EP0868354B1 - Bottle crate made of plastic - Google Patents

Abstract

A plurality of substantially identical bottles each have a generally cylindrical body centered on a bottle axis and having a lower end and a ring on the lower end and of greater diameter than the respective body to project radially therepast. A plastic case has a plurality of side walls each formed by at least one lower web with a relatively large window opening and inner walls spaced inward from the side walls and defining therewith a plurality of seats each centered on a respective normally upright seat axis. A respective relatively short outer retaining formation projects radially of the respective seat axis below the respective window from the respective lower web into each seat and has an inner edge spaced from the respective seat axis by a distance equal generally to half the outside diameter of the bottle ring. A respective inner retaining formation projects radially of the respective seat axis to each seat and has an inner edge spaced from the respective seat axis by a distance equal generally to half the outside diameter of the bottle body. Each inner formation is wholly above the respective outer formation.

Description

The invention relates to a bottle crate Plastic with several crossing in parallel arranged, open compartments with in the Shelved bottles, being in the Specialized bottle centering members are formed which are preferably molded onto the compartment wall where the bottles are plastic bottles, the side wall near the bottle bottom is cylindrical or preferably slight protrudes and preferably to the floor transition is arched.

Such a bottle crate is for example known from DE 83 00 474 U1.

In the known bottle crate are the Sidewalls as essentially closed Walls formed. When bottles are Glass bottles are provided, which are essentially one have a cylindrical shape. As centering devices are elastic elements on the partition walls molded on, the same level in each compartment opposite wall parts arranged are. Through this centering it is possible to Bottle placed in the box is largely silent to hold because the bottle is not against the Compartment walls (e.g. during transport) strikes, but held by the centering that cause noise reduction.

In the interim, there are also Bottle crates known, the frame-like trained Have side walls so that the side walls quasi like a window the view of the interior of the Release the box. The one in such a box set bottles are made of plastic, preferably PET, the bottles in the range of Bottle bottom have an annular projection, to which there is an essentially cylindrical bottle body connects upwards. The top of the Bottle is tapered and has a closure.

Such bottles are placed in the appropriate boxes after filling by the filling machine in the way that the labeling of the bottles through the window-like recesses in the side walls are visible. But since such bottles are not in theirs Location is kept secure, but because of manufacturing-related tolerances relatively loose in the If there are compartments, these bottles can for example, rotate around its vertical axis during transport, so the labeling is no longer through the window of the box can be seen. This effect is undesirable. An arrangement of bottle centering devices such as they are described in DE 83 00 474 U1 is at such bottles possible, but leads to several negative effects. In particular, it is negative that a filled bottle may still be can be inserted between the centering and can come in, but an empty bottle (at Return of the empty bottles to the bottler) not due to their own weight down to the bottom of the compartment can sag, but such a bottle remains hang on the centering elements so that the bottle possibly with her head on the escape of the Box mouth protrudes, causing damage and Disabilities. Even at the bottling plant, in which the empty bottles from the box are machined are removed, this is an improper arrangement disadvantageous and can damage the Guide the removal device or the bottles. In particular due to the relatively large volume of such Bottles, often in a volume of one liter or more can be used when filling the bottles in the crate have a tipping effect, because the focus of such bottles is relatively high, so that even filled bottles may not can be properly inserted into the box if centering devices of the previously known type are used become.

From DE-A-1586885 is a bottle crate known in the upper and lower support ribs the compartments are trained.

With such training there is a risk that the labels of the bottles to be inserted at Insertion may be damaged.

Based on the status of the Technology is the object of the invention, a bottle crate of the generic type create a large-scale insight the labeling of the bottles enables the one correct positioning of the bottle in empty and allowed in the filled state and one The bottles twist about their vertical axis Transport or warehouse movements as far as possible is prevented.

The invention proposes to achieve this object before that the bottle crate sidewalls has, which are frame-like and just the box corners or that Has webs forming the mouth edge and bottom edge, that the centering members from at least one only on the inside of the bottom of the respective compartment trained first clamping web and at least one on the opposite Partition wall part formed second clamping web exist, with the first clamping web set bottle in the area near the ground cylindrical wall or the Bottle protrusion and the second clamping bar set bottle on a cylindrical, located above the bottle ledge Wall area supports, so that the set Bottle twisted around its longitudinal axis is disabled and that the lower end of the second Clamping web below the center of gravity of the (Filled) bottle is placed in the compartment is set.

It is preferably provided that the radial distance the support surfaces of the first and second clamping web about equal to or slightly less than that Diameter of the bottle plus the Protrusion of the bottle protrusion over the cylindrical area.

To facilitate the insertion process, you can also be provided that at least the second Clamping bar in the form of a compartment opening in the height decreasing ramp is formed.

The training according to the invention achieved plastic bottles that are blown free become and consequently by the different Shrinking behavior considerable dimensional tolerances have, correct position and in a simple manner the box or in the corresponding compartments can be introduced. The clamping bars are namely positioned so that the lower projecting area of the bottles (the so-called Friction ring of the bottles) attachment point in the area-des Clamping web and one or more counter stops on the compartment side (opposite side to the open box side wall) in shape are formed by further clamping webs, but are set higher in level so that the bottle to be adjusted due to its own weight presses and on the clamping webs of the compartment and the Box edge abuts. This is particularly the case therefore in a very suitable form, because a Compliance of the compartment wall as well as the Plastic bottles is given, so that if necessary even a real tight fit is achieved. To this Way is also ensured that the one Labeling or other printing or Information provided bottles from the filling machine can be inserted in the box in the correct position, so the information through the window-like Recesses in the side wall of the box can be seen are, with the arrangement and design of Clamping webs ensures that the bottle at Do not turn transport or the like around its vertical axis can. By a sufficiently high jump between the upper edge of the lower clamping web and the lower edge of the upper clamping web on the compartment ensures that the bottles comply with a slight swinging movement safely and easily into the compartment can be used and there are no clamps or Put on comes. This also applies to the few grams weighing empty bottle, then in the compartment as well is securely locked and to the bottom of the compartment falls through.

The frame-like design of the side walls is otherwise to understand that the side walls also exclusively through box corners and the Bottom edge can be formed, that is Mouth edge is omitted. It is also possible that the Compartmental webs that are essentially orthogonal to Side wall run up to the window level protrude and form support bars there.

For the rest, the invention is not only in such Bottles usable that have a corresponding Show bottle ledge, but the bottles can also be cylindrical to the bottom be trained. Even with one of these trained bottle is the invention Training in the sense of the task and solution advantageous.

By training, according to which the lower end of the second clamping web below the center of gravity of the filled bottle that lies in the compartment the bottle will collapse, especially the filled bottle, relieved and the secure holding of the bottle in the target position guaranteed between the clamping bars.

It is also considered advantageous that the compartment wall part on the side facing away from the second clamping web has a counter rib, stiffener or the like, which an excessive deformation of the compartment wall part through the set in the compartment on the clamping bars supported bottle counteracts and the dimensional accuracy of the internal compartment, which is free of Clamping webs is.

Through the training according to the invention it can happen that due to dimensional tolerances or due to from excessive exposure to temperature of the second clamping bar through the set bottle takes place, so that this narrows the compartment would take place, which on the terminal web facing away Side of the compartment wall. To avoid this is a corresponding counter rib or the like on the compartment wall provided, so that an excessive Deformation of the partition wall relative to that internal compartment is avoided. It can also in this inside, not provided with clamping bars Compartmentally drop in a corresponding bottle. The Rib or the like is arranged so that the bottle that can be used in this compartment if necessary with special needs. With the appropriate training a stabilization of the pressure point of the second clamping web reached on the bottle with that in the Compartment equipped with clamping bars.

It is also preferably provided that the one with clamping webs fitted compartment in the bottle Operating position tilted slightly around its vertical axis the clamping webs is held.

The arrangement and design of the clamping webs is like this provided that both with the bottle set on Bottle coat are applied, so that a small Inclination of the bottle in the inserted state results. The bottle is slightly ahead of corresponding Sidewalls inclined around their vertical axis.

The invention is based on a Embodiment explained.

Fig. 1

Ein Detail eines erfindungsgemäßen Flaschenkastens in Seitenansicht;

Fig. 2

das oder ein ähnlichen Detail in Draufsicht gesehen;

Fig. 3

eine Variante in der Ansicht gemäß Figur 2.

It shows:

Fig. 1

A detail of a bottle crate according to the invention in side view;

Fig. 2

the or a similar detail seen in plan view;

Fig. 3

a variant in the view of Figure 2.

The bottle crate overall is not in the drawing shown. Such a bottle crate has a height on that clearly shows the height of a set bottle exceeds. The side walls of the box are through in the box corners, at the mouth of the box and webs formed at the bottom edge of the box, wherein the box bottom has a lattice-like structure and compartments 1 are arranged in the interior of the box, placed in the corresponding bottle 2 from above can be. The outside to the respective Compartments facing towards the side of the box are in trained as in the drawing figures shown. The bottles 2 are in the box are set, plastic bottles, the side wall near the box bottom (in figure 1 below) project slightly (projection 3) and to Floor transition are drawn in like a floor, as in 4 clarifies. In the upper area 5 are the bottles formed essentially cylindrical to then towards the discharge opening of the bottle rejuvenate.

For secure mounting and, in particular, secure against rotation Holding a set bottle 2 are organs of weight provided that consist of at least one at the bottom edge 6 of the box inside the respective compartment 1 trained first clamping web 7 and at least one on the opposite compartment wall part 8 trained second clamping web 9 exist. The first Clamping bar 7 supports the set bottle 2 in Area of the bottle protrusion 3, while the second Clamping web 9 the bottle 2 on a cylindrical, located above the bottle protrusion 1 Wall area (5) supports. That way it is set bottle at a twist around her Longitudinal axis hindered. It is therefore the view in the direction of arrow 10 on the bottle label or the like possible through the window of the Box side wall is released and only through covered the frame-like side wall part of the box is part of the box edge 6.

The radial distance between the support surfaces of the first and second clamping web 7, 9 corresponds approximately to the diameter the bottle 2 in the cylindrical area (at 5) plus the protrusion of the bottle protrusion 1 over the cylindrical area 5. At least the second clamping web 9 is in the form of a compartment opening (in the drawing figure 1) ramp that decreases in height trained, so that thereby an insertion aid is formed. The first clamping web 7 can also be in Insertion direction beveled to an insertion aid to build.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 2 there are two in each case Clamping webs 7 are formed on the edge 6 of the box and protrude from this, and also two clamping webs 9 on the wall part 8 of the compartment formed. The set bottle 2 is thus held securely. 3 there are 6 at the edge of the box is two clamping webs 7 and 8 on the compartment wall only one clamping web 9 is arranged.

In the drawing figure 1, the bottle is dashed 2 shown in a slightly inclined position, which indicates should be that the set bottle between the Clamping webs 7.9 is held in a clamped manner, with the the bottle in drawing figure 1 is quasi pushed to the left, so that there is a slight inclination. The in the Drawing shown location is clearly exaggerated. The actual angle to the skew the vertical axis is only a few degrees.

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

Claims (5)

1. A bottle crate made from plastics material having several compartments which are arranged in parallel, intersecting rows and are open at the top, with bottles positioned in the compartments, wherein bottle centring members are constructed in the compartments, which are preferably integrally formed on the compartment wall, the bottles being plastic bottles, the side wall of which is cylindrical in the vicinity of the bottle base or preferably slightly projects or is preferably tapered in a curve to the bottom transition,
   characterised in that the bottle crate comprises side walls which are constructed like a frame and only comprises webs forming the crate corners or also the opening edge and bottom edge (6),
   in that the centring members consist of at least one first clamping web (7) constructed exclusively on the bottom edge (6) inside the respective compartment and at least one second clamping web (9) constructed on the opposite compartment wall part (8), the first clamping web (7) supporting the positioned bottle (2) in the region of the cylindrical wall close to the bottom or of the bottle projection (3) and the second clamping web (9) supports the positioned bottle (2) on a cylindrical wall region (5) situated above the bottle projection (3), so that the positioned bottle (2) is prevented from twisting around its longitudinal axis,
   and in that the lower end of the second clamping web (9) is disposed beneath the centre of gravity of the (filled) bottle (2) which is positioned in the compartment.
2. A bottle crate according to Claim 1,
   characterised in that the radial spacing of the support faces of the first and second clamping web (7, 9) is roughly equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of the bottle (2) possibly including the projecting end of the bottle projection (3) over the cylindrical region.
3. A bottle crate according to Claim 1 or 2,
   characterised in that at least the second clamping web (9) is constructed in the form of a ramp decreasing in height towards the compartment opening.
4. A bottle crate according to one of Claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in that on the side faced away from the second clamping web (9) the compartment wall part (8) comprises a counter-rib, strut or the like, which counteracts an excessive deformation of the compartment wall part (8) by the bottle (2) positioned in the compartment and supported on the clamping webs (7, 9) and effects the dimensional accuracy of the interior compartment which is free from clamping webs (7, 9).
5. A bottle crate according to one of Claims 1 to 4,
   characterised in that the bottle (2) inserted into a compartment equipped with clamping webs (7, 9) is retained in the insertion position tilted slightly around its vertical axis by the clamping webs (7, 9).

Images