EP0699160B1 - Stackable nestable containers - Google Patents

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

The invention relates to a box-shaped container made of plastic according to the preamble of claim 1

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 training is particularly expensive because of the arrangement with production of the additional wire bracket and also cumbersome to use.

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-A-41 26 749), 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.

A container according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from GB-A-1 261 883 and US-A-4 580 681. Here, however, there is a risk that the containers will be excessively stretched and deformed in the articulated areas, so that on the one hand there is a risk that the hinge areas will be destroyed or damaged and on the other hand there is a risk that the containers will no longer have the desired shape , so that they can no longer be stacked properly with similar containers.

Based on this prior art, the invention has for its object to provide a box-shaped container of the generic type, which allows the stacking of filled containers and the nesting of empty containers, while still simple manufacture and handling, with filled containers ensuring that the hinge areas not be damaged or destroyed and it is also ensured that the containers remain true to size so that they can be stacked on top of one another with similar containers.

The solution to this problem is specified in claim 1 (part of the label).

According to this design, the hinge areas are relieved by the corresponding movement limiting means, particularly in the case of filled containers in the stacking position, so that damage or destruction of the hinge areas is largely prevented. This ensures that the filled container also retains its desired target contour and thus ensures that it can be stacked with containers of the same type.

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 forming part of the floor 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 edge 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 into the stack 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 are placed in the area near the handle frame in the stacking position.

In order to facilitate the lifting of the bottom middle part when transferring the container from the stacking position into the nesting 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 a safe stacking of similar containers, 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, which protrude from the container bottom of a stacked container, in the area of the bottom of the bottom edge of the side walls.

In addition, it is provided that the webs run approximately over half the height of the side wall.

It is particularly preferably provided that the webs are designed in cross-section as a groove or V-profile, the channel mouth of 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 reduction 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 11 to 13.

Fig. 1 und 2

Schematische Darstellungen eines kastenförmigen Behälters in der Stapelposition (Figur 1) und in der Schachtelposition (Figur 2);

Fig. 3

einen Behälter in der Position gemäß Figur 1 von oben gesehen;

Fig. 4

desgleichen ohne den mündungsseitig umlaufenden Griffrahmen;

Fig. 5

den Behälter in der Position gemäß Figur 2 von oben gesehen;

Fig. 6

den Behälter gemäß Figur 3 im Schnitt VI-VI der Figur 3 gesehen;

Fig. 7

eine Schnittansicht in Richtung der Linie VII-VII der Figur 5 gesehen;

Fig. 8

eine Variante eines Behälters in Stirnansicht;

Fig. 9

eine Einzelheit im Schnitt gesehen.

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

1 and 2

Schematic representations of a box-shaped container in the stacking position (Figure 1) and in the box position (Figure 2);

Fig. 3

a container in the position shown in Figure 1 seen from above;

Fig. 4

likewise without the grip frame running around the mouth;

Fig. 5

the container in the position shown in Figure 2 seen from above;

Fig. 6

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

Fig. 7

a sectional view seen in the direction of line VII-VII of Figure 5;

Fig. 8

a variant of a container in front view;

Fig. 9

a detail seen 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 marginal edges 5 of the side walls 1, 2 optionally merge into a surface area 6, which forms part of the floor, via an articulated connection. 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 a 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 as well as 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 side of the side walls 1, 2 being articulated on the handle frame 3 and the short base side of the surface areas 6 being articulated on the base 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. Stop strips 10 are formed on the surface areas 6 and / or also on the bottom middle part 8 formed on the lower edge of the side walls 1, 2, 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 web 11, so that the user can grip this handle web 11 and easily transfer the bottom part 8 from the position according to FIG. 6 to the position according to FIG.

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, which protrude from the container bottom of a stacked container, specifically in the surface area of the bottom that connects to the lower edge 5 of the container 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 claims.

Claims (13)

1. A box-shaped container made of plastics to receive objects, especially packed vegetables, fruit or the like, having a base, four side walls and a gripping rim around the opening, wherein the side walls (1, 2) are pivoted by their upper edge (4) on the gripping rim (3), the lower edges (5) of the side walls (1, 2) merge into a flat area (6) or tongues, which forms a part of the base, and

   this flat area (6) or the tongues is pivoted with its edge (7) faced away from the associated side wall on an edge or a section of a rectangular central base part (8), so that, in the case of a central base part (8) disposed in one plane and the flat areas (6) forming an edge part of the base, the side walls (1, 2) are pivoted outwardly in relation to the gripping rim (3) into a stacking position and, in the case of the central base part (8) displaced parallel to the gripping rim (3), the side walls (1, 2) are pivoted inwardly in relation to the gripping rim (3) into a nesting position,

   characterised in that locating stops (9), against which the side walls (1, 2) are laid in the area close to the gripping rim (3) in the stacking position, are constructed on the gripping rim (3),

   and/or in that at the flat areas (6) formed at the lower edge of the side wall (1, 2) and/or at the central base part (8) locating stops (10) are formed, which in the stacking position abut the central base part (8) or the flat areas (6),

   and in that the side walls (1, 2) are formed or pivoted on the gripping rim (3) so that its outer face lies further back than the outer face of the gripping rim (3), and in that on the outer face of the side walls (1,2), beginning at the edge which is faced towards the gripping rim (3), webs (14) are constructed, the edge of which ending with the side wall edge, when the side wall (1, 2) is in the stacking position, is placed against the lower face of the gripping rim (3).
2. A container according to Claim 1,
   characterised in that the pivoting areas are formed by integral hinges.
3. A container according to Claim 1 or 2,
   characterised in that the side walls (1, 2) and the adjoining flat areas (6) forming a part of the base have a trapezoidal construction, with the long main side of the side walls (1, 2) being pivoted to the gripping rim (3) and the short main side of the flat areas (6) to the central base part (8).
4. A container according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the adjacent edges of the side walls (1, 2) are connected to one another via a film of material or similar thin bridges of material.
5. A container according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the central base part (8) has at least one gripping web (11) or similar gripping structures, preferably centrally.
6. A container according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the gripping rim (3) has recesses (12) on the end side, into which, when a container is in the stacking position, stacking projections (13) can be inserted, which protrude from the container base of a stacked container, and in fact in the flat area of the base which adjoins the lower edge (5) of the side walls (1, 2).
7. A container according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the webs (14) extend roughly over half the height of the side walls (1, 2).
8. A container according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the cross section of the webs (14) is constructed as a chamfer or V-section, with the groove opening of the groove-shaped webs (14) thus formed being faced away from the corresponding side wall (1, 2).
9. A container according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the gripping rim (3) is formed as a closed hollow section, in particular with a rectangular cross section.
10. A container according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that at least two frame members of the gripping rim (3) parallel to one another centrally have gripping recesses (15).
11. A container according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the side walls (1, 2) are formed by wall parts flexibly connected to one another, the hinge axis of which extend parallel to the lower and upper edges of the side walls (1, 2).
12. A container according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the lower edges of the side walls (1, 2) are flexibly connected with the flat areas (6) and/or with the central base part (8), with the hinge axes being directed parallel to the edge.
13. A container according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the flat areas (6) or tongues have several, preferably two, hinge connections parallel to one another and disposed spaced from one another.

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