EP2315701A1

EP2315701A1 - Stackable container assembly with reciprocal locking of the stacked containers

Info

Publication number: EP2315701A1
Application number: EP09776868A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andreas Koenig; Timo Kuhls; Raimund SCHÄFFER; Lutz Wolle
Original assignee: TTS Tooltechnic Systems AG and Co KG
Current assignee: TTS Tooltechnic Systems AG and Co KG
Priority date: 2009-06-29
Filing date: 2009-06-29
Publication date: 2011-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 2029-06-29
Also published as: ATE546373T1; US20110155613A1; EP2315701B1; CN102137795B; CN102137795A; WO2011000385A1; US8875888B2; CA2735679C; CA2735679A1

Abstract

It is a matter of a container assembly with at least one stackable container (1) which has a bottom part (7) and a lid (8) mounted on top thereof. Several containers (1) may be so stacked that the lid (8) of the lower container (1) is located between two bottom parts (7). The container (1) is equipped with at least one connecting device (3) which has coupling means (26) mounted movably on the lid (8) of the container (1). The coupling means (26) are movable, for the connection of two containers (1) mounted one above the other, into a connected position relative to the lid (8), in which they are simultaneously in connecting engagement with the bottom parts (7) of both stacked containers (1).

Description

STACKING TERRAIN ASSEMBLY WITH MUTUAL LOCKING STACKED CONTAINERS

The invention relates to a container assembly having at least one stackable container having an opening having a box-shaped or cup-shaped base and an opening of the lower part, for selectively releasing or closing the opening relative to the lower part movable lid and the vertical stacking for such a plurality of containers is formed, that the lid of a lower container between the lower parts of the lower container and an immediately above arranged upper container is ters, wherein on the container at least one coupling device is arranged, which has a movable coupling means with which the lower parts directly The container can be detachably coupled to one another to obtain a container combination consisting of a plurality of containers.

A container assembly of this type consisting of EP 1 059 240 B1 includes a container having a base and a lid pivotally mounted thereon and stackable with a plurality of similar containers in a vertical stacking direction such that its lid is below the base of a container seated thereon Cover comes to rest. On opposite side faces of the container there is in each case a coupling device. standing out in each case two coupling means in the form of turnstiles, one of which is arranged on a pivotable carrying handle. Depending on the pivot position of the handle, the lid is locked or released by the coupling means of the carrying handle with respect to the lower part. In order to releasably couple two stacked containers together to obtain a uniformly transportable container composite, the second coupling means can also be twisted so that it comes into coupling engagement with the lower part of the upper container. The cohesion of two coupled containers is thus accomplished by the connection of the two lower parts. If such a container composite transported by detecting the upper container, the pivotal mounting of the coupling means is subject to a high load, which can cause premature wear, but at least requires a very stable and robust and therefore costly design.

A comparable situation lies in the in the

EP 0 555 533 B1 discloses a stackable container which is equipped with coupling devices distributed over its circumference, each of which has a coupling means designed in the form of a pivotable locking tab. Notwithstanding EP 1 059 240 B1, here a single coupling means is able either to lock only the lid to the lower part or to combine a plurality of containers into a container composite by locking engagement with an upper container. In the case of such a composite container again subject to the movable storage of the coupling means of a high load, so that the lower part additional anchoring means are arranged, which cooperate with the coupling means by the Relieve the pivot bearing. This is associated with increased design effort.

From DE 44 09 411 Al a packaging container is known, which is stackable with his equals and summarized to a container composite by having at its top and its bottom over mutually complementary engagement structures which engage with each other when an upper container in the context of a combined plug Pivoting movement is placed on the lower container. The engagement structure prevents regionally, near the back of the container, a lifting of the upper container. The fixing of the front region of the container takes place by means of an additional coupling device which has a plurality of coupling means designed as a rotary bolt, which are rotatable in such a way that they produce a coupling engagement between the front regions of the containers stacked on one another. In the case of this packaging container, the container opening is arranged laterally and can be closed by means of two cover walls which can be laid one above the other and which are pivotably arranged on the body of the container. The rotatable coupling means allow simultaneous locking of the cover walls with each other and with the cover walls of the container arranged above.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a container arrangement in which the stackable container is equipped with cost-realizable means that allow stable operation of a stacked containers stacked with simple operation.

To achieve this object, it is provided that the movable coupling means of the at least one coupling device is mounted on the lid of the container and for coupling the container. Ters is movable relative to the lid in a coupling position with a container placed on it, in which it is in simultaneous engagement with the lower parts of both aufeinanderitzender container in coupling engagement. By virtue of the fact that the coupling means mounted on the cover are in coupling engagement with the lower parts flanking the cover at the same time, the carrying force occurring during the transport of a container composite is transferred at least predominantly directly between the lower parts by the coupling means, so that the storage means provided for movement storage of the coupling means on the cover are relieved. This storage means are therefore not subject to increased wear and no special requirements in terms of stability, which favors a cost-effective production. The operation of the coupling device is also very simple, since with more or less only a single handle a coupling and decoupling two aufeinander sitting container can be performed. Preferably, a single handling operation on the coupling means is sufficient to bring it into engagement with both the lower part of the associated lid and the lower part of a seated upper lid in a coupling engagement ensuring a firm cohesion in the stacking direction.

Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

Conveniently, the movable coupling means of the coupling device is designed as rotatably mounted on the cover, in particular one-piece rotary latch. Thus, by simply turning the rotary latch, the desired coupling engagement can be established or resolved. In the coupling position, the rotary latch simultaneously engages anchoring mittein both arranged one above the other container and thus ensures a stable cohesion.

The anchoring means arranged on the lower part of the container are expediently subdivided into first and second anchoring means spaced apart in the stacking direction. The first anchoring means are closer to the lid than the second anchoring means. In this way, the rotary latch of a lower container in the coupling position on the one hand with the first anchoring means of the lower part of the lower container and simultaneously cooperate with the second anchoring means of the lower part of the upper container. An advantage of this design is that the rotary latch can be made regardless of the height of the container with compact dimensions. For interaction with the anchoring means arranged on the lower part of the rotary latch expediently has suitable locking structures. These are, as well as the anchoring means, suitably designed arcuate, the arc centers are in particular on the axis of rotation of the rotary latch. In this way, the locking and unlocking process can be carried out very easily and at the same time a large-area arcuate contact between the locking structures and the anchoring means can be ensured in the coupling position, so that only a small surface pressure occurs even with a high transfer capacity.

The anchoring means are preferably formed as projections, in particular as one-piece components of the lower part. The locking structures are expediently components of groove-shaped recesses formed on the rotary latch. The coupling device can advantageously have a multiple function. Thus, the movable coupling means is designed in particular to the effect that it is at least in one out of the coupling position

Closed position is movable, in which the coupling engagement with a possibly arranged on the container upper container is solved, however, however, a coupling engagement with the arranged below the lid lower part is given. The closed position is therefore in particular the position in which the rotary latch is displaced when an upper container is to be placed on the lower container or removed from the lower container. In addition, the closed position is the position that ensures the cohesion between the lid and base when the container is to be transported by itself.

In an embodiment as a rotary latch, the closed position is a position deviating from the coupling position with respect to the cover. Conveniently, offset locking structures are present on the rotary latch in its direction of rotation, which are in coupling engagement alternately with one and the same anchoring means arranged on the lower part in the coupling position and in the closed position. If the anchoring means have first and second anchoring means of the type mentioned above, the rotary latch cooperates expediently in each case with the first anchoring means in the coupling position and in the closed position.

The cooperating in the coupling position and in the closed position alternately with the anchoring means of the lower locking elements are advantageously arranged offset in the direction of rotation on the rotary latch that the rotary latch is rotatable in an open position in which said anchoring means between the Verriegelungsstruk- turen lie and the latter can virtually move past the anchoring means to allow an optional raising or lowering of the lid from or to the lower part, if the opening of the lower part is to be selectively released or covered.

Another function which can be integrated into the at least one coupling device is that of producing a coupling engagement with only the lower part of an upper container arranged on the lid while at the same time canceling the coupling engagement with the lower part arranged below the lid. In this position, which can be called a half-coupling position, it is possible to swivel the lid of the container upwards, even if another container is arranged on this lid, whereby this further container remains fixed on the pivotable lid and thus the container composite does not have to be dissolved.

In an embodiment of the coupling means as a rotary latch, the half coupling position expediently corresponds to a rotational position which is rotated by 90 ° with respect to the coupling position.

Although it would be possible in principle, the lid in such a way that it is removable in its entirety from the lower part, a design with pivotal mounting is recommended with respect to the lower part, so that the lid for opening and

Closing of the container is pivotable.

It is possible to equip the container with a plurality of coupling devices of the type described, which are then conveniently placed at a plurality of points distributed along the outline of the container. In particular, if only such couplers are used for producing the container composite. are used, it is expedient to provide at least two mutually opposite end sides of the container in each case at least one coupling device. In an advantageous manner, at least one coupling device of the type described can be combined in combination with further measures used to produce a contiguous container composite from stacked containers.

Such additional measures may consist in particular in that a first engagement structure is provided on the upper side of the cover and a second engagement structure is provided on the underside of the lower part, wherein these two engagement structures are matched to one another in such a way that in the superjacent state two Be - Container the upper first engagement structure of the lower container and the underlying second engagement structure of the upper container engage each other such that the two containers are secured against displacement transversely to the stacking direction relative to each other and on the other by a local locking a partial lifting of the upper container prevented from the lower container. The latter is done by locking engagement of special Hintergreifbestandteile the engagement structures, said locking engagement is made by a relative movement of the two containers ter when an upper container is placed on the lower container. The at least one coupling device according to the invention is arranged at a distance from the locking region defined by the mutually cooperating Hintergreifbestandteile and holds the two containers in the coupling position together such that the upper container is vertically immovably coupled in that region with the lower container through the A- is not hindered from lifting. This results in a combinatory effect between the engagement structures on the one hand and the at least one coupling device on the other hand. The first engagement structure arranged on the cover preferably comprises engagement recesses and the second engagement structure arranged on the lower part comprises engagement projections. Advantageously, the engagement projections are simultaneously formed as feet, over which the container can be stably placed on a pad when it is not even stacked on another container. These feet expediently also form, at least in part, the engagement components of the second engagement structure which, when the container is stacked, prevent the local lift-off from the lower container by engagement in a first engagement structure. The equipped with this Hintergreiffunktion feet can be referred to as locking feet. Other feet that cause only a displacement protection transverse to the stacking direction in conjunction with the first engagement structure can be referred to as Abstütz- feet.

Preferably, two spaced-apart locking feet are present on the underside of the lower part, in particular in the vicinity of the back. In order to ensure a secure locking engagement even with any wear of these locking feet, in addition a extending between the two locking feet locking bar may be present, the locked in the stacked state of two containers with a Hintergreifbestandteil the first engagement structure of the cover is. For interacting with the locking feet, the first engagement structure expediently has at least one locking engagement recess having an undercut cross-section with a peripheral engagement projection which is in contact with the associated locking projection.

Stand and, if available, also with a locking bar in locking engagement can occur. A single locking engagement recess may be formed to allow simultaneous engagement of all existing locking feet. In particular, such a trained locking engagement recess can also take over the additional function of a recessed grip, in which one can engage with one hand to carry the container. Particularly in the case of relatively shallow containers, that is to say of sizes comparable to those of briefcases, the container can also be transported upright in a manner comparable to a briefcase.

Incidentally, the container is expediently equipped with a carrying handle arranged in the region of the upper side, which expediently can be pivoted into a non-use position, in which it can be pivoted into a receiving recess formed on the upper side of the lid. This receiving recess is expediently formed by a correspondingly large-sized engagement recess of the first engagement structure, which simplifies the manufacture and which favors, among other things, the use as a recessed grip, as required.

The container arrangement can have a plurality of containers of the type described, which differ from one another in particular in their height dimensions, but which are of identical design with regard to the coupling device and expediently also the engagement elements, so that they are identical stack in any combination and order and link to a container composite.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 shows a perspective view of a container according to the invention in the closed state,

FIG. 2 shows the container from FIG. 1 with the lid pivoted into an open position;

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the container with a viewing direction according to arrow III from FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 shows an oblique view of the container on its underside,

FIG. 5 shows a container arrangement consisting of two containers stacked on top of one another, coupled together to form a container composite;

Figure 6 is a front view of the arrangement of Figure 5 with

Viewing direction according to arrow VI,

Figure 7 is a plan view of the container assembly of FIG

5 with viewing direction according to arrow VII, Figure 8 is a side view of the arrangement of Figure 5 with

Viewing direction according to arrow VIII,

FIG. 9 shows the container arrangement from FIG. 5 from another

Viewing angle and in the remote state of the coupling means of a coupling device, FIG. 10 shows the container arrangement from FIG. 5 in a perspective side view in the state of placing an upper container on a lower container,

11 shows a cross section through the container arrangement according to FIG

Section line XI-XI of Figures 5 and 6 in the region of the meshing engagement structures,

FIG. 12 shows an individual view of a coupling means in a rear view with a viewing direction according to arrow XII from FIG. 9,

Figure 13 the framed in Figures 5 and 6 section A of

Container composite in the coupling position of the coupling means in a section along section line XIII-XIII of Figures 5 and 14, Figure 14 shows the arrangement of Figure 13 in a section according to

Cutting line XIV-XIV,

FIG. 15 shows detail A of FIGS. 5 and 6 in the same sectional view as FIG. 13 when coupling means are moved into the closed position and in section according to section line XV-XV from FIG. 16;

FIG. 16 shows the arrangement from FIG. 15 in section according to section line XVI-XVI,

Figure 17 shows the detail A of Figures 5 and 6 in one with

13 and 15 comparable illustration, wherein the coupling means is shown in the open position, Figure 18 shows the detail A of Figures 5 and 6 in a representation corresponding to Figures 13 and 15, wherein the coupling means is shown in the half-coupling position, and Figure 19, the container assembly of Figure 5 in an open position of the lower container at the same time with the lid of the lower Container coupled upper container.

The container arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 consists of a container 1 which is designed to accommodate a container arrangement 1 comprising, for example, FIGS. 5 to 10 by stacking a plurality of containers 1 of its kind in a vertical stacking direction 2 receive.

The container 1 is also preferably equipped with at least one coupling device 3 as well as an engagement device 4, which make it possible to releasably couple together stacking suitcases in such a way that the container arrangement forms a container group consisting of several contiguous containers 1, which is handled as a unit and in particular can be transported.

The container 1 is expediently designed essentially cuboid. Inside it has a receiving space 5 for receiving any objects. Its body 6 is expediently subdivided into a box-shaped or dish-shaped lower part 7 and a cover 8 associated with the opening 12 of the lower part 7, which in turn can also be constructed like a box or dish. In the normal position of use of the container 1, the lower part 7 is below and the lid 8 is arranged above. The present description refers to these normal uses.

With regard to the lower part 7, the cover 8 can assume a covering position that can be seen, for example, from FIGS. 1 and 5. It sits here completely on the edge of the lower part 7 and closes the opening 12, so that the receiving space 5 is covered inaccessible.

On the other hand, the cover 8 can also be moved away from the lower part 7 in an open position, which can be seen for example from FIGS. 2 and 19, in order to expose the opening 12 and make the receiving space 5 accessible.

In principle, no firmly connected connection is required between the lower part 7 and the cover 8, which would make it possible to completely detach the cover 8 from the lower part 7 in order to obtain an open position. However, it is expedient to fix the two components together so that they represent a coherent assembly even in the open position of the lid 8. By way of example, this is done by a pivotable mounting of the lid 8 on the lower part 7 by hinge means 13 which define a lid pivot axis 14 about which the lid 8 for opening and closing the container 1 according to double arrow 15 in the height direction of the container 1 is pivotable. Relative to the normal position of use, the container 1 has on the outside a front end face 16a, an opposite rear end face 16b and two also opposite, between the front and the rear end face 16a, 16b extending lateral end faces 16c, 16d. These end faces 16a-16d are part of a frame-shaped Peripheral wall 17, which is divided in the embodiment in a belonging to the lower part 7 peripheral wall portion 17a and a cover 8 belonging to the upper peripheral wall portion 17b. When the container 1 is closed, the two peripheral wall sections 17a, 17b are expediently flush with one another.

In addition, the container 1 has on the outside a lower outer surface referred to as lower side 18 and an upper outer surface designated as upper side 19. The underside 18 is a constituent part of a lower part 7 belonging to the bottom wall 22, the top 19 is part of a cover 8 belonging to the ceiling wall 23. The bottom wall 22 and the ceiling wall 23 extend in the normal position of use in each case in a horizontal plane, wherein the with the Height direction of the container 1 coinciding stacking direction 2 is oriented at right angles thereto.

If, as can be seen from FIGS. 5 to 19, two containers 1 are stacked on one another, the lid 8 of the currently lower container 1 lies in the stacking direction 2 between the lower part 7 of the lower container 1 and the lower part 7 of the upper container 1 arranged above it Arrangement is particularly made such that the upper container 1 rests with its bottom wall 22 directly on the top wall 23 of the cover 8 arranged underneath. The hinge means 13 are expediently arranged so that the cover pivot axis 14 is associated with the rear end face 16b. To open the container 1, the lid 8 can therefore be swung up in the region of its front.

As far as the following terms "front" and

"Back" are used are those pages of the container 1, in which the front end face 16a and the rear end face 16b is located. In the following text, "transverse direction 24" denotes a direction which is aligned at right angles to the stacking direction 2 and at the same time parallel to the front and rear end surfaces 16a, 16b.

The coupling device 3 allows releasably linking a lower container 1 with an upper container 1 currently seated thereon. As indicated in phantom in FIG. 7, in each case at least one coupling device 3 could be arranged on several or also on all end faces 16a-16d of the container 1 be. Due to the additional presence of the engagement device 4 is limited in the embodiment, the arrangement of the coupling device 3 on only the front end surface 16a, preferably only a single coupling device 3 is provided, the center of the transverse direction 24, so placed in the center of the front end face 16a is. The handling is thereby greatly simplified.

A multiple arrangement of coupling devices 3 that can be actuated in particular independently of one another is particularly recommended when the load-bearing capacity to be transferred by the coupling process is very high and should be selectively distributed over several positions.

The coupling device 3 has a coupling means 26 which is mounted on the cover 8 and is movable relative to the cover 8 and which is movable into a coupling position which can be seen in the lower half of FIGS. 5 and 6 and in FIGS. 13 and 14, in which it simultaneously engages the lower parts 7 of both stacking container 1 in such coupling is engaged that the two lower parts 7 in the stacking direction 2 can not be moved relative to each other. The coupling means 26 prevents the lifting of the upper container, in the opposite direction, the fixation is carried out by the mutual direct vertical support of the container 1 with each other.

In principle, one could imagine the coupling means 26 as an element with any suitable degrees of freedom of movement. However, an embodiment as a rotary latch 27 is considered particularly expedient, as is the case in the exemplary embodiment. FIG. 12 shows an individual view of a preferred embodiment of the rotary latch 27 in a rear view.

The rotary latch 27 is suitably at the front

End face 16 a of the lid 8 rotatably mounted, wherein the defined by associated pivot bearing means 28 axis of rotation 29 in particular runs perpendicular to the front end face 16 a. In the embodiment, the pivot bearing means 28 consist of a projecting from the front end surface 16a of the lid 8 forward, for example rohrstutzen- shaped bearing pin 32 and one in which preferably integrally and in particular as plastic material rotary latch 27 formed bearing recess 33, with the rotary latch 27 on the bearing pin 32 is rotatably attached. The axial fixation can be effected by any securing means, locking means 34 serve as examples (FIGS. 14 and 16).

As indicated in Figures 13, 15, 17 and 18, the

Drehlagerungsmittel 28 be provided with indexing 35, which cause the rotary latch 27 fixed in various preferred positions so non-rotatable relative to the cover 8 is that it can only be turned on by a slightly increased force. It may be, for example, locking means here. Also indexing means 35 of the type, which are based on a locking principle and make an active unlocking with the finger of a hand necessary, would be conceivable.

On its rear side 36 facing the body 6, the rotary latch 27 has a plurality of locking structures 37 that can be seen from FIG. 12, which are arranged at a radial distance from the axis of rotation 29, this radial distance being expediently the same for all locking structures 37.

These locking structures 37 are distributed in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis 29 and arranged at a distance from each other, but are preferably located on a common circular arc 38, the center of which lies on the axis of rotation 29. Preferably, the locking structures 37 comprise at least three locking structures hereinafter referred to as first, second and third locking structures 37a, 37b, 37c, of which the first and second locking structures 37a, 37b are preferably diametrically opposed with respect to the axis of rotation 29, ie on opposite sides of the axis of rotation 29 are arranged. The circumferential offset of the first and second locking structures 37a, 37b with respect to the axis of rotation 29 is thus at least substantially 180 °. The third locking structure 37c is arranged offset by 90 ° to the two aforementioned locking structures 37a, 37b.

The rotary latch 27 is particularly easy to grip if it is formed as shown in the figure T-shaped, in particular with three substantially equally long latch arms 42, which extend radially from the locking recess 33 having the locking center radially outward. Expediently, each the locking arm 42 is provided with one of the locking structures 37a, 37b, 37c. Between the locking arm 42 having the third locking structure 37c and each of the two other locking arms 42, it is expedient to gap a gap 43 whose determination will be explained below.

Preferably, the locking structures 37 consist of the radially outer, the rotation axis 29 facing outer recess flanks depending on a groove-like recess 44 which is formed in the back of the body of the rotary latch 27. Each recess 44 expediently has an arcuate extent along the circular arc 38. The outer locking flanks acting as locking structures 37 accordingly have an arcuate shape with arc centers lying on the axis of rotation 29. If the rotary latch 27 is rotated about the rotation axis 29 according to the double arrow 45, the latch arms 42 pivot about the rotation axis 29, wherein a latch arm 42 projecting upwards or downwards in the stacking direction 2 protrudes beyond the cover 8 in the corresponding direction. So it is the distance between the locking structures 37 of the rotation axis 29 is greater than the distance between the rotation axis 29 and the top and bottom of the lid. 8

The coupling device 3 has as further components via first and second anchoring means 46, 47, which are arranged on the front end face 16a of that lower part 7, to which also the rotary latch 27 bearing cover 8 belongs. The two anchoring means 46, 47 are preferably arranged in the stacking direction 2 at a distance below the cover 8, wherein they are expediently aligned in the stacking direction 2 and, in particular, are spaced from one another such that the first anchoring means 26 are closer are placed on the lid 8 as the second anchoring means 47.

As complementary elements to the groove-like depressions 44, the anchoring means 46, 47 in the exemplary embodiment are each formed by an in particular circular arc-shaped projection. The thus arcuate first anchoring means 46 are arranged on the lower part 7 such that their curvature corresponds to that of the circular arc 38 and they are arranged on exactly this circular arc 38. The curvature of the second anchoring means 47 is opposite to that of the first anchoring means 46. Thus, the convex surfaces of the two anchoring means 46, 47 face. The curvature of the second anchoring means 47 is the same as that of the first anchoring means 46, wherein the second anchoring means 47 are placed at a distance from the axis of rotation 29 such that the distance of the second anchoring means 47 of an upper container 1 from the axis of rotation of the container below it 1 is the same as the distance between the axis of rotation 29 and the first anchoring means 46th

Thus, when two containers 1 are seated, the first anchoring means 46 of the lower container 1 and the second anchoring means 47 of the upper container 1 lie together on the circular arc 38 (see FIG. 13). It would also be a reverse arrangement possible to the effect that the anchoring means 46, 47 are formed as groove-like depressions, can engage in the anchoring structures formed by projections 37 of the rotary latch 27. In principle, it would also be possible to form the first and second anchoring means 46, 47 in one unit.

When two containers 1 aufsitzitzen, the rotary latch 27 of the lower container 1 can be rotated in the apparent from Figures 5, 6, 13 and 14 coupling position in which the first locking structure 37a is in first engagement with the first locking means 46 of the lower base 7 and simultaneously a coupling engagement between the arranged on the upwardly projecting locking arm 42 second locking structure 37b and the second anchoring means 47 of the upper lower part 7. A rotated by 180 ° rotational position of the rotary latch 27 brings the same result, here are only the first and second locking structures 37a, 37b reversed in terms of their interaction with the two anchoring means 46, 47.

In the coupling division, the anchoring means 46, 47 are overlapped by the first and second locking structures 37a, 37b in the opposite directions with respect to the stacking direction 2, so that the lower parts 7 in the stacking direction 2 can no longer be removed from each other. The lid 8 of the lower container 1 can in this case be clamped between the upper and lower flanking parts 7.

Except in the coupling position of the rotary latch 27 can be positioned in other, each fulfilling a specific function rotary positions. The positioning is expediently supported by the indexing means 35. Another such rotational position is the example shown in Figures 1, 15 and 16 apparent closed position, which is also present in the rotary latch of the container 1 lying in Figures 5 to 10 above. The closed position makes a difference extending from the coupling position by a 90 ° twisted position, so that the first and second locking structures 37a, 37b come to rest without effect in the region of the front end face 16a of the cover 8 and only the third locking structure 37c is effective, which abuts one in the

Closed position downwardly projecting locking arm 42 is located. This third locking structure 37c is in a coupling engagement with the first anchoring means 46, so that the cover 8 is locked in an irreversible manner with respect to the lower part 7. The effective between the lid 8 and the lower part 7 locking force is transmitted here by the lid 8 through the mediation of the pivot bearing means 28, but this is not problematic because it is only a closing force, which is relatively low and the pivot bearing means 28 only little stressed.

The design of the rotary latch 27 is selected such that in the closed position it does not project into the region in which the second anchoring means 47 of a further, upper container 1 possibly placed on this container is located. Particularly advantageous is a pertinent structure that the rotary latch 27 in the closed position not at all or only slightly beyond the top 19 of the lid 8 protrudes.

When taking the closed position of the rotary latch 27 can be placed on the associated container 1 at any time another container 1 and unhindered removed again.

The closed position of the rotary latch 27 can therefore be used to decouple the container composite. In addition, it serves to lock the lid 8 of a container 1 to be used singly with respect to the lower part 7, so that the Cover 8 is secured in the covering position. Such a condition is apparent from FIG.

Obviously, the locking structures 37 of the rotary latch 27 cooperate both in the coupling pitch and in the closed position with always the same, first anchoring means 46 of the lower base 7. The design effort is therefore relatively low.

Another functional position of the rotary latch 27 is shown in Figures 2 and 17. This is an open position in which the lock between cover 8 and lower part 7 is released, so that cover 8 can be swung up to open container 1 in accordance with arrow 15. Conveniently, this open position, as well as the above-described closed position, at the same time forms a release position with respect to sitting on the container 1 upper container, with respect to the locking engagement of the rotary latch 27 both in the open position and in the

Closed position is canceled.

In the open position, the above-mentioned gaps 43 arranged between adjacent locking structures 37 gain their significance. The width of these gaps 43 is at least as great as the width of the first anchoring means 46, wherein the rotary latch 27 is positioned in the open position such that the gap 43 comes to lie in the region of the first anchoring means 46. In other words, the first anchoring means 46 are thus arranged in the gap 43, which is large enough to allow the lid 8 to pivot upwardly without this being hindered by the first anchoring means 46. The first anchoring means 46 are thus completely out of coupling engagement with any locking structures 37 in the open position. Due to the preferred symmetrical construction of the rotary latch 27 this can be positioned in alternatively two open positions, which are achieved starting from the closed position by turning the rotary latch 27 in one or the other direction, wherein the angle of rotation is preferably 45 °. If only one open position is provided, one of the gaps 43 can be omitted.

Finally, the rotary latch 27 can also spend in an apparent from Figure 18 functional position, which is referred to as half-coupling position, because although the coupling engagement with the lid 8 belonging to the lower part 7 is repealed, but not the coupling engagement with the lower part 7 of the lower container 1 seated upper container 1. The half-coupling position is also shown again in Figure 19 in the lower container 1 associated rotary latch 27.

The Halbkoppelstellung is a rotated in the embodiment by 90 ° with respect to the coupling position rotational position. In this case, the locking arm 42 equipped with the third locking structures 37c protrudes upward, in front of the front end face 16a of the lower part 7 of the upper container 1. There, the third locking structure 37c is in locking engagement with the second anchoring means 47. With regard to the first anchoring means 46, the locking engagement is released, the first and second locking structures 37a, 37b are in the same position as in the closed position according to FIG. 15, merely reversed in their orientation.

In the half-coupling position, the cover 8, which is no longer locked to the lower part of the lower container 1, can be pivoted upwards, as shown in FIG. at least one arranged on this cover 8 further container 1, which is further locked in the same manner on the swing-up lid 8, as in the case of a coupling position. The container composite is therefore not repealed and still allows the lower container 1 to open the receiving space 5 open.

It is understood that the shape of the rotary bolt 27 may differ from that shown, in particular it would be possible to provide additional wall structures which cover the gaps 41 towards the front, so that the rotary latch 27 has a rather uniform outer contour, for example comparable to the shape of a circular segment.

The additionally present engagement device 4 includes a first engagement structure 48 arranged on the upper side 19 of the container 1 and a second engagement structure 49 arranged on the underside 18 of the container 1. In the exemplary embodiment, the first engagement structure 48 is located on the outside of the ceiling wall 23 of the cover 8 and the second engagement structure 49 on the outside of the bottom wall 22 of the lower part 7. The two engagement structures 48, 49 are coordinated so that in the stacked state of two containers 1, the upwardly facing first engagement structure 48 of the lower container 1 and the downwardly facing second engagement structure 49 of the upper container 1 engage each other. This mutual engagement has the effect that the stacked containers 1 are mutually supported transversely to the stacking direction 2 and can not be displaced relative to one another. On the other hand, it is caused that the engagement structures 48, 49 at least partially engage behind transversely to the stacking direction in such a way that a distortion in the stacking direction is present, which is at least one directly vertically above directed lifting at least a certain portion of the upper container 1 from the lower container 1 prevented.

Specifically, the engagement structures 48, 49 are preferably designed so that they prevent lifting of the rear portion 52 of the upper container 1, however, allow lifting of the front portion 53 of the upper container 1. This fact becomes clear from FIG. So that the front area 53 is locked inseparably with the lower container 1 and thus the entire upper container 1 forms a stable connection with the lower container 1, the at least one coupling device 3 already explained in detail is present. This coupling device 3, which is expediently located in the region of the front end face 16a, holds in the already explained manner when taking the coupling position, the upper lower part 7 and the lower lower part 7 with the interposition of the lower lid 8 firmly together.

If there were no coupling device 3, a corresponding configuration of the first and second engagement structures 48, 49 could also ensure that in the stacked state of two containers, the upper container 1 in its entirety can not be lifted directly upwards in the stacking direction 2. In the combination of the engagement device 4 and the coupling device 3, however, there are advantages in terms of handling. The first engagement structure 48 consists of a plurality of formed on the upper side 19 of the lid 8, distributed over the cover surface engaging recesses 54. The second engagement structure 49 consists of several, expediently in the same distribution as the Eingriffsvertie- 54 arranged engagement projections 55, which after U.N- th on the suitably at least flat outer base 56 of the bottom wall 22 protrude.

Several of these engagement projections 55 form feet 57, which are expediently distributed over the underside 18 selectively, the embodiment having a total of four such feet 57, which are placed in the corner regions of the outer base 56 of the bottom wall 22, but in this case to the end faces 16a - 16d each maintain a certain distance. Each container 1 can be parked stable on single use with the help of the feet 57 on a ground. The same applies to the use of a container 1 as a lower container of a stacked container arrangement. The feet 57 are suitably integrally formed with the body 6, but could also be at least partially releasably secured, if necessary, to allow replacement in the event of wear.

Under the engagement recesses 54 are two pieces 54a, which are arranged in the two front corner regions of the preferably rectangular top 19. A comparable arrangement would also be possible for the rear feet 57 associated engagement recesses, however, an advantageous variant was chosen in the embodiment in which a single rear engagement recess 54b is present, which has such dimensions that they can simultaneously engage both rear feet 57.

As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 1, 7 and 9, the rear engagement recess 54b can have an elongated shape with a longitudinal extent running in the transverse direction 24 and can be produced parallel to the rear end face 16b. stretch. The front engagement recesses 54a, however, like the associated front feet 57 are of punctiform shape and have, for example, a square outline. The two front feet in the embodiment form pure supporting feet 57a having a complementary plan shape with respect to the front engaging recesses 54a so as to bear against the inner side walls of the front engaging recesses 54a in the state inserted in the front engaging recesses 54a, thereby supporting the attached container 1 perpendicular to the stacking direction 2 can not be moved on the lower container 1. The structuring of the supporting feet 57a and the front engaging recesses 54a, however, is such that there is no locking in the stacking direction 2, so that the front portion 53 of the upper container 1 can be raised at any time when the coupling means 26 is in the release position.

In contrast, the rear feet 57 cooperating with the preferably single rear engagement recess 54b are designed as locking feet 57b. Their special feature is that they act as Hintergreifbestandteile the second engagement structure 49, which are able to engage behind the locking engagement formed for a rear engagement recess 54b inwardly transversely to the stacking direction 2, so that a relative movement in the stacking direction 2 preventing locking engagement is present. Hereinafter, the rear engagement recess 54b is also referred to as a locking engagement recess. If each locking stand 57b has its own engagement recess 54, it is also designed as a locking engagement recess.

Its function as a locking engagement recess 54b receives the rear engagement recess, in particular by realization with an undercut cross section, for which the figure 11 shows an embodiment. The otherwise upwardly open locking engagement recess 54b has at least at its the rear end surface 16b adjacent edge region in the depth direction 25 forwardly projecting, preferably rib-shaped Hintergreifvor- jump 58, which results in that the locking engagement recess 54b has an opening cross-section , which is less than the base area of the recess bottom. Each locking stand 57b has on the rear end face 16b facing rear over a suitably wedge-shaped profiled rear gripping portion 62, so that in the transition region to the outer base 56 of the bottom wall 22 results in a gap having a complementary to the Hintermreifvorsprung 58 cross section ( FIG. 11).

The dimensions of the opening of the lock engagement recess 54b are larger in the depth direction 25 than those of each lock stand 57b.

The latter can thus be easily inserted from above into the locking engagement recess 54b.

In order to place an upper container 1 on a lower container 1, the upper container 1 according to FIG. 10 is tilted in an inclined position and, with the rear portion 52 inclined downwards, protruded onto the upper side 19 of the lower container 1. With the locking feet 57b immersed in the locking engagement recess 54b. At the same time or subsequently, the upper container 1 is pushed or pushed backwards in accordance with the arrow 63, so that the rear grip sections 62 engage in interlocking engagement with the at least one rear engagement projection 58. The area in which this locking engagement takes place may be referred to as the locking area 64.

In a further step, the front region 53 of the upper container 1 is pivoted downward in accordance with arrow 65, wherein the structures engaging behind in the locking region 64 have a sketched in their course in FIG

Define pivot axis 66 for the said pivoting operation.

When pivoting the front area 53 on the upper side 19 of the lower container 1, the support feet 57a dip into the associated front engagement recesses 54a and ultimately complete the mutual engagement of the engagement structures 48, 49.

The rear portion 52 of the upper case 1 is secured to a vertical lift by the locking engagement between the lock upstands 57b and the lock engagement recess 54b. The corresponding vertical securing of the front region 53 takes place by turning the coupling means 26 into the coupling position. The insertion of the supporting feet 57a into the front engaging recesses 54a may be facilitated by forming the side wall of the front engaging recesses 54a at least partially as an inclined sliding surface 67. The front engagement recesses 54a thus have a larger cross-section in the region of their opening than on the floor surface. che, wherein this cross-sectional difference is bridged by the inclined sliding surfaces 67. There is thus an automatic centering when placing the upper container instead.

It can be seen from FIG. 4 that an additional locking strip 68 can extend between the two locking feet 57b spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction 24, which also has a rear engagement section 62 comparable to that of the locking feet 57b and expediently the entire intermediate space bridged between the two locking feet 57b. This locking bar 68 also forms an engagement component of the second engagement structure 49, which acts in addition to the locking feet 57b and which increases the length of the locking contact so that a greater load-bearing capacity is achieved.

The measured in the stacking direction 2 height of the locking bar 68 is suitably lower than that of the locking feet 57 b, so that the latter project beyond the locking bar 68 downwards. However, it is advantageous if the locking strip 68 is formed integrally with the locking feet 57b. It may in particular be connected in one piece with the body of the lower part 7 in the same way as the feet 57.

Another number of feet 57 available in the exemplary embodiment is possible without further ado. For example, a single strip-shaped locking base 57b could be present on the back side, ie comparable to an arrangement in which the locking strip 68 has the same height as the locking feet 57b. In order to be able to transport the container 1 or the container composite easily, the container 1 expediently has a carrying handle 72 on its upper side. Conveniently, this carrying handle 72 is arranged on the lid. In addition, it is advantageously designed so that it can adopt either an apparent from the drawing, pivoted to the top 19 zoom in non-use position or indicated in Figure 6, pivoted upward and thus upwardly over the top 19 protruding use position. It is preferably a bow-shaped carrying handle 72 with a U-shaped design.

So that the carrying handle 72 does not interfere with the stacking process of the container 1, an upwardly open receiving recess 73 is formed in the upper side 19 of the lid 8, in which the carrying handle 72 engages sunk in the non-use position. In this case, it is advantageous if this receiving recess 73 is formed directly by the correspondingly large locking engagement recess 54b. The said locking engagement recess 54b forms in the embodiment at the same time an open at the top 19 recessed grip 74. This opens up the possibility to transport a single container in a relation to the normal position of use by 90 ° twisted edgewise alignment comparable to a briefcase and with it a hand from above into the recessed grip 74 engage, with the rear grip projection 58 can engage around with the fingers, so that a safe transport is possible.

Notwithstanding the embodiment, the locking feet 54b could also be designed so that their Hintergreif- section 62 is oriented towards the front. In this case The rear engagement projection 58 would also be located on the edge region of at least one locking engagement recess 54b, which is closer to the front end surface 16, and point to the rear. In the embodiment, the entire load capacity between two vertically coupled containers 1 is transmitted via a three-point coupling. The three coupling points consist of the locking measures in the area of the two locking feet 75b and the locking bolt 27 arranged at a distance from the locking area 64. In addition, a certain surface force can also be transmitted by the locking strip 68.

It is readily possible to realize containers 1 of different heights, which have the same coupling devices 3 and engagement devices 4 as the container 1 explained above. In this way, containers 1 differing in size can easily be stacked in any order and combined to form a container composite become. The combined presence of the at least one coupling device 3 and the engagement device 4 is particularly advantageous, but the container I can in principle also be equipped without engagement device 4 and / or with a different engagement device from the type described.

Claims

claims

A container assembly comprising at least one stackable container (1) having a box-shaped or cup-shaped base (7) having an opening (12) and one of the opening (12) of the base (7) for selectively releasing or closing the opening (12) relative to the lower part (7) movable cover (8) and which is designed for such vertical stacking a plurality of containers (1) that the lid (8) of a lower container (1) between the lower parts (7) of the lower At least one coupling device (3) is arranged on the container (1), which has a movable coupling means (26), with which the lower parts (7 ) can be detachably coupled together to receive a container assembly consisting of a plurality of containers (1), wherein the movable coupling means (26) a m lid (8) of the container (1) is mounted and for coupling the container (1) with a placed on it container (1) relative to the lid (8) is movable into a coupling position in which it simultaneously with the lower parts ( 8) of both stacking container (1) is in coupling engagement.

2. Container arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable coupling means (26) at least one coupling device (3) is movable into a deviating from the coupling position closed position in which it from an over the associated lid (8) arranged upper container (1) is decoupled and at the same time is in coupling engagement with the lower part (7) arranged below the cover (8) in such a way that the cover (8) closes in a covering position closing the opening (12) of the lower part (7) with respect to this lower part (7 ) is locked.

3. A container arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the movable coupling means (26) at least one coupling device (3) is movable into a deviating from the coupling position Halbkoppelstellung in which it with the lower part (7) of the associated lid ( 8) is in coupling engagement and at the same time decoupled from the lower part (7) arranged underneath the cover (8), so that a lifting of the cover (8) is arranged together with the above the cover (8) Container (1) of the below the lid (8) arranged lower part (7) is possible.

4. Container arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a plurality of distributed over the outline of the container (1) arranged coupling device (3) are present, which are independently operable.

5. Container arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the coupling means (26) of at least one coupling device (3) is rotatably mounted on the lid (8) mounted rotary latch (27) and on the lower part (7) for Anchoring means (46, 47) provided in cooperation with the rotary bolt (27) are arranged in such a way that the rotary bolt (27) of a lower two abutting container (1) engages with the anchoring means (46, 47) of the lower parts (7 ) of both containers (1) is in simultaneous coupling engagement.

6. Container arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one coupling device (3) arranged on the lower part (7), in the stacking direction (2) of the container (1) spaced apart first and second Veran- kerungsmittel (46, 47) of which the first anchoring means (46) are placed closer to the lid (8) than the second anchoring means (47), such that the rotary latch (27) of the lower two collapsing containers

(1) when taking the coupling division on the one hand with the first at the lower part (7) of the lower container (1) arranged

Anchoring means (46) and on the other with the lower part (7) of the upper container (1) arranged second anchoring means (47) is in coupling engagement.

7. A container assembly according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the rotary bolt (27) when taking the coupling position with the anchoring means (46, 47) of two übereinereinitzender container in coupling engagement locking structures (37), wherein expediently both the Anchoring means (46, 47) and the locking structures (37) are designed arcuate, in particular with lying on the axis of rotation (29) of the rotary bolt (27) bottoming centers.

8. Container arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the anchoring means (46, 47) as projections and the locking structures (37) as constituents of in particular groove-like depressions (44) are formed, or vice versa.

9. Container arrangement according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the at least one coupling device (3) at a right angle to the stacking direction

(2) of the container (1) oriented end face (16a) of the container (1) is arranged, wherein the rotary latch (27) with respect to a perpendicular to this end face (16a) rotation axis (29) is rotatable.

10. Container arrangement according to one of claims 5 to 9 in conjunction with claim 2, characterized in that the

Turning bolt (27) in the closed position one of the coupling position deviating rotational position with respect to the lid (8) occupies.

11. A container arrangement according to claim 10, characterized marked, that the rotary latch (27) has offset in its rotational direction locking structures (37, 37 a, 37 b, 37 c) which in the coupling pitch and in the closed position alternately with the same at the lower part ( 7) arranged anchoring means (46) are in coupling engagement.

12. Container arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that the locking structures (37, 37a, 37b, 37c) in the direction of rotation of the rotary latch (27) are offset from one another in such a way that the rotary latch (27) is rotatable in an open position, in the the anchoring means (46), which are arranged on the lower part (7) and cooperate in the coupling position and in the closed position with the rotary bolt (27), lie between the locking structures (37, 37a, 37b, 37c) and thereby the coupling engagement is canceled Lifting the lid (8) from the lower part (7) to enable the opening (12) of the lower part (7) to release.

13. A container arrangement according to one of claims 5 to 12 in conjunction with claim 3, characterized in that the rotary latch (27) assumes a total of one of the coupling position different rotational position relative to the cover (8) in the half-coupling position, wherein the rotational positions in the coupling Position and in the half-coupling position expediently rotated by 90 ° to each other.

14. Container arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the coupling means (26) is designed as rotatably mounted on the lid rotary latch (27) which is rotatable in a plurality of different rotational positions in which it is at least a coupling position to one the lid (8) only with the lower part arranged underneath

(7) coupling closed position to a lid (8) from the lower part arranged underneath (7) uncoupled open position and expediently also to the lid (8) from the lower part (7) underneath decoupled and at the same time with the lower part arranged above (7) coupling half coupling position is.

15. Container arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the cover (8) at a distance from the front end face (16a) of the container (1) is pivotally mounted on the lower part (7) such that it moves in an open position Coupling means (26) of the at least one coupling direction (3) in the front region with respect to the lower part (7) is swung up.

16. A container arrangement according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises only a single coupling device (3), which is arranged in the center of a wide front end face (16 a) of the container (1).

17. Container arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that on the upper side (19) of the lid

(8) a first engagement structure (48) and on the underside (18) of the lower part (7) a second engagement structure (49) is provided, wherein the two engagement structures (48, 49) are matched to one another such that in the stacked state of two containers (1), the overhead first engagement structure (48) of the lower container (1) and the underlying second engagement structure (49) of the upper container (1) intermesh with each other such that the two containers (1) are displaceable relative to one another transversely to the stacking direction (2) and, on the other hand, by engaging behind (34) engaging crosswise to the stacking direction (2) engaging structures (48, 49) a lifting of the upper Container (1) from the lower container only partially preventing locking between the containers (1) is present, so that the upper container (1) about the defined by the engaging behind engagement components (57, 58) locking portion (64) around, wherein the at least one coupling device (3) is arranged at a distance from the locking region (64) and in the coupling part tion of its coupling means (26) prevents pivoting of the upper container (1) from the lid (8) of the lower container (1).

18. A container arrangement according to claim 17, characterized in that the engagement structures (48, 49) are formed such that the placement of an upper container (1) on a lower container (1) for obtaining the tures by the Eingriffsstruck- (48, 49 ) in the stacking direction (2) caused locking by an attachment of the upper container (1) in relation to the lower container (1) inclined position to the mutual engagement of the engagement structures (48, 49) and then pivoting the upper container (1) to the lower container (1) about a defined by the engaging engagement behind structures (48, 49) pivot axis (66) is executable.

19. A container arrangement according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the first engagement structure (48) arranged at the top of the container (1) engaging recesses (54) and the second engagement structure (49) from at the bottom (18) of the container ( 1), wherein the container (1) has on its underside (18) a plurality of distributed, downwardly projecting feet (57) belonging to the second engagement contour (49) and at least partially their components form.

20. A container arrangement according to claim 19, characterized in that at least one base (57) as a Hintergreif- component of the second engagement structure (49) forming the locking stand (57b) is formed and at least one further stand (57) spaced from the locking

Stand (57 b) in the höhenverschwenkbaren area (53) of the container (1) is arranged and forms a non-vertical locking serving pure Abstutz-stand (57 a).

21. Container arrangement according to claim 20, characterized in that the second engagement structure (49) has two locking feet (57b) each forming an undergrip component and spaced from one another.

22. A container arrangement according to claim 21, characterized in that between the two locking feet (57b) in the stacked state of two containers (1) also with the Hintergreifbestandteilen the first engagement structure (48) in locking engagement locking bar (68) of the first engagement contour (48 ) which is expediently formed in one piece with the two locking feet (57b) and which expediently way down from the locking feet (57b) is surmounted.

23. Container arrangement according to one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that the at least one locking pedestal (57b) for engaging behind the first engagement structure (48) has a wedge-shaped profiled rear gripping portion (62), which expediently in one of the at least a supporting stand (57a) facing away from the direction.

24. A container assembly according to any one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that the first engagement structure (48) for cooperation with the locking feet (57b) has at least one an undercut cross-section having locking engagement recess (54b), at the edge of a Hintergreifvorsprung (58) which can be engaged behind by a locking foot (57b) which enters into the locking engagement recess (54b).

25. Container arrangement according to one of claims 20 to 24, characterized in that the side wall of at least one engaging recess (54, 54a) serving for receiving a supporting stand (57a) is at least partially inclined as sliding surface (67) for supporting the immersion process of the support Stand (57 a) is formed.

26. Container arrangement according to one of claims 17 to 25, characterized in that at least one engagement recess (54) of the first engagement structure (48) for simultaneously receiving two acting as Hintergreif components constituent and spaced apart four-locking feet (57b) is formed.

27. Container arrangement according to one of claims 17 to 26, characterized in that on the upper side (19) of the container (1) with respect to the body (6) of the container (1) pivotable carrying handle (72) is arranged, in a non-use position in a on the upper side (19) of the container (1) arranged receiving recess (73) is pivotable, said receiving recess (73) directly from an engagement recess (54, 54 b) of the first engagement structure (48) is formed, suitably from one Hin interengaging components (58) of the first engagement structure (48) forming the locking engagement recess (54b).

28. Container arrangement according to one of claims 17 to 27, characterized in that at least one engagement recess (54), expediently one the Hintergreifbestandteile (58) of the first engagement structure (48) forming the locking engagement recess (54 b), at the same time for carrying the container ( 1) usable recessed grip (74) forms.

29. Container arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 28, characterized in that it comprises at least two stackable and releasably coupled to a container composite container (1).