EP0835816A2 - Container in the form of a crate - Google Patents

Abstract

The container has four side walls connected to a base and having with intermediate members (7) extending upwards from the base. Adjacent side walls (3,4) can be locked together at their corners, when erect, preferably near the tops of the side walls, forming a joint that is stable against shearing. The long side walls (1,2) of the box are U-shaped with an open-topped frame, to define a maximum display and removal aperture and are formed from made thinner by using a stepped base (9) and stepped side arms, which are connected to the box edges. The box has openings (12) in the edges of the short side walls. The opening edges and the edges of the U-shaped side walls have an open groove (16) to receive cardboard or label inserts.

Description

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

For example, wholesale and retail goods, such as bags, Bags and the like are packaged goods, usually transported and delivered in cardboard boxes. At the point of sale, the goods are removed from the boxes by the sales staff put on the shelves. For environmental reasons cardboard packaging is a major problem because they can usually only be used once and then have to be disposed of. Cardboard boxes are indeed often from special cardboard blanks by folding erected so that in principle the empty boxes also put it back in a position where they require little space, but will result the complexity of the cut and often also due to additional Fasteners, such as clips and the like, such a merging is not realized in practice, so that mostly the empty cardboard packaging and cardboard boxes a considerable amount during transport to the disposal station Requires space and thus a considerable transport volume.

The object of the invention is a container, in particular for the use case described above, to create the Return transport position (empties) requires only a small volume, simply in its transport position by opening it is transferable, and the operation is very easy for the layperson should be simple and reliable and also a very stable one Compound of the opened container should be achievable.

This object is achieved by the features of characterizing part of claim 1 solved, wherein expedient developments of the invention by the in the Characteristics contained subclaims are marked.

According to the invention, the container has four inside against the floor to foldable side walls, so that it from an upright transport position in only a small one Empty return position taking up transport volume is transferable. The neighboring ones are in an upright position Sidewalls in the area of a mesh for formation a shear-resistant sidewall composite with each other lockable. As a result of the shear-stable bond in the Transport and use position is a thinning of the side walls towards achieving maximum display function with maximized viewing openings with corresponding Weight minimization of the containers possible. Maximization of the viewing openings inevitably leads to one reduced stability of the side wall elements, wherein however due to the special shear-stable bond in Area of the upper edge of the overlapping neighboring side walls a very stable container can be. The container can be easily carried through Injection molding can be made from plastic.

The side walls are expediently locked via locking hooks with one locking element on the other Side wall interact. It is particularly preferred here if inclined surfaces are formed on the closing element. Are the sloping surfaces behind the locking hooks that the closing element in the upright position of the side walls overlap, there is a tension of the neighboring Sidewalls and thus a non-positive very stable Composite, which is also easily released when required can be. As a result of the display openings is not just one good view of the goods transported in the container is possible, but the goods can also be easily removed, it is often sufficient to put the entire container on the shelf together with the goods, from where the buyer then the Goods can be removed directly from the container. Further precautions have been taken on the container to make cardboard inserts to be able to plug in. Through these cardboard inserts, for example the display openings completely, but only partially cover or fill it is possible one and the same box as a result of the cardboard inserts to give an optically independent appearance to the outside, so that one and the same box due to diverging Cardboard inserts with company-specific information for different Business can be used and nonetheless of the consumer due to the large cardboard inlays Has come to the conclusion that this is a box in the special appearance of a particular company. Furthermore are Clamping projections provided by simply clamping the the cardboard inserts used.

Fig.1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Display-Kastens,

Fig.2

eine Ansicht der Schmalseite des Kastens,

Fig.3

eine Ansicht einer Längsseite des Kastens,

Fig.4

eine Draufsicht auf den Kasten nach Fig.1,

Fig.5

eine perspektivische Darstellung des in Rücktransportstellung (Leerguttransport) zusammengeklappten Kastens nach Fig.1,

Fig.6

eine Draufsicht auf den zusammengeklappten Kasten,

Fig.7

eine Seitenansicht des zusammengeklappten Kastens,

Fig.8

eine Seitenansicht des zusammengeklappten Kasten,

Fig.9

eine Einzelheit der Verriegelung,

Fig.10

eine Schnittansicht durch die Verriegelung nach Fig.9

Fig.11

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines in Transportstellung aufgeklappten Kastens.

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings. Show in it

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a display box,

Fig. 2

a view of the narrow side of the box,

Fig. 3

a view of a long side of the box,

Fig. 4

a plan view of the box of Figure 1,

Fig. 5

2 shows a perspective view of the box according to FIG. 1 folded in the return transport position (empties transport),

Fig. 6

a top view of the folded box,

Fig. 7

a side view of the folded box,

Fig. 8

a side view of the folded box,

Fig. 9

a detail of locking,

Fig. 10

a sectional view through the lock according to Fig.9

Fig. 11

a perspective view of another embodiment of a box opened in the transport position.

The box shown in the figures comprises according to Fig.1 in the case of a rectangular plan, two opposite longitudinal side walls 1 and 2 and two opposite narrow side walls 3 and 4. The side walls 1 to 4 are all articulated connected to the bottom 5 of the box, being as joints Hinge joints or film hinges and the like Find application. The folding joints for the side walls 1 to 4 are preferred on the inside, i.e. on the inner surface formed, as shown purely schematically in Fig.1 by 6 is. This means that the side walls 1 to 4 according to the arrow directions shown in Fig. 11 can be folded inwards on the floor 5. Around Here a perfect folding of these four side walls to enable, the joints 6 are on different Level regarding the floor 5 what by different high intermediate links 7 is reached. These links 7 are preferably formed in one piece with the bottom 5 and extend with respect to the peripheral edge of the bottom the floor surface up. In the embodiment 1, the intermediate member 7 is the shortest and has approximately the thickness of the longitudinal side wall 1. The the next higher intermediate link 7 is that of the longitudinal side wall 2 and then that of the longitudinal side wall 4 and then 3. Accordingly comes the longitudinal side wall in the folded position 2 to lie on the longitudinal side wall 1, whereupon the side wall 4 and then the side wall 3 can be opened. The gradations the intermediate links each correspond to the thickness of the corresponding one Sidewalls, so that they fold perfectly the side walls is made possible.

The side walls 1 and 2 are in the illustrated embodiment designed so that the one hand optimal display function can unfold by opening a maximized have, and on the other hand as recordings for insertion Labels, cardboard inserts and the like can be used can. Corresponding display openings are also in the side walls 3 and 4 provided, also in these openings Labels and / or cardboard inserts can be attached. The long side walls 1 and 2 point to the formation of a maximization a display opening on a U-shaped frame emaciated appearance, the frame consisting of two vertical web-like legs 8 and one of the two Legs 8 connecting web-like in the area of the floor Bottom rail 9 is formed. This results in a very large display opening, bordered only by the legs 8 and the bottom bar 9, so that easy access to the box is possible from all sides, so the goods are easily removed can be, however, corresponding laterally Hold is guaranteed by the bottom bar 9 and otherwise an optimal development of the display function for those in the box recorded goods is guaranteed. In the illustrated The exemplary embodiment is the longitudinal side walls around essentially rectangular recesses as display openings with at 10 rounded edges, the different Radius of curvature for these curves 10 for the Long side wall 1 and the long side wall 2 only two to represent different embodiments. The display openings 12 are in the narrow side walls 3 and 4 in the illustrated embodiment of rectangular Cross section, vertical legs 13 also being realized here are connected by a bar 14 close to the ground. Furthermore, the narrow side walls 3 and 4 also have another horizontal cross strut forming the upper edge of the box 15 on which a handle for transporting the container forms.

The edges of the side walls that delimit the display openings are provided with a groove 16, which all around here the entire frame of the side walls is formed and a Insert a cardboard insert, a label and the like allowed. To clamp the cardboard insert in the opening, are clamping projections 17 preferably in the central region of the Side walls and in the baseboard provided the right clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5. These locking tabs 17 have an inclined insertion ramp 18 so that the cardboard insert can be easily inserted into the groove 16 can. If the cardboard insert is pulled over the clamping projection 17, so the cardboard insert against the edges 19 of the opposite groove wall clamped and thus non-positive held within the corresponding side wall. The groove depth is sufficient for a safe absorption of the Cardboard insert, preferably the groove depth in the area of Floor strut 9 is larger than in the vertical leg areas. Corresponding grooves and clamping projections are also in the side walls 3 and 4 provided, here in the illustrated Embodiment around the rectangular display opening 12 all around.

Because of the sidewall construction due to the maximized display openings is significantly emaciated and essentially on the support legs in the four corner areas of the Box, there is an overlap or an overlap of the adjacent side walls is provided to a stability of the side walls with mutual To achieve tension.

For this purpose, each of the narrow ones is in the embodiment according to FIG Side walls 3 and 4 are U-shaped in plan view, by covering side wall sections in Art extend from tongues 20. These tongue-shaped side wall sections, which extend into the plane of the long side walls, reach over in the upright position of the side walls the legs 8 of the longitudinal side walls 1 and 2 from the outside. For this purpose, 8 recesses at 21 (see Fig. 1, lower left corner) provided that are essentially complementary are formed to the side wall portions 20 and these Record side wall portions 20 so that the outer surface of the Sidewall portions 20 and the outer surface 22 of the long side wall 1 flush with each other, so align. Thereby the overall appearance is closed and a flat, even appearance of the outer surface of the box. As can further be seen from the bottom left of FIG. 1, extends the leg 8 of the side walls 1 and 2 each to the inner surface of the side walls 4 or 3.

To form a shear-resistant connection and thus one very stable, stackable and also heavy loads Box in the upright position of the side walls 1 to 4 is used a lock explained in more detail below. This lock includes in the illustrated embodiment one in recesses 23 at the upper box edge of the side wall sections 20 recorded and shown in more detail in Fig.9 Knob 24, which is rotatable in the recess 23 is and with integrally formed on the vertical legs Locking hook 25 cooperates. In the illustrated embodiment are two on top of each twist lock trimmed hook 25 is provided according to Fig.10, the result of recesses 26 of the rotary handle 24 overlap it, when the side walls are guided into their erected position are. Each rotary handle 24 has ramp-like inclined surfaces 27 and 28 that extend over part of the circumference of the knob extend and increase in thickness. Will spread after the locking hook 25 via the rotary knob in the direction of the arrow rotated according to Fig. 9, the inclined surfaces with increasing thickness under the locking hook 25 and it takes place depending on the rotational position, a non-positive tension between the adjacent longitudinal and narrow side walls, see above that this is a very stable shear-resistant composite of the box results. This lock is on all four corners intended. It is easy to use and simple can also be solved again. Of course, are in place the rotary latch mechanisms described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 other locking mechanisms that are appropriate Bracing and fixing the side walls enable usable.

For the purpose of stacking, the bottom is drawn in at 29, so that a stack groove 30 is formed, which is shown in the Embodiment is circumferential. This can when stacking on top of each other a box with the top stacking position this indented stacking edge from above into the ones below Box can be used up to the stop surface 31, why at the top of the box a recess 32 both in the area the narrow side walls 1 and 2 as well as in the area the leg 8 of the longitudinal side walls 1 and 2 is provided is. As a result of the stack recess 32, a tongue-shaped one remains on the outside Projection 33 on which the box of the top stack rests with the stop surface 31. In these marginal ones tongue-like projections are two recesses on the end face 34 provided as stacking aids for different types Serve boxes, so they have corresponding projections, which are compatible with the recesses 34. Includes analog corresponding recesses at each longitudinal side wall at 35 in Figure 3, formed by a recessed horizontal surface merging inclined surface, so that here too tongue-shaped Engage protrusions on the bottom of another box can and thus a stable stacking compound with different types Boxes is possible.

In addition, the side walls that fold inwards are, overall designed so that in the folded position the individual elements interlock. So the long side walls 1 and 2 are folded inwards and the hinges, as indicated at 6 in Fig.1, formed on the inner surface are after folding in the long side walls 1 and 2 on the outer longitudinal edge a support shoulder in Area of the floor or pontics, the width of which Thickness of the longitudinal side walls 1 and 2 corresponds. In this after the folding of the longitudinal side walls 1 and 2 the recess on the edge fold the intermediate wall sections 20, so that despite these side wall sections 20 when folded a low height structure results. These relationships best result from Fig. 5 and Figs. 7 and 8, Fig. 8 in particular shows that also in the side wall sections There are 20 recesses at the top, which interlock the narrow ones placed one on top of the other Allow side walls 3 and 4 at 36.

Arranged in the area of the narrow side walls on the floor cone-like stops 37 or support columns act with corresponding Recesses 38 in the narrow side walls in upright position together, the stops 37 a Swinging the side walls 3 and 4 outwards when erecting prevent and overall stabilization of the box in the upright position with respect to one bring a particularly stable shear sidewall composite. About that also serve the pin-like stops 37, which in the collapsed Position, as shown in Fig.8, slightly survive, also as stacking aids when stacking the folded Boxes.

11 finally shows a further embodiment for the Clamp the cardboard inlays by placing approximately in the middle of each box side wall two adjacent clamping projections are provided between which there is an opposite tongue 39 is, so that the cardboard insert used due to the in the groove projecting clamping projections 17 against the tongue 39 and is jammed against the edge regions 19.

Claims (3)

Box-shaped container consisting of a base (5) and four side walls (1 to 4) which can be folded inwards towards the bottom and which are connected in an articulated manner (at 6) to the base or to intermediate members (7) projecting upward from the base, with adjacent side walls in their upright position preferably in the area of their upper band at the container corners can be locked together to form a shear-resistant overall assembly, characterized in that the longitudinal side walls (1, 2) to limit a maximum display and removal opening to a U-shaped side view, on upper box edge open frame with web-like legs (8) in the container corner and a web-like bottom bar (9) connecting the legs (8) are emaciated. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the edges of the side walls delimiting the openings (12) in the side walls (1 to 4) preferably continuously with a groove (16) open to the limited display opening for receiving cardboard and / or label inserts and the like are provided. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that clamping projections (17) are provided for fixing the inserts received in the grooves (16), each side wall (1 to 4) preferably releasing two spaced-apart, opposite the side wall outer surface by two recesses Clamping projections (17) and a contact tongue (39) are provided between the recesses opposite the clamping projections (17), whereby the inserted insert is clamped between the clamping projections (17) and the contact tongue (39), the clamping projections (17) having an insertion bevel (18) are provided for the deposits.

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