EP0699160A1

EP0699160A1 - Stackable nestable containers

Info

Publication number: EP0699160A1
Application number: EP94913498A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Klaus Delbrouck
Original assignee: Franz Delbrouck GmbH
Current assignee: Franz Delbrouck GmbH
Priority date: 1993-05-25
Filing date: 1994-05-03
Publication date: 1996-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 2014-05-03
Also published as: DE4317300C1; WO1994027876A1; US5489038A; DE4317300C2; EP0699160B1; DE59400701D1; AU6563594A; ATE142970T1

Abstract

A box-like container for transporting packaged fruits and vegetables has a bottom whose central member can be pulled upwardly to cause the flaps at the bottoms of the side walls to be pulled upwardly and inwardly and the side walls to be pulled inwardly into a frustopyramital configuration enabling the box to be nested in a like box. Film hinges are provided between the side walls of a rectangular frame which itself is hollow and of rectangular cross section. Other film hinges are provided between the flaps and a central member.

Description

STACKABLE INSERTABLE CONTAINER

The invention relates to a box-shaped container made of plastic for holding objects, in particular packaged vegetables, fruit or the like, with a base, four side walls and a grip frame that runs all the way around the mouth. .

In such containers, which are used for the transport of any goods, but primarily for the transport of vegetables or fruit, it is common for such containers to be transported to a customer in the filled state and then to be returned in the empty state, so that these containers are therefore in the Circulating. It is important here that the containers only take up a small volume during the return transport in order to keep the transport costs of the empty containers low.

For this purpose, various solutions are known in the prior art. In the prior art there are rectangular transport containers with conical side walls tapering towards the bottom part. These containers can be stacked one inside the other. In order to be able to stack these containers on top of each other, metal brackets are pivotally mounted on the containers, which can be pivoted into the mouth plane of the box, so that the next box with its bottom can be placed on this wire bracket.

This design is particularly cost-intensive because of the arrangement with the production of the additional wire clips and also cumbersome to handle.

Containers are also known in the prior art in which the container walls can be folded down in order to be able to fold them together to form a small transport volume. Such boxes are complex to manufacture and cumbersome to handle.

In the prior art, containers made of plastic are also known (DE 41 26 749 AI), in which two opposite side walls are fixed with a circumferential bar and the bottom, while the other two side walls can be folded inwards. With the side walls folded inwards, it is possible to stack these containers into one another while empty with side walls folded outwards, contact surfaces are formed which allow the boxes to be stacked on top of one another.

However, such boxes are also expensive to manufacture and handle.

On the basis of this prior art, the object of the invention is to create a box-shaped container of the generic type which is simpler

Manufacturing and easy handling enables the stacking of filled containers and the nesting of empty containers.

To solve this problem it is proposed that the side walls are hinged to the handle frame with their upper edge, the lower edge of the side walls merge into a surface area or tongues which forms part of the floor, and this surface area or the tongues with its associated Edge edge facing away from the side wall is articulated to an edge or a cutout of a rectangular bottom middle part, so that when the bottom middle part is arranged in one plane and the surface areas which form an edge part of the bottom, the side walls are pivoted outwards in a stacking position relative to the grip frame and towards the grip frame parallel displaced bottom middle part, the side walls are pivoted relative to the handle frame inwards into a nesting position. In this embodiment, the side walls with the integrally formed surface area, which forms part of the base, are preferably approximately L-shaped, the upper edge edges of the side walls being articulated on the handle frame and the free edge edge of the surface area forming part of the base, likewise on the base middle part is articulated. This configuration has the result that when pulling forces are exerted on the erected container at the bottom center ^¬ part, so that this is displaced quasi by a certain way to the mouth of the container, the hinged side walls together with the molded-on surface regions which form a part of the bottom to be pivoted inwards by a certain degree of angle, so that an essentially conical container shape is created which enables nesting of empty containers. In order to convert these containers into the stacked state, it is only necessary to exert pressure on the middle part of the floor, which can be done manually or also automatically by storing goods, whereupon the side walls together with the molded-on surface areas which form part of the floor are pivoted relatively outside, so that a substantially rectangular box is formed, the side walls of which form a right angle with the base part. In this position, the box-shaped containers can be stacked on top of one another.

The design according to the invention enables such containers to be produced easily, and handling is also very simplified. It is preferably provided that the articulation areas are formed by film hinges.

With this design, the corresponding hinges can be molded directly during the injection molding process of the box, so that neither a separate assembly nor a separate production of individual parts is required.

In order to allow the necessary space for pivoting the side walls into the nesting position, it is also provided that the side walls and the molded-on surface areas which form part of the base are trapezoidal, the long base side of the side walls on the handle frame and the short base side of the surface areas is articulated on the floor middle part.

The trapezoidal design of the side walls ensures that when the side wall parts are pivoted into the nesting position, they rest against one another with their marginal edges, that is to say the container forms a truncated pyramid, while when the side walls are pivoted outwards into the stacking position, the container has a rectangular basic shape. A free space is formed on the parallel side edges of the side walls by the conical design of the side walls.

If such a space between the adjacent marginal edges of the side walls is undesirable, it is also possible that the mutually adjacent marginal edges the side walls are connected to one another via a material film or the like thin material bridges.

Such material films or material bridges enable the intended pivoting of the side wall parts, the material film or material bridge being slightly deformed when the side walls are pivoted in and tightened when pivoting open into the stacking position. At the same time, such material bridges limit the pivoting movement when transferring to the stacking position. Another, possibly preferred possibility of limiting the pivoting movement of the side walls is seen in the fact that stop strips are formed on the handle frame, to which the side walls in the region close to the handle frame are placed in the stacking position.

For the same reason, it is preferably provided that on the surface area formed on the lower edge of the side walls and / or on the bottom middle part

Stop strips are formed, which lie in the stacking position on the bottom middle part or on the surface areas.

In order to facilitate the lifting of the bottom middle part when transferring the container from the stacking position into the box position, it is further provided that the bottom middle part has at least one handle bar or similar handle configuration, preferably in the middle. In order to ensure that containers of the same type are securely stacked on top of one another, it is provided that the handle frame has recesses on the end face, into which stacking projections can be inserted when the container is in the stacking position and protrude from the container bottom of a stacked container, in the area of the bottom of the container lower edge of the side walls connects.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the side walls are formed or articulated on the handle frame in such a way that their outer surface lies behind the outer surface of the handle frame and that webs are formed beginning on the outer surface of the side walls at the edge which faces the handle frame. the edge of the side edge, which is flush with the side wall edge, is placed against the lower surface of the handle frame when the side wall is in the stacking position.

This also easily limits the pivoting movement of the side walls. It is also provided that the webs run about half the height of the side wall.

It is particularly preferably provided that the webs in

Cross-section are formed as a fillet or V-profile, the channel opening facing away from the channel-shaped webs thus formed facing away from the corresponding side wall.

As a result, when stacking the containers, it is possible that the fillets of the nested containers interlock so that on the one hand an insertion aid and on the other hand deep nesting is possible.

For reasons of weight relief and torsional stability, it is also provided that the grip frame is designed as a closed hollow profile, in particular a rectangular cross section.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that at least two mutually parallel frame legs of the handle frame have handle recesses in the center.

Preferred developments, which can also be variants, are designated in claims 14 to 16.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and described in more detail below. It shows :

1 and 2 are schematic representations of a box-shaped container in the stacking position (FIG. 1) and in the boxing position (FIG. 2);

Figure 3 seen a container in the position of Figure 1 from above.

Figure likewise without the handle frame running around the mouth; Figure 5 seen the container in the position of Figure 2 from above.

Figure 6 seen the container of Figure 3 in section VI-VI of Figure 3;

7 is a sectional view in the direction of line VII-VII of FIG. 5;

8 shows a variant of a container in end view;

Fig. 9 seen a detail in section.

In the drawing figures, a box-shaped container made of plastic is shown, which is used to hold any objects, especially vegetables or fruit.

The container has a bottom, four side walls 1, 2 and a grip frame 3 encircling the mouth. The side walls 1 and 2 are articulated with their upper edge 4 on the handle frame 3. The lower edge 5 of the side walls 1, 2 go over if necessary

Articulation in a surface area 6, which forms part of the floor. This surface area 6 is articulated with its edge 7 facing away from the corresponding side wall 1 or 2 on an edge of a rectangular base middle part 8. If appropriate, a further joint connection is provided between the edge 5 and the edge 7. As a result, with the bottom middle part 8 and surface areas 6 arranged in one plane (see FIG. 6 and FIG. 2), the side walls 1 and 2 are pivoted outwards relative to the handle frame 3 into the stacking position, so that the container is essentially cuboid. When towards the handle frame 3, i.e. to the mouth of the container, parallel displaced bottom middle part 8 (compare Figure 2 and Figure 7), the side walls 1 and 2 are pivoted relative to the handle frame 3 inwards into a nesting position, so that the container side walls 1, 2 quasi to form a truncated pyramid. This makes it possible to nest containers in the position according to FIG. 2 or FIG. 7, while containers in the position according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 can be stacked on top of one another.

The articulation areas between the side walls 1, 2 and the handle frame 3 and in the area 6 and between the areas 6 and the bottom middle part 8 are each formed by film hinges.

The side walls 1, 2 and the molded-on surface areas 6 forming part of the base are trapezoidal, the long base of the side walls 1, 2 on the handle frame 3 and the short base of the

Surface areas 6 are articulated on the bottom middle part 8.

The adjacent edge edges of the side walls 1, 2 can be connected to one another via a material film or the like thin material bridges. Stop strips 9 are formed on the handle frame 3, against which the side walls 1, 2 in the area close to the handle frame 3 are placed in the stacking position according to FIGS. 1 and 6. At the surface areas 6 and / or also formed on the lower edge of the side walls 1, 2

Bottom middle part 8 are formed on stop strips 10 which rest in the stacking position according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 6 on the bottom middle part or on the surface areas 6. These stop bars serve as limitation of the swivel path for the side walls or for the areas 6.

To facilitate the operation of the container, the bottom middle part 8 has a handle bar 11 so that the user can grip this handle bar 11 and the bottom part! can easily be transferred from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 7.

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 9, the handle frame 3 has recesses 12 on the end face into which stacking projections 13 can be inserted when the container is in the stacking position and protrude from the container bottom of a stacked container, specifically in the area of the bottom that touches the lower edge 5 of the side walls 1 and 2 connects.

The side walls 1 and 2 are formed or hinged to the handle frame 3 such that their outer surface is behind the outer surface of the handle frame 3. This can be seen in particular from FIG. 8. On the outer surface of the side walls, in particular the side walls 1, webs 14 are formed beginning at the edge which faces the handle frame 3, the edge of which ends with the edge of the side wall (in the figure 8 above) with the side wall 1 in the stacking position on the lower surface of the handle frame 3 is created, so that this also forms a swivel path limitation. These webs 14 run approximately over half the height of the side wall 1 and they are designed in cross section as a fillet or V-profile, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 8 and FIG. 8a. The channel mouth of the channel-shaped webs 14 thus formed faces away from the corresponding side wall 1. By means of these channels, insertion aids are formed when nesting corresponding containers into one another, and a relatively large insertion depth of the nested containers can also be achieved through the channels.

The grip frame 3 is preferably designed as a closed hollow profile with a rectangular cross section. At least two parallel frame legs of the handle frame 3 have handle recesses 15 in the center.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments, but is often variable within the scope of the disclosure.

All new individual and combination features disclosed in the description and / or drawing are regarded as essential to the invention.

Claims

Claims:

1. Box-shaped container made of plastic for receiving objects, in particular packaged vegetables, fruit or the like, with a bottom, four side walls and a peripheral grip frame, characterized in that the

Side walls (1,2) are articulated with their upper edge (4) on the handle frame (3), the lower edge (5) of the side walls (1,2) merge into a surface area (6) or tongues that form part of the floor , and this surface area (6) or the tongues with its edge edge (7) facing away from the associated side wall is articulated on an edge edge or a section of a rectangular base middle part (8), so that when arranged in one plane

Bottom middle part (8) and the surface areas (6) which form an edge part of the bottom, the side walls (1, 2) are pivoted outwards in the stacking position relative to the handle frame (3) and with the bottom middle part displaced parallel to the handle frame (3) (8) the side walls (1, 2) are pivoted inwards relative to the handle frame (3) into a nesting position.

2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the articulation areas are formed by film hinges. 3. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the side walls (1,2) and the integrally formed, forming part of the bottom surface areas (6) are trapezoidal, the long base of the side walls ( 1, 2) on the handle frame (3) and the short base side of the surface areas (6) is articulated on the base middle part (8).

4. Container according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the adjacent edge edges of the side walls (1,2) are connected to one another via a material film or the like thin material bridges.

5. Container according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that on the handle frame (3) stop strips (9) are formed, to which the side walls (1,2) in the handle frame (3) near area in Stack position are created.

6. Container according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that on the lower edge of the side walls (1,2) molded surface areas (6) and / or on the bottom middle part (8) stop strips (10) are formed, which in the stack position on

Bottom middle part (8) or lie against the surface areas (6).

7. Container according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the bottom middle part (8) has at least one handle bar (11) or the like Griffaus ^¬ formations, preferably in the center. In that the handle frame (3) 8. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the end face recesses (12), in which, when in Stapel¬ position befindlichem container stacking projections (13) can be inserted, stacked by the container floor of an open ^¬ Project from the container, specifically in the area of the bottom which adjoins the lower edge (5) of the side walls (1, 2).

9 container according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the side walls (1,2) on the Griff¬ frame (3) are formed or articulated such that their outer surface is opposite the outer surface of the Griff¬ frame (3), and that webs (14) are formed on the outer surface of the side walls (1, 2) beginning at the edge which faces the handle frame (3), the edge of which ends with the side wall edge when the side wall (1,2 ) is placed on the lower surface of the handle frame (3).

10. A container according to claim 9, characterized in that the webs (14) extend approximately over half the height of the side wall (1,2).

11. A container according to claim 9 or 10, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the webs (14) are formed in cross-section as a fillet or V-profile, the channel opening of the channel-shaped webs (14) thus formed of the corresponding side wall (1,2) is turned away. 12. Container according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the handle frame (3) is formed as a closed hollow profile, in particular a rectangular cross-section.

5

13. Container according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least two mutually parallel frame legs of the handle frame (3) have handle recesses (15) in the center.

10

14. Container according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the side walls (1,2) are formed by articulated wall parts, the hinge axis parallel to the lower

15 and the upper edge of the side walls (1, 2) run.

15. Container according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the lower marginal edges of the sides *

20 walls (1, 2) are connected in an articulated manner to the surface areas (6) and / or to the base middle part (8), the articulation axes being directed parallel to the edge.

2516. Container according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the surface areas (6) or tongues have several, preferably two, mutually parallel articulated connections arranged at a distance from one another.