EP0820937B1 - Conteneurs palettisables - Google Patents

Conteneurs palettisables Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0820937B1
EP0820937B1 EP96202069A EP96202069A EP0820937B1 EP 0820937 B1 EP0820937 B1 EP 0820937B1 EP 96202069 A EP96202069 A EP 96202069A EP 96202069 A EP96202069 A EP 96202069A EP 0820937 B1 EP0820937 B1 EP 0820937B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
containers
container
flange
base
engagement means
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP96202069A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0820937A1 (fr
Inventor
Robert A.J. Blauwart
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Societe des Produits Nestle SA
Nestle SA
Original Assignee
Societe des Produits Nestle SA
Nestle SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Societe des Produits Nestle SA, Nestle SA filed Critical Societe des Produits Nestle SA
Priority to DE69616771T priority Critical patent/DE69616771T2/de
Priority to EP96202069A priority patent/EP0820937B1/fr
Priority to AT96202069T priority patent/ATE208322T1/de
Publication of EP0820937A1 publication Critical patent/EP0820937A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0820937B1 publication Critical patent/EP0820937B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
    • B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
    • B65D21/0201—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together side-by-side
    • B65D21/0202—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together side-by-side and loosely interengaged by integral complementary shapes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to containers for the storage and transportation of goods such as food products, more particularly to a tray that safeguards against sliding or relative displacement of containers in layers stacked or piled onto a pallet.
  • the containers are conventionally packed into boxes which are then brick-stacked onto pallets.
  • the need for additional packaging of once packed products is, however, undesirable from both a commercial and environmental point of view.
  • Piling or stacking of containers for transportation onto pallets presents a problem due to sliding or displacing between the side-by-side placed or layered containers. A result of this may be an unstable stack or that containers may fall-off the pallet.
  • metal flanges of the trays may be bent or shaped in such a manner as to be slightly larger than the opposite flanges.
  • a container the organising or arrangement of which allows for a freedom to position the trays in various configurations e.g. by allowing one side of a container to be inter-locked with more than one other container.
  • Such variations in the position of containers are for example desirable in order to provide a more rigid or stable stacking of containers.
  • the present invention provides a container for palletising comprising a base and side wall or walls upwards extending from said base, and a flange extending outwards from and transverse to said side wall or walls, said flange comprises engagement means restricting relative displacement of said containers in the base of the plan when positioned in overlapping engagement with complementary engagement means of a side-by-side positioned container; wherein the engagement means comprise male engagement means forming at least one projection and female engagement means forming at least one opening or groove; and wherein the projection (s) is/are moulded in the upper side or respectively lower side of the flange and said moulding generates corresponding groove(s) in the lower side respectively upper side of the flange.
  • the devised system of containers is particularly suitable for keeping control of the position of containers placed side-by-side over an area and which layers of containers are piled thereon.
  • the engagement means provides geometrical restriction to relative displacement between containers. In particular to the movement within one layer of containers. Depending on the use of the containers it may be desirable to tightly affix the containers to one another. However, for an easy assembling and dissembling of a layer of the containers the tolerance for relative movement may be e.g. 0.1 to 0.1 mm. allowing the engagement means to be placed in overlapping position by descending one flange substantially vertically onto the complementary flange.
  • the containers may be positioned so that they add additional rigidity to the layer of containers.
  • engagement means positioned along one side wall allow(s) for engagement with a plurality of trays along said side wall. This makes a brick-engagement possible wherein e.g. one container engages with two containers which again engages with other containers along the same line or plane.
  • the containers may be combined with containers of different shapes of side and base but with corresponding engagement means.
  • the flange extends outwards from and transverse to the side wall or walls. It may e.g. extend from the side wall or walls halfway up it(them). However, it is preferred that its peripheral flange extends from the top of the side wall or walls.
  • the flange may encircle the side wall or walls. Alternatively, one or more separate flanges may be provided along the side wall or walls.
  • the flange is such that when the base is positioned on a support the flange extends substantially parallel with the support.
  • the containers have a substantially rectangular base and top e.g. an upwardly opened tray, although it should be appreciated that other shapes may be suitable e.g. polygonal, cylindrical or curved shapes.
  • the side walls are conveniently substantially right angular to the base or slightly outwardly leaning. If the container is cylindrical only one side wall will extend from the base.
  • the projections extend substantially parallel to the side wall(s) and is/are of elongated configuration.
  • the projection(s) may be provided with leaning walls which, in overlapping association with corresponding groove(s) or openings(s) provide(s) a wedging of the flanges of the containers together, so as to tightly fit the flanges together.
  • the containers are made from plastic material e.g. polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polypropylene etc.
  • the plastics may conveniently be formed by thermo-shaping or injection moulding. It is preferred that projections are moulded in the upper or lower side of the flange and said moulding generates corresponding groove in the upper side of the flange.
  • the container When convenient, the container may be provided with a lid for covering or sealing off products in the container. It has been found that for the embodiment of the container having a flange extending outwards from the upper edge of the side wall or walls and having e.g. projections and grooves shaped therein the lid may advantageously be used comprising corresponding projection and grooves which will allow the lid to be re-closable on the container. It is desirable that the lid is sealed e.g. with a pealable seam to the container e.g. for conservation and transportation purposes.
  • the containers have outwards leaning side walls they may be suitable for nestling.
  • the container according to the invention may e.g. have male and/or female parts formed in the base of the container and/or the top of the side walls, to safeguard against any substantially lateral slipping or sliding of containers in one layer relative to containers, in an adjacent layer.
  • the first layer of containers are preferably positioned on a base or support.
  • the containers in that layer are arranged in an engaging or inter-locking manner and subsequent layers could be stacked thereon if necessary.
  • it may be covered with a plastic film.
  • the invention also relates to such a pallet comprising a support base, at least one layer of a plurality of containers as described above and a film material at least partly covering said containers for the support thereof.
  • the trays or containers according to the invention may also be used for combining a plate for a meal consisting of different dishes or components such as e.g. an air-meal, hospital-meal etc.
  • the containers according to the invention may be positioned in various configurations. However, for the purpose of illustrating the principle thereof the following advantageous use of the containers is exemplified.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates a top-down view and Fig. 2 side view of a container 10 in the form of a tray. It comprises a base 11 with outwards leaning walls 12 upwards extending from said base.
  • the container 10 additionally comprises a flange 13 extending outwards from and transverse to said walls 12 from the top edge of said walls 12.
  • the flange 13 comprises means 14 restricting relative displacement of said containers in the base of the plan when positioned in overlapping engagement with complementary engagement means of a side-by-side positioned container, see Fig. 3.
  • the base 11 is rectangular and engagement means 14 are provided along each side wall 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d.
  • the engagement means 14 comprises male and female engagement means in that projections 15 are moulded in the lower part of the flange and said moulding generates grooves 16 in the upper side of the flange 13.
  • One long groove 16a is running along the long side of the rectangular tray 10 while two grooves 16b and 16c is defined in the short side of the tray 10. This allows trays 10 to be combined and inter-locked in different positions as will be apparent from Figures 3 and 4.
  • the projections 15 have leaning walls which in the present embodiment preferably are about 10° from a right angle to the plane of the base 11.
  • Figures 3 and 4 show side-by-side and inter-engaged positions of trays illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
  • the flange along each side wall 12 is engaged with one side wall 12 of a neighbouring tray.
  • the long side wall is provided with a groove 16 which is in engagement with 3 projections 15 of two trays 10.
  • the flange 13 along one side of a first tray 10 engages with flanges 13 of two other trays 10 positioned along said side of said first tray.
  • Fig. 5 shows a lid 19 which may advantageously be used comprising projection 17 and grooves 18 which correspond to those of the container or tray 10 and which can engage with these.
  • the lid 19 allows the container to be re-closed.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Pallets (AREA)
  • Stackable Containers (AREA)

Claims (8)

  1. Récipient adapté à une palettisation comprenant une base (11) et une ou des parois latérales s'étendant vers le haut depuis ladite base, et un rebord (13) s'étendant vers l'extérieur de, et transversalement à, ladite ou lesdites parois latérales, ledit rebord comprenant un moyen d'engagement (14) restreignant le déplacement relatif desdits récipients dans la base du plan lorsque positionné en engagement de chevauchement avec un moyen d'engagement complémentaire d'un récipient positionné côte à côte ; dans lequel le moyen d'engagement comprend un moyen d'engagement mâle formant au moins une projection (15) et un moyen d'engagement femelle formant au moins une ouverture ou rainure ; caractérisé en ce que la ou les projections (15) sont moulées dans la face supérieure ou respectivement la face inférieure du rebord (13) et ledit moulage produit des rainures correspondantes (16) dans la face inférieure ou respectivement la face supérieure du rebord (13).
  2. Récipient selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le moyen d'engagement positionné le long d'une paroi latérale permet un engagement avec une pluralité de barquettes le long de ladite paroi latérale.
  3. Récipient selon la revendication 1 ou 2, lequel le rebord périphérique s'étend depuis le sommet des parois latérales.
  4. Récipient selon les revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel la base est rectangulaire et un moyen d'engagement est prévu le long de chaque paroi latérale.
  5. Récipient selon les revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel le récipient est en plastique thermoformé ou moulé par injection.
  6. Récipient selon les revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel le récipient est doté d'un couvercle (19) qui comprend des moyens d'engagement (17, 18) correspondant à ceux du rebord du récipient.
  7. Récipient selon les revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel la base du récipient et/ou le sommet des parois latérales sont dotés de moyens d'engagement réciproque pour empêcher un glissement latéral des récipients dans une couche relativement aux récipients d'une couche adjacente.
  8. Palette comprenant une base de support, au moins une couche d'une pluralité de récipients selon les revendications 1 à 7, et un matériau du type film recouvrant, au moins en partie, lesdits récipients pour les maintenir.
EP96202069A 1996-07-23 1996-07-23 Conteneurs palettisables Expired - Lifetime EP0820937B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE69616771T DE69616771T2 (de) 1996-07-23 1996-07-23 Palettisierbare Behälter
EP96202069A EP0820937B1 (fr) 1996-07-23 1996-07-23 Conteneurs palettisables
AT96202069T ATE208322T1 (de) 1996-07-23 1996-07-23 Palettisierbare behälter

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP96202069A EP0820937B1 (fr) 1996-07-23 1996-07-23 Conteneurs palettisables

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0820937A1 EP0820937A1 (fr) 1998-01-28
EP0820937B1 true EP0820937B1 (fr) 2001-11-07

Family

ID=8224214

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96202069A Expired - Lifetime EP0820937B1 (fr) 1996-07-23 1996-07-23 Conteneurs palettisables

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0820937B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE208322T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69616771T2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB0129440D0 (en) * 2001-12-08 2002-01-30 Huhtamaki Uk Ltd Tray system
FR2878509B1 (fr) * 2004-12-01 2008-10-24 Gervais Danone Sa Emballage alimentaire et systeme d'emballage alimentaire comprenant au moins deux emballages de ce type
NZ545642A (en) * 2005-03-07 2007-05-31 Laszlo Knebl Container for food products
WO2010067175A2 (fr) * 2008-12-09 2010-06-17 Menu And More Ag Systeme modulaire de service juste a temps et procede associe
DE202018102729U1 (de) * 2018-05-16 2018-05-28 Geli Gmbh Blumenkasten

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1588271A (en) * 1924-08-25 1926-06-08 Saint Interlocking tray
US3968879A (en) * 1973-11-12 1976-07-13 George A. Lucas & Sons Shipping container and assembly thereof
DE3741350A1 (de) * 1987-12-07 1989-06-15 Stabernack Gmbh Gustav Stapelbare schale
DE3924138A1 (de) * 1989-07-20 1991-01-31 Eberlein & Co Inh Willi Lieb Lunch-box
DE9104529U1 (de) * 1991-04-13 1991-06-20 Fritz Schäfer GmbH, 5908 Neunkirchen Vorrichtung zur Aufnahme von in Regalanlagen einzulagernden und/oder auf Förderstrecken zu transportierenden Stückgütern und/oder Lager- bzw. Transportbehältern
US5531327A (en) * 1994-11-02 1996-07-02 T.H.E.M. Industries, Inc. Pallet system including end panels

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69616771T2 (de) 2002-05-08
ATE208322T1 (de) 2001-11-15
EP0820937A1 (fr) 1998-01-28
DE69616771D1 (de) 2001-12-13

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