EP2161208A1 - Storage box - Google Patents

Abstract

The storage box (10) has recesses (22), whose upper edges (40) are flanked inside an edge end section (42) by bevel attachments projecting upwards over the edge level of the edge end section. The storage box has flaps (26) which have a narrow, lower base area and a broad, upper head area. The side sections of the flaps overlap with the bevel attachments of the adjacent recesses, and protrude laterally over the base area.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a storage box, in particular a Lagersichtbox, with a lower bottom wall and two extending between a rear rear wall and a front front wall side walls having alternately lobes and indentations, wherein the side walls in the bulges have flaps, each to a horizontal film hinge are pivotable and projecting in the unfolded state inwards to provide support for a stacked, identical storage box, and aligned in the folded state inside with the side wall to allow nesting with a storage box of the same design.

State of the art

Such storage boxes are known from the EP 0 508 461 B1 , The typically slightly inwardly downwardly inclined side walls of such storage boxes are formed wavy, ie they consist essentially of alternately arranged indentations and bulges, each in the Substantially extend the entire height of the side wall. The indentations and bulges serve to stiffen the side walls. The bulges rejuvenate downwards; the indentations widen down accordingly. Due to the downwards tapered shape of the bulges and the slightly inclined sidewalls, a nesting of identical, empty storage boxes is made possible. The outer surfaces of the bulges of an upper storage box slide into the pockets formed by the bulges of the lower storage box.

For stacking, for example, filled storage boxes, two variants are possible. On the one hand, the storage boxes can be stacked in the axial direction offset from one another, so that the lower edges of the bulges of the upper storage box come to rest on the upper edges of the recesses of the lower storage box. However, especially when stacking a plurality of storage boxes, such dislocation leads to stability problems. In the known storage box console-like flaps are therefore provided in the bulges on which the lower edges of the bulges of a stacked, identical storage box can rest without an axial displacement to the lower storage box would be required.

The flaps, each passing through a side wall cutout of the storage box, have a U-shaped or double-T profile in the horizontal cross section, with their side walls substantially in the form of triangular triangles. At their lower edge, the flaps are connected via a film hinge with the side walls. this makes possible in the typical production of such storage boxes by means of plastic injection molding technique, the integral formation of flaps and side wall. In the unfolded state, the flaps jump inward out of the side walls. They thus counteract the nesting of two identical storage boxes. They serve in this state as brackets for supporting the lower edges of the bulges of the upper storage box. When folded, the flaps do not project inwardly out of the sidewall, allowing nesting as described above. For fixing each flap in the on or the unfolded position locking grooves are provided at the upper edges of their triangular side surfaces into which engages the upper edge of the side wall cutout, which passes through the flap. Such a fixation is required at least in the unfolded position, since without fixing the flap under the weight of the upper storage box completely fold down and would no longer act as a console.

A disadvantage of the known storage box is the low security of the fixation of the flaps in the unfolded state. The stability is based essentially on the rigidity of the wall material in the region of the bulges. If too much pressure on the console-like unfolded flaps by the weight of the overlying storage box, the upper edge of the side wall cutout, which is engaged in the locking grooves of the upper edges of the flap side surfaces, bulge inward until it is released from the detent position, resulting in a folding of the flaps leads down. This places narrow limits on the potential savings in the production by using thinner wall material. The problem is aggravated with frequent use of the valves. When folding in and out, the upper edges of the flap side surfaces outside of the latching grooves act like cutting edges which act on the upper edge of the side wall cutout. It can come through frequent use for milling a counter-groove, which weakens the stability of the locking fixture.

From the FR 2 843 945 A1 a similar system is known in which, however, the flaps are formed as separate elements and can be used in openings in the side walls. In addition to the above-mentioned disadvantages, this system also has the disadvantages of the flaps being damaged and of the complex production process for different parts to be assembled in an additional work step.

From the WO 2005/097608 A1 a storage sealing box is known in which the bulges for stacking a plurality of storage boxes with separate bridge elements can be bridged. Also, this system has the disadvantage of Verlierbarkeit and complex production of separate parts. A further disadvantage of this system is that the bridge elements for conversion from stacking to cartons must be completely removed and stored separately. This increases the risk of loss and makes logistics more difficult.

task

It is the object of the present invention to improve the stability and safety in the stacking of several identical storage boxes.

Presentation of the invention

This object is achieved in conjunction with the features of the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the upper edges of the indentations are flanked in each case in at least one edge end portion inside by an upwardly projecting beyond the edge plane of the Kantenendabschnitts investment slope and the flaps each have a narrower, lower foot area and have a wider, upper head area, overlap laterally beyond the foot area protruding side portions with the Anlageschrägen so that they rest in the unfolded state of these.

The basic idea of the invention is to create an overlapping area between the indentations and the protuberances, wherein the lateral sections of the head region of the flap, which is preferably offset from the foot area by a shoulder (ie the flap is preferably mushroom-shaped or hammer-shaped in outline), are arranged in this overlapping area. The foot of the flap is located between the indentations and can be freely pivoted from these. The head region of the flap is arranged above the edge plane of the upper edges of the indentations. When folding it thus sweeps over the edge end portions. However, when unfolding further, its outer sections collide with the abutments that flank the edge end portions of the indentation top edges inwardly. The head area thus finds an abutment on the abutment slopes. The weight of a stacked storage box, its bulge lower edges resting on the upper edges of the flap, is thus supported on the film hinge and on the Anlageschrägen. In the preferred embodiment of an outline mushroom or hammer shaped flap and the film hinge can be relieved when the head portion of the flap is dimensioned so that the lower edges of its side portions rest on the edge plane of the Kantenendabschnitte the Einbuchtungsoberkanten. The stability is thus essentially solely dependent on the stability of the flap and here in particular of the head area. Incidentally, with suitably stable design of the flaps, the material thickness of the side wall can be significantly reduced without jeopardizing the stability of the stacking. Also, a reduction in stability through frequent use of the flaps is not to be feared, since the fixation according to the invention by means of stopper in contrast to the known locking fixation is not susceptible to wear.

Favorable developments of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

It is preferably provided that the flaps are formed as flat elements and the side walls have columns, which in each case adjoin the film hinges and define the edges of the flaps. This embodiment is particularly advantageous with regard to cost-effective production. Injection molding technology is the creation of flaps with U- or double T-shaped profile, as they are known from the prior art, very expensive. A tool with which the flaps are formed as flat elements, however, can be designed very simple. In particular it must differ only slightly from a tool for a storage box without flaps. Such a modification would merely have to be modified such that a rejuvenation of the wall thickness is created in the region of the film hinge and a gap defined in the wall material in the region of the flap edge.

In a further development of this embodiment is also provided that the gaps are interrupted in each case by at least one predetermined breaking web, which breaks at a first-time unfolding of the corresponding flap. The provision of such webs is advantageous both in terms of manufacturing technology and when using the storage boxes. During production, the channels corresponding to the breakaway webs in the tool improve the material flow during the injection process. When using the finished storage boxes serve the predetermined breaking webs of the initial fixation of the flaps in their folded position. This ensures easy nesting because the flaps can not be accidentally moved to the unfolded state. This facilitates transport and delivery of new storage boxes. Only when a stacking of several storage boxes is actually desired, the flaps can be converted into the unfolded state required for stacking, breaking the breakaway webs. Depending on the dimensioning of the strength of the predetermined breaking webs, this can be done by hand applied pressure on the flaps.

Preferably, the lower edges of the bulges each have a downwardly open, wall-parallel stacking groove, the outer groove wall sloping obliquely downwards outwards. These Development of the invention serves to further increase the stacking security. As already mentioned, rest in the stacked state, the lower edges of the bulges of an upper storage box on the upper edges of the unfolded flaps of a lower storage box. By providing a stacking groove, in which engages the respective upper edge of the supporting flap, a lateral displacement of the upper storage box can be prevented. Due to the advantageous embodiment of the groove with an oblique, outer groove wall a centering function is also achieved. Thus, an upper storage box which is not perfectly stacked on the lower storage box automatically slides on the beveled groove walls of its stacking grooves into a centered, ie stable position.

In a favorable development of the invention it is provided that on the edge end portions of the upper edges of the indentations in each case a parallel to the flanking plant slope aligned Rastgrat is arranged, whose back slightly overlaps with the lower edge of the head region side portion of the associated flaps. It can be formed between the Rastgrat and the contact surface a locking groove, engages in the lower edge of the head region side portion of the associated flap upon transfer of the flap in the unfolded state. It should be noted that this locking fixation of the flap in the unfolded state, in contrast to the latching fixation according to the prior art in the stacked state is not safety-relevant. The latching connection according to the invention is in fact power-free in the stacked state. Kraftbeaufschlagt is only the contact surface, against which the lateral portions of the flap head area and if necessary, the groove bottom of the locking groove and slightly of the film hinge. The locking connection according to the invention is relevant only in the non-stacked state. Here, it ensures that the unloaded flaps do not migrate back into the folded position by residual stress of the material, in particular the film hinge, before a second storage box is stacked over it.

Preferably, the upper edges of the indentations each have at least one marginal step, so that the edge planes of the flanked by the contact slopes edge end portions are lower than the edge planes of the respective adjacent edge center sections. In other words, the recesses are pulled higher in their central region than in their side regions in which the flaps abut against the abutment surfaces. The top edge of the flap therefore does not protrude beyond the edge level in the central region of the recess upper edge with the full height of its head region. As a result, a greater rigidity of the side walls is achieved because the indentations can be pulled to the full height of the side wall or at least so high that a resulting, unprofiled upper edge can be formed narrow enough to represent no stability problem.

In a further development of the invention, it is provided that the edge center sections of the upper edges of the indentations are flanked in each case by an upwardly projecting centering bevel over the edge plane of the edge center section. In other words, this means that the edge center sections of the recessed upper edges in are designed similar manner as the edge end portions, namely have a lateral slope which limits the edge plane inwards. This allows a particularly easy and safe stacking in axially offset mode, ie when the lower edges of the bulges of an upper storage box come to rest on the upper edges of the recesses of the lower storage box. In particular, in combination with the centering groove described above at the lower edges of the bulges a simple and secure stacking is possible.

In a further development of this embodiment, it is provided that the upper edges of the flaps in the unfolded state are aligned with the centering bevels. This leaves a drawer-like, i. axial displacement of stacked storage boxes too.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following specific description and the drawings.

Brief description of the drawings Show it

FIG. 1:

a perspective view of a storage box according to the invention with flaps in the folded state,

FIG. 2:

a perspective view of a storage box according to the invention with flaps in the unfolded state,

FIG. 3:

an enlarged view of the in FIG. 1 with section III,

FIG. 4:

an enlarged view of the in FIG. 2 section marked IV,

FIG. 6:

a sectional view of two nested storage boxes,

FIG. 7:

a sectional view of two stacked storage boxes.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

The FIGS. 1 to 6 , which show different representations of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, will be discussed together below. Like reference numerals designate like elements.

The storage box 10 according to the invention has a bottom wall 12, a rear rear wall 14, a front front wall 16 and two side walls 18, each extending between the rear wall 14 and the front wall 16. In the illustrated embodiment of the storage box 10 according to the invention as a storage sealing box, the front wall 16 is designed significantly lower than the rear wall 14 and the side walls 18, so even in the stacked state, the contents of the storage box 10th recognizable or accessible remains. The side walls 18 consist of alternately arranged bulges 20 and indentations 22, which leads to a corrugated profile of the side walls 18, which increases the stability of the storage box 10 with respect to storage boxes with straight side walls. The bulges 20 taper down slightly, the indentations 22 widening down accordingly. The lower edges of the bulges 20 have wall-parallel stacking grooves 24, the outer groove walls 25 are bevelled outwardly downwards. The specific task and importance of the stacking grooves 24 will be discussed below in connection with the FIGS. 5 and 6 to be discribed. Although stacking groove 24 is an advantageous feature, it is not essential to the present invention.

The bulges 20 have in their upper part flaps 26 which in the FIGS. 3 and 4 are shown in enlarged scale. The flaps 26 are formed as mushroom-shaped flat elements with a foot region 28 and a head region 30. The head region 30 projects laterally beyond the foot region 28 with its side sections 32. The base of the foot region 28 is formed by a film hinge 34, which is formed as a linear material taper of the sidewall material. Starting from the ends of the film hinge 34 passes through a gap 36, the side wall 18, which defines the outline of the flap 26. In FIG. 3 It can be seen that the gap 36 is interrupted by a predetermined breaking web 38, the flap 26 in the new condition of the storage box 10 in the in the FIGS. 1 and 3 shown, folded position holds. He breaks at the transfer of the flap 26 in the in Figures 2 and 4 shown, unfolded state. In the embodiment shown, the Kantenendbereiche 42 of the upper edges 40 of the recesses 22 are offset with a step down. Towards the interior of the box, the edge end region 42 is delimited by a contact bevel 44. The Anlageschräge 44 outwardly precedes a latching ridge 46, between which and the contact face 44, a locking groove 48 is formed.

The abutment 44 overlaps laterally with the side portion 32 of the head portion 30 of the flap 26, so that, in particular in FIG. 4 recognizable, the side portion 32 of the head portion 30 abuts in the unfolded state of the contact slope 44. The Rastgrat 46 is dimensioned so that the lower edge of the side portion 32 of the head portion 30 when unfolding him experiences a surmountable by elastic deformation resistance. After overcoming the obstacle, the lower edge of the side portion 32 snaps into the locking groove 48. Preferably, it rests on the groove bottom of the locking groove 48.

In this state, the storage box 10 according to the invention is stackable without dislocation. This is in FIG. 6 recognizable. The upper edges of the unfolded flaps 26 of a lower storage box 1 engage in the stacking grooves 24 of an upper storage box 2 and carry the upper storage box 2. The weight of the upper storage box is on the Nutgründen the locking grooves 48 and the Anlageschrägen 44 of the Kantenendabschnitte 40 of the indentations 22nd supported. The film hinge 34 and the side wall 18 in the region of the bulges 20 are not or only slightly loaded by the support. The side walls 18 can therefore material be sparingly designed sparingly. In FIG. 6 Also, the meaning of the tapered outer groove wall 25 of the stacking groove 24 can be seen. It serves for the automatic, lateral centering of the upper storage box 2. In the case of not completely symmetrical positioning, the upper storage box 2 slides on the outer groove walls 25 acting as centering bevels in the desired, central position.

In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the edge center regions 50 of the upper edges 40 of the indentations 22, i. the edge portions of the upper edges 40 located between the edge end portions 40, an inwardly limiting slope, which is referred to here as Zentrierschräge 52. In an axially staggered stacking of the storage boxes interact the stacking grooves 24 and in particular their beveled outer groove walls 25 with the centering bevels 52 and provide lateral centering and fixing stacked storage boxes safely. If the upper edges of the flaps 26 are level with the edge plane of the edge center sections 50, an axial, drawer-like displacement of stacked storage boxes 1, 2 against each other is possible. Depending on the displacement position, the upper edge of the flap 26 or the centering groove 52 of the lower storage box 1 engages in the stacking groove 25 of the upper storage box 2.

In the folded, ie the in the FIGS. 1 and 3 shown state of the flaps 26, the storage box 10 according to the invention is nestable. The nesting of two storage boxes 1 and 2 is in FIG. 5 shown. In this state, the insides of the flaps 26 are flush with the insides of them each surrounding bulge 20 so that they oppose the penetration of the upper storage box 2 no resistance.

In the preferred embodiment, 10 support pilasters 54 are arranged in the four corners of the storage box. This limit the penetration depth of the upper storage box 2 in the lower storage box 1. In this way, a wedging of the nested storage boxes is prevented each other.

As already explained above, the supporting force that can oppose the flaps 26 of a lower storage box 1 to one or more storage boxes 2 stacked above them essentially depends on the stability of the flaps 26. It may therefore be useful, as in the embodiment shown to form reinforced the flap material with respect to the remaining wall material. In the embodiment shown, a plurality of horizontal ribs are arranged one above the other. These serve on the one hand the reinforcement of the flaps and on the other hand represent by their arrowhead-like design a suggestive operation note ("press here") for the user. In addition, they increase the grip of the flaps, which in particular when first used, when the breaking webs 38 must be broken helpful.

Of course, the embodiments discussed in the specific description and shown in the figures represent only illustrative embodiments of the present invention. A broad range of possible variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the disclosure herein. In particular, although it is advantageous, but not essential, the storage box according to the invention Plastic, in particular by injection molding manufacture. Other materials, such as metal, may also be used. The embodiment of the storage box 10 as a storage sealing box with a lower front wall 16 is not relevant to the invention. In principle, the invention is also applicable to boxes with the same height walls. Furthermore, it is not absolutely necessary for the edge end sections 40 of the upper edges 42 of the recesses 22 to be set down by one step. It is also conceivable that they lie at the same level as or higher than the edge center sections 50. In this case, however, would require a higher, the indentations 22 outside flanking edge from which the head portions 30 of the flaps 26 are formed. Finally, the flaps 26 do not have the Asked in the figures mushroom-shaped design with a curved upper edge. A hammer-like or similar design is likewise conceivable as long as the head region 30 has side sections 32 which protrude laterally beyond the foot region 28 and overlap with the contact slopes 44.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

lower storage box

2

upper storage box

10

Lagerbox

12

bottom wall

14

rear wall

16

front wall

18

Side wall

20

bulge

22

indentation

24

stacking groove

25

Groove wall of 24

26

flap

28

Foot area of 26

30

Head area of 26

32

Side section of 30

34

film hinge

36

gap

38

Breaking bridge

40

Top edge of 22

42

Edge end section of 40

44

contact bevel

46

Rastgrat

48

locking groove

50

Edge center section of 40

52

centering slope

54

Stützpilaster

Claims (10)

Bearing box, in particular Lagersichtbox, with a lower bottom wall (12) and two between a rear rear wall (14) and a front front wall (16) extending side walls (18) having alternately bulges (20 and indentations,
wherein the side walls (18) in the recesses (20) flaps (26) which are each pivotable about a horizontal film hinge (34) and which protrude inwardly in the unfolded state to a support for a stacked identical storage box (2) to provide, and in the folded state inside with the side wall (18) are aligned to allow nesting with a similar storage box (2),
characterized,
in that the upper edges (40) of the indentations (22) are flanked in each case in at least one edge end section (42) by an abutment slope (44) projecting upwards over the edge plane of the edge end section (42)
and the flaps (26) each have a narrower, lower foot region (28) and a broader, upper head region (30) whose laterally over the foot region protruding side portions (32) overlap with the Anlageschrägen (44) of the adjacent recesses (22), so that they rest against these in the unfolded state. Storage box according to claim 1,
characterized,
in that the flaps (26) are designed as flat elements and the side walls have gaps (36) which adjoin respectively the film hinges (34) and define the edges of the flaps (26). Storage box according to claim 2,
characterized,
that the lower edges of the bulges (20) each have a downwardly open, wall-parallel stacking groove (24), the outer groove wall (25) sloping obliquely downwards outwards. Storage box according to claim 3,
characterized,
in that the upper edges of the folded-out flaps (26) engage in the stacking grooves (24) of a stacked storage box (2) of identical construction. Storage box according to claim 2,
characterized,
that the column (36) in each case of at least one predetermined breaking web (38) are interrupted, which ruptures at a first deployment of the corresponding flap (26). Storage box according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that on the Kantenendabschnitten (42) of the upper edges (40) of the recesses (22) each have a parallel to the flanking bearing bevels (44) aligned latching ridge (46) is arranged, whose back slightly overlaps with the lower edge of the overlapping with the contact surface (44) head region side portion (32) of the associated flap (26). Storage box according to claim 6,
characterized,
in that a latching groove (48) is formed between the latching ridge (46) and the abutment surface (44), into which the overlapping head region side section (32) of the associated flap (26) engages in the unfolded state when the flap (26) is transferred. Storage box according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the upper edges (40) of the indentations (22) each having at least a marginal level, so that the edge planes of the of the system ramps (44) flanked Kantenendabschnitte (42) lie lower than the edge planes of the respective adjacent edges of central portions (50). Storage box according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that the edge center sections (50) of the upper edges (40) of the indentations (22) are flanked on the inside by a centering bevel (52) protruding upward above the edge plane of the edge center section (50). Storage box according to claim 9,
characterized,
that the upper edges of the flaps (26) in the unfolded state with the centering bevels (52) are aligned.

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