on the other side of the window 10 respectively, link up with a common round hollow column 30 which extends from the bottom 1 to the top of the crate.
Also in this embodiment, the reinforcement construction which is normally provided in the corner of the crate has been replaced by three columns, namely the columns 16 and 17 on both sides of the window 10 in the corner and the column 30 which is diagonally opposed to the window in the corner of the corner compartment 5.
Also between the two columns 30 which are thus situated between two opposed columns 17, there is such a partition part 29.
As is particularly clear in figure 11, these partition parts 29 are apparently higher than the normal partitions 4 which do not contain such a partition part 29. At the top, the partition parts have been cut in a V-shape and the middlemost lowest point is situated at almost 3/4 of the height of the crate.
The partitions 4 which border compartments 6 situated inside and which link up with a column 30 have a part 31 sloping upwards against this column.
The columns 16, 17 and 30, reinforced by partition parts 29 and parts 31, form among others on both sides of the windows 10 reinforcement constructions which compensate for the weakening caused by the windows 10 in the corners of the crate and which make it possible to stack the crates, both in columns and crosswise.
The crates described above offer a striking and nice view. Because the corners are provided with a window 10 giving out onto the upper side, the bottles in the corner compartments 5 are very well visible. From any position whatsoever, it is possible to see what bottles are contained in the crate. Nevertheless, the crates are sufficiently strong in the upward direction to be stacked, both in columns and crosswise. The hollow columns which normally would have been provided in the corners have been provided elsewhere, namely along the corner compartments 5. On top of this, hollow columns 17 have been formed in the longitudinal side walls 2 at distances in the longitudinal direction which correspond with the width of the crate, such that also when stacking crosswise the hollow columns are sufficiently strong.
All these reinforcement constructions are entirely situated inside the crate. No reinforcement constructions have been provided on the outside, which is usually the case in the known crates.
The side walls 2 and 3 may be locally provided on their outside with ribs or protruding parts, for example along their bottommost edge and at the top. Ribs may for example follow the bottommost edges of the windows and possibly extend over the parts of the side walls situated between the windows.
The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described above; on the contrary, many modifications can be made to this embodiment, among others as far as form, composition, arrangement and the number of parts used for the realization of the invention are concerned, while still remaining within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

Stackable bottle crate made of plastic, containing a bottom (1), four side walls (2 and 3) standing on it and partitions (4) connected to these which border compartments (5 and 6) for bottles, including four corner compartments (5), whereby the crate is provided with a window (10) in at least two diagonally opposed corners which extends in both side walls (2 and 3) converging in the corner and the crate has reinforcement constructions (11 to 15 or 11, 13, 29, 30) on both sides of such a window (10) linked to these converging side walls (2 and 3) which extend from the bottom (1) to nearly the top of the crate. characterized in that it does not only have a reinforcement construction (11, 12, 14 and 11, 13, 14 or 11, 13) on both sides of a window (10) situated in a corner, but in that it also has a reinforcement construction (11, 14, 15 or 30) in the corner of the corresponding corner compartment which is diagonally opposed to the window (10).
Stackable bottle crate according to the above claim, characterized in that the windows (10) form openings which extend upward to the topmost edge of the side walls (2 and 3) and thus give out onto the upper side of the crate.
Stackable bottle crate according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the distance between the upward edges of a window (10) is smaller than the diameter of a circle traced by the corresponding corner compartment (5).
Stackable bottle crate according to any of the above claims, characterized in that it is provided with a window (10) in all four corners.
Stackable bottle crate according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the reinforcement constructions (11 to 15 or 11, 13, 29, 30) have wall parts (11, 12 or 11, 13, 14 or 11, 13) which form at least one upward hollow column (16, 17) together with the side walls (2 or 3) with which they are linked.
Stackable bottle crate according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the two reinforcement constructions (11) on both sides of one and the same window (10) simultaneously form at least part of the partitions (4) which border the corner compartment (5) onto which the window (10) gives out, whereby these partitions (4) extend from the bottom (1) to practically the upper side of the crate.
Stackable bottle crate according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the wall parts (11) forming the partitions (4) which border a corner compartment (5) form one single, almost cylindrically bent standing wall part (11) which, on both sides of the window (10), links up with the side walls (2 and 3) converging in the corner.
Stackable bottle crate according to claim 5 and any of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the partitions (4) which are formed by reinforcement constructions and a corner compartment (5) onto which a window (10) gives out, together with the side walls (2 and 3) border the hollow columns (16 and 17) at least partly on both sides of the window (10).
Stackable bottle crate according to any of the above claims, characterized in that along at least two opposite side walls (2), it has at least one intermediate compartment (6) apart from two corner compartments (5) and in that a part of a partition (4), between a corner compartment (5) and an intermediate compartment (6), forms a wall part (13) which is part of the reinforcement construction (11, 14, 13 or 11, 13) on a side of the window (10) which gives out onto the corner compartment (5).
Stackable bottle crate according to claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the wall part (13) which is part of a partition (4) between a corner compartment (5) and an intermediate compartment (6) also partly borders the hollow column (17) next to the window (10) which gives out onto this corner compartment (5).
Stackable bottle crate according to claims 8 and 10, characterized in that the hollow columns (16 and 17) are bordered on the inside by strip-shaped connecting wall parts (14) which connect the wall parts (11 and 13) which are part of a partition (4) which borders the corner compartment (5) and of a partition (4) respectively which partly borders an intermediate compartment.
Stackable bottle crate according to any of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that along two opposite side walls (3) are situated only two corner compartments (5) and in that the wall parts (13) which are part of the partitions (4) are connected to one another between each of these corner compartments (5) and a neighbouring intermediate compartment (6) along another side wall (2) by means of a connecting wall part (15) which extends from the bottom (1) to nearly the top of the crate.
Stackable bottle crate according to claim 12, characterized in that the connecting wall part (15) borders a column (18) situated inside which, where the three partitions (4) meet which separate two neighbouring corner compartments (5) from one another and from neighbouring intermediate compartments (6) and which border columns (16 and 17) on both sides of the windows (10) in the corners of the corner compartments.
Stackable bottle crate according to any of claims 12 and 13, characterized in that it contains two rows of three compartments (5 and 6) and thus two connecting wall parts (15), and in that a handle (20) has been applied between the upper sides of these connecting wall parts (15).
Stackable bottle crate according to any of claims 13 and 14, characterized in that a handle (20) has been provided between two columns (18) situated inside.
Stackable bottle crate according to any of the above claims, characterized in that along two opposite side walls (2), apart from two corner compartments (5) it contains at least an intermediate compartment (6) and in that in these side walls (2), opposite to this intermediate compartment (6), also a window (9) has been provided, whereby this window (9) extends from a distance from the bottom (1) to a distance from the topmost edge of the side wall (2).
Stackable crate according to any of the above claims, characterized in that each of the reinforcement constructions (11, 13, 29, 30) on both sides of a window (10) of a corner compartment (5) also forms a part of a partition (4) which borders the corner compartment (5) and contains a partition part (29) which extends from the bottom (1) over at least half the height of the crate.
Stackable crate according to claims 5 and 17, characterized in that it has a column (16, 17) on both sides of a window (10) of a corner compartment (5), in that the partitions (4) of this corner compartment (5) are at right angles and each contain a partition part (29) which on the one hand links up with a column (16 or 17) and on the other hand with one and the same column (30) situated between the partition parts (29) which extends from the bottom (1) to the top of the crate.
Stackable crate according to any of the above claims, characterized in that it contains two corner compartments (5) along the cross standing side walls (3) and an intermediate compartment (6) and in that a partition part (29) has been provided between the two columns (30) with which the partition parts (29) of these corner compartments (5) link up which extends over at least half the height of the crate.
Stackable crate according to claims 18 and 19, characterized in that both in the cross side walls (3) and in the longitudinal side walls (2) a window (9 or 21) has been provided on top of which is situated a handle strip which contains a wall part (22 or 26) which is situated more inwardly than the outside of the columns (16 or 17) which are situated in the same side wall next to a window (10) of a corner compartment (5), ribs (23) standing on the outside of this wall part (22 or 26) and a protruding top edge (24).