EP0612666B1 - Container stockable after rotation - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container which is stackable after rotation and has a cross-section which tapers from the top to the bottom. The invention consists in that at least one side wall is stepped. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a rotary stacking container with a cross section that tapers from top to bottom. Known rotary stacking containers have an asymmetrical cross-sectional shape, so that its bottom sits in one rotational position on the upper edge of the lower container, in the other position, rotated by 180 ° about the vertical central axis, into the container underneath.

A stackable and nestable container is known from FR-1,587,766, which has a step approximately halfway up its side wall. This container is designed so that on the one hand it can be placed on a similar container and on the other hand it is immersed in a similar container after it has been rotated by 180 °. When nesting the container, the step formed in the side wall also serves as a support. The nest ratio here is about 1: 2.

A stackable and nestable container is also known from CH-446 172, although it has specially designed projections which are designed in a step-like manner. These steps do not extend over the entire side wall of the container, but are comparatively narrow and also serve as supports when nesting the container.

This known rotary stacking container has smooth side surfaces inclined against the solder. In one rotational position, therefore, the side walls of the containers, when they are immersed in one another, that is to say they are nested, usually lie tightly against one another, so that the containers jam when taken apart, or, because the air cannot flow in due to the tight contact of the walls, stick to one another, especially if the walls are damp. Dismantling these nested containers is therefore often difficult.

The invention has for its object to facilitate the handling of these containers.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that at least one side wall is stepped several times, at least two steps being formed in the side wall, through which the cross section of the rotary stacking container tapers from top to bottom. The advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the nested containers can be pulled apart more easily since the pressure difference that arises between the side walls during the disassembly Air can easily flow in and the walls of the two containers are not so close together. In particular, however, the steps in the side wall serve to give the side wall greater stability, so that on the one hand the container on this side wall bulges less when it is filled, for example, with a bulk material or a liquid, and on the other hand this greater rigidity prevents that When the nested containers are pulled apart, the side walls are even closer together due to the pressure difference.

In one embodiment of the invention the sections between the steps are perpendicular, in other embodiments of the invention these sections are inclined with respect to the solder, e.g. only by a few degrees.

The individual steps can have right-angled faces. In one embodiment of the invention, however, these shoulders have an angle of 45 ° with respect to the perpendicular. This inclination of the shoulders or front of the steps favors the afterflow of air when pulling nested containers apart.

In embodiments of the invention, it is sufficient if a side surface of the container has the gradations according to the invention, namely on those side surfaces which abut one another when nesting. In other embodiments of the invention, the gradations according to the invention are provided on opposite side walls, expediently on the longitudinal side walls. In this case, the non-circular wall shapes are arranged on the narrow sides, so that this design alone gives the narrow side surface the necessary rigidity.

By increasing the rigidity according to the invention, the floor area can also be chosen to be larger for a given nest ratio, as a result of which the stability of the container is increased compared to the containers in which all four side walls are inclined downwards and inwards. In addition, the volume of the container increases for a given nest ratio. Due to the steps according to the invention in the longitudinal side surface, with an appropriate wall thickness and inclination of the side walls, an unusually high nest ratio of 1/5 can be achieved.

Known rotary stacking containers have an asymmetrical cross-sectional shape, so that its bottom sits in one rotational position on the upper edge of the lower container, but in the other position, rotated by 180 ° about the vertical central axis, dips into the container below. This condition places limits on the design of the container cross-section, which lead to the fact that in the stacked position only relatively small areas of the bottom sit on the upper edge of the next lower container. In a known rotary stacking container, a small, angular projection is provided on its upper edge, which engages in a corresponding recess on the side surface of the bottom (Coca-Cola® rotating stacking container).

In one embodiment of the invention, on the other hand, at least one of the points on the upper container edge on which the bottom of the next higher container is seated when stacked, the surfaces intended to support the upper container are recessed in a head piece of the container, and in at least one of these recesses a vertical projection is arranged for engagement in the bottom of the upper container, a corresponding receptacle for this projection being provided on the underside of the bottom rotated through 180 ° about the vertical central axis.

This inventive design of the container is used for stable mounting and also for centering boxes stacked on top of one another. It ensures a form-fitting connection between the boxes even if one half of the box detaches itself from the stacked assembly for a short time, for example due to a vibration during transport, and thereby detaches itself from the centering devices of known containers. The depressions can be so large that the parts sitting on the head piece (bulges of the walls) at the bottom of the container can enter the depressions easily and with a certain amount of play, so that the container does not have to have a particularly precise position when it is put on. The protrusion in the recess prevents the wall of the upper container from inward from the recess slips when the bottom parts on the opposite side have come out of the recesses for some reason.

In embodiments of the invention, the depressions and surfaces engaging in them, intended to support the upper container, run approximately trapezoidal on the container bottom.

The depressions and bulges of the side wall on the container bottom engaging in these can be realized in various ways. At its upper end, the head piece preferably has outwardly projecting flanges in which the depressions are provided. The bulges of the side wall then run accordingly. When stacking, the upper box dips into the lower box by the height of the recess.

Below the outer edge of the flanges there is an essentially rectilinear flange which can be designed in sections to form a grip strip.

In one embodiment of the invention, the depressions open into the interior of the container. As a result, the bulges on the container base engaging in this depression can be produced particularly easily, since they can then lie in one plane with the underside of the base.

This embodiment of the invention can be further developed in such a way that the vertical projections in the recesses are arranged in connection with the edge of the recess facing the interior, so that, for example the wall of the projection facing the interior of the container extends in a plane with a subsequent section of the container wall.

Known transport containers can be nested inside one another when empty and thus take up little space. If the containers are lined up, only the upper edges of adjacent containers abut each other in the known containers. Since the cross-section of the container tapers, the side walls already slope from the upper container edge or from a small distance below the upper edge, so that between the adjacent containers there is only line contact, at best surface contact of an edge section which has only an insignificant height. If you want to transport several containers lined up, it is in many cases desirable to wrap these containers around with a belt so that these containers remain lined up closely during transport. If the band is wrapped in the area of the inclined surfaces, the band slides down. Or the containers do not remain vertical, but the inclined surfaces of adjacent containers lie against each other, so that the containers assume an inclined position according to the inclination of the wall surfaces or at least pivot in this direction by an angle.

In contrast, in one embodiment of the invention, the upper edge of the container is designed as a head piece with vertical outer walls, and the surface of these outer walls is at least in sections in areas in which closely spaced containers abut one another in such a way that their frictional resistance to a smooth surface is increased.

An advantage of this embodiment is that the containers not only have a line contact at their upper edge, but also vertical surfaces lie against one another and can therefore also absorb forces in this area which are exerted on the containers perpendicularly to these outer walls by a tensioning strap or the like . The increased frictional resistance of the adjoining surfaces against lateral displacement of the containers against one another prevents individual containers from moving or shifting when a band enclosing several containers is tensioned. This also significantly increases the stability of the container assembly and thus the transport security of such an assembly.

An increased frictional resistance against lateral displacement compared to a smooth surface can be achieved in embodiments of the invention by simply roughening the surfaces. In other embodiments of the invention, this resistance is achieved by interlocking interlocking parts of the two adjacent containers. As a result, the containers get caught, so that the cohesion of such a container assembly is ensured.

The invention can be realized in many configurations between an additional roughening of the surface to increase the surface friction value and a positive interlocking of parts to prevent lateral displacement. In one embodiment of the invention, interlocking parts have, for example Teeth on, so that a displacement of containers can only take place if the interlocking parts of the container come out of the teeth.

In embodiments of the invention, the interlocking parts can also have strips whose outer edge can have a step.

The parts which interlock to increase the surface frictional resistance can also have toothed racks and strips running at right angles to them. For example, several racks can be arranged at a distance from one another. These racks can be connected to one another, for example, by transversely extending strips, which avoid that parts engaging in the racks do not run up on the flanks of the teeth, but are fixed in a position in which they engage in the tooth base of the teeth of the racks. All the embodiments of the invention in which the lateral displacement of adjacent containers is prevented by interlocking interlocking parts have the advantage that these parts can also serve to fix and adjust the position of the containers.

Fig. 1

zeigt eine Draufsicht auf den oberen Rand einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Behälters in vereinfachter Darstellung der unterschiedlichen Wandformen.

Fig. 2

Zeigt eine Draufsicht von unten lediglich auf den Behälterboden, ebenfalls in vereinfachter Darstellung des Randverlaufes;

Fig. 3

zeigt eine Seitenansicht des Behälters.

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht auf den oberen Rand einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Behälters;

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht von unten lediglich auf den Behälterboden des in Fig. 4 dargestellten Behälters;

Fig. 6

eine der Fig. 4 entsprechende Darstellung, jedoch ist der Boden des beim Stapeln nächst oberen, auf dem unteren Behälter aufsitzenden Behälters gestrichelt eingezeichnet;

Fig. 7

zeigt einen Schnitt nach der Linie VII-VII der Fig. 6 in größerem Maßstab.

Fig. 8

eine Ansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters;

Fig. 9

einen Ausschnitt aus der Fig. 8 in größerem Maßstab;

Fig.10

eine Draufsicht auf einen Verbund von vier nebeneinander angeordneten Behältern und

Fig.11

einen Schnitt nach der Linie XI-XI der Fig. 9.

Further features of the invention result from the following description of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the claims and the drawing. The individual features can be implemented individually or in groups in embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1

shows a plan view of the upper edge of an embodiment of the container according to the invention in a simplified representation of the different wall shapes.

Fig. 2

Shows a plan view from below only on the container bottom, also in a simplified representation of the edge course;

Fig. 3

shows a side view of the container.

Fig. 4

a plan view of the upper edge of an embodiment of the container according to the invention;

Fig. 5

a plan view from below only on the container bottom of the container shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6

4 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 4, but the bottom of the container which is the next highest when stacking and is seated on the lower container is shown in broken lines;

Fig. 7

shows a section along the line VII-VII of Fig. 6 on a larger scale.

Fig. 8

a view of a further embodiment of a container according to the invention;

Fig. 9

a section of Figure 8 on a larger scale.

Fig. 10

a plan view of a composite of four containers and arranged side by side

Fig. 11

a section along the line XI-XI of Fig. 9th

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the container 1 at the upper end of its side walls 23, 24 has flanges 2 and 3 standing radially outwards. The profile of the side wall 23 has projections 4, 5 and 6 and indentations 7 and 8. The side wall 24 has projections 9 and 10 and indentations 11 and 12. In the embodiment shown, the upper end of the container forms a head piece 17, the walls of which extend perpendicularly. These projections and indentations continue in the side wall inclined against the solder down to the bottom of the container and are designated by 13 to 16 in FIG. 2. If a container in the rotational position shown in FIG. 2 is placed in a container arranged below it in the position according to FIG. 1, the projections 13 to 16 pass through the indentations 7, 8, 11, 12 in the head piece 17. In the adjoining side walls, the indentations 18 and 19 continue, in which the projections of the bottom and the side wall of an upper container can slide downwards. The indentations 18 and 19 have their counterparts on the opposite side.

If, for example, the upper container is rotated from its position shown in FIG. 2 by 180 ° about its vertical central axis, it can be seen that the projections 13 to 16 of the bottom and the side wall extend onto the projections 4, 6 and 9, 10 of the Put on headpiece 17 so that the upper container cannot dip into the lower container.

The projections and recesses shown in the drawing are only shown by way of example and without going into detail in order to explain the function of the rotary stacking container.

According to the invention, the longitudinal side surfaces of the container are stepped. The individual sections 20 run in almost vertical planes. Between the sections 20 there are steps 21 through which the cross section of the container tapers from top to bottom. The end faces or shoulder surfaces of these steps 21 run at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the perpendicular. In embodiments of the invention, this angle can be from the box angle to 135 ° relative to the perpendicular, but preferably 45 ° or 30 °.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, a container 31 has flanges 32 and 33 projecting radially outwards at the upper end of its narrow side walls 53, 54. The profile of a side wall 53 has inwardly directed projections 34, 35, 36 and outwardly directed bulges 37 and 38. An opposite side wall 54 has inward projections 39 and 40 as well as outward bulges 41 and 42. In the embodiment shown, the upper end of the container forms a head piece 47, the outer wall sections 46 of which adjoin the outer edge of the flanges 32 and 33 in a vertical manner. The projections and bulges continue in the inclined side walls 53, 54 inclined towards the solder down to the container bottom, taper and can have shoulders. If a container in the rotational position shown in Fig. 5 in 4 (boxed), the bulges 37, 38, 41, 42 of the base 55 enter the bulges 37, 38, 41, 42 in the head piece 47 and the upper container slides downward.

If the upper container is rotated by 180 ° about its vertical central axis from the position shown in FIG. 5, it can be seen from FIG. 6 that the protrusions 37, 38, 41, 42 in the plane of the bottom relate to the projections 34, 36, 39, 40 in the plane of the head piece 47 of the container below, so that the upper container cannot dip into the lower container.

The projections and bulges shown in the drawing are only shown by way of example and without going into detail in order to explain the function of the rotary stacking container.

Fig. 7 shows in an enlarged section along the line VII-VII Fig. 6, how the bulge 41 of the bottom of the next higher container sits on the projection 34 in the head piece 47 of the next lower container during stacking. For this purpose, the projection 34 has at its upper end in the flange 32 a recess 43, the depth of which can be, for example, 13 mm. The walls of this recess 43 enclose an approximately trapezoidal cross section of the recess 43, which is larger than the cross section of the bulge 41 at the lower end of the bottom of a container. Approximately in the middle of the recess 43 there is an upright bolt 44 on the bottom thereof, which is about half as high as the recess is deep. The bolt 44 is inclined Sidewalls and an approximately triangular or trapezoidal cross-section, the shape of which corresponds approximately to the cross-sectional shape of a recess 52 at the lower end of the bulge 41, but which is smaller than this recess 52.

A vertical section 45 of the projection 34 of the wall 53 adjoins the side surface of the bolt facing the interior of the container. Below this section 45, the wall 53 runs with an inward inclination. The longitudinal side surfaces of the container, like the narrow side surfaces 53 and 54, also slope towards the solder, so that the container cross-section tapers downwards on all sides. Instead of smooth, inclined walls, the container can also have stepped walls, the sections between the steps of which can either run perpendicularly or also inclined towards the solder. The container cross-section tapers downwards so that the containers can be nested one inside the other. When nesting, the upper container dips into the lower container until the head piece 47 of the upper container is seated on the head piece 47 of the lower container. For this purpose, the head piece at the lower end of its outer wall sections 46 has an outwardly projecting edge 48 which runs along the longitudinal side walls of the container and a short distance along the narrow side wall and which is nestled on the flange 32 of the next lower container. The lower end 50 of the upper container is in the region of a horizontal section 51 of the next lower container. This wall 51 can also serve as a stop for immersing the upper container.

The inclined surfaces on the bolt 34 center the one placed thereon Container on the lower container. The bolt 44 also reduces the risk that, in the event of strong vibrations in the region of the opposite narrow side wall 54, in which the projections 37 and 38 may jump out of the recesses 43, the wall 54 of the upper container emerges from the recess 43 in the side wall 53 inwards slips. Such securing by the bolt 44 is particularly desirable if, when stacked, the upper container is seated on the upper edge of the lower container only with comparatively small areas and there is a risk of the floor 55 bending due to a particularly large load.

A bar 49 extends over the entire circumference of the container and is formed in the middle of the narrow side walls as a handle bar that it extends slightly downward, so that in the space between it and the outer surface of the wall 53 and 54 space for the fingers of the carrying Hand is present.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, a container 72 has four inclined side walls 61, so that the cross section of the container tapers from its upper edge 62 to its bottom 63. At its upper edge 62, the container has vertical wall sections 64 which are either formed by a section of the side walls 61 or are formed by aprons which are bent from the upper edge 62 of the container and form a head piece 65 with vertical outer walls.

10 shows a top view of four containers, which are placed close to one another and whose head pieces 65 abut one another. In this arrangement, the four containers 72, 72 'can be looped around at the level of the head pieces 65 by means of a tension band. So that the containers do not stand transversely when tensioning a tensioning strap and so that the containers do not move against each other in the event of any vibrations or under the influence of forces acting from the side, devices are provided on the vertical outer surfaces of the head piece, which in corresponding devices on the adjacent Intervene containers so that these containers interlock. Such a device is shown in view in FIG. 9. It consists of three spaced-apart toothed racks 67 which extend over the entire height of the vertical wall section 64. Horizontal bars 68 run transversely to the toothed racks 67 and are also arranged on a horizontal flange 69 which closes the wall 64 at the top and on a flange 70 which closes off the horizontal wall 64 at the bottom. The outer end face of the strips 68 has a step 71.

The entire device for fixing two adjacent containers 72, 72 'is designated by 73. On the section of the vertical wall of the head piece 65 of the adjacent container 72 ', which abuts the device 73, there is a counterpart 73' to the device 73, the parts of which are correspondingly designated in FIG. 11. If the containers are pushed together, the toothed racks 67, 67 'and the strips 71, 71' engage tightly with one another, so that a firm bond is produced.

On the left edge of FIG. 9 is the side view of a like the device 73 for fixing the container serving device 74 is indicated, which is arranged on a container side wall adjoining the left edge of the wall section 64 at right angles.

The invention can be advantageously implemented in all containers which have a head piece with perpendicular walls, in particular if this head piece has a rectangular cross section. In this case, the container carrying the head piece can also have a round cross section, for example. Finally, the invention can also be implemented if the head piece does not have a rectangular cross-section, but instead has, for example, a circular or oval cross section or a cross section which has a straight side and an arcuate side.

The device according to the invention has the advantage that, on the one hand, it prevents mutual displacement of the containers, for example also displacement in the vertical direction, but, on the other hand, it does not obstruct the movement of two containers at right angles to the vertical surfaces from one another, i.e. does not hinder the disassembly of the assembly or the like. If interlocking parts are therefore used to increase the frictional resistance of the surface, only those parts are used in embodiments of the invention which do not, or only slightly, oppose movement of the adjacent containers perpendicular to the vertical wall sections.

Claims (13)

1. Container stackable after rotation having a cross-section tapering downwardly, characterized in that at least one side wall has a plurality of steps, wherein at least two steps are formed in the side wall by means of which the cross-section of the container stackable after rotation tapers from the upward to the downward direction.
2. Container stackable after rotation according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall sections (20) located between the steps (21) of the side wall are vertical.
3. Container stackable after rotation according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall sections (20) located between the steps (21) of the side walls are at an angle with respect to the vertical.
4. Container stackable after rotation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front surfaces of the steps (21) exhibit an angle of 45° with respect to the vertical.
5. Container stackable after rotation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surfaces which are designed for supporting the upper container are arranged in impressions in a container head piece (47) at at least one of the upper container edge (47) locations at which the floor (55) of the next higher stacked container seats and, in at least one of these impressions (43), a vertical protrusion (44) is arranged for engagement with the floor of the upper container and a corresponding receptacle (52) for this protrusion (44) is provided on the lower side of the floor rotated by 180° about the vertical middle axis.
6. Container stackable after rotation according to claim 5 characterized in that the head piece (47) exhibits outwardly projecting flanges (32, 33) on its upper end having impressions (43).
7. Containers stackable after rotation according to claim 5 or 6 characterized in that a straight flange (49) is provided for below the outer edge of the flanges (32, 33).
8. Container stackable after rotation according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that vertical protrusions (44) and impressions (43) for receiving dents are provided for at a separation from the outer edge of the flanges (32, 33).
9. Container stackable after rotation according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that its upper edge is configured as a head piece (65) having vertical outer walls (64) and the surfaces of these outer walls (64) are configured, at least sectionwise in regions at which closely stacked containers (72, 72') are mutually adjacent, such that the frictional resistance is increased compared to that of a smooth surface.
10. Container stackable after rotation according to claim 9, characterized in that the surfaces of adjacent components are roughened.
11. Container stackable after rotation according to claim 9, characterized in that protrusions (67, 68) are provided for in mutually adjacent surfaces which interlock.
12. Container stackable after rotation according to claim 11 characterized in that openings are provided for in mutually adjacent surfaces into which the protrusions engage.
13. Container stackable after rotation according to one of the claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the components (67) mutually engaging each other exhibit toothed racks and strips (68) running perpendicular thereto.

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