EP0677455B1 - Small container - Google Patents

Abstract

The cylindrical container (2) has a system (16,18), to form a slide/plug-in connection, at right angles to the direction of insertion, with a second similar container. The containers may roll off each other in circumferential direction, but are positively retained in radial direction. The system is formed by alternating corresponding apertures (18) and recesses (16) which lock with each other. Both are dovetail- shaped, and are positioned continuously around the circumference of the container. The complete connection system consists of an elastic material. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a small container, in particular made of plastic, with at least one cylindrical, in particular circular cylindrical section, with one in the area of the cylindrical peripheral surface Section located device for producing a positive sliding plug connection with at least one Another such small container.

Such a small container is from DE-A-41 19 252 known. The small container described there has one Plastic molded body with an upper and a lower part and can hold various objects. Top and Bottom part are separable. The device for manufacturing a positive sliding plug connection this Small container consists of a variety of dovetail-shaped Cutouts and surveys on the circumference of the small container, so several such small containers with this Possibility of rigidly pluggable or push-fit connection are. In addition to being used as a small container, i.e. as a means of transport and packaging, the Small container as a plug-in component of a plug-in modular toy be used. Such small containers are e.g. used as the content of hollow bodies such as chocolate eggs and take in their Function as packaging material e.g. Toy parts as Surprise article on. As a toy in the form of a plug-in module, several small containers can be put together in a variety of combinations but always only a static structure as a result results. These purely static combination options however, the small containers are sufficient for use as an interesting one and versatile toys are not enough.

The invention is therefore based on the technical problem a generic small container on simple and effective Way to improve such that both a variety of static as well as flexible combination options exists and the small container more diverse can be used as a toy.

This task is accomplished by a small container, in particular made of plastic, with at least one cylindrical, in particular circular cylindrical section, with one in the area the cylindrical peripheral surface of this section located device for producing a positive Sliding-plug connection with at least one solved another such small container, which is characterized is that the small container with its facility to establish the push-plug connection perpendicular to Mating direction on a similarly designed device another such small container in the circumferential direction can be unrolled and always in the radial direction is held positively. For this purpose it has also found advantageous that in the inventive Small container the device for manufacturing of a sliding plug connection on an area of the cylindrical circumferential surface of the small container alternating, coordinated recesses and surveys, the form-fitting slide-plug connection Intervention of at least one elevation in a recess is producible, and the elevations and recesses so trained and their divisions and distances to each other so are chosen and coordinated with each other that when rolling two small containers on top of each other in the rolling direction leading survey already in positive engagement with the next recess before it is in the unwinding direction lagging and current with a recess engaging survey from the positive engagement solves.

The advantage of the small container according to the invention lies not only in that several such small containers arbitrarily statically combinable in different directions or dimensions are, so that there are diverse shapes and constructions let form, being stable and again releasable connection between several small containers is, but also in the fact that at the same time stable create movable structures so that the application possibilities increased and game and amusement value be increased.

This can be realized particularly cheaply if the recesses and elevations dovetail-shaped are. However, the configuration according to the invention is not limited to this form.

Are the surveys and cutouts continuous around the entire circumference of the small container is arranged around a large range of movement and rolling can be achieved.

Furthermore, it is for form-fitting unrollability of great advantage if the device to manufacture a push-plug connection made of an elastic material is made.

To expand the possible combinations of several small containers according to the invention and to increase the Play value has proven to be an advantage that at least a coupling element on one end of the small container to create a releasable connection with provided at least one other such small container is. A coupling element in particular has been used for this purpose proven suitable that a bayonet-like Component or another suitable connector or the like.

Especially for larger small containers according to the invention it is of considerable benefit that the small container and / or on the device for producing the sliding plug connection a stop is provided so that a Sliding-plug connection only from one insertion direction can be produced. While small, inventive Small containers easily slide through the push-plug connection at the facility for making this connection occurring frictional forces can be kept, it is with larger small containers according to the invention possible that with a corresponding position of the small containers Sliding-plug connection is released by a small container due to its high weight, the frictional forces overcomes and slips out of engagement. This will be effective through the design measure described above prevented.

An embodiment of the invention with further details and advantageous developments are as follows described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht zweier erfindungsgemäßer Kleinbehälter einer ersten Ausführungsform beim Einsteckvorgang;

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf einen erfindungsgemäßen Kleinbehälter der ersten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 3

eine Seiten-Schnittansicht des Kleinbehälters nach Fig. 1;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Draufsicht auf zwei erfindungsgemäße Kleinbehälter im Eingriff miteinander;

Fig. 5

eine schematische Detailansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Einrichtung zur Herstellung einer Schiebe-Steck-Verbindung;

Fig. 6

eine Detailansicht zweier ineinandergreifender Einrichtungen zur Herstellung der Schiebe-Steck-Verbindung im statischen Zustand.

Fig. 7

eine Darstellung des Prinzips des erfindungsgemäßen, formschlüssigen Abrollvorganges in einer ersten Phase;

Fig. 8

eine Darstellung des Prinzips des erfindungsgemäßen, formschlüssigen Abrollvorganges in einer zweiten Phase; und

Fig. 9

eine zweite Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Kleinbehälters.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a side view of two small containers according to the invention of a first embodiment during the insertion process;

Fig. 2

a plan view of a small container according to the invention of the first embodiment;

Fig. 3

a sectional side view of the small container of FIG. 1;

Fig. 4

a schematic plan view of two small containers according to the invention in engagement with each other;

Fig. 5

is a schematic detailed view of the device according to the invention for producing a slide-plug connection;

Fig. 6

a detailed view of two interlocking devices for producing the slide-plug connection in the static state.

Fig. 7

a representation of the principle of the positive rolling process according to the invention in a first phase;

Fig. 8

a representation of the principle of the positive rolling process according to the invention in a second phase; and

Fig. 9

a second embodiment of the small container according to the invention.

In Fig. 1 the process of pushing one another or -plugging two small containers 2 by means of their facilities 16, 18 for producing a positive sliding plug connection shown. The direction of insertion is indicated by a thick arrow. The device 16, 18th will be described in more detail below. The small containers 2 are essentially cylindrical constructed and have rounded ends at the end of the long side on, which merge into flattened end sections. The lateral surfaces of the small containers 2 are cylindrical shaped.

On the two end sections of the small container 2 is a coupling element 14 for producing a releasable connection with at least one other Small container 2 provided so that the small container with opposite their respective end sections are connectable.

The small container 2 has a circular cylindrical Section 8, the diameter of which is slight in the present case larger than the diameter of the small container 2 itself is. However, this measure is not mandatory and the diameter of the circular cylindrical section 8 can also assume the diameter of the small container 2. in the Area of the cylindrical peripheral surface of section 8 is a device 16, 18 for producing a positive Sliding-plug connection with at least one further such small container 2 arranged.

As can be clearly seen in the top view of FIG. 2, the Device 16, 18 for producing a positive Sliding-plug connection continuously around the entire circumference of the cylindrical section 8 or the small container 2 arranged around. However, it is equally conceivable that Device 16, 18 only on a portion of the cylindrical Section 8 or the small container 2 form. The attachment is also in such an embodiment a facility to limit the area Rolling movement of two small containers put together 2 conceivable. It can e.g. to act as an attack.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the small container 2 has lid-shaped upper part 4 and a lower part 6. The bottom part 6 has a retracted edge over which the top 4 is put over. The retracted is for locking Edge provided with a bead 10. Suitable for the bead 10 the upper part 4 has a groove 12. When postponing the The upper part 4 snaps onto the lower part 6 of the ring-shaped Bead 10 in the annular groove 12, so that a lock is achieved. Both in Fig. 3 and the 1 and 2 is the design of the coupling element 14 on the end sections of the small container 2 recognizable. The coupling element 14 on the lower part 6 of the Small container 2 consists in the present case of a Projection, which consists of a hook element arranged on a circle with radially inward hook ends. The hook elements enclose a recess. On the front section of the upper part 4 is a corresponding one Projection provided, the circular pot-like with radially outwardly directed hook elements for insertion in the recesses of the coupling element 14 of the lower part 6 and for bayonet-type turning into the connecting position is trained. At the end of the connection position a stop can be provided.

Another embodiment of the coupling element 14 can For example, be designed so that at the end portions the small container 2 in turn matched Projections are provided. There is a 4 in the upper part Provided projection, which in the end section has button-like bulge. The lower part 6 points against it a tab that comes with an edge or ring circular recess, which is larger than the projection of the top is. The upper part 4 can be so put the lower part 6 together. However, it is also possible when the small container 2 is closed, i.e. after putting the upper part 4 on the lower part 6 and Snap the bead 10 into the groove 12, a connection make several similar small containers 2. This happens in the way described above.

As an alternative to the coupling elements 14 described above, those on the upper part 4 and the lower part 6 of the small container each are different, are also arbitrary other suitable plug connections, including for the upper part 4 and lower part 6 similarly designed plug connections, applicable.

4 is a top view of the principle of static Intervention of the device 16, 18 for production a form-fitting sliding plug connection of two Small container 2 clarifies. From the drawing it can be seen that the device for making a sliding plug connection from itself on the circular cylindrical Section 8 of the small container 2 alternating elevations 16 and recesses 18 that are continuous around the entire Scope of the circular cylindrical section 8 or Small container 2 are arranged around. The surveys 16 and the recesses 18 are each dovetail-shaped educated.

Fig. 5 shows the elevations 16 and recesses 18 in more detail. The dimensions of the elevations 16 and recesses 18 on which the present exemplary embodiment is based and the most important dimensions of the small container 2 (see also FIG. 1) are listed in Table 1 below: Dimensions (mm): A 11.5 B 32 C. 02.9 D 02.5 E 01.0 F 01.0 G 01.8 H 45

In Table 1, A denotes the length of the device 16, 18 for establishing a sliding plug connection in your Extension on the circular cylindrical section 8, B the Width of the small container 2, C the width of the elevation 16 on the circumferential side, D the width of the recess 18 on the Peripheral side, E the height of the elevation 16 above the bottom of the Recess 18, F the depth of the recess 18 relative to Top edge of the elevation 16 on the peripheral side, G the base width the elevation 16 and H the height of the small container 2.

The dimensions mentioned apply only to the present one Embodiment and can vary considerably depending on the application vary.

The small container 2 according to the invention with the elevations 16 and recesses 18 is made entirely of plastic, such as e.g. Polypropylene or ABS. The wall thickness of the Small container 2 is about 0.5 to in the present case 1.0 mm. In the area of the circular cylindrical section 8 and the coupling elements 14, the wall thickness is preferred more trained. Depending on the small container size the dimensions can vary greatly from those mentioned Values differ.

The small container 2 with its, the device for manufacturing a sliding plug connection forming in the area the cylindrical circumferential surface of the circular cylindrical Section 8 alternately arranged and one on top of the other coordinated elevations 16 and recesses 18 is so designed that the positive sliding plug connection by intervening at least one elevation 16 in a recess 18 can be produced, and the elevations 16 and recess 18 are formed and their divisions and distances to each other are chosen and matched to one another, that when unrolling two such small containers one another, the elevation leading in the rolling direction 16 already in positive engagement with the next one Recess 18 is before the in the rolling direction lagging and currently with a recess 18 in Engagement elevation 16 from the positive engagement solves.

6, 7 and 8, the operation of the positive rolling of two small containers according to the invention 2 are described.

Fig. 6 shows that in both small containers 2.1 and 2.2 in Static form-fitting slide-plug connection. Here accesses a single elevation 16.1b of the small container 2.1 in a single recess 18.2a of the small container 2.2. The two sides of the elevation 16.1b of the small container 2.1 arranged elevations 16.2a, 16.2b of the small container 2.2 are in such a position that their edges 20.2a and 22.2b the survey 16.1b of the small container 2.1 enclose, while the edges 20.2b and 22.2a the respective Edges 20.1a and 22.1c each on the side of the Interfering survey 16.1b located surveys 16.1a and 16.1c overlap slightly. With this overlap can touch the mentioned edges or be positioned at a small distance from each other.

7 shows a phase in which, starting from the 6 static state a rolling movement perpendicular to the direction of insertion and in the circumferential direction of the Small container 2.1, 2.2 is initiated. The rolling direction is indicated by an arrow. In the present case the small container 2.1 is fixed, while the small container 2.2 is rolled on the small container 2.1. At initiation the rolling movement into the one marked by the arrow Direction becomes with the recess 18.2a of the small container 2.2 engaging survey 16.1b of the small container 2.1 slightly elastically deformed and in the unwinding direction slightly bent. The edge 20.2a migrates with respect to the currently engaged with the recess 18.2a standing survey 16.1b lagging in the rolling direction Elevation 16.2a further up to edge 22.1b remains but still in positive engagement. For At the same time, the one running ahead in the unwinding direction moves Elevation 16.2b in the rolling direction to the left, so that whose edge 20.2b on the edge 22.1c of the elevation 16.1c comes to lie.

FIG. 8 shows a phase that is similar to that shown in FIG. 7 Condition connects. The direction of roll is again indicated by an arrow. Continuing the Rolling movement glides the edge 20.2b over the edge 22.1c away, slips into the recess 18.1b of the small container 2.1. and snaps in there. In this process, an elastic Deformation of the survey 16.2b occur. Because of the elastic deformation of the elevation 16.1b elevation 16.2a of the small container 2.2 is still in the positive engagement with this survey 16.1b.

As soon as the rolling movement continues only slightly, edge 20.2a slips over edge 22.1b of the Survey 16.1b and releases the intervention. At the same time the survey 16.2b of the small container 2.2 continues pressed into the recess 18.1b of the small container 2.1. This state then corresponds to that in FIG. 6 shown.

Repeated for subsequent steps of the rolling motion the process described above. The rolling motion can both in the arrow direction shown in the figures as also take place in the opposite direction.

From the previous explanation of the functioning of the invention Small container during a rolling process it becomes clear that it is possible to have two or more Small containers according to the invention in the circumferential direction on one another unroll, the small containers always in the radial direction be held positively without a wider connection between the small containers than that about the elevations 16 and recesses 18. A positive engagement also results in the tangential direction per se due to the tooth-like design of parts 16 and 18. As illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, can the edges of the elevations 16 or the edges the recesses 18 may be rounded. Each this rounding may vary depending on the size of the small container already from the required tolerances for the Form tools of the small container according to the invention result. For small containers with larger dimensions it is in the Usually, however, the edges of the bumps and To provide recesses with suitable curves.

Fig. 9 shows a second embodiment of an inventive Small container 2. With this small container variant is at the end of the circular cylindrical section 8 which the device 16, 18 for producing a positive Sliding-plug connection is arranged with provided a stop 24 in the form of an annular shoulder, so that a push-plug connection of only one Insertion direction can take place. That way a combined with such a modified small container other small containers not in the direction of the stop slip out of the push-plug connection, a danger, especially in larger inventive Small containers exist. A stop can also be used Broadening of the elevation 16 or narrowing the recess 18 or another suitable measure serve.

The present invention is not based on the previous one described two embodiments limited. Changes and modifications are in a variety of ways possible. For example, the small container instead of the shown round, cylindrical shape a rectangular, cuboid or other polygonal shape, then within the given shape circular cylindrical section for the device 16, 18 for Establishment of a form-fitting slide-plug connection is provided. The named institution with its surveys 16 and recesses 18 can also be on the entire circumference of the small container 2 provided or only to certain Areas.

The elevations 16 and recesses 18 can also other suitable shapes than the dovetail shape described Adopt the configuration, e.g. also one asymmetrical training is to be considered.

Furthermore, the small container according to the invention can separate additional parts or those that can be stored inside the small container have the appropriate way with the small container for use as a plug-in module of a plug-in modular toy are usable. For this purpose, the invention Small container via additional plug connection options for sliding or plug connections in several dimensions.

Claims (8)

1. Small container with at least one cylindrical, particularly circular-cylindrical section (8), with a device (16, 16.1a to c, 16.2a and b, 18, 18.1a and b, 18.2a and b) located in the region of the cylindrical peripheral surface of this section for producing a positive slide-insertion-connection with at least one further such small container (2, 2.1, 2.2),
   characterized in that with its device (16, 16.1a to c, 16.2a and b, 18, 18.1a and b, 18.2a and b) for producing the slide-insertion-connection the small container (2, 2.1, 2.2) is rollable on a similarly formed device (16, 16.1a to c, 16.2a and b, 18, 18.1a and b, 18.2a and b) of a further such small container (2, 2.1, 2.2) in the peripheral direction perpendicular to the direction of insertion and is always held positively in the radial direction thereby, for which purpose

   the device (16, 16.1a to c, 16.2a and b, 18, 18.1a and b, 18.2a and b) for producing a slide-insertion-connection comprises recesses (18, 18.1a, b, 18.2a, b) and elevations (16, 16.1a, b, c, 16.2a, b) which alternate on a region of the cylindrical peripheral surface of the section (8) of the small container (2, 2.1, 2.2) and are matched to each other,

   the positive slide-insertion-connection can be produced by engagement of at least one elevation (16, 16.1a, b, c, 16.2a, b) in one recess (18, 18.1a, b, 18.2a, b), and

   the elevations (16, 16.1a, b, c, 16.2a, b) and recesses (18, 18.1a, b, 18.2a, b) are formed in such a way and their pitches and spacings with respect to each other are selected and matched to each other in such a way that upon rolling two small containers (2, 2.1, 2.2) on each other, the leading elevation (16.2b) in the direction of rolling is already located in positive engagement with the next recess (18.1b) before the trailing elevation (16.2a) in the direction of rolling engaged at that time in a recess (18.1a) is released out of the positive engagement.
2. Small container according to Claim 1, characterized in that the recesses (18, 18.1a, b, 18.2a, b) and elevations (16, 16.1a, b, c, 16.2a, b) are designed to be dovetail-shaped.
3. Small container according to Claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the elevations (16, 16.1a, b, c, 16.2a, b) and recesses (18, 18.1a, b, 18.2a, b) are arranged continuously round the entire periphery of the small container (2, 2.1, 2.2).
4. Small container according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the device (16, 16.1a, b, c, 16.2a, b, 18, 18.1a, b, 18.2a, b) for producing a slide-insertion-connection is made of a flexible material.
5. Small container according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that a coupling element (14) for producing a re-releasable connection with at least one further such small container (2, 2.1, 2.2) is provided on at least one end face of the small container (2, 2.1, 2.2).
6. Small container according to Claim 5, characterized in that the coupling element (14) is a bayonet-catch-like component or another suitable insertion connection or the like.
7. Small container according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that a stop (24) or the like is provided on the small container (2, 2.1, 2.2) and/or on the device (16, 16.1a, b, c, 16.2a, b, 18, 18.1a, b, 18.2a, b) for producing the slide-insertion-connection.
8. Small container according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the small container (2, 2.1, 2.2) has a device for the region-wise limitation of the rolling movement of two or more such small containers (2, 2.1, 2.2).

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